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THE

PREFACE

t O T H E

READER.

§ I

I Am very fenfible that this Memorial of Mr. Baxter, and his Hiftorical Accounts of the Times which went over him, have been long expeded and mucli 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 confufcdly a great quantity of loofe 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 inJifpofed and weak hand can write ; (not an Oftavo page in a competently great charader in an hour). 4.How many uncomfortable Providences have fince diverted me j and could not but do (b. f.How much time the orderly difpofal of his bequeathed Library to young poor Students, according to his Injundions on me, took up. 6. How much time my Miniderial Work required ; together with the unavoidable removal of my Habitation and Meeting Place, and the Setling of my Congregation thereupon. He that (l fay) well confiders thefe things (and more that I could fay , were it expedient (b long' 10 defain the Reader from the more profitable and delightful Entertainment of the Book it felf; will at lead abate his Cenfures, if not quite lay them by. However, I muft and fhall fubmit my ftlf unto what Conftruiftions the Reader fliall think fit to make of my Apology for its delay fo long.

§11.

As to the Authour of the enfuing Treatife, he appears ?ar negotio, as being very Sagacious, Obfervant, Impartial, and Faithful. The Things here treated on were Things tranfaded in his day, tjuaejue ipfe ■viJtt ; Et t^uorum pars magna fuit. Much he knew and felt, and was himfelf adively 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 Adion. Much he muft be inform'd of by others neceffarily: and yet he was gready averfe from the reception of things as true, upon too loofe reports. He fanned Intelligence, and Was not eafily impoied upon, in things of moment. Credulity, Ralhnefi, Partiality, and Perfidioufhefs, Ignorance and Injudicioufnefs do ill become Hiftorians. Quis nefcit, frimam hif}oria Legem ejje, ne quidfalfi dicere audeat ? deinde ne (jaid vert nen audeat ? Nequa ftijpicio gratia fit in fcribeado? netjua fimuhatis ? Cic.de Orac. lib.ir, and he had realbrf for this thought in that (as the Lord Bacon well obferves) the Examples of our Anceflurs, the Victjjltudes of Affairs, the Grounds of Civil Prudence, and Mens Names and Reputations do depend upon the Knowledge, the Judicioufnefs and Faithfulnefi of Hiftorians. Diligent Searches, deep and wife Thoughts, faithful Reprefentations and Reports, with honeft Intentions, and generous Deiigns and Aims at Publick Good, render Mens Hiftoriesof Things and Perfons ( as influential upon others,) pleafant and advantageous. Every one is not fit to tell the World the Hiftory of his own Life and Times: Who liv'd therein : what Pod and Station, Truft and Bufine(s,was their afligned Province: what Charaders they bore through their deportment therein: what were the regent Principles, the genuine Spirit, and

b main

The Treface to the Reader.

main End and Scope, of what they did : what they pretendedly or really defignd : what was the Condu(3:,Tenddncy and Refulc of their Confiilts and Adions: wherein they truly failed, and how, and why ? Sudi things as thele call for the greatell: Clearnefs, Freedom and Sincerity, Pains and Judgment ,• and I may add, a great Concern for Tublick Good, which is the loveliefl Property, and clearefi Symptom of a large and noble Soul. Hiftory fhould inform, admonifh, inftruifl^ and reclaim, reform, encourage Men that read it. And therefore they that write it fiiould Jiap'iejvlA S^Axdviv, i.^.diicern things Excellent , and thofe things in their difference each from othfer^ and in their importance to the Reader j and fo take care that nothing doubtful, falfe, impertinent, mean, injurious, cloudy, or needlefly provoking or refJeding be expofed to Publick View by them ; nor any thing exceffive or defedlive, as relating to the juff and worthy Ends of Hiftory. TheAuchorof the fublequent Hilio-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 prelent and lucceeding Generations duly know the real and true ftate and iffues of the Occurrences and Tranfacftions of his Age and Day ; and how much Judgment, Trutfi, and Candour appear in his following Accounts of Things, the Candid and Impartial Reader will eafily and quickly be refolved about. Scandals,arifing from Ignorance and mifreports of what related to our Church and State greatly affedted his very tender Spirit ; and the removal and prevention of them, and of what Guilt, Calamities and Judgments might or did attend thole Scandals, was what induced Mr. Baxter to leave Pofterity this Hiftory of his Life and Times. ,

§111. f

Memorable Perfons, Confultations, Anions, and Events ( with their relpedjve Epochs, Succeflions and Periods) are the Subjed Matter of Hiftory : Propriety_, clearnefs and vigour of Expreflion is what duly and gratefully reprefents the Matter to the Reader. Accurate Method gives advantage to theMehiory, as well as fatisfa-d:ion to the Judgment. The faithfulnefs, fulnefs, and freedom of relation conciliates a good Reputation to the Writer by its convincing Influences upon the Reader's mind j and thus it powerfully claims and extorts his Submiffion to the evident credibility of what he pernfes : and the weight and ufefulnefs of the Things related makes the Reader lerious, and concerned to oblervd what he reads : for finding the Matter great, the Expreflion proper atid lively, the Current of the Hiftory orderly and exad:, and the Purpofes and Ends various and important which the Hi-ifory fubferves, he accordingly values and ufes it as a Treafure. And from thence he extrads fiich Maxims and Principles as may greatly beftead him in every Exigence, 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 lignified to others ; and what, others to them ; and what all availed to Po-fferity, 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 f)f Man, and the Conduft of Providence purfuant to God's concerns with Men, and their concerns with him, as alio the Difcipline and Interefts of the Holy War with Sstan, will read Hiftory with a finer Eye and to better purpole than others can. To covet, endeavour, and obtain ability and furniture from Hiftory, Philology , Divi-t\ny^&c. to minifter to difcurfive Entertainment, or Selfconceitednefs. Ambition, Preferment, or Reputation with Men, is a defign (when ultimate) lb mean in Gods Eye, lb odious and noylom to others, when by them dilcerned, and lb uncomfortable and fatal to our felves when at laft accounted for, as that no wife Man would terminate and center himlelf, or his Studies there. I have feen afl Ibrts of Learning differently placed, ufed, and iffued. I can flay paticndy to fee the laft Reliilts of all 1 have Icen J-earning excellently implanted in a gracious heart : ( So it was in Mr. Baxter, and in feverall^relates, and Conformifts and Non-conformifts, and o-thers: it is fo at this day). I have leen it without Grace; or not lb evidently under the influences and conduct of Grace,as I have greatly defired it might have been: and here what Partiality, Malignity, Fac^tion , Domination, Supercilioulriels and Invedives hath his Hiftory and other Learning miniffred unto ! Indeed I'anAified Learning hath a lovely Ihow: And the Learning of gracelefs Perlbns hath in many Inftances and Evid^jnces greatly befriended God's loterelt in the Chriftian World.

And

The T^reface to the Reader,

And the Knowledge which could not keep fbme from doing Miichief in the World, and from their being fitted for Heli, and from drawing others after them thither ; hath yet helped others to heavenlioels and Heaven. But he that well confiders what Man is to God, and God to Man; what an Enemy degenerate Man is to God and himfelf ; what a fl"ate and frame and pofture of War (in hath put Men into, both againli^ God, themfelves, And each other ; what an Enemy Satan is to all, and what advantages Sin gives him againft usj and how Chrlfi is engaged againft Satan for uSj as the Captain of our Salvation j and how he manages this War by his Spirit. Oracles, Ordinances, Officers, and under-Agents in Church and State, and by the Conduft of Providence over crowned Heads, Thrones, Senates, Armies , Navies, greater and lets Communities, and fmgle Perlbns; in all things dono by them, for them, or upon them,or againft them: how he u(es,and influences the FacultieSjAAi-ons, Projedls, Confederacies, and Intereih of Men, by poizing them, changing them, and turning them to his own purpofes 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 expreflive of God's Name, miniftring to his avouched purpoies, and a great Teftimony 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 Treatile. He was an early Votary to his God: fo early as that he knew not when God engaged him firflunto himielf. And hence he in great mea-fures efc^ped thole Evil Habits and Calamities which old Age ordinarily pays lo dear for, though he laments the carelefnefs and intemperance of his firfl: childifh and youthful days. And if the Reader think it ffrange and mean, that thefe, andlbme other pafTages inferiors fttbJiUij fliould be inferted amongfl fo many things far mors confiderable, written by bir»felf\ and pubupied hy me, I crave leave to reply, i. That Conlcience is a tender thing, and when awaken d, it accounts no fin finall, nor any Calamity below moff lerious Thoughts and fenfible and fmart Refentments, that evidently iprings from the leaft Mifcarriage, which might fand ought to) have been prevented. 2. That the apprehenfion of approaching Death made him feverer in his Scrutinies and Refleftions. ;. That he thence thought himielf concerned and bound in duty to warn others againft all which he thought or found fo very prejudicial to his own Soul and Body. 4. That as mean paiTages as thele are to be found in Ancient and Modern Lives and Hilf ories, which pafs not under rigid Cen-lures. y. That the Author wrote this his Hiftory, jparfim&raftim, and it was rather a Rhapfody than one continued Work. So that I hope that the obvious inequalities of Style and Matter, (or the Defeds in accuracy of Method (much more the Errours of the Pre(s) 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 havt; 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 Judgment of the Nature of true Religion ) ' I take it as an intolerable Piaculum to -put

any altering hand of mine to the Writings of fuch a Man But to pafs by this •

His ferioulheis in and about the greateft things,and his lolicitous 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 us; and to enter into the Springs of Publick Affairs and Actions in Church and State : and to take notice of the Originals, Inftruments, Principles, Progrefs, Trads, Traverles, and Refults of Things. How Men were placed, I'pirited, influenced and engaged: and how herein they miniftred to the woes or welfare of the Publick, of rhemlelves, and of Pofterity, And very loth he was that all rtiould be impofed upon and injured by partial or falle Hiffory; and fb become Deceivers or Deceived, and Scandalizers or Scandalized. He well confidered what a faithful Hiftory of his Times might import to all. And hence, having had fiich perfeA underfhnding of all the Things here treated on, from the firff, bethought itnotamifs to write the chiefeft of them in order j that others might know the certainty of things, to the better inftitution of after Condudt 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 § VL

The Treface to the Reader.

§ VI.

The following Hiftory takes a confiderable compafs ( from J. D. 1615. to 1684.) and it will entertain the Reader with no fmall variety of ufcful and delightful Matter. I, You have here the Hiftory of God's early, kind, and powerful Dealings with him-felf, fb as to enprinciple and train him up as a Chriftian : and how God touch'd and fix'd his Soul for himfelf in ChrifHan Bonds. God caft that Mantle on him which made his heart to turn and ftand towards him > and be molt ambitious of, and folicitous about his pardon from, fellowlhip with^ devotednefs to, and living with God in the heavenly glory. Then God acquainted him with his natural, degenerate and loll (elf, till Chrift by Grace befriended and relieved him. When making towards, and brought to Chrilt^ he is prefently and fenfibly engaged in fecret and open War with Satan and his own felf And here his Conflids and Temptations are gradually and wifely ordered him, and let loofeupon him; but every way fuit-ed to his Itrength and benefit. His Exercifes were and mult be fuch asfl>all put hitn to deep Thoughts, clofe Studies, ftrift Guards and Watchings, fervent Prayer, and a quick fenfe of the Neceffity of daily help from Heaven. And Satan is permitted to attack him in all the Articles of his Chriftian Faith, and in the Foundation of his Heavenly Hrpes. He was fo fevcrely urged b. Satan to AtheifmjScepticifm, Infidelity, and followed with fuch perplexing Difficulties and amazing Intricacies a-bout both Natural and Revealed Religion, as that he had concerned and earned breathings after, value of, and refolution for full Satisfaction about both the Foundations and Superltrudure of Religion. Slight Studies, precarious though confident Aflertions, the Publick Vogue and Suffragesof Men, Worldly Interelts, Popular Applaules, and Flefhly Eafe, could fet no (tints and limits to his inquifitive Mind and painfal Searches. His Sotil ever lay open to Evidence: His Eye was (irft upon the Matter to find out that : he then confidered Words as the fit Portraidlures of Things, and Reprefentations of Humane Apprehenfions to mutual Information a-bout Things and Words, And when he obferved Words to he fo equivocal, and of fuch lax, uncertain fence, he was ever careful to give Expreffions their ftrid and ju(t 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 impetii-oufhefs of tiis Defires and endeavours to know Things clearly, orderly and dillinft-ly, aroft that multitude and variety of Diftindions, ('many whereof were thought unuliial, though I never thought yet any of them ufelefs and impertinent as improved by him) which ufually accompanied his Difcourle and Writings. But (toconclude this Head) clear knowledge of the Name and Kingdom of God in Chrift, well grounded Faitti, lively Hopes, rational Satisfa«aioo about the Safety of his State and Snul, the Soundnefs and due Furniture of his Inner Man in order to his fulfilling after God and Chrift,and an Exemplary Holy Life,an happy Death,a joyful Refurre-d:ion, thelb were the Pkaliire, Ambition and Employment of his Life ; as alio to be found in Chrift,and every way faithful and fruitful to him. And by whatlnftruments. Steps and Methods, God brought him hitherto, this following Account of his, frotn his own Pen will tell you. As alfo to what he ever had recourfefor bis own Perfon-al SatisfadionandRedreis, and how God exercifed and ufed his Parts and Thoughts herein.

You have here the Hiftory of his Minifterial 5elf God fet upon his Soul, asone refolv'd to qualifie and anoint it in no ordinary manner, for that Sacred Funftion, whereunto ( after many Temptations and Attempts to fix him in fome other Station and Employment, both from others and himfelf) by the Call and Condud of liis heavenly Mafter, he applied and kept himlelf at laft. God throughly made him firft to know tlae Soul which he had breathed into him, as to its Faculties, Capacities, Worth and Ufefulnefs. God made him feel and mind that Body wherein this Soul 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 related : and wherewith they were varioufly concerned. And in this World God fix'd him in fuch a Profped of another, as made him intimately and fharply feel both what, and where, amidll what Circumftances, and to what purpoles he bere abode in painful, exerciled and declining Flefh. And all this gave him great Advantages and Inducements to deal more c!o((5ly, skilfully, diligently, and conftantly, and importunately with Souls, about their great Concerns. And what a Tran(cript God

made him of what the Apollle fpcaks as to himfelf-ind Timothy, in Col. i.zf 29,

the following Hiftory of his KtiUcrminJter (and other) Labours and Succeffes in the Gofpel, will convince you to greit Satisfadion: as alfo of what Opporttions and Deliverances and Prefervations he met with there.

And

The Treface to the Reader.

And you have here fome Tafts and Informations of his Thoughts ahd Stlidifis; and of his Books and Letters to divers Perfons, of different Stations and Qiiality, and alio of what Pens and Spirits wrote againlt 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 Refolucion of weighty Cafes of Confcience propofed to him. And in all this you will find that verified of him, which the Lord Bacon hath deliver'd from his Pen, "jiz. Much Reading makes Men full: Much Writing makes them judicious and acute : and much Converfation makes them ready. 1 have been amazed to fee how ha-ftily he turned over Volumes, how intimately he underftood them, how ftrangeiy he retained his Reading^and how pertinently he could ule it to every propoled Cafe. Men flayed not long for what they wrote to him about : and wh*t he wrote was to great fatisfaAion and to the purpofe. 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 confidershis Apology for his Books hereafter mentioned, let him but ferioufly weigh whar is alledged, and accoidingly form hisCen-fures. His mentioned and recited Cafuiftical Letters and Books, favour at leaff of Thought and Pains; and perhaps the Reader's patient and attentive minding of both his menrlori'd I3ooks and Letters will not be lofs of time and pains. And though through too much haffe and heediefhels, fome few Efcapes (perhaps Inac* curacies) in the beginning may di!>afle his curious eye; yet a very few Pages following will yield him better Entertainment.

§ VII.

But the great things which are as the Spirit of this Hiflory, are the Accounts he gives of the Original Springs and Sources of all thefe Revolutions, Diftradions and Difaflers which happen'd from the Civil Wars betwixt King Charles the Firfl, to the Refloration of Charles the Second, and what was Confequent after thereupon to Church .-nd State. And here we fhall find various and great Occurrences fpringing from difTerenc Principles, Tempers and Interefls; directed to diffetent Ends, and refolved into different Events and IfTues. The Hifforian 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 affeft thePublick Intereft would he expole to Publick View. Nothing that might be capable of candid Interpretation or Allay, would he feverely cenfure. Nothing notorioufly criminal, and fatal to the Common Good would he pais by without his juff Refentments of it, and fevere Reflexions 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 himlelf relates. As to what he received from others by Report, how far his Information was true or faUe, 1 know not. indeed I wrote fwith tender and afFedionate refpeft and reverence to the Do(5tors N^me and Memory) to Madam Owen to defire her to fend me what fhe could, well atteRed, in favour of the Doftor, that I might in-lert it in the Margint, where he is mentioned as having an hand in that Affair at IValltngford Houfi ; or that I might expunge that pafTage. But this offer being re-jefted with more concemptuoulhefs and f inartnefs than my Civility deferved, 1 had no more to do than to let that pais upon Record: and to rely upon Mr. Baxter^ re-port,and the concu-^rent Teffimonies of fuch as knew the Intreagues of thofe Times. Yet that I might deal uprightly and upon the iquare, I have mention'd this ('though obiter) to telfiiie my Refpeds to him with whom I never was but once : but I was treated by him then with very great Civility indeed.

\ §VIII.

:den\

I cannot deny but it would have been of great advantage to the acceptablenels and ulcfiilnafs of this Book, had it's Reverend Author him^lf reviled, com pleated, and corrected it, and publilhed it himlelf. I am fure it had miaiff red more abun-dandy to my fari-^faftion : for I neither craved nor expefted luch a Truff and Legacy as his Manufcriprs. 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 remembrance of my incumbent Truff: and at the thoughts of my Account for all at laft. I am deeply fenfible of niv' inability for fuch Work ; even to difcouragement, and no fmall Confternation of Spirit. I want not apprehenfions of the Pardon which I fhall need from God, and Candour from Men, both which I humbly beg for as upon the knee. 1 know the heart and kindnefsand 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 improve

T^he T^reface to the Reader.

1 had neither time nor ftrength to attend the Prefs, fo as to infped the Impreffion fheet by fteet; and thereupon I trufted to the promifed Care of the Bookfellers: but I found upon review the Errata to be more numerous and grofsby far than ever I expeded. But if the Candid Reader will correct the Errata, as they are rendered corrigible to his view, I ftiali think my felf greatly obliged to him. But if the Reader's firft Hiftorical Salute difpleafe him, as being much beneath bis expected Entertainment, one hours reading I hope he will find to be the utmoft Exer-cife of 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 Rhaplbdy it now appears i and as to method and equality of Stile, fomewhat below what curious Readers might exped j yea, and from what it had been, had it but palTed the Author's ftrider Thoughts and View, Yet we (hall find the Hiftory greatly ufeful, though not exadly uniform ; nor is it fb confufed, as to be incapable of ea-fie References and Redudtions to fuch proper Order as may beff pleafe the Reader: if the Defign be clear and worthy, -viz,, to let in open Light the degenerate Age he lived in : the tnagnalta of Grace and ProviJence as to htmfelf : his Seif-cenfurings on all occafions: Caution and Conduct unto others: and tracing all Events to their genuine Sources and Originals, the judicious Reader will improve fuch things. Tiliere were feveral Papers loolely laid, which could not eafily be found , when needed. And the defecStivenefs of my very much declining Memory, made me forget ( and the more becaufe of hafte and bufinefs ) where I had laid them after I had found them. And fbme few Papers mention'd, and important here , are not yet found, though fearch'd after; which yet hereafter may be brought to light amongft Ibme others, intended for the Piblick View, if God permit. The Reverend Author wrote them at feveral times, as his other Work and Studies, and frequent 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 expected 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 imperfecStly , than not at all. It is true indeed, that he hath left us nothing of the la(t Seven years of his Life, fave his Apology for his accufed Paraphrafe and Notes on the New Teslament , for which he was fo 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 J for I well knew my felf very unable to do that uniformly with the reft j 3nd 1 was not inclined to obtrude upon the World what was not Mr. Baxters. Precarious 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 candidly received, or moderately cenfured, and any way tributary to the Reader's benefit, I ihall rejoyce therein, and not exped his undeferved Commendation.

III. I am well aware ( and think it worth my while to take notice ) of feveral Things which may awaken Prejudice, Cenfure, or Difpleafure , and occafion ( if not caufe J Objections and Offence, as to the Treatife and my felf j 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 of 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 aflent. And if Modefty and Self diffidence do make me refrain from Cenlures and Corredions and Expun-(Stions, can that be efteemed culpable ? Efpecially when it is -i/e/ jole Mendiano da-rim, to both my (elf and every Man, how much my Knowledge, Parts, Judgment, Holinefs and Advantages to know what he Reports and Cenfures, come fhort ojf what his were. Mol\ 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 f^ir 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 relentmenu If jufilji, the Equity will juftifie the Cenfure; and evidently fhew how much the Intereft of Church and State lay nearer to, and raore upon his Heart than private Friendfhip

The Preface to the Rjeader.

or Concerns. But if mjuftly, it is the undoubted right and daty of tho/e that can^ to clear the Cenfured from all their undue Imputations and Afperfions,' and could I do it for them, my Obligations to, and value for this quondam excellent Hif^o-rian and Divine, ftiould not prevent my urmoft cordial Engagements in chat matter namely, to wipe of all A(perfions from the Innocent, or to abate and lelTen them as far as they are capable duly of Allays. But let me meet the Reader with thele cautionary ofters.

I. Perhaps it may be thought unmeet by fome that a Dmine fliould turn Hifio-rian. Jn/w. i. Why not as well as Gron«j, DuPleffls, LaJ/ktusy &Cc. yea, and King Ja/net 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 himlelf ? or did more intirely fearch into Affairs ? or lay under greatei Advantages for pious and ju(t Informations? ( 3. ) He had no Advantages, nor heart for Gain or Honour by this his Undertaking. It is known he hath refufcd Preferment, even by King Charles the Second, but Ibught for none. ( 4. ) Writing of Iliftories rather refer to Abilities than to Office. Men may not govern Kingdoms, Cities, nor Societies, till called thereto by fblemn Defignation, be they never fb throughly qualified ; nor can they adminifter in Publick VVorlhip till called thereto by Solemn Ordination, or as Probationers in order to that Ot-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, are a Call Sufficiently and (afely to be depended on. ( 5.^ The Author's Modefty, Humili-ly, and well known Self denial, and evident Remotenels from all Pragmaticalnels and Affe&ation, may well prevent Sufpicion of his Exorbitancy in this his Enter-prize. And ( 6. ) his great Ability and Concern to ferve the Publick Interelf, when as all poffible help was needful, requifice and grateful, may well implead liich bold Retorts upon his Undertaking. Who ftays for a particular Commiffion to extinguilh Flames, or to give needful Informations of inftant Dangers, or of neceffary Condud, when great Calamities or Milcarriages cannot otherwilebe prevented ?

2. It is not impoflible that fome will judge him too impudent and unworthy in branding Perlofts with iuch ungrateful Charaders, as do lb evidently expofe the Memory of the Dead and Living, or their Pofterity, and intimate to difgrace. But (i.) Mattersot Fact notorioufly known are IJDeaking things themfelves: and their Approbation or Didike from others Ihould be as Publick as the Things themlelves. Matters of Publick Evidence and Influence are as the Telt of Publick Sentiments, and of the prevailing temper of thofe Communities wherein fuch things were done. And can Civilities of Converfation , or Interelt, or Perlbnal Refpeds and Tendernefs, be an Equivalent with God, to what is expeded by him f(om Bodies Politick, or from his faithful Servants in them. (2.) The Author blames himfelf as freely, and as publickly confeffeth, and blames his own Milcar-riages, as he doth any other. ( ;. j He fpares no Man nor Party , which he fiw culpable, and verily thought reproveable on juff grounds. Nor is he (paring of fit Commendations, nor of moderating his Reprehenfions, where he faw the Cafe would bear it. (4) He was far from Partiality, and addidednels to any Party. Good and Evil, Truth and Fallhood, Faithfulnels and Perfidioufnels, Wifdom and Folly, Confideratenels and Temerity, &c. they were refpedively commended or dilpraifed wherever they were found> T f-) Though Oliver Cromwell, ona Pro-tedor, Dr.Owen, and others, feem to he fiarply ceofur'd by him , in the thoughts of tbo/e that -valued them j yet let the afligned Realbns be confidered by the Reader, and let him fairly try his own ftrength in either Jijpro'vtng the Matters of Fact, and fo impeach the Truth of the Hiftory : or in ju/lifytng what was done, and fo implead the Cr;»j;7;<»/Charge j or in allaying the Cenlureby 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 Charadersjultly challenging Commendations. For as to Oliver Cromwell,whit Apprehenfions and Inducements governed him, and what hold they took upon his Conlcience, and how far he acted in faithfulnels thereto, as in defigned reference to God's Glory, to the Advancement of Religion , to the Reformation of a debauched Age, and to the Prefervadon 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 determine. I have heard much of his Perfonal and Family Stridnefi and Devotian:

c Of

The Preface to the Reader.

Of his Appeals to God for the Sincerity of his Defigns and Heart, from fome Who have heard him make them as they have credibly told me : Of his Encouragement of lerious Godlinefs, and of the great Difcouragement which Irreligion and Pro-phanenels and Debauchery ever met with from him. Thefe Things were good and great. But from what Principles they came, and by what right from God and Man they were his Redtoral Province, and to what ultimate End he really did di-reft them ; thefe Things require deeper Thoughts than mine, in order to a fbber Judgment on them.. Ic is more than I can do to vindicatij his Right to Govern,

and to behead our King, and to keep out another -but I am alway glad of

any thing which may allay the Guilt of Men : though I had rather find no Guile (nor any appearance or fufpicion of itj that fhail need Charity or Induftry to extenuate or allay it. God grant thefe Kingdoms greater Care and Wifdom for time to come ; and caufe us to fit peaceably, orderly, obedicntly/ubmiffively and thankfully under the gracious Government of King William our prelenc rightful and lawful Soveraign, in (o great Mercy to thefe Kingdoms, whom may the moft high God long preferve, condud, and greatly prolper. ( 6. ) As to the Relatives and under Agents of Oliver Cromwell, 1 offer thefe things: i. The Author would noc cbajgethem with what they never did. 2. Their Difodvantages through the Exigencies, Influences, and Temptations of their Day ought to be well confidered , left otherwife Men be intemperate and exceffive in their cenibrious Refieftions or» them. Things now appear (perhaps) in a far clearer Light than heretofore. ;. Inftant Neceffities may admit of greater Pleas: and Men at a greater dift-ance may not fo fitly judge of prefent Duty or Expediency. And 4. there is undoubtedly fuch a thing as interpretative Faithfulnels and Sincerity, which fb far cheers Mens hearts, and (pirits refolution and appeals to God , although the Principles which bear Men up herein may be, and frequently are erroneous, and but meer Miftakes. 5. We know not all that Men can fay, when calmly heard and fairly dealt with, for their own cenfured Adions, by way of Apology or Defence. 6. We muflcon-fider our own felvesas in this World and Body ; and as liable to equivalent ( if not the fame) Dangers and Temptations. The fence and provident reach of that Divine Advice, Gal. 6. i. is vaflly great, and greatly ufeful, and would prevent rigid Conffrudions if well attended to. 7. Oli'ver Cromwell's Piogeny (thofe 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 , uleful , commendable Perfbns, and make a lovely Figure in their refpcdive, though more private Stations. 8. As to Dr. Owen, i. 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 perrar'j in melius -,nemlax fatna. He was indeed both a burntng and a fining Light. 2. As to the fVallttigforJ-Honk Affair, and the Doctor's Hand therein ; our Reverend Author confidered him and others as to what he tl.ought cidpable, and of pernicious Confequence and fcandalous Report and Influence, as to both the prefent and fucceeding Ages. He had no Perfbnal Prejudice againft him or others. But as both Church and State were lb dilbrderly endangered and affedted by what was there confulted and done ; lb Mr.Baxter did fb much refent the thing, as to think it fit to be recorded, and accented with fie aggravations; as a Remonl^rance to the Crime, and as a Warning to theChriftian World. And he is not the only Perfon who hath believed, noticed and blamed that Matter. But that the DoBor is in his great Majiers joys , is what our Author hath reported, his very firm perl'»vafion of, in print. 9. As to our Brethren the Indcfendams, 'tis true that no mean Ferment appears to have been upon the Author's Spirit. But (i.) is he fharper upon them , then on the Treshyterians, Anabaptifls, Prelates, where he thought or found them culpable ? (2.) What Party did our Author wholly fide with? (3) What bofom Friend did he ever fpare wherein he found him reprehenfible .'' (4.) He was fo intent upon Orthodox Dodrines, Ca-tholick Union, Chrifiian Concord and Behaviour, and Peaceable Ufefulnds and Converfation amongff all Proteftants, and upon avoidingDivifions amonglf Chrilt's Followers, as that whatever obflruded thefe Concerns, he was impatient of, and warm againft. Truth, Peace., and Love, was he » Votary to, and Martyr for : and hereunto did he devote moft of his Life and Labours. Dicam quod res est. It is fcandalous that there Ihould be Divifions, Dilfances, Animofities and Contentions, amongff ChrilHans, Protefhints, DifTenters, againll: each other, and in the Bowels of each Party. But much hereof ariles fiom unhappy Tempers, Self-ignorance, Confidence and Inobfervance, want of frequent, patient, and calm Conference and

The Preface to the Reader.

impartial Debates about things controverted, addiftednels to Self-Intereft and Reputation with our refpedive Parties, impatience of Icvere Thoughts and Studies, and of impartial Conlideration before we fix and pals our Judgm&nr, taking thing? too much upon Truft, Prejudice againft 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 DoArine of our Chriftianity in our own Artificial Terms and Schemes, and fo confining the Interefl-, Grace, anc! Heart of God and Chrift to our refped:ive Parties: as if we had forgot, or had never read RotM. 14,17—19. yiBs 10. 34, 35". Gal. 6. 14 16. and Eph. 4= i—'f.

That Perfon whole Thoughts, Heart and Life fhall meet me in the Spirit and Reach of 2 Pet. I. 1——— II. fhall have my hearty Love and Service , although he determine never to hear me Preach,or to Communicate with me all his days, through the Impreflion of his Education or Acquaintance; though at the fame time I fhould be loth that fuch a narrow Thought fhould be the Principle, Poife and Con-dud of my Church Fellowfhip, Spirit, or Behaviour. God hath, I doubt not, his eminent and valuable Servants in^all Parties and Perfwafions amongfl ChriftianS. An heavenly mind and Life is all in all with me. I doubt not but that God hath many precious faithful Ones amongff the Men called Independants, Preshjteriam, A-

nabapttfis, Prelatical And I humbly judge it reafonable that ( i. ) The Mif-

carriages of former Parties be not imputed to lucceeding Parties who own not, nor abet their Principles as produdive of fuch pradical Enormities. ( 2. ) That the Mifcarriages of fome particular Perfons be not charged on the reft, until they pro-fe(s or manifeft their Approbation of them. (^.) That what is repented of and pardonedjbe not fo received as to foment Divifions and Recriminations. (4.J That my trud from Mr. Baxter, and faithfulnefs to him, and to Pofterity, be not conftru-ed as the Refiilt of any Spleen in me againft any Peribn or Party mentioned in this following Hiftory. (''5'.) And that we all value that in one another, which God thinks lovely where he forms and finds it. And 6, O Utinam! that we form no other Teft and Canon of Chriftian Orthodoxy and Saving Soundnefs, and Chrifti-an Fellowfhip,than what the Sacred Scriptures give us as Explicatory of the Chriftian Baptifmal Creed and Covenant, as influencing us into an holy Life, and heavenly Hopes and Joys. I thought once to have given the World a faithful Abftrad of Mr. Baxter's Dodrines or Judgment, containing the Sence of what he held about Juffification, Faith, Works, ^c. and yet laying afide iiis Terms of Art: that hereby the Reader might difcern the Confonancy of it to the Sacred Text, and to the Dodrinal Confeffions of the Reformed Churches; his Confiftence 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 muft 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 Explication of the Baot fmal Creed and Covenant, as a fit Teft to try his Judgment byj and if his Doctrines in his other Trcatifes confift herewith, others perhaps will fee more Caufe to think him Orthodox in the moft weighty Articles, and lels to be fiifpedred, notwithftanding his difTerent Modes of Speech.

The Things profejfedly beliei/ed by him ( as may be feeu in hk

Chriftian Concord } were^

THat there is one only God : The Father , Infimte in Being , iVifdom , GoodnejS , and Power : the Maker, Preferver, and DiJ}>ofer of all things ^ and the moft juii and ■merciful Lord ef AH.

That Mankind being fallen by Sin from God and HappineJ?, under the JVratb of God, the Curfe of hit Law, and the Power of the De-vil, God Jo loved the World, that he gave bis only Son to be their Redeewer : who, being God, and one with the Father , did take to him our Nature, and became Man, being conceived of the Holy Ghojl in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, and named JESUS CHRIST: and having Itvd en Earth without Sin, and wrought many Miracles, for a witnejl of hit Truth, he gave up btmfelf a Sacrifice for our Sins, and a Ranfom for m, infuff'ering Death on the Crofi: and being buried, he IS Lord of all tn Glory with the Father. And having ordained that all that truly repent^ and believe tn him^ and love him above hU things, and/inctrely obey htm, and that to the

c X Deatbf

The Treface to the Reader.

Death jhaUhe faved, and they that wiU not jl)aU he damned, and commanded his Mtni-Jiers to preach the Gojpel to the World: He will come again and raife the Bodies of all Mem jrem Death, and will fet all the IVorld before him to be judged, according to what they haiJt done in the Body : and he will adjudge the Righteous to Life Everlafltng, and the njl to Everlafiing Pumfliment ^ which jimll be Executed accordingly.

That God the Holy Gho/l, the Spirit of the Father and the Son, was fnt from the Father by the Son, to ivfpire and guide the Prophets and Apofiles, that they might fully reveal the DoBrine of Chrifi ; j^ndby multitudes of E-vident Miracles, and wonderful Gifts to be the great fVitnef of Chri/l and of the Truth of his Holy Word: And alfo to dwell and work in all that are drawn to believe, that, being firfi joyned lo Chrifi their Head, and into one Church which is his Body, and Jo pardoned and wade the Sons of God , they may be a peculiar People janBified to Chrifi j and may mortifie the Fef}, and overcome the World and the Devil: and being zealous of good Works, may ferve God tn HolmeJS and Righteoufnefi, and may live in thejjiecial Love and Communion of the Saints j and m hope of Cbrifi's Comingf and of Everlafiing Life.

In the belief hereof the Things confented to wereasfolloweth:

THat he heartily took this one GOD, for his only G G D , and his chief Good: and this y ES US C HRIST for his only Lord, Redeemer, and Saviour, and this HOLT G HO S T for his Sanilifr : and the DoBrine bj him revealed, and jealed by his Miracles, and now contained tn the Holy Scriptures, he took for the Law of God j and the Rule of bis Faith and Life : And repenting unfeignedly of his Sins, he did refolve, through the Grace of God, fincerely to obey him, both m Holmefi to God, and Righteouj-neJS to Men, and in Jpecial Love to the Saints, and tn Communion with them j agmnfi ai the Temptations of the Devtl, the World, and his own Fle^) j and this to the Death.

If therefore thefe things were Believed and Confented to by him ; and if thefe things do cfi'entiate our Savifig Chrifiianity, and fo be lufficienc to make us all one in Chrift, why fnould lome difFerenc Modes and Forms of Speech, wherewith thefe great Subftantials may and do confift , obtain of Men to think him Heterodox, becauie he ii(es not their Terms ? And why fhould luch Diltances and Difcords be kep: up amongft us, whiUf we all of us own all the foremer.tioned Articles, and are always ready f on all (Ides ^ to renounce whatever Opinions fhall appear to overthrow or ftiake (Lich Articles of Faith, and Covenanting Terms with God and Chrift ? And I cannot but believe that all Chriftians lerioufly bound for Heaven, and that are fixed upon thefe Truths, are nearer each to other in their Judgments than different Modes of Speech (eem to reprefent them. Of luch great Con-(equence is true Charity and Candour amongft Chriltians.

3. The Reverend Prelates, and the Miniffers and Members of the Church of England, may poilibly diftafte his plainnefs with them, and think him too (evcre upon them: But i. they are no Strangers to his profefTed atid exemplified Moderation. Who valued their Worth and Learning more than he did ? Who more endeavoured to keep up Church Communion with them, by Pen, Difcourfe and Pra<5ti(e, though not cxclulively ? Who more Iharply handled, and more throughly wrote againft, and reprehended total Separation from them than himfelt'? And what DilTenter from them ever made fairer and more noble Overtures, or more judicious Propofals for a hT-ge and lafting Comprehenfion with them, than they know he did ? And who more fairly warned them of the dilmal Conlequences and calamitous Effeibs of Co narrowing the Church of England by the ftri<5l Ads procured and executed againit fo many peaceable Minifters, who thereby were lilen-ced, imprifor,ed,di(couraged and undone ? And how many Souls and Families were ruin'd and fcandaliz'd by their impofcd Terms, another (and that a folemn and greatj Day will ihew e're long. 2. Our Author never yet endeavoured to unchurch tlum , nor to ecliple their Worthies ; nor did he ever charge their great Severities on them all. He ever would acknowledge ( .ind he might truly do it) that they had great and excellent Men, and many fuch amongft them, both of their Lairy and Clergy. 5 He thought ( what I am fuisfied is true) that many of them little knew who and what was behind the Curr.tin, nor what dcfigned nor great Services were doing to France and Rome hereby. 4. And his great Sufferings from them may well ( even as other things) abate their Cendiring (if not prevent

too

The Preface to the Reader.

too keen Refentments) of thele Hirtorical Accounts of them. j.And to leave rhefe things out was more than Mr. Baxter would allow me, or admit of. Pardon one who a<9:s by Order, not of Choice,

4. That fuch copious and prolix Difcourfes fliould be here inferted about Things fitter for oblfvion, than to he rememhred, may feem liable to Exceptions and Dillall from (bme ; -vtz,. ftich Difcourfes as refpeft the Solemn League and Covenant, the Oxford A<fl, &c. Things now abandon'd and repealed by A^ of Parliament for Liberty of Confcience. But i. thofe preffing Ads are yet upon Record, andfo, ex-pofed to the view of Men, from Age to Age. 2. They reprefent Diffenters as an intolerable Seed of Men. 3. All Readers will not readily difcern what here is [aid by way of Apology for thofe of whom fuch Ads took hold. 4. Hereby DiP fsnters will appear to all fucceeding Generations, as a People worthy of nothing but National Severities and Reltraints. Whence j. their Enemies will be confirmed in their groundlefs Thoughts and Cenfures of them. 6. This will not lead to that Love and Concord amongft all Proteitants which God's Laws.and the Pub-lick Inteiefl and Welfare of Church and State require. 7. Thole things abode (b long in force, and to fuch fatal dreadful purpofe, as that the Effeds thereof are felt by many Families and Perfbns to this day. 8. And all this was but to dif-charge fome, of no fmall Figure in their Day , from all Obligations to perform what had been folemnly vowed to God. Surely fiich as never took that Covenant could only difclaim all Obligations on themfelvesto keep it, by virtue of any fiich Vow upon themfelves: but to difcharge thofe that had taken it, from what therein they had vowed to God to do ftill God himfelf difcharge them, or that it be evident from the intrinfick unalterable Evil of the Matter vowed, that no fuch Voiv Ihall f^and ) is more than I dare undertake to prove at prefent , or to vindicate in the great Day. However, a Man's own Latitude of Perfwafion cannot, as fncb, abfolve another, nor eo nomine, be another's Rule or Law. But 9. if thefe long Difcourfes be needful, pertinent, clear, and ftrong, as to the ftate of that Affair, their length may be born with. lo. The Author thought it needful to have this let in the clear open Light, to difabufe all that had been impoled on, by falfe, or partial and dcfcdive Hiflory in this Matter; and to remove, or prevent, or allay Scandal and Cenfure for time to come. 11. And if fuch things be alfo p.blifhed to make our fclves atid others, ftill more fenfible of what we owe to God, and to our moft gr^cif us King ( and his late Soveraign Confort, and our then molt gracious Queen Mary, not to be parallel'd in any Hillory that I know of, by any of her Sex, for Ail truly Royal Excellencies ) and to his Parliaments, who have fo much obliged lis with freeing us from thole (b 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 confift with the ftrider 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 ktc, and as lie left it for their ufe. And I hope therefore that the Reader will not interpret this Publication as the Produd of a Recriminating Spirit. God himfclf knows it to be no liich Birth.

Thirdly, The Tublication.

I. The Author wrote it for this End. 2. He left it with me to be publilhed after his Death. 3. He left it to the Judgment of another and my lelt only, by 3 Writing ordered to be given me after his Death, as my Diredory about the Publication of his other Manufcripts, which are many, and of moment. And if the reft entrufled with me about their being printed ( one or two of which he ordered me to choofe ad libitum , as fitly fappollng all might not be at leifure ) (hall think fit (of whoie confent I nothing doubt ) you may exped a confiderable Volume of Letters by way of Epiliolary Intercourfe betwixt him and Mr. Lawfon, Mr. Burgefi, Mr. Vmes^ Mr. Gataker , Mr. W. the Lord Chief Juftice Hales, Mr. Sa-niuel Jacoitib, Mr. Dodwell, his dear Flock and Friends at Rulderminfler, with feve-ral others. Thele Letters are Polemical, Caluiltical, and Pradical. Some are Monitory and Reproving : but their Names forbidden to be mentioned. Which Order fhall faithfully be by me oblerved ; Non enim me minus obfequij quam ilium conjilij fwfiitet. If we may find Encouragement, I doubt not of the Reader's considerable Sacisfadion and Advantage. But (to return to where I kfc) 4w He had

neither

l^he Preface to the Reader,

neither Time nor Strength to finifh it ; nor to corred it with his own Hand. Such therefore as it is, you have it, y. He brought it down fnot long before he died ) to publifti it, but upon fecond Thoughts he changed that purpole, as his Bookfeller fince his Death afTured me. 6. I have realon to think that the Author had fome thoughts to have made further^ Progrels in this Hiflory, but that other Things diverted him therefrom , till his Death at laft made that im-poflible.

Singula quid refer am, nil nm mart ale tenemus^ Fe^eris, Exceptis ingeniique, bonis.

Ovid, de Trift. Eleg vil

Fourthly, As to my felf.

When 1 came up to London, Anno Dom. \6'ji. I was brought into Acquaintance' with Mr, Baxter, by my dear and intimate Friend Mr, Jofeph Irueman ( o UaKo.-el-mt) who it feems, unknown to me, had lold Mr. Baxter concerning me, more than I ever expeded or deferved. And fo great was Mr. Jruemani Reputation vi\t\\ Mr. Baxter , as to conciliate that regard to his Character of me, which greatly promoted my Intimacy, and my more free and frequent Converfation with him ever after. Hereupon Mr. Baxter wrote to a worthy Perfon to leek me out, and to bring me f a perfeft Stranger in the City ) into Acquaintance and Employment: which accordingly was done. And fome fhort time after Mr. Baxter and my felf met together upon Miniflerial Employment fomewhat frequently , to mutual Sa-tisfadion and reciprocal Endearments ; God fpeaking to his Heart for me. The Lord impute not to me my fo fmall improvement of that (b great Advantage. I never was deny'd admiflionto him, whendefired by me: And many Secrets he committed to me relating to his Soul and Secular Affairs, which have been, are, and fhall be fuch God willing, whilft I live: for I take it to be finful to betray a Secret, unlefs 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 j promife Secrecy : for I think it bafe, and no way capable of V^in-dication, to lerve one Friend fo as unjuAly and unworthily to difTerve anothen At laft it plealed God to caft my Lot upon Copartnerfhip with him in Minifterial' Work in Cbarttrhoufe-yard, in my own Dwellinghoufe there ; which he the rather complyed with becaufc of the vicinity of our Refpedive Habitations. He would not meddle with the Paftoral Work ; but would flile himlelf ( when (omewhac pleafant ) my Curate ; but he would take no Money of me for his pains: but ofc and freely profeft hisSatisfadion in his Conjundion with me, and in the lerious and moderate temper of my Flock. And 1 know none beyond them for Peace and Love and Candour. He was greatly folicitous about my Subfiitence and En-couragemement after his Death. And not long before his Exit he drew up a Paper 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 Annually ; and to excite others thereunto , he Subfcribed Ten pounds for himfeif. Ho defigned it to have been propofed and effeded when I was in the Country ; but coming to the knowledge of it, I put it by , which he diftaftcd not a little. However, I am for making the Gofpel and my Miniftry as little chargejble as 1 can : for I (eek not thein , but them : and having Food and Raiment, if Can be therewith Content. My Congregation is but fmall: but they are worthy of a far better Pallor 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 amongll them.

§ IX.

No Man can juftly wondor that he efcaped not the Scourges of Tongues and pens, and the bold Strokes of Calumny , who well conliders Humane Degeneracy, Satan's Malignity , the Dulnefs of fome, the Ralhncls of others, the Credulity of others, the Narrownels of others, the Imperfedions of himlclf, and of all, the Entertainments of God's choiceft Favourites and Servants upon Record

from

The Preface to the Reader.

from Age to Age; and the vaft Reaches and Defigns of Providence in al/. Could I but pepfwdde the Reader to read and paule upon ibme Inftances Upon Record in Sacred Wrir, as being leafl liable to Exception ( though many might be produced from Ancient and Modern Hiltories ) he might there by at leafl prevent confiderably his being Scandalized by the many Obloquies that come from incon-fiderate and milignant Men. What Man of Worth could or did ever yet ablb-lutely efcape being traduced by fomeor other? See Jer. 15. 10. and 20. 10, NeL

2. 19. and 6. 6,'j, Gen. 39. 14. 1 Sam. 22. 9 if. 2 Sam. 16. 5. ^mos 7. lo, 11.

Matth. 26.61. Ails 24. f— : —9. and 18. 15. Rom. 5.8. If greater Perlbns (fuch as Jofepb, JSlehetniah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Chrift, and his Apoftles, and David him-fCif, Chrift's Royal Antitype) were traduced by the Sons of Eelial, as guilty of what their Souls abhorr'd fo intimately; what wonder is it to find this Reverend Perfbn Mr. Baxter, mifreprefented by the malignity and oSloquy of (ome; and by the we3l<nefs, credulityj and miftakesof others; and tliole psrhaps excellent Per-fons otherwife, in manifold refpeds ?

Mr. Baxter is charged by fome as heivg againFl King Charles the Ftrli in the firB War, and too much a Fomenter of it. To this you have his Replys in the Hiftory it (elf; and thither I refer the Reader.

He has been alfo traduced by fbnie, as having hWd a Man in cold Blood with his o-wn hands. From which Scandalous Report he has alio vindicated himfelf in the following Hiftory. But for the Reader's further Satisfadion , I will here fubjoyn a Letter from Dr. All(flree, which is not there inferted (that I remember ). When a " credible Perfon ( Mr. J. H.) told Mr. Baxter that the Dodor had formerly iaid the like to him ; faying, That he could not think well of one that had ktll'd a Mjn in cold Blood with his own hands \ Mr. Baxter (ufpefting that the Doftor's Chair and Reputation might give credit to this flanderous Report, he wrote to the Dcxflor, defiring to know of him whether he reported this or no; alTaring him in the fame Letter, that he never ffruck any Man in anger, in all his Life, to his remembrance—■ This Letter to the Doftor was dated London^ DecemkS. 1679. Hereupon the Do(ftor returned him the following Anfwer:

SIR,

I Muff frofeJSJtncerely that I cannot recbUeEf that ever 1 [aid fuch words ef you to Mr. H. as it jccms he doth affrm I did. But yet 1 cannot but acknowledge it ts very fojjible that I related ( and it may he to htm ) that I had heard you kill'd a Man in cold blood l (tncc I very well remember that above Thirty years fince, at the end of the H'ar, I heard that ■publickly Ipoke before Comptny, and with this further Circumftance , that it was a Soldier who bad been a Frijoner fome hours before. Now this Report relating to the Wars, in which I fear (ucb things were no great Rarities^ and f-om my very tender youth, I having not had the leafl Concern with you, nor likelyhsod of any for the future, did not therefore apprehend at prefent any concern or occajion of enquiring whether it were true; of which, upon that confident Affeveration I did make no doubt. And I took Jo little thought of laying up the Relation, that IproteH to you, as in the prejence of Almighty God, it u impcffible for me, to recover who made up that Company in which I heard it, or from whom I heard it. And I wonder hew it came into my mind to fay that I had heard it fo long after. But however, though it be fome eaje to me to believe that the late Difcourfes of it, do not come fr-om my relating it fo long fince that I have heard it, neither are likely to receive any confirmation from it, unlefi it be made more publick than I have made it ; yet I do profefi tt ts a great affjilion to me to havejfoken that, though but as a Report, which it Jeems was a f under ( fvr fo I believe it upon your Affeveration) and not having endeavoured to know whether it were true. And as I have beggd God's forgivenej?, fo I heartily defire you will forgive me. And if I could direil my Jelf to any other way of SatisfaBion, I would give it. Thu is the whole Account lean give of this Matter ; To which I fhall only add that lam,

Eaton-CoUedge, SIR,

Dec.i\. 1679.

Your very affeAionate Servant,

Richard Allejirec.

Such

The l^reface to the Reader.

Such was the Exemplary Ingenuity and true Equity and Candour of this worthy Perfon.

But the bolded Stroke that ever I met with at the Reputation of this worthy Perfon Mr. Baxur, occurs in a Letter that I have lately received from a Perfon very credible ( put oi If"orcefierjhire. Dated AJarch the Hrll, 169^.) The Sum whereof is this;

HEre is a Report in fame Perfons mouths that Mr, Baxter, before he dyed, and fo till his Death, -was in a great doubt and trouble about a Future State. It ts fuggeftecl that he continued infuch Doubt, or rather mas inclining to think there -was no Future State at all, and that he ended his Dap under Jttcb a Perjwafion j 7i>hich occaji-oned no /mall trouble to him, he having written fo many things to ferjwade perfons to be-lie-ve there was. •

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

1. Audax facinus .' What vvill degenerate Man (lick at I We know nothing here that could in the leaf! minilter to iuch a Report as this. I that was with him all along _, have ever heard him triumphing in his heavenly Expectation, aud ever Ipe.ikng like one that could never have thought it worth a Man's while to be, were it not for the great Intereit and Ends of Godlinefs. He told me that he doubted not, but that it would be belt for him when he h^d left this LifCj 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 adviled thofe that came near him , carefully to mind their Soul Conceins. The Ihorcnefsof Time, the inftancy of Eternity, the worth of Souls^, the greatnels of God, the riches oi the Grace of Chrift, and the excellency and import of an heavenly Mind and Life, and the great ufefulnels of the Word and Means of Grace pu.l'uant ro Eternal Purpofes, they ever lay preflingly upon his own Heart, and excorred from him very ufeful Direftions and Encouragements to all that came near him, even to the laft. Infomuch, a&that it a Polemical o, Ca-fuKHcal Point, or any Speculation in Philofophy or Divinity, had been but offered to hjni for his Refolution, after the clearelt and briefelt Reprefentation of his Mind, which the Propofers Satisfaction call'd for, he prelendy and mod de-lijjhtfully fell into Converfation about what related to our Chriitian Hope and Woik. ' X

;. Had he thought that there had been no Future State for Man to be Con-cern'd about, why was hefo delighted in a hopeful Race of young Minifters and Chriltiansr to my knowledge he greatly valued young Divines, and hopeful Candidates for the Aliniltry : He was molt liberal of Counlel and Encour^gemenr to {hem, and nioft inquilitive after, and plealed with their growthlul Numbers and Improvement: And he told me, and i'pake it in my hearing, That he had the greatell Hopes and Expeditions from the fucceeding Generation of them: And he pleafed himfelf with the Hopes and Expeftations of this, that they would do God's Wpik much better than we had done before , and elcape our Errours and DetedF.

4. Any Man that reads his laft Will may eafily fee that his Apprehenfions and .Diipofition did not lavour or fiich Scepticilm as the Report inlinuates. That part thereof which may Confirm the Reader that Mr. Baxter had no fiich Thoughts abiding in him , 1 Ihall here for the Readei's Satisfaftion lay before him ; which is asfolloweth:

I Richard Baxter 0/London Clerk, unworthy Servant of J ejus Chrii}, drawing to the End of this Tranfitory Life, havmg through God's great Mercy the free ufe of my

Underfiandtng, do make this my laii Will and Tejtament M]i Spirit I commit, With

Trujt and Hope of the Heavenly Felicity, into the Hands of '^cfus ir.j glorified Redeemer and IntcrcejJ'or: and by his Mediation into the hands of God my reconciled Father, the

Infinite^

The preface to the Reader,

Infinite, Eternal Spirit, Life, Light and Love, mo(t great and wtfe and good , the God of Nature, Grace, and Glory : of ■whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things: My abfolute Owner, Ruler, and BenefaBor ; whofe I am, and whom {though imperfeitly^

IJerve,feek, and trufi ; to whom beglorj for ever. Amen. To htm I render mofi

humble thanks that he hath fill'd up my Ltfe with abundance of Mercy, pardoned my Sins by the Merits ofChrifi^, and vouchjafed by his Spirit to Renew afidSeal me as his own^ and to moderate and blefi to me my long Sufferings tn the Flejii, and at laH to fweeten them by hit own Interefi andcomforting Approbation, who taketh the Caufe of Live and Concord as his

oven.

Now let the Reader judge whether any thing in all this can in the leaft infer his Doubting or Deni.^! of a Future State ; or any Repentance of the Pains he took to eftablifli others in the Belief and Hopes of what the Golpel tells us of as future. It is ftrange to fee how Men can triHe in their Soul-affairs , and how eafily they can receive whatever may mortifie the Life and Joy of Chriftian Godlinels: But we read of fome that have been led Captive by the Devil at his will. But this we may believe, and all lliall find that the Hell which they gave no credit to the report of, they ihall furely feel, and that they Jhall never reach that Heaven which they would never believe Exilient, and worth their ferious looking after. Were it but a meer probability, or poffibility, who will have the be'ter of it? When we reach Heaven, we (hall be in a Capacity of Inliilting over Infidels: But if there be no Future State, they can never live to upbraid us. And it is but folly, madnels, and a voluntary cheating of themfelves, for Men to think that Honour, Parts, or Learning, or Intereft, or Poffeffions can ever skreen them from the Wrath of a negledled and provoked God. And one would think that fuch a Spirit that can fo boldly traduce and afperfe Men, is much below what has adied a Pagan Roman j for even one of themjCOuld lay,

Compofitum jus faf^ue animi, San£loj<]ue recefjus Mentis^ &" mcoBum genorofo pectus 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 paule on ; who he is I know not: But for the fake of his Honour, Soul, and Faculty, I muit and will requelt of God that he may have thofe fbfter Remorfes in his own Spirit in due (eafon, which may prevent a fmarter Cenftre fiom the univerfal, ajvful Judge; and that he woud loberly paule upon what that great Judge has uttered, and left upon record in Matth. 12, 56, 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 relilh what he reads as he finds himfelt concerned therein : He may poflibly look upon himlelf as either commended or expoled, blamed or jultified; whether juftly or unjuftly he may beft know. But I would hope that his Concernednels for thelntereft of Equity 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 Imperfeftions if engaged in fuch work as this: and thus he will allow for others Weakneffes, as he would have his own allowed for.

;. Should any Reader be cenlbrious, and ftretch Expreflions and Reports beyond their determined Line and Reach, Ibber and clear Conviftion in this Cale may be their Cure.

4. As to the Judicious Reader, he loves, I know, to lee things in their Nature, Order, Evidence and Ulefulnefs: and if he find Materials, he can difpofe them eafily, and phrafe chem to his own Satisfaftion, and at the lame time pity the injudi-cioufnelsof a Publiiher, and the imperfections of the Author.

5. As to the weak Reader ( for judicioufnefs is not every fbber Perlbn's Lot ) it will be harder to convince him beyond his ability of decerning things in their di-ftin(a:nefs, cruth and llrength.

6. As to the by affed Reader, it is hoped that his lecond lerious Thoughts may cure hira of his Partiality.

The Treface to the Reader.

7. As to the (elfifh 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 felt, 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 ei} Veritas & fravakbit ; and he will think himlelf moft gratified when Publick Expedations and Concerns are an-fwered and fecured belf.

9. Thofe that are perfedly ignorant of what the Hiftory is moft concerned in will be glad of better Informations; and the Things recorded will be (as being Novel^ molt grateful to him.

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

II. And as to my felf, if there be any thing untrue, injurious, or unfit, as to either Publick or Perbnal Concerns, thePublilher hopes that the Reader will not look upon him as obliged to jultifie orefpoufe whatever the Author may have mil-reprelented, through his own Perfonal Infirmities or Millakes; for all Men are im-perfeft, and my Work was to publifiithe Author's Sentiments and Reports, rather than my own: Nor will I vouch for every Thing in this Hilfory, nor in any meer Humane Treatife, beyond its Evidence or Credibility. But let the Reader affure himfelf that I am his, in the beftof Bonds and Services, whilft

London, May 13.

1696. I am

U.S.

A

A

BREVIATE

O F T H E

CONTENTS

O F T H E

Enfuing Narrative:

Which was written by Parts^at diflFerentTimes.

Part I.

Written for the moft part in s 66^.

Fter a brief Narrative of his Birth and Tarentage,and large cnt of his Schsot-makers, Mr. Baxter proceeds to an Account of the means of his coming to aferioM fenfe of Religion, and of his perplexing Doubts and their Solutions,ta page 9. of bts bodilyweaknef and indiJpo(ttioni,to '^.ij. offcveral remarkable Deliverances he met with : \\z.from the Temptations of a Court Life} fom being run over by a Waggon ^in a fall from a Horfe ; and from Gaming, p.11,12. His appljtng himfelf te the Mtnffiry, Ordination ^7 fi6e B{/Jw/>e/Worcefter, and Settlement in Dudley School as Ma/ler, p.12,1^. His fiudying the Matter of Con-formicy, and Judgment about it at that time, p. 15, 14. His removal from Dudley to Bridgnorth, andjucceji there, p. 14,1 y. of the coming out of the Etcsecera Oath , and bis further (ludytng the point o/Epi(copacy upon that occajion, p.iy, 16. Upon occafion of this Etcsetera Oath, he pajjesto the Dtjfatisfactioni in Scotland on the account of the impofi-tion of the Englip Ceremonies, thence to Ship-money in England, thence to the Scots fr^ coming hither, and Jo to the opening of the Long Parliamem,p.l6,i7. After an Account of their Proceedings tillfuch time as a Committee ivascbofen to hear Petitions again/l Scandalous Mtnijters, hejliewshow by that means he came to be fettled in the Town of Kiddennin-fter as Leclurer to a fcandaloas Incumbent, agamfl whom a Petition had been prefented to that Committee, had he not confented to his Settlement under him, p. 18, Scc. a fort of a Trediclion of his in a Funeral Sermon preacht afterwards at Bridgnorth, p. 20. His Temptations to Infidelity, and to quefion the Truth of the Scriptures, c^c. with the means of bis being extricated out of them, p. 2i,8cc. a remarkable [lory of a falfe Accujation of one Mr. Crofs a pious MmiHer in the Neighbourhood of Kidderminfter, as if he attempted to ravifli a Woman, with its deteSlion.^ p. 24. A return to the Proceedings of the Parliament^ and Account of the Jj>rings and rife of the Civil War, to p. 29. The Cafe of the Country fiated about the Civil Differences between King and Parliament, and the Ecclefialtical Differences between the Prelatical, and the Antiprelatical Party, j?-ow p. ;o. to p. 58. His own fenfe of, and judgment about this matter, p. 59. Here he returns to the feries of bis own Life, and relates a remarkable ftory of his pre(ervation from the fury of the rabble at Kidderminfter, who were enrag'd upon the Churchwardens going to remove a Crucifix aeeerding to order of Parliament, ]p.^Q. upon the Peoples tumultuoufnejS he retired to Glou-

d 2 eefter^

The Contents.

ceiler, where he fir^ met with fome of the Anabaptifis, p.40^41. then he retiirhs to Kld-derminrter, where a little after, fome of Eflexes Army (Quarter d: but the) retiring before a fart of the Kings Army, and he finding the Rabble furmts thought not hss (iay jafe, and Co -went with the EITexians ro Woicefter, p. 42. Oftober the ajd, 1640. the day of ' Edge-hill Fight he freacht at Alcefter j and the next day went to fee the pLce of Battel, p.4:5. after this he went to Coventry, where he continued a year, freachmg to the Town and GarrifoK, p 44. he went with fome Country Gentlemen to Weniiji and other places, de-figning to leave Covcatvy ^ but foon return d thither again • andJhiy'd there another year, having much trouble fiom Sepivnt'i^s, Anabaptifts, and AntinomianSj p. 4f. Of the laynig the Earl of Ellex afide, and the new modellmg the Army, p. 47. 0/ the Scotch Covenant. How far Prelacy was abjur'd in it as it was explain d by the Ajfembly of Divines, p. 48. of Cromweiri Interefl, in the new modell'd Army , and the chapge of the old Citifc,^.^!). the Fight at Nafeby and its Confequences, p. Jo. an Account if hu firft coming into the Army prefently after that Fight ; the Principles-and Temper he then found prevail amongH them, p. Jo, J i. How he became a Chaplain to Cc/. Whaliey'i Regiment, and upon what grounds and confederations, p.5 2. how firenuoufiy he fet himfelf to oppoje the Sectaries in the Army, p. yj. An Account of the feveral Marches and mofi remarkable A5lions of the Army, while he continued in it, from p.5:4. to p. y8. [_ An Account of a Dijpute he maintained for an whole day together with fome of the Sectaries of the Army, m r/jeCi>«>-c/&<zf Agmondefliam ^» Buckinghamthire, p. 56.] \ His ficknefi furct him to withdraw from the Army ^ retiring from which, he after feverd removes, returns to Kid-derminiler, p. 58. A further Account of the Proceedings of the Sedaries after he left the Army, and of Oliver'/ intreagues, p.yg. An Account of the King's treatment after his delivering himfelf to the Scots, till he was fore t to fly to the Ifle of Wight , p. 60, 61. of the Treaty that was on foot with the King while he was confind there ; and the Di-J^ute between the Kings and Parliaments Divines concerning the Point of Epifcopacy, and hu Judgment about it,p.62. H^at foilow'd afterwards till the King's Tryal and Execution, p. 6 J. Of the Engagement ; his Judgment of it and Preaching againfi it, p.64. pyhat hmdred CromweW's advancement after the taking off the King, p. 65". of King Charles the Second his being fore't by the Scots to take the Covenant, before they would admit him to the Sliceejfion^ and his Judgment thereupon , p. 66 Of the Order of the Rump for all Mtnifiers upon pain of Sequefiration to pray to God for Juccej^ for the Army advancing againfi the Scots, and to return Thanks for their Vt£lories ; and his Praflice a-bout it, p.66. Of the trouble of the Presbyterian Minifiers in London on account of their adherence to the King ; and Mr. Love'i Tryal, p. 67. of Cromwell'j march into Scotland, and his ViHory there ; the King's march into England, and the Fight at Worcefter, p. 68, 69. of what follow'd after, till CromweW became Proteffour : and the Judgment of the generality of the Minifiers as to the point of Submiffion to him, p. 70,7 r. of the Triers of Minifiers chofen by Cromwell, p. 72. of the Affembly at Weftminiler, p, 7^. Of thi feveral Setts which f}rang up in theje times. Of the Vanifts. Sir Henry Vane'/ Cha-raEler, p.74,7f. Of the Seekers <»W Ranters, p. 76. of the Quakers and BehmeniftSj, p. 77. of other Sett-Mailers, as Dr. Cell, Mr. Parker, Dr. Gibbon," c^c. p. 78.

Irom publick he then paffes to his own perfonal Affairs. And gives a full Account of the Se^ueflration of the Living of Kidderminfter, p. 79. An Account of his iUnefi after his return t hit her,and of feveral Anfwers of Prayer with reference thereto'^ as alfo with reference toothers, p.8o,8r582. A particular account of his laborious work and diligent improvement of his tune to the bejt advantage in his Mafiers fervice while at Kidderminflerjp.Sg. the great fuccefS of his Mmiflerial Labours amongfi that People, p.84j8 j. His great advantages in order to, and in all this fervice, p.86,87,88,89,90. The Church Difcipline kept up there, p <)i,&c. the difference that arofe between him and Mr. Tombs, and their publick Dijfute at Bewdley, p. 96.

CromwellV Death and Charatter, p. 89. Of the fetting up and depofing of Richard Croniwell ; with a Cenfure upon it, p.ioo,iOi. en which occafion a general Account is given of the Sectarian Party then grown rampant, p.io2,d''c. of Monk'/ coming to reft ore the King, p.ioj,&c.

A large account of his feveral Books and Writings. The occafions of them, and the oppofiti-cn made againft them, from p. 106. to p. 124.

A general Cenfure of his own Works, p. 124. a Comparifon between his younger and his riper years ; An account of his Sentiments about Controverfial Writings ; His Temptations and Difficulties ; moft confiderable improvements j and remaining defctts , fiom p. 124. to p. 136. a penitent Qonfeffion of his Faults^ P-' J7-

PART

The Contents.

Part IL

Wrirten in 16^5.

HE begins with the Differences and Debates about Church Government in the late times* and gives bis Judgment about tbe feveral Principles of the Era(}ians,Pre!atifls, Pref-byterians, Indepen^nnts, and Anabaptifh ^Jlioivsifhat he approv'd and dijlik'd in each j 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 Worce-Iter/hire Agreement was formed, which was not altogether without its fuccej^, fiom p.i39-to p-l ^<-'. Nineteen Quaries about EccleftajUcal Cafes^ drawn up by an Epijcopal man in the late Times, and convey'd to him by Sir Ralph Clare, luith his Anjwer to them, from p.lji fop.iyy. A Letter of bis in anfwerto 5/r Ralph Clare his Parilhioner^who would not Communicate with him, unlefi he might receive kneeling, anion a dtfimSi day, and not with thsfe ivbo received fitting, p. 15- "jfiic. A Letter from the ajjociated Minivers in Cumberland and Weftmoreland/« theafjociated Mmijiers j» WorceiteriJiirejp.i62.^w Anfwerto it,Tp.\6^. Many other Counties begin-to ajfociate for Church Vifciplme: the Articles agreed tojby the Mi-Titfters iwWiltftiire, p. 167. A Letter f'om theaffociated Churches in Ireland, to Mr. Baxter and the afjociated Mini-Hers in VVorcefterfhire, ^.i6<). the Anfwcr to it, p-iyo. Afecond Letter from the Irifh Mtmfiers, p. 171. A Letter of Mr. Baxter'j to Bifhop Brownrigg, about an Agreement between the Presbyterian and Epifcopal Party, p. 172. The Bi^wps Reply te It J containing his Judgment about Church Government, p.i74,i7y,SiC.il</r.Baxter'jt ' Notes on the Bijhop's Anjwer, p. 178. After this, be upon occafwn of the pajfing of Letters between him and Mr. Lamb and Air. Allen, two Anabaptifi Preachers, to dijjwade them from feparation, propounds and anfwers this Queftion^ Whether it be our duty to feek peace with the Anabaptilhr i?Wpro/)o/ei a method of managing a Pacificatory attempt with them, p.iSr. &c. A pcrjonalTreaty of his with Mr. Nye about an Agreement with the Independants^ and a long Letter to bim about that affair, p i88,&c. Propojals made by him in Crom-well'i time, for a general holy Communion, Peace, and Concord, between the Churches in thefe Nations, without any wrong to the Confciences or Liberties.ofVi&^hyiCnAns, Congregational, Epilcopal J or any otherChrifrians, p-igi, d^c. The occafion of choofmg a Committee of Divines, tom.tke aColleBionofV\snda.meiT\ta.\i\ of which Mr. Baxter was one^ p.197. Hii own Judgment of Fanda.menta.\s,\b.andp.i^S. The proceedings of the Divines in this matter, p 199, Papers deliver d in by Mr. Baxter to them, on points wherein he differ d from them, p.200^&c.

An Account of his preaching before CromwcW ^ and prfonal Conference with him afterwards in private ; and a fecond Conference with him in his Privy Council, p^ 205. of what fafi between him and Dr. Nich. Gibbon.ibid. Of his Acquaintance and Converjation with Archbilhop Uflier, while he continued at my Lord Brogliil'^ : where a particular account is given of the Learned Primatis Judgment about Universal Redemption 5 about A/ir,Bax-ttfs terms of Concord; and about the validity 0/Presbyters Ordination, p. zo6. Of the Carriage of the Anabapti(h«/fer the Death of Cromwell, p.2c6. and the general Confufi-on of the Nation, p.207. New Propofals be made to Dr. Hammond about an Agreement ■with the Epifcopal Party, by Sir Ralph Clare'i means, p.208. Dr.Hamniond'i Anjwer, and Mr. Baxter'i Pieply, p. 210.

Of General Monk'j march to London; and the common fentiments and expeSlations of people at that time, p.21^. of his preaching before the Parliament the day before they voted the King back, p.217. of his Conference with Dr. Gauden and Dr. Morley,p.218. IVbat fajl between one William Johnlbn, a Papifi, and Mr. Baxter; m particular with reference to the Lady Anne Lindfey, daughter of the CountejS of Balcarres, whom he had [educed and afterwards flolc away and convey d into France, p.2i8,&c. Two Letters of A/r. Baxter'i to this yoitng Lady j one before^le wot fiole away ^ and the other while flie was in a Nunnery in FtAVtce, p.22i,&c.

Of peoples various expeHations upon the King's return, p.229. Offome of the Ptesbyteri-an Mmiliers being made the King's Chaplains j and Mr. Baxter among the re/?,ibid. feve-ralof them together wait on his Majefiy. The [urn of Mr. Baxter's Speech to the Ktng^ p. 230. the king receives them gractoufly, and orders them to bring in Propofals in order to an Agreement about Church Government, p 251. whereupon they daily met at Sion Col-ledge/or Consultation, p.232.

Their firfi Addrefr and Propofals to his Maje(ty about Concord,p.2^2,6cc. the brief fum of their judgment and def res about Church Government, p. 257. Bifhop Ulher'x Model cf Government to which they all agreed to adhere, p.2 j8. Five Requefis made to the King

The Contents.

by word of mouth, [u'tting the Circumjtatices of affairs at that tme, p.24r. The Anfwer of the Bilhops to thefirfi Frofojals of the London Minifters, p.242. the Minifters defence of their fore-mention d Propofah, p.248. His Majeffy's Declaration cvficemmg Eechfiaftical ylffairs, oi it was firjt drawn up,and Jhown to the MtmfiersJ>y the LordChaficelUur^p.z^^. Z6e Minifters Petition to the King, upon their fight ofthefirfi draught of this Declaration, p.26f. the Alterations of the Declaration which they offer'd,p.'2';'^. a Conference between je-'veral Di'vines of each fide, about the fore-mention d Declaration, before the King at the Lord Chancellours, andthe cffeBs of it, p.276. of the coming cut of the Declaration with amendments, p.zjp.Of MrMaxtQt's preaching before the King,and printing his Sermon,and thefalfe. aecujation of him by Dr. Pierce onthatoccafion, p.279. a CharaSler of Dr.VisTCe, and Account of hu enmity againfi Mr. Baxter, p.280. of the offer of a Bilhcprick 7nade to Mr. Baxter wtthfome others, who joyntly demttrrd about the accepta-rice, p.281. Mr. Baxter re-fufes to accept the terms propofed m the fore-mentioned Declaration^ and fends a Letter to the Lord Char.ccllour containing his Reafons,p.2S2. Dr. Regnolds accepts a Biflioprick : other Prefcrmints offer d to other Presbyterians who refused them, p.283. An Addrels of Thanks to the King from the London MmiJlers,for his Declaration, p. 284. a Cenfure of thu Declaration,p z^6. How well this Declaration was put in Execution, p. 287. Mr. Crofton'i ivritingfor the Covenant, and imfrifonment m the lower, p, 288. A falfe report Jf read a-botit of Mr. Baxter, by Mr. Horton, Chaplain to the Earl of Mancheller, p. 289. an account of Mr. BiXtQt's tranfaSlions with the Lord Chancellour, about the Affairs of New-England, p.290. a Letter to Mr. Baxter jf'OWJ the Court and Government of New-England,p.29r. another from Mr. Norton, p.2^2. another from Mr. E\\iot,p 2^^. Mr.Bix-tet's anfwer to Mr. Elliot, p 29 y. A/r.Baxter'j endeavours to be re/lord to the PeopleofKid-derminfter, from whom he was Jeparated upon the returnofthefe^ue^redMinifrersto their Livings, p 298. A Letter of my Lord Chancellours to Sir Ralph Clare about A/r. Baxter'/ rffHrwfoKidderminfter, p.299. Of the Rifing of the Fifth Monarchy men under Venner, about this time, p.^or. of his fublick Minifirytn London, p ;oi. Hts going to the Arch-hiil)op to he<r a Licenfe,p.'^o2. His Majefiys Commifion for the Savoy Conference,p. 505. an Acccuia of whnt paji at the Conference, p.jof. Exceptions that Mr. Baxter drew up a-gainft the Common Prayer at that time,p.'^o^. the Exceptions againfi the Book of Common Prayer that were deliver d in to the Commiffioners, p. 316, &c. Of the choice of the Convocation, and of Mr. Ca.\amy, and Mr. Baxter /or London, p. 33 3. a further account of the Conference, p 334,8cc. a Paper then offer d by Dr. Cofins, about a way to terminate the differences^ with an Anfwer to it, p.34i,8cc.

An Account of the Dijfute managed m Writing at that time, between Dr. Pjerfbn, Dr. Gunning, Dr. Sparrow, and Dr. Pierce ; and Dr. Bates, Dr. Jacomb, and A/r.Baxter, wha were deputed for that purpofe, p,346,&:c. A Reply to the Biflwps Dtffutants which was not anfwer d, p.'^^o. a Continuation of the Conference.^p.'^^6. a Copy of the Part of the Bi-Jfiops Divines m the D)ffutation,p.'^^8. A Cenfure of this Conference, and Account of the Managers of it,p.-^6:^.0f the Minificrs going up to the King afterthe Conference,p.'^6'j.the Petition they prefented to his Majefiy on that occafion, p. 7,66. to which (by reafon of their Affinity) is annexed aCopy of the Co?!ceffions that were made by Bifliop \Jlher,B!pjop Williams,, Bijljop Moreton,JSi/?wp H.o\diwonh,andmany others in a Committeeat Weltminfter i<54i. p. 3 (59.

Bookswritten againjl Mr.BiKtetby Mr.N!inkn,Dr.Tompk'ms,andothers,p.-^y^.Hegoes to Kidderminfter,fo try if he might bepermitted to preach there,p 374. Bifhop ivioi ley and hu Dean,endeavour tofet the people there againfthim,p.:^']^,'J,'j6. Bp-'^otXty and Z)r.Bi:re-man write againfi him, p.377. Mr.Baglhaw writes againfi- the Bifiiop, p.378. Of the fur-reptitiousfublicationofthe Savoy Conference, p. 379. other effaults that Mr. Baxter met with, p.580. a falfe report rau'd of him by Dr. Earls, p. 381. a Letter of Mr. Baxter'^ to him on that occafion, With his anfwer to it, p. 382. Divers Minifiers impifofid particularly in 'Worcd]QTihhe, on occafion of a pretendedConJf>irac)',p.7,Si. Of T^L^C^ "BSIJ^-^DiDLC^CQUi D3^ 1^62. wherein fo many '^iinifiers were fitencd,p.'^SA. of the fad confeejuences of that day, p 385. Mr- Calamy'j tmprifonment for preaching occafionally af' ter the filencing,p 386. the fiate o/fAe Conform ids <z«^ Nonconfo'milh in England at that ttme,p 336. the furn of their feveral Caufes, and the Reafnt of their feveral ways, p. 387,&c.

Of the Ki?ig's Declaration, Dec.26.itf<i2.p.43o. Old Mr. Afhes Death andCharaBer, ibid. Mr. James Nalton'i Death and Charatter, p. 431. How Mr. Baxcer and Dr. Bates had like to have been apprehended for going to pray with afick per [on, p.431- of the impri-fonmtnt of divert Mini fen about the Country, p.452. Strange Judgments ofGod,about this time turn d by the Devil to hts own adva?)tagi,ihid. Much talk about an Indulgence or a Comprehenfion in 1663. p.433. An Anfwer (fent in a Letter to an honourable Perfonat that time) to thu QutjUon, Whether tbt way of Comprehenfion or Indulgence be nrore de-

firable^

The Contents.

firable, P-4H* ^"^ ^^^ Parliament thatthenfate, conftderably added to former r/j-ow,p.4} f. Mr. Baxter andothengo to the yijjernhhes of the Church c/England, p.4;6. Hu Anfiver to the Objections agamft this pra&tce,and Reafens for it, p.458. He retires to Aflon, p. 440. A Letter to Mr. Baxter yf'ow Monjieur Amy rant, another fom Monjteur SolUcoffer a Swit-z,er, which by rea/on of the Jealoufies he was under, he thought not fit toanfwer, p. 442. He debates with fame ejeUed Minifiers, the Cafe about Communicating Jomettmes with the Fa-rip Churches, in the Sacraments, p.444. A Letter from my Lord AlWey , with a jpecial Cafe, about the lawfulnefof a Protefiant Ladfs marrying a Papifi, in hope of hu Converfi-on, with Mr. Baxter',' reply, p. 44 j.

Part Ilf.

Written for the moft part in rlic year 1^70.

OF the Plague in the year 166^, p. i. during the Sickneji fome of the ejeSled Mintfiers preach in the City Churches, p.2. at the fame time the Ft-ve-mik Ait was frarrid at Oxford,ibiJ. a Cenjure of the Att, p. 5. the reafons of mens refufal to talte the Oath impofed by that A£t,p.^. Queries upon the Oxiord Oathjp.7. farther RefleBions on it,p.io. Twenty Nonconforming Mmifiers take thu Oath.p.x^.a Letter from £>r,Bates to Mr.Baxter about that affair, p.j/^. of the Dutch War, p.i6 0/fie Fire of London, ibid, of the Inftrumtntsof the Fire, p. 18. The Nonconformift s fet up fper ate publick Meetings, p. 19. of the burning of our Ships <jr Chatham by the Dutch, p. 20. the difgracc and banijhment of my LordChan-ceBour Hide, ibid. 5/r Orlando Briugman made Lord Keeper, p.22. the Nonconformifts conniv'd at m their AIeetings,\b. Mr.Bz.'nter fentfor to the Lord Keeper about a Toleration ««^Comprehenfion, p.2 5. Propojah then offer'd by Mr. Baxter and ethers, p. 24. the Lord Keeper's PrDpolals,p.z^. Alterations made ^7/l^r.Baxter and hu Affociates inhts Propofals, p.27. Ifaljly pag'd 5 J'.") Reafons of the(e Alterations,p.z%. \_falfljpagd ;6.] Alterations of the Liturgy,ik.c. then offer'd, p.5 i. [ fa/Jly pagd 39.] two new Propofals added, and accepted ovith alterations, p.54. an AddrefS of jome Presbyterian Mtnijters to the King,with a Letter of Dr.Mantonj to yV/r.Baxter about it, p ;6. great talk of Liberty at this time, but none en-fued,p.'^Z. Of the Book m/!/'J A Friendly Debate,p.39. o/Parker'j Ecclefiaftical Policy, p.41. of Dr. OwensAnfwer, and Parker'j Reply, p.42. An Apologue or two,familiarly re-prefentingthe HeatsandFeuds of thofetimes,p.j^'^,Scc. Mr.Buxter'sfurther account of bimfelf while he remain'd at AAon, p.46. of his acquaintance with worthy Sir Matth.Hale,p 47. of the difturbance he receivd at AAon,p48. he is fent to New Prifon,p.4^. a Narrati've of hu Cafe at that time, p.<f i. the Errours of his Miuimas, with an Explication of the Oxford Aft, py6. Hu Reflexions during hisimprtfonment, p. y8. Hu Releafe and perplexity thereupon, p.6o. Hts BenefaSoHrs while in prifon.ihid. Hu bodily weaknef,ibid. An Account of his Writings (ince 1665". P^i. an Account of a Treaty between htm and Dr.Owtn,about an Agreement between the Presbyterians <j»(i fj&e Independants,p.6i. a Letter of Dr. Owen's to Mr. Baxter about that matter, p.6;. yl-ir.Baxtei's Reply to ;f,p.64. how it was dropp'd, p.69. of his Methodus Theotegiae, ibid, and fome other Writings,pqo. the heat of jome of hu old people at YJ\6(.\evmm^Q\\p.'] T,.tbe renewal of the Atl agamf Conventicles ,^.']i^. Dr. Manton'/ i?nprifonment/\b\d. Great offers made to Mr.Bjxter by the Earl of Lauderdail, if he would go with him into Scotland Air.Baxter'i Letter to him upon that occafion p.7f -Another Letter of his totbe Eor/1/Lauderdail, P77. \_faJfy pag d ^-^.^ a Letter of htsto Sir Robert Murrey, about a Body of Church Difciplinefor Scotland, which was fent to him for hts Judgment about it, p.78. the Affair of the Manjuis of Antritn, with reference to bis Commiffion from X.Charles Lp.Sj.o/Du Moulin'j Jugulum Qanix-yand two Books of Dr. Fowler V, p.Sj. of Serjeant Fountaio'j kmdnej^ to him, p. 86. of Major Blood, and his ftealmg the Crown, p.H8. of the fhutting up the Exchequer, by which Mr. Baxter/oi? <» thoufand pounds,which he had devoted to charitable ufes,p.8^. o/Fowlis'j Hiflory of Romijli Treafons,p.^o. Characters of ma7iy of the ftlenrd Mmiflers, of WorcefterlhirC, Warwick-(Lire, m and about London e^c. from p.90 to p.98. the jecond Dutch War, and the Declaration for Liberty of Conjcience thereupon^p.^<^. the different Sentiments of People about the de-firabUnefi either of an e/fablip>t To\er!ition, or rtComprehcnrion, p. loo. Mr. Baxter gets a Licenfc,p.i02. the Merchants Lecture ft up at Pinners-Hall; and Mr.Baxter's Accujatf ons for his Sermons there, p. 103. Malitiofts Writings and Accujations 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. BaxterV w'/ri& Edward Wriy,EJ(]. about the Popijl Controver(ics,p loj. Mr.¥i\ki:ntr writes for Conformity,p.loS. a Letter of Mr.BiXtei's to the Earl of Orery,about a general Union of all Proteftantsagainft Popery, with Propofals for that purpofe,p 1 09,&C. the Strictures return'd upon thefe Propofals, with the A.ifwers to them, from p. 113 ,f0 140. More bitter and malignant Writings again[t

tbt

The Contents.

the Nonconformifts,p.i4i. a Paper of Mr.John Humphreys/or ComfveheTjfiomvkhIndulgence, that was difiributed among the Parliament men, p. 14 5, 8c c. a great change of affairs m Scotland, p. 147. a Charachr of Mr. Thomas Gouge the/ilenc'd Alinifhr 0/5'f. Sepulchres,p.147. a Letter of Mr.Ba.\tCT's to Dr.Good Mailer o/Baliol CoUedge in Oxford a-houtfame faJJ'ages in a Book he had lately publijh'd,p.i^.S. frefl) Accufations whereby A/y.Bax-ttiwas aJJaulted^Tp.i^ i a Deliverance when he wot preaching over Sf.James'f Markec-houle, p. I5'2. hu fuccelS while he freacb't there'^ and his oppofitton, p. 1^5. a Proclamation publiffj'd to call in the Licenfes, and require the Execution cf the Laws a^amjl the Nonconformi(ts, ib. fal\e Reports about his preaching at Pinners-H;illjp. i f4. Mr. Rn-aterapprehendedaf a Con-'venticler,p.l')^. a difference at Court on occafion of Mr.Baxtei'i Sufferings,\>.i ^6. a private Treaty ^efJA^ew Dr.Stillingfleet, Dr.Tillotlbn, Dr.Bates, Dr.Manton, A-lr.haxter, and Mr. 'Poo\,about an A£t forUnion avd Comprebenfion,^.! ^7. An Actforthe Healing and Concord of hu Majefiys Subjeffs in matiers of Religion, then agreed upon among/i them,p.i^S. Petitions Mr. Baxter was then put upon drawing up, which were never prejented, i6c. the Cafe of the City as to the Profecution of Dijfenters,p.iS'^. [faljly p^g^d ^6^. an account of ha trouble with Sir Thomas DaviSjibid. great Debates about the Telt in Parliament,^.16"]. a Cenfure of it, p. 1^8. a penitent Confejfon of one of the Informers who had given Mr. Baxter much trouble, P171. further troubles that he met with, and weakned, pi?^- a further Account of Sir Matthew Hale, p.i75'' of Mr. Read'j impnfonmetit, p.176.

Of the Additions of the years i6y'^^\6y6^i6yy^i6y^^0^c,

OF Monfieur Le Blank'j Thefes, p. 177. of Dr.]in€s Sermon before my Lord Mayor, and his Charge again^ Mr.BaiHQc,ihid. further troubles he met with, p. 178. a paffage between the Bp.ofExster and Mr.S^ng^v, ibid, an horrid Lie reported of Mr. Baxter ;w a Coffce-houfe about his killing a Tinker, the Reporter whereof was brought openly to confeS his fault, p. 179. Mr. Hollingworth'5 Sermon agamjl the Nonconformifls, p. 180. a further paf-fage o/5/rMatth. Hale,p,i8i. Dr. Manton'i death, p.182. about the Controverfie of Predetermination fiarted amongfi the Nonconformifts,by a Book of Mr. How's, ib. of the Popifh Plot and Sir Edmundbury Godfrey'j murder,&cc. p. 185. of fever al of Mr.Bixter's fVri-tings,p.i8^. of the Writings of Dr.St\]ling{\eet,Mr.Hir\k\ey, Mr.DodweW, and others, a^ gainftthe Nonconformifs, p. 187, 18 8. of the deaths of many of his dear Friends, p. 189. feme further account of Mr. Thomas Gouge, p. 190. of his new apprehenfion andficknefl^ p.i9r. an Account of his Cafe at that time,p.i^2. the Judgment 0/" Saunders and Pollixhn about it, p.i<)^.offome other of his fVritins^s,p.i96. of a Legacy of 600 1. left by Mr.KobCTC Mayot of OKon, to be distributed by Mr. Baxter amsng Si.xty ejecled Minifiers , p. 198. a further Account ofhisfufferings and weaknef, ibid. & p. 199.

The /Appendix contains thefe fevcral Pieces following.

Numb.I. A Reply to fome Exceptions againf the Worccfterfliire Agreement, ( a largt J^, Account whereof is given at the beginning of the fecond Part of this Narrative) and Mr.BaxKr's ChrilHan Concord, written by a nameleji Author, \_fuppofedto be Dr. Gunning] andfcnt by Dr. Warmeftry, p.i.

Namb.l1. Several Letters that pafd between A/r.Baxter and M-.MartinJohnfbn,«/'ff«t the Point of Ordination ; and particularly the necefjity of a conjiant uninterrupted Succeffion,in order to the validity of Minijlerial Fiinilions, p, 18.

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

Numb.IV. Letters andPapers between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Allen, p.67.

Mumb.V. A Letter cf Mr. Baxter'i to Mr.Long o/Exeter, p.io8.

Numb.VF. A Rcfolutionof this Cafe ; What's to be done when the Law of the Land commands perfns to go to their PariJJ) Church,and Parents rec^uire to go to private Meetings? p.l i r

Nunib.VII. A Letter of Mr.Bawets about the Cafe (/"Nevil Symmons Bookfeller,p.iij.

Numb.VIH. Mr. Baxter'.* general Defence, of his accufed Writings, caU'd Seditious ami Schifmatical, p.i 19.

Nunib.lX./4« AilforConcordyby Reforming Parifli Churchesyond Regulating the Toleration ofDiffinters, p. 127. A Letter to the Right WorpipfulSir E. H. about that matter, p. i;o.

Ee plealed (Candid Reader) tocorreft thelb Errours in the beginning thus:

PAgc i.linc 2f.for/iunread f,ne; and after reftr.aiid. p. 2.l.io.aftcr chikj.in the. and l.iy.dcle and. p. 3. 1.35. tor bemg r. hingingme. p.4.I.28.dclc of. and l.40.arter l^otvledge t.wm. I.42. for noiider t.wondred. p.5.l.i7.r.that part c/Pliyikk. p.8.1.29.r.«/«.!//>'. p.i99.1.i4.for he r.it. I.46. for rejciHons r. objeilions. The rell ;:s tlicy occur inter legendum; for 1 could not attend the I'refi and prevent the Errata.

THE

THE

LIFE

O F T H E

RE V E R E N

Mr. Richard Baxter.

Lib. L M^ a r, t i.

Y i^at'lier's NaiyiQ.was Richard ('the Son of Richard} Baxttr-: His H.ibitation and Eftate at a Village called Eaton-Confian' ttrie, a mile lioni the fFre^;»-Hill, and above half a mile from Severn River^and five miles from Shrewsbury in Shrof-^lire : A Village mofl: pleafantly and healthfully fituate. My Mother's Name was Beatrice the Daughter of Richard Adcney of Ro'wto?t,a. Village near Hi^h-^ErcaU.thQ Lord New-ports Seat, in the fame County : There I was born J. D. i6i^. on the izthoi No-vemher, being the Lord's Day, in the Morning at the time of Divine Worjliip ; and Baptized at High-Ercall the 19th day following: And there I lived from my Parents with my Grandfather till I was near Ten years of Age, and then was taken home.

My Father had only the Competent Eftate of a Freeholder,free from the Temptations of Poverty and Riches: But havingbeen addicted to Gaming in his Youth, and his Father before him, it was fo entangled by Debts, that it occafioned fome excefi of worldly Cares before it was freed.

We lived in a Country that had but litde 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 j 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 milesdiftant: His Eye-fight failing him, he faid Common-Prayer without Book ; but for the Reading of thePfalms and Chapters,he got a Common Threfher and Day-I.abourer one year, and a Taylor another year: ('for the Clerk could not read well ) : And at lalt he had a Kinfman of his own, ( the excellentelt Stage-player in all the Country, and a good Gamefter and good Fellow ) that got Orders and fupplied one of his Places I After him another younger Kinfmanjtiiat couid write and read, got Oidcrs : And at the fame time another Neighbour's Son that had been a while at School turn d Mihifter, and who would needs go father than the reft, ventur'd to preach (and sfter g,ot a Living in St^iffordJJnre,) and when he had been a Preaclier about Twelve orSixr^n ye^rs, lie was fain to give over, it being difcovered that his Orders were tbrge^^by the'fif/t ingenious Stagj-Player. After him another Neighbour's Son took Orders', when he had been a while an Attorney's Clerk,and a common Drunkard, and tipled himfelf into io great Poverty that he liad no other way to live : It

B was

was feared that he and more of them came by their Orders the fame way with the foremeiitioned Perfon: Thefe were the School-maflers 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 oU. Within a few miles about us,were near a dozen more Mi-nifters that were near Eighty years old apiece, and never preached ; poor ignorant Readers,and mod of them of Scandalous Lives: only three or four conftant competent Preachers lived near us, and thole ("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 Derifionof the Vulgar Rahble, under the odious Name of a Furitane.

But though we had no better Teachers , it pleafed God to inflru£t and change my Father, by the bare reading of the Scriptures in private,wichout either Preaching, or Godly Company, or any other Books bur the Bible: And God made him the Inltrument of my firff Convi<ftions, and Approbation of a Holy Life, as well as of my Reflraint horn the grolTci- fort of Lives. When I was very young, his ferious Speeches of God and the Life to come, pofTeffed me with a fear of finning I When 1 was but ne.r Ten years of Age, being at School at High-Ere all, we had leave to play on the Day of the King s Coronation ; and at Two of the Clock afternoon on that Day th:fre happened an Earthquake, which put all the People into a fear, and fomewhat poifeiled them with awful thoughts of the Dreadful God. CI make no Commentary on the Time j nor do I know certainly whether it were in other Countreys.j

At firft my Father let me to read the Hidorical part of the Scripture, which fuic-ing with my Nature greatly delighted me; and though all that time I neither un-dei liood nor relifhed much the Doftrinal Part, and Myllery 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 learch by degrees into the reft.

But though my Confcience would trouble me when I finned, yet divers fins I was addided to, and oft committed againft my Confcience 5 which for the warning of others I will confefs here to my fhame.

1. I was much addi(fled when, I feared Corrreflion to lie, that I might fcape.

2. I was much addided to the excefltve gluttonous eating of Apples and Pears : which I think laid the foundation of that ImbectUtty and Flatulency of my Stomach, 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 (loin their Fruit, when I had enough at home.

4. I was Ibaiewhat exceffively addifted to play, and that with covetoufnels, for Money.

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

6. I was guilty of much idle fooliih Chat, and imitation of Boys in fcurrilous foolifh Words and Adions (though I durft not fwearj.

7. I was too prcud of my Mafters Commendations for Learning, who all of them fed my pride, making me Seven or Eight years the highelt 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 v/here I lived the Reader read the Common-Prayer briefly, and the reft of the Day even till da.k Night almolf, 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 theTaber and Pipe and Nolle in the Street I Many times my Mind was inclined to be among them, and fnmetimes I broke loole from Conlcience, and joyned with them; and the more [ did it the more I wasenclined to it. But when I heard them cail my Father Puritav, it did much to cure me and alienate me from them : for I confi-der'd that my Father's Exercife of Reading the Scripture, was better than theirSj and would furely hi better thought on by all men at the laft j and I confidered what it was for that he and others were thus derided. When I heard them fpeak

(cornfully

Icornfully of others as Puritans whom I never knew, I was at firft ape to bcr licve all the Lies and Slanders wherewith they loaded them : But when I heard my own Father fo reproached, and perceived the Drunkards were the forwardelt in the reproach, I perceived that it was mere Malice: For my Father never fcrupied Common-Prayer or Ceremonies, nor fpake againft Biihops, nor ever fb much as prayed "but by a Book or Form, being not ever acquainted then with any that did otherwife; But only for reading Scripture when the relL were Dancing on the Lord's Day, and for praying ( by a Form out cf the end of the Common-Prayer Book) in his Houfe, and for reproving Drunkards and Swearers, and for talking (oinetimes a few words of Scripture and the Life to come, he was reviled commonly by the Name oiPuritan, Precifnm and Hypocrite: and lb w^ra the Godly Conformable Miniltersthat lived any where in 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 convinc'd that Godly People were the belt-, and thofe that defpiled them and lived in Sin and Pleafure , were a malignant unr 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.

§ z. The chiefeft help that I had for all my Learning in the Country Schools, was with Mr. Jof,n 0-wen School-mafter at the Free-School at Wroxettr, to whom I went next, who lived in Sir Richard Newport^ Hoaie (afterward Lord Newport) at Eyton, and taught School at that ancient Uncomurn, (where the Ruins and old Coin confirm thofe Hiltories, which make it an ancient City in the Romans Timei).

The prelent Lord Newport and his Brother were then my School-fellows, in a lower Form, and Dr. Richar d Meftree now Dr. of the Chair in Oxford, Canon of / ^•^ ^- ^\ Chrift's-Churchy and ProVoftof Eaion-CoUedge : of whom I remember that when my Malter fet him up into the lower end of the higheft Form, where I had long been Chief, I took it fo ill, that 1 talkt of leaving the School: whereupon my Mailer gravely, but very tenderly, rebuked my pride, and gave ms for my Theme, Ne Jutor 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 Confoience more againlf me, by robbing an Orchard or two with rude Boys, than it was before : And being under (bme more Convidtion 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 Parfon) had an old torn Book which he lent my Father , which was called Bunny's Refolutton, (being written by Parfon s the Jefuir, and correded by Edm. Bunny). I had before heard fome Sermons, and read a good Book or two, which made me more love and honour Godlineis 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 oi 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 (enfe 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 Ihew me the folly of Sinning, and the mifery of the Wicked, and the unexprellible weight of things Eternal, and the neceffity of refolving on a Holy Life, more than I was ever acquainted with before. The fame things which 1 knew before came now in another manner, with Light, and Senfs and Serioufnels to my Heart.

This caft me firft into fears of my Condition ; and thofe drove me to Sorrow and Confeffion and Prayer, and fo to fome refolution for another kind of Life ; And many a-day I went with a throbbing Conlcience, 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 Convcrfion began mw, or before, or after, I was never able to this day to know : for 1 had before had fome Love to the Things and People which were good, and a reftraint iiom other Sins except thofe forementioned j and fo much from thofe that I feldom committed moft of them, and when I did, it was with great reluftancy. And both now and formerly I knew that Chrift was the only Mediator by whom we murt have Pardon, Juftification, and Life : But even at that time, I had little lively fenfe of the Lo-ve of God in Chrifl to the World or me, nor of my fpecial need of him I for farfons and all Papifts almoft are too Ihorc upon this Subjed.

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

B 2 had

had Ballads and Come good Books: And my Father bought of him Dr. SthFs brm-fed Reed. This alio I read, and found it fuited to my ftate,and fealbnably fent me; which opened more the Love of God to me, and gave me a livelier apprehenfion of the Myltery of Redemption , and how much 1 was beholden to Je!us Chrilt.

All this while neither my Father nor I had any Acquaintance or Familiarity with any that had any Underftanding in Matters of Religion , nor ever heard a-ny pray ex tempore: But my Prayers were the Confejfion in the Common-Frayer Book, and fometime one of Mr. Bradford's Prayers, (in a Book called his Prayers and Me-dttatiom) 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. Perkins's Works (of Repentance, and the right An of Ltving and Dying ii-eU, and the Government of the Tongue) : And the reading of that did further inform me, and confirm me. And thus (without any means but Books) was God pleaied to refolve me for himfeif.

§ 4. When I was ready for the Univerfity, my Mafter drew me into another way which kept me th.ence, where were my vehement defires. He had a Friend at Ludlow^ Chapbin to the Council there, called Mr. Richard fVtck/fead; whole Place having allowance from the King (who maintaineth the Houle ) for one to attend hinijhe told my Mader that he was purpofed to have a Scholar fit for the U-niverlicy ; and having but one. would be better to him than any Tutor in the Uni-vcrlity could be : whereupon my Maiter perfwaded me to accept the ofFer,and told me it would be better than the Univerfity to me: I believed him as knowing no better my f;lf; and it luired well with my Parents minds, who were willing to have me as near to them as pollible (having noChildrenbut my felf;:And folieft my School-mafter for a fip^jofed Tutor : But when I had tried him I found my (elf deceived; his bufinels was to plea fe the Great Ones, and leek Preferment in the World ; and to that end found it neceffary fometimes to give the Puritans a flirt , and call them unlearned, and fpeak mucli for Learning, being but a Superficial Scholar of himielf: He never read to me, nor ufed any fivoury Difcourie of God-iinefs J only he loved me, and allowed me Books and Tzwe enough : So that as I had no confidcrable helps from him in my Studiesjfo had I no confiderable hinderance.

And though the Houfe vvas great (there being four Jadi^es, the King's Attorney, the Secretary, the Clerk of the Fines, with all their Servans, and all the Lord Pre-fident"s Servants, and many more) and though the Town vvas full of Temptations, through the multitude of Pcrfons, (Counfcllors, Attorneys, Officers, and Clerks) and much given to tipling and excels, it p'ealed God not only to keep me from them, but alio to give me one intimate Companion, who was the greateli: help to my Serioufncls in Religion, that ever I had bsrfore, 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 Diilrels to Pro-Iperity, and his AfFeftions being fervent, though his Knowledge not great, he would be always (tirring me up to Zeal and Diligence, and even in the Night would rile up to Prayer and Thanklgiving to God, and wonder that I could Hcep 16, that the thoughts of God's Mercy did not make me alfo to do as he did ! He was unwearied in reading all ferious Pradical Books of Divinity; elpecially Perkins, Bolton, Dr. Prefion, Elton, Dr. Taylor, Whately, Harris, 6cc. He was the firft that ever I heard pray Ex tempore (out ot the Pulpitj and that taught me foto pray : And his Charity and Liberality was equal to his Zeal; lb that God made him a gre.u means of my good, who had more knowledge than he, but a colder heart.

Yet before we had been Two years acquainted, he fell once and a fecond time by tlie power of Temptation into a degree of Drunkennefs, which fo terrified him upon the review (elpecially after the lecond time) that he was near to De-I'pair; and went to good Minifters with lad Confeffions: And when I had left the Houle and his Co;iipany, he fell into it again and again lb ofr,that at lalt his Con-Icience could have no Relief or Eale but in changing his Judgment, and dilbvvn-ing the Teachers and Doiftrines which had retrained him. And he did it on this manner : One of his Superiours, on wliom he had dependance, was a man of great Sobriety and Temperance, and of much Devotion in his way ; but very zealous againll the Nonconforinilh, ordinarily talking moll bitterly againlf them, and reading almoll only fuch Books as encouraged him in tiiis way : By converle with this Man, my Friend was firft drawn to ab.ite his Charity to Nonconformifts ; and then to think and fpeak reproachfully of tiiein ;and next that to dillikeall thole that came near them,and to lay that fuch as Bolton were too levere, and enough to make men mad : And the lall.l heard of him was, that he was grown a Fudler, and Railer at ttridt men. But whether God recovered him, or what became of him I cannot tell. § y. From

P A R. T I. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter

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

After that old Mr. Francts Garbett ( the faithful, learned Mini/ler at TVroxeter) 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 weaknels, and the troubled Condition of my Soul. For being in expedation of Death, by a violent Cough, with Spitting of Blood, &c. of two years continuance, fuppoied to be a deep degree of a Conlumption, I was yet more awakened to be feriouSj and (blicitous about my Soul's everlalHng State: And I came fo Hiort of that fenle and (erioulhefi, which a Matter of fuch inlitiite weight required, th.it I was in many years doubt of my Sincerity, and thought I had no Spiritual Life at all. I wondred at thelenflefs hard-nefi 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 fenflefe Deadnefs: I called my felf the mofi hard hearted Sinner, that could/<;«/nothing of all that I knew and talkcof: I was not then fen-fible of the incomparable Excellency of Holy Love, and DcUght in God, nor much imployed in Thankfgiving and Praife: But all ray Groans were for mote Contrttion, and a broken Heart, and 1 prayed molt for Tears and Tendtrneji.

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

At this time I remember, the reading of Mr. Ex.ek. Cuherwell's Tratik of Faith did me much good, and many other excellent Books, were made my Teachers and Comforters: And the ufe that God made of Books, above Minifters, to the benefit of my Soul, made me fomewhat exceffively in love with good Books; fo that I thought I had never enow, but fcrap'd up as great a Treafure of them as I could.

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

1. Ir made me vile and loathfome to my felf, and made Pride one of the hate-fullefr Sins in tlie World to me 1 I thought of my leif as I now think of a detella-b!e Sinner, and my Enemy, that is, with a Love of Benevolence, wilhing them well, but with little Love of Complacency at all: And the long continuance of it, tended the more eifedlually to a habit.

2. It much relVrained me from that fportful Levity and Vanity which my Nature and Youchtulnefs did much incline me to, and caufed me to meet Temptations to Senliiality with the greateft fear, and made them lefs efFeftual againft me.

3. It made the Dodrine of Redemption the more favoury to me, and my thoughts of Chriit to be more ferious and regardful, than before they were. I remember in the beginning how favoury »o my i^ading wasMr. Perkins's (hon Trea-tile of the Right Knowledge of Chrift crucified, and his Expo/itton of the Greedy becaufe they taught me how to live by Faith on Chrift.

4. It made the World leem to me as a Carkafi that had neither Life nor Loveli-nefs: And it dedroyed thofe Ambitious defires after Literate Fame, which was the Sin of my Childhood 1 I had a defire befdre to have attained the higheff Academical Degrees and Reputation of Learning, and to have chofen out my Studies accordingly ; but 5;c>&Kf/? and So//a>ow/»e/f for my doubting Soul did fhame away all thefe Thoughts as Fooleries and Childrens Plays.

<;. It let rne upon that Method of my Studies, which fince then 1 have found the benefit of, though at the time I was not latisfied with my lelf. It cauled me firft to fck God's Kingdom and his Righteoufnels, andmoft to mind the One thing needful ; and to determine firft of my Ultimate End ; by which I was engaged to choofe out and prolecute all other Studies, but as meant to that end : Therefore Divinity was not only carried on with the reft of my Studies with an equal hand J but always had the firft and chiefell place I And it caufed rae to v.^7k^ ftudy Praclical Divinity firft , in the moft Practical Books , in a Vra^ical Order; doing all purpofely for the informing and reforming of my own Soul. So that I had read a multitude of our Englifli Pradical Treatifes, before I had ever read any other Bodies of Divinity, than Urfine and Ameftus, or two or three more.

By

t

$

By which means my /ijfeBion was carried on with my Judgment: And by that means I prolecuted all my Studies with unweariedne(s and delight: And by thac means all that I read did (lick the better in my memory : and alio lels of my time was loR by lazy intermiffions : fbut my bodily Infirmities always cauled me to lofe ( or I'pend ) much of it in Motion and CorporalExercifes j which was lome-times by Walking, and fometimes at the Plow, andlach Country Labours).

But one lols 1 had by this Method, which hath proved irreparable j That I mill that part of Learning which ftood at the greateft diilance ( in my thoughts) from my IJltimate End,('though no doubt but remotely it may be a valuable nieansj, and I could never fince find time to get it. Befides the Latin Tongue, and but a mediocrity 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-Jight in the Greek and Hebrew were very defirable ; but I was io eagerly carried after the Knowledge of Things^ that I too much neglec^ted the fludy of Words. And for the Mathematkks, I was an utter (tranger to them, and never could find in my heart to divert any Studies that way. But in order to the Knowledge o^Divinity my inclination was molt to Logtck and Metaphjficks, with that part fhyficks which treateth of the Soul, contenting my lelf at hrlt wich a flighter Itudy of the ret : And thefe had my Labour and Delight. Which occafioned me ( perhaps toofojn ) to plunge my lell very early into the lludy of Contro-verfies ; and to read all the School men I could get; ( for next Praiitcal Divintty, no Books io liiited with my Difpofition as Jqumns, Scotus^ Durandus, Ockam, and their Difciples j becaufe f thought they narrowly fearched after Truth, and brought Things out of the dark-nefs of Confufion : For I could never from my firft Studies enduse Confufion! Till Equivocals were explained, and Definition and Difiinilion led the way, I had rather hold my Tongue than (peak! and was never more weary of Learned Mens Dif-courles, than when I heard them long wrangling about unexpot*idcd Words or Things,and eagerly Dilputing before they underltood each others Minds; and ve-hemently aflTerting Modei and Confequeitces and Adjun^s, before they confidered of the Quod fit, the Quid fit, or the Quotupkx. I never thought I underftood any thing till I could anatomtz.e it, and lee the parts difiinctly, and the Conjunilion of the parts as they make up the whole. DifiMton and Method Icemed to me of that ne-ceflity, that without them I could not be (aid to know ; and the Diiputes which fci,ook them, or abufed them, feem but as incoherent Dreams.

§ 6. And as for thofe Doubts of my own Salvation , which exercifcd me many years, the chiefeff Caules of them were thele:

I. Becaule I could not diftindtly trace the Workings of the Spirit upon my heart in that method which Mr. Bolton, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Rogers, and other Divines de-Icribe I nor knew the Time of my Converfion, being wrougiit on by the fore-mentioned Degrees. But fince then I underlfood that the Soul is in too dark and paffionate a plight at firlf, to be able to keep an exaft account of the order of its own Operatiotis ,• and that preparatory Grace being (ometimes longer and (bmetimes fhorter, and the firlt degree of Special Grace being ufually very fiiiall, it is not poflible that one of very many Ihould be able to give any true account of the juH T-.rKc when Special Grace began, and advanced him above the Ifate of Preparation.

2. My lecond Doubt was as aforefaid, becaufe of the hardnefiofi my heart,or want of fuch lively Apprehenfitons of Things Spiritual, which I had about Things Corporal. And though I ftill groan under this as my fin and want , yet I now perceive that a Soul in Flelh doth work lb much after the manner of the Flelh, that it much defireth lenfible Apprehenfions j but Things Spiritual and Diftant are not {o apt to work upon them, and to Itir the Paffions, as Things prell*nt and fenfibie are ; efpecially being known lb darkly as the Ifate and oper.itions of leparated Soulsj are known to us who are in the Body : And that the Rational Operations of the higher Faculties ( the Intellect and Will^ may without lo much paifion, fet God and Things Spiritual higheft within us, and give them the preheminence, and fubjedt all Carnal Interelt 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 n.y Soul, and Kf^fwtT<7r/o» and L.ove were yet to leek ; becaule 1 had found Convictions from my Childhood, and found more Fear than Love in all my Duties and Refiramts.

But

P A R. T I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

But I afterward perceived that Education is God's ordinary Vv^ay for the Conveyance of his Grace, and ought no more to be iet in oppofition to the Spirit, than the preaching of the Word ; and that it was the great Mercy of God to begin with me fo loon, and to prevent fuch fins as elle might have been my fhame and Ibrrov/ while I Hved ; ami that Repentance is good,but Prevention and Innocence is better j which though we cannot attain in perfe(9:ion, yet the more the better. And I underflood, that though Fear without Love be not a ftate of Saving Grace zv[.<\greater Lo'i'e to the World than to GoJ be not confiftent with Sincerity; yet a littk predominant Love ( prevailing againft worldly Love ) conjundl with a far greater measure oi Fear, may be a Itate of Special Grace I And that Fear being an cafier and irreflftible Paffion, doth oft obfcure that meafure of Love which is indeed wit lin us I 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 Complacential Love; even as it hath more of the fenle of the Love of God in Chrift, and belief of the Heavenly Life which it approacheth: And that it is long before Love be lenfibly predominant in refped of Fear ( that is, of Self-love and Self-prefervation), though at the firJt it is predominant againft IVorldly Love, And 1 found that my hearty Love of the Word of God, and of the Servants of God, and my defires to be more holy, and eipecial-ly the hatred of my Heart for loving God no more, and my Love to love him, and be pleafmg to him, was not without Ibme Love to himfelf,though it workt more lenfibly on his nearer Image.

4. Another of my Doubts was becaule niyGw/and Humiliation wzs no greater, and becaufe 1 could weep no more for this.

But I underftood at laft that God breaketh not all Mens hearts alike, and that 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 (elves is true Humiliation I and that he that had rather leave his Sin, than have leave to keep it, and had rather be the moll holy, than have leave to be unholy or Icfs holy, is neither without true Repentance, nor the Love of God.

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

This (luck with me longer than any of the reft j and the more, becaule that e-very Sin which I knowingly committed did renew it : And the terms on which I receive Confolation againft it are thele : fNot as thofe tliat think every Sin a-gainft Knowledgedoth nullifie 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 Ihew it lelf in Vi<ftory; for bare ftriving, when we are overcome, and yielding to fin when we have a while ftriven againft it,proveth not the Soul to be fincere.

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

4. God s Children always overcomethofe Temptations which would draw them to a wicked unholy fiate of Life, and would unregenerate them and change their fi^ate, and turn them back from God to a fleflily 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 be called Venial Sins, which are confiftent with Spiritual Life and ajuftified State).

y. Therefore whenever a juftitied Perlbn finneth, the Temptation at that time prevaileth againft the Spirir, and the Love of God I not to the ExtinBion of the Love of God, nor to the VeftruBion of the Habit, nor the letting up of the contrary Habit in predominancy ; as letting up the habitual Love of any Sin above the habitual Love of God 1 The inclination of the Soul is ftill molt to God: And he efteemeth him moft, and preferrcth him in the adherence of his IVilL in the main bent and courfe of Heart and Life; only he is oveicome, and fo far abateth the

advtual

a<5tual Love and Obedience to Gorf, as to commit this particular A A of Sin^and remit or omit that Aclof Love.

6. And this it is poflible for a Juftified Perfon to do upon fome deliberation : For as Grace may (trive one inltant only in one Aft, and then be liiddenly overcome ; (b it may Ihive longer, and keep the Mind on Gonfiderations of re-ilraining Motives, and yet be overcome.

7. For it is not the meer Length of Confideration which is enough to excite the Heart againlt Sin, but there muft be cleameji of Light, and hveUnefi in thofe Gonfiderations: And Ibmetimes a fudden Conviction is io clear , and great, and lenlible, that in an inliant it ftineth up the Soul to an utter abhorrence of the Temptation, when tlic fame Man at another time may have all the lame thoughts, in fb flcepy a degree as Jhall not prevail. And fomccimes the weaknefi of Grace as j-iiuch appeareth by making no refiftance at all, by caufrng deliberation ( even in Sins of Taffionand Surprize) as at other times it doth, by yielding after dull deliberations.

8. And though a little Sin muft be hated, and unmerfal Obedience muft prove our Sincerity, and no one Sin muft be wilfully continued in; yet it is certain that God's Servants do not ofc commit Sins materially great and heinous (as Fornication, Dninkennefi, Perjury, Oppreffion, Deceit, &c.) and yet that they often commit iome Icjjir Sins, ( as idle tiioughts, and idle words, and dulnels in holy Duties, de-fedivenels in the Love of God, and omiffion of holy Thoughts and Words, &c\ ) And that theTcmpter oft getterh advantageeven with them, by tdling them that the Sm zs {mall, and iuch as God's Servants ordinarily cominit; and that naturally wc fly with greater fear from a great danger than from a lels ; from a wound at the heart than a cut finger ! And therefore one reafon why idle words and/inful thoughts are even deliberately oftrier committed than moft heinous Sins, is becaufe the Soul is not.avakedib much hyfear and care to make refillance : And Love needcth the help of fear in this our weak condition.

9. And it is certain that ufofaliy the Servants of God. being men of ;»«/? know ledge, do thcreforey^; againjr more knoii/ledge tliasi othess do ; for there .ue but few Sins, which they know not to be Sins: 1 hey koow that idle Thoughts and Words, and the omiffions of thecnnrr.qry. are their lins.

10. There are fbme Sins of iuch diificuky to avoid, fas thedilbrdsr or omiffion ofiioly Tiioughts, and the defeds of Love to God, &c. ) and lume Temptations lb ifrong, and the Soul in fo fluggiih a cpA'c to refift, that good Thougljts which are in deliberation uled againft them, are borne down at laft , and are lefs efte-aual. :: V •

11. And our prefent ftock of Habitual Grace is never fufficient of it fclf without Co-operating Grace from Chrirt : And therefore, when we provoke him to withhold his help, no wonder if we Ihew our weaknels, fo far as to Itumble in the way to Heaven, or to ftep out into fome by-path, or break over the hedge, and Ibmetimes to look back, and yet never to tiir?i back, and go agiin from God to the World.

12. And becaufe no fall of a Saint, which is Few/W, s^n Ufirmity, confident with Grace, doth either dsftroy the habit of Love and Grace, or fet up a contrary habit above it, nor yet pervert tbofcope and bent of the Converfation, but oniy pie-vailcth to a particular AA, it therefore iollovieth, that the Soul riieih up from liich a Sin by true Repentance, and that the new Nature or Habit of Love within us, will work out the Sin as foon as it hath advantage : As the Needle in the Com-paG vvill return to its proper Point, when the foi ce that moved it doth ceafe ; and as a running Stream will turn clear again, vvhen the force that muddied it is paft. And this Repentance will do much to increafj our hatred of the Sin , and fortifie us againft th'i next Temptation: lb that though therebelbincSin5,wliitii through our great Infirmity we daily commit, as we daily repent of them ( as dilbrdered Thoughts, defeds of Love, negleA of God, d'^c) yet it vvill not be lb with thole J^ins which a wtUing, fmcere, habituated Faiitent hath more in iiis power to caif out.

. 15. And yet when all is done, Sin will hrce] fears, ( and the more , bv how much the more ddtberate and wilful it is :) And tiie bei,!- vya)' to keep under Dcubts and Tsrrours, and to keep up Comfort, is to kc^}^ \ii][> Atlual Obedience, and quickly and penitently return when we have finned.

This much I thought meet to (ay for the fike of others who may fall into the Time Temptations and Perplexities.

§ 7. The

1

P A R. T I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ^

§ 7. The Means by which God was pleafed to give me feme Peace and Comfort were, '

1. The Reading of ma;iy Confolatory Books.

2. The obfervation of other Mens Condition : When 1 heard many makt the very fame Complaints that I did, who were People of whom I had the belt 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-felffo often, [;ihe hard-hearted fmner ; and the mifirable hard-hearted (inmr\ even as I was uied to do my (elf.

5. Anditmuchincreafedmy peac3 when God's Providence called me to the comtortingof 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-cile for them redounded to my felf, and inlenfibly abated my Fears, and procured mean increaleofquietnefiof Mind. -jv

And yet after all, I was glad of TrohahiUties inftead of full undoubted Certawtm • "^.t J-rf and to this very day, though I have no liich degree of Doubtfulnefs as is any great An i66a trouble to my Soul, or procureth any great difquieting Fears, yet cannot Ifiy that ' I have fuch a certainty of my ownfincerity in Grace, as excludeth all Doubts and Fear: of the contrary.

§ 8. At that time al(b God Was pleafed much to comfort and fettle me by the acquaintance of feme Reverend peaceable Divines; Mr. Garbet (aforefaid ) and Mr. George Baxter of Ltttle IVenlock, (very holy men and peaceable, who laboured faithfully with little fuccefs till they were above fourfcore years of Age apiece •) efpscially old Mr. SarKitel Smith, fometime of Prittlewell in Effex, but then of Cref Jage in Shropjhtre, ( who hath written on the 6th of Hofea, the firft Pfalm , the 2 2d PJalm, the jift Ffalm, the 90th Pfalm, the Eunuch's Converfion, Noah'/ Do-ve, the Great Jffiz,e,an(i other Books: jThis good Man was one of ray moft familiar Friends, in whofe Converfe I took very much delight-who was buried but this Winter 1664. at his Native place at DiuHey in IVvrce/^erJIure.

§ 9. And becaufe the Cafe of my Body had a great Operation upon my Soul and the Hiftory of it is fomewha: necelTary to the right underftanding of the reft' and yet it is not a Matter worthy to be oft mentioned, I fliall here together give you a brief Account of the moft of my AfHidrions of that kind, referving the mention of fome particular Deliverances to the proper place.

I was naturally of a found Conftitution, 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 Loofnefs) 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 fleep quietly in the Night. When this had continued about two years, my Body being very thin, and Confumptions 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 naturally was acrimonious.

^ After this the Spitting of Blood increaled my fears: After that Sir Henry Herbtrt advifed me to take the Flower of Brimftone, which I continned till I had taken kven Ounces; v/hich took off moft of the remainder of my Cough, but increa-fed the Acrimony of my Blood.

Then an unskilfulPhyfician perfwaded me that I had a Heftick, and to cure that I took much Milk from the Cow, and other pituicous cooling things , and conftantly anointed my Stomach and Reins with refrigerating Oils of Violets and Rofes; and was utterly reftrain^ from my ufual Exercife ! By this time I had an cxtream chillinefswithout, and yet a ftrange fcurf on my Tongue, with a con-ftant 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 Experinced DoAor) was confident the Scurvy was my cltief Diftemper, and thereupon prefcribcd me more Acrimonious Medicaments, Scurvy-grafs, Horfe-radifli, Muftard, Wormwood, &c. which a-bundantly incrcaied my bleeding at the Nofe; infomuch as I bled many times half a Pint or a Pint .1 day, and it co.ntinuing long, I was much weakned : Yet under thislearot the SvUrvy I continued two years taking exceffive quantities of Acri-

C monious

monious Things; eating abundance of Muftard at every Meal, and drinking only Wormwood-beer, d^c. and ufing feme Exercife, as much as time would give me leave.

By 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: I fliall therefore only fay this, chat the Symptoms and EfFeds of my General Indifpofition were very terrible ; fuch .^s a flatulent Stomach, that turn'd all things into Wind ; a Rheumatick head to a very great degree; and great fharpneis in my Blood, which occafioned me noiiiiall 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 Nofeftill fell a bleeding, and that with fuch a great vio. lence, and in fuch exceflive quantities, as often threatned my Life : which I then afcribed to fuch Caules as I have fince liv'd to fee my lelf miftaken in ; for 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 :

3. That I was never overwhelmed with real Melancholy. MyDiflemper never went fb far as to pofl'efs me with any inordinate Fancies, or damp me with finking Sadnefs, although the Phyficians call'd it the Hyfocondriack Melancholy. I had at leveral times the Advice ot 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-celsful for a Cure : and indeed all Authors that I read , acquainted me that my Dileafe was incurable; whereupon I at laff forfook the Doftors for the molt parr, except when the urgency of a Symptom, or Pain , conftrained me to fcek fome prelent eale.

2. The fecond Mercy which I met with, was, that my Pains, though daily and almoft continual,did not very niuchdilable me from my Duty; but I couid Study, and Preach, and Walk almolt as well if I had been free : (of which more anon). At lafi falling into a iudden and great decay and debility, I went to Sir Theodore Maycrne. who kept me in a long Courfe of Phyfick, which did me fome good for the prefenc; and after that, riding much in the Army did me more good than a-ny thing : But having one Symptom on me (the conftant excoriation of my three formoff Fingers ends on both Hands to the raw flefh ) he lent me to TunbriJge-Waters, v\here I Ibid three Weeks ; and after that my Defludions and Agitation of the Serous Matter, much encreafed, (though the Excoriation cealed at that time) and haftned my greater ruine. Elpecially one Errour of his did me hurt: He vehemently perflWaded me to the eating of Apples, which of all things in the World had ever been my moft deadly Enemies; fb that when it was too lace , Dr. A/^T^fr?!? perceived that though Acrimony difpoled the matter, yet nicer fi<tulency pumped up the Blood , and was the moft immediate Caufe of the Hamorrhagte. Having taken cold with riding thin clothed in tl-"» Snow, and having but two days eaten Apples beloreMeat, as he perfwaded mc, 1 fell into fuch a bleeding as continued fix days, with Ibme fits of intermillion ; fb that about a Gallon of Blood that we noted was loI>, and what more I know not : Upon this both he and other Phyficians gave me up as hof)ekfs, through the weakneis thereby occafioned,and concluding that all would end in a Dropfie, ( for my Leggs began to fwells) : By a Friend's peiTwaiion I wrote to Dr. George Bates, ( Archiater to King Charla the S.'cond, as Sir Theodore Mayerne was to King Charles the Firft ) who concurred lb exadly in all points with Dr. Mayerne, as if they had confulted, (the Caieand the Medicaments prelcribcd being unufual ) that 1 marvelled at their Concord : and by both their Counlels (though neither of them had any confiderable hope of my Life), I was necelTirated, befides other Remedies, tobe ofc in purging, lor all my weaknefs, to prevent a Dropfie. Within a quarter of a year I was able weakly ro Preach again ; but continued divers years in languilhing Pains and Weak-ncffes, double or fourfold to what I had before : So that befides all my former Infirmities, ever after this Bleeding my chief Difsafe is a Prcon.uw.i 6'fW(f/af, through thegreac Diminution of Nature's Stock: And juft the fame Symptoms as moit men have about Fourfcoie years of Age, aie added to thofe which I had before.

In ((Miiefjeming NeceiTuies my latter Phyficians, after all this, did four or five times t.^ke fJime Blood from me ; and once a fpoonful in about fevcn Ounces oi Se-rtm did coagulate ; but at no oih:r time would one jot of it ever coagulate or cohere.

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

To keep this Blood in the relaxed Veflels was now all my Cares, which daily jhed abroad upon my Eyes, and Teeth, and Jaws, and joynts, (b that I had fcarce reft night or day : ( of Ibme of the EffeftSj and my Remedy which God blefTed to my eafc;, I Ihallfpeak more afterwardj. With fuch Blood , in a kind of Atrophic, which hath caufed a very troublefome Drowfinefi to feize upon and follow me, I have lived now thele many years, and wrote all the Books that ever I wrote and done the greatell part of my Service: My chiefeft Remedies are,

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

2. £xercife till I iweat: For if I walk not hard with almoft all my ftrength, an hour before Dinner, and an hour before Supper, till I fweat well, I am not able to digeft two Meals j and cannot expeft to live when I am difabled for Exercife, being preiently overwhelmed withchillinels, flatulency, andlerofity.

5. A conftant Extrintick Heat, by a great Fire, which may keep me ftill near to a Sweat, if not in it: ( for I am feldom well at ea(e but in a Sweat^.

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

Thefe 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 fike of any Students that may be near the fame Diftempers ; but almofl all Phyfick did me harm : "~^ And no Aromatical Thing now can I tafte, but it fettcth my Nole a bleeding , though fince I bled a Gallon I am not lb prone to it as before.

I havecaft in all this heic together, that the Reader may better underftand other things, and may not too oft be troubled wieh 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. Wickjtead, with whom I had lived at LuJloiv, had almoiV perfwaded me to lay by all my Preparations for the Miniltry, and to go to Londvn,AnA get acquaintance at Court, andgetfome Office, as being the only rifing way. I had no mind of his Counlel 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 I would go up and live a while with Sir Henry Herbert, then Maffer of the Revels,he would quickly let me in a rifing v/ny.

I would not be difobedienc, but went up, and (iayed at IVbitehall with Sir H. H. about a month : But I had quickly enough of the Court ; when I law a Stage-Play inliead of a Sermon on the Lord's-days in the Atternoon, and law what Courfe was there in falhion, and heard little Preaching,but what was as to one part againlt the Puritans, I was glad to be gone : And at the lame time it plealed God that my Mother fell Tick, and defired my return ; and lo I revived to bid farewel to thofe kind of Employments and Expedations,

While I was in Lmdon I fell into Acquaintance with a fober, godly, underftand-ing Apprentice of Mx.VhikmonStephenst\iQ'Sio6\iXQ\\c^ ., whole Name was Hum-fhrey Blundtn f who i5 fince turned an extraordinary Chymilf, and got Jacob Behem his Books tranflated and printed j, whom I very much loved, and who by his Con-folatory Letters and Diredions for Books, did afterwards do me the Offices of an uleful Friend.

§ 11. When I was going home again into the Country about Chriftmas-day, the greateft Snow began that hath been in this Age, which continued thence till Ea- An.\6i^ fier, 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 palfed over, all my Horles feet flipt from under him, and all the Girths brake, and lb I was call juft before the Waggon Wheel , which had gone over me, but that it plealed God, that fuddenly the Horfes ftopt, without any dil-cernable caufe, till I was recovered : which commanded me to oblerve the Mercy of my Proteftor.

§ 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 let on running ; as I was in a Field of high Ground, there being on the other fide a Quick-let Hedge, a very deep narrow Lane, about a Stories height below me ; fuddenly the Horle

C 2 got

The LIFE of the

L I B. I.

ir-

oot the Bridle as aforefaid, and let on running; and in the midft of his running unexpeftedly turned afide, and leapt over the top of the Hedge into tbat deep Lane: I was fomewhat before him at the Ground, and as the Mire laved me from the hurt beneath, fo it plealed God that tlie Horfe never touched me, but he h'ght 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.

§ 15. 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 Ludlow Caftle, where many idle Gentlemen had little elfe to do, I had a mind to learn to play at Tables; and the bell 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 ftanders by laugh'd at me, as well as he, for not giving it up, and told me the Game was loft : 1 knew no more but that it was not loft till all my Table-men were loft, and would not give it over till then. He told me, rhat he would lay me an hundred to one of it, and in good earneft laid me down ten Ihillings to my fix pence : As foon as ever the Money was down,whereas he told me that there was no poffibilityof my Game, but by one Caft often, I had every Caft the fame I wilhed, and he had every one accoiding to my defire, fo that by that time one could go four or five times about the Room his G.isne was gone, which put him in 16 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 lb I gave him his Ten [hillings again, and re-Iblved I would never more play at Tables whilit I lived.

§ 14. But to return to the place where I left: When I came home from London, I found mv Modier in extremity of l^'ain, and fpcnt tliat Winter in the hearing of her Heart-piercing Groans, ( fhut up in the great Snow , which many that went abroad did periili iiij till on May the loth (he died.

At Kiderminfier, the Town being in want of fire, went all to fliovel the way over the Heath to Stom-bridge, from whence their Coals come ; and fo great and liidden a ftorm of Snow fell, as overwhelmed them ; lb that Ibmo perilhed in ir, and others faved their Lives by g'Stting into a little Cote that fiandethonthe Heath, and others fcaped home with much ado.

5 15'. Above a year after the Death of my Mother, my Father married a Woman of gieat Sincerity in the Fear of God, Mary the Daughter of Sir Tho. Hiwkes: whole Holineli, Mortilication, Contempt of the World, and fervent Prayer ( in which Ihe fpeat 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 honourable Pattern to thole that knew her. She lived to be c)6 years old.

§ 16. Fiom the Age of 21 till near 2 5, my Weaknefs was lo great, that I expected not to live above a year ; and my own Soul being under the lerious appre-henfion cf the Matters of another World, I was exceeding defirous to Communicate thofe Apprehenfions to fuch ignorant, prefumptucus, carelels Sinners as the V/orld aboundfeth with. But 1 was in a very great perplexity between my Encouragements and my Difcouragements: I Vj^as confcious of my perfonal infuffici-ency, for want of that mealiire of Learning and Experience, which ia great and high a V/ork required. I knew that the want of Academical Honours and Degrees was like to make me Contemptible with the moft, and confequently hinder the Succels of my Endeavours. But yet expcifting to be fo quickly in another World, the great Concernments of miferable Souls, did prevail with me againft all theie Impediments • and being confcious of a thirfty defire of Mens Converfi-on and Salvation, and of Ibme competent perfwading Faculty of Expreffion.which lervent Affections might help to adtuate, I relblved that if one or two Souls only might be won to God, it would eafily recompenceall the difconour which for want ot Titles I might undergo from Men !

Arjd indeed I had fuch clear Convidions my Iclf of the madnefs of fecure pre-fiiniptuous Sinners, and the unqueftionable Realons which fliould induce men to a holy Life, and of the unfpeakable gieatnels of that Work, which in this hafty Inch of Time, we have all to do, that I thought that Man that could be ungodly, if he did but hear thefe things, was fitter for Bedlam, than for the Reputation of a fober rational Man: And I was lb foolifh as to think, that I had lb much to lay, and of fuch Convincing Evidence for a Godly Life , that Men were fcarcea-ble to withftand it j not conlidering what a blind and lenflels Rock the Heart of an obdurate Sinner is j and that old yldam is too ftrong for young Luthtr (as he faid). But thele Apprcheniions determined my choice.

§17. Til)

§ i7.Till this time I was fatisfied in theMatter of Conformity: Whilft I was young I had never been acquainted with any that were againft it^ or that queftioned it. I had joyned with theCommon-Prayer with as hearty fervency as afterward I did with other Prayers I As long as I had no Prejudice againft it, I had no ftop in my ~f-Devotions from any of its Imperfeftions.

At lad at about 20 years of Age^ I became acquainted with Mr. SimmonJs, Mr. Cradock, and other very zealous godly NonconJbrmifts in Sbrewshoy, and the ad-joyning parts, whole fervent Prayers and (avoury Conference and holy Lives did profit me much. And when I underftood that they were People profecuted by the Bilhops, I found much prejudice arileinmy heart againft thofe that peifecuted them, and thought thofe thatfilenced and troubled fuch Men could not be the genuine Followers of the Lord of l,ove.

But yet I relblved that I would Itudy the Point, as well as I was able, before J. would be confident on either fide : And it prejudiced me againft the Nonconfor-mifts, becaule we had but one oF them near us, ( one Mr. Barfiel of Uppngton ) who, though he was a very honeft blamelefs Man, yet was reputed to be but a mean Scholar j when Mr. Garbet , and ibme other ConformiHs, were more Learned Men: And withal, the Books of the Nonconfcrmifts were then fo Icarce, and hard to be got ( becaufe of the danger J that I could not corns to know their rea-fbns. Whereas on the contrary fide, Mr. Garbet and Mr. Saj^uel Smith, did fend mQ Downbam, Sprhjt, Dr. Biirges, and Others of the ftrongeft that had wrote againft the Nonconformifts; upon the reading of which I could not fee but the Caule of the Cont'ormifts was very juftifiable, and the realbning of the Nonconformifts weak.

Hereupon when I thought of Ordination, I had no Scruple at all againft Sub-fcription : And yet (b precipitant and ralh was I, that I had never once read over the Book of Ordination, which was one to which I was coSubfcribe jnor half read over the Book of Homilies, nor exaftly weighed the Book of Common-Prayer,nor was I of fuiiident Underftanding to determine confidendy in fome Controverted Points in the 59 Articles. But my Teachers and my Books having cjuled me in general to think the Conibrmifts had the better Caufe , I kept oat all particular Scruples by that Opinion.

§ 18. At that time old Mr. Richard Foley oi Stourbridge in IVorceJter^nre, bad recovered (bnie alienated Lands at Dudley, which had been left to Charitable Ufes, and added foinethingof his own, and bui't a convenient new School-Houfe, and was to choole his firlt School-Mafter and Ulher : By the means oi James Berry (who lived in the Houle with me, and had lived with him) he defired me to accept 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-lumed to take a Paftoral Charge (to which 1 had no inclination). So to Dudley 1 went, and Mr. Foley and James Berry going with me to Worceftcr, at the Time of Ordination, I was Ordained by the Billiop, and had a Licence to teach School j for which (being Examined) I Subfcribed.

§ 19. Being fettled (with an Ulher) 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 afreili upon the ftudy of Conformity : For there were many private Chriftians thereabouts that were Nonconformifts, and one in the Houle with me. And that excellent Man, Mr. William Fennn , had lately lived two miles off at Sedgeley, who by defending Conformity, and honouring it by a wonderfully powerful and liiccelsful way of Preaching, Conference, and holy Living, 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 upon a ferious impartial Trial of the whole Caule.

The Caufe of Epilcopacy Biftiop Downbam had much fatisfied me in before ; and I had not then a fufficient Underftanding of the difference betwixt the Arguments fur an Epifcopacy in general, and for our Engltjli Diocefans in particular. The Caule of Kneeling at the Sacrament I ftudied next: and Mr. Vaybody fully fatisfied me for Conformity in that. I turned over Cartwright and Whitgift , and others ; but having lately procured Dr. Ames frelh fuit, I thought it my beft way to ftudy throughly Dr. Bnrges (his Father-in-law^ and him, as the likelieft means to avoid diltradion among a multitude of Writers, and not to lofe the Truth iri

crowds

crowds of Words; feeing thefe two were reputed the ftrongeft on each fide. So I borrowed Amefitu his Fn^i Suit, &c. and becaule I could not keep itj I tranfcrihed the ftrength of it the broad Margin of Dr. Burges his RejoynJer, over againlt each Paragraph which he replied to : And I fpent a confiderable time in the rtrideft Examination of both which I could perform.

And the refult of all my Studies was as followeth : Kneeling I thought lawful, and all meer Circumllances determined by the Magiftrate, which God in Nature or Scripture hath determined of only in the General.The Surplice I more doubted of; but more inclined to think it lawful: And though Ipurpoled, while I doubted, - to forbear it till neceflity lay upon me, yet could 1 not have jullified the forfaking of my Minilf ry for it; ( though I never wore it to this day^\ The Ring in Marriage I made no Scruple about. The Crofs in Baptifml thought Dr. Ames proved unlawful J and though I was not without (bme doubting in the Point, yet becaule I moff inclined to judge it unlawful^ never once ufed it to this day. A Form of Prayer and Liturgy I judged to he lawful, and in fome Gales lawfully impofed : Our Liturgy in particular, 1 judged to have much diforJer and defettiTjcneji in it, but nothing which Ihould mako the ule of it, in the ordinary Publick Worlhip, to be unlawful to them that have not Liberty to do better. Dilcipline I wanted in the Church, and faw the lad Effects of its negled : But I did not then underftand that the very Frame of Diocelan P/elacy excluded it, but thought it had been only the Bifhops peilbnal negleds. Subfcription I began to judge unlawful, and faw that I finned by temerity in what I did: For though I could flill ule the Common Prayer, and was not yet againft Diocelans , yet to Sublcribe, £.v Animo, That there IS nothing tn the three Books contrary to the IVord of God, was that, which if it had been to do again, I durft not do. So that Suhfcnption, and the Crofi <» Baptifm, and the p-omjjcuous giving of the Lord's Supper to all Vrunknrdsj Swearers, Fornicators, Scot-vers at Godlineji, &c. that are not Excommunicate by a Diihop or Chancellor that is out of their Acquaintance. Thefe three were all that I now became a Ncmoit-forniiH to.

But molt of this I kept to ray felf. I daily difputed againO: the Noiiconformifts j for I found their Cenforioulhefs and Inclinations towards Seperation/in the weaker fort of them j to be a Thrcatning Evil, and concrary to Chriilian Charity on one fide, as Perlecution is on the other. Some of them that pretended to much I,e3rning, engaged me in Writing to difpute the Cafe of Kneeling at the Sacraments ; which 1 followed till they gave it over. 1 laboured continually to reprels their Cenforinufiiefs, and the boldnels and bitternefs of their Language againit the Bilhops, and to reduce them to greater Patience and Charity. But I found that their Sulfi;rings from the Bilhops were the great Impediment of my Succels, and ^ that he that will blow the Coals muft not wonder if fome Sparks do fly in his face ; and that to peilccute Men , and then call them to Charity, is like -* whipping Childicn to make them give over Crying. The llronger fort of Chri-ftians can bear Muldls and Imprifonments and Reproaches for obeying God and Conlcience.without abating their Charity or their Weaknels to their Perlecutorsjbut to expedl this from all the weak and injudicious, the young and pailtonatejisagainll: all Realbn and Experience ; I faw that he that will be loved, nnift love j and he that rather chooleth to he more feared th^n loved, mull: exped; to be hated, or loved but diminutively : And he that will have Children, muft be a Father: and he that will be a Tyrant muft be contented with Slaves.

§ 20. In this Town of Dudky I lived ( not a Twelve-month ) in much comfort, amongit a poor tracSable People, lately famous for DrunkenneG , but commonly more ready to hear God's Word with lubmiflion and reformation, than moft Places where I have come: fb that having fince the Wars (ec up a Monthly Le-(fture there, the Church was ufually as much crowded within, and at the Windows, as ever I faw any London Congregation?: ( Partly through the great willingnefs of the People, and partly by the exceeding popuJoufnels of the Country, where the Woods and Commons are planted with I^ailers, Scithe-Smiths ^ and other Iron-Labourers, like a continued Village).

And here in my weaknefs I was obliged to thankfulnels to God, for a convenient Habitation, and the tender caie ot Mr. R. Fole/s Wife, a Genievvoman of fuch extraordinary Meeknels and Patience, with fincere Piety , as will not cafily be believed by thole that knew her not ! who di'^d about two years after.

§ 21. When I had been but three quarters of a year at Dudley, I was by God's very gracious Providence invited to Br/(/^M<'rr/.i, the lecond Town oi ShropJIiire, to preach there as Affiftant to the wortliy Palfor of that place. As foon as I heard

the

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

The Minifter of the place was Mr. IViUiam Madfiard, a grave and fevere Atici-ent Divine, very honeit and confcionable, and an excellent Preacher, but lome-whatafflided with want of Maintenance, and much more with a dead-hearted unprofitable People. The Town Maintenance being inconfiderable, he took the Parfonage of 0W^«>7 near the Town, a Village of fcarce twenty Hoiifcs, and 16 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 Epilcopal Jurifdidion, except the Archbithop's Triennial Vifitation. There are fix Pari(hes together, two in the Town, and four in the Country, that have all this Priviiedge. At Bridgnnrtb they have an Ordinary of their own, who, as an Official, keepeth a confbnt Ecclefialtical Court, having the Jurifdidion of thofe fix Parifhes. This reverend and good man, Mr. Madjrard, was both Ta[hr and Offi. cial, the Place ufually going along with that of the Preacher of that Town ('though Separable ): By which means I had a very full Congregation to preach to , and a freedom from all thole things which I fcrupled or thought unlawful. I often read the Common Prayer before 1 preached, both on the Lord's-days and Holy-days ; but 1 never adminiltred the Lord's Supper, nor ever Baptized any Child with the Sign of the Crols, nor ever wore the burplici, nor was ever put to appear at any Bilhop's Court.

But the People proved a very ignorant, dead-hearted People, ( the Town con-fifting too much of Inns and Alehoulcs, 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 lome ignorant careleli Sinners unto God, and were over-valued by thofe that were already regardful of the Concernments of their Souls, yet were they not ib fuccefsful as they proved afterwards in other places. Thougli I was in the fervour of my Aftedions, and never any where preached with more n'^ehement de-fires of Mens Converfion ( and I account my I.iberty with that meafiire of Succefs which I there had, to be a Mercy which lean never be fufficicntly th.mkful j 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 compa.ny and dead- . heartednefs quickly drowned all.

§22. Whillf I here exercifed the firft Labours of my Miniftry, two feveral Af-faults did threaten my Expulfion : The one was a new Oath, which was made by An.i6Ao the Convocation, commonly called The Et catcra Oath : For it was to fwear us all, That Tve-would vever Con{ent to the Alteration of the prefent Go'vernmetit of the Church^ by JrchbiJJjops, Bijljops, Deans, Arch-deacons-, &c. This caft the Minifters throughout England into a Divifion, and new Difputes. Some would take the Oath, and Ibme would not.

Thofe that were for it, fiid, That Epifcopacy was Jure Dtvino, 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 Canons made them (ufficiently obligatory unto us.

Thoie that were againfl it, fiid, i. That Epifcopacy was either contra jus Divi-wim , or at beft not Jure Divino^ and therefore mutable when the King and Par-liamentpleafed.

2. Or at leaft that it was undeniable. That Archbi (hops, and Deans, and Chapters, and Arch-deacons,c^c, vjtxz noz^W Jure Drjwo: nay, that the £w^///7) frame of Diocefans having many hundred Parifh Churches under one Bifhop in fini gradus, was not only againft the Word of God, but delfrudtive of ail the Epifcopacy which was known in the Church at leaft for 200 years.

5. They laid that it was intolerable to IWear to a blind Et aetera ; for litterally it included all the Officers of the Ecclefiaflical Courts that are now in Exer- ' cife of the Government; Lay-Chancellors ( that ufe the Keys for Excommunication and Ablolution) Surrogates, CommilTaries, Officials, and the rcff. And was it ever known that all the Clergy was fworn to luch an Anomalous Rabble?

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 Law : And to tie up our ielves by anOach that we would never obey fuch a Law, nor confent to that which the King might command us, this they thought was a Bond of Dilbbedience, next to a Rebellion. 5. They

5. They faid that it was againft the Subjeds Liberty j which alloweth them fo-berly to Petition the King and Parliament for 8 Redrefs of any Grievance.

And if now a Lay-Chancellor's ule of the Keys, e. g. were no burden to the 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 againlf the Priviledges of Parliament, that fuch an Oath Ihould be deviled and impoled upon the Subjeds, without a Law, or the Parliaments confent.

Thefe and other Realbns were pleaded againft it : ( And afterward when the Parliament took it into confideration, it was Condemned on thefe and other Ac-cpunts). The Minifters of the Country met together at Bridgnorth to Debate this Bufintfs, that they might have no Divifion : and fome few were for the Oath, but more againft if. This put me upon deeper Thoughts of the Point of Epifcopacy, and of the English 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 Vl■\&n6^bAl^.WtUiam Rowhy.^n. Gentleman of Shrewsbury) lent me Gerjomus Buct-rifs his Dij]erlatin de Giiberrtatmie Ecckftee, and DiJoclaves Altare Damajcenttm ; and Ihoftly after I had Parker de Polit. Ecchf. and Bayness Diocejatjes Trial j and I received Bifiicp D^jynj&.w/, and compared his Reaibns with Bucers, Didoclaves, &cc. And though I found not (ufficient Evidence to prove all kind of Epilcopacy unlawful, yet 1 was much latisded that the Engli(l) Dioeefan frame, v/as guilty of the Corruption of Churches and Miniftry, and of the ruineof the true Church Dilcipline, and lubflituting an heterogeneal thing in its ftead.

And thus the Et aetera 0.\th, which was impoled on us for the unalterable fub-je<ftipg of U5 to Diocefans, was a chief means to alienate me.and many others from it. For now our diowfie niindlefncls of that fubjed: was Ihaken off by their violence ; and we that thought it beft to follow our bufmefi, and live in quletnels, and let the Biliiops alone, were rowzed by the terrours of an O.uh to look about us, and undcrftand uhat we did.

§ 23. This Oath alfo fliired up the differing Parties ( who befoie were all one Party, even tjnia Conformijh) to fpeak more bitterly againfl one another than heretofore : And the dilfenting Party began to think better of the Caule ot' Noncon-formiiy, and to honour the Nonconformilis more than they had done. And it fill out th;it at the lame time when we were thus rowzedup in England, or a little belore , the Scots were alfo awakened in Scotland: For when all was quiet there under a more moderate Epilcopacy than we had then in England, ( though that Nation had been ulcd toPiesbytery ) a new Common-Puyer Book ( that is, the jiwff////j one with Ibme lew Alterations) was framed, and impofed on (he People of Scotland -^ who h.iving not been uled to that way of Worfiiip, one Woman in E-dttibiirgh cried out in the Church, Footry, Popery, and threw her Stool at the Prieft ; and others imitated herpreiently, and drove him out of the Church ; and this little Spiik let all 5tpf/.i«<7 quickly in a Flame. Infomuch that other Places taking as much diflalte at the Common Prayer,and at the Bilhopsallb for its fake.and for fear of the Silencing of their Miniders, and Ibme Minillers increaling their diftafte, the I,ords prelently were divided alio j inlomuch that the King was fain to inftrut^: the Eail of JW^/Mir;, as his Commiflioner, to fuppreQ the Malecontents: But in a Ihort time the number of them lo encreafed, that the Kiog's Commiflioners CO lid do no good on them, but they got the power of all the Land, becaule the far greacel!'part of the Nobility with the Mini [try were conjoyned. Hereupon thev all entered into a National Covenant, to the fame purpole as formerly that Nation had done, but they did it without the Kings Authority. The Oath or Covenant was againft Popery and Prelacy and Superltition, and to uphold tlie Gofpel and Reformition. The Aberdeen Dodors dilfented from the Covenant, and many Writings paft on both fides between the Covenanters and them, till at lalt the enfuingWars did turn the Debates to another ftrain.

§ 24. It fill out unhappily that at the (ame time while the Scots were thus dif-contented, the King had impofed a Tax here, called Ship money,us for the ftrength-iiing of the Navy j which being done without Confent of parliament, made a wonderful murmuring all over the Land, efpecially among tlie Country Nobility and Gentry; for they took it as the overthrow of the Fundamental Lav/s urConlfiution of the Kingdom , and of Parliaments, and of all Propriety.

They fiid that the Subjects Propriety in liisEftate_, and the Being of Parliaments, and that no Laws be made, nor Moneys taken iVnm the SubjeA'^, but by the Parliaments Conlent, are part of the Conftitution of the Republick or Government.

And

And they faid that the King having long difuled Parliaments upon Difpleafure A-gainft them, becaufe they curbed Monopolies, and correded Abules of OfficerSj &c. had no way to lay them by for ever, but to invade the Subjeds Proprietyj, and to iaffume 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 iaidallb, that thofe that counlelled him to this were Enemies to the Commonwealth, and unfitter to counlel him than Parliaments, who are his higheft Court and Council.

The poor Plowmen underftood but little of thefe Matters j but a little would -^ ftir up their Difcontent when Money was demanded : But it was the more intelligent 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. Olfver St. John and o-ther Lawyers boldly pleaded the Peoples Caule. 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 Crook. The Judgment pafTed for the King againft Mn Hampden : But this made the Matter much more talk of throughout the Land, and confidered of by thole that thought not much of the Importance of it before.

§ 2f. Some fiifpeded that many of the Nobility of 'England did fecretly Confederate with the bcots, ^o far as to encourage them to come into England^ thinking that there V/as 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 Ejjex, the Earl of IVanvick, the Earl of Bedford, the Earl of Clare , the Earl of BuUmgbrooh, the Earl of Ai«/^r<JX'e, t\iQ'Ezv\ oiHolland, the Lord Say, the Lord Brook, and I know not how many more, were laid to be of this Confederacy. But Hi)hn himlelf hath more truly given you the Hiftory of this. That the Scoti^ after they came in, did perfwade thefe Men of their own danger in £wg/<sw</, if Arbitrary Government went on, and fo 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 Newcafile iAn.i6%i^ but the Scots came on till an Agreement was made, and a Parliament called j and the Scots went home again.

Est Ihortly afttr^ this Parliament fo dilpleafed the King that he DilTolved it:, and the War agiinll the Scots was again undertaken, (to which, befides others, the Papiits by the Qtieen^ means did voluntarily contribute ): whereupon the Scots compiain of evil Counlels and Papifis as the caule of their renewed dangers, and again raifean Army and come into England. And the Englif) at York petition the^ tAao King fiu aP.irliament, and once more it is relblved on, and an Agreement made, ' ^ but neither the Scottijh or EngltJIi Army disbanded. And thus began the Long Tarliamint as it was after called.

§ 26.1 he Et ccetera Oath was the firft thing that threatned me at Bridg;enorth\ and the fccond was the palTage of the Earl of Bridgwater, Lord Prefident of the Marches of ^tf/ti,through the Town in his Journey from Ludloiv to the King in the North: For his coming being on Saturday Evening, the moff malicious perfons of the Town went to him, and told him that Mr. Made[tard and I did not fign with the Crols, nor wear the Surplice, nor pray againfl the Scots ( who were then upon their Entrance into Englatid ; 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 lee whether we would do thefe things or not. Mr. Madeflard 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 Acculers and the Bailiffs to fend after him to inform him what we did. On the Lord's Day at E-vening they fent after him to Lichfield to tell him that we did not conform : but though they boafted of no lels than the hanging of us, they received no other An-fwer from him, but that he had not the Ecclefiaflical Jurifdidion, and therefore could not meddle with us ; but if he had, he Ihould take fuch order in the bufi-nels as were lit: And the Bailiffs and Acculers had no more wit than to read his

D Letter

_u

i8 The L IF E of the L i b. I.

Letter to mc, that I might know how they were baffled. Thus I continued in my Liberty of preaching the Gofpel at Bridgemrth 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 prefently fall on that which they accounted Reformation of Church and State, and which greatly dilplealed the King as well as the Bifhops. They made many long and vehement Speeches againft the Ship-money, and againfl; the Judges that gave their Judgment tor it, and againft the Et catera Oath, and the Bifhops and Convocation that were the formers of it; but efpecially againft the Lord Thomm Wer.tworth Lord Deputy of Ireland., and Dr. Laud Archbifhop 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 Fdklands, the Lord Dighies,Mc. Gnm" fiones, Mr. Pirns, Mr. Natk Fiennes, &c. which greatly increafed the Peoples Ap-prehenfion of their Danger, and inclined them to think hardly of the King's Proceedings, but efpecially of the Bifhops. Particular Articles of Accufation were brought in againft the Lord Deputy, the Archbifhop, the Judges, Bifhop Wren, Bifhop Pierce, and divers others.

The Concord of this Parliament confifted not in the Unanimity of the Perfons ( for they were of leveral Tempers as to Matters of Religion), but in the Complication of the Intereft of thofe Caufes which they feverally did moft concern them-filves in. For as the King had at ones impofed the Ship-money on the Commonwealth, and permitted the Bifhops to impofe upon the Church their difpleafing Articles, and bov>7ing towards the Altarj and the Book for Dancing on the Lord's Day, and the Liturgy on Scotland, &cc. and to Sufpend or Silence abundance of Minifters that were conformable, for want of this Super-canonical Conformity ; io accordingly the Parliament confifted of two forts of Men , who by the Con-jandlion of thefe Caufes were united in their Votes and Endeavours for a Reformation : One Party made no great matter of thefe Alterations in the Churcli ; but they faid, Thatif Parli-imsnts were once down, and our Propriety gone, and Arbitrary Government fet up, and Law fubjecfted to the Prince's Will, we were then all Shves, and this they made a thing intolerable j for the remedying of which, they fiid, every true E^igliflj Man could think no price to dear : Thefe the People called Good Commoniveahb's Men. The other fort were the more Religious Men, who were alfo fenfible of all thefe things, but were much more fenfible of the Intereft of Religion; and thefe mctt inveyed againft the Innovations in the Churchi the bowing to Altars, the Book for Sports on Sundays, the Cafting out of Ministers, the troubling of the People by the High-Commiflion Court, the Pilloring and Cutting off Mens Ears, fMr. Burtons, Mr. Prins, and Dr. Bajtwicks) for fpeak-ing againit the Bifhops, the putting down Leftuies, and Afternoon Sermons and "^ Expolitions on the Lord's Days, with inch other things, which they thought of

greater weight than Ship-money. But bscaule thefe later agreed with the former in the Vindication of the Peoples Propriety and Liberties, the former did the eafilier concur with them againft the Proceedings of the Bifhops and High CommifHon Court.

And as foon as their Inclination was known to the People, all Countreys fent in their Complaints and Petitions. It was prefently known how many Miniflers Bifhop Wren { and others of them ) had fiifpended and filenced j how many thou-ftnd Families had been driven to flie into Holland, and how many thoufand into Netv-Erigimd: Scarce a Minifter had been Silenced, that w.is alive, but it was put into a Petition, hh. Peter Sniart oi DurhaTn, and Dr. Lay ton (a Scotch Phyfician, who wro-e a Dook called Stan's Plea againfi the Prelates) were releafed out of their long Iniprifonment: M.X. Burton, Mr. Prin, and Dr. Bajlwick, who (asisfaid) had been pillored, and their Ears cut off^ and they lent into a (fuppofed) perpetual Iniprifonment into the diftant Caftles of Gerwj'7, Jerjey, and Carnarvon, were all fee free, and Damages voted them for their wrong : And when they came back to Lofidon, they were met out of the City by abundance of the Citizens, with fiich Accl.iniations as could not but fecm a great Affront to the King, and be much difpleafing to him. The Lord Keeper Fmch and Secretary Wtndebank fled beyond Sea, and fived themfelves : The guilty Judges were deeply accuf:d, and fome of them imprifonod for the Caufe of Ship-money. But the great Difpleafure was againft tlie Lord Deputy Wentworth, and Archbifhop Laud: Both thefe were lent to the Tower, find a Charge drawn up again.ft them, and managed prefently againft the Lord Deputy by the ablell Lawyers and Gentlemen of thelloufe. This held them work

a confiderable time: The King was exceeding unwilling to confent unco his death j and therefore ufedail his skill to have drawn offthe Parliament from lb hot a Pro-{ecution of him.

And now began the firfl: Breach among themfelves: For the Lord Falkland, the An.i6^t Lord D'lghy, and divers other able Men, were for the fparingof his Life, and gratifying the King.and not putting him on a thing fo much dilpleafing to him.The rell laid, If after the Attempt of Subverting the Fundamental Laws and Liberties, no ■^'■ one Man lliall fuffer Death, it will encourage others hereafter to the like. The Londoners petitioned for Jufiice: 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 diforderly urge the Parliament, crying Jufitce, Juftice. And it is not unlikely that fome of the Parliament-men did encourage them to this, as thinking that fome backward Members would be quickned by Popular Applaufe : And withal, to work on the Members alfo by dilgrace, fome infolenc Painter did (ledicioudy) draw the Pidures of the chief of them that were for faving the Lord Deputy , and called them the Straffordians ( he being Earl of Strafford ) and hang'd them with their Heels upward on the Exchange. Though it cannot be expeded that in fo great a City there Ihould be no Perfons fo indifcreet as to commit fuch diforderly Adi-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 the(e Tumults : the Parliament called them the Cities Petitioning! Thofe that connived at them were glad to fee the People of their mind in the main, and thought it would do much to facilitate their Work, and hold the looler Members to their Caufe: For though the Houle was unanimous enough in condemning Ship-money, and the Et catera Oath, and the Bifliops 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 moft highly difpleafing to the King. But diforderly means do generally bring forth more Diforders, andfsldom attain any good end for which they are ufed.

§ 28. The Parliament alfo had procured the King to confent to feveral Afts which were of great importance, and emboldened the People by confirming their Authority : As an A<5t againrt the High Com miffion Court, and Church-mens Secular or Civil Power ; and an A&. that this Parliament ihould not be diffolved till its own Confent, (alledglng that the dilTolving of Parliaments emboldened Delinquents, and that Debts and Diforders were fo great that they could not be overcome by them in a little time ) : Alfo an Ad for Triennial Parliaments. And the People being confident that all thefe were figned by the King, full fore againft his will, and that he abhorred what was done,did think that the Parliament which had con-fVrained him to this much, could carry it ftill 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 Intereff, but alfo as fiippofing them the fironger fide C 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 Committee to receive Petitions and Complaints againfl them ; which was no fooner un-derffood, but multitudes in all Countreys came up with Petitions againff their Mi-nifters. The King and Parliament were not yet divided, but concurred, and fb no partaking in their Differences was any part of the Accufation of thefe Mini-ftersjtill long after when the Wars had given the occafion ; and then that alfo came into their Articles: but before it was only matter of Infuflficiency, falfe Dodrine, illegal Innovations, or Scandal, that was brought in againft them.

Mr. John White being the Chair-man of the Committee for Scandalous Miniflen ( as it was called ) publilhed in print one Century firft of Scandalous Minifters, with their Names, Places, and the Articles proved againft them : where lb much ignorance, infufliiciency, drunkennefs, filthinefs, e^c. was charged on them, that many moderate men could have wilhed that their Nakednels had been rather hid , and not expofed to the Worlds derifion, and that they had remembred that the Papifts did fVand by, and would make Iport of it. Another Century allb was after pub-liOied.

Among all thefe Complainers, the Town of Kgdermin^er in Worcefierjhtrt , 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 , unlearned , preached but once a quarter, which was fo weakly, as expofed him to

D z laughtsfj

The LIFE of the Lib. I.

laughter, and perfwaded them that he underftood not the very Subftantial Articles of Chriltianity ; that he frequented AJehoufes, and had Ibmetimes been drunk j that he turned the Table Alter-wile, &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 theParifli, a common Tippler and aDiunkard, a railing Quarreller, an ignorant inlufficient Man, who (as I found by Examining himj underftood not the common Points of the Childrens Catechifm, but faid fome good words to them Ibmetimes out of Mufculns's Common Places in Englijli , which was almoft the only Book he bad; and his Trade in the Week-days was unlawful Marriages. The People put their Petition into the Hands of Sir Henrj Herbert Burgefi for Bewdky, a Town two miles diftant. The Vicar knowing his infufficiency, and hearing how two others in his Cafe had fped, defired to compound the Bufjnefs with them j and by the mediation of Sir Henry Htrhert, and otheiSj it was brought to this. That he ihould inftdd of his prefent Curate in the Town, allow 60 /. fer Annum Co a Preacher whom fourteen of them nominated, fiiould choofe j and that he fhould noc hinder this Preacher from preaching whenever he plea(ed,and that he himfelf/hould read Common Prayer, and do all elfe that was to be done : and fo they preferred not their Peciiion 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 ittotheirtefturer. To perform this he gave a Bond of fco /.

Thele things being thus (iniflied, Ibmeof them defired old Mr. Lapthorn (a. famous Man, turned from Nonconformity by King James ) to come and preach with them on trial to be their Lecturer : Mr. Lapthorns roughnefs and great inime-thodicainefs, and digreffions, fo offended the intelligent leading Party, that they lejeftcd him fomewhat uncivilly, to his great difplealiire.

Hereupon they invited me to them fiom Bridgnorth : The Biiliff of the Town, and all the Feoffees defired me to preach with them, in order to a full determination. My mind was much to the place as {oon as it was delcribed to me j becaufe it was a full Congregation, and moft convenient Temple j an ignorant, rude and revelling People for the greater part, who had neeJ of preaching 5 and yet had a-mong them a fmal! Company of Converts, who were humble, godly, and of good Converfkions, and not much hated by the refl, and therefore the ficter to alTifl their Teacher ; but above all, becaufe they had hardly ever had any lively, ferious preaching among them : For Bridgnorth had made me reiblve that I would never more go among a People that had been hardened in unprofitablenefs under an a-wakening Miniitry ; but either to fuch as never had any convincing Preacher, or to fuch as had profiied by him. As fbon as I came to Kidcrminfier, and had preacli-ed there one day, I was chofen Nemine contradicentc, ( for though fourteen only had the power of choofing, they defired to pleafe the reflj. 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 greatelf 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 beforedelued, defigned or thought of, ( much leis lought j ; but only to thole that I never thought of, till the Hidden Invitation did liirprize me.

§ 50. When I had been here a while, in the beginning of July, the two Families which I had lalf lived in, at Dudley snd Bridgnorth, were at once vifired with Sicknefs, and they both fent for me ( upon a conceit of my skill in Phylick ) , but being from home I went to neither of them ; and it proved a molf contagious malignant Fever next the Plague ; Mrs. Foley and Ibme of her Family died: and Mr. Made(}ard, his Wife, and a Gentlewom-m that lived with them, died within a day or two each of other. Being with my old Friend Mr. IVilli'^m Rowley, the lad MefTage came to us ( Mr, Madefiard being his Kinfman ) and I went with him to the Funeral, and preached his Funeral Sermon in fb deep a lenle of the milery of that unprofitable People, and the deep groans which I have heard from their faithful Pallor, for their obduratenefs, that I could not forbear to tell them my fears of fome heavy Judgment to come upon that place, which they were more capable of laying to he.irt thin their Paffor's death. I had never before (nor ever did 1 fincej prelume upon fuch kind of Predictions, (nor did I fpeak that with any pretence of Prophefie^ but the cxpreffion of that fear 1 could nor then fuppref : My Text was Ez^ek. 5^. 35. And ■when thu cometh to pa^ {loe tt luill come ) then fliall they know that a Prophet hath been among therrj. And when the War was begun , the Town f being againff the Parliament J was a Garrifon for the King, kept by the Neighbour Gentlemen of the Country j who fortified the Calfle, and when the

'^ Par-

Parliament's Forces came to take the Town, they caft fuch effedual Fire-worl;s from the Caftle as burnt down the Town to the Ground, and burnt alio the great Church where I preached that Sermon , and where Mr. MadHard was intei red : So that the Inhabitants were undone, and fain to lye under Hedge?, ti!! the Com-paffion 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 Colleftions for it. The firft time that I came among them when the Wars were palt, I chole the fame Text again to preach on, to call their fins againft their faithful Pallor to remembrance : But they and I were fo much interrupted with Tears^ that ( with fome Pawles ) I had much ado to proceed on to the end.

§ 31. Whilft I continued at Kedermwfier, it pleafed God to give me much Encouragement by the Succefs of my weak but hearty Labours: As when I was young, I uled to keep a daily Catalogue of my daily Mercies and Sins, but when 1 grew elder I found that Courfe had its Inconveniences, and took up too much time, and therefore I only recorded thofe vvhicii were extraordinary j even fo 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 fo many, that I could not afford time for fuch particular Oblervations about every one of them, left I Ihould omit fome greater Workj but was fain to leave that to their companionate familiar Neigh-bours,and take notice my ielf of Families and confiderable Numbers at once, that came in and grew up 1 fcarce knew how.

§ 32. All this forementioned time of my Miniftry was part under my fore-delcribed Weakneffes, which were fo great as made me live and preach in fome continual expectation of Death, fuppofing ftill 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 higlily to efteem of time : fo that if any of it paft away in idle-neis or unprofitablenefi, it was lb long a pain and burden to my mind 1 So that 1 rauft fay to the Praiie of my mo;t wife Condudor, that time hath ftill feemed to me much more precious than Gold or any Earthly Gain, and its Minutes have not been defpifed, nor have I been much tempted to any of the Sins, which go under the name of Vaflime , fince I underftood my Work.

4. It made me ftudy and preach things necejjarj, and a little ftirred up my flug-gilh heart, to fpeak to Sinners with fome Compaflion, as a dying Man to dying ''" Men.

Thele, with the reft which I mentioned before when I fpake of my Infirmities^ were the Benefits which God afforded me by Afflidion ! I humbly blefi his gracious Providence, who gave me his Treafure in an Earthen Velfel, and trained me up ill the School of Aftlidion, and taught me the Cro(i of Cbrifi Co foon ; that I might be rather Theelogtts Cmcis, as Luther fpeaketh, than Theologns Gloria ; and a Crop'bearer, than a Croji-maker or Impofer.

§ 3 5. At one time above all the reft, being under a new and unufual Diftemper, ^ which put me upon the prelent ExpeAations of my Change, and going for Comfort to the Promiles as I was uled, the Tempter ftrongly affaulted my Faith, and would have drawn me towards Infidelity it Ielf. Till 1 was ready to enter into the Miniftry, all my Troubles had been raifed, by the hardnefs of my heart, and the doubcings of my own Sincerity ; but now all thefe began to vani/h, and never much returned to this day : And inftead of thefe, I was now affaulted with more pernicious Temptations ,• efpecialiy 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 Importunity ; but by pretence of fober Reafon, they would have drawn me to a fet-ied doubting of Chriftianity.

And here I found my own Mifcarriage, and the great Mercy of God. My Mif-carrtage, in that I h ;d to long negletlred the well iettlmg of my Foundations, while 1 had beftowed (b much time in the SuperftruAures and the Applicatory part I For having taken it for an intolerable Evil, once to queftion the Truth of Scriptures ana the Life to coine, I had either taken it for a Certainty upon Truft , or taken up vvith Common Reafons of it, which I had never well confidered, digefted, or made mine own. Infomuch as when this Temptation came, it feemed at firft to anlwer and enervate all the former Reafbns erf" my feeble Faith, ^ which made me take the Scriptures for the Word of God ; and it fet before me fuch Mount^iins of

Difficulty

Difficulty in the Incarnatiotij the Perfon of Chrift, his Undertaking and Performance with the Scripture Chronology, Hiftories and Stile, &c. which had flailed and overwhelmed me, if God had not been my ftrength. And here I faw much of the Mercy of God, that he let not out thefc terrible and dangerous Temptations upon me, while I was weak and in the infancy of my Faith j for then I had never been able to withftand them. But Faith is like a Tree, whofe Top is fmall while the Root is young and ftiallow : and therefore as then it hath but Imall rooting, fo is it notliabletothe fhaking Wintis and Tempefts as the big and high-grown Trees are: But as the top groweth higher, fo the root at once grows greater, and deeper fixed, to caufe it to endure its greater Aifaults.

Though formerly I was wont when any fuch Temptation came, tocafl irafide, as fitter to be abhorred than confidered of, yet now this would not give me fati(^ fadion ; but I was fain to dig to the very Foundations, and lerioufly to Examine the Reafons of Chriftianity, and to give a hearing to all that could be faid againtt it, that fo my Faith might be indeed my own. And at lalt I found that iVi/ tam certum cjuamquod ex dubio certum j Nothing is fo firmly believed, as that which hath been fometime doubted cf.

§ 54. In the dorm 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 wasconfciousof: For I had read in many Papiftsand Proteffants, that Faith had Certainty, and was more than an Opinion ; and that if a Man ftould live a godly Lifj, from the bare apprehenfions cf the Probability of the Truth of Scripture, and the Life to come, it would not lave him, as being no true Godlinefe or Faith. But my Judgment clofed v/ith the Reafon of Dr. Jackfins Determination of this Cafe, which liipported me much, that as in the very Alfenting Aftof Fajth there may be fuch weaknefs, as may make us cry, Lord mcreafe our Faith : fVebcUe've^ Lord help cur belief \ fb when Fc.ith and Unbelief are in their Conflift, it is the Ef-feHs which muft (hew us which of them is viAorious. And that he that hath lb much Fai'.h as will caufe him to deny himfelf, take up his Crols, and forlake all the Profits, Honours, and Pleafures of this World, for the lake of Chrill, the Love of God, and the hope of Glory, hath a laving Faitli, how weak Ibever : For God cannot condemn the Soul that truly loveth and lieketh him : And thole that ChrUt bringeth to perfevere in the Love of God, he bringeth to Salvation. And there were divers Things that in tl.ii AlTault proved greac Ailiflances to my Faith.

1. That the Being and Attributes of God were lo clear to me, that he was to my Intelled what the Sun is to my Eye, by which I fee it lelf and all Things: And he leemed mad to me that quelHoned whether there were a God : that any Man Ihould dream that the World was made by a ConHux of Irrational Atoms, and Reafon came from that which had no Reafon, or that Man, or any Inferiour Being was independent; or that all the being, Power, Wifdom, and Goodnels whicb we converled with, had not a Caufe which in Being, Power, Wiidom and Goodnels, did excel all that which it had caufed in the World, and had not all that for-vialiter -vel eminenter in itleU which it communicated to all the Creatures. Thele, and all the Suppofitions of the Atheift, have ever fince been lb vifibly foolilh and fliameful to my Apprehenfion, that I Icarcefind a Capacity in my felf of doubting of them ; and whenever the Tempter hath joyned any thing againft thefe, with the red of his Temptations, the reft have been the eafier overcome, becaufe of the overwhelming cogent Evidences of a Deity jwhich 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 Benefactor, in that he is related to us as our Creator ; and that therefore we are related to him as his o-wn, his Subjeils, and liis Beneficiaries -^ which as they all proceed by undeniable reliiltancy from our Creation and Nature, fo thence do our Duties arile which belong to us in thole Relations, by as undeniable rcfultancy; and that no fhew of Realbn can be brought by any Infidel in the World to excufe the Rational Creature from Loving his Maker, with all his heart and foul and might, and devoting himlelf and all his Faculties to him from whom he did receive them, and making him his ultimate End who is his firft Efficient Caufe. So that GodlineJJ is a Duty fo undeniably required in the Law of Nctuie, and lb difcernable by Rejfon it lelf, that nothing but unrealonablenefs can contradidt it.

;. And then it feemed utterly improbable to me that this God Ihould fee us to be Lolcis by our Love and Duty to him, and that our Duty fhould be made to be our Snare, or make us the mors milerable by how much the more faithfully we

perform

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

A. 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 Prediiaion Gen. ;, i j. The War between the Woman's and the Serpent's Seed, being the daily Bufinefs of all the World. And I (aw that the wicked and haters of Godlinefs are fo 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 Icape fo eafily).

J. And thei Ifaw that there is no other Religion in the World which can (land in competition with Chriltianity : Heathenifm and Mahometanifm are kept up by Tyranny, and Beaftly Ignorance, and blufh to ftand at the Bar of Realbn : And Judaifm is but Chriftianity in the Egg or Bed. Andweer Detfin, which is the moft plaufible Competitor, is fo turned out of almoft all the whole World, as if Nature made its own Confeffion , that without a Mediator it cannot come to God.

6. And I perceived that all other Religions leave the People in their worldly, fenfual, and ungodly ftate; even their Zeal and Devotion in them, being commonly the Servants of their Flefiily Intereft: And the Nations where Chriltianity is not, being drowned in Ignorance and Earthly mindednefs, fo as to be thelhame of Nature.

7. And I law that Chrift did bring up all his ferlous and fincere Difciples to real Holinefi and to Heavenly mindednefs, and made them new Creatures, and fee their Hearts and Defigns and Hopes upon another Life ; and brought their Senle into lubjedion 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; or that any thing but his own Zsal can imprint his Image.

8. And here I faw aa admirable fuitiblenefs in the Office and Defign of Chrift, to the Ends of God, and the Felicity of Man : and how excellently thefe Supernatural Revelations do fall in, and take their place in fubferviency to Natural Verities ; and how wonderfully Faith is fitted to bring Men to the Love of God ; when ic is nothing elle but the beholding of his amiable attradive Love and Good-nels in the Face of Chrift, 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 felf j doing that which Reafon now telleth memuft be done : And fhall I queftion my Phyfician when he hath done (b much of the Cure, and recovered my depraved Soul (o much to God.

10. And as I (awthefe Afliftances tomyPaith, fo I perceived that whatever the Tempter had to fay againft it, was grounded upon the Advantages which he took from my Ignorance, and my Diftance from the Times and Places of the Matters 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.

§3f. All thele Affiftances were at hand before I came to the immediate Evidences of Credibility in the Sacred Oracles themfelvej. And when I let my lelf to fearr^ for thole, I found more in the Doftrine, the PrediAions, the Miracles, ar'.?cedent, concomitant, fublequent, than ever I before took notice of: which I ihall not here fb far digrefs as to fetdown, having partly done it in ieveral Trea-tifes ; as The Saints Refi, Part 2. The Unreafonablenefi of Infidelity ; A Saint or a Bruit, in my Chri[iian DireBory ; and fince more fully in a Treacife, called, The Reajons of the Cbri/iian Religion ; my Life of Faith, &c.

§ 36. From this Aflault I was forced to take notice. That it is our Belief of the Truth of the Word of God, and the Life to come, which is the Spring that fets all Grace on work, and with which it riles or falls, flouriflies or decays, is actuated or ftands ftill. And that there is more of this fecrct Unbelief at the Root than moft of us are aware of; and that our love of the V/or!d,our boldnefi with Sin,our negled: of Duty are caufid henccw 1 obferved eafily in my lelf, that if at any time Sacan 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 tlun befoie :I was more inclined to Conformity in thofe Points

which

which I had taken to be finful, and was ready to think , why fhould I be lingular and offend the Biftops and other Superiours, and make my fclf 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 have fo 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 Jhadow, and God was all.

In the beginning I doubted not of the truth of the Holy Scriptures, or of tfie Life to come, becaufe 1 jaw not the Difficulties which might caufe doubting : After that I jaw them and I doubted, becaule I faw not that which fhould fatzsfie the mind againfb them : Since that^ having feen both Difficulties and Evidences, though I am not fo unraolefted as at the firft, yet is my Faith I hops much Ifronger, 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 Snul a clear fight of the Evidences of his Truth, and cf himfelf, and of the invifible World.

§ 57. Whilfl: I was thus employed between outward Labours and inward Trials, Saran ifirr'd up a little inconfiderable rage of wicked men againfl me. The Town having been formerly eminent for Vanity, had yearly a Shew,\n which they brought forth the painted forms of Giants, and luch like foolery, to walk about the Streets with ; and though I faid nothing againfl them, as being not fimply evil, yet on every one of thols Days of Riot, the Rabble of the moie vicious fort had flill fome fpleen to vent againfl me, as one part of their Game. And once all the ignorant Rout were raging mad againft me tor preaching the Doftrine of Original Sin to them, and telling them that Infmts before Regeneration, had fb much Guilt and Corruprion, as made them loachfbme in the Eyesof God : whereupon they vented it abroad in the Country, That I preached that God hated, or loathed Infants; fo that they railed at me as I palled through the Streets. The next Lord's Day I cleared and confirmed it, and ihewcd them that if this were not true, their Infants had no need of Chriff, of Baptifii, or of Renewing by the Holy GholK And I askt them whether they durft fay that their Children were faved without a Saviour, and were no Chriftians, and whythev baptized them, with much more to that pur-pofe; and aferward they were afhamed and as mute as fifhef.

Once one of the drunken Beggersof the Town railed a flander of me. That I was under a Tree with a Woman ( an ill-fam'd Beggar of the Town ) : All the Drunkards had got it 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 himfclf that rai-fid the Slander, confeffed before the Court that he faw me in a rainy day on Hort back ftand under an Oak which grew in a thick Hedge, and the Woman afore-f jid flanding for flielter 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 Jeff, and the Company were glad of the occafion to feed their Malice. So they all askt me forgive-nels, and I defired the Migiftrate immediately to releafe them all.

There lived at Kinver an ancient, prudent. Reverend Divine, Mr. Jolm CroJ?, ( who died fince, Paffor of Matthews Friday-jlreet in London ) : This godly Man had heen the chief means of the good which was done in Kiddermivjler before my coming thither; when I came, I got him to take every fecond day in a Weekly Lediure. It came to pals once, that a Woman defamed him at Kidderminshr o-penly, and told the People that he would have ravifhed her. Mr. CV.y/ being a, wife Man, fent one before to defire the Bailiff and Jultice to call her to Examination, and he came after and fate in a common dark coloured Coat, among many others, in the Bailiff's Parlour, as if he had been one of the Magiffrate?. The Bailiff called her in, and flie flood impudently to the Accufation : The Bailiff askt her whether fhe knew the Man if Jhe faw him ; which fhe confidently affirmed. He askt her, Is it this Man , or that Man, or the other Man, or any there? And fhe fiid, O no, God forbid that fhe fhould accufe any of them. Mr. CrojS laid, Am not I the Man ,• and fhe faid. No, fhe knew tiie Man well enough. And when thev iiad told her that this was Mr. CroJJ, fhe fell down on her knees, and askt him forgivenefs, and confefl that one of his Neighbours (who was his great Accufer at the Eilhops Courts) had hired her to report it. But the Good Man forgave them all.

§ 3 8. And here I mufl return to the Proceedings of the Parliament, becaufe the relf will not be well underflood without connoting the Occafions of them which were adminiftred. When the Londoners cried to the Houle for Jujlice,ind honoured

ed thole Members who were for the puniiliment of Delinquents, and dilTionoured thofe that pleafed the King, a Breach began to be made among themlelves: And the Lord Digby, the Lord Falkland,and divers others,from that cime forward joyned with the King ; being not fo immoveable as many of the reft,whom neither hope nor fear nor difcontent would alienate from the Caufe which they thought -veil of. Yet others were tried with the ofFir of Preferments: The Lord Say vva= made one of the Privy Council; Mr. OUver St. John was made theKing'srSoUicitor, c'e. Buc as this did not alter them, fo others of them would accept of tto Preferment, left they fliould be thought to feek themfelves, or fet their Fidelity to Sale. When tini Earl of Strafford was Condemned, and the King defired to fign the Bill, many I3i-/hops were called to give him their Advice , and it is commonly reported, that Archbiihop U(lur 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, adviled him 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 exprefs. And the Judgments of the Members of the Parliament were different about thefe Proceedings.

Some thought that the King fhould not at all be difpleafed and provoked, and that they were not bound to do any other Juftice, or attempt any other Reformation but what they could procure the King to be willing to. y\nd thefe faid. When you have difpleafed and provoked him to the utmoft, he will be your King ftill I and when you have late to the longefl, you mufl be dilfolved at laft • you have no power over his Perlbn, though you have power over Delinquent Subjeds: And if he protect- them by Arms, you muft either be ruined your lilves 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 you ? Princes have great Minds, which cannot eafily fuffer Contradiction and Rebukes: The more you offend him, the lels you can truft him ; and when mutual Confidence is gone, a W^r is beginning : And if it come to a War, either you will conquer or be conquered, or come to Agreement. If you are conquered, you and the Commonweal, h are ruined, and he will beabfblute, and fubdue Parliaments, and Govern as he pleafeth. If you come to an Agreement, it will be either fuch as yon force him to, or as he is wiUtng of : If the latter, it may be eafilier and cheaper done before a War than after: \ithQ former, it will much weaken it: And if you Conquer him, what the better are you ? He will ftill be King : You can but force hint to an Agreement j 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 di^lcafiire you have done him: He is ignorant of the Advantages of a King that cannot forefee this]. Thefe 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 prelent : 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 Senary in the Houfe but young Sir Henry Vane, (whofe Teftimony was the Death of the Earl of Strafford, when other Evidence was wanting, and of whom 1 Ihall fiy more anon). But the leading and prevailing part of the Houfe were for the Execution of Strafford, and for pu-nifiiing fome Delinquents, though it did difpleafe the King : And itheir Pveafons ( 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 fhould never have been called, which you know he was forced to againft his Will : and then the Ship-money fhould have gone on , and the Subjeds Propriety, and Parliaments, have been overthrown: And then the Church Innovations fhould noc have been controuled, nor any ftop to the Subverters of our Government and Liberties attempted : then no Members Ihould fpeak freely againff any of thefe in the Houfe ; for you know that all thefe are very difjslealing : And then what do we here ? Could not the King have pleafed himfelf without us ? Or do we come to be his Inftruments, to give away the Peoples Liberties, and fet up that which was begun i Either it is our Duty to reform, and to recover our Liberties, and relieve our Country, andpunilh 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 forefeen Oppofiti-oiis (hill make us betray our Country and Pofterity, wc are perfidious to themj, aadEnimies toourlelves, and may well be faid to be worfe than Infid;!?, muc!.v

E rather

rather than they that provide not for their Families; when Infidels have not thought their Lives too good to fave the Commonwealth. And as for a War, the danger of it may be avoided : It is a thing uncertain, and therefore a prelent certain Ruine, and that by our own hand, is not to be cholen to avoid it. The 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 Ef}glamL<irQ fo mad, as to fight againft thofe whom they have chofen to reprefent them ? to deftroy themlelves, and the hopes of their Pofterity ? 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 Rezienge ; what need we fear it whetj the Parliament may continue till it confent to its Diffolution ? And lure 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 Bifiiops, and were offended at the Parliaments Church Reformations, would be many ; and the King will never want Nobility and Gentry to adhere to hira ; and the Common People will follow their Landlords, and be on the llronger fide: and the intelligent part, who underftand 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: but fome unhappy means fell out to unite them fo as to caufe them to proceed to a War.

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

On the other fide it was hafiened, i. By the Calling up of the Northern Army, 2. Ey the Kings impofing a Guard upon the Houfe. 5. By hisentring the Houle to accufe fome Members. 4. By the mifcarriage of the Lord D/gbj and other of the King's Adherents, y. But above all by the terrible MalTacre in Ireland, and the Threatnings of the Rebels to Invade England. A little of every one of thele.

§ 4o.i.Thofe that defired the PailiamentsProfperity v/ere of divers (orts.Some were calm and temperate, and waited for the Fruits of their Endeavours in their iea-lon : And fome were lb glad of the hopes of a Reformation, and afraid left their Hearts and Hands iliould fall for want of Encouragement, that they too much bonded of them, and applauded them: which mull: needs offend the King, to fee the People rejoyce in others as their Deliverers, and as (aving them from him ; and lo to liethern preferred in Love and Honour before him. But Ibme were yet more indifcreet : The remnantof the old Separatifts and Anabaptilts in LcWow was then very fniall, and fcarce confiderable ; but they were enough to ftir up the younger and unexperienced fort of Religious People, tofpeak too vehemently and intempe-rately againft 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 Ibrtof Chriftians are ulually prone to this kind of Sin; to be lelf-conceited , petulant, wilful, cenlbrious, and injudicious in all their management of their Differences in Religion, and in all their Attempts of Reformation ): fcorning and clamouring a: that which they think evil, they ufually judge a warrantable Courle: And it is hard finding any Ibrtof People in the World, where many of the more unexperienced are not indilcreet, and proud and paflionate.

Tiiefe ftirr'd up the Apprentices to joyn with them in Petitions, and to go in great numbers to Wefimtnfter to prefent them : And as they went they met with ibme of the Bilhops in their Coaches going to the Houfe ; and (as is ultial with ths paflionate and indifcreet when they are in great Companies) they too much forgot Civility, and cried out, No BiJ}i»ps ; which either put them really into a fear, or at leaft lb difpleafed them, as gave them occafion to meet together, and draw up a Proteftation againft any Law which in their Abfence fhould be pafled in t!ie Parliament, as having themfelves a place there, and being, as they laid, deterred from coming thither by thofe Clamours and Tumults.

This Proteftation was lb ill taken by the Parliament, as that the Sublcribers of it were voted Delinq|uents, and fent to Prilbn, as going about to deftroy the power of Parliaments; ( and among them even Bifbop HaS himlelf _).

Thefe

Thefc numerous Petitioners alio were very ofFenfiveto the King, infomuch that once fome of his Cavaliers came out upon them armed as they palTed by JVbitehall, and catchtlbme of them, and cut off their Ears ; and Sir Richard JVijeman leading them,there was fome Fray about Weftminjier-Abbey between the Cavaliers and them^ and Sir Richard Wtjeman was (lain by a (tone from o^tht Abbey Walls. And when at lad the King forfbok the City, thefe Tumults were the principal Caufe aliedged by him, as if he himfelf had not been fafe. Thus rafh Attempts of Head-ftrong People, do work ag.iinrt the good Ends which they themfelves intend ; .ind the Zeal which hath cen(biious Strife and Envy, doth tend to Confufion, and every evil Work : And Ovpdoing is the ordinary way oi Undoing.

§41. 2. And fome Members of the Hou(e did cherilh thele Diforders; and beciufi that the Subjeds have liberty to Petition, therefore they made uie of this their Liberty in a dilbrderly way. When they had difgraced Ship-money, and tho Et catera Oadi, and Bowing towards Altars, and fuch things as were againit Law, they ftopt not there, but let themfelves to caft out the Bi^iop and the Liturgy vj\\\c\-i were fettled by Law. And though Parliaments may draw up Bills for repealing Laws, yet hath the King his Negative Voice, and without his Conlent they cannot do it ; which though they acknowledged, yet did they too eafily admit of Petitions againll: the Epilcopacy and Liturgy, and connived at all the Clamours and Papers which were againit them.

Had they only endeavouied the Ejeftion of Lay Chancellors, and the reducing of the Diticeffes to a narrower Gompals, or the fetting up of a Subordinate Difci-pline, and only the Correfting and Reforming of the Liturgy , perhaps it might have been borne more pacient.y ; but fome particular Members concurred with the Defires of the imprudent Reformers, who were for no lefs than the utter Extirpation of Bilhops and Liturgy: To which puipofe the Lord Brook wrote his Book again(t Epi(copacy. And in the Houie of Conjmons Sii Henry Vane endeavoured to draw all uo to the highcit Refolutions, and by his Parts and Converfe di-ew many ( fo far ) to his mind. And aifo the fenfe of the younger lefs experienced fort of the Miniders and private Chriltians in the Country, was muchagainlt amending the Bifliops and Liturgy, and thought this was but to guild over our Danger, and lo(e our Opportunity ; but they were for an utter Extirpation. Though none of all this was the Sen(e of the Parliament, yet thofe Members which were of this Opinion did much to encourage ths Petitioners, who in a diforderly manner laboured to effed it.

The Bifiiopsthemlelves who were accounted moft moderate ( U^«r, TViUiams, Morton) and many other Epifcopal Divines with them, had before this in a Committee at Wefiminfter, agreed on certain Points of Reformation , which I will give you afterward, though cut of the proper place, when we come to our Propofals at the King's Return 1660. But when the fame Men (aw that greater Things were aimed at, and Epilcopacy it felf in danger, or their Grandeur and Riches at the leaif, molt of them turned againit the Parliament, and were almolt as much difplea(cd as others.

§ 42. J. And the great diftruft which the Parliament had of the King, was another thing which haltened the War : For they were confident that he was un-moveable as to his Judgment and Affedions, and that whatever he granted them, was but in defignto get his advantage utterly todeltroy them j and that he did but Watch for fuch an Opportunity : They fuppofed that he utterly abhorred the Pai;liament, and their A6tions againit his Ship-money, his Judges, Bifhops, &c. and therefore whatever he promifed them, they believed him not, nor durlt take his word ; which they were hardened in by thofe former Anions of his, which they called. The Breach of his former Vromifes.

§ 4;. And the Things on the other fide, which occafioned their Diffidence, and cauled the War, were thefe following elpecially above all the reft : i. The Armies of the Scoti and Engli^ifWA. long continue in the North undisbanded, in their Quarters, till the Parliament Ihould provide their Pay. Some fay other Bufinels cauled the delay, and fome fay that the Parliament was not willing that they fhould be (b foon disbanded ; but the Army of the Englifi^ wanting pay, waseafily dilcon-tented: And the Parliament fay that the Court drew them into a Plot againit the Iloule, to march iliddenly up towards London, and to Malter the Parliament ; Divers of the Chief Officers were Examined, (Sir Jacob Afiley, O Neale^ Sir Fulk Hunch (my Mother-in-Law's Brother) antl many others ; and they almolt all con-felfed (ome fuch thing, that (bme near the King ( but not he himfelf) had treated with them about bringing up the Army, but none of them talkt of deltroying or

E z forcing

forcing the Parliament. Thefe Examinations and Depofitions were publilhed by the Parliament, which did very much to perfwade abundance of People that the King did but watcii while he quieted them with Promifes/o Mafter them by Force, and ulc ch^m at iiis PL-aiiire. And this Aftion was one of the greatelt Caufes of the dangerous diffidence of the King.

§44. 2 Another WAS this : When the Parliament had Ik a Guard upon their own Hoal'e, (which thiy took to be their Priviledge) the King difcharged them, and (it another Guard upon them of his choofing: which made them leem as much afraid, as if he had made them Prifoners, and would at fome time or other command that Guard to Execute his Wrath upon them; whereupon they difmilfed theui, and called for a Guard of the City Regiments. This alio did increafe the DiHidence.

§ 45'. ;. Another great Caufeof the Diffidence and War was this: The King was adviljd no longer to (land by , and lee the Parliament affront him , and do what they lilled ; but to take a liifficient Company with him, and to go luddenly in Perlbn to the Houle, and there to demand fome of the Leading Members to be delivered up to Julticc, and tried as Traitors: Whereupon he goeth to the Houfe of Commons with a Company of Cavaliers with Swords and Piftols, to have charged five of the Members of that Houfe, and one of the Lords Houfe, with High Treafon ; 'viz.. Mr. Tuv, Mr. Hampden, Mr. HoUis, Mr. Strowd, and Sir Arthur Hajelriggc , and the Lord Kimbolton fafter Earl of Manchefler and Lord Chamberlain j of the Lords: But the King was not fo f^cret or Ipeedy in this Adion, but the Members had notice of it before his coming, and abfented themlelves ('being together at an inner Houfe in Red-Lym Court in JVatUngJheet near Breadflreet 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 fuppoled they would have taken them away by violence.

When the King was gone, this Allarm did caft the Houfe into fuch Apprehensions, as if one after another, their Liberties or Lives muft be aflaulted by the Sword if they plealed not the Court : So that they prefendy voted it a Breach of their Priviledges, and an Elfed of the King's evil Counfellors, and publifiied their Votes j to awaken the People to refcue them, as if they were in apparent Danger.

The King being difappointed, publilheth 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-by 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 Inlurreifion and Rebellion .• But the Party was diffipated,before they could grow to any great Strength j and the Parliament voted him a Delinquent, and fint to apprehend him and bring him to Juftice, with his Partakers: But he fled into France ; and when he was there, the Parliament intercepted Ibme 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 j which they took as an Advife to him to begin a War. Thus one thing after another blew the Coals.

§ 47. f. But of all the reft, there was nothing that with the People wrought {6 much, as the lri{h MafTacree and Rebellion ; The Irifli Papifts did by an unexpedl-ed Infurredion, rife all over Ireland at once, and (eized upon almoft all the Strengths of the whole Land, and Dublin wonderfully eicaped (a Servant of S\r John Clot-worthy s difcovering the Plot) which was to have been furprifod with the reft, Otlob. 25. 1641. Two hundred thouland Perfons they murdered, (as you may fee in the Earl of Orarfs Anfwer to a Petition, and in Dr. Jones's Narrative of the Examinations, and Sir John Temple's Iliftory, who was one of the refident Juftices:) Men, Women and Children were moft cruelly uled; the Women ripe up, and filthily ufcd when they killed them, and the Infants ufed like Toads or Vermin : Thoulands of thofe that efeaped, cjme ftript and almoft familhcd to Dublin, and afterwards into England to beg their Bread.- Multitudes of thein were driven together into Rivers, and caft over Bridges and drowned : Many Witnef its {wore before the Lords Juftices, that at Portduvn-bridge a Vifion every Day appeared to the Paftcngers of naked Perfons ftanding up to the middle in the River, and crying our. Revenge, Revenge'. In a word, Larce any Hiftory mcntioneth the like barbarous Cruelty as this was: The French MalTacree murdered but Thirty, or Forty Thouland J but Two Hundred Thotijand was a Number wliich aftonilhed thofa that heard it. This

P A R. T J. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. ^^

This filled all England with a Fear both of the Irijh, and of the Papifts at home ; for they fuppoled th<u the Prieih and the Intereft of their Religion were the Caule: In lo 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-lelvcs, thinking that the Papilts were ready to rife and cut their Throats.- And when they law the Englijli Pjpifts join with the King againft the Parliament^ it was the greateft thin^^ that ever alienated them trom the King.

Hereupon, the Parliament was folicitous to fend help to Dublin, left that alio (hould be loft. The King was fo forward to that Service, that he preft the Parliament that he might go over himlelf: The Parliament liked that worftof all, as if they had been confident that ill Counfellors adviled him to it, that he might get at the Head of two Armies, and unite tiiem both againft the Parliament, and by his Abfence make a Breach, and hinder the Proceedings of the Houles.

Tholb that came out of Ireland reprelent the wotul 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 left at Dublin got into Amies, but complained of their Neceflities, and the multitude of their Enemies I So that an Hundred were uled to fight againft aThoufind: And to increafe the Flame, fome In]Jj Rebels told them, that they had the Ktngs Commiffion for what they did } which though the (bberer 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 Incheguin, &c.) fend over word that it was the common gaaft of the Irijij, 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. Thefe Threatnings with the Name of Two hundred thoufand murdered, and the Recital of their monllrous Cruelties, made many thoulands in Ew^/W think that nothing could be more necelTary than for the Parliament to put the Countrey into an armed Pofture for their own Detence. And that fide which the Papifts of England took, they could hardly think would be their Security.

§ 48. Things being thus ripened for a War in England, the King forfaketh London, and goeth into the North, in TorkJIiire he caileth the Militia of the Country which would join with him, and goeth to Hull, and demandeth entrance j Sir John Hot bam 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 ^-ie feveral Counties, and the King nameth other Lord Lieutenants by a Commiffion of Aray, and each of them command the laid Lord Lieutenants to fettle the Militia.

The Parliament publifheth their Votes to the People, That the King, milled by An.i^At evil Counfel, was raifing a War againft his Parliament: The Lord IVillouhby of Parbar/i in Lincolnjlnre, thQ Lord Brook in Warwickjliire, and others in other Counties, call in the Country to appear in Arms for the Parliament: The King's Loi ds call them in to appear tor the King: both King and Parliament publifhed their Declarations juftifying their Caufe.

The Parliament choofeth the Earl of Effex for their General, and telblveth the raifing of an Army, as [For the Defence of the King and Parliament, and the Liberties of the Subjeds, againft evil Counfellors and Delinquents ] : They publifh a Remonftrance of the State of the Kingdom firft, and a Declaration of the Cau-lesof 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 Subjeds to his Aid.

The Lord Brook and the Earl of Northampton had fbme skufHing in Warwickjhire: The Earl of JV. with ibme Forces aflaulted Warwick Ca.?t\Q, kept by Major Joh-,: Bridges, and Coventry City, kept by Col. John Barker, and was repulft from both. A Party aflaulted Mr. Pitrefoyes Houfe, and burnt the BarnSj where Mr. George Abbot, with a few of his Servants, repulft them.

At Nottingham there were but about Two thoufand came in to the King's Standard, whereas the Londoners quickly fill'd up a gallant Army for the Earl of EjJ'ex ; and the Citizens abundantly brought in their Money and Plate ( yea, the Women their Ringsj to GttiW^rt//to pay the Army.

Hereupon the King fent to the Parliament from Nottingham the Offer of a Treaty, with fbme General Propolals, which in my Opinion was the likelieft Opportunity that ever the Parliament had for a lull and lafd Agreement j and the King

feemed

leemed very lerious in it, and the lownefs of his Condition upon fb 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 inffead of it fent him Nineteen Propofals of their own ; viz,. That if he would Disband his Army, come to his Parliament, give up Delinquents to a Legal Courfc" of JulHce, &c. he Ihould find them dutiful, &c. And the King publiihed an Anfwer to thefe Nineteen Propofitions; in which he affirmeth the Government to be mixt, having in it the beft of Monarchy, Arillocracy and Democracy, and that the Legiflacive Power is in the King, Lords and Commons conjund:, 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 givcth him the power of the Militia I Out of this Anf.ver of the King's to thefe Nineteen Propolals, Ibme one drew up a Poli:ical Catechifm, wherein the Anfwers of every Qusftion were 'verbatim the words of the King's Declaration, as if therein he had fully juftified the Parliaments Caufe.

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 Militia, did belong to him, and not to the Parliament, and appealed to the Law. The Parliament pleaded that as the Execution of Julfice againlf Delinquents did belong to him J but this he is bound by Law to do by his Courts of Jultice, and their Executions are to be in his Name ; and by a Stat. Edw. 3. if the King by the Little Seal, or the Great Seal, forbid a Judge "in Court to perform his Oiiice, he is ne-verthelelsto go on : Alfo that for the Delence of his Kingdoms againlf their Enemies, the Militia is in his power j but not at all againft his Parliament and People, whom Nature it felf forbiddeth to ufe their Swords againft themfelves. And chey allcdged moft the prefent danger of the Kingdoms, Ireland nXmoi^ \ol\, Scotland didurbed, Engia-ad threatned by the ln\l), and theRuineof the Parliament lought by Delinquents, whom they (aid the King, through evil Counlel did proted : And that they muit either fecure the Militia, or give up the Protcihiiit Religion , the Laws and Liberties of the Land, and their own Necks to the Will of i^apilts and Delinquents.

§ 49. And becaufe it is my piirpofe here, not to write a full Hiftory of the Calamities and Wars of thofe Times, but only to remember (iich Generals with the Realons and Connexion of Things, as may beft makj the liare of thofe Timjs un-derftood b them that knew it not perfonally themfelves, I ihall here annex a brief A.ccount of the Country's Cafe about thele Differences: not as a Juitiher or Defender of the Affertions, or Reafons, or Aiflions of either Party which I reheaile ; but only in faithfulneis Hiftorically to relate things as indeed they were.

And r. It is of very great nioment here to underdand the Quality of the Per-fons which adhered to the King, and to the Parliament, with their Reafons.

A great part of the Lords forfook the Parliament, and fo did many of the Houfe of Commons, and came to the King; but thit was for the nioft of them, alter EdghiH Fight,when the King was at Oxford. A very great part of the Knights and Gentlemenlof Et7gla?id in the leveral Counties fwho were not Parliament Men^ adheredco the King J except in A/;^^/fye-v, EJJex , Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgejhre, &c. where the King with his Army never came: And could he have got tooting there, it's like that it would have been there as it was in other places: And moll: of the Tenants of thele Gentlemen, and alio molt of the pooreft of the People, whom the other called the Rabble, did follow the Gentry, and were for the King.

On th,e 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 Tiadelinen, and Free-holders, and the middle lort of Men ; efpecially in thofe Corporations and Countries which depend on Cloathing and fuch Manufadures.

If you ask the Realons of this Difference, ask alio, why in France it is not commonly the Nobility norths Beggars, but the Merchants and middle fort of Men, that were Pioteftants. The Realons which the Party themlelves gave was, Becaufe ( fay tiiey ) the Tr<idefmen have a Correfpondency with London, and fo are grown to be a fa." more Intelligent fort of Men than the ignorant Peafants that are like Bruits, who will follow any that they think the flrongefh or look to get by : And the Freeholders, fay t'ley, were not enfl.wcd to their Landlords as the Tenants are: The Gentry, ({ly they) are wholly by their Eftates and Ambition more

dependent

dependent oft the Kirg, than their Tenants on them ; and many of them envied the Honour of the Pariiamentj becaufe they were not chofen Metobers themfelves. The other fide faid. That the Reafon was becaule the Gentry ( who commanded their Tenants) did better underltand Affairs of State than half-witted Tradefmen and Freeholders do.

But though it mufl be confeffed, That the Publick Safety and Liberty wrought very much with moll, 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 Refolution and Valour into their Soldiers, which carried them on in another manner than mercenary Soldiers are carried on. Not that the Matter of Bt^iop or no Bijhops was the main thing, ( for Thoufands that willied for Good Biftiops were on the Parliaments fide ) though many called it Bellum Epijcopale'y (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, Vrectfions, Reltgioas Perfons , that u(ed to talk of God, and Heaven, and Scripture, and Holinels, and to follow Sermons and read Books of Devotion, and pray in their Families, and fpend the Lord's Day in Religious Exercifes, and plead for Mortification,and ferious Devotion, and (trid Obedience to God, and (peak againfl Swearing, Curling, Drunkennefs, Prophanc-neis, &c. I fay, the main Body of this fort of Men, both Preachers and People, adhered to the Pailiamenr. And on the other fide, the Gentry that were not fo pre^ife and flrid ngainll: an Oath, or Gaming, or Plays, or Drinking, nor troubled themfelves fo much about the Matters o\ God and the World to come , and the Miniffers and People that were lor the King's Book, for Dancing and Recreations on the Lord's Days; and thofe that made not fo great a matter of every Sin , but went co Church and heard Common Prayer, and were glad to hear a Sermon which lailit the Puritans, aiid which o-dinarily fpoke againft this flri(5tnefs and pre-cifenefs in Religion, and this ffriA Obfervstion of the Lord's Day, and following Sermons, and piaying Ex tempore, and talking fo much of Scripture and the Matters ot Salvation, arid chofe that h.ited and derided them that take thefe Courfes, the main Body of thefe were againlf the Parliament. Not but that fome fuch for Money, or a Landlord's Plealuie, lerved them j as fbme few of the ffrider fort were againft them, or not for them (being Neuters ): but I fpeak of the notable Divifion through the Land.

If you ask how this came to paQ, it requireth a longer Anfwer than I think fit hereto give : But briefly,Ai^tions fpring from natural Dijpofitions and Interefi. There is fonie^vhac 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 moff will feek them ; and they t\\At jcck them are more like to find them than thofe that defpife them ; and he that takcth the World and Preferment for his hterefi will efiimate and choofc all means accordingly j and where the World is predominant, Gain goeth for Godlinefs, and ferious Religion, which would mortifie their Sin is their greatefl Enemy .- Yet Conlcience muit be quieted, and Reputation preferved, which can neither of them be done, without fbme Religion .- Therefore fuch a Religion is ne-ceifary to fuch as is confifVent with a worldly Mind ; which Outfide-formality, Lip-fervice and Hypocrifie is J hut Serioufoefs, S^wcerify 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 World to him by the Crofs of Chrift ; no wonder therefore if few fuch attain great Matters in the World, or ever come to Preferment or Greatnefs upon Earth : And there is fbmewhat in them which maketh them more fearful of dif-pleafing God, than all the World, and will not give them leave to ffretch their Confciences, or turn afide when the Intereff, or Will of Man requireth it: And the Laws of Chrill, to which they are fo devoted, are of fuch a ftream as cannot fuit with carnal Interefh There is an univerfal and radicated Enmity between the Carnal and the Spiritual, the Serpent's and the Woman's Seed, the fie^dy Mind, and the fpiritual Laiv of God, through all the World, in all Generations, Gen. j. if. Rom. 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 perfecute him that was born after the Spirit, even fo was it here: The vulgar Rabble of the carnal and prophane, the Fornicators, Drunkards, Swearers, &c. did every where hate them that reproved their Sin, and condemned them by z holy Life. This Difference was univerlal, and their Enmity implacable, farther

than

than common Grace abated it, or fpecial Grace cured it. So that every where feriouSj godly People, that would not run with others to excefs of Ryot, v.-erefpo, ken againft and derided by the Names of Precilians, Zealot^ Over-flrid, the holy Brethren, and other Terms of Scorn.

Thefe things being fuppofed, it unhappily fell out that in the Days of Q_ eeri 'Mary (that we may fetch the matter a^ or;^j«e J our Reformers, being Fugitives ac Frankfort, fell into a Divifion ; One part of them were for Diocdans, and the Engltjh Liturgy and Ceremonies, that they might no more than needs depart from the Papifts, nor feem unconftant by departing from what King Edward had begun. The other were for Ctf/ww'sDi(cipline and way of Worlhip ; for the letting up of a Parochial Difcipline infteadof a Diocefanj and to have a Government in every particular Church, and not only 0»e over a Thoufand ^ or many Hundreci Churches : and for a plain and ferious way of Worfhip, luited as near as poffible 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 fee up. The other Party petitioned, and hoped, and waited, but were difcountenanced, rebuiied,and by Law (iippreffed. This lamentable Breach was never healed : The dilcounce-nanced Party were fervent Preachers, of holy Lives, and fo were many of the JJifliops alio 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 fuch Af-faults as they have undergone. But when Je-wel, Pelkmgton , Grindal , and (uch 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 ) did by their Writings, their fecret Conference and Preaching, and their Godly Lives, work much upon fuch as were religioufly addided. And moreover, hefides what they received from fuch Teachers, there is ( 1 know not perfeftly whencej, among the molt of the Religious ferious People of thele Countreys, a fufpicion of all that is Ceremonious in God's Service, and of all which they find not warrant for in Scripture, and a greater inclination to a rational convincing earned way of Preaching and Prayers, than to the written Forms of Words which are to be read in Churches. And they are gready taken with a Preacher that Ipeaketh to them in a familiar natural Language, and exhorteth them as if it were for their Lives; when another that readeth or laith a few compofed Words in a reading Tone, they hear almoft as a Boy that is faying his LelTon : And they are much perfwaded that a juft Parochial Difcipline would greatly reform the Church , and that Diocefans by excluding itjcherilh Vice.

Now upon the Difference between the Diocefans and the Difciplinarians, the Diocefans found that their very Places, .ind Power, and Lmds, and Lordlhips were affaulted by the contrary Opinion ; and therefore they thought it neceffary to fup-prefi the Promoters of it. And fo putting Epiicopacy, Liturgy, Ceremonies, and all into the Subfcripdons which they impoLd on all that would be MiniHers or Schoolmafters, they kept and cafl out very many worthy Men : For fome that were for Liturgy and Ceremonies, were not for Diocefans, but for Parilh Difcipline ; and Ibme that were for Bifhops 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 forbiddten to preach the Gofpel: whereas in the mean time many Bifhops preached very fcldom, and abundance of Places had ignorant Readers that could nor preach, and filly Preachers, whofe Performances were (o mean, that they had bitter kept to the Reading of the Homilies j and many of thcfi were of Scandalous Lives.

Hereupon the Difciplinarians cried out of the ignorant fcandalous Miniflers; and almoff all the fcandalous Miniflers (and all that (ludied Preferment) cried out of the Nonconformifls: The name P«>-;r<7» 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 Purttans that were flrift and feiious in a Holy Lite, were they ever fo conformable I So that the lame name in a Bilhops mouth Signified a Nonconformiff, and in an ignorant Diunkards or Swearers nioL.th, a godly obedient Chriftian. Bur the People bemg the greater number, f ecame a-ni<ing themfelves the Maflers of the Senfe. And in Spalaren/is's time, wiicn he Was decrying Cahinifm, he devifed the name of Doctrinal Puritans, which comprehended all that were againfl y^rw;«w»//>». Now the ignorant Rabble J leuing that the Bilhops were againit the Puritans, (not having wit enough to knowr U'hom they meant) were emboldened the more againfiall thofe whom they called

led Puritans themfelves, and their Rage againft the Godly was increafed: and they cried up theBilhops, partly becaule they were againft the Puritans, and partly be-caufethey were earneft for that way of Worlhip 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 twilled together in England.

And then on the other fide, as all the Nonconformifts were againft the Prelates, fo other of the moft ferious godly People were alienated from them on all thefe forefaid conjund Accounts.

1. Becaule they were derided and abufed by the Name of P«rif<««/.

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

5. Becaule they faw fo many infufficient and vicious Men among the Conformable Clergy.

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

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

6. Becaufe though they took the Liturgy to be lawful, yet a more orderly ferious Scriptural way of Worfiiip was much more pleafing to them.

7. Becaufe Falling and Praying, and other Exerciles, which they found much benefit by, were fo Itridlly lookt after, that the High Commiffion and the Bilhops Courts did make it much more perillous, than common Swearing and Drunken-nefs proved to the Ungodly.

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

9. Becaule Afternoon Sermons and LeAures, thougii by Conformable Men, began to be put down in divers Counties.

10. Becaule fo great a number of Conformable Minifters were fufjjended or pu-nifhed for not reading the Book of Sports on Sundays , or about Altars, or liich like : and io 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 worle, and knew not where they would end.

12. And laftly, Becaufe they faw that the Bilhops proceeded lb far as to (wear Men to their whole Government by the Et catera Oath, and that they approved of Ship-money, and other fuch incroachments on their Civil Interefls.

All thefe upon my own knowledge were the true Caufcs why fo great a number of thole Perlons who were counted moft Religious, fell in with the Parliament in England'^ infomuch that the generality of the ftrider diligent fort of Preachers joyned with them, though not in medling with Arms, yet in Judgment, and in flying to their Garritbns; and almoft all thole afterwards called TresbyterianSy were before Conform!fts; Very few of all that Learned and Pious Synod at Weflminjier were Nonconformifts 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 Difuenant, Bifhop Hall, Biiliop Morton, Archbiihop l7/?»er,6cc.But as to the generality,they went lb unanimoufly the other way,thatupon my knowledge many that were not v/ife enough to underftand the Truth about the Cauleof 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 wiU not fufter almolt all his moft Religious Servants to err in lb grea? a matter.] And [If all thefe Ihould perilh what will become of Religion.] But thefe were irifufficicnt Grounds to go upon. And abundance of the ignorant forC 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 Bilhops .and heard ochers ;)r«iy that were againft them ; and becaule they heard the King's Soldiers with horrid 0<Jths abufe the name of God, and faw them live in Debauchery, and che Parliaments Soldiers flock to Sermons, and talking ofRe-lii^,ion, and praying and finging Pfalms together on their Guards. And all the fiber Men that I was acquainted with, who were againft the Parliament, were wont to fay, [The King hith the better Caule, but the Parliament hath the better Menj.

F And

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 generality of the Religious Party, was the vifible Caufe of the overthrow of the King in the Eye of all the underftanding World, that ever was capable of obfer-ving it.

§ yo. And whereas the King's Party ufually fay, that it was the feditious Preachers that ftirred up the People, and were the Caufe of all this, I anfwer,

1. It is partly true, and pardy 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 Spores, and bowing to Altars, and diminilhing 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 ; info-much, that I know not ot" two Nonconformifts in a County. But thole that made up the AfTembly at Weftminfier, 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 lawlul in cafe of neceflicy, but longed to have that neceflity removed.

§ y r. When the War was beginning, the Parties fet Names of Contempt upon each other, and alfo took luch Titles to themlelves and their own Caule, as might be the fitteft means for that which they defigned : The old Names of Puricans and Fvrmahjh were not now broad enough, nor of fufficient force. The King's Party, as their fenous IVord, called the Parliaments Party Rebels, and as their common ludicrous Name, The Round-heads (the original of which is not certainly known : Some lay, it was becaule the Puritans then commonly wore Ihort Hair, and the King's Party long Hair : Some fiy, ic was becaule the Queen, at Strajford'sTxyiX, asked who that i?fl«»<iAerf(/e(/Man was, meaning yiv.Pym, becaule he (pake fo ftrongly.j

The Parliaments Party called the other fide commonly by the Name of Malig' nants, as fiippofing chat the generality of the Enemies of fericus Godlinefi went that way, in a delire to deftroy the Religious out of the Land. (And the Parliament put that Name into their Mouths) and the Souldiers they called Cu'valkrs, be-caufe they took that Name to themfelves; and afterwards they called them Dam-mes [becaufe God Damn me] was become a common Curie, and as a By-word among them.

The King profefled to fight for the Subjeds Liberties, the Laws of theLand, and the Proteftant Religion. The Parliament profeft the fame, and all their Com-miffions were granted as [for KinganA Parliament'] for the Parliament profsfted, that the Separation of the King from the Parliament, could not be without a De-llrudion of the Government, and that the Dividers were the Deftroyers and Enemies to the State, and if the Soldiers askt each other at any Surprize or Meeting [ who are you for ? ] thole on the King's fide laid, [for the Kmg'\ and the others faid, \_for King and Parliament 1 the King dilbwned their Service, as a Scorn, that they Jhould (ay they fought for King and Parliament, when their Armies were ready to charge him in the Field. They faid to this,

1. That they fought to redeem him from them that took him a voluntary Captive, and would (eparate him from his Parliament.

2. That tliey fought againft his Will only, but not againft his Perfcn, which they defired to refcue and prelerve, nor againft his Authority which was for them.

3. That as all the Courts of Juftice do execute their Sentences in the Kirg^s Name, and this by his o-wn Law, and therefore by his Authority, fo much more might his Parliament do.

§ )2. But now we come to the main matter; What latisfied fo many of the intelligent part of the Countrey to fide with the Parliament when the War began?

What inclined their Affe^ions I have before (hewed ; and it is not to be doubted but their Approbation of the Parliament in the caule of Reformation made them the eafilier believe the lawfilnefi of their War: But yet there were fome DilTen-teis which put the matter to debates among themfelves. In IVarwickjinrc, Sir Fran, cis Nctherjole, a religious Knight, was againft the Parliaments War and Covenant, (though not for the Juftneis of the War againft them.) Id Glocclhr^nre, Mr, Gcrce, an old eminent Nonconformift, and Mr. CapeS, a learned Miniftcr (who put oat himfclf to prevent being put out for the Book of Recreations) and fome others with

then;

them were againft the lawfulnefi of the War ; (6 was Mr. Lyford of Sherborn in Dorcetjliire, and Mr. Francis Bampfield, his Succeflbr, and fome other Godly Mini-ilcrs in other Countries: And many refolved to meddle on no fide.

Thole that were againft the Parliaments War were of three Minds or Parties: One Part thought that no King might be refifted (but thefe I ihall not take any more notice of) The other thought that our King might not be at all relifted ; becaule he is our Sovereign, and we have fworn to his Supremacy j and if lie be Supreme, he hath neither Superior, nor Equal; And Oaths are to be interpreted in the ftrideft Senle. The third lort granted that in Ibme Cales the King might be refifted, as Bilj'on, and other Bifliops hold, but not in this Cale.

1. Becaufj the Law giveth him the Militia, which was contended for j and the Law is the mealiire of Power.

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

;. Becau(e the Members themfelves are Subjefts, and took the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, and therefore have no Authority to refift.

4. It is not lawful for Subjeds to defend Reformation or Reh'gion by Force, againfl: their Soveraigns ; no fuch good Ends will warrant evil Means.

<^. It is contrary to the Dodrine of Proteftants, and the ancient ChrilHans, and Scripture it felf, which condemneth all that refift 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 Accufation of the King, as if he were about todeftroy Religion, Liberties, or Parliaments, all which he is relblved to defend, as in ail his Declarations d Jth appear.

7. It juftifieth the Papifts Dodrine and Pradices of Rebellion, and taketh the Odium from them unto our felves, and layeth a Reproach upon the Proteftanc Caufe.

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

Thele were their Reafbns who were againft the Parliaments War, which may be feen more at large in Mr. Dudly Digs his Book, and Mr. fVeUens, and Mr. Michael Hudfons, and Sir Francis Netherfile's.

§ J 3. As for thole on the Parliaments fide, I will firfttcll you what they faid to thefe Eight Reafons; and next, what Realbns moved them to take the other fide.

1. To the Firft Realbn, they faid (as before) that for the Law to give the King the Militia, fignifiethno more but that the People in Parliament confented to obey him in Matter of Wars, and to fight for him, and under his Condud: For the Law is nothing but the Confent of King and Parliament; and the Militia is nothing but the Peoples own Swords and Strength : And that this Conlent of theirs ihould be fuppofed to be meant againft themjehes, as if they confented to deftroy themfelves whenever he commanded it, is an Expofition againft Nature, Senle, and Realbn, and the common Sentiments of Mankind. And they faid that the lame 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 thofc 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 alio Prefidents for their Refiftance.

2. To the Second, they laid, that when 2000C0 Proteftants were murdered in Ireland, and their Friends fo bold in England, and the Parliaments Deftrudion 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 Indifjreti-on ; and that if the Londoners had not Ihewed 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 railing of a War ('when they fought with none, but were alTaulted themfelves) then the calling up of the Army from the North, was much more fo, and fo 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 /r//Jj Flames which threatned them were kindled before all theie

F 2 3- To

3. To the third they faid, that the Parliament are Subjefts limitedly, and not fmfly, as the King is not an ahfolute, but a limited King, 'viz,. limited by the Laws and Conilitutions of the Government ; they are Subjefis to him according to Law, but not fubjeft to Arbitrary Government againft Law : Their Propriety is excep-ted in their Subjedion, and they have certain Liberties which are not fubjedt to the Will of the King. And alfo, they faid. That as the Sheriff is a Subjeci^ and a Court of Juftice; S:il>jecis, and yet may refilt the King's Letters, even under the Broad-Seal, and his Meffengers or armed Men that ad illegally (becaufe the Law, which hath his Authority and the Parliament's, enable them 16 to do) fo alfomay the Parliament, which is his higheft Court of JulHce. And they laid, that as they have apart in the Legiflative Power, they have part in the SummaPo-tefias, and fo far are not Subjeds. And they faid, that the bare Title of Supreme is no Argument againlt the Conftitution of a Kingdom, though it be exprelled in an O.uh. For the King is IHled, the Supreme Governor of France, and yet the Oath of Supremacy doth not bind us to believe, that no French Man may lawfully bear Arms againlf him.

4. They fry to the foarth,That they wholly grant it; that though Religion may be the end of a lawful War, yet not of a Rebellion : nor may any Refo mations be performed by any Actions which belong not to the Places and Callings of the Performers. But where the means are Lawful, Religion and Reformation are lawful Ends.

y. To the fifc.'i they fiid. That they agree with all good Chriftians and Prote-ftanrs, that true Authority may not be refilted by any Subjeft : But all Proteftants, or mofi-, agree with them, that a limited Governor, which hath not Authority to do what ho lifts, may perform an Adl of Will, which is no Ad: of Authority j 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 refilled the Parliament in their legal prolecution of Delinquents, and Defence of the Land and thenilelves: and that Paul, Rom. 1 5. determineth not at all, whether the Emperors or the Senate was the higher Power j and that the Refifters of the Parliament are the condemned Breakers of that Order and Command.

6. To the iixth they faid, that they Charge nothing on the King, but what their Eyes behold, viz. That he hath forlaken his Parliament, and raileth Arms againft them, and protefteth Delinquents: And this they mention but as Matter of Faci ; for the culpability they charge upon his evil Counlellors, and Inftru-ments: For the King being no Subjed, is liable to no Accufations in any of his Courts : But it is thslrtjh, the Papift, and thofe guilty Perfons who would ruineall, to lavethemlelves from Juftice, whom they accufe, and not the King. And whatever the King's Declarations fiy, Ship-money hath been impofed, the Judges have been corrupted,the German Horle were to have been brought in j the Northern Army was to have been brought up againft the Parliament; the Houfe was invaded and their Members demanded, a Guard was let upon them, and their Deftrudion (by their Enemies^ was powerfully endeavoured.

7. To the leventh they faid, That for the fupreme legiflative Authority to defend ic Iclf and the Land, and for the King's Courts of Juftice to profecute Delinquents (though againft the Kings Will^ is no diHionourto the Proceftant Religion, nor any thing like the Papifts Dodrine and Pradices of Rebellion j nor any Juftification of them. If ic wei e, then the very Conftitution of cur ancient Government or Kingdom, would it Irlf be a dilhonour to our Religion.

8. To the lalt they fiy, That Patience is our Duty fo far as we are called to SafTerings, and God is to be trufied \n the way which he hath appointed us : But if the Jc/JIj 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 wouid rob us to exhort us to be patient and not refift, he doth but exhort us to be guilty of his Sin. The Pioteftants Patience was that which pleifed the Irifl)'^ or (if a King muft be brought in as a Party) t\\Q French Mens Patience in the Parifian Mafl ::cie pleafed Charles IX. and the Executioners: And if in all Countries the Proreltants would let the Papifts cut their Throats, and die in the Honour of Patience, it would latisrte thole bloody Adverfaries, who had rather we died in fuch Honciur, than lived without it: But if fuch Patience would be a poor Excule for a Father that fought not to prelerve his Children, much lefs for the Paliamcnt that ftand ftill while Papifts and Delintjuents fubvert both Church and State.

Thef;

Thefe were their Anfwers to their Accufers in thole Points, § ^4. The Sum of thole Realbns which fatisfied many that adhered to the Parliament, were thele, which I will but briefly name.

1. As to the Danger of the State, the Matters o£ Fail did make it feem undeniable to them : Ship-money they judged not of according to the Sum ; but they thought Propriety was thereby deltroyed, and Parliaments caft afide and made unneceira-ry : And they faw chat this Parliament was called upon the Scots, and then called DijcontentedLords importunity, after many Parliaments had been dilTolved in dif-plealure, and after they had been long forborn : And the calling up of the Northern Army, and the demanding of the Members, made Multitudes think that thfc ruineof the Parliament was the great Dellgn; and their ungrateful beginning and proceedings made this liem credible, fo that I met with few of that fort that doubtevl of it. But above all, the Two hundred thoufind kill'd in Ireland, afFright-ed^the Pi'rliament and all the L,^nd. And whereas it is faid, that the King hated that, as well as they : They anfwered, that though he did , his hating it would neither make all thofe alive again, nor preferve England from their threatned Af-lault, as long as Men of the like malignity were proteded, and could not be kept out of Arms, nor brought to Juilice.

2. The Endoi the War did much prevail with them : For they thought that to mafter and deftroy the Parliament, was to leave the People hopelefs, as to any Security of their Propriety or Liberties, or any Remedy againft meer M^'ill.' For there is no other Powe.r that may relieve them : And if Parliaments were (b uled before, what would they be, ( faid they ) if by fuch a War they ihould be conquered. And they thought that the ruine of the State and of Men's Propriety, was liich an End as no mea;is could be lawfully uled for; and that the Frefervatwu of the Kingdom was fuch an Ef.^d as would make lawful any neceflary means, which God himfelf had not forbidden.

5. And th^n as to Authority, they thought that the Legiflative Power is the chiefeft part of Soveraignty ; and that the Parliament having a part in the Legiflative Power, had lb far inherently a Power to defend it, which no Law can iuppole them to give away : And as the Peoples Reprefentati'ves, they fiippoled them-felves much Intrulted 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 M^ans; and that the Kings Laws are his Inftrurrjents of Government, and alio his Publick Courts and Officers: And that the Subjefts cannot know lb well, whether private Commands or Commiflions be real or counterfeit, nor are lb much bound to take notice of them. And that the Judgments and Executions of the Courts of Jultice, being the EfFe<ft of Laws which King and Parliament have made, are of greater Authority than contrary Commiflions or Commands from the King alone.

5^ It much confirmed them becaufe all confefled. That the Sheriffs of Counties mull raife the poj/e Comitatus for the Execution of fome Decrees of Courts of Ju-ftice, though the King forbid it, or grant a Commiffion to any to hinder it : And that the forefaid Statute oiEdw. ;. 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 Pofitive Laws, That no Nation is bound to deltroy it ielf. The Militia being nothing but the Peoples own Sword, they fay they are not bound to deftroy themfelves with it j nor can any Law be lb interpreted. And whereas it was (aid. That the King (ought not to deftroy the Parliament, but to bring fome among them to punilh-ment ; they faid, that it belongeth to the Parliament to judge its Members ; and that if on pretence of punilhing 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, vwhen they law the King himfclf declaring to them. That the Legiflative Power was in Kings, Lords, and Commons, and that the Government was mixt, and Wiisnot Arbitrary; which they thought it mud needs be, if his Commiflions were of greater power than his Laws and Courts, and if no refiltance might be mads agav nil any that executed an illegal Commiflion.

8. Ic

8. It moft prevailed with many, that the Parliament profeffed not to fight a-ga!\n^ Qxthzr thzPerfotiOT Authority of the King, though againft bis M'lll; but that their War was only againft SubjeBs They faid that feme Subjed:s were Delinquents that fled from Juftice, againft whom they might raile Arms ofFenfively ; and other Subjeds took Arms againft the Parliament ; and againft thefe thcv made a Defenfive War : But all of them were Suhjeth, and not Kings: And the King's ?fi//orCommiffion is not enough to lave all Subjects from punilhment, when his Law is againft it ; nor to authorize them to deftroy the Parliament and their Country.

9. They were much emboldened becaule this Parliament was continued by Law tiU it ftiould difTolve it (elf. And therefore fome iaid, the Kings Piclence is virtually with them, he being a part of the Parliament : and others f<tidjthat no War could be lawful which was for their diflblution or ruine, or to deprive them of their Liberty 5 and that the defence of them was lawful, whom the Law continued.

10. They alledged Y^\ng James, who, theyfaid, of any Man did moft endeavour to advance his Prerogative,and yec in his printed Treatife ibr Monarchy confeffeth. That a King cannot lawfully make a War againft the Body of his Kingdom, but only againft an offending Faftion. Therefore, fay they, not againft the Repre-fentative Body, till it be proved that by perfidiouiheis they have forfeited the Virtue and Honour of their Reprefentation.

IT. They alledged firfrc/a/, Grof;«i, and other Defenders of Monarchy, efpecial-ly that palTage of Grotius de Jure Belli, where he faith. That if feveral Perfons have a fart m the bumma Poteftas ("of which he maketh LegiOation a chief A^^, each fart hath naturally the power of defending its own Interefi in the Sov(raignty againfi the other part if they invade it. And addeth over boldly. That if m fuch a War they con-t^uer, the conijuered party lofeth to them hu jljare : And faith, That thts is fo true that it holdeth, though the Law exprejly fay , that one of the Parties jhall have the power of the Mtlitia, it being to be under/hod that he fliali have it againft Forreign Enemies and Delinquents, and not agamjt 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 EcclefFol.lib.i. for the Eighth Book, which faith more than the Parliament ever faid, was not then publiihed). And for refiftance in feveral Cafes, as Bifhop Bilfon doth, even in that Treatile wherein he lb ftrongly defendeth Obedience, and which he dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. And to find how far they defend the French, Dutch, and German Proteftants Wars.

13. They faid that the Carnal refpeft of Men for perlbnal Interefts, hath made all the ftream of moft Mens Words and Writings go on the Prince's fide ; but Tyanny is a Mifchiefas 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 it procureth : 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 fuffer under it, to the perdition of millions of Souls. If Bodily Sufferings were all, the matter were nothing ; but it is Mens Souls, and the Interelt of the Gofpel, which is the Sacrifice to their Wills.

14. Laftly, This greatly confirmed many, that the Matter being a Controverfie, whether the Difobedience and Refiftance of King or Parliament, is now the Rebellion and Sin, the fimple People are not wifer than the States-men that differ a-bout it. How then Ihould they better quiet their Judgments, than in the Judgment of the Parliament, who are the Truftees of the l^eople, and the chief Court and Council of the King, and have lb many Lawyers and Wife men among them, and are lb greatly interelTed in the common Good themfclves i If it were but the Qjeftion, Which is the Kmg^s Governing Will, which the People mufi obey? And a Soldier fiith. It is my Commiflton, and the High Court of Parliament laith. It is the Law declared in a Court of Juftice, a Parliament leemeth to be the propereft Judge : As in Controverfies of Phyfick, who is to be believed before the Coiledge of i-'hyficians .'' Or irj Controverfies of Religion, who befoie a General Council? If the Houleof Jrir/; and Lanca/ler fight for the Crown, and lx)ch Commaud the Subjedis Arms, the poor Pealants are not able to judge of their Titles: And if a Parliament (hall not judge for them who thall ?

Thefe were the Reafons which caufed Men to adhere to the Parliament in this V/ar.

5 J For

§ y 5-, For my own part I freely confefi, that I was not judicious enough in Politicks and Law to decide this Controverfie which fo many Lawyers and Wile men differed in. And I freely confcfs, that being aftoniflied at the Irijl) MafTacre, and perfwaded fully both of the Parliaments good endeavours for Reformation, and of their reaNanger, my Judgment of the W(?iw C^zrv/e much fwayed myjudgmentin the Matter of the Wars: and the Arguments h fine, & a nam'', & necefjaate, which common Wits are capable of difcerning, did too far incline my Judgment in the Caule of the War, before I well underftood the Arguments from our particular Laws; And the Confideration of the Quality of the Parties that fided for each Cau(e, in the Countries, did greatly work with me, and more than itfliould have done : And I verily thought, that if that which a Judge in Court faith (entential-ly is Law, mult go for Law to the Subjeft, as to the Decifion of that Caufe, though the King fend his Broad Seal againft it, then that which the Parliament faith is Law, is Law to the Subjects (about the Dangers of the Common-wealth^ whatever ic be in it felf; and that if the King's Broad Seal cannot prevail againit the Judge, much lefs againft /As/r Judgment.

1 make no doubt but both Parties were to blame (as ic commonly falleth out in moft Wars and Contentions) and I will not be he that Ihall Juftifie either of them, I doubt not but the Headinefs and Ralhnefs of the younger unexperienced fort of religious People, mads many Parliament Men and Minifters pvergo themfelves, to keep pace with thofe hot Spurs; no doubt but much Indifcretion appeared, and worfe than Indifcretion in the tumultuous Petitioners, and much Sin was committed in the di/honouring of the King, and provocation of him, and in the uncivil Language againlt the Bifhops and Liturgie of the Church : But thele things came principally from the fSedlariao leparating Spirit, which blew the Coals among fooli/h Apprentices: And as the Sedaries increaled fo did this Infolence in-creafe. I have my (elf been in London, when they have on the Lord's Days flood at the Church Doors while the Common Prayer was reading, faying, We mufi (tay till he is out of hts Vottage. And fuch unchrifHan Scorns and Jefts did pleafe young inconfiderate Wits, that knew iiot what Spirit they were of, nor whither (uch unwarrantate things did tend. Learned Mr. John Ball, though a Nonconformift, difcerned the ftirrings of this infolent Sedarian Spirit betimes, and fell a writing againlt it j even then when fome were crying out of Perfecucion, and others were tender of fuch little Differences: One or two in the Houle, and five or fix Minifters that came from Holland, and a few that were fcattered in the City, which were the JSroif«;i?j Relifts, did drive on others according to their own dividing Principles, and fowed the Seeds which afterward (pread over all the Land ; though then there were very few of them in the Countreys, even next to none. As Bifhop Hall (peaksagainft the juftifyingof theBifiiops, lb do I againfl: juftifying the Parliament, Minifters, or City : I believe many unjuflifiable 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 wholbever was faulty , the Peoples Liberties and Safety could not he forfeited : And I thought that all the Subje<5ts 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 SuhjeBs jhould adhere to that Party ivhich niofi fecured the welfare of the Nation, and might defend the Land un-der their ConduB, -without owning all their Caufe. And herein I confefs I was then fo zealous, that 1 thought it a great Sin for Men that were able to defend their Country, 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 reviewof thofe Days and Anions lb many Years after, when Diftance difadvantageth theApprehenfion. A Writer (againft CromwePs Decimationj recanting his great Adherence to the Parliament in that War, yet fo abhorreth Neutrality, that he likeneth him rather to a Dog than a Man that could ftand by when his Country was in fuch a cafe : But I confefs for my part I have not fuch cenfori-Gus 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, whoever they were : and that the Divifion tended to the DilTolution of the Government.

3. And

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

3. I favoured the Parliaments Caufe, as they profeffed i. To bring Delinquents to a Legal Trial :

2. And to prefervethePerfonand Government of the King, by a Conjundion with his Parliament.

But Matters that Warrs and Blood are any way concerned in are lb great and tenderly to be handled, that I profefs to the World that I dare nor, I will not juftifie any thing that others or I my felf have done of any fuch conlequence. But though I never hurt the Perlbn of any Man, yet I relblve ,to pray daily and earneftly co God, that he will reveal to me whatever I have done amiis, and not fufFer me through Ignorance to be impenitent, and would forgive me both my known and unknown Sins, and cleanle this Land from the Guilt of Blood.

§ j6. Having inferted this much of the Ca(e of Hiftory of thole Times, I now proceed to the Relation of the Paffages of my own Life, beginning where I left.

When I was at KidJerminJler the Parliament made an Order for all the People to* take a Proteftationto defend the King's Perfon, Honour and Authority, the Power and Priviledges of Parliaments, the.Liberties of the Subje(ft,and the Protelf ant Reli-gion.againfl: thecommotiEnemy]meaningthe Papifts j the InJI) MafTacre and Threat-nings occafioning this Proteftation. I obeyed them in joyning with the Magiftrate in offering the People this Proteftation j which caufed fome to be offended with me.

About that time the Parliament fent down an Order, for the demolifhing of all Statues and Images of any of the three Perfons in the bleffsd Trinity, or of the Virgin Marj, which (hould be found in Churches, or on the CrolTes in Churchyards. My Judgment was for the obeying of this Order, thinking it came from ja(f Authority; but I meJlednotin it, but left the Churchwarden to do what he thought good. The Churchwarden (an honeft^, Ibber, quiet Manj feeing a Crucifix upon the Crols in the Church-yard, fet up a Ladder to have reacht it, but it proved too fiiort: whilft he was gone to leek another, a Crew of the drunken riotous 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 the Aftor, and it was me they Ibught ; but I was walking almoft a mile out of Town, or elle I fuppole 1 had there ended my days: when they mift me and the Churchwarden both, they went raving about the Streets to feek us. Two Neighbours that dwelt in other Parifhes, hearing that they Ibught my Life, ran in among them to (ee whether 1 were there,and chey knockt them both down in the Streets, and both of them are fince dead, and I think never perfectly recovered 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 Aftion, and told them. Seeing they fo requited me as to feek my Blood, I was willing to leave them, and dve them from that Guilt. But the poor Sots were fo amazed and alhamed, that they took on lorrily, and were loth to part with me.

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

And the Commiflion of Array was fet afoot ( for the Parliament medlcd not with the Militia of that County,the Lord Howard their Lieutenant not appearing). Then the rags of the Rioters grew greater than before 1 And in preparation to the War, they had got the word among them [ Down with the Round-heads ;]Inf imuch that if a Stranger pad in many places that had fhort Hair and a Civil Habit, the Rabble prefently cried, [_Doipn with the Round-heads j ; and fome they knockt down in the open Streets.

In this Fury of the Rabble I was advifcd to withdraw a while from home j where-up-.n ! went to Glocefier: As 1 palt but through a corner of the Suburbs of [Vor-cejhr, they that knew me not, cried, Down with the Round-beads^ and I was glad

to

to fpur on and be gone. But when 1 came to GloUcefter, among Strangers alfo that had never known me, I found a civil, courteous, and religious People, asdilferent from IVorcelhr, as if they had lived under another Government. There I ftay-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 very much prevailed, was, Ohjer'vations, written by M.r. Parker a Lawyer: But I remember fome Principles which I think he mifapplieth, as alfo doth Mr. Thomas Hooker, Ecclif. poht. lib. 8. 'viz,. That the Ktvg is fingults major, but uni'verjis minor ; that he receivech 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 lb; God by his Law, as an Inftrument, conveyeth Power to that Perfon or Family whom the People confent to j and their Confent 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 therelore for my part I am (atisfied that all Politicks err, which tell us of a Mage-ftas Realts in the People, as diftinft from the Majefias Perfoitalts in the Governors. And though it ht true that quo ad naturalem bonitatem & tn genere Caufe finalis th? King be umver/ts 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 Power (which is the thing in queftion) the King is (as to the People) Unnjerfis Majors 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 fuppoleth fwho hb. i. Polit. Ecclef. maketh him a Tyrant that maketh Laws himfelf without the Body J but it is as the Conftitution twifteth them into the Government: For if once Le-giflation (the chief K&. 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. Befidcs thele Oblervations, no Books more advantaged the Parliament's Caufe, than a Treatife of Monarchy (afterwards publilhed,j and Mr. Prin's large Book of the Soveraign Power of Parliaments, wherein he heapeth up Multitudes of Inftances of Parliaments that exer-ciled Soveraign Power.

At this time alfo they were every where beginning the Contention between the Commiffion of Array and the Parliaments Militia : in Gloucefierpire the Country came in for the Parliament.: In fVorcefierJIiire, Herefordfhire, and Shropjlnre, they were wholly for the King, and none, to any purpole, moved for the Parliament.

5^8. WhilftI was at Gloucefier I faw the firft Contentions between the Minifters and Anabaptifts that ever I was acquainted with : For thele 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 laboured 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 conlequent^ of Annabaptiftry, the People 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 Alperi-ty towards them.

But this was the beginning of the Miferies of Gloucefier ; for the Anabaptifts (bmewhat increafing on one fide, before I came away, a good Man, called Mr. Hart, came out of Herefordjliire with Mr. Vaughan, a Gentleman, and they drew m.iny 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 another fide, which together lb diftrafted the good People, and eat out the Heart of Religion and Charity (the Minifters of the Place being not lb able and quick as they fiiould have been in confuting them, and prelerving the People) that the City which h.id before as great Advantagesfor the profperity of Religion among them, as any in the Land, in the Civility, Tradablenels, and Piety of the People, became as low and Poor as others, and the Pity of more happy Places, while thele Tares did dwindle and wither away the Iblid Piety of the Place.

§ J9. When 1 had been at Gloucefier a Month, my Neighbours of Ktderminfler came for me home, and told me, that if I ftayed any longer, the People would interpret it, either chat I was afraid upon (bme Guilt, or that 1 was againft the

G King;

King: So I bid my Hoft (Mr. jyarney the Town Clark) and my Friends farewell, and never came to Gloucefier more.

When I came home I found the beggarly drunken Rowt in a very tumultuaring Difpofitionj and the Superiors that were for the King did animate them, and the People of the Place who were accounted Religious were called Round-beads, 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 fiiall take an order ivith the Vuntans 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 another, fo was it with them now ; they were like tyed MafiifFs 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 Lord's Day when they had heard the Sermon they would a while becalmed, till they came to the Alehoule again, or heard any of their Leaders hifs them on, or heard a Rabble cry, [Down -with the Round-heads.'] And when the Wars began, almoft all thele Drunkards went into the King's Army, and were quickly killed, fo that fcarce 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 Shropflnre, fVor-cefierjinre, Herefordjlnre and JValei, though many came alfo out of other Parts : And the Earl of E/Jhc's Army was filled up, and was marching down towards Jforcefier.

The Fury of the Rabble was lb hot at home, that I was fain to withdraw again, and being with one Mr. Hunt near hkborough, there came a Party of the Earl of Ejjexi Army before the reft, to block up the Lord Bryon in Worcefier, till the Earl of E£'ex came to take him there. This Party lay in a Meadow near Powick, above a Mile from (Vorceffer, Mr. Hunt, with other Countreymen bringing them in Pro-vifion ; I had a great mind to go lee them, having never ieen any part of an Army ; As foon as I came, a MelTenger came out of Worcefter fecretly, to tell them that the Lord Bryon was mounted and ready to be gone: Hereupon, the Commanders (Col. Brown a Scoty Col. Edwin Sans o^Rent, and Col. Nath. Fienes, Capt, Joh. Fienes, and Capt. Wtngate ) confulted what was to be done j Brown and Sa7ids were hot for the leaving of their Ground (where they were lecure by a River) and prelendy to purfue the Enemy : The reft faid. This Meflage may be a Deceit, to draw us into a Snare ; let us firft fend 5couts, and fee how it is. But the other prevailed, and over the Bridge they went; (being all horfc and Dragoons) and by that time thev had paft a narrow Lane, and half of them cntred a Field beyond it, they found the King's Horfe under the Command of Prince Ktipert 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) fo he charged them before the reft came in, and Col. Sands was wounded and taken Prifbner, and died of his Wounds j and Major Douglas flain, and the reft (led j and though the Enemy purfucd them no farther than the Bridge, yet fled they in grievous terror to Par-there, and the Earl of Ejjex's Life Guard lying there, took the Allann that the Enemy 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 fctchtoft'the Lord £;>■()» and marcht away; and the next Day the Earl of Ejfex came to IVorcejtery with many Lords and Knights, and a liourifhing Army, gallantly cloathed, but never tried in Fight.

There were with his Army, as Chaplains to the feveral Regiments, abundance of famous, excellent Divines j 'viz-. Mr. Stephen Mard^all and Dr. Burges to the Earl of E/f.v's Regiments, M-. Obediah Sedgwtck to Col Hoiks s'R.cgimzm, 'Dr.Ca-Itbute Dowhtrg 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. Aloor to the Lord Whartons, Mr. Adoniram Bifidd to Sir Henry Cholrrhys, Mr. Nalton to Col. Grantham's, Mr. Simeon Ajh to the Lord Brooks or the Earl of Man-chefier's, (1 remember not whether) Mr. Morton of Newcafile, with Sir Arthur Ha-felriggs Troopj with many more. Mr. BtficldnnA Mr. Moor quartered with us at Kiderminfier , where were the Regiments of Col. Ej/ex, the Lord Jiharton, Sir Henry Cbnlmeley, and thcLoid Brooks at Bcudeley : while they quartered there, the King's Aimy was upon the March from Shrewsbury towards Oxford: Their way lying through Wolverhampton, foniQ. of theli" Scouts appeared on th.- Top oi Knivcr

Eclge,

-* , - - r ■ - ■■■-■■ - , ,, , ,

P A R T I. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 43

Edge, three miles from Kidderminfier: The Brigades in Kidderminfier not knowing but all the King's Army might come that way, marcht off to fVorcefier.and in hafte left a Carriage or two with Arms behind : fome of the Inhabitants liafted to the King's 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 lafety in flaying at home : The Civility of the Earl of Ejjex's Army was fjch, chat among them there was no danger ( though none of them knew nie ) : And there was liich excellent Preaching among them at Worcefier , that I ftayed tliere among them a few days, till the marching of the Kings Army occafioned their remove.

Upon the Lords Day following I preached at AlceHer for my Reverend Friend Mr. Samuel Clark : As 1 was preaching the People heard the Cannori play,and perceived that the Armies were engaged ; when Sermon was done (in the Afternoon^ the report was mor» audible, which made us all long to hear of the facceis: About Sun-fettingCO^oi'. 2;. 1642.) many Troops fled through the Town, and cold us that all was loft on the Parliament fid;;, and the Carriage taken and Waggons plundered 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 MclTcnger returned, and told us. That Prince Rupert wholly routed the left Wing of the Earl of EjJ'txs Army j but while his Men were plundering the Waggons, the main Body and the Right Wing routed the reft of the King's Army, took his Standard (but it was loft again ) ; kill'd his General the Earl of Lindjey, and his Standard-bearer , took Prilbner the Earl of Lindlefi Son the Lord WiHoughby, and others; and loft few Perlbns of Qaality,and no Noblemen but the Lord St. John, eldeft Son to the Earl of Bullinghook : and that the lofs of the left Wing was through the Treachery of Sir Faithful Fortefcue^ Major to the Lord Fteldmg's Regiment of Horfe, who turned to the King when he Ihould have Charged : and that the Vidory wasobtained principally by Colonel Holltii Regiment of London Red-Coats, and the Earl of Ejfexs own Regiment, and Life-Guard, where Sir Vhilif Stapkton, and Sir Arthur Hafekigge, and CoVUrrey did much.

The next Morning being willing to lee the Field where they had fought,! went to Edghill, and found the Earl of £/ex with the remaining part of his Army keeping the Ground, and the King's Army facing them upon the Hill a mile off; andabout aThouiaiid dead Bodies in the Field between them, (and I fiippofemany were buried before ): and neither of the Armies moving toward each other. The King's Army prelencly drew off towards Banbury, and lb to Oxford. The Earl of E/ex's Army went back to provide for the wounded, and refrelh themfelves at ff^ar-wich. Cartle, (the Lord Brook's Houie).

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 Beaft 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 j 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-vttftry, where one of my old Acquaintance was Minifter, (Mr. Simon King, fome-dme School-raafter at Bndgenorth ) : So thither I went with a purpofe to itay there till one Gde or other had got the ViAory, and the War was ended, and then to return home again ; For fo wife in Matters of War was I, and all the Country be-lides, that we commonly (iippoled that a very few days or weeks by one other Battel, 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 ftay with them , and lodge in the Governour's Houle, and preach to the Soldiers. The offer fuited well with my Neceflities, but I refolved that I would not be Chaplain to the Regiment, nor take a Commiffion ; but if the meer preaching of a Sermon once or twice a week to the Garrifon would fatisfie them, I would accept of the Offer, till I could go home again. (Mr. AfiinalU one of the Minifters of the Town, had a Commiffion from the Earl of Ejfex to be Chaplain to the Garrifon Regiment ; but the Governour and Committee being difpleafed with him, made no ule of him. And when he was difplcaled, as thinking I would take his place, I affured him I had no fuch in-

G 2 tenc

The L I F E'of the Lib. L

tent; and about a Twelve-month after he died). Here I lived in the Governours Houle, and followed my Studies as quiedy as in a timeof 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 j among others many very godly and judicious Gentlemen; as Sir RichardSkeffington (a moft noblCj holy Man ) Col. Godfrey Bofvtle, Mr. Mackworth, with many others; of all which Mr. George Abbot was the chief ( known by his Paraphral? on Job, and his Book againft Bread for the Lord's Day). And there were about thirty worthy Minlfters in the City, who fled thither for Safety from Soldiers and Popular Fury, as I had done, though they never med-led in the Wars ; 'viz.. Mr. Richard Vines, Mr. Anthony Barges , Mr. Burdall, Mr. Brumskill fwho lived with that Eminent Saint the old Lady Bromley, Widow to Judge Bromley, whole only dilcernable fault to mej was too much Humility and Low thought of her felf j. Dr. Bryaft, Dr. Grew, Mr. Stefhetis, A^r. Craddock, Mr. Mortonoi Bewdley, (my Ipecial Friend ) Mr. Diamond, good old Mr. Overton, AnA many mo.'-e, whole preiencecommanded much refped from me. I have caule of continual thankfulnels to God for thequietnefs andlafety, and fober, wile,reIigious Company, with liberty to preach the Gofpel, which he vouchlafed me in this City, when other Places were in the Terrours and Flames of War.

§ 62. When I had been above a year at Coventry, the War was fo far from being ended, that it had difperled it (elf into almolt all the Land : only Msddkfex, Hitrtfcrdjljtre. moft of Bedford and Northamptofijhire were only for the Parliament, and had (bme quietnefs: And Effex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgcflnre, and Huntington-fliire with the Ifle of Eli , were called the Adbciated Counties, and lived as in Peace, becaufe the King's Armies never came near them: and io for the moft part it was with Kafit, Surrey, and Suffex. And on the other fide, HerefordJlnre,lVor-ce/hrjliire, and ShropJJnre, ( till this time ) and almofi: all IVales, ( i'ive Tembrokejlnre^ which was wholly for the Parliament ) were only poflefied for the King, and law not the Forces of tlie Parliament: But almofi all the reft of the Counties had Gar-rilbns and Parties in them on both fides, which caufed a War in every County, and I think there whore few ParlHies where at one time or other Blood had not been ihed.

§ 65. And here I muft repeat the great Caufe of the Parliaments Ihength and the Kings mine; and that was, That the debauched Rabble through ihe Land, emboldened by his Gentry, and leconded by the Common Soldiers of his Army, took ail that were called Puritans for tlieir Enemies : And thougli/e?/?c of the King's Gentry and Superinur Officers were lb Civil that they would do no fuch thing, yet that was no Security to tiie Country, while the multitude did what they lilt. So that if any one was noted for a ftrii^ and fmious Preacher, or for a Man of a precile and pious Life, he w.is cither plundered, or abukd, 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 Plalm, they prefently cried out, Rebels, Roundheads, and all their Money and Goods that were portable pioved guilty, how innocent Ibever they were themfelves. I liippole this was kept from the knowledge of the King, and perhaps of many fober Lords of his Council: ( for few could come ■ near thera ; and it is the fite of fuch not to believe evil of thofe that they think are for them, nor good of thoie that they think are againd them). But upon my certain knowledge this was it that filled the Armies and Garrilbnsof the Parliament withlbber, pious Men. Thousands 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 lufTerthem: Ibme Itayed till they had been impriloned; foms 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 quarteied on them ; and fome by the infolency of their Neighbouis; but moft were afraid of their Lives; and ib they Ibught refuge in the Parliaments Garrilbns. Thus when I was at Coventry the Religious part of my Neighbours at Kiddermmfler that would fain have lived quietly at home, were forced (the chiefeft of them ) to be gone: And to Coventry they came ; and Ibme of them that had any Ellate of their own, lived there on their own cliarge; and the reft were fain to take up Arms, and be Garrilon Soldiers to get them bread.

§ 64. Jn Shrcffure, where my Father dwelt, both he and all his Neighbours that were noted for praying and hearing Sei nions, were plundered by the King's Soldiers, lb th.u ibme cf them had almoil nothing but Lumber left in their Houles: though my Father was lo far from medling on either fide, that he knew not what

they

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

At this time Col. Mitton, and other Shropshire Gentlemen, refolved to fettle a Garrifon at Went, a little Town in their own Country, eight Miles from Sbrewf-hiiry, and Mr. Machvortb, Mr. Hunt, &c. were earneit with me to go with them becaufe it was my Native Country. I was defirous to be near my Father if I could any way relieve him,and to be ablent a while from CcvtvtryXs^tvQ being fome Difference betvi'een the Earl of Denbigh and the Committee, which went highj: lb I confented to go with them only tor a few weeks, and to return : Their Defign was to get I'ome 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 Cafel brought his Army from Sbrni'sburj againft them j where {Sir JVilliamBrereton bringing the CbejJjire Trained Bands to affift the lictle handful at IVem ) the two Armies lay within a Mile sf each o:her two or three Days, and after Ibme little Skirmifhing the Lord Capell drew off, and marcht into Chcjlnre to Nantwich, being alfured thereby to draw off the CbeJIiire A4en, and then refolved the fame Night to return and Storm the Town; and his Plot took according to his Contrivance ; for that Night he plundered all the Villages about Nantwicb, and at Midnight march'd back another way : The Chejhire Men were quickly on their March, when they heard that the Enemy was plundring their Countrey : and by that time they caaie to Nantwich the Lord Capell was got back again to Wem.TherQ was nothing ahoLit the Town but a Ditch little bigger than fuch as Husbandmen inclofe their Grounds with, and this not finifhed ; and the Gates, new made, had no Hinges^ but were reared up.and there was but very few Men in the Town;e{pecially under the Command ofCol.//«wf ("a plain hearted, honeft,godly Man,entirely beloved,and trufted by the Soldiers for his Honefty) : I went with the Chefliire Men to Nant-wich ; when they came thither , they underftood the Stratagem of the Lord Capell, and heard that they were ftorming Wem ; and Sir William Brereton would have hadl his Men march after them prelently , to relieve Wem ; but the Soldiers were all Commanders, and feeing their own Countrey plundred in their Ablence, and being weary, they all relblved that they would not go; and (b Wem was given up as lo'.t j but in the Morning about three or four a Clock, when we thought they had been afleep, their Minds all changed, and co Wem they would then go ; but they marcht lb flowly, and halted by the way, that the Lord CapcU's Army had twice ftormed Wem, and being beaten back, drew oiT juft as the Clefliire Men came upon them, and lecured their Retreat by Lee-bridge and the Darknefs of the Night, and the Ignorance of their Fears and Diibrders in the Army that purfiied them. When we came to Wem, we found that the Lord Capell had been twice repulft with much lofs; Col. fVin flain, and Col. Sir Tho. Scriven mortally wounded, and little Hurt done to any in the Town.

§ 6). When I had flayed here, and at Longford Gmi^on about two Months or more, and had redeemed my Father oat of Prifon at Lilljhd, I returned to Covens try, and my Neighbours would not flay behind : (the recital of Millitary Paffages there and elfewhere, belongeth not to my prefent purpofe, but as it concerneth the Hiflory of my own Life, and therefore I leave them to fiich as write the Hi-ftory of thofe Wars): When I came to Coventry, I feded 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 going to London was long under the Cure of Sir Tbeodere Mejern^ and foraewhat recovered, returned again.

§ 66. The Garrifon of Coventry confifled half of Citizens, and half of Goun-try-men : the Country-men were fuch as had been forced from their own Dwellings, the mofl religious Men of the Parts round about, efpecially from Bremicba?n, Sutton-CoUfidd, Tamworth, Nuneaton^ Hmkley, Rugby , &c. Thefc were Men of great Sobriety and Soundnefs of Underftanding as any Garrilbn heard of in England: But one or two that came among us out of New England ( of Sir Henry Vanes Party there) and one Anabaptifl Taylor, had alraoft troubled all the Garrifon, by in-feaing the honeft Soldiers with their Opinions: But they found not that Succefi in Coventry^ as tiiey had done in CromweW Army. In publick I was fain to preach over all the Controverfie* a^iinfl the Anabajjtifts firft, and then againft the Sepa-

ratifk

ratifts; and in private, fome of my Worcefierjhire Neighbours, and many of ths Foot Soldiers were able to baffle both Separatifts, Anabaptifts, and Antinomians^ and fo kept all the Garrifon found : Whereupon, the Anabaptiftsfent to Bedford for one Mr. Benjamin Cox, an old Anabaptift Minifter, and no contemptible Schol-lar, the Son of a Bifliop ; and he and I bad firft a Difpute by Word of Mouth, and after by Writing; and his Surceafing gave me eafe: In conclulion a few poor Townfmen only were carried away, about a Dozen Men and Women ; but the Souldiers and the reft of the City kept found from all Infedion of Sedaries 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 Garrifon or other won or loft j the two Ne-wbery Fights, Glocejhr Siege, the marvellous Sieges of Tlimouth, Lime, and Taunton, Sir Willtam Waller's Succeftes and Lofles j the Lofi at Newark, the Slaughter at Bolton, the greateft Fight of all at York, with abundance more. So that hearing (iich fad News on one fide or other was our daily Work J infomuch that as duly as I awakened in the Morning I expeded to hear one come and tell me, fucb a Garrifon is won or lofi, or /uch a Defeat recei-vcd or given : And [doyou hear the News'] was commonly the (irft Word 1 heard. So miierable were thofe bloody Days, in which he was the moft honourable, that could kill moft of his Enemies.

But among allthele I was efpecially plealcd with the Surprize of Shrewsbury^ both becaufe it was done without lofs of Blood, and becaule my Father and many of my dear Friends were thereby redeemed, for when i returned from Went to Co-ventry, it happily feil cut that Sir Fulk Hunkes was made Governor of Shrewsbury by the King, and he protefted my Father while he was there; But at laft the Gentry 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. Oatlej firft,and after Sk Adich.Eamley made Governors.Sir Fulk Hunkes was confident when lie went, that their Drunkennefi and Carelefirls would /hortly lole the Town ; and (o it did indeed fill out : His old Mother, the Lady Hunkes, he left with my Father, where fhe died between 80, and 100 Years old. Buc when he was gone my Father was made one of the CoUedors of their Taxes for the King, which he juftly performed : Buc he would not forcibly diftrain of tlicm that refufed to pay, as not knowing but they might hereafter recover it all of him ; for which he was laid in Prifon by them that Iwore 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 Houfe, for the Parliaments Souldiers had furpriled the Town: My Father would not believe it, till he heard and law that which conipell'd his Belief; and with what Joy I need not tell.

§ 68. There were abundance of ftrange Providences in thele times that fell out for fbme particular Perfons: The marvellous Prefervation 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 Lancajloire to the Sword, (Men, Women, and Children) an Infant efcaped alive, and was found lying by her Father and Mother, who were (lain in the Streets; an Old Woman took up the Child, and cairied it home, and put it to her Breaft for warmth, (having not had a Child her felf of about jo Years) the Child drew Milk, and lo much, that the Woman nurled it up with her Breaft Milk a good while : The Commitcee de-fired Ibme Women to try her, and they found it true, and that fhehad aconfide-rable proportion of Milk for the Child : If any one doubt of this, they may yet be relolved by Mrs. Hunt, Wife to Mr. Rowland Hunt of Harrow on the Hilly who living then in Manchefter, was one of them that by the Committee was defi-red to ti ie the Woman, and who hath oft told it me, and is a credible, godly, difcreet Gentlewoman, and Wife to a Man of moft exemplary Holinefs, and of the primitive Sincerity without Self feeking, Hypocrifie and Guile. The Maid her ielf thus nurfed up, lived afterwards in London.

This putteth me in mind of that worthy Servant of Chrift, "Dr.Teat, who being put to fly fuddenly with his Wife and Children from the Fury of the Irtjl) 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 being ready to die with Hunger, rtie went to the Brow of a Rock to lay him down, and leave him that ftie might not fee him die, and there in the Snow out of all ways where nol'ootfteps appeared, Ihe found a Suck-bottle full of new, fweet Milk, which prelerved the Child's Life.

In

In Cornwall, Sir Rich. Green'vik having taken many Souldiers of the Earl oiEJJ'exs Army, fentenced about a dozen to be hanged ; when they had hanged two or threej the Rope broke which fhould have hanged the next: And they (ent for new Ropes fo oft to hang him, and all of thein ftill broke, that they durft go no far-ther,butfaved all therell: : Befides univerlal undeniable Report,! had this oft told me hyMr.JVooSoufe,an honeft godly (bber Man, a Silvers Son of Jultice Kettleby of S/jrop-jhire, who himfelf flood by expeding Death, and was one of the Number of chem 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 j the manner of taking and lofing Towns and Caftles, the Progrefs of the main Armies and of the Parties in the leveral Counties, in CheJIure, Lanca^nre, Torkjliire, Derhyjljtre, StafforJf.iire, Shropjfiire, Ltn-colfipire, Gkucefteyfiire, and other Counties wheie particular Wars were carried on^ and between Vemb-ioh^me and the reft of Wales, and alfo the manner of the feve-ral great Fights, efpecially that at Mar^on-tmor near York, it v/ould fill of it felf a-grcater Volume than I intend, and is a matter befides my prefent purpofi , and fit to be done in another manner : And therefore I Ihall pals that by, and proceed in the Narrative of the palTages 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 quictneis at Coventry, the Earl of E£ex being weakened by a great lofiin Cornwall, fell under the An.t6^d. great difpleaiure of fome of the Parliament, not as to his Perfon, but as to the Condu<a of Affairs, who prevailed to have , him laid by. The Caufes were all thele in Conjundion;

1. Though none could deny but the Earl was a Perfbn of great Honour,VaIour, and Sincerity J yet did fome Accufe the Soldiers under him of being too like the King's Soldiers in Profanenels, lewd and vitious Pradlices, and nidenels in their Carriage towards the Country; and it was withal urg'd, that the Revolt of Sir Faithful Fdrtefcae, Sir Richard Greenvile, Col. Urrey, and (bme others, was a fatisfy-ing Evidence, that the irreligious fort of Men were not to be much trufted , but might eafily by Money be hired to bStray them.

2. And it was difcovered chat the Earl of EjJ'exs Judgment (and the wifeft Mens about himj was never for the ending the Wars by the Sword, but only to force a Pacificatory Treaty : He thought that if the King fhould Conquer, the Govern-ment of the Kingdom would be changed into Arbitrary, and the Subjeds Propriety and Liberty loft: And he thought that if he himlelf fhould 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 intoDivifions among themlelves. Therefore he was not for a Conqueft 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 fay, that at Edghill, at Newbury, and at other times, he had never prolecuted any Vidory, but ftood ftill and feen the King's Army retreat, and never purliied them when it had been eafie to have ended all the Wars.

3.But the chief Caufe was,that Sir H. Vane by this time had increafed Sedaries in the Houfe,having drawn fome Members to his Opinion ; and Cronrwell, who was the Earl of A/(8W(;/6e/?fr*s Lieutenant General, had gathered to him as many of the Religious Party, efpecially of the Sedaries as he could get; and kept a Correfpon-dency with Vanes Party in the Houfe, as if it were only to flrengthen the Religious Party : And Manchefiers Army, efpecially CromweWi Party, had won a Vidory near Herncafile in Lincolti^nre, and had done the main Service of the day at the great fight at Tork ; and every where the Religious Party that were deeplieft ap-prehenfiveofthe Conc^irnment ofthe War, had far better Succefs than the other ibrt of Common Soldiers.

Thele things fet together, caufed almoft all the Religious fort of Men in Parliament, Armies, Garrilbns and Country, tobefor the new modelling of the Army, and putting out the loofer fort of Men (efpecially Officers) and putting Religious Men in their fteadf. But in all this Work, the Vanijls in the Houfs, and Cromwell in the Army, joined together, out-witted and over-reacht the reft-, and carried on the Intereft of the Sedaries in fpscial, while they drew the Religious Party along as for the Intereft of Godltnefi in the general.

The

The two Defigns oi Cromwell to makehimfelfgrcat, were,

1. To Cry up Liberty of Confcience, and be very tender of Men differing in Judgment, by which he drew all the Separacifts and Anabaptiftsto him,with many Ibberer Men.

2. To fet thele felf-efteeming Men on work to arrogafe the Glory of all Suc-cefles to themfelves, and cry up their own Adions, and depr^fs the Honour of the Earl of Mar.cbefier, and all others; though Men of as much Godlinels at lead 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 ViAorious Party. The truth iSj they did much, and thty boafted of more than they did.

And theie things made the new modelling of the Army to be refolved on. But all th.; Queltion was how to efFed it, without ftirring up the Forces againff them which they intended to disband: And ail this was notably difpatcht at once,by On6 Vote, which was called the Self-denying Vote, viz. That becaufe Commands in the Army had much pay, and Parliament Men jhould keep to the Service of the Houle , theiefoie no Parliament Men ftould be Members of the Army. This plealed the Soldiers, who looked to have the more pay to themfelves; and at once it put out the two Generals, the Earl of Ejfcx and the Earl of Manchefier, and alfo Sir William Waller a godly valiant Major General of another Army ; and alio many Colonels in the Army, and in other parts of the Land, and the Gover-nour oS.Co'vmtry, and of many other Garrifons: and to avoid all Sufpicion Cromwell was pat out himfelf.

When this was done, the next QuefHon was. Who Ihould be Lord General, and what new Officers ihould 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 Lord Ferdmanclo Fairfax, who had been in the Wars beyond Sea, and had fought valiantly in T^rkjhire for the Parliament, though he was over.powered by the Earl of Newcafile's Numbers. This Man was cholen becaufe they (uppofed to find him a Man of no quicknefs of Parts, of no Elocution, of no fuipicious plotting Wit, and therefore One that Crowwf//could make ufe of at his pleafare. And he was acceptable to Ibber Men, becaufe he was Religious, Faithful, Valiant, and of a grave, fober, 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 muff not be without him: fo valiant a Man muft not be laid by: The Self-denying Vote muff be thus far only difpenfed with : Cromwell only, and no other Member of either Houfe, muft be excepted, and (a 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 reff. But all the Scotch-men (except only Adjutant G-^) are put out of the whole Army, or deferred it.

§ 70. And here I muft digrefsto 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, .•>nd 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 Forth,a.nothzt old Scottish General; To that they had three great Field Armies , befides the Lord Goring's in the Weff, and all the County Parties, the Parliament were glad to defirs Afliftance from the Scots ; (whofe Army was paid off and disbanded before the Eng-lifij Wars). The Scots confented ; but they offered a Covenant to be taken by both Nations, for a refolved Reformation, againft Popery, Prelacy , Schifn, and Pro-phanenefs, (the Papifts, the Prelatifts, the SeAaries, and the Prophane, being the four Parties which they were againft.)

This Covenant was propofed by the Parliament to the Confideration of the Synod at Weflminfier: The Synod ftumbled at fome things in it, and efpecially at the word [Prf/dfc/.] Dr. JB«r^ej the Prolocutor, Mr. Gataker, and abundance more declared their Judgments to be for Epifcopacy, even f jr the ancient moderate Epifcopacy, in which one ftated Prefident with his Presbytery, governed every Church J though not forthe £w^/;j7j Diocefan frame, in which one Bilhop, without his Presbytery, did by a Lay-Chancellour's Court, govern all thi Presb> ters and Churches of a Diocefs, being many hundieds ; and that in a Secular manner by abundance of updart Secular Officers, unknown to the Primitive Church. Hereupon grew fome Debate in the Affembly j fbme being againft every Degree of Bi-fhops, ('e(p)ecially the Scottijh Divines,) and others being for a moderate Epifcopacy. Bur thefe Etigli(l) Divines would not Subfcribe the Covenant , till there were

an

an alteration (uited to their Judgments: and fo aParenchefis was yielded to, asde-fcribing that ibrt of Prelacy which they oppo(ed, -viz,. [That is, Ch'trch Govermi:ent hy Archbiilvfs, Bipops, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons , and all other Ecckftasiical Officers defending on that Hierarchy'] All which conjoyned are mentioned as the De-Icription of that Form of Church Government which they meant by Prelacy, ^ls not extending to the ancient Epifcopacy. ,

When the Covenant was agreed on, the Lords and Commons firft took it them-felves, and Mr, Thom,is Coleman preached to the Houfe of Lords, and gave it theni with this publick Explication, That by Prelacy ■we mean not all Epijcopacy^ kit only the form ■which is here dejcribed.

When the Parliament had taken it they fent it to all tlie Garrjfons, and Armies to be taken : and commended it to all the People of the Laiid. 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 raifed an Army to help the Parliainentj which came on and began to clear the North, till at 7'ork fight, the Scots Army , the Earl of A/j«ck/«r's Army, and the Lord Fairfax i Imall Army, joyned Battel againft Prince Rupert's Army, and General King's Army, and the Earl of Newsfile's Army, where they routed them, and it was thought about yooo were flain upon the place, befides all that died after of their wounds.

After this the Scots Army lay ftill in the North a long time, and did nothing, till thereby they became odious as a burden to the Land ; The Scots £!iid, that it was caufed by the Policy of the Sedaries, that kept them without pay, and without orders to March. Their Adverfaries ('the l^ant^s and the Cromwelltavs) (aid it was their own fault, who would not March. At laft they were Commanded to be-fiege Hereford City, where they lay a long time, till the Earl of Montrof, having 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 Country.

Some Months after they were gone, Col. John Birch and Col. Morganrtook Hereford in an hour, without any confiderable bloodihed. The Waters about the Walls being hard frozen, the Governour lent Warrants to the Conftables of the Country neer adjoyning to bring in Labourers to break the Ice j Col. Btrch got thele Warrants, and cauleth one of his Officers in the Habit of a Conftable, and many Soldiers 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 liirprized the Town.

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

§ 71. The Englijl] Army being thus new modell'd, was really in the hand of Oliver Cromtvell, though leemingly under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax ( who was Ihortly after Lord Fairfax, his Father dying.^ Cromwell's old Regiment which had made it lelf famous for Religion and Valour, being fourteen Troops was divided ; fix Troops were made the Lord Fairfax's Regiment; and fix Troops WQTS Col. IFhalley's Regiment; and the other two were in Col. Rich's and Sir Ko-^£rfPye's Regiments. The Confidents of Cro»«M/e/^ were elpecially Col. Ireton, and Major D«/Wo/<gA (his Brother-in law) and Mi'pr James Berry , and Major//am-fon, and Col. Fleetwood, and (as his Kinlinan) Col. IVhalley, and divers others.

But now begins the Change of the old Caufe. A Ihrewd Book came out not long before, called Plain EngltfJ), pieparatory hereto: And when the Lord Fairfax Ihould have marched with his Army, he would not (as common Fame laith) take his Com mi (Hon, becaufe it ran as all others before, \_for Defence of the King's Per-fon~\ : for it was intimated that this was but Hypocrifie , to profefs to defend the King when they marchtto fight againft him ; and that .Bullets could not diftingui/h between his Perfonand another Mans; and therefore this Claufe mult be left out, that they might be no Hypocrites. And fo had aCommiffion without that Claufe \_for 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^^.i^^y Scorn of the Nobility, and the Lord Lieutenants and the Officers which had been put out, by the Sdfdenying Vote: But their Adions quickly vindicated them from Contempt. They firft attempted no lefs than the Siege of Oxford: but in the ntean time the King takes the field with a very numerous well-recruited Army,

H and

^o The LIFE of the Li B. I.

and marcheth into Northampton^ure into the Parliaments Quarters, and thence ftrait to Leicefter, a Town poorly fortified, but lb advantagioudy fituated for his ule, 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 NorthamptonPnre towards the King. The King having the greater number, and the Parliaments Army being of a new contemned Model, he marcheth back to meet them, and in a Field near Najeby, a Village in Northamptonpire, they met. Cromwell had hafled a few days before into theaflbciated Counties (which were their Treafury tor Men and Money^ and brought with him about po or 600 Men, and came in to the Army juft as they were drawn up, and going on to give Battel. His fudden and leafona-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 ihort hot Fight, the King's Army was totally routed and put to flight, and about foco Prifoners taken, with all his Ordinance and Carriage, and abundance of his own Letters to the Queen and others in his Cabinet: ( which the Parliament printed, as thinking fuch things were there contained as greatly difadvantaged the Reputation of his Word and Caufe). Major General Sktppon fighting valiantly was here dangeroully wounded, but afterwards recovered. The King's Army was utterly loit by the taking of Leicefier : for by this means it was gone fo far from his own Gjniibns, that his Flying Hor(e could have no place of Retreat, but were utterly fcatcered and brought to nothing. The King himfelf fled to Ltcbfield, Cand it is reported that he would have gone to Shrewsbury , his Council having never liiffered him to know that it was taken till now ); and fo he went to Rayland Ca-iWe, in Monmouthjhtre, which was a (hong Hold, and the Houle of the Marquels of Worceficr a Papilt : ( where his Di/pute with the Marquefs was faid to be; which Dr. Bailj publifhed, and then turned Papid ; and which Mr. Chri(lopher Cartright continued, defending the King). Fairfax's Army put (iied to Leicefier , where the wounded Men, and Ibme others, flayed with the Garrifon : in a day or two's time the Town was re-taken.

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

§ 7;. Nafeby being not far from Coventry where I was, and the noile of the Victory 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 ieenof 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-ceftcr to feek my Acquaintance. When I found them, 1 ftayed with them a Night, and I nndci ftood the ftate of the Army much better than ever I had done before. We that lived quietly in CcwBfr^ did keep to our old Principles, and thought all others had donefo too," except a very few inconfiderable Perlbns: 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; and that no Changes might be made in Religion, but by the Laws which had his free conlent: We took the true happinefs of King and People, Church and State, to be our end, and fo we underftood the Covenant, engaging both againft Papilts and Schifma-ticks: And when the Court News-book told the World of the Swarms of Ana-baptids in our Armies, we thought it had been a meer lye , becaufe it was not lb widi 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 a new face of things which I never dreamt of: 1 heard the plotting Heads very hot upon that which intimated their Intention to lubvert both Church and State. Independency and Anabap-tiflry were moft prevalent: Antinomianifm and Arminianifm were equally diftri-butcd ; an6 Thomas fl</oors Followers fa Weaver of ^«/';fc;& and Lyn, of excellent Parts) had made fome fliifts to joyn thele two Excreams together.

Abundance of the common Troopers, and many of the Officers, I found to be honeft, fober, Orthodox Men, and others tradable ready to hear the Truth, and of upright Intentions : But a few proud, felf-conceited , hot-headed Seftaries had got into the highelt places, and were Cromwell's chief Favourites, and by their very heat and aftivity bore down the reft, 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 j their ftrength being in the Generals

P A R. T L Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. $i

nerals and Whalkys and Rich'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 mafter him, or to ruine 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 j and that they thought it folly to irritate him either by Wars or ContradiAions in Parliament, if fo be they muft needs take him for their King, and truft him with their Lives when they had thusdifpleafed him. They faid, What were the Lords of £«?. landhnt William the Conqueroufs Colonels? or theI3arons but his Majors ? or the Knights but his Captains? They plainly /hewed me, that they thought God's Providence would cait the Truft of Religion and the Kingdom upon them as Con-querours ; They ni.ide nothing of all the moft wife and godly in the Armies and Gariifons, that were not of their way. Terfasauttiefas, by Law or without it they were refolved to take down, not only Bifliops, 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 i They moft honou:ed the Separatifts, Anabaptifts, and Antinomiansi but Cromwell and his Council cook nn them to joyn themfelves to no Party, but to be for the Liberty of all. Two forts I perceived they did (b commonly and bitterly fpeak a-gainft, that it was done in meer defign to make them odious to the Soldiers, and to all the Land; and that was

1. The 5o:/, and with them all Presbyterians but efpecially the Minifters; whom they call Prt./s and Frieftbytersy and Drivines, and the Diffemby-men, and fuch like.

2. The Committees of theleveral Counties, and all the Soldiers that were under 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 Sedaries themfelves. This (truck me to the very Heart, and made me Fear that England was loft by thofe that it had taken for its Chiefelt Friends.

§ 74. Upon this I began to blame both other Minifters and my felf. I (aw that it was the Minifters that had loft all, by forfaking the Army, and betaking themfelves to an eafier and quieter way of Life. When the Earl of Effex went out firft, each Regiment had an able Preacher, but at Edg-bill Fight almoft all of them went home, and as the Sedaries increafed, they were the more averfe to go into the Army : Its true, that I believe now they had little Invitation, and its true that they mult 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 felf-denying way, had been like to have preferved moft of the Army, and to have defeated the Contrivances of the Sedaries, and to havefaved the King, the Parliament and the Land. And if it had brought Reproach upon them from the Malicious, ('who called them Military Levites) the Good which they had done would have wiped off that blot, much better than the contrary courfe would do.

And I reprehended my felf alfb, who had before rejeded 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 fubfcribed an Invitation to me to be their Paftor, and fent it me to Co-ventry: I fent them a Denial, reproving their Attempt, and told them wherein my Judgment was againft the Lawfulnefs and Convenience of their way, and fb I heard no more from them : And afterward meeting Cromwell at Leicefier he expoftulated with me for denying them. Thele very men that then invited me to be their Paftor, were the Men that afterwards headed much of the Army, and fbme of them were the tbrwardeft in all our Changes; which made me wilh that I had gone among them, however it had been interpreted j for then all the Fire was in one Spark.

§ 7j. When I had informed my felf to my forrow of the ftate of the Army, Capt Evanfon (one of my Orthodox Informers^ defired me yet to come to their Regiment, telling me that it was the moif religious, moft valiant, moft fuccesful of all the Army, but in as much danger as any one whatlbever. I was loth to leave my Studies, and Friends, and Quietnefs at Coventry, to go into an Army (o contrary to my Judgment : but I thoi.ght the Publick Good commanded me, and fo I gave him Ibme Encouragement: whereupon he told his Colonel (JVhalky) who

H 2 alfo

alfo 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 elie come to him;

As (bon as I came home to Coventry, I call'd together an AiTembly of Minifters, Dr. Bryan, Dr. Grevp, and many others, ( there being many, as I before noted, fled thither from the Parts thereabouts). I told them the fad News of the Corruption of the Army, and that I thought all we had valued was like to be endangered by them; feeing this Army having firfl: conquered at York, (where Cromwell was under Manchefier) and now at Nafchy, and having left the King no vidble Army but Gorings, the Fate of the whole Kingdom was like to follow die 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 Parliament 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 againft Popery and ProphaneneC ? 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 expe(a their Fury ftould 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 venture my Life among them, and perhaps fome other Minifters may be drawn inland 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 (trait to the Committee, and told them that I had an Invitation to the Army, and defired their Confent to go. They confulted a while, and then left it wholly to the Governour, faying, That if he confented they Ihould not hinder me. It fell out that Col. Barker the Governour was juft then to beturnedout, as a Member of Parliament, by the Self-denying Vote. And one of his Captains was to be Colonel and Governour in his place, (Col. Wtlloughby). Hereupon Col. Barker was content in his dif-content that I Ihould go out with him, that he might be mift the more j and h gave me his confent.

Hereupon I fent word to Col. Whalleythax. to morrow God willing I would come to him. As foon as this was done the elefted Governour was much difplealed, an4 the Soldiers were fo much offended with the Committee for confenting to my going, that the Committee all met again in the Night, and fent for me, and told mc 1 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 fatisfiethem, and therefore I muft ftay : I told them that I had not proniiled if they had not confented, though being no Soldier or Chaplain to the Garrifon, 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 Confent. 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 tliat I was refolved to do my beft againft it. I knew not, till afterward , that Col. William Pitrefoy a Parliament Man, one of the chief of them , was a Confident of Cromivells : and as loon as I had fpoken what I did of the Army, Magilterially he anltverethme, [Let me hear no more of that: If No/. Crowji-f//fhould hear any Soldiersfpeak but fuch a word, he would cleave his crown: You do them wrong; it is not fo.] I told him, what he would not hear, he fhould 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 fomsdifpleafure. But the Soldiers threatned to ftopthe 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 Refblutions, 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 my defign was thereby fruftra-ted. And liis Secretary gave out that there was a Reformer come to the Army to undeceive them, and to lave 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

P A R T I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. $3

was come to Cromwell before me, ( I believe by Col. Purefyi means ) : But Col. Wballey welcomed me, and was the worfe thought on for it by the reft of the Cabal.

$ 77. Here I fet my felf from day to day to find out the Corruptions of the Soldiers; and to difcourle anddifpute them out of their miflakes, 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 i had than theirs.

I found that many honefl: Men of weak judgments and little acquaintance with fuch Matters, had been feduced into a difputing vein,and made it too much of tlieir Religion to talk for this Opinion and for that; foraetimes for State Democracy , and Ibmetime for Church Democracy; Ibmetimes againft Forms cf Prayer, and fcmetimes againft Infant Baptifm , ('which yet Ibme of them did maintain); Ibme-times againft Set-times of Prayer, and againil the tying of our felves to any Duty before the Spirit move us; and lometimes about Free-grace and Free-will, and all the Points of Antinomianifm and Arrainianifm. So that I was almoft always, when I had opportunity, dilputing with one or other of them; fometimes for our Civil Government, and fometimes for Church Order and Governmenc; fometimes for Infant Baptifm,and oft againft Antinomianilm and the contrary Extream. But their moft frequent and vehement Di(putes were for jLiberty of ConfJence, as they called it ; that is, that the Civil Magiftrate had nothing to do to determine of any thing in Matters of Religion, by conftraint or reftraint, but every Man might not only hold, but fnacb and do in Matters of Pwcligion what he pleafed : That the Civil Magiltrate hath nothing to do but with Civil Things, to keep the Peace, and protea 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 lightly touched with their miftakes; and almoft 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, (elf conceited men among them kindled the reft, and made all the noife and buftle, and carried about the Army as they pleafed. For the greatett 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 Garrifbns under the King, and had been Soldiers in his Army : And thele would do any thing to pleafe their Officers, and were ready Inftruments for the Seducers, efpecially in their great Work, which was to cry down the Covenant, to vilifie all Parilh Minifters, but efpecially the Scots and Presbyterians: For the moft of the Soldiers that I Ijjoke with never took the Covenant, becaufe it tied them to defend the King s 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 (elf with thofe Men, and would be oft dilputing 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 diicourfe of any thing about the Heart or Heaven: but were fierce with Pride and Self-conceitednels, and had gotten a very great conqueft over their Charity, both to the Epi(copal and Presbyterians. ( Whereas many of thofe honeft Soldiers which were tainted but with (bme doubts about Liberty of Confcience or Independency, were men that: would Difcourfe of the Points of Sandification and Chriftian Experience very fa-vourily.)

But we fo far prevailed in opening the folly of thefe Revilers and Self-conceited men, as that fome of them bscame the laughing-ftock of the Soldiers before I left them ; and when they preached (for great Preachers they were) their weaknefs ex-poled them to contempt. A great part of the mifchief they did among the Soldiers was by Pamphlets, which tliey abundandy di(per(ed; fuch as R.Overtons, Martin Aiar-Pneft, and more of his; and fome of J. Lilhrn's, who was one of them; and divers againft the King, and againft the Miniftry , and for Liberty of Confcience, &c. And Soldiers being ulually difperft in their Quarters, they had fuch Books to read wiien they had none to contradict them.

But there was yet a more dangerous Party than all thefe among them, (only in Major Bethel's Twop of our Regiment) who took the dire<ftjefuitical way : They firlt moft vehemently declaimed againft thcDodrineof EleAion, and for the power of Fres-vvill, and all other Points which ars controverted between the Jefuits and

Domi'

Dominicans, the Arminians and Calvinifls. Then they as fiercely cried down our crelent Tranflation of the Scriptures, and debated their Authority , though they did not deny thtni to be Divine : And they cried down all our Minillry, Epifco-pal, Prcsbyteiian and Independent; and all our Churches : And they vilified al-moft all our ordinary Worlhip; efpecially finging of Pfalms, and conitant Family Worlhip : They allowed of no Argument from Scripture but what wjs brought in its exprefs words : I hey were vehement againft both the King, and all Government but Popular; and againft Magiilrates medling in Matters of Religion : And all their difpuring was with as much fiercenefi, as if they had been ready to draw their Swords upon thole againft whom they difputed. They trulledmore to Policy, Scorn and Power, than to Argument: They would bitterly fcorn me a-mong their Hearers, to prejudice them before they entred into diipuce. They a-voidcd me as much as poffible ; but when we did come to it, they drowned all Realon in fiercenefs, and vehemency, and multitude of words. They greatly firove for Places of Command, and when any Place was due by order to another that was not of their mind, they would be fure to work him out; and be ready to mutiny if they had not their will. I thought they were principled by the Jefuits, and acied all for their Incereft, and in their way; but the (ccret Spring was out of fight. Thefe were the fame Men that afterward were called Levellers, and rofe up againft Crormvell, and were furprized at Burford ( having deceived and drawn to them many more): And Thomp/on the General 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 Imployment in the Army. § 78. As loon as I came to the Army they marched fpeedily down into the Weft, becauie the King had no Army left but the Lord Goring's there,and they would not fiiffer the Fugitives of Nafeby-fight to come thither to Itrengthen them : They came quickly down to Somerton when Goring was at Latjgport; which lying upon the River, 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 crofling the Lane with a narrow Bridge. Goring planted two or three fmall Pieces at the Head of the Lane to keep the Paffage, and there placed his beft Horfe ; ib 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, Fairfax's greater Ordinance affrighting ( more than hurting ) Goring's men, and (bme Mufquetiers being lent to drive theirs from under the Hedges, at laft Cromwell bid Whallcj fend thvee oi his Troops to Charge the Enemy, and he lent three of the General's Regiment to fecond them, fall being of Cromwell's old Regiment j. Whal-ley lent Major Bethel, Capt. E-vanfon, and Capt. Groi/e to Charge ; Major Desborougb with another Troop or two came after; they could go but one or two abreaft o-ver the Bridge. By that time Bethel and Evanfm v/ith their Troops were got up to the top of the Lane, they met with a feled Party of Goring's beft Horle, and charged them at Sword's point whilft you would count three or four hundred, and then put them to Retreat. In theflight they purlued them too far to the main Body ; for the Dull was lb extream great ( being in the very hottefl: time of Summer) that they that were in it could fcarce fee each other, but I that ilood over them upon the brow of the Hill faw all: when they faw themfelves upon the face of Goring's Army, they fled back in hafte,and by that time they came to the Lane again, Capt. Grove's Troop was ready to ftop them, and relieve them, and Deibo-rough behind him : whereupon they rallied again,and the five or fix Troops together niarcht towards allGoriwg's Arm :But before they came to the Front,I could difcern theRere begin to run.and fo beginning in the Rere they all fled before they endured any Charge.nor was there a blow fi:ruck that day,but by Bethels and E-vanJonsTroop (on that fide), and a fevv Mulquetiers in the Hedges. Goring's Army fled to RrUg-watcr ; and very few of them were either kill'd or taken in the fight or the purliiir. 1 happened to be next to Major Harrtfon as loon as the flight began, and heard him with a loud Voice break fortn into the Prailes of God with fluent Expreffions, as if he had been in a Rapture.

Upon this Gormg fled fjrthcr Weftward (to Exeter ) with his Army : But Fairfax (byed to befiege Bridgwater : and after two days it was taken by llorm , in which Col. Hammond's Service was much magnified. Mr. Peters being come to the Aimy from London but a day before, went prefcntly back with the Mews of

Goring's

Gortng'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, becaula he was noSeiftary ; and Bethel only had all the Glory and Applaufe by Cromu^ellznd that Party.

From Bridgwater they went back towards Brifiol, where Prince Rupert was,taking Nunny Cattle and Bath in the way : At Brifiol they continued the Siege about a iTionth. After the firft three days 1 fell fick of a Fever ( the Plague being round about my Qiiarters) : As loon as I felt my Difeale, I rode fix or leven miles back into the Country, and the next morning C with much ado j to Bath: where Dr,^ Venver was my careful Phyficianj and when I was near to death (far from all my *Ac(|ifaTntance) it plcafedGod to reftore me, and on the fourteenth day , tiie Fever ended in a Crifis of Sweat and Urine : But it left me fb macerated and weak, that it was long eVe I recovered that litde ftrength I had before. I came back to Brifiol Siege three or four days before the City was taken : The Foot which was to iflorm the Works, would not go on unlefs the Horfe went with them, fwbo had no Service to do ): So Whallefs Regiment was fain to go on to encourage the Foot, and to ftand to be (hot at before the Ordinance (but in the Night^ while the Foot did ftorm the Forts: where Major BetbelQuho in the lalt Fight had but his Thumb fhot) had a ihot in his Thigh of which he died, and was much lamented. The Outworks being taken. Prince Rufert 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 Cattle fthe Earl of Brifiol's Houle ) ; which after a Fortnights Siege, they took by ftorm, and that on a Tide which one would think could never have been that way taken. While they were there , the Country-men, called Clubmen^ role near Shaftsbury, and got upon the top of a Hill: A Party was fent out againft them , who marcht up the Hill upon them , and routed them, though fome of the valientett Men were fl^in in the Front.

When Sherborn Cattle was taken, part of the Army went back and took in a fmall Garrilbn by Salubury, called Langford-Houfe, and lb marcht to WincheHer Ca-ftle, and took that by Compofition alter a Weeks fiege, or little more.From thence Cromwell went with a good Party to Befiege Bafing-Houfe (the Marquels of Wtn-chefiers ) which had fruftrated great Sieges heretofore : Here Col. Hammond was taken Prilbner into the Houle, and afterward the Houle was taken by ftorm, and he faved the Marquefs and others ; and much Riches were taken by the Soldiers.

In the mean time the reft of the Army marched down again towards the Lord Gorivg, and Crom-well came after them.

§ 79. When we followed the Lord Goring weftward, we found that above all other Armies of the King, his Soldiers were mott hated by the People, for their incredible Prophanenels and their unmerciful Plundering ( many of them being Forreigners). A fober Gentleman that I quarter d with at South-Pederton in Somer-fetjJnre 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 odious.

The Army marched down by Hunnington to Exeter ; where I continued near three Weeks among them at the Siege, and then IVhalle/s Regiment with the Ge-aeral'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 Ga-ring into Cor«if<j//,there forced him to yield to lay down Arms,his Men going away beyond Sea or ellewhere without their Arms: And at laft Fendennis Caftle, and all the Garrifons there were taken.

In the mean time Whalley 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 Buckitighamjljtre: and then was lent to lay fiege to Banbury Caftle, where Sir Willtam Compton was Governour, who had wearied out one long fiege before: There I was with them above two Months till the Cattle was taken ; and then he was fent to lay fiege to Worcefier, with the help of the Northampton, and Warwick, and Newport-?anml Soldiers, who had affifted him at Banbury. At Worcefier he lay in fiege eleven Weeks : and at the fame time the Army being come up from the Weft, lay in fiege at Oxford.

By this time Col. Whalley, though Cronwell's Kinfman and Commander of the Trufied Kegimeot, grew odious among the Sectarian Commanders at the Headquarters for my lake ; and he was called a Fresbjurian , though neither he nor I

w«re

were of that Judgment in leveral Points. And Major Sallovjey not omitting to u (c his induihy in the matter to that end) when he had brought the City to a necel-fity ofprefent yielding, two days or three before it yielded. Col. Ramsboruug was fent from O.r/i; <^ ( which was yielded ) with lome Regiments of Foot, to Command in Chief J partly that he might have the lionour of taking the City , and partly that he might be Governour there ( and not J4'halley ) when the City was Surrendred: And lb when it was yielded, Rainsborough was Governour to head and gratifie the Sectaries, and fettle the City and Country in their way : But the Committee of the County were lor Whdky, and lived in didafte with Rainsborough, and the Sedlaries profpered there no further than Worcefier City it lelf, ( a Place which delerved fuch a Judgment ) j but all the Country was free from their In-fedion.

§ 80. All this while, as I had friendly Converle with the Ibber part, fb I was ftill employed with the reft as before, in Preaching, Conference, and Dilputing againlt their Confounding Errours: And in all Places where we went, the Seda-rian Soldiers much infeded the Countreys, by their Pamphlets and Converfe, and the People admiring the conquering Army, were ready to receive vvhatfoever they commended to them : And it was the way of the Fadion to fpeak 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. Wlien we quarter'd at Agmonde^)am inBuckinghamJl]ire,ibmQ StAaries oichijliam had let 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 Sedarian Ledurcr, one Bramble, whom they had got in ( while Dr. Crook the Paftor, and Mr. Rtchardfon his Curate , durft not contradid them). When this publick Talking day came. Bethel's Troopers ( then Capt. Fitchford's ) with other Sedarian Soldiers muft be there, to confirm the C/;^_//ww Men, and make Men believe that the Army was for them : And I thought it my Duty to be there alfb, and took divers fober Officers with me, to let them lee that more of the Army were againft them than for them. I took the Reading Pew, and Pttchfords 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 Chejliam Men begin, and afterward Fitchford's Soldiers fet 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 whit boafting words they lifted when I was gone, and made the People believe that they had baffled me, or got the beft j therefore I ftayed it out till they firft role and went away : The abundance of Nonlenle which they uttered that day , may partly be leen 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 Agmondejliam gave me abundance of thanks for that Days work, which they laid would never be there forgotten: And I heard that the Sedarics were fo difcouraged that they never met there any more. I am lure I had much thanks from Dr. Crook and Mr. Richardjun, who being obnoxious to their dilpleafure, for being for the King, durft not open their mouths themfelvci. And after the Conference I talkt with the Ledurer Mr. Bratvble ( or BrcmUy) and found him little wifer than the reft.

§81. The great Impediments of the Succels of my Endeavours I found were only two : i. The dilcountenance of Cromwell, and the chief Officers of his Mind, which kept me a ftranger from their Meetings and Councils. 2. My incapacity of Speaking to many, bccaufe Soldiers Qiiarters are Icattered far irom 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 1 did beyond IVhallefi Regiment, was ( by the help of Capt. Lawrence) with fome of the General's Regiment, and Ibmetimes 1 had Converle with Major Harrifon and fome others : But I found that if the Army had but had Minilters enough, that would have done but lach a little as I did, all their Pint might have been broken, and King, Parliament, and Religion might have been prelerved: Therefore I lent abroad to getlbme more Minifters among them, but 1 could get none. Saltmar^y and Dell were the two great Preachers at the I lead Quarters; only honeft and jadicious Mr. E^i'ji'W/JuWo kept ftill with the General. At laft I {7ot Mr. Cook of Ro^ball to come to aftill^ me j and the Ibberer part of the Oflicers and Soldiers of/^r(&i?//f7's Regiment were willing to pay him out of their ov/n pay: And 2 Month gr two he ftaycvl and affiftej me i but was quickly weary, and left

them

them again : He was a very worthy, humble, laborious Man, unwearid in preaching, 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 ca.v.e not neurCromwell, his Defigns were vifible and I law him continually ading liis part. The Lord General fuftered )iim to govern and do all, and to choolealmoit all the Officers of the Army. He firft made /rerow CommilTary General ; ai.d when any Troop or Company was to be diljjofed of, or any conlij^rable Officei's place was void, he w^isfure to put a Sedary in the place ; and when the brunt ot the War was over, he lookt not lb much at their Valour as their Opinions: So that by degrees he had headed the greateft part of the Army with Anahaptifs, yintinomians, Seekers, or Separatij'rs at bed : and all thels he tied together by the point of Liberty of Confcience, which was the Common Inter eft in which they did unite. Yet all the fober Party were carried on by his Profedion that he only promoted the Univerfal Intereft of the Godly, without a-ny dilHndtion or partiality at all: But IHU when a place fell void, it was Twenty to one a Sedary had it, and if a Godly Man of any other Mind or temper had a mind to leave the Army, he would fecredy or openly further it. Yet did he not openly profels what Opinion he was of himlelf: But the moft that he laid for any vfasiov Jnabaptijm and AntinoTnianifm, which he ufually feemed to own. And Harrifon ( who was then great with him ) was for the lame Opinions. He would not Difpute ( with me ) at all, but he would in good Difcourle very fluently pour out himlelf, in the Extolling of Freegrace, which was lavoury to thofe that had right Principles, though he had f.ime mifunderftandings of Freegrace himlelf. He was a Man of excellent Natural Parts for AfTedion and Oratory ; but not well (een 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 Years that I was in the Army, even my old bolbm Friend, that had lived in my Houfe, and been deareft to me, James Berry, (then Captain, and after Colonel and Major General, and Lord of the Upper Houle ) who had formerly invited me to CromwelTs old Troop, did never once invite me to the Army 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 felves and our Opinions with us, againft all other Bonds whatever: He that forfaketh himlelf in forfaking his own Opinions, may well beexpeded to forlake his Friend, who adhereth to the way which he forfaketh: and that Change which maketh him think he was himfelf an ignorant, niifguided Man before, muft needs make him think his Friend to be ftill ignorant and mifguided, and value him accordingly. He was a Man, I verily think, of great Sincerity before the Wars, and of very good Natural Parts, efpecially Mathematical and Mechanical; and affedi-onate in Religion, and while converfant with humbling Providences, Dodrines and Company, he carried himfelf as a very great Enemy to Pride : But when Cromwell m^i^Q him his ^ixonute, and his extraordinary Valour was crowned with extraordinary Succefs, and when he had been a while moft converfant with thofe that in Religion thought the old Puritan Minilfers were dull, lelf-conceited. Men of a lower form, and that new Light had declared I know not what to be a higher attainment, his Mind, his Aim, his Talk and all was altered accordingly. And as Minilters of the old way were lower, and Sedariesmuch higher in his efteem than formerly, fo he was much higher in his own Efteem when he thought he had attained 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 Sedaries , before the Light which longer and patient Studies of Divinity Ihould have prepolTeft himv^ith, he lived after as honelHy as could be expeded 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 principal Executioner in pulling down Rtchard Cromwell; and then was one of the Governing Council of State. And all diis was promoted by the niifunderftanding of Providence,while he verily thought that God,by their Vidories,had fo called them to look after the Government of the Land , and fo entrufted them with the welfare of all his People here, that they were refponfible for it, and might not in Con-

I fcience

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 fsU: For Sir Arthur Hafelrigg taking Fort/mouth ( of which more hereafter) his Regiment of Horfe fent to block it up, went moil 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 imprifbned him, becaufe he would not promife to live peaceably j and afterwards he (being one of the four whom General Monk had the worit thoughts of) was clolely confm'd in Scarborough Cajtle: bat being relealed he became a Gardiner, and lived in a fafer (late than in all his Greatnefs.

§84. When/^"brcf/fr Siege was over, ( having with Joy (een Kiddermtn^er and my Friends there once again^, the Country being now cheared, my old Flock ex-peded that I fiiould return to them, and fettle in Peace among them.

1 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-' fters, and the negledl of Supplying their Places by others, had undone us: that ' I had laboured among them with as much Succefs as could be expeded in the ' narrow Iphereof my Capacity: but thatfignified little to all the Army I That the ' Adive 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 ' their Induflry 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 ' pull down all that itood in their way, in State and Church, both King, Parlia-' ment and Minifters, and fet up themlelves. I told them that for this little that I , ' have done I have ventured my Life, and weakened my Body ( weak before) : ' but the Day which I expeded is yet to come, and the greatejt Service wich the ^ greatefi Hazard is yet before. The Wars being now ended, I was confident they ' vvuuld fhortly Ihew their purpnles, and fet up for themlelves: And when that ' day came, for all that are true to Kwg, Varliai)7€nt, and Religion then to appear, ' if there beany hope,by contradiding them or drawing off the Soldiers from them, ' was all the Service that Vv'as yet pofltble to be done: That I was like to do no ' great matter in (uch an Attempt ; but there being (b many in the Army of my ' mind, I knew not what might be till the Day lliould dif-over it: Though I knew ' it was the greareft hazard of my Life, my Judgment was for ftaying among them ' till theCrilis, if their Judgment did concur]. Whereupon they all voted me to go, and leave Kiddermivfter yet longer, which accordingly I did.

§ 85-. From JVorcefier 1 went to London to Sir Theodore Mayern about my health : He lent me to Tunbridge Wells, and after Ibme flay there to my benefit, I went back to London, and io to my Quarters in fVorceficrflme where the Regiment was.

My Quarters fell out to be at Sir Tho. Roms at Rous Le?ich , where I had never been befbie : The Lady Rom was a godly, grave, underftanding Woman, and entertained me not as a Soldier but a Friend. From thence I went into Leke/l-erptre, StaffordjJnre, and at laft into Derbyjhire. One advantage by this moving Life 1 had, that I liad opportunity to preach in many Countreys and Parilhes; and whatever came of it afterward, I know not ; but at the prelent they commonly leemed to be much affeded.

1 cams to our Major Swallow's Quarters at Sir John Cook's Houle at Melboum in the edge of D^r^///;/re, beyond ^//j^^ de la Zouchfxa a cold and fnowy Seafon; and the cold, together with other things coincident, let my Nole on bleeding. When I had bled about a quart or two, I opened four Veins, but it did no good, I uled divers other Remedies for leveral days to little purpofe ; at laft I gave my lelf a Purge, which (lopt it. This io much weakened me and altered my Complexion, that my Acquaintance who came to vifit me Icarce knew me. Coming after lb long weaknefs, and frequent lols of Blood before, it made the Phyficians conclude mc deplorate after it was flopped j fuppofing I would never elcape a Dropfy.

And thus God unavoidably prevented all the EfFe<5t of my purpoles in my laft and chiefeft Oppoficionof the Army j and took me off the very time when my Attempt fhould have begun : My purpole was to have done my bed firft to take off that Regiment which I was with, and then with Capt. Lawrence to have tried upon the Generals ( in which two was Cromwell's chief Confidents) and then have jo)'ned with others of the lame, mind ( for the other Regiments were much lels

cor-

Corrupted). But the Determination of God againft it was molt oblervable : For the very time that I was bleeding the Council of War (ate at Nottingham, where (as I iuve credibly heard ^ they firlt began to open their Purpoles and ad their Part : and prefently after they entered into their Engagement at 7'riploe-Heat/j. And ss I perceived it was the Will of God to permit them to go on , lb I afterward found that this great Affliftion was a Mercy to my felf; for they were lb Itrong and a-clive, that I had been likely to have had fmall Succels in the Attempt, but rohave loft my Life among them in their Fury. And thus I was finally lepsrated fiom 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) 1 went to iMr. Nowell's houle at Kirby-Mallory in Leicefierjlure, where with great Kindnefs I was entertained three Weeks: By that time the Tidings of my Weaknels came to the Lady Rous in IVor-cefierpire, who lent her Servant to leek me out; and when he leturned , and told her 1 was far ofr,and he could not find me,flie lent him again to find me,and bring me thither if I were able to travel : And in great weaknefs, thither I made Ihift to get, where I was entertained with the greateft Care and Tendernels, while I continued the ufeof means for my Recovery : and when I had been there a quarter of a. Year, I returned to Ktdderminfier.

§ 87. When I was gone from the Army, the Parliament was nioft Iblicitoushow to keep them from Tumults and Dilbbedience : But Sir Henry Vane with his Party lecretly confiderated with them, to weaken all others, and to ftrengthen the Seda-ries: Whereupon they procured the Houfe to Disband both Major General Maj-fey's Brigade, and all other Field Soldiers, and the honeft County Forces and Gar-rifons of mofl Places, which among them had Ibber Men enow to have refift-ed them. This was the fuccefsfulleft A<51 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 Seftaries, when the Sober Party were Disbanded, but alfo to force the Parliament to their mind, and moddel it fo as that they fhould do their work : ( which I had foretold Ibme Parliament Men of long before ): One of the Principal Engines in this Contrivance was, to provoke the Parliament to pals (iich Votes as the Army would be moil difplealed with, and then to ftir up the Army to the deepeft Re-lentment of it. Accordingly the Parliament voted that part of the Army Ihould go to Ireland, and part be disbanded, and part continued. The Leaders in the Army incenled the Soldiers, by perfwading them that this was to deprive them of their Pay, and to divide them, and when they had them at home again to ruine them as Seftaries, and this was the Reward of all their Services. Whereupon at Triploe-Heath they entered into an Engagemejit to ftick together, e^c. and were drawing up a Declaration of their Grievances; ( the aggravating of fuppofed Injuries being the way to raife Mutinies,and make ufe of Fadionsfor Seditious Ends) Quarter-Mafter General F/«<:/&£racquainteth Sir W^///^w PValler with their Defign, ( who with others was fent to the Army ) and Col. Edward Harley (a Member of the Parliament and of the Army) acquainteth the Houle with it. Cromwell being in the Houle doth with vehemency deny ic; and faid it was a Slander, railed to difcompofe the Army by difcontcnting them, and undertook that they Ihouid all la / down their Arms at the Parliaments Feet, and for his own part, protefting his Submiflion and Obedience to them. And this he did when he was Confederate with them, and knew of the Paper which they were drawing pp , and confeft it after when the Copy of it was produced, and prelently went among them , and headed them in their Rebellion. In Ihort, he and his Cabal fo heightn«d the Dil^ 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 Fmcher, and Major Alfop, and Major Huntington, 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 ftrejjgth : For now all that were againft them being gone, they lilled up their Places with Men of their own Mind, and lo were ever after the more unanimous.

§ 88. Upon this Cromwell and his Obedient Lambs fas he called them) advanced in the Profecution of their Defign, and drew nearer London, and drew up an Impeachment againft Eleven Members of the Parliament, fojfooth accufing them of Treafon j wz,. Sir P/{i;7<p Stapleton, Sir William Lewu , Col. Hollis, Sir John May-nard^ Mr. Glyn, Sic. and among'the reft Col Edward Harley (afober and truly

I z religious

— »_- . — : —^ '-^ — »

60 The L I F E of the L i B. 1.

religious Man, the worthy Son of a moft pious Father, Sir Raben Hurley'). And when thereby they had forced the Houfe to feclude them as under 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-ceffes in impotent Minds, net able to conquer fo great a Teaiptation as their Con-quefts. When they had call out thele Members, they thought that the Houfe would have done as they would have had them, and been awed into Obedience, but flill they continued to crols them, and came not up to the Conformity expe-A-d. A while after the City (eemedto take Courage, and would defend the Parliament againft the Army, and under Major General MaJJeji and Major General Pomtz. they would put themfeves into a Military pofture : But the Army made hafte, and were 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 Holla^ and others of the acculed Members fled into Fm«cc, of whom Sir Thiltp StapUton died of the Plague near Cahce; and now the Army promiled themlelves an oba-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 left, and knowing that the Scots had more Loyalty and Stability in their Principles than the Seftaries, 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 whac to do with the King. To fend him back to the Etiglijh Parliament feemed unfaith-fulnefs, when he had caft himfelf upon them: To keep him they knew would divide the Kingdoms, and draw a War upon themfelves from England \ whom now they knew themlelves unable to refnf. They kept him awhile among them with honourable Entertainment, till the Parliament fent for him ; and they (aw that the Sedaries and the Army were glad of it, as an occafion to make them odious, and to invade their Land. And io the terrour of the Conquering Army made them deliver him to the Parliaments Cominiffionersupon two Conditions: i.That they fhould promife to preferve his Perfon in Safety and Honour, according to the Duty which they owed him by their Allegiance. 2. That they ihould pre-fently pay the Scots Army one half the Pay which was due to them for their Service, ( which had been long unpaid to make them odious to the Country where they quarteredj.

Hereupon the King being delivered to the Parliament, they appointed Colonel , Packard Greaves, Major General Richard Bro-wn, with others to be his Attendants, and defired him to abide awhile at Homeby-Houfc in Northamptofifiiire. While he was here the Army was hatching their Confpiracy : And on the fudden one Cornet Joyce, with a party of Soldiers, fetcht away the King, notwichffanding the Parliaments Order for his Security : And this was done as if it had been againft Crom-ve//'s Will, and without any Order or Confent of theirs: But fo far was he from lofing his Head for fuch a Treafon, that it proved the means cf his Preferment. And 16 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 Hamf-ton Court, and there they lodged him under the Guard of Col M halley, the Army quarterring all about him. While he was here the mutable Hypocrites firfl; pretended .m extraordinary Care of the King's Honour, Liberty, Safety and Con-Icience. They blamed the Auiferity of the Parliament, who had denied him the Attendance of his own Chaplains; and of his Friends in whom he took moll plealiire : They give Liberty for his Friends and Chaplains to come to him : They pretended that they would fave him from the Incivilities of the Parliament and Presbyierianf. Whether thiswere while they tried what Terms they could make with him for themlelves, or while they aded any other part v it is ceitain that the King's old Adherents began to extol the Army, and to (peak .igainlt the Pref-byterians more dilUitfully than before. When the Parliament olfercd the King Propoficions for Concord, (which Fane's Faaion made as high and unre.ifonable as they could, that they might come to nothing) the Army toilboth offer him Propofals of their own, which the King liked better : But which of them to treat with he did not know. At la!f on the ludden the Judgment of the Army changed, and they began to cry for 7«/'« againO the King, and with vi!e HypocriHe, to publifii their Kcpcntance,and cry God Mercy for their Kindnefs to theKing,and confeL that they were under a Temptation: But in all this Cromv/ell and Iretcn, and the rcit of the Council of War appeared not: The LnUrumcnts of all this Work muff

be

be the Common Soldiers. Two of the mofl: violent Setaaries in each Regimenc arechofen by the Common Soldiers, by the Name cf Agitators, to reprele.-it the red in thele great Affairs. All thefe together made a Council, ot" which Col. James Berry Was the Prefident^ that they might be uled, ruled and dilfolved at plealure. No man that knew them will doubt whether this was done by Crcwu'c//s and keton's Dired:ion. This Council of Agitators take not only the Parliaments Work upon themlelves, but much more : They draw up a Paper called Tha Jgreement of the People, as the Model or Form of a New Commonwealth. They have their own Printer, and pablifli abundance of wild Pamphlets, as changeable as the Moon: the thing contrived was an Heretical Dcmocrac)'. 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 demolidiing Work, at laft he leenieth to be lb much for Order and Government , as to bianie them for their Dilordcr, Pre-fumption and Headinefs, as if they had done it without his Confent. This em-boldeneth the Parliament fnot to Cenfure them as Rebels, butj torcbuki 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. Whalky, to intimate that the Agitators had a defign fuddenly to liirpiize and murder the King. Some think that this was fent from a real Friend ; but moft think it was contrived by Cromwell to affright the King out of the Land, or into fome defperate Courle which might give them Advantage againft him. CoUonel ll'halky iheweth the Letter to the King, which put him into much fear of fach ill governed Hands: fo that he lecretiy got Horfesand flipt away towards the Sea with two of his Confidents only ; who coming to the Sea near Southampton, found that they were dlf-appointed of the Veflal expefted to traniport them ; and fo were f lin to pafs ever into the Ifle of Ji'ight, and there to commit his MajeRy to the Tmit of CoUonel Robert Hammond vvho was Governor of a Caltle there : A Day or two all were amazed ro think what was become of the King ; and then a Letter from the King to the Houfe acquainted them that he was fain to ily thither from the Cruelty of the Agitators, who, as he was informed thought to murder him ; and luging them to treat about the ending all thele Troubles. But here Cromwell had the King in a Pinfold, and was more (ecure of him than before,

§ 90. The Parliament and the Scots, and all that were loyill and fobcrmirided abhorred thefe traiterous Proceedings of Cromwell and the leftarian Army ; but (aw \z a Matter of great difficulty to refift them : but the Confcience of their Oath of Allegiance and Covenant, told them that they were bound to ha;;^ard tlieir Lives in the attempt.

The three Commanders forthe Parliament inPfwiYao;^/?;;Vc;raifed an Army againfl: them, '•jsz: Major General Langborn, CoUonel Fovel, and CoUonel Foyer: The Scots railed a great Army under the Command of the Duke of Hamilton ; Th.e Kentijlj Men rofe under the Command of the Lord Goring and others : and the EJ-fex Men under Sir Charles Lucas: But God's time was not come, and the Spirit of pride and Schilm mult be known to the World by its EfTedf. Duke Humihon's Army was eafily routed in Lanca^nre, and he taken, and the fcattered Parts pur-fued till they came to nothing .- Langhorn wit'a the Pew/Zroo^jJ^Ve Men was totally routed by CoUonel Horton, and all the chief Commanders being taken Prilnners, it fell to CoUonel Vcyers Lot to be lliot to Death : Tlie Kentijh Men were driven out of Kent into Fjex, being foiled at Alaidflone: And in Colchejhr they endured ,i long and grievous Siege, and yielding at la(V, "^ir Charles Lucas, and another or tv;o weie Jhot to Death, and thus all the Succors of the King were defeated,

§ 9r. Never to this time, when Cromwell had taught his Aj^itators to govern, and could not eafily unteach it them again, there aroie a ?any who adhered to the Principles of their [eigretfnmt of the People'] which fuitcd not with his De/igns : And to make them odious he denominated them Levellers^ as if they intended to level Men of all Oitalmes and Ejfates ; while lie difcounten.inced them, he dilcon-tented tiiem ; and being difcontentcd, tliey endeavoured to dilcontent the Army j and at lad appointed a Randezvouz at Burford to make Head againft him. But Cromwell ( whole Diligence and Dilpatch was a great Caule of his Succefies) had preiently his Brother Dtshcrough, and fome other Regiments ready to furprile tliem there in their Quarters, before they could get t'leir Numbers together : So that about i joo being fcattered and taken, and lome flain, the Levellers War was crulht in the Egg, and Thompjon ( one of Captain Pitcbford'i Corporals aforementioned) who became their chief Leader, was purliied near H^kUvgborough m Northamptcnjliire, and there flain while he defended himfelf,

P'92. A<

§ 92. As I have paft over many Battles, Sieges, and great Adions of the Wars^ as not belonging to my purpofe ; lb I liave paffed over Cromwell's March into Scot-land to help the Covenanters when Montrojs was too (Irong for them, and I Ihall pals over his Tranfportation into Ireland, and his fpeedy Conquefl- of the remaining Forces and Fortreffes of that Kingdom,his taking die Illes cAAdm, cfjerfcy, Gamfcy, and Scilly, and fuch other of his SuccelTes, and Ipeak only in brief of what he did to the change of the Government, and to the exalting oi himfeli and of his Confidents. And I will pais over the Londoners Petitions for the King, and their Carriage to« wards the Moufe, which looked like a force, and exafj^^rated them io, that the Speakers of both Iloufes, the Earl of Munchefier and Mr. Lcntball, did with the greater part of the prelent Members, go forth to Cromvell, and make fome kind of Confvdorjcy with the Army, and took them for their Proteftors pgainft the Citizens. Alio their votings and unvoting in thefe Calis, &c.

§ 95. The King being at the IQeof IVtgbt, the Parliament fent him Ibnie Pro-podtions to b;: conlented to in order to his Rcftor^tion : The King granted many <jf them, and lome he granted not : T\\q Scotti^h Commiflioners thought the Conditions more diflionourabletothe King,than wasconfiliantwith their (x)venantand Duty, and protelfed againft them; for which the Parliament blamed them as hinderers of the defired Peace. The chiefelf thing which the King ftuck at, was, the utter abolifhing of Epifcopacy, and alienating theirs and the Dean and Chapters Lands. Hereupon, with the Commiflioners certain Divines were fent down to fatisfis the King, I'tz,. Mr. Ste^h. Marfl>all, Mr. Rich. Vims, Dr. Lazarut Seaman, &c. who were met by many of the King's Divines, Archbifliop t7/fc«r. Dr. Hamrnnnd, Dr. Sheldon, &c. The Debates here being in Writing were publi/hed, and each Party thought they had the better, and the Parliaments Divines came off with great Honour: But for my part, I confefs thefe tvv/o things againfl thenij though Perfons whom I highly honoured :

1. That they (eem not to me to have anfwered fatisfaftorily to the main Argument fetcht from the Apoftles own Govcrnnient, with which Saravia had incli* ned me to fome Epifcopacy before ; though Miracles and Infallibility were Apo-flolical temporary Priviledgesj yet Church Goveinmcnt is an ordinary thing to be continued : And therefore as the Apoftles had SuccefTors as they were Preachers, I Ice not but that they muft have SuccefTors as Church Governors: And it feenieth 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 fhould be fatisfied what fhould be the Government now.

2. They feem not to me to have taken the Courfe which fhould have fetled thefe diftraded Churches: Inflead of difjjuting againft all Epifcopacy, they fhould have changed Diocefan Prelacy into fiich 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 thiee firft Ages. I confefs, Mr. Vmts wrote to nie as their excufe in this and other Matters of the Aftembly, that the Parliament tied them up from treating or difputing of any thing at all, but what they appointed or propofedto them : But I think plain dealing with fiich Leaders had baen beft, and to have told them thu u our Judgmtnt, 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 beexpeded.)

Archbifhop Ujiier there took the righteft courfe,\vho offered the King his Reduction of Epifcopacy to the form of Presbytery : And he told me hixnlelf, that before the King had refafed it, but at the Jfle of Wight he accepted it, and as he would not when others would, fo others would not when he would : And when our prefenc King Charles 11. came in, we tendered it for Union to him, and then he would not: And thus the true moderate healing terms are always reje(9^ed by them that fland on the higher Ground, though accepted by them that are lower and cannot have what they will: From whence it is eafy to perceive, whether Prolperity or Adverfity, the Higheft, or the Loweft, be ordinarily the greater Hinderer of the Churches Unity and Peace. I know that if the Divines and l^arliament had agreed for a moderate Epifcopacy with the King, fome Presbyterians of Scotland would have been againft it, and many Independants of England, and the Army would have made it the matter of odious Accufations and Clamouis: But all this had been of no great regard to remove forefeeing judicious Men from thofe healing Counfels which mult clofe our Wounds whenever they are clofed.

§ 94. The King fending his final Anfwefs to the Parliament, tlie P.^rliiment hada long Debate upon them, whether to acquiefce in them as a fufficient Ground for Peace j and many Members fpake for relHng in them, and among others Mr. Frin went over all the Kings Confoeffions in a Speech of divers Hours long, with marvellous Memory, and ilicwed the Satisfadorinels of them all, ( and after printed it : ^ ^o ^h^' theHoufi voted that the Kings Conceffions were a fufficienc Ground for a Perfbnal Treaty with him; and had (uddenly fent a concluding An-fwer, and fent for him up, but at fuch a Cri/is it was time for the Army to belHr them : Without any more ado Crom-well and his Confidents lend CoUonol Vride with a Party of Souldiers to the Houfe, and let a Guard upon the Door; one Part of the Houle (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 impriloned (the Ibbereft worthy Members of the Houfe) j and all to prevent them from being true to their Oaths and Covenants, and loyal to their King : Tofo much Rebellion, Perfideoul'nefi, Perjury and Impudence, can Errer, 5f//jJjwf/and Pr de of great SucqelTes, tranfport Men of the highefk Pretences to 'Religion.

§ 9j. For the true underifanding of all this, it mult be remembred, that though in the beginning of the Parliament there was (carce a noted grofs Seftary known, but the Lord Brook in the Houle of Peers, and young Sir Henry Vam in the Houla of Commons; yet by Degrees the Number of them increafed in the Lower Houfe; Major Sallowey and fome few more S\r Henry Vane had made his own Adherents: Many more were carried part of the way, to Independency, and Liberty of Religions ; and many that minded not any fide in Religion, did think that it was no Po-licie ever to trult a conquered King, and therefore were wholly for a Parliamentary Government: Of thefe fome would have Lords and Commons as a mixture of Ariltocracie and Democracie, and others would have Commons and Democracie alone ; and lome thought that they ought to judge the King for all the Blood that had been ihed. And thus when the two Parts of the Houle were ejected andi m-prifoned, this third part compoled of the Vanifis, the Independents, and other Sects, with the Democratical Party, was left by Crom-well to do his Bufinefs under the Name of the Parliament of England j but by the People in Scorn commonly called. The Rump of the Parliament. The lecluded and imprifoned Members publilhed a Writing called, their Vindication ; and fome of them would afterwards have thruif into the Houle, but the Guard of Soldiers kept them out, and the Rump were called the Honejt 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 dilaffedled to thele Proceeedings, lb were the Rump and Soldiers to the Lords: So that they pafled a Vote (fuppofing that the Army would Itand by them ) to eflablifh the Government without a King and Houfe of Lords; and fo the Lords dillolved, and thele 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 ereded, and fent for the King from the Ifle of Wight: Collonel Haw-w;ow</delivered him, and to lVejtmin(ter-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- Afi.i6^8 fore his own Gate at Whitehall they erected a Scaffold, and before a full AlTembly of People beheaded him : Wherein appeared the bev^r'ity ot God', the Mutability fi ■''-and Uncertainty of Worldly Things, and the Fruits of a finful Nation's Provocations, and the infamous Effeds of Error, Pride and Selfifhneis, prepared by Sa-tan to be charged hereafter upon Reformation and Godlinels, to the unfpeakable Injury of the Chriftian Name and Proteftant Caufe, the Rejoicing and Advantage of the Papiih, the Hardning of Thoufands againft the Means of their own Salvation, and the Confufion of the Adors when their Day is come.

§ 97. The Lord General Fairfax all this while flood by, and, with high Relent-ment, faw his Lieutenant do all this by tumultuous Souldiers, tricked and overpowered by him ; neither being fufficiently upon his Guard to defeat the Intreagues of fuch an Ador; nor having Relblution enough (as yet) to lay down the Glory of all his Conquelh and forfake him : But at the King's Death he was in wonderful Perplexities, and when Mr. Calamy rnd (bme Minifters were lent for to re-Iblve him_, and would have farther perluaded him to relcue the King, his Trouble* lb confounded him, that they duift let no Man fpeak to him: And Cro»vjeIl kept him (as it was faid) in praying and confulting till the Stroke was given,

and

and it was too late to make Refinance. But not long after, when War was determined againll Scotland, he laid down his Commitlton, and never had to do with the Army more, and Crew-well was General in his ftead.

§98. If you ask what did the Minilier^ all this while; I anf^er, they Preach'd and Pray d againlt Difloyalty : Thtiy drew up a Writing to the Lord General, declaring cheir Abhorrence of all Violence againil: the Perfon of the King, and urging him and his Army to take heed of liich an unlawful Ad:: They prefenc ic to the General when they law the King in Danger : But Pride prevailed againft their Coun(cls. An.i6ACf § 99- The King being thus taken out of the way, Cromwell takes on him to be for a Conmionwealch (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 prelently drew up a Form of Engagement, to be put upon all Men, viz,. \_I do fromije to be True and Faithful to the Commonwealth as tt is now efiablifiied -without a King or Hvtife of Lords. ] So we mull take the Rump for an ejhhlijhed Com-mohVJiahb, and promile Fidelity to them. This the Sectarian Party Iwallowed eafily, and lb 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 Dileafe called tendernefb of Conlcience, or Scrupulofity ; But the Presbyterians, and the moderate Epilcopal Men refuled it, ( and I believe io did the Trelatical Dmwts of the King's Party for the moft part ; though the Gentlemen had greater Necelficies.) Without this Engagement no Man mult have the Benefit of Itiing another at Law (which kept Men a littlefrom Contention, and would have njarr'd the Lawyers trade ) ; nor muft they have any Mafteriliips in the Univer-fitie5, nor travel above fo many Miles from their Houfes, and morcfuch Penalties, which I remember not ( io fliort Lived a Commonwealth delerved no long Remembrance ): Mr. Vines and Dr. Rainbow, and many more were hereupon put out of their Headftiips in the Univerfities, and Mr. Sidrach Sjmpfon, 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 himlelf, nor was underftood b)' others any farther than to be one. who took Rea/on, Sound Doihine, Order and Concord to be tire intollerable Maladies of Church and State, becaufe they were the great-elt Strangers to his Mind, hvx poor 'Dr:. Edward Reignolds had the hardefl: Meafure j for when he refuled to take the Engagement, his Place was forfeited ; and afterwards they drev\^ him to take it, in hopes to keep his Place, fwhich was no left than the Deanarie of Chrifi's-Church ) 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 bicaule the Presbyterians ftill urged the Covenant againft killing the King, tDYote a. and pulling down the Parliament, and letting up a Commonwealth, and taking ^""^ 1" the Engagement, (bme of the Independent Brethren maintained, that its Obli-//j?OdA/j 0/P"on cealed, beciule it was 3. League, and the Occafion of it cealed : And Ibme Allegiance of the Rump laid it was like an Almanack out of date ; and fome of the Souldiers nor the Cn- faid they never took it ; and others of them railed at it as a Scotttfli Snare : So that "venantbind yj,[jej^ [[^gi,. ipterefi wotiid not fuffer them to kee'p i^o folemn a Vow, their Wills would not fuffer their Judgments to ccnfels it to be Obligatory, at leaft, as to the part which they muft violate.

§ ioo. For my own part, though I kept the Town and Pariili of Kiderminjter from taking the CB7eiTalirX3rftl Iteing how it might become a Snare to their Con-fciences) 3 ea, and moll of M-'orcefierjliire 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 Interelf, and know not what they did); yet I couid not judge it It-enily for him that believed there is a God, to play fajt and looje v/ich a dreadful Oath, as if the Bonds of National and Perlbnal Vows were as eafily Ihak'd off as Samfjons Cords.

Therefore \ fpake and preach'd againft the Engagement, and diffuadcd Men from taking it: The iirft hour chat I heard of it, being in Company with fome Gentlemen of iVorcefler-jhire, I prcfently v/rote down above twenty Queries againft it, intending as r^any more almoit againlt the Obligation, as thofe were about the Senfe and Circumllances: And one that was prefent got the Copy of t' ' afte^j i met with them "jerbatim in a Book of Mr. Henrjr HaS's

c. . . J that vtasiong imprifoned for writing againft Cromwell. )

Some

mt.

Some Epilcopal Divines that were not (o Icrupulous i: leems as we , did write' for it ( private Manufcripts which 1 haveleen^ and plead the irrefiftability of the Impolers, and they found Itarting holes in the Terms, 'viz,. That by the Common-weahh they will mean the prefent Commonwealth in genere, and by [ E(^al>lijhi-tl2 they will mean only Je faiio, and not Je fure, and by [ withcut a King, Sic] they mean not cjuatenAs but Etfi ; and that only de faito p>-o tempore ; ^. d. L will be true to the Government of England, though at the prefsnt the King and Houfe ol" Lords are put out of the Exercife of their power]. Thcfe were the Expofuions cf many Epiicopal Men, and others that took it : But 1 endeavoured to evince, that this is meer jugling and jefting with Matters too great to be jelled with: And that as they might eafily know that the Impolers had another ienle, lo as eafily might they know that the words in their own obvious uliial (enfe among men, mult be taken as the Promifeor Engagement of a Subject as fuch to a Form of Govein-ment now pretended to be eftabliilied : And that the Subjeds Allegiance or Fidelity to his Rulers can b- acknowledged and given in no plainer words: And that by luch Interpretations and Stretchings of Confcience, any Treafonable Oath or Pro-mile may be taken, and no Bonds of Society can fignitie much with fuch Interpreters.

§ loi. England and Ireland being thus Conquered by Cromwell, (by deluding vvell-meaning Men into his Service, and covering his Ambition with the Lord Fairfax's Generallhip); the Parliament being imprilbned and caftout, the King cut off, and the Rump eftablifhed as a new Commonwealth , ( thole great and Iblid A4en, P/7/;, Hampden, &ic. being long before dead and rid out of his way, vjho elle had been like to have pi evailed again It the Plots of FdBe in the Parliamen;) you \^'ould think there were nothing now ftanding in his way, to hinder him from laying hands upon the Crown. But four Impediments yet ftood before him: i. The numerous Cavaliers ( or Royalifts ) ready for new Enterprizss againft him. 2. The Scots, who refolvcd to (lick to the Covenant and the King. ;. The Armj, which niuft be untaught all the Principles which he is now permitting them to learn : ( For thofe Principles which muft bring him to the Crown, are the worlt in the World for him when once he is there). 4. The Minifters of England and Scotland, and all the lober People who regarded them.

The firft of thefe he molt eafily (though not without ftruglingj overcame, making his advantage by all their Enterprizes. The fecond put him harder to it, but he overcame them at latt. The third proved yet a greater difficulty, but he feem-ed ablblutely to overcome it, yet leaving ftill (bme Life in the root. The fourth ftrove againft him more calmly and prudently, with invincible Weapons, ancl though tl'.ey were quiet, were never overcome; but at laft revived the fpark of Life which was left in the third, and thereby gave a Refurre<aion to the firlt and fscond, and fo 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 teemed to have fallen.

Thefe are the true Contents of the following parts that were aded in thefi Land?; The Rump I might mention as another of his Impediments, but as they now were. doing his work, fo I conjoynthe Relids of them which then difturbed him, with the Army who were the ftrength by which they did it.

§ 102. The King being deadj\is Son was by right immediately King, ('and from, that time he dateth his Reign.) The Scots lend Meffengers to him to come over to them and take the Crown : But they treat with him Hrit for his taking of the Covenant ; and renouncing the Wars, and the Blood that was fhed in thern by his Fathers Party. By which I perceive that the Scots nndaiXood the Claufe in tlie Covenant of I Defending the King's Perfon and Authority tn the Defence of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kivgdtm ] otherwife than we did : For as tliey extended the word r true Religion ] further than we did ( including the Form of Church Government in Scotland ) lb they feem to undsrftand it Conjunfiione infeparabtlt ; and to prefer thi Defence of Religion before the Defence of the King: whereas we underitood it Conjmclione feperabili^^nd though in meer ellimation we preferred Religion before King or Kingdom,yet in regard of the Dutyof Defence, we thought the King muft be reftored and defended,though ( legally ) he would have brought in woife than Prebcy : Though we did not think that he might do it illegally ; 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 tha Commonwealth.

K Bus

^^ The LIFE of the L i B. I,

But thofe that thought otherwife, faid. That there is no power but from God, j and therefore none againft him or above him ; and therefore none againit or V above his Laws J : which how true foever, feemeth not at all to decide our Cafe : ■ For though it follow never fo much that fuch Ads againft God are not A«^s of Au- " thority, yet the fame Perfon that hath not Authority to do this, may have Authority 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 conlented to take the Covenant, I know not: unlefs the taking of the Covenant had bseii a Condition on which he was to rece-ve his Crown by the Laws or Fundamencal Conftitution of the Kingdom ( which none pretendech ). Nor know I by whjt 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 alfo to publifh a Declaration to the World, that he did ic voluntarily and heartily, and that he lamented the Sins of his Father's Houfe, acknowledging the Guilt of the Blood of the late Wars, &c.'] In all which it (eem-ed to me and many o:hers that they milcarried divers ways: i. In impofing Laws upon their King, for v^hich they had no Authority. 2. In forcing him to dilho-nour tb.e Memory of his Father , by iiich Confeffions. 5. In tempting him to fpcak and publilh 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 didimulation.

§ 103.What Tranfadlions there were between the King and the Scots for the Expediting of his Coronation, and what Preparations were made for an Army to defend him, and what Differences among the Parties hereabouts, I fliali not deicribe, there being enow of chem that were upon the place who can do it better: But to return to England, as ibon as they underftood what the Scots had done, the Seda-ries in England reproached theiii as Fools and Hypocrites, tliat by fuch a Pageantry mockt tiiemfclves, and would make the People believe that tlie King was turned Presbyterian, and was a Cordial Covenanter, when they bad forced him to fay and do ihac which they might well know he did abhor. And they prefcndy 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 bef)re they were well letled in their Affiirs. This much increalied the alienation of the Peoples hearts from t!ieCro/«j//e//Mwi .• for though they might fup-pofe th-it the Scots intended to bring the King into England, yet few believed that he tnig'.K begin with them by an Invalion, it being too much to have rcfifted them at home.

§ 104. Whin the Soldiers were going againft the King and Scots,I wrote Letters to Ibme of them to tell them of their Sin , and defired them at hft to begin to know themfclves: ic being thofe fame men that have Co mach boafted of Love to all the Godly, and pleaded for tender dealing with them, and condemned thofe that per-lecuted 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 becaule they darenot be;'t->7«rf/^ or ^///Ai/fl/as they are. Some of them were ftartled at thefe Letters, and (O blindneljl) thought me an uncharitable Cenfjrer that would fay that they could kill the Godly, even when they were on their march to do it: For how bad Ibever they (pake of the Cavaliers, ( and not without coo much delert as to theii- Moralsj they confeiTed that abundance of the Scots were godly Men. And afterward thofe that I wrote to better underftood me.

$ lOf At the fmie tinre the Rump for Commonwealth ) who fo much abhorred Perfccutinn , and were for Liberty of Conlcience, made an Order that all Mi-niftoxs (Irould keep r/W days of Humiliation, tofiftandpray for their Succels in Sco'Lnid: and that we Ihouid keep their Days of Thankfgiving for their ViAories; .Tiid thi>upon pjin of Sequeftration : fo that we all expefted tobs^urned out : bat tlicy did not execute it upon any lave one in our parts.

For my part, inflead of praying and preaching for them, whenany of the Committee or Soldiers were my hearers, 1 laboured to help them to underftand, what a Crime it was to force men to pray lor the Succels of thole 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 God's Minifters and Ordinances vile, and lerviceable to fuch Crimes, by forcing Men to run to God on fuch Errands of Blood and Ruine: And what it is fo be

fuch

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 Confci-ences : And what a means it was to debauch all Confciences , and leave neithei* tendernefi nor honefty in the World, when the Guides of the Flocks, and Preachers of the Gofpel fhall be noted to fwallow down fuch heinous Sins.

My own Hearers were all fatisfied with my Doftrine ^ but the Committee Meri 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 delred me to preach, and afterward fent me word to forbear, as from the Committee, faying. That by Mr. Adoofs means (the Independent Preacher at the CoUedge) the Comrnittee told him that they defired me to forbear, and not to preach before the Judges, becaufe I preached againft the State : But afterward they excufed it, as done meerly in kindnels to me, to keep me from running my felf into danger and trouble.

§ 106. Not far from this time the LojoJon Miniders were called Traitors by the A».i6^l Rump and Soldiers for plotting for the King ( a ftrange kind of Treafbn) , becaufe they had lome Meetings to contrive bow to raife Ibme linall Sum of Money for Majjeyh relief, who was then in Scotland: And Ibme falfe* Brother difcovered * Capt.i4-them, and eight of thera were fent to the Tower , Mr. Arthur Jackfon, Dr. Drake^ '^'""^' Mr. Watfon, Mr. Lcve, Mr. Jenkins, 6cc. 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 Edm. Trideaux a Member and Sollicitor for the Commonwealth, did think his Place allowed him to plead againft 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 greac alacrity and fearlels quietnefs and freedom of Speech, as if he had but gone to Bed, and had been as little concerned as the ffanders by. An t honeft Gentleman was f Mr.ci3-beheaded with him for the fame Caule. And at the time of their Execution, or ^°"^' very near it on that day, there was the dreadfulleft Thunder and Lightning and Tempeft, that was heard or leen 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 to almoft the Religious Party in the Land, except theSeftaries: (Though Ibme malicious Cavaliers laid it v/as 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 Raivleigb nottth. of Learned Men, liich as Vemoftbenes, Cicero, &c. fo much more in Divines of famous Learning and Piety , enough to put an everlafting odium upon thofe whom they fuffer by, though the Caule of the Sufferers were not juftifiable. Men count him a vile and detelf able Creature, who in his paffion, or for his interelt, or any luch low account, fhall deprive the World of fuch Lights and Ornaments, and cut off k much excellency at a blow, and be the Perfecutors of fuch worthy and renowned Men. Though the refl of the Minifters were releafed, upon Mr. Jenkins s Recantation, and Confeffion that God had now convinced him, that he ought to fubmit to the prelent Government. Yet after this, the moft of the Minifters 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 Commiflion, and would have no more of the Honour of being Cromwell's Inftrument or Mask, when he faw that . he muft buy it at fo dear a rate. And io Cromwell with applaufe received a Com-mifCon, and entered upon his place.

And into Scotland he hafteneth, and there he maketh his way near Edinburgh j where the Scots Army lay : But after long skirmifhing and expedations, when he ^

could neither draw the Scots out of their Trenches to a fight, nor yet pals forward, his Soldiers contracted SicknelTes, 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 5cofi but let him go, or cauteloufly followed him, they had kepc their Peace and broken his Honour : But they drew out and followed him, and overtaking him near Dunbarr, did force him to a Fight, by engaging his Rere j in which Fight beingnotof fa«a/Forf;VWe they were totally rowted, their Foot taken, and their Horle purfued to Edinburgh.

Kz §io8.

$ 108. Tenthoufand Prifoners of the Foot were brought to Nevjcaftle, where the greatnels of the Number, and the bafenefs of the Country (with their Poverty) and the cruel Negligence of the Army, cau(ed them to be almoft all famillicd : For being {hut up in a Cabbage-Garden, and having no Food, they caft them-felves into a Flux and other Difeales with eating the raw Cabbages ; io that kwa of them furvived, and thofe few were little better ufed. The Colours that were taken were hanged up as Trophies in Wefiminfier-HaU^ and never taken down till the King's Reiteration.

§ 109. Cromwell being thus called back to Edinburgh, driveth the Scots to Ster-litig beyond the River, where they fortifie themfelves: He befiegeth the impregnable Caftle of Edinburgh and winneth itj the Governor, Coll. Willia7n Dunglajjcy 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 luch Dilcouragements, 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 Realbn ot his paffing the River, they might be before him in England, and there be abundantly increased, by the coming in both of the Cavaliers 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 Cromv^ellat Dumbarre and afterwards, had put a Fear upon al! Men, and the manner of the Scots coming away, perfuaded all Men that NeceC-fity forced them, and they were look'd upon rather as flying than as marching into England j and few Men will put themielves into a flying Army which is purfued by 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 thole they differed from for Peace, had gone farther from them by Dr. Hammond's new way, than their Predeceflbrs were before them; and the very Caufe which they contended for, being not Co»-cord and Neighbourhood, but Domination, they had given the difl[enting Clergy and People no hopes of finding favourable Lords, or any Abatement of their former Burdens, (b little did their Task-Mafters relent: But contrariwife, they law Rea-Ibn enough to expeft that their little Fingers would be heavier than their Predeceflbrs Loyns. And it is hard to bring Men readily to venture their Lives to bring themfelves into a Prilbn, or Beggary, or Banilhment.

Tliefe were the true Caufes that no more came in to the King : The firft kept off" the Royaliftsand the refi, thefecond kept ofi'the r^/? 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 Kinnerjly and a Party of Horfe, and Ibme few more.)

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

The Prefence of CoUonel Rich. Graves, and Collonel MaJ]} with them, was the great Inducement to the Parliamentaaans to come in : But another great Impediment kept them off, which was, Cromwell's exceeding fpeedy Purfuit of them j io that People had not time to refolve themfelves confiderately ; and moft were willing to lee what CrowW/'s AiTauIt would do, before they caft themfelves into the Danger j Soldiers may moft eafily be had when there is leaft need of them. I

The King came by the way of Lancajhire, and funimoned Shrewsbury in vain ds he pafted by through Shrop^nrc: And when all the Country thought that he was h.iftening to London ( where all Men fuppoled he would have attained his Ends, increafcd his Strength, and had no Refiftance, ) he turned to TVorcefttr, and there ftayedto refreih his Army, CroK^welTs Forces being within a few days March of him.

§110. The Army paffed moft by KuLrmifi^er (a Fields Breadth off) and the relt through it: Collo.nel Graves f";nt two or three Melliges to me, as from the King, to come to him; and afccr, when he wis at l-Vorcefler, fbme others were lent: But I was at that time under lb great an AfHidiion of fore Eyes, that I was not Icarce able to lee th? Light, nor tit to ftir out of Doors: And being not

much

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

When the King had (tayed a fiw Days at Worcefier, Croimvell came with his Ar-my to the Eaft fide of the City, and after that, maJe a Bridge of Boats over Severn, to hinder them from Forage on the other fide; but becauie (o great an Army could not long endure to be pent up, the King relblved to charge Cromwells Men ; and a while the Scots Foot did charge very gallantly, and fome chiet Pcrfons among the Horfe, The Marquis Hamilton (late Earl of Lanerkhj D,iiig flain: But at lalt the hope of Security lb near their Backs, encouraged the Ki igs Army to retreat into the City, and Cromwelh Souldiers followed them io clofc at the Heels, that Major Swallow of Whalley'?, Regiment firft, and others after him entered Stdbury-Gate with them ; and fo the whole Army fled through the City quite away, many 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 Lauderdaik, and many others of his Lords and Commanders with him : Kiderminfier being but eleven Miles from IVorcefier, the flying Armv paft fome of them through the Town, and fome by it: I was newly gone to Bed when the Noile ot the flying Horfe acquainted us of the Overthrow : and a piece of one of Cromwell's Troops that Guarded Bewdley-Bridge having tidings of it, came into our Streets, and ftood in the open Marketplace before my Door, to furprife thofe that paft by : Andfo when many hundreds of the flying Army came together, when the 30 Troopers cryed fiand, and fired at them, they either hafted away, or cryed Quarter, not knowing in the Dark what Number it was that charged them : And fo as many were taken there, as fo few Men could lay hold on: And till Midnight the Bullets flying towards my Door and Windows, and the Ibrrowful Fugitives hafting by for their Lives, did tell me the Calamitoufnefs of War.

The King parted at laft from moft 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 fo 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 o{ Worcefier was much plundered by Cronftvell's Souldiers, and a Party-only lent out afcer 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 Lauderdaik, and the Earl oiCraford were fent Prilbners to tVmdfir-Caftle, where they were detained till the Reftoration of the King: Coll. Graves at lalt 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.

§ 111. The Scots Army being utterly difpatched in England (and many oF the Prifoners of Foot fent to the Barbado's, &c.) part of Cromwell's Army was lent to profecute the Viftory in Scotland, where (briefly ) all their Garrifons at laft were taken, and the Earl of Glencarne, and that learned, religious, excellent Perfon, the Earl o^Balcarres, who kept up the laft Forces there for the King, were fain to fly to the King beyond Sea : And Major General Monk was there left with fome Forces to keep the Country in Subjeftion.

§ 112. Cromwell having thus far feemed to be a Servant to the Parliament, and work for his Mafters the Rump or Commonwealth, doth next begin to Ihew whom he leived, and take that Impediment allb out of the way : To which End he firft 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 themlelves, that another free Parliament might be chofen: But they perceived the Danger, and were rather for the filling up of their Number by New Eledions, which he was utterly apainft.

His greateft Advantage to ftren[:;^hen himfelf againft them by the SeAaries, was their owning the publick Miniftry and their Maintenance; for though Vane and his party let themfelves to make the Minifters odious by reproachful Titles, and to take them down, yet ftill the greater pan of the Houfe did carry it for a [ober Mmtfiry, and competent Mamtcriance. And when the Quakers and others did openly

reproach

reproach the Miniftry, and the Souldiers favour them, I drew up a Petition for the Miniftry, and got many thoufand Hands to it in IForcefierJlure, and Mr.The. Foley, and Coll. Jobti Bridgii prefented it; and the Houi'e gave a kind and piomi-fing Anfwer to it, which increafed the Sedaries Dipleafure againft them : And when a certain Quaker wrote a reviling Cenfure of this Petition, I wrote a Defence of it, and caufed one of them to be given each Parliament Mao at the Door ; and within one day after they werediffolved : For OowW/impatient of anymore delay, fuddenly took Harrijvn and fome Souldiers with him (as if God had impelled him) and as in a Rapture went into the Houfe, and reprovech the Members for their Faults, and pointing to Vam, calls him a Juglar, and to Henry Martin, and calls him Whoremafter, and having two fuch to inltance in, taketh it for granted that they were all unfit to continue in the Government of the Commonwealth j and out he turneth them : And fo ended the Government of the Rump, and no fore of People exprefTed any great Offence that they were caft out, though all, lave the Sediaries and the Army almoft, did take him to be a Traitor that did it.

§ 11;. The young Commonwealth being already Headlefs, you might think that nothing was left to Itand between Cromwell and the Crown : For a Governor there mull be, and who fhould be thought fitter ? But yet there was another Pageant to be played, which had a double end: i. To make the Neceffity of his Governing undeniable. And 2. To make his own Souldiers at laft out of love with Democracie ; 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 j therefore the Souldiers, as more religious, muft be the Qhoofers: And two out of a County are chofcn by the Officers upon the Advice of their Se<5taTian Friends in the Country. This was called in Contempt, Tbe Little Parliament.

This Conventicle made an Adt ( as I remember) that Magiftrates fliould marry People inftead of Minifters, (yet not prohibiting theMiniftersto do their part ) : And then they came to the Bufmefs of Tyches and Minifters; and before this, Har-rifon, being autliorized thereto, had at once put down all the Parifh-Minifters of fVales, becaule tiiat mod of them were ignorant and fcandalous, and had let up a few itinerant Preachers in their ftead, who weie for Number incompefent for fo great a Charge, there being but one to many of thofe wide Parifhesj fo 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 : iVnd this Plight would the Anabap-tifts, and other Sectaries have brought England to ; And all was, i. That the People might not be tempted to think the Parilh-Churches to be true Churches: 2. Nor Infant Baptifmto be trueBaptifiii, and fo themfelves to be true Chriftians; but muft bemadeChriftians and Churches in the Anabaptifts and Separatifts way. Hereupon Harrifon became the Head of the Sedaries, and Cromwell now began to defign the heading of a foberer Party, that were for Learning and Miniftry ; but yet to be the equal Protefior of all: Hereupon in the Little Sedarian Parliament, it was put to the Vote, whether all the Parilh Minifters of England /hould at once be put down or no ? And it 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 Opportunity be voted down; and now Crom-wcll muft be their Saviour, or they muft: pe-rilh ; 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 grofty play'd, as made him the more loathd by Men of Underftanding and Sincerity) So Sir CJF.and fome others of them take their time, and put it to the Vote whether the Houle as uncapable of (erving the Commonwealth, (hould go and deliver up their Power to Cromwell irom whom they had received it; and they carried it in the Afiirmative, and away they go, and (blemnly rclign their Power to him; and now who but Cromwell and his Army.

§ 114. The intelligent Sort by this time did fully fee that Cromwell's defign was, by ciufing and permitting deftruAion to hang over us, to neceffitate the Nation whether they would or not, to take him for their Governour , that he might be their Protedor: Being refolved that we fhould be faved by him, or perifli : He made more ule of the wild headed Seftaries than barely to fgbt for him : They now Icrve 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 teriible apparition, of Agitators, Levellers, or fuch like, who as they affrighted the King from Hampton-Court, ihall affright the People to fiy to him for refuge ; that the hand that wounded them may heal tham. For now he exclaimeth againft the giddinefs of

thele

thefe unruly Men, and earnedly pleadech for Order and Gcvernment, and will needs become the Patron of the Miniftry, yet fo as to iecure all others of their Liberty.

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

Others faid, It is the Providence of God, whoever be the InftrumentS;, which hath brought us into this Necefficy, which we were unable to prevent; and being in it, we are not bound to choofe our own deftrudion : Therefore Neceffity rc-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 ftate of our prefent Duty : [ We acknowledge that God Almighty hath over-ruled in all thefe great Mutations, and hath permitted the perfi-diouliieGof MeOj and their Succefs. And the Common Good being the end of all jult Government, we may not do any thing againft the Common Good, much lels to the Deftrtitttonoi if, under pretence of refifbing 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 then all to be againft any means which tend to a Recovery, whatever we contribute to this, we do againft the King and Kingdom, and do but cut his Throat in kindnefb: Fbr we pull down the Houle that he may be Mailer of ic, and deftroy the Commonwealth that he may be the Head of it: We ftrengthen his Enemies by our imprudent Paflions: But yet we muff neither Ju nor approve of Evil, for any Good End, nor forbear in our Places feaibn-ably to reprehend it : Therefore it is unlawful for us to Confent to any Governour but the King j or take any Engagement or Oath of Allegiance to any : But it is not unlawful for us tofubfntt to them, by living quietly in our Places, and to make ule of the Courts of Jufticeeftablifhed by Law, yea, and to demand protedion from the Ufurper. For his ftepping into the Ruler's place, and Ufurping the Government, obligeth him to do all the parts of a Governour s Office, while he is there; and warranteth us to demand it, and accept icof him ; but it doth not at all oblige 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 Pyrates that fhall fiirprize the Ship which we are in : but we are not bound to covfent to his Government, or formally obey him 5 but contrarily todifown his Villany, and to do all that we can againft his Tyranny, which tendeth 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 whok and not a rumd irrepairable

State.3

And thus for my part was my Pradice : I did feafonably and moderately by Preaching and Printing condemn the Ufurpation, and the Deceit which was the Veryliketa means to bring it to pals. I did in open Conference declare Cromwell and his Ad- Maximus herents to be Guilty of Treafon and Rebellion, aggravated with Perfidioufnels and'"'*^ '{"y^ Hypocrifie ; to be abhorred of all good andfober Men : But yet I did not think it^^^'lV^ my Duty to rave againft him in the Pulpit, nor to do thisfo unleafbnably and im- ^^n,f^^ prudently as might irritate him to milchief. 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 Caule engaged him to be againft j fo I perceived that it was his defign to do good in the main, and to promote the Gofpel and the Intereft of Godlinefs, more than any had done before him ; except in thole particulars which his own Intereft was againft : And it was the principal means that hence-forward he trufted to for his own Eftablilhment, 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 I 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, becaufe he did it; and would bring abundance of Calamity upon the Land. And Ibme Men thought it a very hard Queftion, Whether they fhould rather wi/h the continuance of an Ufurper that will do good, or the reftitution of a Rightful Governour whole Followers will do hurt. But for my part I thought my Duty was clear, to difown theUfurper'sSin, what Good foever he would do ; and to perform all my Engagements to a Rightful Governour.Ieaving the IiTue of all to God : but yet to commend the Good which a Ufurper doth, and to do any lawful thing

which

which may provoke him to do more; and to approve of «o Evil which is done by ?.ny, either Ufurper or a lawful Governour.

And thus Jtooa the AfTeftions of the Intelligent fort to Crom-ivell: but the Simpler Ibrt believed that he defigned nothing of all that came to pals ; hut that God's Providence brought about all , without his Contrivance or Expei5la-tion. An.i6<% § IIf- The little Parliament having refigned their Commiffion to Cromvjell, that we might not be ungoverncd, a JtinHo of Officers, and I know not who ('nor ever could learn, but that Lambert and Berry were two Chief Men in itj did draw up a Writing, called, The Infinonent of the Government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland]. This Inflrument made OUver Cromwell Lord Protedlor of the Commonwealth : The Lord Mayor and Aldermen, the Judges, and the Officers of the Army, w-ere fuddenly drawn together to Weftmtnfier-Hall, and upon the reading of this Inftrument, inftalled Crom-well in the Office of Protcdor, and fwore him accordingly ; and thus the Commonwealth feemed orice more to have a Head.

§ 116. I fliall for brevity over pals the particular mention of the Parliaments fum-nioned by Crowu/f//; of their difpleafing him by ravelling his Inftrument, and o-ther means, and of his rough and refolute dilTolving them.

One of the chief Works which he did was the purging of the Miniffry j of which I fliall fay fbmewhat more. And here I fuppole the Reader to underltand that the Synod of/^rty?w»/»/?er was difTolved with the Parliament; and therefore a Society of Miniflers with (bme others, were chofen by Cromwell to fit at White-hall, under the Name otTj-icrj , who were moftly Independants, but lome (bber Presbyterians with them, and had power to try all that came for Inftitution or In-du(5lion, and without their Approbation none were admitted: This AlTembly 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 thej approved them.

And becaufe this Aflembly of Triers is molf heavily accufed and reproached by fome Men, I fliall 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 boldelt Adverfaries, as to their Opinions, and becaufe I was known to difown their Power, infomuch that 1 refu(ed to try any under them upon their reference, except a very few,who(e Importunity and neceffity moved we (they being fuch as for their Epilcopal Judgment, orfomeluch Caule, theTriers were like to have reje<f>ed) The truth is^ that though their Authority was null, and though fome few over-bufie and over-rigid Independants among them, v/ere toolevere againlt all that were Armi-nians, and too particular in enquiring after Evidences of Sandlification in thole whom they Examined, and (bmewhat too lax in their Admiflion of Unlearned and Erroneous Men, rhat favoured Antinomianifm or Anabaptifm ; yet to give them their due, they did abundance of good to the Church : They faved many a Congregation from ignorant, ungodly, drunken Teachers: that fort of Men that intended no more in the Miniflry, than to fiy a Sermon, as Readers fay their Common Prayers, and fo patch up a few good words together to talk the People alleep with on Sunday ; and all the reft of the Week go with them to the Ale-houfe,and harden thsm in their Sin : And that fort of Minifters that either preacht againft a holy Life, or preacht as Men that never were acquimed with it ; ail 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 rejeded ; and in their ftead admitted of ;uiy that were able ferious Preachers, and lived a godly Life , of what toIIerableO-pinion foever tiiey were. So that thougii they were many of them fcmewhat partial for the Independents, Sep.iratifts, Fitth-Monarchy-men and Anabaptifts, and againft the PrelatiRs and Arminians, yet lb 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 1 am faU'n upon this Subjeft, I will look back to the Alte-rations that were m.ule upon the Miniftry by the Long Parliament before, both by the Country Committees and the Synod at TVefimwJler : I know th-it tiiere are Men in the World that defame both the Afters and the Work, and would make the World believe that almoft none but worthy Learned Men were turned out, and that for thsir Fidelity to the King and I3ilhops,and that almoft none but Unlearned

and

Part J. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ^ 75

and Faiftious Fellows were introduced. But this Age hath taught the World how little the Report of luch Men is to be believed of any others, who fpeak what their Intereft and Malice do command them ; and by thefe are made ftrangers to the. Men they fpeak of, though they dwell among them : For they Converle not with them at all, unlefs in fome wrangling Difpute, when Malice and Paffion feek a Whctftone; but they talk only with thofe that talk againft them , and eafily believe any fdfe Reports, when once they are lb like the Common Enemy that they defire them to be true. But 1 fhall in this Cafe alfo (peak impartially, neither ju-ilifying what they did^amifi, nor condemning them without caufe.

And becauie 1 have paft it by before, I fhall fay fomething of the Wejitmnfier Af-fembly here. This Synod was not a Convocation according to the Diocefan way of Government, nor was it called by the Votes of the Minifters according to the Presbyterian way: But the Parliament not intending to call an Affembly which Ihould pretend a Divine Right to make obliging Laws or Canons to bind their Brethren, but an Ecclefiaftical Council to be Adviferstothemlelves, did think that they belt knew who were the fittefl: to give them Advice, and therefore chofe them all themfelves. Two were to be chofen out of each County; but fome few Counties ( I know not upon what reafon ) had but one: I fuppofe it was long of the Parliament Men of thofe Counties. And becaufe they would feem Impartial, and have each Party to have liberty to I'peak, they over and above the number chole many Epiicopal Divines, even the Learnedeft of them in the Land, as Archbiffiop l//?;er Primate of Ireland, Dr. Holdjworth, Dr. Hammond, Dr. fFwcop, Bifhop JVefi-ford, Bilhop Prideaux, and many more. But they would not come, becaufi it was not a Legal Convocation, and becauie 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, andwas imprifoned ; which much refleded on the Parliament, becauie whatever his Fad were, he was fo Learned a Man, as was (iifficient to dilhonour tho(e hefuffered by). The Prolocutor or Moderator was Dr. William Twijfe ( a Man very famous for his Scholaftical Wit and Writings in a very fmoorh triumphant Stile) :'The Divines there Congregate were Men of Eminent Learning and Godlinefs, and Minilterial Abilities and Fidelity : And being not worthy to be one of them my felf, I may the more freely fpeak that Truth which I know even in the Face of Malice and Envy, that, as far as I am able to judge by the Information of all Hiftory of that kind, and by any other Evidences left us, the Chri-ftian World, fince the days of the Apofllss, had never a Synod of more Excellent Divines (taking one thing with another ) than this Synod and the Synod oiDort were.

This AlTembly was confined by the Parliament to debate only fuch things as they propofed to them: And many Lords and Commons were joyned in Commi(^ fion with them, to ihe that they did not go beyond their Commiffion : Six or (e-ven Independants were joyned with them, tliat all fides may be heard; of whom five were called the Diffentirg Brethren, ( Philip Nye, Thomas Cood-wyn, Jeremiah Burroughs, Sydrach Symffon, and Wtlliam Bridge ) who joyned with the reft till they had drawn up a Confeffion 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 poftibly they could undetermined ; and after that kept it (b long unexecuted in almoft all parts of the Land, faving London and Lan-caflme, that their Party had time to ftrengthen themfelves in the Army and the Parliament, and hinder the Execution after all, and keep the Government determined of, a Stranger to moft of the People of this Land, who knew it but by hearlay, as it was rcprefented by Reporters. For my own part, as highly as I honour the Men, I am not of their Mind, in every Point of the Government which they would have fet up ; and fome words in their Catechifm I could wifh had been more clear j and above all, I could wifh that the Parliament and their more skilful 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 pof-lible, 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 diflent I muft teftifiemy Love and Honour to the Perlons of fu»;h great Sincerity, and Eminent Minifterial Sufficiency, as were Gataker, Vines, BurgejS, Wbite^ and the greater part of that AlTembly,

^ ^ J

Among other parts of their Truft^ one was to approve of all thst fnould be admitted into any Church Livings. They had no Power to put out any, but only to judge of the fitnefi of fuch as were taken in. The Power of Calling out unworthy Men, was partly in a Committee of Parliament Men at London, and partly in the Committees of each (everal County, according to an Ordinance of Parliament expreffing the Crimes: Herein it was laudable that Drunkards, Swearers, Curfers, Blafpheniers, Hereticks, Fornicators, and fuch fcandalous Perfons were to be cjefted : but it was not well done to put in thole among them that had been againft the Parliament in the War : For the Work of God ftould not give place to the Matters of their Secular Intereft and Policy, as long as the Being of the Commonwealth is fecured : And all the Learned Miniiters in 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 leis hurt in the Pulpits where there were lb 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 many more ) that were Sequeftred by the Committee, were by the Oaths of Witneffes proved infufficent, or fcandalous, or both ; efpecially guilty of Drunkennels 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 dilpleafe that Party ; but this is true. And though now and then an unworthy Perfon by finifter means crept into their Places, yet commonly thofe whom they put in, were fuch as fet themfelves laborioufly 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 J^earned nor Godly, but only put in the learnedeft and ableft that they could have. And though it had been to be wilhtthat they might have had leifure to ripen in the Univerfities, yet many of them did as Ambrofe, teach and learn at once fo liiccefsflilly, as that they much increafed in Learning themfelves, whilft they profited others,- and proportionably more than many in the Univerfities do.

§ ri8. To return from this Digreffion to the Proceedings of Crom-weily when he was made Lord Protector, he had the Policy not to deted: and exafperate the Miniiters and others that conlented not to his Government, ( having feen what a ftir the Engagement had before made ): but he let Men live quiedy, without putting any Oaths of Fidelity upon them ; except his Parliaments; for thofe muft not enter the Houfe till they had fworn Fidelity to him. The Sectarian Party in his Army and ellewhere,he chiefly trufted to and pleafed, till by the Peoples liibmiflion and quietnefshe thought himfelf well lettled : And then he began to undermine them, and by degrees to work them out: And though he had fo often fpoken for the A-nabaptifts, now he findeth them fo heady, and fo much againft any fettled Government, and (o let upon the promoting of their Way and Party, that he doth not only begin to blame their unrulinefs, but alfo defigneth to lettle himfelf in the Peoples Favour by fupprefling them. In Ireland they were grown lb high, that the Soldiers were many of them re-baptized as the way to Preferment: and thole that oppofed them they crulht with much uncharitable Fiercenels. To fupprels thele, he lent thither his Son Henry Cromwell^ who (b difcountenanced the Anabaptifts, as yet to deal civilly by them, reprefling their Inlblencies, but not abufing them, or dealing hardly with them ; promoting the Work of the Gofpel, and letting up good and fober Miniftcrs; and dealing civilly with the Royallifts, and obliging all ,• ib that he was generally beloved, and well fpoken of And Major General Ludlow, who headed the Anabaptifts in Ireland, was fain to draw in his head.

In England Cromwell connived at his old Friend Harrifon, while he made himfelf the Head of tlie Anab,ipti(ls .-ind Fanaticks here, till he faw it would be an applauded acceptable thing to the Nation to lupprcls him, and then he doth it eafily in a trice, and niaketh him contemptible who but yelierday thought himlelf not much below him : The lame he doth alfo as eafily by Lambert and laycth him by.

§ 119. In thefe times ( elpecially iince the Rump reigned ) lf)rang up (ive Seds at leaft, whole Dodrines were almoft thefime, but they fell into leveral Shapes and Names: l. Tlie Vamfis: 2. The Seekers: 3. The Ranters: 4. The Quakers : j. The Behmenills.

I. The Vanifls, ( for I know not by what other Name to make them known ) who were Sir Henry Fane's Dilciples, hrft fprang up under him in new England wlien he was Governor there : But their Notions were then raw and undigelled, and their Party quickly confounded by Gods Providence; as you may lee in a

litdd

little Book oiMT.Tho.WeUs of the Rife and Fall of Antinomianifnijand Familifm \n^ New-England; where their Opinions and thefe Providences are recorded by him A / i^'i*/ that was a reverend Minilter there : One Mrs. Dyer, a chief Perfon of the Sed: A'*^ did firil bring forth a Monfter, which had the Parts of almoft all forts of living •/•/ Creatures, iome Parts like Man, but moft ugly and mifplaced, and feme like Beafh, Birds and Fifhes, having Horns, Fins and Claws; and at the Birth of it the Bed fl)ook, and the Women prefent fell a Vomiting and were fain to go forth of the Room: Mr. Cotton was too favourable to them, till thb helpt to recover him: Mrs, Hutchmjon, the chief Woman among them and their Teacher, ( to whole Exerciles a Congregation of them uled toaflemble) brought forth about 50 mifhapen Births or Lumps at once ; and being banillied into another Plantation was killed there by the Indians. Sir Henry Vane being Governor, and found to be the fecret Faiitor and Life of their Caufe, was fain to fteal away by Niglit, and take Shipping for England, before his Year of Government was at an end.

But when he came over into England he proved an Indrument of greater Calamity to a People more finful and more prepared for God's Judgments: Being chofcn a Parliament Tvlan, he was very active at firft for the bringing of Delin-quents to Punifhment: He was the Principal Man that drove on the Parliament ro go too high, and aA too vehemently again!!: the King: Being of very ready Parts, and very great Subtilty, and unwearied Induftry, he laboured, and not without Succefs, to 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 Cabinet (who was Secretary of State) which was the chief Means of his Condemnation : To moft of our Changes he was that within the Houfe, which Cromwell was without. His great Zeal to drive all into War, and to the higheft, and to cherilh the SeAaries, and efpecially in the Army, made him above all Men to be valued by that Party.

His Unhappinels lay in this, that his Do(5liines were lb clowdily formed and ex-pTelfed, that few could underlland them, and therefore he had but few true Difci-ples : The Lord Brook was flain before he had brought him to Maturity : Mr. Ster-ry is thought to be of his Mind, as he was his Intimate ; but he hath not opened himfelf in writing *, and was lo famous for Obl'curity in Preaching ( being, laid ^ fofi^^-Sir Benj. Rudtard, too high for this World, and too low for the other ) that he '^l^fy j't^, thereby proved almoft Barren alio, and Va7uty and Sterility were never more hap- rfsi'sfma: pily conjoined : Mr. S^rig is the chief of his mere open Difciples (too well know a t^lflied. by a Book of his Sermons.)

This Oblcurity by fome was imputed to his not underftanding himlelf; but by others to difign, becaule he could fpeak plainly when he lifted: the two Courles, in which he had moft Succefs, andfpake moft plainly werej His earneft Plea for uni-verlal Liberty of Conlcience, and againft the Magiftrates intermedling with Religion, and his teaching his Followers to revile the Miniftry, calling them ordinarily Blackcoats, Priefts, and other Names which then favoured of Reproach ; and thofe Gentlemen that adhered to the Miniftry, they laid, were Friefi-ridden.

When Cromwell had lerved himlelf by him as his (ureft Friend, as long as he could ; and gone as far with him as their way lay together, ( Vane being for a Fanatii.k Democracie, and Cromwell ^or Monarchy ) atlaft there was no Remedy but they muft part; and when Cromwell caft out the Rump (as difdainfully as Men do Excrements^ he called Vane ajugler, and iV/<»rf;« a Whoremonger, to excule his ulage of the reft as is aforelaid.

When Vane was thus laid by, he wrote his Book called Tie retired Maris Meditations, wherein the beft part of his Opinions are fo exprelTed, as will make but few Men his Difciples: His Healing Queftion 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 nmch into his own Hands. When he was in the height of his Power he iht upon the forming of a new Commonwealth, and with Ibme of his Adherents drew up the Model, which was for popular Government j but lb 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 Unquietnefi, and the Minifters made odious and ready to be caft out, and a Reformation trodden under Foot, and Parliaments and Piety made a Scorn, and Icaice any doubted but he was the principal Spring of all: Therefore, being writing againft the Papifts, coming to vindicate our Religion againft them, when they impute to us the Blood of the King, I fully pro-

L z 7ed

ved that the Proteftants, and particularly the Presbyterians abhorred it, and fuf-fered greatly for oppofmg itj and that it was the AA of Cromwell's Army and the Sedaries, among which I named the Fam/has one Sort, and I fhewed that the Fryers and Jefuits were their Deceivers, and under leveral Vizors were difperfi: ' among them ; and Mr. Nje having told me that he was long in Italy, I faid, it was confiderable how? much of his Dodrine their Leader brought from Italy' whereas it proved that he was only in Frame and Hehetta upon the Borders of Italy, and whereas it was printed from Italy, I had ordered the Printer to corred it \'fi-om-wardi Italy ] but though the Coppy was corre6Ved, thelmpreffion wasnot : Hereupon Sir Henry Vane being exceedingly provoked, threatned me to many, and fpake againit me in the Houfe, and one Stuhhi ('that had been whipt in the Convocation Houfe at Oxford) wrote for him a bitter Book againft me, who from a Vanili afterwards turned a Conformilf, fince that he turned Phyfician, and was drowned in afmall Puddle or Brook as he was riding near the Bath.

I confefi my Writing was a means to leflen his Reputation, and make men take him for what Cromwell fthat better knew him) called him a Jugler: and I wifh I had done fb much in time : But the whole Land rang of his Anger and my Danger j and all expelled my prefent Ruine by him. But to ftew him that I was not about Recanting (as his Agents would have perfwaded me) 1 wrote alfb againft his Healing Queftton, in a Preface before my Holy Commonwealth. And the (peedy 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 (eemed to have his Life (ecured : But being brought to the Barr, he fpake fo boldly in juftifying the Parliaments Caufe, and what he had done, that it exalpe-rated the King, and made him refolve upon his Death. When he came to Tower-hiU to die, and would have fpoken to the People, he began fo refolutely as caufed the Officers to (bund 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 fuppofed 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 expreffed by his Friend than by himfelf

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, (thinking I would have askt him Forgivenefi 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 (iippofed 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 Papifl,yet I ftill fuppole he hath done the Papifts (b much Service, and this poor ISlation and Religion 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 Sed which then rofe up was that called Seekers: Thefetaught that our Scripture was uncertain ; that prelent Miracles are neceflary to Faith j that our Miniftry is null and without authority, and our Worfhip and Ordinances unneceflary or vain j the true Church, Miniftry, Scripture, and Ordinances being loft; for which they are now Seeking.

I quickly found, that the Papifts principally hatcht and aftuated this SecS:, and that a confiderable Number that were of this Profeffion were fbme Papifts , and ibme Infidels: However they doled with the Vanifii,AnA ftieltered themlelves under them, as if they had been the very Cxme.

§ 122. The third Seft were the Ranters: Thefe alfb made it their Bufinefs as the former, to let up the Light of Nature, under the Name of Chrifl- tn Men, and to difhonour and cry down the Church, the Scripture, the prelent Miniftry, and our Worlhip and Ordinances ; and call'd men to hearken to Chrift within them: But withal, they conjoyned a Curled DoGtr'niz oi Libertinifm , which brought them to all abominable filthinefs of Life: They taught as the Famtltfis, that God regardeth not the Anions of the Outward Man, but of the Heart; and that to the Pure all things are Pure, (even things forbidden ) : And fo as allowed by God, they (pake moft hideous Words of Blafphemy, and many of them committed Whoredoms commonly : Inlbmuch that a Matron of great Note for GodlineQ and Sobriery, being perverted by them, turned fo Ihamelefs a Whore, that fhe was Carted in the Streets of iWfl».

There

were

There could never SeA ari(e in the World, that was a lowder Warning to Pro-feffors of Religion to be humble, fearful, cautelous, and Tvatchful: Never could the World be told more lewdly, whither the Spiritual Pride of ungrounded Novices in Religion tendeth ; and whither Profeffors of Striftnefsin Religion may be carried in the Stream of Se<fts and Faftions. I have feen my felf Letters written from xhey ^.,. AbbingtoK, where among both Soldiers and People, this Contagion did then pre-fo reijyiw vail, tuU of horrid Oaths and Curfes and Blafphemy, not fit to be repeated by the indofflm-t Tongue or Pen of Man ; and this all uttered as the EfFed of Knowledge, and a ""^''"""^^ part of their Religion, in a Fanaticic Strain, and fathered on the Spirit oi[!^'/lwone

God. _ of them.

But the horrid Villanies of this Sed did not only (peedily Extinguifh it, but alio did as much as ever any thing dJ, to dilgrace all SeBaries, and to reftore the Credit of theiVliniftry and the lober unanimous Chriftians: So that the Devil and the Jefuiti quickly found that this way ferved not their turn,and therefore they fuddenly took another.

§ 125. And that was the fourth Sed, the Quakers ; who were but the Ranters turned fiom horrid Prophanenefs and Blafphemy, to a Life of extream Aufterity on the other fide. Their Dodrines were moftly the lame with the Ranters: They make the Light which every Man hath within him to be his fufficient Rule, and confequently the Scripture and Miniftry are (et light by: They fpeak much for the dwelling and working of the Spirit in us; but little of Jullification, and the Pardon of Sin, and our Reconciliation with God through Jeiiis Chrilf : They pretend their dependance on the Spirit's Condud,againft Set-times of Prayer, and againit Sacraments, and againft their due efteem of Scripture and Mini dry. They will not have the Scripture called the Word of God : Their principal Zeal lyeth in railing at the Minifters as Hirelings, Deceivers, Falfe Prophets, &c. and in re-fufing to Swear before a Magiftrate, or to put off their Hat to any, or to lay [2o«] inllead of \_Tl)oi4] or [Thee'] which are their words to all. At firfl they did ufe to fall into Tremblings and Ibmetime Vomitings in their Meetings, and pretended to be violently aded by the Spirit ; but now that is ceafed, they only meet, and he that pretendeth to be moved by the Spirit Ipeaketh ; and fometime they lay nothing, 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 Prophetical ad: Some of them have familhed and drowned themlelves in Melancholy ; and others undertaken by the Power of the Spirit to raife them ( as Sufan PierfoH did at dames near fVorcefier, where they took a Man out of his Grave that had lb made away himfelf, and commanded him to arife and live ; but to their fhame). Their chief Leader James Nayler aded the part of Chrift at Brifiol, according to much of the Hiftory of the Gofpel, ( and was long laid in Bridewell ifor it, and his Tongue bored ai a Blalphemer by the Parliament). Many Franctfcan Fryers and o-ther Papifts, have been proved to be dilguiled Speakers in their Allemblies, and to be among them j and it's like are the very Soul of all thefe horrible Delufions. But of late one IVilliam Penn is become their Leader, and would reform the Sed, and let up a kind of Miniftry among them.

§ 124. The fifth Sed are the Bethmenifis, 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 Meeknefs and conquelf of Paflions than any of the reft: Their Dodrine is to be leen in Jacob Behnen^ Books, by him that hath nothing elle to do, than to beftow a great deal of time to underrtand him that was not willing to be eafily underftood , and to know that his bombafted words do fignifie nothing more than before was eafily known by common familiar terms.

The chiefeft of thefe in England are Dr. Pordageznd his Family, who live together in Community, and pretend to ho'd vifible and lenfible Communion with Angels, whom they fometime fee, and Ibmetime fmell, &c. Mr. Fowler of Red-Jtvg accufed him before the Committee for divers things, ( as for preaching againft Imputed Righteoulhels, and perfwading married Perlbns from the Carnal Knowledge of each other,&c.) but efpecially for Familiarity with Devils or Conjuration. The Dodor wrore a Book to vindicate himielf, in which he profelTeth to have fen-fible Communion with Angels, and to know by fights and fmells, &c. good Spirits from bad : But he faith, that indeed one Month his Houfe was molefted with E-vil Spirits, which was occafioned by one Everard whom he taketh to be a Conjurer, who flayed fo long with him, as defiring to be of their Communion. In this time

he

he Ikith, that a fiery Dragon, fo big as to fill a very great Room, conflided vifibly with him many hours; that one appeared to him in his Chamber in the likenels of EverarJ, with Boots, Spurs, &c. that an impreflion was made on the Brick-wall of his Chimney,of a Coach drawn with Tygers and Lions,which could not be got out till it was hewed out with Pick-Axes: and another on his Glafi-window which yet remaineth, &c. Whether thcle things be true or falfe I know not j but the chief Perlon of theDo6lor's Family-Communion (being a Gendeman and Student of All-Souls in Oxford ) was thus made known to me. His Mother being a (bb2r, pious Woman, being diflatisfied with his way, could prevail with him to fufTer her to open it to none but me ; ( of whole Converfion to them their Charity was much defirous ) : Upon dilcourfe with the young man, I found a very good Difpofition, aipiring after the higheft Spiritual State, and thinking that vifi-ble Communion with Angels was it, he much expefted it, and proielt in feme mcafiue to have attained it; for fome lights and odd fights he had ken ; but upon ftri<5l Examination, he knew not whether it were with the Eye of the Body or of the Mmd: nor I knew not whether it were any thing real or but fantajlical. Ha would not difpute, becaufe he thought he knew things by a higher light than Realbn, even by Intuition, by the extraordinary Irradiation of the Mind. He was much againfl: Propriety, and againfl: Relationsof Magirtrates, Subjeds, Husbands, Wives, Makers, Servants, c>~c. But I perceived he was a young, raw Scholar of fome Fryar whom he underltood not, and when he fiiould but have commended the Terfeclicn of a Ahnafiical Life ( which is the thing that they (o highly magnifie ) he carried it too far, and made it Teem more neceflary than he ihoukl.

They then profefiedto wait for fuch a Coming down of the holy Ghofl: uporj them, as ihould fend them out as his Miffionaries 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 Se<ft-makers; asDr.Gs//of London (known partly by a piinted Volume in Folio ) and one Mr. Farker, who got in to the Earl oiPembroke j and was one that v/rote a Book againft the AfTemblies Confeffion : la which ( as the reft ) he takcth up moft of the Popifh Doftrines , and rifcth up againft them with Papal Pride and Contempt, but owncth not the Pope himfelf, buc headeth his Body of Dodrine with th2 5/)/>;f, as the Papifts do with the Pope : (And if they could bring men to receive the reft, it will be eafie to fpurn down tiie Idol of their Fantafie or pretended Spirit,and to iet on the proper Head again^. To thele alfo muft be added Dr. Gibbon, who goeth about with his Scheme to Pro-lelyte men, whom I have more caule to know than Ibmeof the reft.

All thefc with iubtile Diligence promote moft of the Papal Caufe, and get in with the Religious Ibrt, either upon pretence of Aufieritjn MorttficAtion, Angelical Commumc7i, or Clearer Light ; but none of them yet owneth the Name of a Papifi, but what they are indeed, and who fendeth them, and what is their Work, though I ftrongly conjedure, I will not aflert, becaufe I am not fully certain : Let time dilcover them.

§ 126. The moft among Cromwell's Soldiers that ever I could fiifped for Papifts, v/ere but a few that began as Strangers among the Common Soldiers, and by degrees role up to Ibmelnferiour Offices, and were moft converfant with the Common Soldiers; but none of the Superiour Officers feemed fuch, though feduced by them. There is one of them ( Capt. Ezierard ) that was a bufie preaching Sedary ( in appearance ) and difputed for Anabaptiftry, and againft Original Sin (whom Mr. Stephens hath wrote againft, who took him then to be a Papilt; and who hath lately publifhed a Book for the Popilli Religion, as giving the Realbnsof his Con-verlion to them, as if it were a thing that had been lately done : But they permit but nov/ and then one thus to dcted themfelves, to win others by the fame of their Converfion: But the reft muft ftill ply their work, as masked: for fecret Inftru-nients have much advatitages above publick ones. Capt. Everard fince the burning of London, and fince 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 City J and upon learch there was a dangerous Letter found with him, and four hundred 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 Sedaries in Cromwell's Army, I have not yet learned which of them this was.

5 127-

§ 127. Alio the Sociniam made fome increafe by the Miniftry of one Mr. Rt^A le 9. /ID' ^f ibmetimes School-mafter in Gloce^er; who wrote againft the Godhead oft he lioly Ghoft, and afterwards of Chrift; whofe Followers inclined much to meer Deifm and Infidelity.

§ 128. Having gone on thus far with the general Hints of the Hiftory of thofe times, becaule I would not obfcure them by the Interpofitions of my own Affiirs, I now return to thefe, and fhall fet them alio together, that they may be the better underftood.

I have related how after my bleeding of a Gallon of Blood by the Nole, I was left weak at Sir Thomas Rous's Houfe at Roui-Lench, where I was taken up with daily Medicines to prevent a Dropfie : And being confcious that my time had not been improved to the Service of God as I defired it had been, I put up many an earneft Prayer to God, that he would reftorc me, and ufe me more fuccefsfully in his Work. And blefled be that Mercy which heard my Groans in the Day of my Diftrels, and granted my Defires, and wrought my Deliverance, when Men and Means failed, and gave me Opportunity to Celebrate his Praife.

Whilft I there continued weak and unable to Preach, the People at Kiddermin-' fier had again renewed their Articles againft their old Vicar and his Curate j and upon Trial of the Caufe the Committee lequeftred the Place, but put no one into it, but put the Profits into the Hands of divers of the Inhabitants to pay a Preacher till it were difpoled of They fent to me, and defired me to take it, in cafe I were again enabled to Preach : which I flatly refufed ; and told them , I would take only the Leisure , which by his own Confent and Bond I held before.

Hereupon they fought to Mr. BrumskiU, and others, to accept the Place , but could not meet with any one to their minds: Therefore they chofe one Mr. Richard 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 Kidder-mtn/^er, where I found only Mr. Sergeant in Pofleflion; and the People again vehemently urged me to take the Vicaridge : which I denied ; and got the Magi-ftrates and Burgefies together into tlie Town-hall, and told them. That ( though I was offered many Hundred pounds per Annum ellewhere) I was willing to continue with them in my old Ledurers place which I had before the Wars, cxpeAing they fhould make the Maintenance an Hundred pounds a year, and a Houfe; and if they would promile to fubmic to that Doctrine of Chrift, which as his Minifter I fhould deliver to them, proved by the Holy Scriptures, I would not leave them. And that this Maintenance fhould neither come out of their own Purles, nor any more of it out of theTythes fave the 60 /. which the Vicar had before bound him-felf to pay me, I undertook to procure an Augmentation for Mitton ( a Chappel in the Parilh ) of 40 /. fer Annum, which I did j 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 dilclaimed the Vicaridge and Paftoral Charge of the Parilh, and only undertook theLedure.

And thus the Sequeftration con'tinued 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 fer 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 Kiddsrmin/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 elfe againft their wills would get a grant of the Sequeftration 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 fecredy, only to fecure the Place from a Surprize, and themfelves from repaying what they disburfed.

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 intreated 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 Tierce, while he was rageingly fierce to provs me a Thief, and I know not what elfe, doth charge me with taking this Se-j queftration, and fo with taking another man's Bread out of his mouth, and robbing the Innocent ; and fb doth Biihop Morley after him; and Durel, Dr. Boneman^ and many others, from him; whereas the Place was fequeftred while I was far

enough

■"-■. Senoiigh off, and I difbwned it, and made a contrary Covenant with the People: But I durft nor till this for my own vindication, left the Towns-men ftould be called to an account for the Sequellration 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 falls, by which they proved me lb vile a Per-fon, yet I was the lefs careful lb to 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 Sequeftracion ; becaufe the man's own Fundamental Right (as it was a thing Confecrated to God/ was null, he being fo infuflicient as not to be owned for a Minifter: As I have great realbn, by all the trial I made of him, to think that he underftood not the Subltance of Religion, the common Catechifm or Creed, lb he was unable to teach the People the very Subftantials of Chriftianity. Once a quarter he Icrapt a few words together, which he lb l^iidover as to move pity in his Auditors; but woe to the People that have no other Paftor then fuch as he: And God's Right being the firftin Dedicated Things, and the Law alfo annexing them to the Office for the Work's fake, and for die lake 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 Maintenance. And I cannot believe that the Peoples Souls muft be all untaught and la-crificed to his pretended Legal Right. And another Paftor they were not like to have without the Maintenance, unlels they could have got one that had an Eftate of his own, .nnd 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 it had been but a PhyHcians or Surgeon's Place in an Hofpital, which a meet Ignoramus had got for his life, I think to let the People periHi, tor fear of dilpof leffing him of his Place and Pay, had been to be righteous over much, and charitable over little: And the fifth part was allowed them for their Wives, though they did nothing for ir. And yet this ignorant man was not dilpofleil 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 cait 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 Chappcl 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 fiom reading, ( for I judged it a Sin to tolerate him in any Sacred Office/ I got an Augmentation for the Place, and got an honell Pieacher to inftrudt them, and let this Icandalous Fellow keep his former Stipjnd of Ten pound, for nothing, and yet could never keep him from forcing 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 lay.

And thefe two in this Parifh were not all: In one of the next Parilhes, called Jhe 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 Abilities baing anfwerable to their Studies and Employments.

§130. In my Labours at Kiddermirsfier after my return, I did all under lan-guilhijig Weaknels, being le'.dom an hour free from pain. Of which I Ihall give a brief Account together, as an addition to the general one foregoing, that I may not bvi oft upon it; mentioning only foms of thole paflages in which Gods M.rcy inoft afTedied me.

Many a time have I been brought very low, and received the Stentence of Death in my lelf, when my poor, hondl, praying Neighbours have met, and upon chcir Failing and tfarneft Prayers I have been recovered. Once when I had continued w/eak 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 Adminilter the Sacrament the next Lord's Day; and was better after it: fit being the firft time that ever ladminiftred it): And ever after that whatever Weaknels was upon me, when I had (after Preaching j adminiftred that Sacrament to many hundred People, I was much revived and ealcd of my Infirmities.

Another

Another time I had a Tumour role on one of the Tonfills in my Throat, white and hard like a Bone; above the hardnefi of any Schyrrhous Tumour : I feared a Cancer J being it was round and like aPeafe, as it beginneth : And when I had by the Phyfician'si^-dvile applied fuch 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 Gonfcience that I had never publickly praifed God particularly for any of the DeHverances which he had vouchfafed me : And being ipeaking of God's Confirming our Belief of his Word by his fulfilling of Promifes, and hearing Prayers, ( as it i5 publillied in the fecond part of my Saints Reft ) I annexed feme thankful mention of my own Experiences; and liiddenly the Tumour vanilhed, and no fign wherever it had been remained : Nor did I either (wallow it down or fpit it out, nor knew what went with it to this Day.

Another time, having read in Dr. Gerhard the admirable EfFetfts of the fwallow-ing of a Gold l?ullet upon his own Father in a Gale like mine, I got a Gold BuU let and fwallowed it ( between20j. and 30/. weight) ; and having taken if, I knew not how to be delivered of it again: I took Clyfters 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 lafl: my Neighbours let a Day apart to faft and pray for me, and I was freed from my Danger in the beginning of that day.

Another time being in Danger of an ^gilops, and ( to be brief) at divers times in divers Weakneffes, Pains and Dangers, 1 have been delivered upon earneft Prayers j fuch as have affured 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 Succefi of it for my Neighbours, as well as for my leif.

§731. There liveth yet in Kiddtrminfter a grave and honefi Widow, Mrs. Giles, Widow to Mr. Gtles of Aftley, one of the Committee of that County j Ihe had a Son of about 14 or 15^ Years of Age, Apprentice in Worcefier to a Mercer j he fell into a Feaver, which being removed, ended in a moft violent Epilepfie: The Phyficians ufed all ordinary means for a long time in vain ; fo that Ihe was fain to take him home to her to Kuldertninfler, where the Phylician of the Place and my felf did what wc could for him, in vain, he had 4 or f violent fits in a Day j they were fain to hold a Key between his Teeth to lave his Tongue: At laft the People of the Town, at her Requeft, kept a Day of Fafting and Prayer atherlloufe; and the fecond day ( as I remember ) he was fuddenly cured, and never had a Fit iince to this Day ( but fome Tutle Weaknels of his Head fometimes) : He is now an Apothecary in Wolverhampton.

§ 132. Another Inftance j Rich-Cook oiKinver a Mercer, an ancient Ibber Godly Man, being defirous to live at Kidderrninfter,took the next Houle to mine : The Houfe proved fo fscretly crackt and Ruinous, that he was afraid it would undo him to repair it: This feized him with a Trouble on his Confcience whether he had dons well to remove from Kinver f where he had been long a comfortable Neighbour to old Mr. Crofje ): To revive his Spirits he drank much hot Waters, which inflamed his Blood ; and fo from Melancholy he fell quite Mad. We were forced by the Wars to leave him ; but his Wife procured what means /he could, but all in vain: When he had continued thus four Years, the excellenteft, skilful Men at that Dileafe undertook him, and did what they could, but all in vain. He had exceeding Quantities of Blood taken from him : Some that had feen the Succei^ would have fet upon Fafting and Praying for him in his Prelence : But I difcou-raged them, as thinking it a tempting carnal Men to contemn Prayer, when they faw it unfuccefsful, and I thought they had nocaufe to expeda Miracle : I had no hope of his Cure becaule 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 fad Cale about ten or twelve Years, fome of thele Men would not be dilTuaded, 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 nov^ as well almoft as ever he was before, and fo hath continued for a confiderabletime.

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

M mona

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

After abundance of Diftempers and Languifliings, I fell at laft into a Flux Hepa-ticm, and after that into manifold other Dangers liicceflively ( too long to be recited ) from all which upon earned prayer I was delivered.

Once riding upon a great hot-metled Horfe, as I f^ood on a fidelong Pavement in fVorcefier, the Horle reared up, and both his hinder Feet flipt from under him j to that the full Weight of the Body of the Horfe fell upon my Leg ; which ye: was not broken, but only bn4i{ed ; when confidering the Place, the Stones, the Manner 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 greatell Folio Books brake down three or four of the higheft 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 Phce, the Weight, and greatnefs of the Books was fuch, and my Bead 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 o/ Dr.IVahon's Oriental Bible, and all Aujlm's Works, and the Bibliotheca Fatrum, and Mario-rate, Cfc.

An other time, I had fuch a Fall from an high Place without much hurt, which flioujd I defcribe it, ic would leem a Wonder that my Brains were whole. All thele I mention as obliged to record the Mercies of my great Preferver to his Praiie and Gloiy.

§ i;4. At laft my Weaknefs was grown {q great that I was neceflitated to ule Bread Milk four Months together; and as much longer, or more, I remained fomewhic repaired : But then I fell into a Difcale in my Eyes almolf incredible j I had near every Day for one Year, and every fecond Day for another Year, a fief}) Macula, con)monly called a Tearl, in one Eye, balicles very many in the other j the firft that I had continued divers Weeks, till by the ordinary Method of Cure I had almoft loit my Eye. At lalt I found that Honey alone, or with other things, fix or Icven times a Day applied conflantly diftufled andcuied it in one Day ; and the next Night in my Sleep another Hill came, a fpurions Opthalmy going before, and leaving the Macula bd\xnA if. And 1 found ir came from the extreme thinners of the blood, with the extreme Laxity of the deljilitated Veflels, and the Fatulency pumping up the Matter.

Thus 1 continued two Years, curing the Spot one Day, and finding it ftill re-tinned the next Morning ; lo that I had about three hundied Pearls in thofe two Years J and though for the tirfl 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 Dilluib'.nce. No Purging nor outward Applications, nor otlier Medicines would Prevent the Return of it ; till at two Years end I wrote toDr.G. Bates for his Advice. The Humidities of my Stomach at the fame time tafting like boiled Vinegar, or Vitrial, he prelcribed me the ufe of Chalk in Subftance (a fpoonful Ihaved in a convenient Liquor) which poweifully precipitateth and dulcitieth acid Humours, and alfo bath a harmlefs corroborating Aftridion f like Magifterial of Corall or Crabs Eyes: ) theuie of this gave a check to my Diflemper, lb that my Spots came leldomer than before : At lalt I had a Conceit of my own that two Plants which 1 had never made trial of, would prove accomodate to my Infirmity, Heatb and Sage, as being very drying and aftringent without any Acrimony : 1 boiled much of them in my Beer initead of Hops, and drank no ether : When I had uftd it a Month my Eyes were cured, and all my tormenting Tooth-aches, and luch other Maladies. Being delirous to know which of the two Hcarbs it was which I was molt beholden to, I tryed the Heath alone one time, and the Sage a!(Hie anotherwhile ; and 1 found it was the Sage much more than the Heath which did the Cure : whereupon I have uled it now this ten Years, and through God's great Mercy, 1 never had a Spot more for many Years; nor many fince at all : Alfo thele other Effeds have followed ic; i. It ealeth my Headach. z. I have no other Remedy for my terrible Toothach, inward or outward that will ferve; nor did this ever fail me, if it hath had but twelve or twenty hours to work. 3. Whereas before I could endure no llrong Drink, but was fain to drink very im&W Beer, oi- Julef Alexantle, and a Spoonful of Wine would have dillurbcd me a Fortnight, C with Ophthalmics, Toothaches, &c.) fince I ufcdSage I can bear the Itrongeft Beer, (lo I difuli: not my Medicine the while. ) 4. The vitiiolate cutting Acidity of my Stomach is more dulcified than I could polfibly have believed it would be. Ill a Word, God hath made this Herb do more for me ( not for Curt but for Eafe)

than

than all the Medicines that ever 1 ufed from all Phyfitians in my Life: So-that though ftill I am very leldoni without pain, vet my Languilliings snd Pains have been much lefs thele lart ten Years than long before. How it doth all this I am not certain ; but I fuppofe principally(by its great Aftridion, mightily corroborating the relaxed Stomach and VelVels, and Brain, and bv AdriAion of the relaxed Vein, doth hinder the Motion and Shedding abroad of the corrupted Blood tl.ey contain : And alio I am fure it mightily precipitateth and takech off Acidicisr. The way I ule it is, i. Well boiled in the Wort in all my Beer : 2. Well boiled in my Gruel for every Mornings Breakfaii: ;. Upon any Ipecial Necefiity I rakiJ a Spoonful of the Powder ( of the Leaves dryed and mixed with two or three Parts of Sugar) which is the Strongeft Vv-ay of all : So that 1 find the Vertue is moft in the terrene and falivc Parts, and not in any thing liipeificial and volatile. For the Infufion, and Ale made by Int'ufion doth me little Good, nor the Conlerve of the Flowers. I have tried it on others, and find no liich marvelous Effefts as on my (elf; but leaft on the fat and Itrong, and molt on the lean, old and weak, and that have thin fluid Humours, and laxity of Veflel% and fome inordinate Acrimony. This I thought my lelf obliged to mention to the Praile of my heavenly Phyfician, in Thankfulnefs lor thefe ten Years Eafe ; and to give Ibme hint to others in my Cafe : Though now, through Age and conflant Ufe, this Herb doth leis with me than at the firll; yet am I neceffitated Itill to u(e it, andquickly to return to it when I have omitted it. After fixteen or feventeen Years benefit it now faileth me, and I forlake it.

§ 135. 1 lliall next record, to the Praile of my Redeemer, the comfortable Employment and SuccefTes which he vouchlafed me during my abode at Kidcrminfitr, under all thefe WeaknefTes. And i. I will mention my Employmenr. 2. My Succefles. And ;. Thole Advantages by which under God it was procured j in order.

I. I preached before the Wars twice each Lord's Day j but after the War but once, and once every Jburfday, befides occafional Sermons. Every Thwfilay Evening my Neighbours that wete mofl: defirous and had Opportunity, met nt my Houfe, and there one of them repeated the Sermon, and afterwards they propofed what Doubts any of them had about the Sermon, or any other Cafe of Confci-ence, and I refolved their Doubts: And laft of all I caufed fometimes one, and fometimes another of them to Pray (to exercilethem) ; 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 fo great an Af-fembly, met among a few more privately, where they ipent three Hours in Prayer together, every Saturday Night tlicy met at fome of their Houfes to repeat the Sermon of the lali: Lord's Day, and to pray and prepare themfelves for the following Day. Once in a few Weeks we had a Day of Humiliation on one Occafion or other; Every Religious Woman that was lately Delivered, inllead of the old Feaftings and Goflipings, if they were able, did keep a Day of Thanklgiving with Ibme of their Neighbours with them, praifing God, and finging Pfalms, and fober-ly Feafting together. Two Days every Week my Alliltant and I my lelf, took 14 Families between us for private Catechifing and Conference (he going through the Parilli, and the Town coming to me ) : I firft heard them recite the Words of the Catechilm, and then examined them about the Senfc, and laftly urged them with all poffible engaging Realon and Vehemency, to anlwerable Affedtion and Pradice. If any of them were ftalled through Ignorance or Balhfulnels, I forbore to prefs them any farther to Anfwers, but made them Hearers, and either examined others, or turned all into Inftrudion and Exhortation. But this 1 have opened more fully in my Reformed Vafior. I fpent about an Hour with a Family, and ad-mittedno others to be prefcnr, left Balhfulnels ihould mike it burthenlbm, or any Hiould talk of the Weakneffes of others : So that all the Afternoons on Mcndaji and Tuefdays I Ipent in this ( after I had begun it; for it was many Years before I did attetnpt ic J : And my Affiftant Ipent the Morning of the fame Days in the lameFlmployment. Before that, I only catechiled them in the Church; and conferred with, now and then, one occafionally.

Befides all this, I was forced five or fix years by tlie Peoples Necefiity to pra-clif: Phylick : A common Pleurifie happening one year, and no Phyfician being near, I was forced to advilo them, to lave their Lives; and I could not afterwards avoid the Importunity of thej Town and Country round about: And bscaule I never once took a Penny of any one, I was crowded with Patients, lb that almolt Twenty would be at my Door at once; and though God by fnors Sugcefs than I

M z expsdsd.

expefted, fo long encouraged me, yet at laft I could endure it no longer ; partly becaufe it hindred my other Studies, and partly becaule the very fear ot mifcarrying and doing any one harm, did make it an intoUerable burden to me : So that after fbme Years Practice, I procured a godly, diligent Phyfician to come and live in the Town, and bound my felf by Promile to pradife no more ( unlefs in Con-fultation with him in cafe of any (eeming neceffity ); And lb with that Anfwer I turned them all off, and never medledwith it more.

But all theie my Labours ( except 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 1 never one hour had an Amamunfu to didate to, and fpecially becaufe my Weaknefs took up fo much of my time. For all the Pains that my Infirmities ever brought upon me, were never half fo grievous an Afflidion to me, as the unavoidable lofs of my time, which they occafioned. I could not bear (through the weaknels of my Stomach) to riie before Seven a Clock in the Morning, and afterwards not till much later j and fbme Infirmities I laboured under, made it above an hour before I could be dreU. An hour I muft of neceffity have to walk before Dinner, and another before Supper j and after Supper I can leldom Study : All which, bcfides times of Family Duties, and Prayer, and Eating, &c. leaveth me but little time toltudy j which hath been the greatelt external Perfonal Afflidion of all my Life.

Befides all thefe, every firft Wedne[clay of the Month was our monthly Meeting for Parilh Difcipline ; and every firft Thurfday of the month was the Minifters meeting for Difcipline and Difputation : And in thofe Difputations it fell to.my lot to be almoft conllant Moderator; and for every liich day (uliially j I prepared a written Determination. All which 1 mention as my Mercies and Delights, and not as my Burdens. And every Thurfday befides, I had the Company of divers godly Minifters at my Houfe after the Lecfture, with whom I fpent that Afternoon in the trueft Recreation, till my Neighbours came to meet for their Exercile of Repetition and Prayer.

For ever bleffed be the God of Mercies, that brought me from the Grave, and gave me after Wars and Sicknels,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 himdreds more are filenced, and laid by, as broken VelTels, and lufpeAed and vilified as fcarce to be tollerated to live privately and quietly in tiieLandl That God Ihould 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 theydefired, and in the days when Order is laid to be reftored, do Ibme of us fit in obfcurity and unprofitable fi-lence, and fome lie in Piifons, and all of us are accounted as the Scum and Swcp-ings or Off Icourings of the Earth.

§ i;6. I have mentioned my fweet and acceptable Employment j Let me to the praife of my gracious Lord, acquaint you with fome of my Succels: And I will not fupprefsit, though I fore-know that the Malignant will impute the mention of it to Pride and Oltentation. 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 lelf proud indeed , while I cannot undergo the Imputation of Pride in the performance of my Thanks for fuch undeferved Mercies.

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

Before 1 ever entred into the Miniftry, God blelTed my private Conference to the Converfionof fome, who remain firm and eminent in holincls to this day : But then, and in the beginning of my Miniftry I was wont to number them as Jewels j but fince then I could not keep any number of them.

The Congregation was ulliaily full, lb 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 alio were full. On the Lords Days there was no dilbrder to be feen in the Streets, but you might hear an hundred Families finging Pfalms and repeating Sermons, as you pal-fid through the Streets. In a word, when I came thither firft, there was about one Family in a Street that worlhipped God and called on his Name, and when I came away there were fome Streets where there was not part one Family in the

ftde

fide of a Street that did not fo; and that did not by profeffing ferious Godlinels, give us hopes of their (incerity : And thole Families which were the worft , being Inns and Alehoules, dually fome ferfovs in each Houfe did feem to be Religious, Though our Adminiftration of the Lords Supper was fo ordered as difpleafed many, and the far greater part kept away themlelves, yet we had 600 that were Communicants, ot" whom there was not twelve that I had not good hopes of, as to their lincerity: and thole few that did confent to our Communion, and yet lived Ican-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, fome of them being kept off by Husbands, by Parents, by Matters, and fome diffwaded by Men that differed from us: Thole many that kept away, yet took it patiently , and did not revile us, as doing them wrong : And thole unruly young men that were Excommunicated, bore it patiently as to their outward behaviour, though their hearts were full of bitternels: ( except one, of whom I Ihall fpeak anon;. When I let upon Perlbnal Conference with each Family, and Catechizing them, there were very few Families in all the Town that refuled to come; and thole lew were Beg-gers at the Towns-ends, who were fb ignorant that they were alhamed it (hould be nianifeft. And few Families went from me without lome tears, or leemingly leri-ous promifes for a Godly Life, Yet many ignorant and ungodly Perlbns there were ftill among us : but molt of them were in theParifn, and not in the Town j and in thole parts of the Parilh which were furtheft from the Town. And whereas one part of the Parilh was impropriate, and payed Tythes to Lay men, and the other part maintained the Church, ( a Brook dividing them ) it fell out that al-molt all that fide of the Paiilh which paid Tythes to the Church, were godly, ho-neft People, and did it willingly without Contention j and mofl: of the bad People of the Parilh 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 Expreilions, and holy Oratory, with fervency : Abundance 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 much more laudable than their Parts. The ProfelTors of ferious Godlinels, were generally of very humble Minds and Carriage j of meek and quiet behaviour unto others; and of blamelefnefs and innocency in their Converfations.

And God was plealed alfo to give me abundant Encouragement in the Leftures which I preached abroad in other places ; as at JVorceHer, Chohury, 6cc. but eljaeci-ally at Dudley and Sbeffual ; 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 law any in London, but alio hang upon the Windows, and the Leads without.

And in my poor Endeavours with my Brethren in the Miniliry , my Labours were not loft ; Our Difputations proved not unprofitable j Our Meetings were never contentious, but always comfortable; We took great delight in the Company of each other; fo that I knew that the remembrance of thole days is plealant both to them and me :whenDifcouragements had long kept me from motioning a way of Church-order and Dilcipline, which ail might agree in, that we might neither have Churches ungoverned, nor fall into Divifions among our (elves, at the firft motioning of it, I found a readier Conlent than I could exped:, and all went on ■ without any great obftrufting difficulties: And when I attempted to bring them all conjunftly to the work of Catechizing and Inftruding every Family by it felf, I found a ready confent in moll, and performance in many. So that I muff here to the praife of my dear Redeemer, fet up this Pillar of Remembrance, even to his Praile who hath employed me lb many years in fo comfortable a Work , with fuch encouraging Succels! O what am I, a worthlefs Worm, not only wanting 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-ftruftors of my Youth, did labour Fifty years together in one place, and could fcarcely lay they had Converted one or two of their Parilhes I And the greater was this Mercy, becaule I was naturally of adifcouraged Spirit ; lb that if f had preached one Year, andleen no Fruits of it, I Ihould hardly have forborn running away like Jonah, but ftiould 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 Anabaptills that had before conceited, that Parilh Churches were the great Obftruftion of all true Church Order and Difcipline, and that it

was

was impoffible to bring them to any good Confiftency, did quite change their Minds when they faw what was done at XiJerw;»/?er, and began to think now, that it was much through the faultinefs of the Parilh Minifters, that Parirties ard not in a better Cafe ; and that it is a better Work thus to reform tl:ie Parilhes, than to gather Churches out of them, without great Neceffity.

And the Zeal and Knowledge of this poor People provoked rnany in other parts of the Land. And though I have been now abfent from them about (Jx Years, and they have been aflaulted with Pulpit-Calumnies, and Slanders, with Tiireat-nings ?ind Imprifonmencs, with enticing Words, and leducing Reafonings, they yet Hand fafl and keep their Integrity j many of them are gone to God, and (bme are removed , and Ibme now in Prilon, and moft ftill at home ; but not one, that I hear of, that are fallen off, or forfake their Uprightnefs.

§ 137. Having related ray comfortable Succefles in this Place, I fhall next tell you by what, and how many Advantages this much was eftefted ( 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 managing ignorant and fmful Parifhes.

1. One Advantage was, that I came to a People that never had any awakening Minifl:ry 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 Jhould have expefted leis.

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 Serioufnds, and to preach as a dying Man to dying Men; for drowfy Formality and Cuffomarinefs doth but ftupiiy the Hearers, and rock them afleep : It muft be lerious Preaching, which muft make Men Isrious in hearing and obeying it.

3. Another Advantage was, that moft of the bitter Enemies of Godiinsfs in the Town, that rofe in Tumults againft me before, in their very Hatred of Puritans, had gone out into the Wars, into the King's Armies, and were quickly kill'd, and few of them ever returned again j and (o there were few to make any great Op-pofition to Godlinels.

4. Another, and the greateft Advantage was, the Change that was made in the Publick Affairs by the Succeis 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 (erious Godlinels a common Scorn, and call them all Puritans and Precifians that did not care as little for God and Heaven and their Souls as they did ; efpscialiy if a Man were not fully fitisfied with their undilciplined, difbrdered Churches, or Lay Chancellors Excommunications, &c. then no Name was bad enough for him: And theBifnops Articles enquiring after fuch, and their Courts and the High Commiffion grievoully affliciing thofe that did but Faft and Pray together, or go from an ignorant drunken Reader, to hear a. godly able Preacher at the next Parifli, &c. this kept Religion among the Vulgar under either continual Reproach or Terror, encourageing the Rabble to delpife it and revile it, and difcouraging thofs that eUb 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 agalnff, and prolecuted by Superiors, which they muft embrace ; and when at their firft Approaches they muft go through futh Dangers and Obloquy as is htter for confirmed Chriftians to be exerciled with, than unconverted Sinners or young Beginners: Therefore, though Cromwell give 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 conlidering that Godlinels had Countenance and Reputation alfo, as well as Ltkrty; 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-inc: Hearing Sermons abroad when there were none, or worfe at home ; i-'afting and Praying together ; the (Irict Obfervation of the Lord's Day, and (iich like, went under the dangerous Name of Puritanilin, as well as oppollng Bilhops and Ceremoni:?.

I know in thefc Times you may meet with Men that confidently affirm, that all Religion was then trodden dovk-n, and Herely and Schifni weretheonly Piety; biit I give Warning to all Ages by the Experience of this incredible Age, that

they

they take heed how they believe any, whoever they be, while they are fpeaking for the Intereft of their FaAions and Opinions, againft thofe that were their real or fuppofed 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 Go(pel with Succeft^ which I cannot have under a King to whom I have fworn and performed true Subjedion and Obedience ; yea, which no Age fince the Goipel 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-les of the Miniftry. Yea, and I (hall add this much more for the lake of Pofkrityj that as much as I have faid and written againit Licentioufnefs in Religion, and for the Magifkates Power in it, and though I think that Land mod happy, whole Rulers ufs their Authority for ChrilV, as weli as for the Civil Peace ; >et in Com-parilbn of the reft ol the World, I ihail think that Land happy that hath but bare Liberty to be as good as they are willing to be ; aad if Countenance and Maintenance be but added to Ltbertj, and tollerated Errors and Seds be but forced to keef the Peace, and not to oppofe the Siibftantials of Chriftianity, I Ihall not hereafter much fear llich Toleration, nor dilpair that Truth will bear down Adver-laries.

f. Another Advantage which I found was, that Acceptation of my Perlbn, which Biihop Mjr/e/and Dean W^rtrw/r/lo 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 Grate-fulncfs of the Perfon doth ingratiate the MeiTage, and greatly prepareth the People to receive the Truth ; Had they taken me to be Ignorant, Erroneous, Scandalous, Worldly, Selffeeking, or fuch like, 1 could have expeded fmall Succcls among them.

6. Another Advantage which I had was, by the Zealand. Diligence of the Godly People of the Place; who thirfted after the Salvation of their Neighbours, and were in private my Affiftants, and being difperfed through the Town, were ready in almofl: all Companies to reprefs feducing 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 tolandifie the Lord's Day : For thofe People 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 j k that fame Houfes ( of the r.blelt 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 fay, your ProfefTors here are as proud and covetous as any : But the blamelels Lives of godly People did fhame Oppofers, and put to Silence the Ignorance of foolifh Men, and many were won by their good Conveifation.

8. And our Unity and Concord was a great Advantage to us, and our freedom from thole Seds and Hercfies which many other Places were infeded with. We had no private Church, though we had private Meetings j we had not Paftor againft Paftor, nor Church againft Church, nor Sed againft Sed, 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 Bewdley there was a Church of Anabaptifts; at IVorcefier the Independents gathered theirs : But we were all of one Mind, and Mouth, and Way : Not a Separatift, 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 law diver-fity of Seds and Churches in any Place, it greatly hindred their Converfion ; and they were at a lofi, and knew not what Party to be of, or what Way to go j and therefore would be of no Religion at all; and perhaps derided them all whom they faw thus difagreed : But they had no fuch Offence or Objedion there- they could not ask, which Church or Party fhall I be of j for we were all but as one : Nay, fo Modeft were the ableft of the People, that they never were inclined to 3 preaching way, nor to make Offentation 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 themlelvef.

9, Acd

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-rioulhefs of the Peoples minds renewed j and good defires cherilhed ; 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 Ihould prefently f^:e him drop in to our private Meetings: Hereby alio idle meetings and lofs of time was prevented. And Co far were we from being by this in danger of Schifm or Divi/ions, thac it was the principal means to prevent them : For here I was ufually prelent with themj anfwering their Doubts, and filencing Objections, and moderating them in all. And fame Trivate Adeetifigi 1 iound thzy 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 here in the fit exercile of their parts, in Repetition, Prayer, and asking Quefli-ons, I kept them from inclining to the diforderly exercife of them, as the Seftaries do. We had no Meetings in oppofition to the Publick Meetings ; but all in fub-ordination to them ; and under my over-fight and guidance ; which proved a way profitable to all.

10. Another thing which advantaged us was fome publick Difputations which we had with Gainfayers, which very much confirmed the People: The Quakers would fain have got entertainment and let up a Meeting in the Town ( and frequently railed at me in the Congregation ) : But when I had once given them leave to meet in the Church, for a Dilpute, and before the i'eople, had opened their deceits and liiame, none would entertain them more, nor did they get one Profclyte among us. Before that, Mr. Juhn Totnbes being Ledurer of Bewdlejr.two miles off us, ( who was repured the moil Learned and able Anabaptift in England) we kept fair Correfpondence tor a longtime, and I lludioufly avoided all Debates with him about Infant Baptilm j till at lafV he forced me to it as I (hall fhcw further anon , And after one days Difpiite with him of Bewdky, my Hearers were more fetled, and the courle of his Infeflion ftopr. How mean fbcver my own Abilities were, yet I had (Hll the advantage of a good Caufe, and thereby eafily o-pened the vanity of all Pretenders, Deceivers and Dividers that came among us.

11. Another advantage was the great honefly and diligence of my Afliftants : When 1 cami firft to Kiddermtnfter after the Wars, I found Mr. Richard Sergeant there received as their Preacher; whom they took in a Cafe of Neceffity when they could gat no other: I found him very hone{t,but of no extraordinary Learning, and of no taking utterance, lb that Ibme that were more for Learning than for furious Piety, would have had me taken in his Ifead a very grave , ancient Do-dor of Divinity, who had a mofl promifing Prefence, and tolerable Delivery, and reverend Name, and withal was my Kinfman : But I found at lafl: that he had no relKh of (erious Godlinefi, nor folid Learning or Knowledge in Divinity, but Ifole Sermons out of printed Books, and fet them ofFwith a grave Delivery. But Mr. Sergeant fo increafed in Ability, that he became a Iblid Preacher, and of fo great Prudence in Pradical Cafes, that 1 know few therein go beyond liim ; but none at all do I know that excelleth him in Meeknels,HumilityjSelf-denial and Diligence. No Child ever feemed more humble: No Interett of his own, either ofEftateor Reputation, did everleem to (top 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 j from Houle to Houfe to Catechize and Inffruft 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 nsver heard of the Man or Woman in all that Town and Parifh , that ever faid. This Fault he did ; This Word he fj^ake amifs againft me ; This Wrong he did me ; nor ever one that once found fault with him (lave once one man upon a fhort miflake, for being out of the w.ay when he ihould have baptized a Child): This admirable blamelefnels of Life much furthered our work: And when he was removed two miles from us, I got Mr. Humphrey Waldern to fucceed him, who was very much like him, and carried on his work.

12. Anotiier Advantage was the Prefence and Countenance of honeft Juflices of Peace: Co\on&\ John Bridges, a prudent, pious Gentleman, was i^atron of the Church, and lived in the Parifh, and was a Juflice of Peace : And a Bailiff and Jufiice were Annually chofenin the Corporation, who ordinarily were godly men, and always liich as would be thought [o, and v/erc ready to ule their Authority to

fupprefs

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P A R. T I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ^^

fupprels Sin, and promote Goodnefi. And when once a Sabbath-breaker thought to have overthrown the Officers at Law, Serjeant Fountain being then Judge of Aflize, did fb reprefs his Malice, as difcouraged all others from any more (uch attempts. But now the World is changed ■.

15. Another help to my Succefii was that fmall relief which my low Eftate enabled me to afford the Poor : though the Place was reckoned at near 200 /. per Annum, there came but 90 /. and fometimes 80 /. fer Annum to me: Befidas which , (bme years I had 60 /. or 80 /. a year of the Booklellers for my Books: which litde difpcrled among them, much reconciled them to the Do-jftrine which I taught: I took the apteft of their Children from the School, and fct divers of them to th3 Univerfities; where for 8 /. a year, or 10 /. at mofl, 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. Tho. Fowhy and Col. Bridges alfo aflifted me. Some of them are honeft able Minifters, now caft out with their Brethren : But two or three, having no other way to live, turned great Conformifls, and are Preachers now. And in giving that little I had, I did not enquire whe-thsr they were good or bad, if they asked Relief: For the bad had Souls and Bodies that needed Charity moft. And I found that Three pence or a Groat to every 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 almofl: all ( I Icarce know how ) in that time when I gave moft : And fince I have had lefs opportunity of giving, I have had left increale.

14. Another furtherance of my work was the Writings which I wrote, and gave among them. Some linall 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 (elf the benefit of reading to be (b great, that I could not but think it would be profitable to others.

ly. And it was a great Advantage to me, that my Neighbours were of fuch a Trade as allowed them time enough to read or talk of holy Things. For the Town liveth upon the Weaving of Rtddermir.fler Stuffs; and as they ftand in their Loom they can fet a Book before them, or edilie one another; whereas Plowmen, and many others, arefb wearied or continually employed, either in the Labours or the Cares of their Callings, that 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 lome alio that are good and juft, as among the other there 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 (ingle Life afforded me much advantage: For I could the eafilier 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 Pradlice 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 mea means to fave, or to recover their health : And doing it for nothing fo obliged them,that they would readily hear me.

18. And it was a great advantage to me, that there were at laft few that were bad, but fbme of their own Relations were Converted : Many Children did God work upon at 14, or ly, 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, wouldhear their own Children: They that before could have talkt againft Godlinefs, would not hear it fpoken againft when it was their Childrens Cafe ; Many that would not be brought to it themfelves, were proud that they had un-derftanding Religious Children : And we had forae 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.

19. And God made great ufeof StcknejSto do good to many. For though Sickbed Promiles 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 (tate, till furthe--Fruits of Piety appeared.

20. And I found that our difowning of the Iniijuity of the Timesy did tend to the good of many : For they defpifsd thofe that always followed the ftronger fide, and juitified every wickedneis that was done by the ftronger Party: Though we had judged the Parliaments War to be lawful and neceffary , to lave themfelves and us from the 7ri//j and their Adherents, and to punifh Delinquents in a Courle of Law, while we believed that nothing was intended againft the King or Laws j yec as foon as ever we faw the Cale changed, and CromwelTi Army enter into a Rebellion againft King and Parliament, and kill the King, and invade the Scots, and fight againft the King that Should have fucceeded, &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 lhame,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 aftbciated in a way of Concord with us: Their Preaching was powerful and Ibber; their Spirits peaceable and meek, difbwning the Trealons and Iniquities of the times as well as we ; they were wholly addided to the winning of Souls; felfdenying, and of moit blamelefs Lives; Evil lf)oken of by no Sober Men ; but greatly beloved by their own P;opIe,and all that knew them ; adhering to no Fadion; neither Epilcopal, Piesbyterian nor Independent, as to Parties j but defiring Union, and loving thac which is good in all.

Thele meeting weekly at our Lecture, and monthly at our Difputation, con-ftrained a Reverence in the People to their Worth and Unity, and conlequently furthered my Work, fucii were Mr. Andrctv Tri\]ia.m Miniiter of Bridgnorth, Mr. Tbo. Baldwin Minifter at Cbadjjey, Mv. Jho. Baldwin Miniller of C/e»r,'Mr. Jo[efh Baker \\\vi\^Zx\nWorcefle.r, IsAx. Hinry Oaflmd Mini If er. of Bewdley, Mr. William Spicer Miniller of Stone fan old man lince dead), Me. Richard Sergeant laft Minifter of Stone, }\,\r.Wilsby oiWomborne^yi-T. John Reigaolds ol fVoherhampton, Mr. Jofeph Rocke o\' Rowley, Mv. KichardJVolley oi Sallivarf, Mr. Giles iVolley, Mr. Humphrey JValdernoi Broome, Mr. Edw. Bowcbier o^ Church-hill, Mr. Ambroje Sparry oi Martley, Mr. IVilltaw Kimberley of Ruhnarley, Mr. Ber,j. Baxter of Upton upon Scvern^Mv.Dow-ley of Stoke, Mr. Stephen Baxter, Mr. Tho. Bromivtck oi' Kem/ey, Mv.J. Nott of Shc-nff-hales, withmany Others; to whom I may adjoyn Mr. John Spilsbury, and Mr. 7«ice one oi Bromjgrcvs., and the other oiWurcefier, Independants, and very honeft, ibber,and moderate men; (who were all nf them now filenced and caft out,though not one of them all had any hand in the Wars for the Parliament, or any yWilitary Employment; only Mr. George Hopkins o( E'vejloam was in the Army, ( a worthy faithful /Winillerallb) and no other of cur Aflbciation 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 confrantly 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 Gwl, they have been as bad as (bon as ever they came out : And thcfe werefb beaftly and ridiculous, that, they made that Sin (ot which we were in moft danger^ the more abhorred.

23. Another Advantage to me was thequalityof the Afofiates of the place. If we had been troubled with meer Separatills, Anabaptiits, or others that erred plaufibly and tollerably, they might perhaps have divided us, and drawn away Dilciplcs after them : But we had only two ProfefTors that fell off in the Wars,and ( one or two at moft j that made no Profeffion of Godlinefi were drawn in to

ithem. They that fell off were fuch as before, by their want of grounded Undcr-'ftanJing, Humility and Mortification, gave us the greateft fufpicion of their Stability : And they fell to no lefsthan Familifm and Infidelity, making ajeft of the Scripture, and the ElVentials of Chriftianicy : f Though they fb crefully hid ir, that we could never pofl!;bly have known their Minds, but from the Alehoufe, and Companions with whom they were more free). And as they fei! fiom the Faith, ib they fell to Drinking, Gaming, furious Paftions, horribly abufing their Wives

(and

Part I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ^ i

( and thereby faving them from their Errours ) and to a vicious Life. So that they ilcod up as Pillars and Monuments of God's Juftice, to warn all others, to take heed of Self-conceitednefs and HereHes, and ot departing from Truth and Chri-ftian Unity : And fb they were a principal means to keep out all Sedts and Errours from the Town.

24. Another great help to my Succels at laft, was the fore-defcribed Work of Perlbnal Conference with every Family apart, and Catechifing and Intruding them. That which was fpoken to them perfbnally , and put them ibmetime upon Anfwers, awakened their Attention, and was eafilier applyed than publick Preaching, and feemed to do much more upon them.

25'.And the Exercife of Church-Difcipline was no (mall furtherance of the Peoples Good : For I found plainly that without it I could not have kepc the Religious Ibrt from Separations and Divifions. There is fomeching generally in their Difpofitions, which inclineih them to diflbciate from open ungodly Sinners, as Men ot another Nature and Society ; and if they had not feen me do Ibmething reafonable for a Regular Separation of the notorious obltinate Sinners from the reft, they would irregularly have withdrawn themielves; 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 (b to order this Work, that we might neither make a meet Mock-lhew of DKcipline, nor with Independants, un-church the Parifii-Church,and gather a Church out of them anew. Therefore all the Mini-fters Affociate agreed together, to pra(ftii.;e fo much Difcipline, as the Epilcopal, Presbyterians and Independants were agreed on, that Presbyters might and muft 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 wereimwilling to owntheirown Mcmberlhip, we refolved to exercife that Difcipline with all : Only becaufe there aie fbme Pa-pifts andFamilifts or Infidels among us, and becaufe in thefe times of Liberty we cannot ( nor defire to ) compel any againft their Wills, wedefired all that didown their Memberlhip in this Parilli 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 choole to withdraw themfelves than live under Difcipline, to be filent: And i'o, for very fear of Difcipline, all the Pariih kept off except about Six hundred, when there were in all above Sixteen hundred at Age to be Communicants. Yet becaufe 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: Porthole that fcrupled our Gefture at the Sacrament, I openly told them that they fhould have it in their own. Yet did I Baptize all their Children ; but made them firtt ( 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 refuied it, I forbore till the Mother came to prefent it, ( for I rarely, if ever, found both Father and Mother lb deftitute of Knowledge and Faith, as in a Church Senfe to be uncapa-_ ble hereof.)

Of thofe that refufed to come under Difcipline, Ibme were honefl Perlbns,who by their Husbands, Parents orMafters, were forbidden : Many were grolly ignorant ; many were prophane and fcandalous j and many were kept off by the Example and Perlwafions of fome leading Perlons, 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 FatStion and Feilbnal Intereft, they difowned our Courfe as unfuitable to the Intereft of their Civil and Ecclefiaftical Sidings and Defigns.

About fix or (even young Men did joyn with us who were addided to Tipling, and one of them was a weak-headed Fellow, who was a common notorious Drunkard. We could not refule them, becaufe our bufinels was not to gather a New Church, but only to know who owned their own Memberfhip, and who would dilbwn it and withdraw themfelve?. But we told him that he was a notorious Drunkard, that we niuft prefently admonilh him, andejtpeA his humble, penitent Confeffion, and promife of Amendment, or elle we mult declare him unfit for Church-Communion. He lamented his Sin with great aggravation , and promi-fed Amendment j but quickly returned to it again : We admonilhed him ag:iin and again, and laboured to bring him to Contrition and Relblution; and he would fiill confefs it, and ftill go on : I warned him publickly, and prajedforhim feveral

N 2 days

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 accordingly C for this was all we did, whether you will call it Excommunication or not) endeavouring to convince him of his Mifery, and of the neceffity of true Repentance and Reformation.

If any fhall here ask me, Why w? took this Courle, and did not take all the Parifh for Members without putting the Qucftion to them ; and what Benefits we found by fuch a Courfe of Difcipline ? 1 anfwer firft to the lali Queftion :

r. We performed a plain Command of Chrift: and we took Obedience to ba bettter than Sacrifice, and be our belt kind of Wor/hip, and the plealing of God to be the greateft benefit.

2. As is faid before, we kept the Chrrch from irregular Separations, which elfe could never have been done.

J. We helpt to Cure that dangerous Difeale 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 Holineis, and how far it is inconfiftent with reigning Sin; and fb did vindicate the Honour of Chrift and the Chridian Faith.

4. We greatly (upprefled the pracftice of Sin, and caufed People to walk more watchfully than eife 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 fliall tell you the truth according to my Experince. All Ibber, godly, well-minded Per-Ibns, if they once fell into any fcandalous Adion fas fcarce two of them ever did) yea the very Civil and Younger fort that were tradable, did humbly confels their Sin, and walk more watchfully. But thole that were cafl out of our Communion were enraged, and made much more Enemies to Godlinefs than before, though we exerciled as much Patience and TenderneG towards them, as Realbn could defire. The Drunkard before-mentioned, after his EjeAion, when he was dru-nk would Hand at the Market-place, and like a Quaker, Cry out againft the Town, and take onhimtoprophefie God'sjudgments agalnft them, and would rage at my Door, and rail and curfe. And once he followed me as I went to Church, and laid hands on 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 anymore, (it being the Fair-dayJ there were fome Strangers by iu 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 Ferer in horrour of Conlcience. Three or four more we were forced to caft out, one for flandering, and all the reft for drunkennels; and though their wit, and the honefty of their Neighbours and Relations made them live quietly, yet their Enmity was much en-creaTed, and they themfelves fo much the worle, as convinced the ftrid^eft Religious (brt, that Excommunication is not to be ufed but upon great Neceflity. And indeed, how can you expert that he who will ftand it out to an Excommunication, /hould be bettered bvany ordinary means? When private Intreaties and vehement Bkhortations, and Warnings before others, and at laft before the Church, and ear-neft Prayers for them, and all that we could lay or do for many Weeks or Months together, would not makemoft of them lb much as lay. We are forry for our (in ; nor any of them leave their common Drunkennefs j how fhould Excommunication do them good ?

If you fay. Why then did you ule it ? I anfwer, For the fake of the reft mor6 than for them: for all the Reafons before-mentioned, and many more which I have laid down in the Preface to my UmverfdConcord. We knew it to bean Ordinance 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 blefs God that ever I made trial of Discipline; for my Expectations were not fruftrate though the ejected Sinners were hardened: The Churches Good muft be firft regarded.

As to the other Queftion,Why we dealt not thus by all the Parifh, and took them not all for Members without queftion ? We knew (bme P.ipifts and Infidels that were no Members: We knew that the People would have tliought themfelves wronged more to be thus brought under Dilcipline without and againft their own Confent, than to fuffer them to withdraw. And we thought it not a B'.finefs fit for the unwilling, elpecially at fuch a time as that: But efpecially, I knew that ic was like to be their utter undoing, by hardening them into utter Enmity againft the means that Ihould recover them : And 1 never yet faw any figns of hope in

a.iy

any Excommunicate Perfon ; ( unlets as they are yet men, and capable of what God will do upon them) except one that humbled himfclf, and begged Abfoluti-on. Now either Difcipline is to be exerciied according to Chrifl's Rule, or not. If nor, then the Church is no purer a Society, as to its Orders, than thofe of In-fidelsand Pagans, but Chrift muft be difobeyed, and his Houfe of Prayer made a Den of Thieves : If yea, then either impartially upon all obftinate impenitent Sinners according to Chrifts Rule, or but onfome: If but on fome only, it will be a Judgment of Partiality and Unrighteoufhefs ; whereas, where there is the fame Caule, there mud ( ufually ) be the (ame Penalty. If on all, then the multitude of the Scandalous in almoft all places is Co great, and the EfFefts ot Excommunication fo dreadful, that it would tend to damning of multitudes of Souls j which being contrary to the defign of the Golpel, is not to be taken for the Will of Chrift : we have our Power to Edification, and not to Deftrudion. A few in cafe of neceffity may be punifhed, though to their hurt, for the good of all j but multitudes muft not be fo ufed. Indeed, a Popilh Interdift, or mock Excommunication, by the Sentence of a Prelate or Lay-Chancellour, may pafs againfl multitudes, and have no confiderable Effeft, ( but as it is enforced by the Sword ): But the Word of God is quick and powerful, and when it is thus perfonally applycd in the Sentencing of a guilty obftinate Sinner, doth one way or other work more ef-fedually. Therefore in this difficulty there can be but two Remedies devlfed: 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 injurious to Infants, and againft the will of God, and hath more inconveniences than benefits. (Though for my part, as much as I have wrote againft them, I wi(h that it were in the Church now, as it was in the days oi Tertullian, Nazianz.en, and Aufrin, where no man was compelled to bring his Infants to Baptifm, but all left to their own time: For then Ibme (as Augu^ine, &cc.) were baptized at full Age, and fome in Infancy.) The fecond therefore is the only juft and fafe Remedy ; whichis. That by the due performance of Confirmation, there may be a S'ijemn Tranfttim out of the ilate of Infant Church-Memberlhip, into the Ibte of Adult Church-Member^nf^ and due qualifications therein required : and that the unfit may, till then, be left inter Audttores, without the Priviledges proper to Adult Members ; of which I have fully written in my Book of Confirmation.

26. Another Advantage which I found to my Succelswas, by ordering my Do-drine to them in a fuitablenefs to the main end, and yet fo as might fuit their Dil^ pofitions and Dileafes. 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 right knowledge, and belief of, and fubjedion 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 (b daily inculcate the Knowledge of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sandifier, and Love and Obedience to God, and Unity with the Church Catholick, and Love to Men, and Hope of Life Eternal, that thefe were the matter of their daily Cogitations and Difcourfes, and indeed their Religion. And yet I did ufually put in fomething in my Sermon which was above their own difcovery, and which they h.id 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 fhew that they excel them in Knowledge, andeafily over-top them in Abilities^ the People will be tempted to turn Preachers themfelves, and think that they have learnt all that the Minifters can teach them, and are as wife as they ; and'hey will be apt to contemn their Teachers, and wrangle with all their Dodrines, and let their Wits againft them, and hear them as Cenfureis, and not as Dilciples, to their own undoing, and to the difturbance of the Church j and they will eafily draw Dilciples after them : The bare Authority of the Clergy will not ferve the turn, without over-topping Minifterial Abilities). And I did this alio to increafe their Knowledge ; and alio to make Religion plealant to them, by a daily addition to their former Light, and to draw them on with defire and Delight. But thele things which they did not know before, were not unprofitable Controverfies which tended not to Edification, nor Novelties in DoArine contrary to the Univerlal Church; but either fiich Points as tended to illuftrate the great DoArines before-mentioned, or dually, about the right methodizing of them. The opening of the true and profitable method of the Creed , ( or Dodrine of Faith ) the Lords Prayer, ( or Matter of our Defires) and the Ten Commandments.

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5/4.

The LIFE of the 1, i b. I,

merits, ( or Law of Praftice ) which afford matter to add to the knowledge of mofl: ProfefTors of Religion, a long time : And when that is done, they muft be led on Itill further by degrees, as they are capable ; but fo as not to leave the weak behind: and fo as fliall {till 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 ,hcc!Luie 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 Magiltrates of the Town were few of them worth 40 /. per An. and nioft not half fo much. Three or four of the Richefi thriving Mailers 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-iter Workmen , lived but a little better than their Journeymen, (from hand to moath^ but only that they laboured not altogether fo hard.

And it is the Poor that receive the glad Tidings of the Gofpel, and that are ufually rich in faith, and heirt of the heavenly riches which God hath prcmifed to them that love him; James 2. y. Do not rich men opprefjou, and draw you bcfere the "Judgmmt Seati ? As Mr. George Herbert faith in his Church Militant :

Gold and the Gojpel never did agree : Religion alwajs (ides with Vovertj.

Ufually the Rich are Proud and Obftinate, and will not endure the due Conduct of theMiniff'ry : Let them be never fo ignorant, they mulf not be croft in their Conceits and Way j and if they be, they ftorm, and raife Perfecution upon it ; or at leaft draw away a Faction after them. Let them be never fo Guilty (un-lefs it be fbme fwiniih inexcufable Sin) they will not endure to be told of it. Their Gentility feemeth to allow tliem, in the three or four Sins of Sodom, ?ride, Fulnefi of Bread, and Abundance of IdleneJ^,and not co7ifideri7ig the Poor and Needy. And their /«/Mf/? and/^/raf/i" tempt them to further Vcluptuouliiels and Senfuality, to Filthi-nef>, or to Time-w^a/Ziw^ needlefs kinds of Sports: And they muft not be croff in any of this. Do but ofter to LxercileChrift'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 lay >ou affeft a Domination, and to trample upon your Superiours, and areas proud as Popes. Chrift knew what he faid , when he faid , How hardly fliall a Rich Man enter into the King^dom 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 (o fierce or fo fignilicant; he maketh not fo much ado, nor en-gageth lb many with him, nor is fb much regarded by the relt. One Knight ( Sir R. C.) which lived among us, did more to hinder my greater SuccefTes, than a multitude of others could have done : Though he was an old Man, of greac Courtlhip and Civility, and very temperate as to Dyet, Apparel and Spot rs, and ieldom would Swear any lowder than [ By hu Troth, See] and fhewed me much Perlcnal Reverence and Refpe6t fbeyond my defert), and we converlcd together with Love and Familiarity ; yet ^having no rclifliof this Precilenefs and Extemporary Praying, and making lb much ado for Heaven; nor liking that which went beyond the pace of Saying the Common frayer, and alfb the Interefl of himfelf and lii5 Civil and Ecclcfiaftical Parties, leading him to be ruled by Dv. Hammond) his coming but once a day to Church on the Lord'sdays, and his Abftaining from the Sicrament, &c. as if we kept not fufficiently to the old way , and becaufe we ufed not the Common frayer Book, when it would have caufed us to be Sequeftred ) did cuife a great part of the Parilli to follow him, and do as he did j when elfe our Succels and Concord would have been much more happy than it was. And yet Civility and yielding much beyond others of his Party, (lending his Family to be Catechized and perfonally Inftrudted) did Iway with the worft almoft among us to do the like. Indeed wc had two other Pcrfbns 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 lall Mrs. Hanmer) : For when the Rich are indeed Religions, and overcome their Temptations, as they may be fuppoled better than others, becaufe their Conqueft is greater, fo they may do more good than others, becaufe their Talents are more. But fuch (comparatively j are always few.

iS.Another

a8. Another thing that helped me was, my not medling with Tythes or Worldly Bufinefs J 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 woald have been ; and alfo I efcaped the offending of the PeoplCj and contending by any Law Suits with them. And I found alfo that Nature it felf being Confcioiis of the Bafeneft of its Earthly Difpofitionjdoth think ba(ely of thole whom it difcern-eth to be Earthly ; and is forced to Reverence thofe whofe Converfe is fuppofed to be moff with God and Heaven. Three or Four of my Neighbours managed all thofe kind of Bufineffes, of whom I never took Account j and if any one denied to pay their Tythes, if they were poor I ordered them to forgive it them 5 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 tofeek it by the Magiftrare, with the Damage, and give both my Part and the Damages to the Poor ( for 1 refblveil to have none of it my (elf that was recovered by Law, and yet I could not toUeratc 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 (o 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 Benefit 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, lo that I never had one Hour's trouble about it, nor ever took one Day's Account of her for Fourteen Years together, as being certain of her Fidelity, Providence and Skill.

2y. And it much furthered my Succefs, that I ftayed Ifill in this one Place, (near Two Years before the Wars, and above Fourteen Years after ) j for he that re-moveth oft from Place to Place, may fbw good Seed in many Places; but is not like to fee much Fruit in any, unlefs fbnie other skilful Hand fliall follow him to water ic: It was a great Advantage to me, to have almofl; all the Religious People of the Place, of my own Inftrudting and Informing j and that they were not formed into erroneous and fadious Principles before; and that I ftayed to (ee them grown up to fome Confirmednefs and Maturity.

30. Laitly, Our Succefles were enlarged beyond our own Congregations, by the Ledui es kept up round about : To divers of them I went as oft as I was able j and the Neighbour Minifters ofter than I; efpecially Mr. Oajland of Be-wdley, who having a ftrongBody, a zealous Spirit, and an earneft Utterance, went up and down Preaching from Place to Place, with great Acceptance and Succefs. But this Bufinefs alfo we contrived to be univerfally and orderly managed : For befides the Ledures let 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 underltand that when the Parliament purged the MiniUry, they caft out the grolfer fort of infuffi-cient and fcandalous ones, as grofs Drunkards, and fuch like ; and alfo fome few Civil Men that had allifted in the Wars againif the Parliament, or fet up bowing to Altars, and fuch Innovations: But they had left in near one half the Minifters, that were not good enough to do much Service, nor bad enough to be caft out as utterly intollerable : Thele were a company of Poor weak Preachers, that had no great Skill in Divinity, nor Zeal for Godlinefs j butpreached weaklythat which is True, and lived in no grofs notorious Sin : Thele Men were not caff outj but yet their People gready needed help j for their dark fleepy Preaching did but little Good : Therefore we refblvedthat fome of the abler Minifters Ihould often voluntarily help them ; but all the Care was how to do it without offending them; And it fell out leafonably, that the Londoners of that County at their yearly Feaft, did colled about 50 /. and fend it me (by that worthy Man, Mr. Thomas Stanley of Bread-fireet ) to fet up a Lefture for that Year: Whereupon, we covered all our D-figns under the Name of ths Londoners Lcfture, which took off the Offence : And we chofe four worthy Men, Mr. And. Trifiram, Mr. Hen. OaJIand, Mr. Tbo. Baldtvin, and Mr. Jof. Treble ( who only now conforraeth ) who undertook to go each Man his Day, once a Month, which was every Lord's Day between thefour^ and to preach at thofe Places which had moft need, twice on a Lord's Day ; but to avoid all ill Conlequents and Offence, they were fometim.es to go to ablec Mens Congregations, and wherever they came to lay fomewhat always to draw the People to the Honour and fpccial Regard of their own Paftors; that how weak loever they were, they might fee that we came not to draw away the Peoples Hearts from them, but to itrengthen their Hands, and help them in their Work. This Lefture did a great deal of Good ; and though the Londontrs g3.WQ their Mo»

ney

ney but that one Year, yet, when it was once let on foot, we continued it voluntarily (till the Minifters were turned out, and all thefe Works went down together ).

So much of the Way and Helps of thole SuccefTcs, which I mention becaufe many have enquired after them, as willing v.'ith their own Flocks to take that Courft, which other Men have by Experience found to be effedual.

§ 138. Having before faid fomewhat of my Troubles with Mr. Tombes, I jlial! here more fully tell the Reader how it was.

Mr. Tombs being my Neighbour within two Miles, and denying Infint Baptifnf, and having written a Book or twoagainit ir, he was not a little defiious 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: Whereupon, he came conftantly to my Weekly Ledure, waiting for an Opportunity to fall upon that Controveify in his Conference with me: But I lludioufly avoided it ; (b that he knew not how to begin : And he had fo high a Conceit of his Writings that he thought them unanfwcrable, and that none could deal with them in that way.

At laft, (bme 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 Lefture ; and he unavoidably contrived me into the Controverly, which I iliun'd j for there came unto me five or fix of his chief Profelites, as if they were yet unrelolved, and defired me to give them in Writing the Arguments which fatisfied me tor Infant Baptifm. I asked them whether they came not by Mr. Jombesi Direcftion : And they confef-(ed that they did. I asked them whether they had read the Books of Mr.Cobbet, Mr. Marpiall, Mr. Lburch, 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; and then come to me, and tell me what they had to fay againft them. But this they would by no means do ; but mult have my Writings. I told them, that now they plainly conieffed that they came upon a Defign to promote their Party by contentious Writings, and not in fincere Defire to be informed, as they pretended: But to be fliorr, they had no moreModefly than to infiif on their Demands, and to tell me that if they turned againft Infant Baptjim, and I denied to give them my Arguments in Writing, they mult lay it upon me. I asked them whether they Would conunue unie(olved till Mr. Tombes and i had done our Writings; feeing ic was (bme Years fince Mr. Blake and he began, and have not ended yet. But no Reafoning (oived the turn with them, but ihey ftill call for my written Arguments: When I law their fa6tious Defign andlmmodefty, I bid them tell Mr. Tombes, that he Ihoiild neither thus command me to lolea Years time in my Weaknels, in quarrelling Vv-ith him, nor yet Ihould have his End in infulting over me, as if 1 fled from the Light of Truth : Therefore I offered him, if we muft needs contend, that we might do it the fhortell: and moll fatisfadory way, and fpend one Day in a Dilpute at his own Church, where I would attend him, ( that his People might not remain unlatisfied, till they law which of us would have the laft Word ) ; and after that we would confider of Writing.

So Mr. Tombes and I agreed to meet at his Church on Jan. i. And in great Weaknels 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 ail fjient in manageing one Argument, from Infants right to Church-Membcrfhip to their Right to Baptiiin: of which he after complained, as if I affaulted him in a new way, which he had notconfidered of ixfore ; But this was not the firft time that I had dealt with Anabaptifts, who had fb much to do with them in the Army as I liad : In a Word, this Difpute f^uisfied all my own People and the Country that came in, and Mr. Tow/'f/sown Townirnen, except about Twenty whom he fiad perverted, who gathered into his Chuich, which never increaled to above Twenty two, that I could learn. So much of that Difpute, of the Writing more anon.

§ 139. If any fiiall demand whether the increafe of Godlinefs was anfwcrabic in all places to what 1 have mentioned (and none deny that it was with us) 1 anlwer, that however Men that meafiire Godlinefs by their Gain and Intereft and Domination, do go about to perfuade the World that Godlinefs then went down, and was almoft extinguilhed, I muft bear this faithful Witnefs to thofe times, that a^ far as I was acquainted, where before there was one godly profitable Preacher, there was then fix or ten j and taking one Place with another, I conjedure there is a

propor-

proportionable increafe of truly godly People, not counting Hereticksor perfidious Rebels or Church-difturbers as iuch: But this increafe of Godlinefs was not in all places alike : For in Ibme places where the Minifters were formalj or ignorant, or weak and imprudent, contentious or negligent, the Parifhes were as bad as heretofore. And in fome places, where the Minifters had excellent parts, and holy lives, and thirfted afcer 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 (erious Godlinefi. And with thoie of a mid-die itate, ufually they had a middle meafare of Succefs. And I mult add this to the true Information of Pofterity, That God did fo wonderfully blcls the Labours of his unanimous faithful Mim(ters, that had it not been for the FaAion of the Pre-latifh on one (ide that drew men off, and the Faftions of the giddy and turbulent Seftaries on the other fide, ( who puU'd down all Government, cried down the Minifters, and broke all into Confufion, and made the People at their wits end, not knowing what Religion to be of); together with (bme lazmefi and fiIfjlmef iii many of the Miniftry, I fay, had it not been for thefe Impediments, England had been like in a quarter of an Age to have become a Land of Saints, and a Patfern of Holinels to all the World, and the unmatchable Paradife of the Earth. Never were fuch fair opportunities to fandifie a Nation, loft and trodden under foot, as have been in this Land of late 1 Woe be to them that were the C.ufes of it.

§ 140. In our Aflbciation 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. T/?o. Hall) nor one Independant, (though two or three honeft ones faid nothing againit us) nor one of the New Prelatical way fDr. Hammond's) but three or four moderate Conformifts that,were for the old Epilcopacy ; and all the reft were meer Catholicks ; Men of no Fadion, nor fiding 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 Seftaries among us was much through the weaknels or the fauitinels of Minifters: And it made me remember that Sefts have moft abounded when the Gofpel hath moft profpered, and God hath been doing the greateft works in the World : As firft in the Apoftles and the Primitive Times, and then when Chriftian Emperours were affifting the Church ; and then when Reformation prolpered in Germany ; and lately in New-England where Godlinels moft flourilhed ; and laft of all here,when (b pleaiant a Spring had raifed all our hopes ; And our Impatience of weak Peoples Errours and Dtjfent, did make the Bufi-nefs worle j whillt 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 fuffenng thele Errours; and thinking the Sword muft do that which the Word fliould do : And it is a wicked thing in Men , to defire with the Papifts, that the People were rather/(/zW than ;)«rWzw^, and that they might rather know nothing, than miftake in fome few Points; and to be more troubled that a man contradi^eth us in the Point of Infant Baptifm or Church Government, than that many of the People are fottiflily carelefi 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 Swtne or JJfes will.

§ 142. Ail this Vi^hile that I abode at Kidderminfier, ( though the Rulers that then were made an Order that no Sequeftred Minifter fhould have his fifth part, unlefs he removed out of the Parilh where he had been Minifter, yet) did I never remove the old Sequeftred Vicar fo much as out of his Vicaridge Houfe, no nor once came within the Doors of it; fo far was 1 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 changed, the inftigation of others made him as malapart again, as if he had been awakened out ot a fleepy Innocence.

§ r43. About this time Cromwell fet up his Major Generals, and the Decimation of the Eftates of the Royalifts, called Velmt^uents, to maintain them : And Jamet Berry was made Major General of Worcejlerfhire, Shropjlnre, Herefordfliire, and North-Walet ; the Countreys in which he had formerly lived as a Servant ( a Clark of Iron-works). His reign was modcft and fhort; but hated and (corned by the Gen-

O Jry

*"* try chat had known his Inferiority : Cfo that it had been better for him to have chofen a ftrangerpL.ce) : And yet many of them attended him as fubmiffively as if they had honoured him ; fo figniticanj a thing is power and profperity witli worldly minds.

§ 144. I come now to the End of Cromwell's Reign, who died ( of a Fever ) before he was aware. Fie efcaped the Attempts of many that fought to have di-ipatched him Iboner j but could not efcape the Itroke of God, when his appoint-=<-Ashis ed Time was come, (Though * an Independent, praying for him, laid , [Lord, cunenti) y^^ ask not for hit Life, for that we are Jure of i but that he 7nay ferve thee better than ever reported ^^ ^^^ j^^^ |. ^^ ^^^ diiiionour of that Prefumption which fome men call a farii-^litrl^Jiy cular Faith {thit is, A believing that they fliall receive v,/hatcver they ask, if they mon that can but ftsdfidly believe that they Ihall receive it, though it be fuch as tiiey have no ever I other promife for, btit that pf Hearing [ believing Erasers ] which they mifunder-heardof. ^^„j ,_

Never man was highlier extolled, and never man was bafelier reported of, and vilified than this man. No ( meer ) man was better and worfe fpoken of than he ; according as mens Intererts led their judgments. The Soldiers and Sectaries mo(t highly magnified him, till he began to ieek the Crown and the EltabliHiment of his Family : And then there were fo many that would be Half-Kings them(elve;s, that a King did (eem intollerable to thern. The Royalifts abhorred him as a moft perfi -dious Hypocrite; and the Presbyterians thought him little better,in his management of publick matters.

If after io many others I may fpeak my Opinion of him, I think, that, having been a Prodigal in his Youth, and afteryvard changed to a zealous Religiouihels, he meant honelily in the main, and was pious and confcionable in the main courle 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 underftanding than common Soldiers, and therefore were more apprehenfive of the Importance and Conlequencs of the War; ai]d making not Money, but that which they took for the Publick Felicity, to be their End, they were the more engaged to be valiant j for he that maketh Money his End, doth efteem his Life above his Pay, and therefore is like enough to five it by flight when danger comes, if poffibly he can: But he that maketh the Felicity of Church and State his End, efteemeth it above his Life, and therefore will the Iboner lay down his Life for it. And men of Parts and Underftanding know how to manage their bufinefs, and know that flying is the fureft way to d'iath, and that ftandingtoit is the likeliell way to efcapej there being many uilially that fall in flight, for one that falls in vdiant fight. Thefe things it's probable Cromwell underftood j and that none would be fuch engaged valiant men as the Religious: But yet I conjefture, that at his firft choofing fuch men into his Troop, it was the very Efteem and Love of Religious men that principally moved him j and the avoiding of thole Dilbrders, Mutinies , Plunderings, and Grievances of the Country , which deboiff men in Armies are commonly guilty of: By this means he indeed Iped better than he expected. Aires , Desbo-rough, Berry, E-vanfon, 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 Commiilion to take (ome careof the AflTociated Counties, where he brought this Troop into a doable Regiment, of fourteen full Troops j 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 Succeis; firlt in Lincohflnre , and afterward in the Earl o(Manchefiers Army at TurkF'ight: With their Succeffesthe Hearts both of Captain and Soldiers fecretly rile both in Pride and Expedation : And the familiarity of msny honeft erroneous Men ( Anabaptifts, Antinomians, &c. ) withal began quickly to corrupt their Judgments. Hereupon Crewweil/'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 Sed: foever: Piety pleadeth for them as GoJlj ; and Chanty as Men ; and Ambition fecredy telleth him what ule 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 1. i<^'^r^«^/kfr. Richard Baxter. ^^

When SucceiTes h,id broken tlovvri aii conliderableOppofuion, he was then in the fa^e of his ftrongeft Tempcacions, which conquered him when he had conquered orhers: He chought that he had hitherto done well, both as to the End And Means, and God by the wonderful Blefling of his Pi evidence had owned hisendea-vours, and it was none but God that had made him great : He thought that if the War was lawful, the Vidlory was lawful; and if it were lawful to tight againlt the King and conquer him, it was lawful to ufe him as a conquered Enemy, and a foplilh thing to truft him when they had fo provoked him, (whereas indeed the: Parliament profefTed neither to fight againfi: him, nor to conquer him).He thought that the Heart of the King was deep, and that he lefblved upon Revenge, and that if he were King, he would eafiiy at one time or odier accomplilli it ; and that it wgs a difhoneit thing of the Parliament to (et men to fight for them againfi the King, and then to lay their Necks upon the block , and be at his Mercy j and that if that mult be their Cale, it was better to flatter or pleafe him, than to fight againft him. He faw that the Scots and the Presbyterians in the Parliament, did by the Covenant and the Oath of Allegiance, find themfilves bound to the Peribn and Family of the King, and that there was no hope of changing their minJs in this: Hereupon he joyned with that Party in the Parliament who were for the. Cutting off the King, and trufting him no more. And confequently he joyned with them in raifing the Independants to make a Fradlion in the SyncS at JVeft-mtnHer and in the City j and in Itrengthening the Scdlaries in Army, City and Country, and in rendering the Scots and Minifters as odious as he could, to djiable them from hindering the Change of Government. In the doing of all this, ( which Diftrufi and Ambition had perlwaded him was well donej he tliought it lawful to ufe his Wits, to chooie each Inftrument, and iuit each means, unto its end J and accordingly he daily imployed himfelf, and modelled the Army, and disbanded all other Garrifbns and Forces and Committees,

which were like to have hindered his defign. And as he went M^an men in their rifing muft

on, thoLiah he yet refolved not what form the New Common- adhcM-e(toaFaaion)butgreatMen

iL/iiji-^ 111 I 1 1 -I r that liave ftrength in themfelves,

wealth Ihould be molded mto, yet he thought it but realona- ^v^re better to maintain them-

ble, that he ihould be the Chief Peribn who had been chief in felves indifFcrcnt and neutral :yet

their Deliverance s ( For the Lord Fairfax he knew had but even in beginners to adhere fo

the Name). At lalf, as he thought it lawful to cut off the moderately, asthat he be a Man

X, ■^ r I 111 1 r I, y r , ot that ouc Faftion which is mote ing, becaule he thought he was lawlully conquered, lo he pjjTable with the other, corn-thought it lawful to fight againft the Scots that would fet him monly giveth beft way. The up, and to pull down the Presbyterian Majority in the Parlia lower and weaker Faftion is the

ment, which would eUe by relforing him undo all which had ^[f",'" i°"''""/^'°"J ^^""^'t'^

a, r IC111T-? /(J j-11 often leen that a few that are ftiff,

colt tnem lo much blood and Trealure. And accordingly he ^p (;,.£. ^^^ ^ g^eat number that

conquererh Scotland, and pulleth down the Parliament : being are more moderate : when one of

the eafiliir perfwaded that all this was lawful, becaule he had a ^ic Faftions is extinguifhed, the

fecret Byas and Eye towards his own Exaltation : For he (and f}'^' "-e^ming fubdivideth

u- /-^r^ \ L I 1 I IT- /■-. It IS commonly feen that Men once

his Orficers) thought, that wnen the King was gone a Govern p^ccd take in with the contrary

ment there niuft be; and that no Man was ib fit for it as he Faftion to tiiat by which they en-

himlelf; isbtH dcjervingk, and as having by his/"f/r and great *'^'' L'>rd\cm\imFpy ii,

ijffrf/in the Army, the beft fufficiency to manage it: Yea, ^•^^7'

they thought that God had called tliem by SucccJJ'cs to Govern and

r.«^2 CVff of the Commonwealth, and of the Intereft of all his People in the

Land ; and that if they ftood by and (iiffercd the Parliament to do that which they

thought was dangerous, it would be required a^ their hands, whom they thought

God had made the Guirdians of the Land.

Having thus forced his Confcience to juftifie all his Caufe , (the Cutting off the the King, the letting up himfelf and his Adherents, tlie pulling down the Parliament and thQ Scots,) he thinketh that the End being good and necefTary, the necef lary means cannot be bad: And accordingly he giveth his Intereft and Caufe leave to tell him, how far Seds fhall be tollerated and commendtd, and how far not j and how far tb.e MiniHry ihall be owned and fiipported, and how far not j yea, and how far Profeflions, Promifes, and Vows Ihall be kept, or broken ; and therefore the Covenant he could not away with ; nor tiie Minilrers, further than they yielded to his Ends, or uid not openly refift^ them. He feemed exceeding open hearted, by a familiar Ruftick aifefted Carriage, fefpecially to his Soldiers in/porting with them ) : but he thought Secrecy a Vertue, and Diiflimulation no Vice, and Simulation, that is, in plain Englilh a Lie, or Perfidioufnefs to be a tolleiable Fault ill a Ca(e of Neceflity : being of the iame Opinion with the Lord Baco?;, ("who was not lb Precife as Leainedj That [ the be[i Co/uf'ojition and Temperature u,

to have openne(? in Fame and Opinion, Secrecy in habit , Dijjimulation in feafonabk ufe j and a power to feign if there be no remedy,] EfSay 6. pag. 31. Therefore he kept fair with all , faving his open or unreconcileable Enemies. He carried it with fuch Diffimulation, that Anabapcifts, Independants, and Antinomians did all think that he was one of them : But he never endeavoured to perfwade the 'Presbyterians that he was one of them j but only that he would do them Jultice, and Pre-ferve them, and that he honoured their Worth and Piety ; for he knew that they were not lb 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 Promiles which he made in his lower Condition, he ufed as the interefl: of his higher following Condition did require, and kept up as much Honeity and Godiinels in the main, as his Caufe and Interell would allow, ( but there they left him ) : And his Name llandeth as a monitory Monument or Pillar to PoOerity to tell them, [The infiabihty of Mzn in firong "Temptations, if God leave him to himlelf: what great SucceS and Ficlories can do to lift up a Mind that once feemed humble: what fride can do to make M^nfelfjJ), and corrupt the Heart with tU defigns : what Jelfijlmefi and ill defigns can do, to bribe the Confcisnce, and corrupt the Judgment, and make imnjufitfie the greateft Erroars and Sins, and fetagainft the clearelt Truth and Duty : what Bloodjhed and great Enormities of Life, an Erring deluded Judgment may draw Men to, and patronize; and That when God hath dreadful Judgments to execute, an Erroneous SeiSary, or a proud Self-leeker, is oftner his Inltrument, than an humble. Lamb-like, innocent Saint].

§ 14 J. Cromwell being dead, his Son Richard by h/s Will And Teftament, and the jirmy was quietly letled in his place ; while all Men look'd that they Ihould pre-fently have fallen into Confufion and Difcord among themlelves; the Counties, Cities, and Corporations of England lend up their Congratulations, to own him as Protedor : (But none of us in Worcejierfhire, fave the Independants, medied in it.)

He interred his Father with great Pomp and Solemnity : He called a Parliament, and that without any luch Reftraints as his Father had ufed : The Members took the Oath of Fidelity or Allegiance to him ac the Door of the Houfe before they entred. And all Men wondred to lee all fo quiet, in fo dangerous a Time. Many Ibber Men that called his Father no better than a Trayterous Hypocrite,did begin to think that they owed him SubjeHson. They knew that the King was by Birth their Rightful Sovereign j and relblved to do their beft while there was hopes to introduce him, and defend him: But they were afloni/hed at the marvellous Providences of God , which had been agalnft that Family all along, and they thought that there was no rational probability of his Re-fioration, having feen lb 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 Government is of Divine Appointment; and the Family, Pcrfon or Species is but of a fublervient, lels neceilary 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 Deftruftion of the Common Good, which is the End of Government 1 Therefore that the Subjeds, feeing they are unable to re-fiore the King, mult confent to another : That the Houfe of Commons, having fworn Allegiance to him, have aduaUy fubjefted the Nation to him : And though his Father Trayteroully made the Change, yet the Succeflbr of a Traytor may by the Peoples conlent, become a Governour , whom each Individual muft acknowledge by SubjeAion : That the Bilhops and Churches both of Eafi and Wefi, as all Hiliory Iheweth, have profefled their Subjetftion to Uliirpers, in a far Ihort-er time, and upon lighter Reafons: That this Man having never had any hand in the War, (but liippofed to be for the King) nor ever feeking for the Government, and now leeming to own the Sober Party, was like to be ufed in the healing of the Land, &c.] Such Realbnings as thefe began to take with the minds of many, to fubjeft themlelves quietly to this Man (though they never did it to his Father) as ^^''"'^'f now delpairingofche Reflitution of the King : * And I confefs fiich Thoughts Mcns^prc-^^''^ ^°'"^^'*'hat prevalent with my lelf: But God quickly Ihewed 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 impoffible to us: So that the Reftoration of the King, which we thought tl"'F^'fl? ^^^^ impoflible, was accomplilhed in a trice: And we faw that twelve or eighteen 0^2 Books y^^rs is not long enough to waiton God. wherein l never juftificd his Ul'urpation : BvX Jiidicis "ffic'wm eji; ut res itn tempora rerum,Sic. The

P A R T I. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. loi

The Army fet up Richard Cromwell, it feemeth upon Tryal; relolving to ule him as he behaved himfelf: And though they fwore Fidelity to him, they meant to keep it no longer than he pleafed them; And when they law that he be^an to favour the fober People of the Land, to honour Parliaments, and to refpeA the Minifters, whom they called Presbyterians, they prelencly lefolved to make him know his Mafters, and that it was they and nnt he, that were called by God to be the chief Prote(aors 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 Seftaries in the City : Rogers and Feake, and fuch like Firebrands preach them into Fury, and blow the Coales j But Dr. Owen and his Afllflants did the main Work : He gathereth a Church at ( at Lieutenanr General Fleetwood's Qiiarters, at Wallingford Houle, confiding of the adlive Olficers of the Army (this Church-gathering hath been the Church fcattering Projed ) : In this AlTembly ic was determined that Richard's Parliament niuft be diflblved, and then he quickly fell himfelf: ( Though he never abated their Liberties or their Greatnels j yet did he not fufficiently befriend them) ; DiSium faElum; almolf as quickly done as determined : Though Col. Richard Ingohhy and fome others, would have (luck to the Proteftor, and have ventured to furprile the Leaders oftheFadi-on, and the Parliament would have been true to him ; yet Berrfs Regiment of Horfe, and fome others, were prefently ready to have begun the Fray againdhim; and as he fought not the Government, he was refolved it fhould coft no Blood to keep him in it: But if they would venture for their Parts on new Confufions, he would venture his Part by retiring to his Privacy : And fo he did (to latisfiethele pioud diOraded Tyrants, who thought they did but pull down Tyranny ) resign the Government by a Writing under his Hand, and retired himfalf, and left them to govern as they pleafed.

His Good Brother in Law , Fleetwood, and his Uncle Besborough were lb intoxicated as to be the Leaders of the Confpiracy : And when they had puH'd him down, they fet up a few of themlelves under the Name of a Council of State j and fb mad were they with Pride, as to think the Nation would fland by and reverence them, and obediently wait upon them in their drunken Giddinefs; and that their Fadion in the Army was made by God an invincible Terror to all that did but hear their Names. The Care of the Bufinels alfo was, that Oli'ver had once made Fleetwood believe that he fliould be his Succeflbrj and drawn an Inftrument to that purpofe ; but his laft Will difippointed him. And then the Sedaries flattered him, faying, that a truly Godly Man that had commanded them in the Wars was to be preferred before fuch an one as they cenfured to have no true Godlinefs.

§ 14'^. I make no doubt but God permitted all this for Goodj and that as it was their Treafon to fet up Oliver and deftroy the King, fo it was their Duty to have fet up the prelent King inftead of Kichard: And God made them the means, to their own De(f ruftion, contrary to their Intentions, to reftore the Monarchy and Family which they had ruined. But all this is no Thanks to them j but that which with a good Intention had been a Duty ( to take down or not fet up Richard Cromwell ) yet as done by them was as barbarous Perfideoulhefs as moft ever Hillory did declare: That they fliould fo fuddenly, fo fcornfully and proudly pull down him whom they had fo lately let up themlelves and fworn to : And that for nothing ; they could fcarce tell why themlelves; nor ever were able to give the World a fairer Reafon for their Villany ( by any Fault they could charge upon him ) than the Munf-er Fanaticks had to give for their Bethlehem Outrages and Rebellion : That they fhould do this while a Parliament was fitting whicli had fo many wife, religious Members ; not only without the Parliaments Advice, but in dcfpight of them, and force him to dilfolve them firft ; as if Perjury and Rebellion were newly put into the Commandments; or God had made thefe proud Ufurpers to be the Governors of Protedlor and of Parliaments, and exempted them wholly from the Precept [^Honour thy Father^ [Let every Sotsl he fid'jeil to the higher Fowers^.Thit they fhould fo proudly defpife not only the Parliament,butall theMiniffers of London and ofrheLand,as to do this,not only without advifing with, and againft their Judgments; but in a faftiousEnvy againff them,!eft they fhould be too much countenanced :Yea,they did it againft the Judgments of moft of their own Party ( the Independants ), as they now profels themfelves: Yea, Mr. Nye, that was then thought to be engaged in the fame Defign, doth utterly difclaim it, and

profefs

^.- _^, __—— — - — ■

profels that his Content or Hand was never to it : But Fride njualfy goeth before DefiruBicn.

§ 147. And having (aid this of the Crimes of the(e Firebrands of the Army,I mufl: fay fomewhat of the Ssttarian Party in General; I mean, thole who have been moft addided to Chuxh-DivilionSj and Separations, and Sidings, and Farties,and havere-fufed all terms of Concord and Unity : I doubt not but many of them we'C People that feared God^ who in their Ignorance of the Dodrrine 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 j and that politick Statefmen kept 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 mull: record it to the Shame of their Mifcarriages, that the weaker ar.d younger fort cf Profejjors, have been prone to be paft up with high Thoughts of themlelves, and to over-value their little Degrees of Knowledge and Parts, which fct them not above the Pity of underftanding Men : That they have been fet upon thofe Courfcs which tend to advance them above the Common People in the Oblcrvation of the World, and to fet them at a farther Diliance from others than God alloweth, snd all this under 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 AnabiptiRs that Caufcs of Atheifin, 1. ManyDi- have not been the Oppofers and Troublers of the faithful Mi-vifions in Religion. 2. The Scan- jj^ ^ ^^^^^ L^^j ^^j ^^^^ ^-^e Trcublers of their People, daJ of Prieus. 3. A Cuuom of .ltt-j tl-c r 1 n. uji

Prophane Scoffing about Holy and the Hmderers of their Succels ; they ftrengthned the

Matters. 4. Corrupting profperi- Hands of the Prophane : The Sediaries ( efpeciaily the Ana-ty. Effay id. ^ 5.1. baptifts, the Seekers, and the Quakers) cho(c out the moU

able, zealous Miniiters, to make the Marks of their Reproach and Obliquy, and all becaufe they Itood in the Way of their Defigns, and hindered them in the propagating of their Opinions : They fet again!} the fame Men that the Drunkards and Swearers fit againft, and much after the lame manner j reviling them, and railing up falfe Reports of them, and doing nli that the/ could to make them odious, and at laft attempting to pull th:m all down j only they did it more prophanely than the Prophane ; in that they (aid, [Lef the Lord he glorified'^ Let the Gofpel he propagated'\ and abufed and prophaned Scriptutig and the Name of God by entituling him to their Fadlion and Mifcarriage?. Yea, though they thought themielves the moft underftanding and confciencious People of the Land, yet did the Gang of them (eldom ftick at any thing which feemed to pro-more their Caufe ; but whatever their Fadion in the Army did, they pleaded for it and approved it : If they puU'd down the Parlianient, impiifon'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 CromweU, if they let up his Son and pulfd him down again, it' they Ibught to obtrude Agreements on the People, if they one Week ict up a Council of State, and if another Week the Rump were reftored, if they fought to take down Tythes and Pariili-Minifters, to the utter Confu-lion of the State of Religion in the Land j in all thelb the Anabaptifts, and many of the Independants in the Three Kingdoms followed them ; and even their Pallors were ready to lead them to conlenr.

And all this began but in unwarrantable Separations, and too much nggravatitig the Faults of the Churches C7id Common People, and Comrron Frayer Book and Miniftry ; 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 5c-paration, and that they were allowed to make odious any tiling that was amils; and bccaule it was faulty, if any Man had rebuked them for belying it, and making it far more faulty than it was, inftead of confeding their Sin, they called their Reprover a Pleader for Antichiift or Baal ^ every Error in the Mode of the Common Worfiiipthey had no fitter Name lor, than Idolatry, Popery, Antichri-flianifm, Superfticif)n, Will-worfhip, &c. when in the mean time, many of their own Prayers were ft;ll of Carnil Paflion, Selfifhnels, Faction, Dilbrder, vain Re-pitions, unibund and loathlbm Expreffions, and their DocSrine full of Errors and Confuilion ; andtheie Beams in tlieir own Eyes were matter of no Offence to them : They would not communicate with that Church where ignorant Perlbns or Swearers were tollcraied ( though they themlelves never did their Pait to have theni call out, but look'd the Miniftcrs rtiould do all without them ) j but without any Icruple they would communicate with them that had broke their Vow and Covenant with God anci MaPj and rebslkd againftboth Kipg, Parliamcn"-, and

all

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 fomein Ignorance or Malice, againft many that arc guilty of no fuch things, and therefore Ibme will be offended ac me, and fay, I imitate fuch Reproachers: But ihall none be reproved becaufe feme are flandered ? Shall Rebells be juftified, becaufe; fonie innocent Men aie called Rebels ? Shall Hypocrites be free from Conviction and Condemnation, becaule wicked Men call the Godly Hypocrites ? Woe to the Man that luch not a faithful Rtprover ; but a Thoufand Woes will be to him that hatetb nfroof: And woe to them that had rather Sin were credited and kept in Honour, than their Party dit-honoured: and Woe to the Land where the Reputation of Men doth keep Sin in Reputation. Scripture it [i]{ will not fpare a Noah, a Lot, a David, a Hizekt ab, a Jofiah, a Ttttr ,• but will open and fliame their Sin to all Generations: And yet, alas 1 the Hearts of many, who I hope are truly Religious in other Points, will rife againft him that Ihall yet tell them of the Mildoings of thofe of their Opinion, and call them to Repentance. The poor Church of Chrift, thefober, Ibimd religious Part, are like Chrilt that was crucified between two Malefactors ; the prophane and formal Perlecutors on one hand, and the Tanatick dividing Sectary on the other hand, have in all Ages been grinding the (piritual Seed, as the Corn is ground between the Milftones: And though their Sins have luined themfelves and us, and filenced lb many hundred Minilters, and fcattered the Flocks and made us the Hatred and the Scorn of the ungodly World, and a by Word and Delblation in the Earth; yet there are few of them that lament their Sin, but ju-ftify tliemfclves and their iMifdoings, and the penitent MakfaBor is yet unknown to us. And feeing Pofterity muft know what they have done, to the Shame of our Land,and of our (acred Profeffion,let them know this much more alio to their own Shame, that all the Calamities which have befallen us by our Divifions were long forefeen by feeing Men, and they were told and warned of it, year after year: They were told that a Houfe divided againft it felf could not ftand, and told that it would bring them to the Halter and to Shame, and turn a hopeful Reformation 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 Dudile Profef ibrs bWinly followed a few feltconceited Teachers to this Milery j and no warning or means could ever Itop them.

Five dilTenung Minifters in the Synod begun all this, and carried it far on : Mr. Vhtltf Nye, Mr. Iho. Goodwin, Mr. Sydracb Symffon^ and Mr. William Bridge, to whom that good Man ivlr. Jeremiah Burroughs joined himlelf in Name ; but as he never pradifed their Church-gathering way, fb 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 arole, not of the fame Spirit, to fill up his place; by whom and Mr. Phillip Njfe's Policie the Flames were encreafed, our Wounds kept open, and carried on all, as if there had been none but they confiderable in the World; and having an Army and City Agents fit to fecond them, effedually hindred all remedy till they had dafh'd all into pieces as a broken Glals. OI what may not Prtde do ? and what Mifcaniages will not falfe Principles and Fadion hide ? One would think that if their Opinions had been certainly true, and their Church-Oiders^oo^, yet thelnterefl of Chrift, and the Souls of Men, and of greater Truths, ihould have been fo 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 fhould want its carnal Arm and Liberty ; and that they fhould not tear the Garment of Chrift all to pieces, rather than it Ihould want their Lace.

§ 148. And it muft be acknowledged alio impartially, that Ibme of the Presbyterian Minifters frightned the Sedaries into this Fury by the unpeaceableneG and impatiency of their Minds: They ran from Libertinifm into the other Extream, and were fo litde fenfible of their own Infirmity, that they would not have thofe tollerated who were not only toUerable, 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 necejfary, and Liberty m things unnccejjary, and Chanty tn all: But they could never be heard, but were taken • for Advcrfaries to the Government of the Church, as they are by the Prelates at this Day : Nay, when in fVorceJlerjIiirc we did but agree to pradice (6 much as all Parties were agreed in, they faid, we did but thereby fee up another Party. We

told

told them of Archbifhop U^nt's Terms in his Sermon before the King on Efb./^.i. but they would not hear. The Lord Bacon in his Third Ejjay , and his Confideratwns, Mr. Hales in his treattfe 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 lliorter than the Affemblies Confeffion of Faith and Catechifms, and and Presbytery,would fcrve turn with fome. Their Principles were that no others fhould be toleratedjwhich fet the Independants on contriving how to grafp the SwordI They were (till crying out on the Magiftrate, that he was irreligious, for fufFering Sefts, and becaule he did not bring Men to Conformity : And now they cannot be tollerated therafelves, to preach, nor fcarce to dwell in the Land. The Uniting of the Churches upon the Primitive Terms, and the toUerating (not of all, but) of tollerable Differences, is the way to Peace, which almoft all Men approvb of, except thofe who are uppermoft, and think they have the Reins in their own hands. And becaule the fide which is uppermoft are they that have their Wills, therefore the Churches had never a fettled Peace this Thoufand years at leaft j the true way of Settlement and Peace, being ufually difpleafing to them that muft give Peace to others : But thu way hath the mark of being the hefi] in that it is the only way, which every Sed acknowledge for the fecond,and next the beft; and is it -ii-hich all, except thz predominant Party, liketh. But Wildom is juftitied 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 aflbciate with the Presbyterians ( and the Reconcilers too ) did refolve to fhew their proper ftrength, and to call a General Affcmbly of alLtheir Churches. The Savoy was their Meeting-place. There they drew up a Confeffion of their Faith, and the Orders of their Church Government. In the former, they thought it not enough exprefly to contradift Sr. James, and to fay (unlimitedly ) That tve are juftifiedby the RighteoufneJ^ of Chrijt only, and not by any IVorks ; but they contradidt-ed St. Vaul alfb, who laith, That Faith is imputed for Rightevujnejl. And not only io^ but they e.sprefly aflerted, that [ -we have no other r/ghteoujfiej^ ] but that of Chrift. A Dodtrine abhorred by all the Reformed and Chrillian Churches ; and which would be an utter fhameto die Proteftant Name, if what fuch Men held and did were indeed imputable to the i"bsr Proreliants. I asked fome honeft Men that joyned with them. Whether they fubfjribed this Confeffion ; and they faidiVb. I asked chem why they did not contradiA it; and they laid that the meaning of it was no more than that we have no other Righteoufhels but Chrift's to be jufttfied by : So that the Indepsndant's Confeffions 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 worle, and more unreconcile-abie than ever they were before. So much could two Men do with many honeft tradable young Men, and had more Zeal ior fe^arating StriBnefi, than Judgment to underftand the Word of God, or the htereft of the Churches of the Land , and of themfelves.

§ i5'o. But it hath p'eafed 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

Neif-England; who have publilhed fuch healing Propofitions about fiated Synods,

and Infatits Church Memberjl)ip, as hath much prepared for a Union between them,

1- Mr. and all other moderate Men : ( And fome * One hath ftrenuoudy defended thole

^^'j.*''^^ Propofitions againft the oppofition of Mr. Davenport, a diffenting Brother). I

take this to be more for healing than the Savoy Propofitions can be effeftual to di-

T'^M^'r/^'^^' becaufe the New-England men have not blemifhed their Reputation, nor loft

]ht of "^^^ Auchority and Honour of their Judgments, by any liich Adions as the leading

Kcw-En)\- Savoyers have done.

land hath feiit me a printed Paper of his own, contriving a Healing Form of Synods for conftant Communion of particular Churciies.

§ rp. When the Army had brought themfelves and the Nation into utter Confufion, and h.id let up andpull'd down Richard Cromwell , and then had fet up the /?.'/;/>/) again, and pull d them down again, and fet up a Council of State of themfelves and their Fadion, and made Lambert their Head, next under Fleetwood, ( whom they could u(e almoft as they would ; at laft the Nation would endure them no longer, nor fit (till while the world (tood laughing them to (corn, as aaing over the Munlter Tragedy : Sir George Booth and Sir Thomas Middleton raifed Forces in Ch^iin and North-Wales: (but the Cavaliers that Ihould have joyned with

them

P A El T I. Reverend Mr. Richatd Baxter. 105

themfailed them almoft all over the Landj a few rofe in fome places,but were quickly ruined and came to nothing! Lambert quickly routed tho(e in Cketlnre: Sir Arthur Hafelrigge with Col. Morley get into Pcrtfrnoutb, which is pofTeired as for the Rump. Monk declareth againft them in Scotland, purgeth his Army of the Ana-baptifts, and marcheth into England. ThsRump Party with Ha/drigge divided the Army at home, and fo difabled them to oppoli Monk ; who marcheth on, and all are afraid of him ; and while he declareth himfelf againft Monarchy for a Commonwealth, he tieth the hands of his Enemies by a lie, and uniteth with the City of London, and bringeth on again the old ejefted Members of the Parliament, and fo bringeth in the King. Sir WtUtam Morrice (his Kinfman) and Mr. Clarges were his great Advifirs: The Earl of M««c/>e/?er, Mv.Calamy, and other Presbyterians, encouraged and perfwaded him to bring in the King. At firit he Joyned with the Rump againft the Citizens, and puU'd down th-j City Gates to mailer them j but at lalt Sir Thomas Allen then Lord Mayor (by the perfwafion of Dr. Jaccmb, and fbme other Presbyterian Minifters and Citizens, as he hath oft told me himfelf) invited A/o«/^ into the City, and drew him to agree and joyn with them againit the Rump fas they then called the Relids of the Parliament). And this in truth was the k& that turned the Scales and brought in the King : whether the lame men expected to be uled as they have iince bean themfelves, I know not : If they did, their Self denial was very great, who were content to be (ilenced and laid in Gaols, lb they might but bring in the King. After this the old Excluded Members of the Parliament meet with Monk ; He calleth them to lit, and that the King might come in both by him and by them. He agreeth with them to fit but a few days, and then diffolve themfelves and call another Parliament. They conlent-ed, and prepared for the King's Reftoration, and appointed a Council of State, and Diflblved themlelves. Another Parliament is chofen, which calleth in the King , the Council of Sr.ite having made further preparations for it. (For when the Que-fti.^n was. Whether they Ihould call in the King upon Treaty and Covenantj) ( wl.ich fome thought beft for him and the Nation) the Council refolved abfolute-iy to fruil him,Mr. A. cfpecially perfwading them lb to do). And when the King catne in, Col. Birch and Mr. Trin were appointed to Disband the Army, the feveral Regiments receiving their Pay in feveral places,and none of them daring to dilbbey: No not Monk\ 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 Vidories was, which fet them up. That an Army that had conquered three llich Kingdoms, and brought fo many Armies to deftrudion, cut off the King , puU'd down the Parliament, and fet up and puUd down others at their pleafure, that had conquered fo many Cities and Caftles; that were lb united by Principles and Intereft and Guilt, and lb deeply engaged, as much as their E-ftates, and Honour, and Lives came to, to have If ood it out to the very utmoft ; that had profeffed {q much of their Wifdom and Religioufnefs ; and had declared fuch high Refolutions againft Monarchy : I fay, thatfuch an Army Ihould have ons Commander among themfelves, whom they accounted not Religious, chat fhould march againft them without Refiftance, and that they Ihould all Hand ftill, and let him come on, and reflore the Parliament, and bring in the King, and disband themfelves, and all this without one bloody Nofe 1 Let any Man that hath the ule 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 according to his Will ! And let all Men behold this Pillar of Salt, and Handing Monument of Divine Revenge, and take heed of over-valuing Human Strength, and of ever being puffed up by Vidlories and Succefs, or of being infatuated by Spiritual Pdde and Fadion I And let all Men take warning how they, trample upon Government, rebel againft it, or vilifie the Minifters and Ordinances of Chrift , and proudly defpife the Warnings of their Brethren.

§ 152. And at the fame time while Mofik was marching againft them into England, the Ibber godly Officers oiIreland were impatient of the Anabaptifts Tyranny : So that Col. John Bridges (the Patron of Kidderm'm(ter) with his Lieutenant Thomffon, and Ibme few more Officers, relblved upon a defperate furprizal of Dublin Caftle, (which the Anabaptifts poffeft, with moft of the ftrong Holds ); and lo happily Succeeded, that without any bloodIhed they got the Caftle: And that being won, the reft of the Garrifons of all the whole Kingdom yielded without any lofi of Blood; and unlefs one or two, without fo much as any appearance of a Siege. Thus did God make his wonders to concur in time and manner ;andlhew-ed the World the inftability of thole States which are built upon an Army. He

P that

that will fee more of this Surprize of £»«W;« Caftle, may read it as printed by Golonel Bridges in a fliort Narrative. Had it not been for that Adion^ it is probable 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 irabodied againft England, and come over .ngain, with Relolutions height-ned by their Warnings. The Reward that Col, Bridges had for this Service was the peaceful Teftimony of his Confcienee, and a narrow efcape from being utterly ruined; being fued as one that after EdgbtU Fight had taken the King's Goods, in an Aftion of Fouricore Thoufand pound : But all was proved falfe, and he being cleared by the Court, did quickly after die of a Fever at Chrfier, and go to a more peaceable and defirable World.

§if3. For my own Adions and Condition all this time, I have partly fhewed them in the Second Part: How I was called up to London, and what 1 did there, and with how little Succefs 1 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 reftored by the mercy of God, and the help of Dr. Bates, ( ^"d the mofs of a dead man's skull which 1 had from Di-, Michhthwair) I went to Mv.Thomas Foley s Houfe, where I lived (in An-Jlin-Fryars) about a year; and thence to T)r.Michletb-ivait's Houfe in Little Brtttatn^ where I tabled about another year : and thence to Moorfidds, and thenceto.^^?ew; from which being at the prefent driven by the Plague, I wait for the further dilpofal of my Almighty and mofl: Gracious Lord.

§ 1^4. And now I fliall annex for the Reader's fatisfacflion, 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 (o much foppofition.

§ If J. The Books which I have written (andthofe that are written againft me) are io numerous, that 1 confels if they plead not to the Reader for themlelves, I cannot eafily excule my putting the World to lb much trouble. And I was once almoll fain out with my feif, when I faw (uch abundance of Sermon Bocks printed in Olivers days, becaufe I concurred witii them in over-loading the World. But God was plcaled to keep tne from Repentance by their Succefs; and fince then I am more Impenitent herein than ever, as feeing more of the realbn of God's difpo-lal than I faw before. For fince fo many hundred Minifters are filenced, and an AA is now paft in the Parliament to forbid us coming within five miles of any City, Corporation, or Burgefs Town ; atrd a former Ad: forbiddeth us fpeaking to above four that are not of a Family ; and knowing what Perlbns are Minifters in many of our places, I now blefs God that his poor Servants have the private help of Books, which are the beft Teachers, under God, that many thoufand 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 difturbed or difcompofcd 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 dilabled me from the Service of God by di-minilhing my Eftimation with thole that I have opportunity to lerve, or with the common Readers that may profit by my Labours, but only with the Members of the leveral Faftions.

Some are written againft me by Quakers, parries Nayler, and many others : Some by Cletmnt Writer, and other Seekers and Infidels : Some by Vapfts ; fome by Ana-baptifis (Mr. Tonibes, Fijher, and many others ) : Ibme by Reverend Brethren that underftoodnotall Pointsof Dodrine as I did ( which-ever of us was in the right ) (as Mr, Rutherford, Mr. Blake, Mr. Burgef, Dr. Kendall,&CC. ) fome by Antinomam, and fome by Separatifis; and fome by good Men that were but half poffeft with their Opinions, (as Mr. Eires, Mr. Crandon, Mr.learner,&cc.) : Ibme by proud impatient Men ; and fome by the Prelatical Party: Ibme by young Men that wanted Preferment, and thought that this was the way to get it ; and Ibme by obfcure Men thatdafired to be taken notice of; and Ibme by Flatterers, that defired to pleale others on whom they did depend ; and Ibme by malicious blood-thirfty Calumniators I Ibme by fadiious Temporizers, (as Stubhs, Rogers, Needham, &c.) ; and abundance by erroneous impatient Men, that could not endure to be contradiiftedin their Miftake?,To many of thele I have returned Anfwers j and that fome others remain unanlwered, is through the reftraint of the Preft.

§ 1^6.

§ 1^6. The firrt Book thit ever I publiihed is a fmall one, called, Afhorifms of JujHfication and the Coiienants, Sec. I had tirft begun my Book, called The Saint's Rpft ,• and coming in it toanfwer the Quettion , How in Matth. 25-. the reward is adjudged to men on the account of their good works ? The chief Propofitions of that Book did (iiddenly offer themfglves to me, in order to that Refolution : But I was prepared with much difputing againll Antinomianifm in the Army. At Sir Thom.is Roas's Houfe, in my weaknels, I wrote moft of that Book, and finifhed it wlien I came to Kidckrminfter. I diretfted it to Mr. Vines and Mr. Burgef, out of my highefteem of them,though my perfonal acquaintance with them was butfmall. Mr.F/w« wrote to me applaudingly of ir. Mr. iirtr^g-e/s"thought his Name engaged him to write againd it.

Two Faults I now find in the Book: i. It is defeftive, and hath fome Propofitions that need Correction, being not cauteloudy enough expreffed. 2. I medled too forwardly with Dr. Otven, and one or two more that had written fome Pafla-ges too near to AntinomianKfn. 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 ? and I thought that I was bound to do my beft publickly, to fave the World from the hurt of publifhed Errours; not underftanding how it would provoke men more paffionately to infifl on what they once have faid. But I have now learned to con-tradid Errours, and not to meddle with the Perfons that maintain them. But indeed I 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 colt 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 againll it, I publickly anfwered.^ And becaufeof the general noife about it, I defiredthofe that would have me of their mind, ro lend me their Jnimadverjions • which proved fo many, that took me up too much of my time to anfwer them. But it was a great help to my Undcr-ftanding : For the Animadverters were of feveral minds; and what one approved another confuted, being further from each other than any of them from me.

The fir ft that I craved Animadverfionsfrom was Mr. Burgef, and with much ado extorted only two or three Letters againft Juftification by Works (as he called it) : which with my Anfwers were afterward publilhed; 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 j to whom I anfwered in freer Expreffi-ons than to others,becaule he was my Junior and familiar Friend; (being a School-Boy at Brtdgenortb when I was Preacher there, and his Father being my Neighbour.)

Next his I had Animadverfions from Dr. John Walla , very judicious and moderate, 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. Chriflopher Cartwright of York, (who defended the King againft the Mir([\xt\koi Worcefler ) : he was a man of good reading as to our later Divines, and was very well verft in the Common Road, ( very like Mv. Bur-gefi) ; a very good Hebrician, and a very honeft worthy Perfon. His Animadverfions were molt againft my diftindlion of Righteouihefi into Legal and Evangelical, according to the two Covenants. His Anfwer was full of Citations out of Amefias, Whittakcr, Davenant, &c. I wrote him a full Reply ; and he wrote me a Rejoynder j 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 Animadverter was Mv. George Lawfon, the ableft Man of them all, ]|j]^^^^_P"°" orofalmoif 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 exadr, and which contributeth not a little to the underffanding of Divinity.Though he was himfelf near the.^rmw;<afwi(differing from them in the Point of Perfe'verance as to the Confirmed^ and fome little matters more) and fo went farther than I did from the Anttnomians, yet being converfant with Men of another Mind, to rcideem himfelf from their Offence, he fet himfelf .ngainft fome Paflages of mine, which others marvelled that he of all Men ftiould oppofe ; efpecially about the Objc^ of Faith, and Juflification. And afterwards he publilhcd in excellent Summ of Divinity, called, Tbeopoluica j in which he infift-

P 2 eth

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 underltand how thefe Paffages there fell in, and (brae Divines have told me how excellent a Book it had been, if he had not bean led afide in thofe Particulars ; not knowing how it came to pafs, the ableft Men being Ibmetimes moft hardly drawn to defert any thing which they have once affirmed ). He bath written alfo Animadversions on Hobhes; and a piece of Ecclefiaftical and Civil Policy, according to the Method of Politicks; an excellent Bnok, 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 Conformirt ) : Alio I have fecn iome ingenuous Manufcripts of his for the taking of the Engagenient ( to be true to the Commonwealth as eftablilhed without a King and Houle of Lords) his Opinion being much for fubmitting to the prefent Poffeffor, 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 difUnd in laying down his own Judgment, which plealcd me very well: 1 returned him a full Anfwer, and received from him a large Reply ; infteadof a Rejoinder to which, I fumm'd up our Differences, and fpoke to them briefly and diftin(ft!y, and notwr-barim to the Words of his Book. I mult thankfully acknowledge that I learnc more from Mr. Lavfln than from any Divine that gave me Animadverfions, or that ever I converled with : For two or three Paflages in my hrft Reply to him he convinced me were Millakes, and I found up and down in iiim thole hints of Truths which had a great deal of Light in them, and were very apt ibr good Improve-nient : Efpecially his inlligating me to the Study of Pe////c^i, (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 >et I mufl be lb grateful as to confels that my Undcrftanding hath made a better Improvement ( for the fudden llnfible increale of my Know-ledge ) of Grotiui ik '^atisfacttme Chrifti, and of Mr. Lawfons Manufcripts, than of any thing elle that ever I read ; and they convinced me how unfit we are to write about Chriii's Gc'uej-wwewf, duA Laws, a.nA Judgment, &-c. while we underftand nor the true Nature of Govirnmmt, Laws and Judgment in the general; and that he that is ignorant of Tolttkks and of the Law of Nature, will be ignorant and erroneous in Divinity and the facred Scriptures.

§ If 7. 2. The Second Book which I wrote ( and the firft which I began ) was that called. The Sams fvtrlaftivg R(fi : VVhilfl 1 was in Health I had not theleaft thought of writing Books j or of ferving God in any more publick way than Preaching : But when I was weakened with p.reat bleeding, and Iclt lulitaryin my Chamber at Sir John Cook's in Derhyfljire, without any Acquaintance, but my Servant, about me, and was lentenced to Death by thePhyficians, I began to contemplate more lerioufly on the Evcrlafting Reft which I apprehended my lelf to be jult on the Borders of. And that my Thoughts might not too much Icatterin my Meditation, I began to write Ibmethingon that Subjeft, intending but the Quantity of a Sermon or two ( which is the caufe that the Beginning is in brevity and Style difpioportionable 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 enlarged to the bulk in which it is publilhed : The firft Three Weeks I fpent in it was at Mr. No-wel's Houle at Ktrkby-MaHory in Leiccfierpire ; a quarter of a Year more, at the Sealbns which fo great Weaknefs would allow, I bellowed on it at Sir Tho Reus's Houfe at Rous-LenchmWorcefierplre ; and I finilhed it Ihortly after at Kid-thrminfier : The firfi andlafi Parts were firft done, being all that I intended for my own life 5 and the/fcWand ?/>//■«/Parts came afterwards in befides my firft Intention.

This Book it pleafed God fo far to blefs to the Profit of many, that it encouraged mc to be guilty of all thole Scripts which after followed. The Marginal Citations I put in after I came home to my Books j but almoft all the Book it lelf was written when I had no Book but a Bible and a Concordance : And I found that the Tranlcript cf the Heart hath the greateft force on the Hearts of others : For the Good that I have heard that Multitudes have received by thatWriting,and the Benefit which 1 h.ive again received by their Prayers, I here humbly return my Thanks to him that compelled me to write it,

§ T5'9. 5. The Third Book which I publilhed was that which is entituled. Plain Scripture Proof for Infants Church-Memkrjhip ami Baftifm: being the Arguments ufed

in

P A R. T I. Reverend Afr. Richard Baxter. lo^

in the Difpute with Mr. Tomhes, and an Anfwer to a Sermon of his aiterward preached, O'c.

This Book God bleffed with unexpefted Succefs to flop abundance from turning Anabaptifts, and reclaming many both in City and Country, ( and fome of the Officers of the lrt(h and EngUjh Forces ) and it gave a confiderable Check to their Proceedings.

Concerning it I fliall only tell the Reader, i. That there are towards the latter part of it, many enigmatical Reflexions upon the Anabaptifts for their horrid Scandals, which the Reader that lived not in thofe times will hardly iinderf}and: But the cutting off the King, and rebelling againft him and the Parliament, and the Invading Scotland, and the approving of thefe, C with the Ranters and other Seds that (prang out of them ) were the Crimes there intended j 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 Doftrine of Dr. Burges and Mr. Tbo. Bedford, which I fuppofed to go on the other Extrcam ; and therein I anfwered part of a Treatife of Dr. Sam. Ward's which Mr. Bedford pubiilhed ; and it proved to be Mr. Thomas Gataker whom I defended who is Dr. IVard'i Cenfor ; But I knew it not till Mr. Gataker after told me.

But after thefe Writings 1 was greatly in c'oubt [ whether it be not certain that allthe Infants of true Believers are juftified and faved if they dye before a<3ual Sin! My Reafon was, becaufe, it is the lame juftifying laving Covenant of Grace which their Parents and they are in: And as real Faith and Refmtance is that Condition on the Parents part which giveth them their right to adual Remiflion and Adoption : So to be the Children ofjuch, is all the Condition which is required in Infants in order to the fame Benefits: And without aflerting this the Advantage of the Anabaptifts is greater than every one doth imagine. But I never thought / with Dr. fVard that all Bap t fed Children had this Benefit, and Qualitati've Sandrifica-tion alio ; nor with Dr. Burgef and Mr. Bedford, that all converted it Age, had inherent Icminal Grace in Baptifm certainly given them; nor with Bifhop Dave-nant that all juftly baptiled had relative Grace of Juftification and Adoption : But only that all the Infants of true Belifvcrs who have right to the Covenant and Baptifm in foro Cteh as well as in foro Ecclefia, have alfo thereby Right to the Pardon of Original Sin, and to Adoption, and to Heiven ; which Right is by Baptilm to be fealed and delivered to them. This I wrote of to Mr. Gataker who returned me a kind and candid Anfwer, but fuch as did not remove my Scruple j and this oc-calioned him to print Bifhop Davenants Difputations with his Anlwer. My Opinion ( which I moft incline to ) is the fame which the Synod of Dort exprefleth and that which I conjeAure Dr. Davenant meant, or I am fure came next to.

Here note alio, that Mr. Tombes follicited me yet after all this, to write hini down my Proofs of Infants Church-memberlhip out of the circumcifed Church which I did at large, as from the Creation downward, as far as Proof could be expeded in Proportion to the other Hiftories of thole Times. Inftead of lending me an Anlwer to my Papers, he printed lome of them with aninliifficient Anfwer in his laft Book: Thele Papers with a Reply to him I have fince Printed.

§ 15:9. 4. The Fourth Book which I publiftied is a fmall one, called, 7he right Method for Peace of Confcience and fpiritual Comfort, in thirty two DireBions. The Oc-cafion of it was this: Mrs. Bridgis, the Wife of Col. John Bndgis, being one of my Flock, was often weeping out her Doubts to me, about her long and great Uncertainty of her true Sandification and Salvation. I told her that a few hafty Words were not D;re^»o» enough for the fatisfadory refolving of fo great a Cale; and therefore I would write her down a few of thole necelTary Diredions which ihe Ihould read and ftudy, and get well imprinted on her Mind. As loon as I had begun I found i. that it would not be well done in the Brevity which I expeded, 2. And that when it was done it would be as uleful to many others of my Flock as to her ; and therefore I beftowed more time on it, and made it larger and fit for common ule.

This Book pleafed Dr. Hammond much, and many Rational Perlbns, and fome of thofe for whom it was written : But the Women and weaker fort I found could not fo well improve clear Reaibn, as they can a few comfortable, warm and pretty Sentences j it is Style and not Reafon which doth moft with them : And iome of the Divines were angry with it, for a PalTage or two about Perlcverance ; be-caule I had laid that many Men are certain of their prelent Sandification, which are not certain of their Perfeverance and Salvation j meaning all the Godly that

are

are affured of their Sanaification, and yet do not hold the certainty of Perleve-rance. But a great Storm of Jealoufie and Cenfure was by this and Ibme (uch Words raifed againft me, by many good Men, who lay more on their Opinions and Party than they ought.Therefore^whereas feme would have had me to retract it, and others to leave it out of the next Impreffion, I did the latter, but inftead ot it I publifhed not long after

§ 160. y. My Book called [ R. B's. Judgment ahcut the Verfcverance of Believers ] In which I iliewed them the Variety of Opinions about Perfeverance, and thac Juguftme and Frojpr themfelves did not hold the certain Perfeverance of all that are truly fandified, though they held the Perfeverance of all the Elceft j but held that there are more SantftHied than arc Eled, and that Perfeverance is affixed to the Eled as fuch, and not to the Sandifted as luch. ( which Bilhop Ujher averred to Dr- Kendal h&ioxQ my Face to be moft certainly Jufim's Judgment, though both he and I did incline to another). From hence, and many other Arguments I inferred, that the Iharp 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 Apoftles Days till long after Aufiin, doth argue lefs Judgment and Charity than many of the Cenfurers feem to have. I never heard ot any Cenfure againft thefe PaperS;, though the few Lines which occafioned them had fo much.

S 161. 6. Before this I had publifhed two Aflize Sermons, entiruled, TrmChri-ftiantty, one of Chrift's Dominion, and the other of his Sovereignty over all Men as Redeemer : The firft was preached before Judge Atkins, Sir Tho. Rous 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. Alfo I publifhed my Apology againft divers that had printed Books againft many things which I had written. It confifteth of five parts: i. An An-fwerto Mr. Blake. 2. An Anfwer to Dr. XeWa//. 5. A Confutation of Ltuliomi-us Colvinus. 4. An Anfwer to Mr. Crandon. y. An Anfwer to Mr. Epes.

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 ; and though I replyed without any fharpnefs, it was very difpleafing to 1 lim.

Dr. iCeWrf/i was a little quickSpirited Man, of great Olfentation and a Confide-rable Orator and Scholar : He was driven on farther by others than his own Inclination would have led him : He thought to get an Advantage lor his Reputation, by a Triumph over John Goodwin and me j for thofe that let him on work woulci needs have him conjoin as both together, to intimate that I was an Arminian ; while I was replying to his firft AfTault, he wrote a fecond ; and when 1 had begun a Reply to that, meeting me at London, he w.as fb earneft to take up the Con* troverly, engaging Mr. Vines to perfuade me that Bifhop Ujher might determine it, and I was lb willing to be eafed of luch work, and to end any thing which might be made a Temptation againft Charity, that I quickly yielded to Bifhop l^Jjfn Aibitriment, who owned my Judgment about Univerfal Redemption, Perfeverance, 6^c. but defircd us to write againft each other no more ,- and lb my Second Reply was fuppreft.

As for Ltidiot/iicus Cohinm, it is Ludovicus Molmaus a Dodor of Phyfick, and Son to ?et. Moltnaus, and publick ProfelTor of Hiftory in Oxford: He wrote a fmall Latin Tradate 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 Aftault the liime Author made againft me (inftead of a Reply ) for approving o\' Camera and Amtraldus's way about univerfal Redemption and Grace :To which I anlwcred in the Preface to therEook ; But thefe things were (o fir from alienating die Efteem and Affedinn of the Dodor, that he is now at this Day one of thole Friends who are injurious to the Honour of their own Underftandings by overvaluing me, and would tain havcfpent his time in tranllacing fome of my Books into the trench Ton^wQ.

Mr. Crandon was a Man that had run from Ariiiinianifin into the Excream of half Antinomianifm, ar.d having an e.Hceliive Ze.il for his Opinions (which leem 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 P.ipift , and in that peifnafion wrote a large Book againft my Aphonfris, which moved laughter in many, and pity in others, and troubled his Friends, as having difaclvantaged their Caul's. Asfbonasthe Book came abroad, tl-,e news of the Author's death came with it, V'ho died a t'ortniglu afccr its birth, i had beforehand got all lave the beginning

and

and end, out of the Prefs, and wrote fo much of an Anfwer as I thought it worthy, before the publication of it.

Mr. Ejres was a Preacher in Salisbury of Mr. Crandon's Opinion ; who having preached there for Juftification before Faith , Cthat is, the Jufiification of Eleft Infidels ) was publickly confuted by Mr. Warren, and Mr. IVoodhridge ( a very judicious Miniller of Newbury J who had lived in Neiv England) : Mr. Woodbridge printed his Sermon, which very perfpicuoufly opened the Doftrine of Juftification after the method that I had done. Mv. Eyres being offended with me as a Partner, gave me Ibme part of his oppofition, to whom I returned an Anfwer in the end: And a few words to Mr. Caryl who licenfed and approved Mr. Crandon's Book, (for the Antinomians were commonly Independants). No one of all the Parties replied to this Book, fave only Mr. Blake to feme part of that which touched him.

§ i6;. 8. Becaufe my Afhorifms had fb provok'd fo many, and the noi(e was very loud againft them, to make the PalTages plainer which offended them ( about Juftification, Sanftification, Merit, Punilhment, &c.) I wrote a Book , called The Confeffion of my Faith about thole matters : which I gave the World to lave any more of them from mifunderftanding my Afhortfms, and declared my Sufpenfion of my AfhorijmsuW I Ihould reprint them, intending only to correct two or three Paflages, and elucidate the reft : But afterward I greatly affeifted to bring them into a fmall Syftem of Divinity, which having never yet had time to write, I have omitted the reprinting of them to this day j (But fome have liirreptkioufly printed them againft my will).

In my Coxifefflon I opened the whole Doftrine of Antinomianifin which I oppo-led,and I brought the Teftinionies of abundance of our Divines, who give as much to other Ads befides Faith, in Juftification as I. And I opened the weaknefs of Dr. Owen's 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 Ipeak lb much and fo offenfively to the Perfon , as well as the Do-ftrine, that it would have been a Temptation to the further weakening of his Charity, 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 Ist him have the laft word, becaufe I had begun with him. And I perceived that the common 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 Succels of my Controverlal Writings againft the Antinomians: when I was in the Army it was the predominant Infection : The Books of Dr. Criff), Paul Hobjon, Saltmarflj, Cradock, and abundance fuch like were the Writings molt applauded; and he was thought no Spiritual Chriftiao, but a Legalift that favoured not of Antinomianifm, which was lugared with the Title of Free-grace ; and others were thought to preach the Law, and not to preach Chrift. And I confefs, the darknels of many Preachers in the Myfteries of the Goljjel, and our common negleft of ftudying and preaching Grace, and Gratitude, and Love, did give occafion to the prevalency of this Seft, which God no doubt permitted for our good, to review our apprehenfion of thofe Evangelical Graces and Duties which we barely acknowledged, but in our praftics almoft over-lookt. But this Seft that then lb much prevailed, was fo fuddenly almoft ex-tind, that now they little appear, and make no noife among us at all, nor have done thele many years! In which effeft thofe ungrateful Controverfal Writings of tny own have had (6 much hand, as obligeth me to very much Thankfiilnefs to God.

§ 164. About that time having been at London, and preached fome Sermons there, one fcrap of a Sermon preached in Wejiminfier-Abbey to many Members of Parliament, was taken by fome one and printed; which is nothing but the naming of a few Diredions whicli I then gave the Parliament Men for Church Reformation and Peace, according to the ftate of thofe Times which it was preached in. (In Oliver Cromwell's time.)

§ 16'). 10. And when I was returned home I was foUicited by Letters to print many of the Sermons which I had preached in London ; and in fome of them I gratified their defires: One Sermon which I publilhed was againft Mem making

light

l(g;bt cfChhfii upon Matth. 22. J. This Sermon was preached at Lawrence Jury, v/here Mr. Vines wssPailor : where though I fent the day before to fecure room for the Lord Broghdl, sno che Earl of Si'jf'olk, with whom I was to go in the Coschj vet when I came, the. Crowd hadfo little refpeft of Perfons, that they were fain to go home again., becaufe they could not come within hearing, and the old Earl oifVarwick f who flood in the Abbey j brought me home again: And Mr.F;wej himfelf was fain to get up into the Pulpit, and fit behind me, and I to ftand between his Legs: which I mention that the Reader may underftand that Verfe in my Poem concerning him which is printed, where I fay, That

At once one Pulpit held us hath.

§ i66. II. Another of thofe Sermons which I publilhed was, A Sermonof Judgment., Vv^hich I enlarged into a fmall Treatife. This was preached at ?auh at the defire of Sir Cbrtfiopher Pack, then Lord Mayor, to the greateft Auditory that I ever iaw.

§167. 12. Another Sermon which I preached at Martin's Church, I printed with enlargement, called, Catholtck Unity ; Ihewing the great neceffity of Unity in real Holinels: It is fitted to the prophane and ignorant People, who are ftill crying out againft Errours and Divifionsabout leffer matters, while they themfelves do pradically and damnably err in the Foundation , and divide themfelves from God, from Chrill:, from the Spirit, and from all the living Members of Chrift: And it Iheweth how gready Ungodlinels tendeth to Divifions, and Godlineft to the truelt Unity and Peace.

§ 168. 13. About that time I had preached a Sermon at Worce(ler, which ( though rude and not poliihed j I thought meet to print, under the Title of The true Catbo-lickj and The Catholtck Church defiribed: It is for Catholicifm againit all SeBs i to Ihevi' the Sin and Folly and Mifchief of all Se(fts that would appropriate the Church to themfelves, and trouble the World with the Qaeftion, Which of all thefe Parties is the Church .-^ as if they knew not that the Catholick Church is that whole which containeth all the Parts, though fome more pure, and fbme lefs: efpedally it is fuitedagainil theRomifhCIaim, which damneth all Chriftians bcfides themfelves; and itdete<5teth and confuteth dividing Principles: For I apprehended it a Matter of great Neceffity to imprint true Catholicilin on the Minds of Chriitians; it being a moft lamentable thing to obferve how few Chriftians in the World there be, that fall not into one Sed or other, and wrong not the common Intereft of Chriftianity, for the promoting of the Intereft of their Sed : And how lamentably Love is thereby deftroyed, fb that moft men think not that they are bound to love thole, as the Members of Chrift, which are againft their Party, and the Leaders of moft Seds do not ftick to perfecute thofe that differ from them, and think the Blood Tof thofe who hinder their Opinions, and Parties, to be an acceptable Sacrifice to God. And if they can but get to be of a Sed which they think the ho-liefi (as the Anabaptifts and Separatills), or which is the largefi, ( as the Greeks and Papifts) they think then that they are fixfficiently warranted, to deny others to be God's Church, or at leaft to deny them Chriftian Love and Communion.

To this fmall Book I annexed a Pofcript againft a ridiculous Pamphlet of one Malpas, an old fcandalous neighbour Minifter, who was permitted to ftay in by the Parliament, (fo far were they from being over-ftrid in their Reformation of the Clergy) and now is a confiderable Man among them.

§ 169. 14. When we fet on foot our Affociation in Worcefierjlnre, I was defired to print our Agreement, with an Explication of the feveral Articles: which I did in a fmall Book, called, ChrtHian Concord : In which I gave the reafons why the Epifcopal, Presbyterians, and Indspendants might and fhould unite on fuch Terms, without any change of any of their Principles: But I confefs that the new Epifcopal Party, that follow Grotms too far, and deny the very being of all the Minilkrs and Churches that have not Diocefan Bilhops, arc not capable of Union with the reft upon fuch Terms: And hereby I gave notice to the Gentry and others of the Royalids in England, of the great danger they were in of chang. ing their Eccleficiflical Caufe, by following new Leaders that were lor Grot:anifm. But this Admonition did greatl.y offend the Guilty, who now began to get the Reins; though the old Epiicnpal Proteftants confeiled it to be all true. There is nothing bringerh greater hatred and fufferings on a Man , than to foreknow the mifchief tbdt Men in power are doing, and intend , and to warn the World of it: For while they are refolutely going on Vi/ith it, they will proclain him a Slanderer

that

that rcvealeth it, and ufe him accordingly, and never be ailiamed when they have done it, and thereby declared all which he foretold to be true.

§170. if.Having in the Po/;f/cn/>f of my 7r«eC^*^9/;ci:, given a fliort touch a-gainft a bitter Book of Mr. Thomas Pierce's, againft the Puritans and me, it plealcd him to write another Volume againft Mr. Hickman and me, juft like the Man • full of malignant bitternels againl^ Godly men that were not of his Opinion / and breathing out blood-thirity malice, in a very Rhetorical fluent ftyle. Abundance of Lies alfo are in it againik the old Puritans, as well as againll me; and in particular in charging Racket's Villany upon Cartwnght as a Confederate : which I inftance in, becaufe I have (out of old Mr. JjJ)S Library j a Manufcript o^ Mr. Carfwright'i J containing his full Vindication againlt that Calumny, which fome would fain have fattened on him in his time.

But Mr. Tterces principal bufinefs was to defend Grotiits: In anfwer to which I wrote a little Treatife, called. The Grotian Religion M/covered, at the Invitation of A^r. Thomas Pierce: In which I cited his own words, efpecially out of his Dif cuffio Apologetici Riwtiani, wherein he openeth his Terms of Reconciliation with Kowe, -VIZ.. That it be acknowledged the Millrefs 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 7re«r it (elt, PopeP?»f's Oath, and all the Councils, which is no other than the French Ibrt of Popery : I had not then heard of the Book written in France, called Grotim Papizans, nor di Sarravins'sEplHes, hi which he witnefleth it from his own mouth. But the very words which I cited contain an open Profeffion of Popery. This Book the Printer abuled, printing every Sedion fo diftant, to fill up Paper, as if they had been feveral Chapters.

And in a Preface before it, I vindicated the Synod oi Dort (where the Divines of England were chief Members ) from the abufive virulent Accufations of one that called himlelf Tilenm junior. Hereupon Tterce wrote a much more railing malicious Volume than the former, ( theliVelieft Exprels of Satan's Image, malignity, bloody malice, and falihood, covered in handfome railing Rhetorick, ( that ever I have feen from any that called himfelf a Proteftant). And the Preface was anfwer-ed juft in the fame manner by one that ftiled himfelf Fbilo-Tiknus. Three fuch Men as this Tilenus junior, Pierce and Gunning, I have not heard of befides in England 1 Of the Jefuites Opinion in Dodrinals, and of the old Dominican Complexion ; the ableft Men that their Party hath in all the Land; of great diligence in ftu-dy and reading ; of excellent Oratory (efpecially Tilentts junior and Fierce ) ; of temperate Lives; but all their Parts lb (harpened with a furious perlecuting Zeal, againft thofe 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 leem unfatisfied with blood and ruines, and ftill cry, Give, Give ; bidding as lowd defiance to Chri(iian Charity, as ever Arrim or any Heretick did to Faith.

This Book of mine of the Grotian Religion greatly offended many others: but none of them could fpeak any Sence againft it, the Citations for Matter of Fa6t being unanfwerable. And it was only the Matter of Fad which I undertook, vizt To prove that Grotias profeft himfelf a moderate Papift : But for his fault in fo doing, I litde medled with it.

§ 171. 16. Mr. Blake having replyed to Ibme things in my Apology, efpecially about Right to Sacraments, or the juft Subjed of Baptifm and the Lord's Supper, I wrote rive Difputations on thoie Points, proving that it is not the reality of a Dogmatical ( or Juftifying J Faith, nor yet the Profeffion of bare Afjent ( called i Dogmatical Faith by many ) ; but only the Profeffion of a Saving Faith, which is the Condition of Mens title to Church-Communion Coram Ecclefia : and that Hypocrites are but Analogically or Equivocally called Chrijlians, and Believers, and Saints, 5cc. with much more to decide the moft troublefome Controverfie of that Time, which was about the Neceffary Qualification and Title of Church-Members and Communicants: Many men have been perplexed about that Point, and that Book. Some think it comcth too near the Independants, and fome that it is too far from them ; and many think it very hard, that \_A Credible Profeffien'j of True Faith and Repentance, fhould be made the ftated Qualification; becaule they think it incredible that all the Jewiih Members were fuch : But I have fifted this Point moreexadly and diligendy in my thoughts, than almoft any Controverfie whatfiiever: And fain I would have found fome other Qualification to take up with^ ( I. Either the Profeffion of Ibme lower Faith than that which hath the Promife of Salvation ; 2. Or at leaft fuch a Profeffion of Saving Faith, as needeth not to

CL be

beTredible at all, &c.) But the Evidence of Truth hath forced me from all other ways, and fufFcrcd me to reft no where but here. That Profejfion fiiould be made neceflary without any refped at all to Credtbiltty, and confequently to the vertty of the Fattb profeJJeJ, is tncredtble, and a Contradidion, and the very word Vrofejfwn fignifieth more. And I was forced to obferve, that thofe that in Charity would belive another Vroftjfion to be the title to Church-Communion, do gready crols their own defign of Charity : And while they would not be bound to beliew men to be what they frofefi, for fear of excluding many whom they cannot belie've, they do leave themfelves and all others as not obliged to love any Church-Member asfuch, with the 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 elfi they would do. Whereas upon my deepeft Isarch, I am fatisfted that a Credible Profeffion of true Cbrtfiiantty, is it that denominateth ( the Adult ) vi/ible Chnjttam : And that this muft contain AlTent and Confent, even all that is in the Baptifmal Covenant, and no more j and therefore Baptilin is called our Chriftning : But withal, that the Indepen-dants bring in Tyranny and Confufion, whilft they will take no Vrofejfion as Credible , 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 Vrofefwn of his own mind, unlefi he forfeit the Credit of his word, by grofi ignorance of the Matter profefed, or by a Contrary Profeffion, or by an inconfiftent Life : And therefore a Pro-leflton is credible as fuch, of it (elf, till he that queftioneth it doth diiprove it. Elfe the Rules of Humane Converle will be overthrown : for who knoweth the Heart of another lo well as he himfelf: And God who vj'iWfa-vs or da}nn men, not for other mens Anions but their own, will have mens own choafing or refufing to be their inlet or exclufiott, both as to Saving Mercy, and to a Church ftate : And if they be Hypocrites in a falfe Profeffion, the fin and loli Vvillbe their own. But I confefi mens Credibility herein hath very various degrees: But though my fears are never fo great, that a man dilTembleth and is not fincere, yet if I be not able to bring in that Evidence to invalidate his Profeffion, which in foro EccU-fits fhall prove it to be incredible, I ought to receive him as a credible Profeflor, though but by a Humane, and perhaps moft dehtle Belief

§ 172. i7.After that I publilhed four Difputations of Juftification . clearing up further thoic Points in which fome Reverend Brethren blamed my Judgment ; and anfwering Reverend Mi. BurgeJ^ ('who would needs write ibmev\hac againft me in hisTreatile of Imputed Rtghteoufnef) ; and alfo anfwering a Treatife of Mr. Warner's of the Office and ObjeB of Jufttfying Faith : The Fallacies that abule many about thoie 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 Subjed:, among the Morning Exercifes at St. Giles's in the Fields, preached by my worthy Friend Mr. Gibbons oi Black-Fryars, (in whofe Church I ended my Publick Miniftryj; 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 Placain in Thef. Salmur. Vol. i. de Juliif. haih much to the fame purpofe.

§ 17;. 18. Near the lame time I publiflied a Treatife of Converfion, being fome plam Sermons on that Subjeft, which Mr. Baldwin ( an honeft young Mini-fter that .had lived in my Houfe, and learnt my proper Charaders, or Short-hand^ in which I wrote my Sermon Notes J had tranlcribed out of my Notes. And thougti 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 better pafs .nsir was, than not at all; and that if the Author mift 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. Alfbl publifhed a fhorter Treatife on the fame Subfed, entitulcd, A Call to the Unconverted, 8cc. The Occafion of this wa? my Converfe with Bi-Iliop Uper while I was at London, who much appoving my Method or DircSiotis for ?eace of Confctence, was importunate with me to write DireBions fuited to the various State; of Chriflians, and alio againft particular Sins; I reverenced the Man, but dilregarded thefe Perfuafion^, fuppofingi could do nothing but what is done as well or better already : But when he was dead his Words went deeper to my Mind, and I purpofed to obey his; Counfel ; yet fo as that to the firfl jort of Men (the Ungodly ) I thought vehement Perliiafions nieeter than Diredions only : And (b for lu h I publilhedc his little Book; which God hath blefled with unexpedcd Suc-

cels.

P A R T I. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 115

cefs beyond all the reft that I have written ( except The Saints Reft ) : In a litrle more than a Year there were about twenty thouland of them printed by my own Confent, and about ten thoufand fince, befides many thoulands by Itollen ImpreC-fionSjWhich poorjMen'ftole for Lucre fake: Through God's Mercy 1 have had Information of almoft whole Houfholds converted by this (mall Book, which I let ia light by : And as if all this in England, Scotland and Ireland were not Mercy enough to me, God ( fince I was filenced ) hath lent 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 Pradicc of Piety, becaufe of the envy and diftalte of the times againft me, he had finifhed it before that Advice came to him. And yet God would make fome farther ule of it J for Mr. Stoop the Paftor of the French Church in London, being driven hence by the dilpleafure of Superiors, was pleafed to tranflate it into elegant trench, and print it in a very curious Letter, and I hopfe'it will not be unprofitable theie ; nor in Germany, where it is printed in Dutch.

§ i7y. 20. After this I thought, according to Bilhop Ufiier\ Method, the next fort that I Ihouid write for, is thole that are under the -work of Conwrfiony becaufe by Half-Converfwns Multitudes prove deceived Hypocrites: Therefore I publifhed a fmall Book enticuled, DireSltons and Perfua/ions to a found Converfionz which though I thought more ape 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 ImpreP fionsof them fold.

$ 176. 2 1. About that time being apprehenfive how great a part of our Work lay in catechifing the A^ed who were Ignorant, as well as Children, and efpeci-ally in ferious Conference with them about the Matters of their Salvation, I thought it belt to draw in 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 an earneft Exhortation to our Ignorant Peopleto fubmit to this way ( for we were afraid left they would not have fubmitted to it) : And this was then publifhed. The Catechifm was alfo a brief ConfefTion of Faith, being the Enlargement of a Confellion which I had before printed in an open Sheet, when we fet up Church Difcipline.

§ 177. -22, When we fet upon this great Work, it was thought beft to begin with a Day of Falling and Prayer by all the Miniiiers at Worcefter, where they defired me to preach : But Weaknefs and other things hindred me from that Day j but to compenfate that, I enlarged and publifhed the Sermon which I had prepared for them, and entitled the Treatife, Gildas Salvtanus ( becaufe I imitated Gtldas and Salvianus in my Liberty of Speech to the Paftors of the Churches) or The reformed Pa/ior : 1 have very great Caufe to be thankful to God for the Succeis of that Book, as hoping many thoufand Souls are the better for it, in that it prevailed with many Minifters to fet upon that Work which I there exhort them to : Even from beyond the Seas, I have had Letters of Requeft, to dired 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 worldly Grandure ) but in Knowledge, Zeal and Ability for their Work. But fince Bi-fhops were rcftored this Book is ulelefs, and that Work not medled with.

§ 178. 23. When the part of the Parliament called the Rump or Commonwealth 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 : Wherefore I drew up a Petition for the Miniftry, which is printed under the Name of the fforcefierjhire Petition, which being prefented by Coll. John Bridges and Mr. Thomas Foley, was accepted with Thanks; and feemed to have a confiderable tendency to Ibme good Refblutions.

§ 179. But the Sedaries greatly raged againft that Petition, and one wrote a vehement Inveftive againft it; which I anlwered in a Paper called. The Defence of the Worcefter\hre Petition ( which by an Over-fight is maimed by the want of the Anfwer to one of the Accufers Queries). 1 knew not what kind of Perlon he was that I wrote againft, but it proved to be a Quaker, they being juft now rifing, and

Q^ z this

this being the firft of their Books, ( as far as I can remember ) that I had ever leen.

§ 180. 24. Prefently upon this the Quakers beg^n to make a great Stirr among us, and aded the Pares of Men in Raptures, and fpake in the manner of Men in» fpired, and every where railed againft Tythes and Minifters. They lent many Papers at Queries to divers Minifters about us: And to one of the chief of them I wrote an An(wer, and gave them as many more Queftions to anlwer, entituling it, Ibe Quakers Catecbijm: Thefe Pamphlets being but one or two Days Wo. k^ were no great Interruption to my better Labours, and as they were of fniali Worth, (o alfo of fmall Coft. The fame Minifters of our Country that are now filenced, are they that the Quakers moft vehemently oppofed, medling little with the reft. The marvellous concurrence of Inftruments telleth us, that one principal Agent doth aft them all. I have oft asked the Quakers lately, why they chofe the fame Miniiters to revile, whom all the Drunkards and Swearers rail againft ? And why they cryed out in our Affemblies, Come do'wn thou Decetver, thou Hireling, thou Dog ; and now never meddle with the Paitors or Congregations ? And they anfwer, i. That thefe Men fin in the open Light, and need none to difcover them. 2. That the Spirit hath his times both of Severity, and of Lenity. But the Truth is, they knew then they might be bold without any Fear of Suffering by it: And now it is time for them to fave their Skins; they fufTer enough for their own Affemblies.

181. 25-. The great Advancement of the Popifli Intereft by their fecret agency among the Sectaries, Seekers, Quakers, Behmenifts, &c. did make me thiuk it necelTary to do (bmething diredly 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 to ftiew that they overthrew the Faith by the ill Resolution of their Faith. This Book I entituled. The fafe Religion.

§ 182. 26. About the fame time I fell into troublefom Acquaintance with one Clement Writer of Wbrcefier, an ancient Man that ( had long feemed a forward Pro-feffor of Religiou&eG, 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 cif ther A jugling Papift or an Infidel j but I more fulpefted the latter : He had written a fcornful Book againft the Miniftry, called Jus Di'vinum Presbyterii, and after two more againft the Scripture and againft me, one called Fides Divina, the other's Title I remember not: HisAffertion tome was, that no Man is bound to believe in Chrift that doth not fee confirming Miracles himfelf with his own Eyes;

By the Provocations of this Apoftate, I wrote a Book, called. The unreafanablemji of Infidelityy confifting of four Parts: The firft, of the extrinfick Witnefs of the Spirit by Miracles, &c. to which I annexed a Deputation againft Clement 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 WitneOof the Spirit, 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 realbning againft Divine Revelations, All this was intended but as a Supplement to the Second Part of The Samts Refi, where I had pleaded for the Truth of Scripture: But thisSub-jed I have fmce more fully handled in my Reafons of the Chrifitaa Religion.

At that time Mr. Gilbert, a learned Minifter in Shropjliire wrote a fmall concife Tradate in Latin ( as againft a Book of Dr. Owen% though his intimate Friend ) to prove that Chrift's Death was not neceffary abfolutely, but of Divine Free Choice ; and in anfwer to that Book, I wrote a brief Premonition to my Treatile againft Infidelity to decide that Controverfy.

^ 18}. 27. Mr. 7ho. Foley being High Sheriff, defired me to preach before the Judges ; which 1 did on Gal.6. 16. and enlarged k to a Treatife, entituled, The Crucifying of the World by the Crofs ofCbrifi ; for Mortification j and put an Epiftle fome-what large before it to provoke rich Men to good Works.

§ 1S4. 28. Some Men about this time perfuaded me, that if I would write a few fingle Sheets on feveral SubjeAs, though the Style were not very moving, yet it 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 againfi the Quakers, containing thole Realons which fhould fatisfia all Sober Men againft their way.

§ 18 J. 29.The fecond Sheet I called A Winding Sheet for Pe;iey7,containing a Summary of Moderate and Effe<5tual Reafons againft Popery : ( which fingle fheet no Papift hitherto hath anfwered.)

§186.

§ i86. 10. The third Sheet was called [ One Sheet for the Mim(try, again/} the Ma- ' Ugnants of all forts ] j containing thofe Reafons for the prelent Miniftry which fhew the greatnefs of the Sin of thofe that fee againft them. It was intended then a-gainll the Quakers and other Seftarian Enemies to the Miniftry : but is as ufeful for thefe Times, and againft tho(ethat on other pretences hate, and fiience, and fupprefs them; and might tell their Confciences what they do.

$ 187. jr. The fourth Sheet I called [ A Second Sheet for the Mmifiry ] j being a Defence of their Office as continued, againft the Seekers, who pretend that the Miniftry is ceafed and loft : And it may lerve againft the Papifts that queftion our Call for want of a Succeflioh ; and all their Spawn of Sedaries that are ftill fet-tjng themfelves againft the Miniftry, fand againft the Sacred Scriptures).

§ 188. g2. Mr. William Montford being chofcn BaylifF of Ktdermtnfier, defired Bie to write him down a few brief Inftrudions for the due Execution of his Office of Magiftracy, that he might fo pafs 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 ftick upon a Wall, Entituled, Direilions for Jvfiices of Peace, efpeciaUy in Corporations j for the Difcharge of their Duties to God ; (luited to thole Times.)

§ 189. 35. Mr. John Dury having fpent thirty Years in Endeavours to reconcile the Lutherans and Calvanifts, wa.«. now going over Sea again upon that Work, and defired the Judgment of our Aflc-ciation how ic Ihould be (iiccesfully expedited; which at their defire I drew up more largely in Latin, and more briefly in Englifh: The Englilh Letter he printed, a-i my Letter to Mr. Dury for Pacification.

§ 190. 34. About that time Mr. Jonathan Hanmer of Devenjhire wrote a Trea-tife for Confirmation, as the mo^t expedient means to reform our Churches, and reconcile all that difagree about the Qualification of Church Members; I. liked the Defign fo well ( having before written for it in my Treatife of Baptifm ) that being requefted, I put a larp^e Epiftle before it • and after that, when fome Brethren defired me to produce more Scripture Proof for it than he had done, I wrote a (mall Treatife called, [ Confirmation and Refiauration the necejfary means to Reformation and Reconciliation.^ But the times changed before it could be much pradifed.

§ 191. 3 J. Sergea!,it Shephard, an honeft Lawyer, wrotea litde Book of Sincerity and Hypcrtfy ; and. in the end oi it Mr. Tho. Barlow ( afterward Bifhop of Lincoln) wrote (without h'is Name) an Appendix in Confutation of a fuppofed Opinion of mine, that Saving GracedifFereth not Sfecte but Gr<5«/»from Common Grace : To which I replied in a ftiort Difcourfe called [ Of Saving Faith, &c. ] I had moft highly value-i the Author whom I wrote againft, long before, for his Six Exerci-tations in the end of Schibler's Metafhyficks: But in his Attempt againft me, he came qui^tC below himfelf, as I made maiifeft j and he refolved to make no Anfwer to it. In, this Tradate the Printer plaid his part fo ihamefuUj, that the Book is fcarcejiy to be underftood.

§ 192. %6. Being greatly apprehenfive of the Commonnels and Danger of the Sin of Selfijhmfs, as the Summ and Root of all pofitive Evil, I preached many Sermons againft: it; and at the Requeft of fome Friends Ipublilhed them, entituled.4 Trtatffe of Self-dental ; which found better acceptance than moft of my other, but yet prevented not the ruine of Church and State, and Millions of Souls by that Sin.

§ 195. 57. After that I publiftietJ, Five Diffutations ahoutChttrch-Gcvernment, in order to the Reconciliation of the differing Parties: In the firft I proved that the Englifu Diocefane Prelacy is intollerable ( which none hath anfwered ) : In the fe-cond I have proved the Validity of the Ordination then exerciled without Dioce-lanes 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 Epifco-pacy lawful and defirable. In the fourth and fifth I fliew the lawfulnefs of fbma Ceremonies and of a Liturgy, and what is unlawful here.

This Book being publifhed when Bifhops, 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 efFeftual to fettle many in a Moderation, lo it made abundance of Conformifts afterwards ( or was pretended at leaft to give them Satisfaction ) : Though it never medled with the greateft Parts of Conformity ( Renouncing Vows, AfTent and Content to all things in three Books, &c. ) j and though it un-anfwerably confuted our Prelacy and Re-ordination, and confequently the Renunciation of the Vow againft Prelacy ; and oppofed the Crofs in Baptifm. But Sic

vitan$

vitant Stulti Vitia ( as my AphoriCms made fome Arminians). If you difcover aa Error to an injudicious Man, he reeleth into the contrary Error, and it is hard to flop him in the middle Verity.

§ 194. ;8- At the fame timel publiflied another Bookagainft Popery, fit for the defenfive Part, and intruding Proteftants how to anfwer any Papift. It is entitu-led, ^ Key for Catholkh, to of en the juglivg of the Jefutts, and fatisfie all that art hut truly willing to underftand whether the Caufe of the Roman or Reformed Churches he of God.

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 Jultice of all times ) fpake againft it on the Bench, and his Difpleafure encreafed by this Bookj he took occafion fince the King came in, to write againft me for thole very Paftages which condemned the King-killers: Becaule comparing the Cafe with theDodrine and Pradice of the Papifts,! Ihewed that theSedarians and Cromwelianshadof the two a more plaufi-ble Pretence, ( which I there recited ) he confuteth thofe 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 h.)zard of my Life I wrote againft it; when he himfelf took the Engagement againft the King and the Houle of Lords, and was a Juftice under Oliver, and more than fo, figned Orders for thcle-queftring of others of the King's Party. But the great Indignation againft this Book and the former, is, that they were by Epiftles direded to Ri. Cromwell as Lord Protedor, which I did only to provoke him that had Power, to ufe it well, when the Parliament had fworn Fidelity to him j and that without any Word of Appiobation to his Title.

Yet thoie that were not prejudiced by partiality againft this Book ( my Key for Catholkh ) have let me know that it bath not been without Succefs: It being indeed a fafficient Armory, for to furniih a Proteftant to defend his Religion againft all the Affaults 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 Leg?ftative Power, and (heweth that we never had a general Council, nor can it be at all expeded.

§ 19)-. 59. But the Book which hath furnilhecl my Enemies with matter of Reviling C wliich none muft dare to anfwer ) is my Holy Commonwealth : The Occafion of it was this; when our Pretorian Sedarian Bands had cut all Bonds and pull'd down all Government, and after the Death of the King had twelve Years kept out his Son, few Men fawnny probability of his Reftitution; and every felfconceited Fellow W.1S ready to offer his Model for a new Form of Government: Mr. Hobbs his Leviathan had plealed many : Mr. Tho. White the great Papilf, had written his Politicks in Eiiglilh for the Intereft of the Protedor, to prove that Subjeds ought to lubmit and fubjed thcmfelves to fuch a Change: And now Mr. James Harrington ( they (ay by the help of Mr. H. Neziill) had written a Book in Folio for a Democracy, called Oceana, ferioudy defcribing a Form near to the Fer:etian, and letting the People upon the Defiies of a Change : And after this Sir H. Vane and his Party were about their Sedarian Democratical Model, which Stubbs defended ; and Rogers and Needham ( and Mr. Bag(})aw had written againft Monarchy before ,\ In the end of an Epiftle before my Book of {^Crucifying the World'] I had fpoken 3 few Words againft this Innovation and Opposition to Monarchy ; and having e(J3Ccially touched upon Oceana and Leviathan, Mr. Harrington lecmed in a Bethlehem Rage ; for by way of Scorn he printed half a Sheet of foolilli Jeers, in fuch Woids as Ideotsor Drunkards ule, railing at Miniftersas a Pack of Fools and Knaves, and by his gibbcriih Derifion perfuading Men that we deferved no other Aniwer than fuch Scorn and Nonlenle as befeemeth Fools: And with moft 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 fjjeak againft other Mens Art, which ^e was Mafterof, and his Knowledge to fuch Ide-otsas vireinconiprehenfible. This made me think it fit, having given that General 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 fhew what I held as well as what I denyed ; which I did in that Book called. Political j^phonfms, or /i Holy Commonwealth, as contrary fo his HeatbeniJIi Commonwealth: In which I plead the Caule of Monarchy as better than Democracy and Ariftocracy; but as

under

under God the Univerfal Monarch. Here Bifliop Morky hath his Matter of Charge againfl: me; of which one part is that I fpake againft Unlimited Monarchy, becauje God himfelf hath limited all Monarchs. If I had laid that Laws limit Monarchs, I might among iome men be thought a Traytor, and unexculable : but to fay that God Itmitetb Monarchs, 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 refped of God; we have many Gods or no God. But now it is dangerous to meddle with thele matters: Moft men lay now. Let God defendhimfelf.

In the end of this Book is an Appendix concerning the Caufe of the Parliaments firft War, which was thus occafioned: Sir Francu Nether(ole a Religious Knight, who was againft the lawfulneG 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-lel him to cal! in the King j of which when I had given him fatisfaftion, he fent him again with more Letters and Books, to convince me of the unlawfulnels of the Parliament's War : And others attempting the fame at the fame time ; and the Confufions which the Army had brought upon us, being fuch as made me very much difpofed to think ill of thofe beginnings which had no better an end, I thought it beft to publifh my Detellation and Lamentation for thole Rebellious Proceedings of the Army, ( which 1 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-confeffed, that if mens Miicarriages and ill Accidents would warrant me to Condemn 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 Realbns; 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 fatisfaftion. And this Paper is it that containeth all my Crimes. Againft this, one Tomkms 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 anlwer a Book of Sir Henry Vane's, called. The Healing Quefiion. It was publilhed when Richard Cromwell was pull'd down, and Sir H. Fane's New Commonwealth was forming.

§ 196. 40. About the fame time, one that called himlelf ^. Johnfin, (but I hear his Name is Mr. Terret ) a Papift, engaged me in a Controverfie, about the perpetual vifibility of the Church ; which afterwards I publilhed 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 (eemath occafioned his recovery from them, as is manifeft in a Letter of Mr. Thomas Stanley his Kinfman ( a fober godly man in Breadfireet ) which I by his own confent fub-joyned. To this Book Mr. Johnfin hath at laft replyed j and I have fince return'd an Anfwer to him.

§ 197. 41. Having been defired in the time of our Affociations, to draw up thofe Terms which all Chriltian Churches may hold Communion upon; I publiOied them, though too 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 afcer Ages prove more peaceable, they may have fome light from thole that went before them. Ic coniifteih of three parts :

The firft containeth theChriftian 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 Confeffion ( or Articles j annexed: e.g. \_ I do believe all the Sacred Canonical Scripture, which all Chrijlian Churches do receive'^ and far' ticularly I believe in God the Either Almighty, Scc.j

The fecond Part (^ inftead of Books of unneceffary Canons) containeth levcn or eight Points of Pradice for Church Order, which , fo it be pradtiied, it is no great matter whether it be fubfcribed or nor. 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 theMiniftry, and confequently of all the Ordinances of Worfhip ; which need not be fiibfcri-bed, but none li-.ould preach againft it, nor omit the practice; except Peace require that the Point of Infant Baptifn be left free.

This

This fmall Book is called by the Name oi Umverfal Concord ; which when I wrote, i thought to have publifiied a Second Part, -viz,, a large Volume containing the particular Terms of Concord, between all 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. 45. The next publilhed was a Sermon preached before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen at Vauh, being on their Day of Rejoycing for General MonK% Suc-cels to bring in the King: It is called A Sermon of Right Rejoyctng.

§ 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.

§2ox. 4^. The next was called A Believer's lafi Work , being prepared for the Funeral of Mrs. Mary Hammr, Mother to my Wife (then intended, but after married ) : Its ule is to prepare for a Comfortable Death.

§ 202. 4<^. Before this ( which I forgot in its proper place ) I publiflied a Trea-tife of Death, called, The lafi Enemy to be overcome , (hewing the true Nature of the Enmity of Death, anditsufes: Being a Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Elizabeth Baker , Wife to Mr. Jofeph Baker Minifter at Worcefter j with fome Notes of her Life.

§ 205. 47. Another was called. The vain Religion of the Formal Hypocrite: A Dif covery of the Nature and Mifchief of a Formal vain Religion, preached at Welt-minfter-Abby: with a Sermon annexed of the Projperity of Fools. This being preached at Covent-Gorden was unjuftly accufed, and publiJhed by way of Vindication, with the former.

§ 204. 48. The next was a Treatise on Luke 10. 42. One thing » needful j called, [ A Saint or a Bruit ] fliewing the Neceffity, Utility, Safety, Honour and Plea-fure of a Holy Life, and evincing the Truth of our Religon againft Atheifts and Infidels and Prophane ones.

§ 20 J. 49. The next was a Treatifc of Selfkno-wledge, preached at Ttunflan's Weft, called. The Mtfchtefs of Self-ignorance, and Benefits of Self-acquaintance ; which was publiflied partly to vindicate it from many falfe Accufations, and partly at the defire of the Countefs of Bakarres to whom it was direded. 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. fo. The next was aTreatife 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 lecond is. Of walking with God. The third is. Of improving Solitude to converfe with God, when ue are forfaken by all Friends, or leparated from them.

The Occafion of the publilhing of this Treatile was this j The Countefs of BaU Carres being going into Scotland, after her abode in England, being deeply ienfible of the lofs of the Company of thofe Friends which fhe left behind her, defired me to preach the laft Sermon which ihe was to hear from me on thofe words of Chrift, John 16. 52. Behold the hour cometh,yea is now come, thatyejball be fcattered every man to his own, and jliaU leave me alone ; »ndyet I am not alone , becaufe the Father is with me. ] At her requefl 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 publiflied them together. The Treatife is upon the mofl: Excellent Subject, but not elaborate at all ; being but Popular Sermons preached in the midll of diverting Bufineffes, Accufations, and malicious Clamours

When I offered it to the Prefi, I was fain to leave out the quantity of one Sermon in the end of the fecond Treatife [ That God took Henoch]: wherein I (hewed what a mercy it is to one that hath walked with God, to be taken to him from this World ; becaule it is a dark, a wicked, a malicious, and implacable, a treacherous deceitful World, c^-c. AH which the Bifliop's Chaplain mult have expunged, becaule men would think it was all fpoken of them ! And io the World hath got a Protection againflthe force of ourBaptifmal Vow.

§207. Becaufe I have laid fo much in the Epifiles of thefe two Eooks of the Countefs of Bakarres, the Reader may expeftfome further latiafaftionoi her Quality, and the Caufe.

She

P A El T 1. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 121

She is Daughter to the late £arl of Seafmb in Scotland, towards the High-lands^ and was married to the Earl of Balcarres, a Covenanter, but an Enemy to Crom-Ti/eU's perfidioufnels, and true to the Perfon and Authority of the King : with the Earl of Gkncarne he kept up the laft War for the King againft Cromwell, and his Lady, through dsarnefi of Alfecflion, marched with him, and lay out of doors with him on the Mountains. At iaft Cromwell drove them out of Scotland, and they went together bsyond Sea to the King j where they long followed the Court, and he was tjken for the Head of the Presbyterians wich the King, and by evil In-ftruments fell out with the Lord Chancellor, who prevailing againft him,upon Ibme advantage he was for a time forbidden the Court ; the Grief whereof added to the Di'+empers he had contracted by his Warfare on the cold and hungry Mountains, calt him into a Confurnption, of which he died. He was a Lord of excellent Learning, Judgment and Honefty; none being praifed equally with him for Learning and Underftanding in all Scotland.

Wiien the Ea.v\ oi Lauderdaile (his near Kinfman and great Friend) was Pri-foner in Purtfmouth ahd Windjor-Cafile, 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 Balcarres met at the firll fight with Ibme PafTages where he thought I (pake too favourably of the Papifts, and differed from many other Proteftants, and io caft them by, and lent the realbn of his diltalte to the Earl of Lauderdaile: who preft him but to read one of the Books over; which he did j and fo read them all (as I have leen many of them marked with his hand jj and was drawn to over-value them more than the Earl oi Lauderdaile.

Hcr'-upnn his Lady reading, them alio, and being a Woman of very ftrong Love and Friendlhip, with extraordinary Entirenefs fwallowed up in her Husband's Love, for the Books fake and her Husband's fake, Ihe became a moft affedionate Friend to me, before flie ever law me. While fhe was in France, being zealous for the King's Refforation (forwhofe Caufeher Husband had pawned and ruined his Ellate', , by the Earl of Lauderdaile s dircAion , fhe with Sir Robert Murray^ get divers Letters from the Paffors and others there, to bear witnefs of the King's fincericy iii the Proteftant Religion ( among which there is one to me from Mr. Caches). Her great Wifdom, Modefty, Piety and Sincerity, made her accounted the Saint at the Court. When Ihe came over with the King, her extraordinary Refpeft? obliged me to be fo often with her, as gave me Acquaintance with her Eminenoy in all the forefaid Vertues: She is of folid Underitanding in Religionj for her Sex ; and of Prudence much more than ordinary j and of great Integrity andConflancy in her Religion,and a great Hater of Hypocrifie,and faithful to Chrid in an unfaithful World ; and fhe is fbmewhat over-much affectionate to her Friend; which hath colt her a great deal of Sorrow, in the lols of her Husband, and fince Sheisfmce of other fpecial Friends, and may coft her more when the reft forfake her, as [jl^'^^rj of many in Profperity ufeto dothofe that will not forfake their Fidelity to Chrift. Ar^la, Her eldcft Son, the young Earl of Balcarres, a very hopeful Youth, died of a ifr.inge Difsale, two Stones being found in his Heart, of which one was very great. Being my conftant Auditor and over refpedful Friend, I had occafion forthe juft Prailes and Acknowledgments which I have given her; which the occafioning of thefe Books hath caufed me to mention.

§ 208. f r. After our Difpute at the Savoy, fomebody printed our Papers (mofl of them ) given in to them in that Treaty j of which the Petition for Peace, the Reformed Liturgy ( except the Prayer for the King which Dr. IV. wrote ), the large Reply to their Anfwer of our Exceptions, and the two Iaft AddreiTes were my Writing: But in the firft Propofals, and the Exceptions againft the Liturgy, I had lefs to do than fome others.

§ 209. J 2. When the grievous Plague began at London, I printed a half-lheet (to ftick on a Wall) for the ule of the Ignorant and Ungodly who were fick, or in danger of the Sicknefs: ( for the Godly I thought had leG need , and would read thole 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 fo fliort a Paper to them, but fee there in what method fuch Perfbns are to be dealt with in fuch a Cafe of Extremity , that they may themfelves enlarge as they fee Caule.

R $110.

§ 2IO. J3. At that time one Mr. Nathaniel Lane wrote to me to intreat me to wrice one iheet 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 clofe as will be little moving to any but dole judicious Readers, yet I yielded to his per-(wafions, 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 foor Families: The firlt containing the method and motives for the Converfion of the Ungodly. The fe-cond containing the Defcription or Charaftcr of a true Chriftian, or the neceffary Parts of Chrirtian Duty, for the direftion of Beginners in a Godly Life. Thele three laft Sheets were printed by the favour of the Archbiihop's Chaplain, when the Bilhop 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 thele are all publifcd except Epiftles to other mens Works; C as one before Mr. Swinnock's Book of Re-ice after-' generation j one before Mr. Hopkins Book ; one before Mr. EeJes-y one before Mr. ward. Adatthew Pool's Model for Advancing Learning ; one before Mr. Benjamin Baxter's Book J one before Mv.Jonathan Hanmer's Exercitation of Confirmation ; one before Mr,Lawrence of Sicknefi; two before two of Mr. Tombe's Books; and lome others j ( of which there are two that I niufl: give Ibme account of)

The Bookleller being to print the Affembly's Works, with the Texts cited at length, defired me by an EpilUe 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 publifh or fupprefs, according to their Judgment: but to be fure that they printed all or none. The Bookfeller gets Dr. AUnton to put an E-piftla before the Book, who inlertedminein a differing Charadcr in his own, (as mine, but not naming me): But he leaveth out a part, which it feems, was not pleafing to a!!. When I had commended the Catechifms for the ufe of Families, I added. That [_I hoped the JjJ'embly intended not all tn that long Confejfion and thofe Catechifms, to be impojed as a Te^t of Chrifiian Communion j wor to difown all that fcrupled any -word m it j if they had I could not have commended it for any Jtich ufe, phough it he ufifulfor the infiruBion of Families, &c.] All this is left out, which 1 thought meet to open, leli I be there mifunderftood.

Alfo tnke notice that the Poem prefixed to Mr. Vines's Book of the Sacrament, was not piinted bv 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 provoked me to wrice 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.

§211. Manufcripts that are yet unprinted, which lye by me, are thefe following. "■ Since !• * A Treatife in Folio, called, A Chrifiian DireBory , or Sam of PraBical Divi-

printcd «/(/, in four Tomes: The firft called C;6r;j?wn£f^;c;6j; The kcond Chrifiian Eccle-tvvicc. fiafiicks'y lihQ thii:d,Chrifiian Oeconomicks; Thz founh,ChrifiianPoliticks. Itcontain-eth bare Direciions for the praftice of our Duties in all thele refpedls; as Chriflians, as Church-Members, as Members of the Family, and as Members of the Commonwealth : But there is a fufficient Explication of the Subjeft ufually premifed, and the Diredions themfelves are the Anfwers of moft uleful Cafes of Confcienc« thereabouts, though the Cafes bs not named by way of Queftion: But where it was neceffary the Cafes are diftindly named and handled.

My intent in writing this, was at once to fatisfie that motion fb earneflly made by Bi/hop U^ier, mentioned in the Preface to my Call to the Unconverted , which I had been hindrcd from doing by parts before : And I had lome little refpetft to the requeft which was long ago font to him from fbme Tranfmarine Di^'ines, to help them to a Sum of Practical Divinity in the EngU^i method: But though neceffary brevity hath deprived it of all life and luftre ot Stile, it being but a Skeleton of Practical Heads; yet is it fo large by realbn of the multitude of things to be handled, that I fee it will not be of fo common a ufe as I firll intended it. To young A/inifters, and to the more intelligent and diligent fort of A/aftcrs of Families, (who would have a Pradical Directory at hand to teach them every Chrifiian Duty, ajid how to help others in the practice) it may be not unferviceable.

a.Ano-

2. Another Manufcript is called {_* A Chriltian indeed ].- It confifteth of two "^ Since Parts; The firfl is a Dilcovery of the Calamities which follow the iveakneji and P""^'^^-fatilt't-neil of many true Chri(lians,and Diredions for their ffrengthening and growth in Grace: which was intended as the third particular Tradate in fulfilling theSinceprin-forelaid requeft of Bilhop U^ier j The Call to the Unconverted being for that Ibrt 5 ^^l-"^ ^'" and the Dneiiionsfor a found Converjion, being for the fecond lort, who are yet as for weak it were in the birth : And this being for the weaker and faultier ibrt of Chrilh'ans, chrirtians. which are the third Ibrt. To which is added a fecond Part, containing the juft Defcription of a (bund confirmed Chriftian ( whom I call a Chriftian indeed ) in fixty Charafters or Marks j and with each of them is adjoyned the Charadter of the -weak Chrtfiian, and of the Hjpocrite about the fame part of Duty. But all is but briefly done ( the Heads being many ) without any life or ornament of Stile.

Tliis iliort Treatife I offered to Mr. ThowM Grigg, 'the Bifliop of Z,ow Job's* Now Chaplain, to be licenfed for the Pre/s, ( a man that but lately Conformed, and ^^^''' profefTed fpecial refped to me ) j but he utterly refufed it; pretending that it favoured of Difcontent, and would be interpreted as againll the Bifliops and the Times. And the matter was, that in feveral Paifages 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 forlaking the Truth for fear of Suffering, and dc-Icribed the Godly by their undergoing the Enmity of the wicked World, and being ftedfaft whatever it (hall coft them, &c. And all this was interpreted as a-gainft the Church or Vrelatifls. I asked him whether they would licenfe that of mine which they would do of another man's againfl: whom they had no difpieafure ( in the fame words ) : And he told me No : becaufe the words would receive their interpretatiou with the Readers from the mind of the Author. And he askc me, whether I did not think my felf that Nonconformilfs would interpret it as againff the Times. I anfwered him. Yes, 1 thought they would ; and fo they do all thofe PafTages of Scripture which fpeak of Perfecution and the Suffering of the Godly J but I hoped Bibles fhould be licenled for all that. I asked him whether that was the Rule which they went by, that they would licenfq nothing of mine which they thought any Readers would interpret as againff 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 troublefome thing is Guile, which, as Seneca faith, is like a Sore, which is pained not only with a little touch, but fome-* 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 ieeth him would kill him 1 A Cainites heart and life hath ufually the attendance of a Cainites Confcience. I did but try the Licenler with this fmall inconfiderable Script, that I might know what to expedl for my more valued Writings! And I told him that I had troubled the World with fo much already, and (aid enough for one man's part, that I could not think it very necefTary to fay any more to them ; and therefore I fhould accept of his difcharge. But fain they would have had my Controverfal Writings, C about Univerfal Redemption, Predetermination, &c. in which my Judgment is more pleiilng to them ) ; but I was unwilling to publifh them alone, while the Praftical Writings are refufed. And I give God thanks that I once faw Times of greater Liberty ( though under an Ufurper ) j or elfe as far as I can difcern, fcarce any of my Books had ever feen the Light.

;. Another Manufcript that lyeth by me, is a Difputation for fome tJniver-fality of Redemption *, which hath lain by me near Twenty years unfinifhed, part->fpubliflit ly becauie many narrow minded Brethren would have been offended with it, and fince the and partly becaufe at laft came out after Amyraldus., and Davenant's DiJ/ertations , a Autlior's Treatife of DaU^tis, which contained the fame things, but efpecially the lame j^.^^yV''' Teflimonies of concordant Writers which I had prepared to produce. Read.

4. There is alio by me an imperfed Manufcript of Predetermination, y. And divers Dilputations of fufficient Grace.

6. And divers mifcellaneous Difputations on Icveral Queflions in Divinity, cur-forily managed at»our Monthly Meetings.

7. And my two Replies to Mr. Cartwright\ Exceptions againff my Aphorilms. * ^"'^^

8. And my two Replies to Mr. Lavjon's Animadverfions on the fame Book. Pfif* •

R i 9- And

9. And my Reply to Mr. John ;r<jrre»'s Animadverfions ( which being firft done is leafl; digefted ).

10. And the beginning of a Reply to Dr. Walliis Aniinadverfions.

ir. And a Difcourfeof the Power of Magillrates in Religion, againfl thofe that would not have them to meddle in fuch Matters, being an Affize Sermon preached at Shrtwibfiry when Coll. Thomas Hunt was Sheriff. * Since 12. And (bme Fragments of Poetry.

Printed. j^^ And a Multitude of Theological Letters.

14. And an imperfect Treatifc ot Chrift's Dominion, being many popular Ser-mons preached twenty Years ago J and very rude and undigefted; with divers others.

§212. And concerning almoft all my Writings I nmft confefi, that my own Judgment is, that fewer well ftudied and polilhed had been better : but the Reader who can lafely cenfure the Books is not fit to cenfure the Author, unlefs he had been upon the Pl.ice, and acquainted with all the Occafions and Circumftances: Indeed for the Saints Refi 1 had Four Months Vacancy to write it ( but in the mid.^ of continual Languilhing and Medicine ): But for the reft I wrote them in the Crowd of all my other Imployments,which would allow me no great Leifure for Policing and Exadnefs, or any Ornament; fo that I (carce 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, ibme ludden Occafions or other extorted almoft all my Writings from me : and the Apprehenfions of Prefent Ufefulnefs or Necejfity prevailed againft all other Motives. So that the Divines which were at hand with me ftill put me on and approved of what I did, becaule they were moved by prefent Necejfities as well as I : But thofe that were far off, and felt not thole nearer Motives, did rather wifh that I had taken the other way, and publiflied a few elaborate Writings j and I am ready my lelf to be of their Mind, when I forgot the Cafe that then 1 Ifood in, and have loft the Senfe of former Motives. The oppo-fing of the Anahaptifts, Separatifts, Quakers, Antinomians, Seekers, &c. were Works which then feemed neceffary ; and (o did the Debates about Church Go* vernment and Communion which touched our prefent Pradice ; but now all thofe Rcafons are paft and gone,I could wifh I had rather been doing (ome work ofmore durable Ufefulnefs. But e\?en 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 Ibme other works, wherein my Heart hath more been fet than any of thofe forementioned j in which I have met with great Obftruftions, For I muft declare that in this as in many other Matters I have found that we are not the Choofers of our own Imployments, no more than of cur own Succeffes.

§ 213. Becaule it is Soul-Experiments which thofe that urge me to this kind of Writing, do expecft chat I fhould efpecially communicate to others, and I have faid little of God's dealing with my Soul fince the time of my younger Years, I fiiall only give the Reader fo much Satisfaftion, as to acquaint him truly what Change God hath made upon my Mind and Heart fince thole unriper times, and wherein I now differ in Judgment and Dilpofition from my lelf: And for any more particular Account of Heart-Occurrences, and God'5 Operations on me, I think it fomewhat unfivory 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 Iblmall, that I think not fuch fit to be repeated : Nor have I any thing extraordinary to glory in, which is not common to the reft of my Brethren, who have the fimc Spirit, and are Servants of the lame Lord. And the true Reafon why I do adventure io far upon the Cenlure of the World, as to tell them wherein the Cale is altered with me, is that I may take off young unexperienced Chriftians from being over confident in their firff Apprehenfions, or overvaluing their firft degrees of Grace, or too much applauding and following iinfurnifhed unexperienced Men J hut may Ibmewhat be diretfted what Mind and Courfe of Life to prefer, 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, offccliovate^ and fervent in Preaching, Conference and Prayer, th.in (ordinarily ) 1 can be now ; my Stile was more cxrem-porate and laxe, but by the Advantage of Affeciion, and a very familiar moving Voice and Utterance, my preaching then did more affeft the Auditory, tjian many of thclaft Years before I gave over Preaching j but yet what 1 delivered was

much

i-i

much more raw, and had more PalTages that would not bear the Tryal of accurate Judgments j and my Diicourles had both lefs Subjlance and left Judgment than of late.

2. My under/landing was then quicker, and could eafilyer manage any thing that was newly prelcnted to it upon a ludden ; but it is fince better furmjhed, 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 F.iaihy of Knowing them, but did not ^Eiually know them. I was then like a Man of a quick UnderRanding that was to travail a way which he never went before, or to caft 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 fomewhat a flowerUnderftanding (by that prematura feneilus which weak-nels and exceflive bleedings brought me to) who is travelling a Way which he hath often gone, and is cafHng up an 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 I can very confidently (ay, that my Judgment is much founder and firmer now than it was then j for though I am now as competent Judge of the Acimgi of my own Underftanding then, yet I can judge of the Effects: 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 Eraptyneis and Infufficiency: So that the Man that followed my Judgment then, was liker to have been milled by me, than he that fhould follow it now.

And yet, that I miy not fay worfe than it deferveth of my former meafureof Underftanding, I fhall truly tell you what change I find now, in the perufal of my own Wridngs, Thoie Points which then I throughly fittdted, my Judgment is the fame of now, as it was then ; and therefore in the Subfiance of my P.eligion, and in thofe Controverfies which I then fearcht into, with iome etxraordinary Diligence, I find not rriy mind difpofed to a Change: But in divers Points that 1 ftudi-ed nightly 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 thofe things which I was Orthodox in, I had either infufficient Reafons for, or a mixture of fome found and fome infufficient ones, or elfean infufficient Apprehenfion of thole Reafons; fo that Ifcarcely knew what I (eemed to know t And though in m.y Writings I found little in fubftance which my prefent Judgment differeth from , yet in my Afherifms and Saints Refi (which were my firfl Writings) I find fome raw unmeet Expreffions; and one common Infirmity I perceive, that I pu' off Matters with fome kind of Confidence, as if I had done fomething new oi more than ordinary in them, when upon my more mature Reviews, I find that I faid not half that which the Subjed did require: As E. g. ia the Dodrine of the Covenants, and of Juftification, but efpecially about the Divine Authority of the Scripture in the iecond part of the Samts Refi j where I have not faid half that fhould have been faid j and the Reafon was, becaufe that I had not read any of the fuller fort of Books that are written on thofe Subjects, nor converfed with thofe that knew more than my felf, and fo all thofe things were either new or great to me, which were common and fmail 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 they were. And tiiis Token of my Wcaknefs accompanied thofe mv younger Studies, that I was very apt to ftart up Controverfies in the way of my Praftical Writings, and alfo more defirous to acquaint the World with all that I took to be the Truth, and to affault thofe Books by Name which I thought did tend to deceive them, and did contain unfound and dangerous Doiflrine : And the Reafon of all this was, that I was then in the vigour of my youthful Apprehenfions, and the new Appearance of any lacred Truth, it was more apt to afFecl me, and be highlyer valued, than afterward, when commonnefs had dulled my Delight ; and 1 did not fafficiently difcern then how much in moff of our Controverfies is verbal, and upon mutual Miftakes. And withal I know not how impatient Divines were of being contradided, nor how it would ftir up all their Powers to defend what they have once laid, and to rife 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 fo plain. And I have perceived, that nothing fo much hindreth the Reception of the Truth, as urging it on Men with too harfh Importunity, and falling too heavily on their Errors: For hereby you engage their Honour in the bufinefs,

itid

and they defend their Errors as themfelves, and ftir up all their Wit and Ability to oppofi you : In controverfies it is fierce Oppofition which is the Bellows to kindle arefiflingZeal j when if they be neglefted, and their Opinions lie a while de(JDifed, they ulually cool and come again to themfelves ( though I know that this holdech not when the Greedinefs and Increafe of his Followers, doth animate a Sedary, even though behave no Oppofition). Men arefb loth to be drenched with the Tiuth, that I am no more for going that way to work ; and to confels 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 j or at leaft, if he receive it not prefently to filence it, and leave him to his own Opinion : And I find thisEffeft is mixed according to its Caules, which are fbme good, Sind. iomz had: The bad Caufes ars i. An Impatience of Mens weaknels and miftaking frowardneis and Self-conceitednefs. 2. An Abatement of my fen/ibk Efteem of Truth, through the long abode of them on my Mind: Though my Judgment value them, yet it is hard to be equally ojfeQed with old and common things, as with 7iew and rare ones. The better Caufes are i. That I am much more lenfible than ever of the necefTity of living upon the Principles of Religion, which we are all agreed in, and uniting thefe j and how much Mifchief Men that overvalue their own Opinions have dene by their Controverfies in the Church j how Ibme have deftroyed Charity, and fome caufed Schifms by them, and mofl have hindered Godlynefs in themfelves and others, and ufed them to divert Men from the lerious profecuting of a holy Life j and as Sir Francis Bacon faith, ( in his EJ]aj of Peace ) that it's one great Benefit of Church-Peace and Concord, that writing Controverfies is turned into Books of praAical Devotion for increafe of Piety and Virtue. 2. And I find that it's much more for moft Mens Good and Edification, to converfe with them only in that way of Godiinefs which all are agreed in, and not by touching upon Differences to ftir up their Corruptions j and to tell them of little more of your Knowledge, than what you find them willing to receive from you as meer Learners; and therefore to Itay till they crave Information of you ( as Mtifculus did with the Anabaptifts; when he vifited them in Prifbn, and converfed kindly and lovingly with them, and fhewed them all the Love he could, and never talkt to them of their Opinions, til! at laff they who were wont to call him a Deceiver and falfe Prophet, did intreat him to inffrud them, and received his Inffrudions). We miftake Mens'.Dileafes when we think there needeth nothing to cure their Errors; but only to bring them the Evidence of Truth : Alas! there are many Diff empers 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 tfie Abilities of the Miniffeiscommand a reverend Submiflion from the Hearers; and where all are in Chrift's School in the diffind 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 againlf it with Prejudice and Animofity.

5. And I muff fay farther, that what I laft mentioned on the by, is one of the notablefl Changes of my Mind : In my youth I was quickly paff my Fundamentals, and was running up into a multitude of Controverfies, and greatly delighted with metnphifical and fcholaftick Writings ( though I mufl needs fay, my Preaching vvas ffill on the neceffary Points ): But the elder I grew the fmaller ftrels I layd upon thefe Controverfies and Curiofities (though ffill my intelled abhorreth Confulion ), as finding far greater Uncertainties in them, than I at firft difcerned, and findinglefs Vfefuhufs comparatively, even where there is the gieateff Certainty. And now ic is the fundamental Dodrines of the Catechifm, which I highlieff value, ."jid daily think cf, and find moft ufeful to my ftlf and others : The Creed, the Lord s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, do find me now the moff acceptable and plentiful matter, for all my Meditations : They are to me as my daily Bread and Dritik : And as I can fpeak and write of them over and over again ; fo I had rather read or hear of tliem, than of any of the School Niceties, which once fo much pleafedme. And thus I obferved it was with old Bifhop Ujlicr, and with many other Men : And I conjeduro that this Lffed alio is mixt of good and bad, ♦ according to its Caufes.

The bad Caufe may perh.ips be (bme natural Infirmity and Decay : And as Trees in the Spring Ihoot up into i'.ranches. Leaves and Bloilbms; but in t\\s Autumn tlic Life driws down into the Root ; fo pofIib!y, my Nature confcious of its Infirmity and Decay, may find it folf infufficient for numerous l^articles, and Affurgenty to the attempting of difficult things ; and fb my Mind may retire to the Root of

Chriftiau

Ghriftian Principles; and alfo I have often been afraid, left ill rooting at firft, and many Temptations afterwarJi, have made it more neceflary for tne than many others to retire to the Root, and fecure my Fundamentals. Bur upon much Oblervation 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 Superftruftures, and at laft vi^ill find caufc to ft|idy more Ibundly their Religion it felf, as well as I have done.

The ktter Caules are thefe: i. I value all things according to their Ufe and End); and I find in the daily Practice and Experience of my Soul, that the Knowledge 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 Speculations. 2. I know that every Man muft grow ( as Trees do ) downwards and upwards both at once ; and that the Roots increale as the Bulk and Branches do. 3. Being nearer Death and another World, I am the more regardful of thole things which my Everlafting Life or Death depend on. 4. Having moft to do with ignorant milerable People, I am commanded by my Charity and Realbn, to treat with them of that which their Salvation lyeth on j and not to difpute with them of Formalities and Nicerties, when the Queftion is preleritly to be determined whether they (hall dwell for ever in Heaven or in Hell. In a Word, my Meditations mult be moft upon the matters of my Practice and my Intereft : And as the Love of God, and the leeking of Everlafting Life is the Matter of my Tra£lice and my Intereft, io muft it be of my Meditation. That is the heft Do-<flrine and Study which maketh Men better^ and tendeth to make them bafj>y. I abhor the Folly of thofe unlearned Perfons, who revile or defpife Learning be-cauf(B they know not what it is: And I take not any piece of true Learning to be ufelefs: And yet my Soul approveth of the Refolution of Holy Paul, who determined to know nothing among his Hearers, ( that is, comparatively to value and make Oftentation of no other Wifdom ) but (the Knowledge of ) a Crucified Chrift ; to know God in Chrift is Life Etern-al. As the Stock of the Tree affbrdeth Timber to build Houfes and Cities, when the fmall though higher multifarious Branches are but to make a Crows Nelt, 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 affordeth it lolid Peace and Comfort; when a multitude of School Niceties ferve but for vain Janglings and hurtful Diverfions and Contentions : And yet I would not difl^uade my Reader from the perufal of Aquinas, Scotus, Ockam, Arminienjts, Durandm, or any fuch Writer ; for much Good may be gotten from them : But I would perfiiade him to ftudy and live upon the effential Do-drines of Chriftianity and Godlinefs, incomparably above them all. And that he may know that my Teftimony is Ibmewhat regardable, I prefume to lay, 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 DoUrine of Faitl) and of Ufe Eternal, were not only his nobleft and moft ufeful Study; but alfo that which would require the height of all his Parts, and the ut-moft of his Diligence, to manage it skilfully to the Satisfadion of himlelf and others.

4. I add therefore that this is Another thing which I am changed in; that whereas 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 foreft Aflfaults have been on the other fide, and liich they were, thac had I been void of internal Experience, and the Adhefion of Love, and the fpeci-al help of God, and had not difcerned more Reafon for my Religion than I did when I was younger, I had certainly Apoftatizedto Infidelity {thow^ iot Atheifm or Ungodlmejs, 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 Apprehenfivc than heretofore, of the Neceffity of well grounding Men in their Religion, andefpe-ciallyofthe Witnefi 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 Teftimony of the Spirit, while they placed it in a certain internal Afjertion, 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

j his firft Witnefi ; and the Spirit by Miracles was the lecond ; and the Spirit by ; Renovation, Sanditicdtion, Illumination and Confolation, aflimilating the Soul to ' Chriit and Htaven is the continued Witnefs to all true Believers: And if any Man I have not the Spirit of Clirift, the fame is none of his, Rom. 8. 9. Even as the Rational Soul in the Child is the inherent Witnefs or EvidencCj that he is the Child cf Rational Parents. And therefore ungodly Perfons have a great difadvantjge in their refilling Temptations to unbelief, and it is no wonder it' Chrift be a Hmnblitig block to the ]ews,and to the Gentiles foblifhnefs.There is many a one that hideth his Temptations to InhJelityjbecaufe he thinketh it a ihame toopenthem,and becaule it may generate doubts in others: but I doubt the imperfedion of molt mens care of their Salvation, and of their diligence and refolution in a holy Life, doth come from the imperfedlion of their belief of Chriflianicy and the Life to come. For my part I muft profels, that when my belief of things Eternal and of the Scripture is moft clear and firm, all goeth accordingly in my Soul,and all Temptations tofinful Compliances, Worldlinefb or Flefn-pleafing, do fignifie worfeto me, than an invitation to the Stocks or BcdlamAnA 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 j and even of the Myileries of the Golpel, I muft needs fay with Mr. Richard Hooker Eccl. Polit. tiiat whatever men may pretend, the lubjeiftive Certainty cannot go beyond the nbjedive Evidence : for it is caufed thereby as the print on the .Wax is cauled by that on the Seal: Therefore I do more of late than ever difcern a necef-fity of a methodical procedure in maintaining the Doftrine of Chiiftianity , and of beginning at Natural 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 fo fure Foundations, and fo confonant to the Law of Nature. I am not fb foo'ilh as to pretend my certainty to be greater than it is, meerly becaule it is a dilTionour to be lefs certain ; nor will I by Ihame be kept from confefling thofe Infirmitie?, 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 God j for Quodfacit notum ejt magtsnotum: My certainty that there is a God, is greater than my certainty that he requireth love and holinefi of his Creature: My certainty of thu is greater than my certainty of the Life of Reward and Punilhment hereafter: My certainty of that, is greater than my certainty of the endlels duration of it, and of the immortality of individuate Souls: My certainty of the Deity is greater than my certainty of the Chrillian Faith : My certainty of thelChri-ftian Faith in its Eftentials, is greater than my certainty of the Perfedion and Infallibility of all the Holy Scriptures: My certainty of that is greater than my certainty or" the meaning of many particular Texts, and fo of the truth of many particular Doiftrines, or of the Canonicalnels of fome certain Books. So that as you lee by what Gadations my Underrtanding doth proceed, fo alfo that my Certainty difFircth as the Evidences differ. And they that have attained to greater Perfe-(ftion, and a higher degree of Certainty than I, fhould 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 Prtncipium Cogtiofcendt, may meet me at the lame end ; but they muft give me leave to undertake to prove to a Heathen or Infidel, the I3eing of a God; and the neceflity of Holinels, and the certainty of a Reward or Punilhment, even while he yet denieth theTruth 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 ABud failings in Thought, Word, or ASiion, ( except Hardnep of Heart, of which more anon). But now I am much more troubled for Imvard DefeBs, and omiflion 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 Relief, and want of greater loxie to God, and /Irangenef to him, and to the I ife to come, and for want of a greater willingnefs to die, and longing to be with God in Heaven, as that I take not Ibme Immoralities, though very great, to be in themlelves lb great and odious Sins, if they could be found as leparate trom thefc. Had I all the Riches of the World , how gladly fhould I give them, for a fuller Knowledge, Belief, aVid Love of God and Everlafting Glory I Thele wants are the greateft burden of my Life, which oft maketh my Life it lelf a burden. And I cmnot fino any hope of reaching lb high in thele, while I am in the Flefh, as 1 once hoped before this time to have attained : which maketh me the we?.rier of this finful World, which is honoured vvith lb little of the Knowledge of God. 7. Here.

7. Heretofore I placed much of my Religion in tendernefs of heart, and grieving for fin, and penitential tears j and lefi of it, in"the love of God, and Ibdying his love and goodnefs, and in his joyful praifes, than now I do. Then I was little lenfible of the greatnels and excellency of Love and Praife ; thotlgh I coldly fpake the fame words in its commendations, as now I do: And now 1 am lels troubled for want o'i grief and tears (though I more value humility, and refufe not needlul Humiliation): But my Conlcience now iooketh at Love and Dehght: in God and praifing him, as the top of all my Religious Duties, for which it is that I Value and u(e the reft.

8. My Judgment is much more for frequent and ferious Meditation on the heavenly Bleffednefs, 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; and was wont to fay, Every body kmiveth ti>a, that God is great and good, and that Heaven is a blejj'ed-place j / had rather hear how 1 may attain it. And nothing pleafed me fo well as the Doftrine of Regeneration, and the Marks of Sincerity ; which was becaule it was fultable to me in that Ibte: but now I had rather read, hear or meditate, on God and Heaven, than on any other Subjed : for I perceive that it is the Objed that altereth and elevateth the Mindj which will he luch as that is, which it moft frequently feedeth on: And that it is not only u(e-ful to our cewfort, to be much in Heaven in our believing thoughts j but that it muft animate all our other Duties, and fortifie us againft every 7emptatton and Sin • and that the Love of the end is it that is the foije or ipring , which fetteth 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 j but now, though I am greatly convinced of the need of Heart-acquaintance and imployment, yet I fee more need of a higher work • and that 1 (hould 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 Teace it felf. Therefore I would have one thought at home upon my felf and fins, and many thoughts above upon the high and amiable and beatifying Objeds.

10. Heretofore I knew much lefs than now ; and yet was not half lb much acquainted with my Ignorance: I had a great delight in the daily new Diicoveries which I made, and of the Light which Jhined in upon me ( like a Man that cometh into a Country where he never was before ): But I little knew either how imperfeclly I underftood thofe very Points, whole difcovery fo much delighted me, nor how much might be faid againft them ,• nor how many things F was yet a ftranger to: But now I find far greater Darknefs upon all things, and perceive how very little it is that we know in compariibn of that which we are ignorant of and and have far meaner thoughts of my own Underftanding, though 1 muft needs know that it is better furniihed than it was then.

ir. Accordingly I had then afar higher opinion of Learned Perfbns 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 v/hat Books 1 underftood not byreafonof the ftrangenefsof theTerms 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; efpecially thole that think themfelves the wileit: 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 Subtilties, the more I value and honour them. And when I have ftudied hard to underftand fome abftrufe admired Book , ( as De Scientta Dei, De Providentia circa ?nalum, de Deeretis, de Fradetcrminatione, de Liberta-te Creattira, &cc.) I bave but attained the Knowledge of Humane Imperfedion , and to lee that the Author is but a Man as well as L

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, 1 was ready to entertain the whole; whereas now I rakeund leave in the (ame Author, and dilTent inlbme things from him that IJike beft, as well as from others.

S ij.At

13. At firft I was greatly inclined to go with the highefi in Controverfies, oti one fide or other; as with Dr. Twifje, and Mr. Kutherford, and Spanhemim de Vrovi-dentia, & gratia, &c. But now lean foeafily (ee what to fay 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 theml'elves; I have fince perceived that if the amiablenefs bf Peace and Con-cord had no hand in the bufinels, yet greater Light and ftronger Judgment ufually is with the Reconcilers, than with either of the contending Parties ( as with Dave-nant, Hall, UJlnr, Lud. Crocius, Bergim, Strangim, Camera, 8cc.) But on both accounts their Writings are raoft acceptable, ( though I know that Moderation may be a pretext of Errors).

14. At firft the Stile oi Authors took as much with me as the Argument, and made the Arguments feem more forcible : But now I judge not of Truth at all by any fuch Ornaments or Accidents, but by its naked Evidence.

15". I now fee more Good and more Evil in all Men than heretofore I did : I fee that Gooi men are not fo^W, as I once thought they were, but have more Imperfections: And that nearer approach and fuller trial, doth make the beft appear more weak and faulty, than their Admirers at a diftance think. And I find that few are fo bad, as ckhsr then malicious Enemies, or cenforious fefarating 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 oi Utterance and bare 'ProfeJJlon of Religion than I once did ; and have much more Charity for many, who by the want of Gifts, do make an obfcurer Profeflion than they. I once thought that almoft all that could pray movingly and fluently, and talk well of Religion, had been Saints. But Experience hath opened to me, what odious Crimes may confift with high Profeflion ; and I have met with divers obfcure Perfons, not noted for any extraordinary Profeflion, or forwardnels 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 end fandified Life ; only their Prayers and Duties were by accident kept fecret from o-ther mens oblervation. Yet he that upon this pretence would confound the Godly and the Ungodly , may as well go about to lay Heaven and Hell together.

17. I am not fo narrow in my Jpecial Love as heretofore: Being lefs cenforiouSj 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, sndfuch common Love which I muft allow the Wicked, who profelfeth himlelf a true Chriflian, by fuch a Profeflion as I cannot dif-prove.

18. I am not too narrow in my Principles of Church Communion as once I was: I more plainly perceive the difference between the Church as Congregate or vifible, and as Regenerate or Myftical: and between Sincerity and Frofeffton; and that a Credible Proffffioa is proof fufffcient of a Man's Title to Church Admiflion: and that the ProfeTlion is Credible in foro Ecclejia, whichis not dilproved. I am not for narrowing the Church more than Chrift himfelfalloweth us; nor for robbing him of any of his flock. I am more f-nfible how much it is the Will of Chrift that every Man be the cboofir or refitfer 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 lofs.

19. Yet am I more apprehenfive th.an ever of the great ufe and need of Ecclefi-aftical DifjipIinCj and what a fin it is in the Paftors of the Church, to make no diftinftion, but by bare Names and Sacraments, and to force all the unmeet againfl their own wills, to Church Communion and Sacraments ( though the ignorant and erroneous may fbmetime be forced to hear inftrudion ): And what a great dilhonour to Chrift it is, when the Church Ihall be as vicious as Pagan and Mahometan AlTemblies , and fhall differ from them only in Ceremony and Name.

20. I am much more fenfible of the Evil of Schifm, and of the Separating Humour, and of gathering Parties, and making feveral Sefts in the Church than I uas heretofore. For the Effedts have fhewed us more of the raifchiefs.

ar.l

,21. I am much more (enfible how prone many young Profeifers are to Spiritual Pride and Self-conceitednefs, and Unrulinefs and Divifionj and io to prove the Grief of their Teachers, and Firebrands in the Church ; and how much of a Mi-nifler's work lieth in preventing this, and humbling and confirming fuch young unexperienced ProfelTors, and keeping them in order in" their progrefs in Religion.

22. Yet am I more (enfible 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 Adis of Inhumanity or Uncharitablenefs: Such know not their own Infirmity, nor yet the nature of Paftoral Government, which ought to be Paternal and by Love j nor do they know the way to win a Soul, nor to maintain the Churches Peace.

2;. My Soul is much more affliAed with the thoughts of the milerable World and more drawn out indefire of their Converfion than heretofore: I was wont to look but little further than England in my Prayers, as not confidering the ftate of the reft of the World: Or if I prayed for the Converfion of the Jews, that was al-nioft 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 lyeth fo heavy upon my heart, as the thought of the miferable Nations of the Earth: It is the moft afto-nifhing part of all God's Providence to me, that he lb far forfaketh almoft all the World, and confineth his fpecial Favour to lb few : That fo fmall a part of the World hath the Profeflton of Chrifiianity, in comparifon of Heathens, Mahometans and other Infidels I And that among profeffed Chriftians there arefo few that are faved from grols Delufions, and have but any competent Knowledge : and that among thofe there are fo few that arc ferioufly Religious, and truly fet their hearts on Heaven. I cannot be affeded fo much with the Calamities of my own Relations, or the Land of my Nativity, as with the Caie of the Heathen, Mahometan, and ignorant Nations of the Earth. No part of my Prayers are fo deeply ferious, as that for the Converfion of the Infidel and Ungodly World, that God's Name may be fanftified, and his Kingdom come, and his Will be done on Earth as it is in Hea-ven : Nor was I ever before (b fenfible what a Plague the Divifion of Languages was which hindereth our fpeaking to them for their Converfion ; nor what a great Sm tyranny is, which keepeth out theGofpel from moft of the Nations of the World. Could we but go among Tartarians, Turks, and Heathens, rfnd ipeak their Language, 1 ftiould be but little troubled for the filencing of Eighteen hundred Mini-fters at once in England, nor for all the reft that were caft out here, and in Scotland ind Ireland : There being no Employment in the World lb defirable in my Eyes, as to labour for the winning of fuch miferable Souls: which maketh me greatly honour Mr. John Eltot, the Apolfle of the Indians in New-England^und whoever elfe have laboured in fuch work.

24, Yet am I not fo much inclined to pals a peremptory Sentence of Damnation upon all that never heard of Chrift ; having Ibme more realbn than I knew of before, to think that God's dealing with fuch is much unknown to us.' And that the Ungodly here among us Chriftians are in a far worle Cafe than they.

zy. My Cenfures of the Papifts do much differ from what they were at firft : I then thought that their Errours in the DoBrines of Faith were their moft dangerous Miftakes, as in the Points of Merit, Juifification by Works, AfTurance of Salvation, the Nature of Faith, c^c. But now I am allured that their niif-expreflions, and mif underftanding us, with our miftakingsof them, and inconvenient expref-ting our own Opinions, hath made the difference in thele Points to appear much greater than they arej and that in fonie of them it is next to none at all. But the great and unreconciliable Differences lye, in their Church Tyranny and Ufur-pations, andin their great Corruptions and Abafement of God's Worrfiip, together with their befriending of Ignorance and Vice. At firft I thought that Mr. Verktm well proved that a Papift cannot go beyond a Reprobate: but now I doubt not but tliAt God hath many fanftified Ones among them, who have received the true Dodirine of Chriftianity fo pradically , that their contradiAory Errours prevait not againft them, to hinder their Love of God, and their Salvation : but that their Errours are like a conquerable Dole of Poylbn which Nature doth overcome. And 1 can never believe that a Man may not be faved 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 caft a Soul into Hell that truly lovcth him. ,Allb at firft it would difgrace any DoArine with me, if I did but hear it called Popery and Arl-tkhrillian: but I have lone learned to be more impartial, and Jo diflih?; M?nfor

iL.

bad Doftrine, rather than the Doarines for the Men ; and to know that Satan can ule even the Names of Popery and Antichrift, againft a Truth.

26. I am deeplieraffli^^ed for the difagreements 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 therefore I am more deeply fenfible of the fmfulnefs of thofe Prelates and Paftors 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 FaBion as if it were true Religion. How is cheConverfion of Infidels hindeied by them ! qnd Chrift and Religion heinoufly diflionoured ! The Contentions between the Greek Church and the Roman, the Papilts and the Proteftants, the Lutherans and the Calvintfii, have wofully hindered the Kingdom of Chrift.

27. I have fpent much of my Studies about the Terms of Chrijiian Concord, and have over and over confidered of the feveral ways, which feveral forts of Reconcilers have deviled : 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 poffible nor defirabk. I have thought and thought again of the way of the moderating Papifis, CaJJaiider, Grotit/s, lialwin, &c. and of thofe that would have all reduced to the Hate of the Times of Gregory the Firft, before the Divifion 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 Saho to the Rights of Kings and Patriarchs and Prelates; and that the Doftrines and Wordiip which then were received might prevail. And for my own part, if 1 lived in fuch a Ifate of the Church, I would live peaceably, as glad of Unity, though lamenting the Corruption and Tyranny : But I am fully alfured that none of thele are the true defirable Terms of Unity, nor iiich as are ever like to procure an Univerial Concord : And I am as fure that the true Means and Terms of Concord are obvious and eafie to an impircial willing mind. And that thele 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 mult be u-led as their Officers in exercifing that Coerci've Power, fo be \t): And that they make a difference between the approved and the rokrated Churches; and that they keep the Peace between thefe Churches, and fettle their feveral Piiviledges by a Law.

2. That the Churches be accounted Tolerable, who profels all that is in the Creed, Lord's Prayer and Decalogue in particular, and generally all that they Ihal! find to be revealed in the Word of God, and hold Communion in Teaching, Prayer, Praifes, and the two Sacraments, not obflinately preaching any Herefie contrary to the particular Articles which they profefs, nor feditioufly difturbing the Pub-lick Peace: And that (uch Heretical Preaching, and fuch Seditiom unpeaceablenefi, or notorioHS Wtckednef of Life, do forfeit their Toleration.

;. And that thole that are further Orthodox in thole Particulars, which Rulers think fit to impofe upon their Subjedts, have their puhltck Aiajnt£nance and greater Encouragement. Yea, and this much is become necelTary, but upon fiippofition that Men will ftill be fb (elf-conceited and uncharitable, as not to forbear their unne-cefTary Impofitions. Other wife there would be found but very isw who are Tole-rable, that are not alfo in their meafure to be approvej, maintained and encouraged. And if the Primitive Simplicity in Dodrine , Government and Worfhip, might ferve turn, for the Terms of the Churches Union and Communion, all would be well without any more adoj fiippofing that where ChrilHan Magiftrates are, they keep the Peace, and reprefs the Offenders, and exercifeall the Coercive Government: And Hereticks, who will fubfcribe to the C/6r//?;<j» F<?/f/6, muft not be puniflied Ibecaufe ihey will [uhfcribe 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 expcding great matters of Unity, Splendor or Profperity to the Church on Earth, or that Saints fhould dream of a Kingdom of this World, or flatter themlelves with the Hopes of a Golden Age, or reigning over the Ungodly, ( till there be a new Heaven and a nev Earth ivberein dwelleth Righteoufne^). And on the contrary lam more apprehenfive that Sufferings 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 ordnarily God would have Viciffitudes of Summer and Winter,Day and Nightjthat th« Church may grow extenfively in the Summer of Profperity,

Part I. R^^rWAfr. Richard Baxter. 133

Iperity, and intenfively and radicatedly in the Winter of Adverficy ^ yet ufually their Ntght is longer than their Day, and that Daf its felf hath its Storms and Tem-pefts. For the Prognofticlts are evident in their Caufes: x. The Church will be ftill ImperfeB and Sinful, and will have thofe Difeafes which need this bitter Remedy. 2. Rich Men will be the Rulers of the World ; and Rich Men will be generally (d far from true Godlinefi, that they muft come to Heaven as by Human ImpojJibiUttes, as a Camel through a Needles Eye. ;.The Ungodly will ever have an Enmity again(t the Image of God, and ^e that is born of the Flefli will perl'esute him that Was born after the Spirit, and Brotherhood will not keep a Cain from killing an Abd, whooifereth a more acceptable Sacrifice than himfelf: And the Guilty will fiill hate the Light, and make a Prey to their Pride and Malice of a confcionable Reprover. 4. The Paflors will be ftill troubling the Church with their Piide and Avarice and Contentions; and the worft will be feeking to be the greateft, and they that leek it are likeft to attain it. y. He that ishigheft will be ftill imponiig his Conceits upon thofe under him, and Lording it over God's Heriiagc, and v^ith Diotrefhes cafting out the Brethren, and ruling them by corfftraint, and not as Volunteers. 6. Thole that are truly judicious will ftill comparatively be iaw ; .md confequently the Troublers and Dividers will be the Multitude ; and a judicious Peace-maker and Reconciler will be negleded, flighted, or hated by both Extreams. 7. The Tenour of the Gofpel PrediAions, Precepts, Promifes and Threatnings, are fitted to a People in a fuffering State. 8. And the Graces of God in a Believer are moftly lliied to a State of Suffering. , 9. Chriftians muft imitate Chaift, and fuffer with him before they reign with him j and his Kingdom was not of this World. 10. The Obfervation of God's dealing hitherto with the Church in every Ageconfirmeth me : and his befooling them that have dreamed of glorious Times, It was liich Dreams that tranfported the Munfier Anabaptifts, and the Followers of Da'vid George in the Low Countries, and Car»faneUa, and the lUttminati among the Papifts, and our Englilh Anabaptifts and other Fanaticks here, both in the Army and the City and Country. When they think the Golden Age is come, they fhew their Dreams in their extravagant Adions: And as our Fifth Monarchy Men, they arc*prefently upon fome unquiet rebellious Attempt, to fet up (ihrift in his Kingdom whether he will or not. I remember how Abraham Scuhetus in Curricula Vtt£ fua confefleth the common Vanity of himfelf and other Proteftants in Germanjfj 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 expeft the Golden Age : But within one year either Death, or Ruines of War or Back-flidings, had expoled all their ExpeAations to Scorn, and laid them lower than before.

29, Ido not lay fo great a Streft upon the external Modes and Formes of Worship, as many young Profeflbrs do. 1 have fufpefted 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 c-omplyed with Men of that Mind ) : But I find that Judgment and Charity are the Caules of it, as far as I am able to difcover. I cannot be ib narrow in my Principles of Chnrch-Communion as many are j that are fo much for a Liturgy, or 16 much aj^inft it, fo much for Ceremonies or fo 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 Herily, nor let themlelves againft Charity and Peace ) I would hold Ibmetimes occafional Communion with them as Chriftians (if they will give me leave, without forcing me to any finful Subfcription or AAion) ; Though my moft ujual Communion ftiould be with that Society, which I thought moft agreeable to the Word of God, if I were free to chufe. 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 rejetSeth : Nor yet can I be of their Mind that lay the like of extemporary Prayers.

30. I am muchlels regardful of the Approbation of Man, and let much lighter by Centempt or Applaufe, than I did long ago. lam oft fufpicious that this is not only from the increafe of Self denial and Humility; but partly from my being glutted and forfeited with human. Applaufe : And all worldly things appear moft vain and unlatisfacftory vfhen we have tryed them moft. But though I feel that this hath fome hand in the Effeft, yet as far as I can perceive, the Knowledge of Man's Nothingnels, and God's tranlcendent Greatnefs, with whom it is that I have moft to do, and the fenfe of the brevity of humane things, and the nearnefs

of Eternity are the principal Caufes of this EfTed j which Ibme have imputed to Self' conceitednefs and Morofity.

31. I am more and more pleafed with a Iblitary Life; and though in a way of S^t-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 j yet I mult confefs, 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 Confciencc and good Books; of which I have fpoken my Heart in my Divine Life, Part IIL

32. 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 liifficiencly loofened from this World. But I find that it is comparatively very eafy to me to be loofe from this World, but hard to live by Faith above. To defpife Earth is ealy to me j bat 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 (atisfying Apprehenfions of the other World is the great and grievous Difficulty.

33. lam much more apprehenfive than long ago, of the Odioufneji ApA Danger oi the Sin of Pride; fcarce any Sin appeareth more odious to me : Having daily more Acquaintance vrith the lamentable Naughtinefs and Frailty of Man, and of the •Milchiefs of that Sin j and elpecially in Matters Spiritual and Ecclefiafiical: \ think fo far as any Man is proud he is kin to the Devil, and utterly a Stranger to God and to himlelf: It's a Wonder that it Ihould bsapoJfibU Sin, to Men thatfiill 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, fulnels of Bread, and abun-daiKC of Idlenefj, and want of Compaflion to the Poor. And I more value the Life of the poor Labouring Man j but efpecially of him that hath neither Poverty nor Riches.

3 J. I am much more fenfible than heretofore, of the Breadth, and Length, and Depth of the radical, univerfal, odious Sin of Selfifi»ejs, and therefore have written fo much againft it: And of the Excellency and Neceffity of Self-denial^ and of a publick Mind, and of loving our Neighbour as our lelves.

36. I am more and more fenfible that moft Controverfies have more need of right Stating than of Debating ; and if my Skill be increafed in any thing it is in that, in narroiving Controverfies by Explication, and feparating the real nom the 'uerbal, and proving to many Contenders, that they differ lels than they think they do.

37. lam more Iblicitous than I have been about my Duty to God, and left folicitous about his Dealings with rae; as being aftlired that he will do all things well J and as acknowledging the Goodnefs of all the Declarations of his Holynels, even in the Punifhment of Man ; 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 molt ready, conftant, undoubted Evidences of my Uprightnels and Intereft in his Covenant, is the Confcioulhels 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 ferve no other Mafter, and that I know no other End, or Trade, or Bufinels; but that I am imployed in his Work, and make it the Bufinels of my Life, and live to him in the World, notwithftanding my Infirmities: And this Bent and Bufineft of my Life, with my longing Defires after Perfedion, in the Knowledge and Belief and Love of God, and in a Holy and Heavenly Mind and Life, are the two Handing, conftant, difcernable Evidences, which moft put me out of doubt of my Sincerity: And I find that co^fiant Action and Duty is it that keepeth the firft always in Sight j and confiant Wants and Weaknefes, and coming Ihort of my De-fres, do make thofe Dejires ftill the more troubkjom, and lb the more eafily ftill perceived.

39. Though my habitual Judgment and Relblution and Scope of Life be ftiU the fame, yet 1 find a great Mutability as to acSlual Apjn-ebenjions, and Degrees of Grace; and confequently find that io mutable 3 thing as the Mind of M^n, would never keep its lelf if God were not its Keeper. When I have been (erioufly niufiog upon the H^^lons of Chiiftianity, with the cpncurreat Evidences methodically

dically placed in their juft Advantages before my Eyes, I am fo clear in my Belief of the Chriftian Verities, that Satan hath little room for a Temptation. But Ibmetimes when he hath on a fudden let fome Temptation before me, when the forefaid Evidences have been out of the Way, or lets upon my Thoughts, he hath by fuch Surprizes amazed me, and weakened my Faith in the prefent A£i: So alfo as to the Love ofGod,and trufling inhim,fometimes when the Motives arc clearly apprehended, the Duty is more ealy and delightful: And at other times, I am meerly paffive and dull, if not guilty of aftual Defpondency and Diftruft.

40. tarn much more cautelous in my Belief of Hiftory than heretofore : Not that I run into their Extream that will believe nothing becaufe they cannot believe all things. But I am 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 Religion byafTech him not; yet a debauched Chrijlian, befides his Enmity to the Power and Pradlice of his own Religion, is feldom without fome farther Byafi of Inter-eft or Faction ; efpecially when thefe concurr, and a Man is both ungodly and am-hitious, efpoufing an Intcrerefi contrary to a holy heavenly Life, and alfo FaBioiis, embodying himlelf with a Se£t or Party fuited to his Spirit and Dejigns, 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 crofi to his Greatnefs, htcrefi or 'DeJigns, take heed how you believe any more, than the Hiftorical Evidence diftind from his Word compelleth you to believe. The prodigious Lies which have been publiflied in this Age in matters of Faft, with unblufhing Confidence, even where thou-ftnds 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 deted his Fraud, or if they do their Writings are all fuppreft. As long as Men have Liberty to examine and contradift one another, one may partly conjeAure 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-tradid, believe it but as you arc cnnftrained. Yet in thefe Cafes I can freely believe Hiftory: i. If the Perfon fhew that he is acquainted with what he faith. 2. And if he (hew you the Evidences of Honefty and Confcience, and the Fear of God ( which may be much perceived in the Spirit of a Writing ). 5. And if he appear to be Impartial and Charitable, and a Lover of Goodnefs and of Mankind; and not pofteft with Malignity, or perfonal ill Will and Malice, nor carried away by Faftion or perfonal Intereft : Confcionable Men dare not lye ; bat Faction and Intereft abate Mens Tendernefs of Confcience. And a charitable impartial Heathen may fpeak Truth in a love to Truth, and hatred of a Lye ; But ambiiious Malice and falfe Religion, will not ftick to ferve thcmfelves on any thing. Its eafy to trace the Footfteps of Veracity in the Intelligence, Impartiality, and Ingenuity of a Thuanus^ a Guicciardine, a Faulus Venet. though Papifts, and of Socrates and Sozomen, though acculed by the Fadious of favouring the Novations; and many Proteftants in a Melan£lhon, a Buchohzcr, and many more j and among Phyficiansin fuch as Crato, Tlaterus, &c. But it's as eafy to lee the Footfteepsof Partiality and Fadion and Defign, in a Genehrard, a Baronita, and a Multitude of their Companions; and to fee reafon of Sufpicion in many more. Therefore I confels I give but halting Credit to moft Hiftories that are written, not only againft the Albtgenfa and JValdenfes, but againft moft of the Ancient Hereticks, who have left us none of their own Writings, in which they fpeak for thcmfelves, and I har-tily lament that the Hiftorical Writings of the Ancient Schifmaticks and Heriticks (as they were called ) periflied, 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 able to judge between the Fathers and them. And as I am prone to think that few of them were fo bad as their Adverfaries made them ; fo I am apt to think that fuch as the Novations, and Luciferians, and Indians, &c. whom their Adverfaries commend, were very good Men, and more Godly than moft Catholicks, however miftaken in fome 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 contradiding Evidence ; and yet the Multitude of their Seduced ones believe them all in defpight of Truth and Charity • fo in this Age there have been fuch things written againft Parties and Perfons whom the Writers defign to make odious ; fo notorioufly falfe as you would think that the Senfe of their Honour at leaft, fliould have made it impofftble for luch Men to write : My own

Eyes

Eyes have reaS fuch Words and Attions afferted with mod vehement iterated unbluft-ing Confidence, which abundance ot Ear-Witneffes, even of their own Pai ties nuilt needs know to have been altogether falfe : and therefore having my felf now written this Hiftory of my lelf, notwithft^nding my Proteftarion that I have not . in any thing wilfully gone againft the Truth, I cxped no more Credit from the Reader, than the felf-evidencing Lighc of the matter, with concurrent rational Advantages, from Perfbns, and Things, and other WitnelTes, fhall conftrain him to; if he be a Per(bn that is unacquainted with the Author himfelf, and the other Evidences of his Veracity and Credibility. And, I have purpofely omitted almoft all the Delcriptions of any Perfons that ever oppofed me, or that ever I or my Brethren ■ luffeied by, becaufe 1 know that tl-.e appearance of 7«f£>-fy? and partiality might give a fair excufe to the Readers incredulity : (Although indeed the true Defcription of Perlons 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 w lien 1 Ijaeak of the Crom-welliam and Sediaries, where I ara the more free, becaufe none fufpefteth my Intereft to have engaged me againft them ; but ( with the reft of my Brethren) I have oppofed them in the obedience of my Conicience, when by pleafing them I could have had alniod any thing that they could have given me, and when before-hand I expected that the prefent Governours fhould filenceme, and deprive me of Maintenance, Houfe and Home, as they have done by me and many hundreds more. Therefore I fuppofed that my Delcriptions and Cenfures of thofe Perfons which would have enriched and honoured me, and of their Adions againft thjt Party which hath filenced, impoveriihed and ac-cufed me, and which before-hand I expefted fliould do fo, are beyond the Sufpi-cion of Envy, Self-intereft or Partiality: Knot, I there alfo am content that the Reader exercife his Liberty, and believe no worfe even of thefe Menj than the E-vidence of Fad: conftraineth him.

Thus much of the Alterations of my Soul, fince my younger years, I thought beff to give the Reader, inftead of all thofe Experiences and Adual Motions and AfFedions, which I fuppofe him rather to have expeded an account of. And having 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, whicn he findeth to have been amifs in mine ; confeffing alfo that much hath been amifb 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 Praife to all Generations, who hath filled up my days with his unvaluable Favours, and bound me to blefi his Name for ever : And alfo to prevent the defedive 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 Reafons as Junius, Scabetus, Thuanus , and many o-thers have done the like before me. The principal of which are thefe three : r.As Travellers and Seamen ufe to do after great Adventures and Deliverances, I hereby fatisfie my Confcience, in praifing the Bleffed Author of all thofe undeferved Mercies which have filled up my Life. 2. Forefeeing by the Attempts of Bi-fhop Murky, what Prelatifis and PapiOs are like to fay of me, when they have none to contradid them, and how poffible it is that thofe that never knew me may believe them, though they have loft their hopes with all fhe reft, I take it to be my Duty to be fo faithful to that ftock of Reputation vshich God hath in-trufted me with, a« to defend it at the rate of opening the Truth. Such as have made the World believe that Luther confulted with the Devil, K\\zx.Cal'vm was a ftig. matized Sodomite, that Bex.a turned P^pift, &c. to blaft their Labours, I know are very like to fjv 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 youngChriftians may be warned by the Miftakes and Failings of my unriper Times, to iearn in patience, and live in watchfulnefs. and not be fierce and proudly confident in their firft Conceptions j And to reverence ripe experienced Age, and to take heed of taking fuch for their Chief Guides as have nothing but immature and unexperienced Judp;ments, with fervent Affedions, and free and confident Expreffions; 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 attained to clearnefs and impartiality in their Judgments.

I. But

I. But having mentioned the Changes which I think were for the better^ 1 mulb add, that as I confeffed many of my Sins before, fo fince I have been guilty of many, which becaufe materially they leemed I'mall , have had the lefs reliftence, and yet on the review to trouble more than it" they had been greater done in isno-rance: It can be no fmall (In formally which is committed againli^ Knowledge and Confcience and Deliberation, whatever excufe it have. To have finned while 1 preacht and wrote againft Sin, and had luch abundant and great obligations from God, and made io many promilesagainlt it, doth lay me very low : not lo much in fear of Hell, as in great dilpleafure againli my lelf, and fuch lelf abhorrence as would cauTe revenge upon my lelf, wereic not foi bidden. Wiien God forgiveth me I cannot forgive my lelf; elpecially for any ralh words or deeds, by which I have ieemed injurious, and Ids tendei and kind than I ihould h.tve been to my near and dear Relations, whole Love abundantly obliged me 5 when luch are dead, though we never differed in point of Interelt or any great Matter, every fbwrorcrols provoking word which I gave them, maketh me almoff unreconcile-•able to my lelf: and tells me how Repentarice brought fome of old to pray to the Dead whom they had wronged, to forgive them, in the hurry of their Paf-fion.

2. And though I before told the Change of my Judgment againfl: provoking Writings, I have had more will th.in skill fince to avoid fuch. i mad mention ic by way of penitent Confellion, that lam too much inclined to fuch Ti^onls in Con-troverlal Writings which are tuo keen, and apt to provoke the Perlbn whom I write againlh Sometimes I liilpecS that Age fowreth my Spirits, and lometimes I am apt to think that it is long thinking and fpeaking of liich things that maketh me weary, and lels patient with others that undcrftand them not: And lometimes I am ready to think that it is out of a hatred of the flattering humour which now prevaileth lb in the World, that few Perfons are able to bear the Truth : And I am iiire that I cannot only bear my lelf fuch Language as I ufe to others, but that I exped it. I think all thele are partly Caules; but 1 am furethe principal Caule is a long Cuffom of lludying how to fpeak and write in the keeneff manner to the common, ignorant, and ungodly People (without which kecnels to them, no Sermon nor Book docs much good ); which hath lb habituated me to it, that I am ftill falling into the lame with others •, forgetting that many Miniffers and Pro-fellbrsof Stridtnelsdodelire the greateft iharpnefs to the Vulgar, and to their Ad-verlaries, and the greatell lenity and linoothnefs and comfort, if not honour to themfelves. And I have a llrong natural inclination to Ipeak of every Sul^jeft juft as n IS, and to call a Spade a Spade, d^ "jtrba rebus aptare j fo as that the thing I'poken of may be fuUieff known by the words ; which methinks is part of our Jpeaking truly. But I unfeignedly confefs that it is faulty, becaufe imprudent j (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 Paflion at fuch times in my (elf j it is fcandalous and a hinderance to the ufefulnels of what I write : And efpecially becaule (though I feel no Anger , yet which is worle ) I know that there is fome want of Honour and Lovi or TenJerneJI to others j or elle I fhould not be apt to ule luch words as open their weaknels and offend them : And therefore I repent of it^and v.?ifh all over-fharp palliiges were expunged from my Writings, and defire forgivenefs of God and Man. And yet I mull: fay that I am ofc afraid of the contrary Extream, left when I fpeak againfl great and dangerous Er-rours and Sins, ( though of Perlbns otherwiie honeft ) I Ihould encourage men to them, by fpeaking too eafily of them ( as Elt did to his Sons) , and lelf I fhould (b favour the Perlbn as may befriend the Sin, and wrong the Church. And I muft lay as the New-England Synodifls in their Delence againft Mr. Davenport, pag. 2. Pref. [ We heartiljf defire that as much as may be, all Exprefjlons and Reflexions may he for-horn that tend to break the Bond of Lozie. Indeed fuch ts our Infirmity, that the naked dif-eovery of the fallacy or invalidity of anothers Allegations or A^gutngs u apt tu provoke. Tbu in Vijiutes is unavoidable^^

And therefore I am lels 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 ufually their information : And the Servant of the Lord mult not lirive, but be gentk to all Men, &c. Therefore I am moft in Judgment for a Learmngor a Tuaching Way of Converle : In all Companies, I will be glad either to hear rholi fpeak that can teach me, or to be heard of thofe that have need to learn.

T hn^

And that which I named before on the by, is grown one of my great Difeafes: 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 difpute thole things which they never throughly ftudied, or expeA I Ihould debate the Cafe with them, as if an hours talk would lerve inflead of ?.n acute underftanding and feven years lludy, I have no Zeal to make them of my Opinion, but an impatience of continuing Difcourfe with them on fuch Subjeds, and am apt to be lilenc or to turn to fomething elfe: which ( though there be fome 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 Ihould 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 fo in o-ther things j 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 defpair of them, and turn them away and leave them to themlelves.

I mention all thefe Diftempcrs,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 Interceflion of Chrift, be merciful to me a Sinner, and forgive my known and unknown Sins,

THE

THE

LIFE

OF THE

REVEREND

Mr. Richard Baxter.

L 1 B. I. P A R T II.

gitatedby States-men and Divines,by Words and Writings: which made it necefTary to me, to (et my felf to the molt ferious ftudy of thole Points: The refulc of which was, this confident and fetled Judgment, that of the four contending Patties, f the Eraftian, Epifcopal, Presbyterian ^nd Inde-pendant j 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 Adverfaries; though all of them had fo 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 Erafiians, I tlu)Ught, were thus far in tlie right, in alTerting more fully than others the Magiftrates Power in Matters of Religion j that all Coercive Power ( by Mulds or Force ) is only in their hands ( which is the full fence of oar Oath of Supremacy); and that no fuch Power belongeth tothePaftors or People of the Church ; and that thus ( as Dr. LtiJov. Molinam pleadeth ) there fhould not be any Imperium in Imperio , or any Coercive Power challenged by Pope, Prelate, Presbytery, or any, but by the Magiftrate alone; that the Paftoral Power is only Verfwajivt., or exerciled on Volunteers; ytt not private, fuch as belongeth to every Man (to ferfwade) that hath a perfwading Faculty, but Publick and Authoritative by Divine appointment: And not only to ferfwade by Sermont or general Speeches, but by particular overfight of their particular Flocks I much like the Authority of Plato or Zem in his School, or a Mafter in any Academy of Volunteers, or of a Phyfician in his Hofpital, fuppofingthefewere Officers of God's Inftitution, who could as tht ground of their ptr[ivaftons, produce his Commiffion or CommaoiJ for what they faid and did.

But though the Diocclans, and the Presbyterians of Scotland ( who had Laws to enabletheiti ) oppoled thisDoftrinc or the Party at leall, yec I perceived that indeed, it was but on the ground of their Civil Advantages, as the Magiftrate had impovv'ercd by them by his Lawsj ( which the Erajfians did not contradift ) j ejf-

cept Ibme few oi' thi

h':g!i!?r Ihflef Ibitj who pleaded as the PapiHs

T *

for I'wewlidt

Hioie<

The LI f E of the L i b. I.

more, which yet they could not themfelves tell what to make of: But the genf-

rality of each Party indeed owned this DoArine ; and I could fpeak with no fober

Judicious Prelatift, Presbyterian, or Independant, but confefled that no Secular,

or Forcing Power, belonged to any Paftors of the Church as fuch ; and unlefs 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 AlTenters).

fiiopB(//w g J 2.The Epifcopal Party feemed to have realbn on their fide in this,that in the

an^ My Primitive Church there were fome Apoftles, Evangelifts, and others, who were

profcffeth. general unfixed Officers of the Church, not tyed to any particular Charge; and had

iome Superiority ( fonie of them) over-fixed Bilhops or Paftors! And though

the extraordinary Parts of the Apoftles Office cealed, with them^ I faw no proof

of the Ceflation of any ordinary part of their Office, fuch as Church Government

is confefled to be. All the doubt that I faw in this was, Whether the Apoftles

thcmielves were conftituted Govemours of other Paftors, or only over-ruled them

by the Eminency of their Gifts and Priviledgeof Infallibility. For it feemed to

me unmeet to affirm without proof, that Chrift fetled 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 Btfljopj of particular Churches that were Superiours in degree to Presbyters, though 1 faw nothing at all in Scripture for them , which was any whit cogent, yet I law that the Reception of them in all the Churches was (o timely ( even in the days of one of the Apoftles in fome Churches j, and fo general, that I thought it a moft improbable thing, that if it had been contrary to the A-poftles mind, we fliould never read that they themfelves, or any one of their Dif-dples that converted with them, no nor any Chriftian ©r Heretick in the World, ftiould once (peak or write a word againft it, till long after it was generally fedcd in the 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 Priefily ( or worfhipping ) and the Governing Power ; and that both Scripture, Antiquity, and the perfivafive Nature of Church Gcvernment, clearly ftiew 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 Scripture, Antiquity and Realbn, that the Aflbciation 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 Perlbns 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 People, and edifying Mens Souls, and keeping up Religion in the Land.

§ f. 4. And {01 thi Independants, I faw that moft of them were Zealous, and very many Learned, difcreet and godly Men; and fit to be very ierviceable in the Church. And I found in the fearch of Scripture and Antiquity, that in the beginning a Governed Church, and ifiated a/orjliipping Church, were all one 3 and not two leveral things: And that though there might be other by-Meetings in plagss like our Chappels or private Houles, for fuch as Age or Perfecution hindered to come to the mote folemn Meetings, yet Churches then were no bigger ( in number of Perlbns ) than our Parilhes now ( to grant the moft ) : And that they were Societies of Chriftians united for Verfonal Communion ; and not only for Communion by Meetings of Officers and Delegates in Synods, as many Churches in Aflbciation 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 fliall have none of the Nature and Ends of the Primitive particular Churches. Alfo I faw a commendable care ciferioris Holmeli and Difcipline in moft of the Independant Churches: And I found that fome Epifcopal Men ( as Bifhop U(Iier himlelf did voluntarily profefs his Judgment tome ; did hold that every Bilhop was independant, as to Synods, and that Synods were not proper Governours of the particular Bi/hops, but only for their Concord.

§ 6. J. And for the Anab.iptifts themfelves (though I have written and faid lb nuich againft them,; as I found that moft of them were Perlbns of Zeal in Reli-giiji), fo many of them were fober godly People, and differed from others but in the Point of Infant Baptilm; orat moll w tlisPoi|its of Prsd$ftination and frce-

wi!i

will and Perfeverance, ( as the Jfjutts differ from the Dowinicam, the Lutherans ifrom the Calvmjis, and the Armtnians from the Centra-Remon/ir*nts ) : And I found in all Antiquity, that though Infant Bapcifm was held lawful by the Church, yet Ibme with TertuUian and Naz,ienz,en, thought it mod coovenient to make no hade, and the reft left the time of Baptifm to every ones liberty , and forced none to be baptized: Infomuch as not only Con/iantme , TbeodcJi»s, and iiach others as were converted at Years of Difcretion, but Augufiihe and many fuch as were the Children of Chriilian Parents (one or both; did defer their Baptifm much longer than I think they fliould have done. So that in the Primitive Church fome were Baptized in Infancy, and fome at ripe Age, and fome a little before their Death j 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 C<j/eci6«w7ewi, or E.\-pe^«wr/.

§ 7. 6. As to bo£lrimlDifferences alio ( between Arminians and Anti-Arminians) I (bon perceived that it was hard to find a Man that difcerned the true State of the leveral Controverfies; and that when tmreveakd pints ( uncertain to all ) were laid afide, and the Controverfies about Words were juftly (eparated from the Controverfies about things; the Differences about things which remained were few«r and (mailer than moft of the Contenders perceived or would believe.

5 8. 7. Yea, I found that our DoArinal Controverfies with the Papifts them-felves, were very much darkned, and feldom well ilated ; and that in the Points j^^ ^j,j' of Merit, Juftification, Affurance of Salvation, Perleverance, Grace, Free- matterful-will, and fuch others, it was common to mifunderftand one another, and rare ly cleared to meet with any that by juft Diltinftion and Explication, did well ftate the Con- \^f-^^lr^-trovcrfics, and bring them out of the Dark.

§ 9. What I begin to write about any of thele DoArinal Differences, in my Aphorifms, Confeffion, Apologie, &c. I will now pafs 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 luch Differences that now I am to fpeak of.

$ lo. I perceived then that every Party beforementioned, having fome Truth or Good, in which it was more eminent than the reft, it was no impoffible thing to Separate 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 Contradiftion : And therefore, that he that would procure the Welfare of the Church muff do his befl to promote all the Truth and Good which was held by every part, and to leave out all their Errors and their Evil; and not take up all that any Party had efpouled as their own.

§ 11. The things which I difliked as erroneous or evil in each Party were thefe:

I. In the Erafiians I difliked, i. That they made too light of the Power of theMiniftry and Church, and of Excommunication» and did notdiftinguilh fiif-ficiently of a perfuajive Power which is but jtri'vate, and is founded only in the Reafon of the Speaker, and a ferfuafive Tower which is fublick in an Officer of Chrip ( which Camera well calleth DoiJoral), and is founded conjunctly in his Authority ( by God's Comrrtfm ) and his Arguments. 2. That they made the Articles of [ the Holy Catholick Church, 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 di(honouring his Church, and making it too like to the Heathen World, and breaking down the Hedge of Spiritual Difcipline, and laying it almoft 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 letting up Impertum ta Imperio ; whereas all temperate Chriftians ( at leaft except Papifts ) confels that the Church hath no Power of Force, but only to manage God's Word unto Mens Confciences. S 12. In the Diocelane Party 1 utterly difliked

I. Their Extirpation of the true Difcipline of Chrift, as we conceive, by con-fequence, though not intentionally } not only as they omitted it, and corrupted k^ but as their Principles and Church State had made it unpradicable and impoffible, while one Bilhop with his Confitory, had the fole Government of a thoufandor many hundred Churche«, even over many thoufands whofe Faces they were never like to feej not letting up any Paiochia Government under them: But juft as if the Archbithops ( or rather the Patriarchs) in Conjlantmii days, fhould have

depof^d

depofed all the Bifhops in the Empire, and have taken all their Charges upon them (elves.

2. That hereby they altered the Species of Chnrches, and either would deface all particular Churches, and have none but aflbciated Diocefane Churches, (who hold the Communion by Delegates and not ferfonally ) ; or elfe they would turn all the particular Parochial Churches into Chriftian Oratories and Schools, while they gave their Paftors but a Teaching and JVorjhiping Power; but not a Go^ ijerning.

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 worfhippingGod did.

4. That they extinguilhed the ancient Species of Bifliops, which was in the times of Ignatius, when every Church had one Altar and one Bipop ; and there were none but Itinerants or Arcbbijhops that had many Churches.

f. That they fet up Courts that were more Secular than Spiritual, in the manner of other Secular Courts ; and that the Government of the Church by Excommunication ^ Sufpenfions, Ablblutions, &c. was exercifed by a Chancellor , who was a civil Lawyer and aLayraanevenagainft Minifters themfelves^ unlels for a blind, fome Prieft did formally pronounce the Sentence.

6. That the great Church Bufinefs of thefe Bifliops and Courts, was to vex ho-neft Chriftians that durft not worfhip God by fuch Ceremonies as their Confcien-xes thought unlawful, and to filence able godly Preachers that durft not fubfcribs and fwear Obedience to them, and ufe every one of their Formes and Ceremonies, and profefi the Lawfulnels 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 themlelves into a way of Enmity and Violence againft a very confiderable Number of as able Minifters, and holy Chriftians as any were in the Land or in the known World.

7. And hereby it came to pafs 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 (erious 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 (erious way of Preaching, Praying, yea, and Living, did greatly tend to the fuppreffing of GoJIinefi, and the increafe of Ignorance and Prophanenefs in the People.

10. And laftly, That they were fet upon away of uncharitable Cenluring, Reproaching, Cruelty and Force, for the carrying on of lb ill a Caufe ; wherein their carnal Intereft did evidently manage a War againft the Intereft of Chrift and Godlinefs and the Souls of Men.

§ I J. ;. In the Presbyterian way I difliked

r. Their Order of Lay-Elders who had no Ordination, nor Totver to Preach, nor to adminifter Sacraments: For though I grant that Lay-Eldcrs, or the Chief of the People, were oft imployed to exprefs the Peoples Confent, and preferve their Liberties, 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 io private Overfight, 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.

z. 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 themlelves, but binding the Magiftrates to confifcate or imprifon Men, meeriy be-caufe they were excommunicate; and lb corrupting the true Difcipline of the Church, and turning the Communion of Saints, into the Communion of the Multitude that muft keep in the Church againft their Wills, for fear of being undone in the World. When as a Man -whole Conjcience cannot feci a ju/l Excommuni-ca'tiM; ttnhfs it he hack'd with Conffcation or Imprijonment, is no •fitter to be a Mitnher of a Chriftian Church in the Communion of Saints, than a Corps is to he a Member of a CdrpvriHion. It's true they claim not this Power as Jure Diz>ino (though iomsfny thSt'Hic Magittrate is bound to execute thefe Penalties on Men meeriy as excom-nMi^icate j) nor no more do the Prelates, when yet the Writ de Excommunicato ^--■'"1'•• Capiendo,

P A R. T li. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 14.3

Capiendo, is the Liia of all their Cenlures) : But both Parties too much Jebafe the Aiagifrrate.by making him their meet Executioner-^ when as he is the yWjrg where-ever he is the Executioner , and is to try each Cau(e at his own Barr before lie be obliged to punilh any; and they corrupt the Difcipline of Chrift by mixing ic with lecular Force j and they reproach the Keys or Minifterial Power, as if ic '^"ere a Leaden Sword, and not worth a Straw unleis the Magiftrates Sword entorce it. (And what then did the Primitive Church for Three hundred Years?) And^ worlt of all, they corrupt the Church by forcing in the Rabble of the unfit and unwiling ; and thereby tempt many Godly ChrilHafis to Schifms and dangerous Separations. In all this I deny nor^ but that the Magiltrate muft reftrain all forts ot Vice: But not as a Hangman only, that executeth the Judgment of another; nor eo Nomine to punifh a Man becaule he is Excommunicate ( that is moft heavily puniilied already by others ) : Till Magiltrates keep the Sword themfelves, and learn to deny 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 j & ■valeant quantum valere pojj'unt, the Church fhall never have Unity and Peace ; hucupjue frobatum efi.

3. And I diflikedyewe of the Presbyterians, that they were not tender enough to diffinting Brethren j but too much againft Liberty as others were too much for it J and thought by Votes and Number to do that which Love and ReafoA ihould have done. , fs-.,

4. And when the Independents (aid [ A Worjhiping Church unA a Governed Church is and mufi be all one : ] And the Presbyterians faid [ Thej may be aU one though it be not necejjary']; yet in their PraAice they would have 16 fetled it, that they fhould no where^be all one, but ten or twelve worlhipping Churches Ihould have made one Governed Church ; which prepared the way to the Dioeelane Frame j though I confeC it is incomparably better ( becaufe ten or Twelve Churches is not fo ma* ny as a thoufand or many hundred ; and becaule the Paftor of every Church had the Government of his own Flock, in Conjundion 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-Elderfliip.

3. That they were commonly Striker about the Qualification of Church Members, than Scripture, Reafon, or the Practice of the Univerfal Church would allow J not taking a Man's bare Profejfwn as Credible, as a fufficient Evidence of his Title to Church Communion, unleis either by a holy Life, or the Particular Narration of the Paflages of the Work of Grace, he fatisfied the Paftors ( yea, and al! the Church ) that he was truly Holy ; whereas every Man's Profeflion is the valid Evidence of the thing profefTed in his Heart, unlefs it be difpoved by him that queftioneth it, by proving him guilty of Herefies or Impiety, or Sins inconfiftent with it. And if once you go beyond the Evidence of [ a fenous fiber Confe/fum 1 as a credible and fufficient fign of Title, you will neveF know where to relt j but the Churches Opinion will be both Rule and Judge, and Men will be let in or kept out, accortiing to the various Latitude of Opinions or Charity in tlie feveral Officers or Churches; and he will be paflable in one Church who in another is in-tollerable j and fo the Churches will be heterogeneous and confuled. And there is in all this a little ( if not more than a little ) Ipiritual Pride of the Weaker fort of ProfefTors, affediing to be vifibly fet at a greater Diftance from the colder Profer Ibrs of Chiftianity, than God would have them, that Co they may be more obler-vable, and confpicuous for their Holynefs in the World : And there is too much uncharitablenefs in it, when God hath given fincere ProfelTors the Kernel of his Mercies, even Grace and Glory, and yet they will grudge to cold Hypocritical ProlefTors, fo fmall a thing as the outward Shell, and vifible Communion and external Ordinances; Yea, though fuch are kept in the Church for the Sakes and Service of the Sincere.

4 And I difliked alio the lamentable tendency of this their way to Diviiions and Sub-divifions, and the nourifhing of Herefies and Sefts.

f. But above all I difliked, that moft of them made the People by majority ol Votes to be Church Governors, in Excommunications, Ablblutions, &c. which Chrift hath made an Ad of Office, and fo they governed their Governors and themfelves,

6. Alfo that they too much exploded Synods^ refufing them as ftated, and admitting them but upon fome extraordinary Occafions.

7. Alio their over rigidnefs againft the Admiflton of ChriftiahS of other Churches to their Communion.

8. And their making a Miniftfir to be as no Minifter to any but his own Flock, and to a<ft toothers 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 correfted anddifbwned ; and {6 done very much to heal thefe Breaches.

§ I J. f. And for the Anabaptifts I knew that they injurioufly excluded the Infants 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 j and that among them grew up the Weeds of many Errors and Divifions, Sub-divifionSj Reproach of Minifters, Fa-ftion and Pride, and fcandalous Pradices were fomented in their way.

§ 16. The cale Handing thus with all thele Parties, I thought it my Duty, i. To labour to bring them all to a concordant Pradice 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 rejed: the reft. 3. And efpecially in order to thele, to labour the reviving of Chriftian Charity, which Fadion and DiP putes had lamentably extinguilh'd. But how to accomplilh this, was beyond the Prolpe<ft 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 another in their feeniing Interefis, and the chiefeft of all in the Difpofition and Quality of their Minds.

§ i8. I. 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 mofl: with ignorant,proud, unexperienced, Paflionate, Uncharitable Perlbns; who made it a part of their 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 Cenfiirers of others, before they well underftood them, or ever heard them give a Realbn of their Judgments or Praftices, or Ijaeak for themfelves. And the hearing and converfing with fuch Perlbns as thefe doth powerfully difpofe Men to the fame Dileafe, and to fin impenitently after their Example. Efpecially when Men are incorporated into a Se^ or uncharitable Party, and have captivated themlelves to a human Servitude in Religion, and given up themfelves 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 hterefi that ruleth the carnal World, .fo I found that I. Among Selfipi Men, there were as many Interefis and Ends, as Perfons; and every one had an Intereft of his own which governed him, and fet him at a very great Enmity to the moft necefTa^ry means of Peace. 2. And that ever Man that had once given up himfelf to a Party, and drowned himfelf in a Fa<5tion, did make the Intereft of that Fadion or Party to be his own : And the Intereft of Chrtftia-nity, Catholicifm and Charity, is contrary to the Intereft of Se£ls, as fuch. And it is the Nature of a Sectary, that he preferreth the Intereft of his Opinion, Bed or Party, before the Intereft of Chriftianity, Catholicifm and Charity, and will la-crifice the latter to the Service of the former.

§ 20. 3. 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 that Ibme were naturally of mild and calm and gentle Dilpofitions, and (bme of (bwer, frow-ard, paflionate, peevifh, or furious Natures : Some were young and raw and unexperienced, and thole were like a young Fruit, lour and harlh; addi<;ted to pride of their own Opinions, to Self-conceitednels, Turbulenty, Cenlbrioufnefs and Temerity, 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 the fiundncfs of the Matter and the Caule. And Ibme I found on the other fide, to be ancient and experienced Chriftians that had tried the Spirits, ;ind leen what was of God, and what of Man, and noted the Events of both in the World ; and thele were like ripe Fruit, Mellow and fweet, (irft pure, then peaceable, gen-tlq, ejfy to be intrtated, full of Mercy and good Fruits, without Partiality, without Hypocrify, who being Makers of Peace, did low the Fruits of Righteoufiicfs

in

Pa r r 11. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 145

in pace, James 5. 17,18. I began by experience to underftand the meaning of thofe words of St. Paul, i Tim. 3. 6. [ Not a No-vice, lejt being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devtl.'] Novices, that is, young, raw^ unexperienced Chriftians, are much apter to be proudj and cenforious, and fadioasj than old experienced, judicious Chriftians.

§ 21. But the Difference between the Godly and the Ungodly, the Spiritual auA the Carnal worfhippers of God^ was here the moft confiderablc of all. hn humble, holy, upright Soul is (enfible of the intereft of Chrift and Souls j and a gracious Perlbn is ever a charitable Perfon, and loveth liis Neighbour as himfelf j and therefore judg..'th of him, as he would be judged of himfelf, and fp»eaketh of liim as he would be fpoken of himielf, and u(eth him as he would be uied himfelf: And ic is as much againft his charitable inclination to difagree or (eparate from his Brethren, much more to profecute them or caft them out, as it is againll the nature of the body to difmember it felf, by cutting oft"any of the parts. And it is eafie to bring iuch Perfons to Agreement, at leaft to live in Charitable Communion. But on the other fide the Carnal, Selfilh and UnfanAined, ( of what Party or Opinion foever) have a Nature that is quite againft holy Concord and Peace. They want that Icve which is the natural Ballbm for the Churches wounds : They are every one Selfjh, and ruled by Selfhterefi, and have as many Ends and Centres of their Defires and Anions, as they are individual Men. They are eafily deceived and led info Er-rour, elpecially in Pradicals, and againft Spiritual Truths, for want of Divine Illumination, and Experience of the Things of God, and a Nature fuirable thereto. Their Defigns are C.irnal, Ambitious, Covetous,as Worldly Felicity is their I-dol and their End : God is not taken for their highelt Governour, his Laws muft give place to the Defires of their Flefli: Their very Religion is but Pride and Worldlinefs, or fubjecft to it. They have a fecret Enmity againft a holy, Ipiritual Life, and therefore againft the People that are holy : They love not them that are (crious in their own Religion, and that go beyond their dead Formality: ThisEn-mity, provoked by Selfintereft or Reproof, doth eafily make them Perfecutors 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. Thsfe Hypocrites in the Church do betray its Purity and Peace, and fell Chrid's Intereft and the Gofpel for as frnall a price as Judas fold his Lord for. And though in a time, wlien God's Providence fetteth his own Caufe on the higher ground, and giveth it the advantage of holy Governours, thefe Men may poffibly be ferviceable to its welfare, as finding it to ferve their carnal Ends J yet ordinarily they will fell the Peace of the Church for Preferment • and are either impofing perfecuting Di'uiders, or difco7itef!ted humorous Dividers^ and hardly brought to the neceffary terms of a juft and holy and durable Peace, ( of whom I have more largely written in my Book called Catholick Unity). Thefb , and many 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 Erafiian Party is moit compofed of Lawyers and other Secular Perfons, who better underftancl the Nature of Civil Covern-ment, than the Nature, Form and Ends of the Church, and of thofe Offices appointed by Chrift for Men's Spiritual Edification and Salvation. The Diocefan Party C with us ) confifted of fome grave, learned, godly Bifhops, and fome fober godly People of then- mind; and withal of almoft all the carnal Politicians,Temporizers, Prophane, and Haters of Godlinefs in the Land ; and all the Rabble of the ignorant, ungodly Vulgar: Whether this came to pafs from any thing in the Nature of their Diocelan 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 ffrifter fort of People whom they hated ; or all thefe together ; and alfo becaufe the worft and mofi do always fall in with the Party that is upperraoft, I leave to the Judgment of the confiderate Reader. The Presbyterian Party confifted of grave, orthodox, godly Minifters, together with the hope-fulleft of the Students and young Minifters, and the fbbereft, godly, ancient Chriftians, who were equally averfe to Verfecution and to Schifm • and of thofe young ones who were educated and ruled by thefe : As alfb in thofe places where they moft prevailed, of the fobereft fort of the well-meaning Vulgar, who liked a godly 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 Noveliiesand Separations_, and abounding more in Zeal than Knowledge ; ufually doing more

V fof

for Subdivifions, than the few fober Perfbns among them could do for unity and Peace ; too much miftaking the Terms of Church Communion, and the difference between the Regenerate ( invifible ) and the Congregate ( or vifible) Church. The Anabapcilh Party confifted of iome ( but fewer j fober, peaceable Perfons, and orthodox in othePo'.Dts; but withal, of abundance of young tranfported Zealots, anda medley of Opinionifls, vvho all haded direftly to Enthufiafm and Siihihvtjiifis, and by the Temptation of Profperity and Succefs in Arms^ and the Poiicy of fome Commanders, wqvq led into Rebellions_, and hot Endeavours againft the Miniltry, and other fcandalous Crimes ;and brought forth the horrid Sefe of Ranters, Seekers^ and Quakers in the Land.

§ 23. But the greatelf Advantage which I found for Concord and Pacification, was among a great number of Minifters and People who had add!«5lsd themfelves to no Seft or Party at all ; though the Vulgar called them by the Name of Presbyterians : And the truth is, as far as I could difcover, this was the Cafe of the great-ell number of the godly Minifters and People throughout Englattd. For though Presbytery generally took m Scotland, yet it was but a ftranger here : And it found fome Miniilers that lived in conformity to the Bilhops . Liturgies and Ceremonies (however they wilht for Reformation); and the molt (that quickly after were ordained ) were but young Students in the Univerfities, at the time of the change of Church Government, and had never well ftudied the Point on either fide: And though molt of the Minifters ( then ) in England hw nothing in the Presbyterian way of praBice, which they could not cheerfully concur in, yet it was but~Tew that had refoived on their Prmciples: And when I came to try it, I found that moli (that ever I could meet with J were againft the Jm Divmum of Lay Elders, and for the moderate Primitive Epifcopacy, and for a narrow Cor:gregational or Parochial Extent of ordinary Churches, and for an accommodation of all Parties, in order to Concord, as well as my lelf. I am fure as foon as I propofed it to them, I found moft inclined to this way, and therefore I fuppofe it was their Judgment before: Yea, multitudes whom I had no converfe with, I undcrdood to be of this mind ; fb that this moderate Number, ( I am loth to call them a Fartj , becaule 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 if.

§ 24. Things being in this Cafe, I ffood flill Ibme years, as a looker on, and contented my lelf to wijh and prayior Peace, and only drop now and then a word for it in my praAical Writings; which hath fince been none of my fmalleft troubles. The Reafons were, i. Becaule I was taken up in Pradicals, and in fach Controverfics as tended to Dodrinal Agreement. 2. Becaule I looked when fome abler and more eminent Divines attempted it. 3. But the chief Reafon was, Defpair: I was i'o confclous of my meannefs and in confiderablenefi in the Church, that I verily thought, but very few will regard what I (aid. But when I once attempted it, God convinced me of this Errour, and (hewed me how little Inftru-ments fignifie, when he will work : and that his Minifters and People were more humble to hear the meane(t of their Brethren, than I before believed. Atlaftthe workings of my earneft Defire, and the apprehenfron of my Duty, to do my beif, and leave the Succefs to God, engaged me as followeth.

§ 25-, I firft began in Conference and Writing to Reverend Mr. Anthony Bargrfi, and fome others, to put the main Queftion, Whether all Church Government be not, as Camera holdeth, only Perfwafive, not by private, buc publick or authorized Doftoi-al Perfwafion, and lb can vi/ork on none but theConfcientious or AlTenters ? And whether the ufurpation of a ftridly Legiflative and Judicial Power ((ave only to judge what we are to execute), or a power of binding DilTenters , even Cla've errante , efpecially binding Magiftrates to execute by Corporal Penalties and Mul(5ts, and other Punilhments, Eo nomine, becauie by Excommunication the Church hati punKhed them, I fay, whether this be not a robbing the Magiftrate of his Power, and making the Exercile of the Keys, to be too like a Coercive Secular Judgment, and lb the Ground of all the Quarrels in the Church ? For I faw plainly that the Papifts, and thole Prelates and Presbyterians vvho are for fuch an unexamined Judicial Power, do but ftrive for that which belongeth to none of them all. Upon the raifing of thele doubts I was lialpeded to be an Eraftian, and had no other Anfwer, or Satisfa(5tion : But the (ludy of the Point Ibmewhat cleared ' my own Judgment.

§26.

§ 26. Next this I wrote to Reverend and Judicious Mr. Richard Vines, about an attempt for Concord with all, but efpecially the Epifcopal Party : And alfo about Lay-Elders; and his Judgment fully concurred with me, and ( befides others ) he wrote to me the following Letter,

SIR,

T Hough 1 ^wuld have defired to have underfiood your thoughti about the Point of Stf cnledge, that fo I might have formed up my thoughts into fame better order and clearer ijjue than I did in my lafi: yet tojhew unto you how jnuch I value this Correfpondence with you, lam-wtUing to make [ome return to your felf. And firfi touching the School-

ffjafi^er intended,&CC. The Accommodation you ^eak of u a great and a good work

for the gaining into the Workjucb ufeful parts and interefts as might very much heal the Difcord, and unite theftrength of Men to oppofe de(iruUtve ways, and in rrty opinion more feafible with thoje men than any other, if they be moderate and godly •" for we differ with them rather about [ome Ptnacles of the Temple, than the Foundation or AhbuttreJJ'es thereof. J would not have much timejpent in a formula of DoBrine or Worflnp: for we are not much difiant in them,and happily no more than with one another.But 1 would have the Agreement attempted in that very thing which chiefly made the Divifien,and that ts Government y heal that breach and heal all j there begin,and therein labour all you can. What influence this may have upon others, I know not, in this exulceration of mens minds: but the Workjfeaks it Jelf good, and your Reafons for the attempting of it are very confiderable. For the Ajjem-hly,you know, they can meddle with jufi nothing but what is fent unto them by Parliament, or one Houfe thereof ( as the Order faith ) and for that rea/on never took upon them to intermeddle therein. What they do infuch a thing, muji be done as private perjfdns, and not as m the capacity of Ajfembly-men, except it come to them recommended by the Parliament, 'the great hufinefi is to find a temperament in Ordination and Government, in both Vjhich the Exclufion or Admittance of Presbyters ( dicis Caula ) for a fliadow , was not regular ; and no doubt the Presbyters ought and may bath teach and govern, as men that muft give account of Souls. For that you fay of every particular Church having many Presbyter s,it hath been confidered in our Ajfen^bly ,and the Scripture Jfeaks fair for it,but then the Church and City was of one Extent: No? arises or Bounds ajjigned out to particular men ( as now ) but the Minijler preached in circuita, or in common, and flood in relation to the Churches as to one Church, though meeting haply in divers houfes or places ( as is fiiB the manner of fame Cities in the Low Countries.^ If you will follow this mvdel, you mufi lay the City all into one Church particular, and the Villages half a dozen of them into a Church: which is a bufinefl here in England of vafi defign and confe(juence. An das for that you fay of a Bifiiop over many Presbyters, not over many Churches j 1 believe no (uch Bijhops wtU pleafe our men: but the Nation, as you conceive it, hath been, and is the Opinion of learned Men. Grotius in hisComwentary on the Adls, in divers places,and particularly cap. 17. faith, That as in every particular Synagogue (many of which was in fame one City) there was d^^nvdyayO-, fuch was the Primitive Btjliop: and doubtlef the frft Bijiwps 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 ajfigned to particular men : yet he, the Bifiiop,con-tinued BifliQpover themflitl. For that you jay, be had a negative voice, that's more than ever I (aw proved, or ever fliall, 1 believe for the firfi two hundred years ; and yet I have laboured to enquire into'it. That makes htm Angelus princeps , not Angelus prxfes, 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 Jury. Take heed of yielding a Negative Voice. As touching the introduclion of KnlinglLXdevi, fuch as are modelled out by Parliament, my judgment is fufficiently known: I am of your judgment in the Point. There Ihouid be fuch Elders as have power to preach as well as rule: I fay power ; but how that will be affe-£led here I know not, except we could or would return to the priinttive nature and confittu-tion of particular Churches : and therefore it mufi be helped by the combination of more Churches together into one as to the flatter of Government, and let them befitU dtftmB: as to Word and Sacraments. That ts the eafiefl way of Accommodation that yet occurs to my thoughts. Sir, I fear I trouble you too long, but it is to Jliew how much I value you and your Letters to me j for which I thank you, and nil

Yours in ;he beft Bond?,

R, Vines,

§ 27. Something alfo I wrote to Reverend and Learned Mr. Tk Gataker, whole Judgment I had feen before in his own Writings: And having the encouragement of fuch Confent, I motioned the Bufinefs to feme London Miniftersto have it iet on foot among themfelves, becaufe if it came from them, it would be much more taking than from us: But they thought it unfit to be managed there, for fevsral Rea-fons, andfo we muft try it, or only fit flill and willi well as we had done,

§ 28. Next this, the ftate of my own Congregation, and the neceflity of my Duty, conftrained me to make Tome Attempt. For 1 murt adminifter the Sacraments 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 J 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 raore ea-fily fubmit, than to the way of any Minirter that was fingular. To attempt their Conlent I had two very great Encouragements : The one was an honeft , humble, tradable People at home, engaged in no Party, Prelatleal, 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 honelV, godly, ferious, humble MinilteVs in the Country where 1 lived, who were not one of them (that Aflbciated ) Presbyterian or Independant, and not part four or five of them Epifcopal; but dif-engaged faithful Men. At a Lecture at IVoncfier I firft procured a Meeting, and told them of theDefign, which they all approved : They "impofed it upon me, to draw up a Form of Agreement. The Matter of it was to con fi ft [So much of the Church Order and Difcipline, as the Epifcopal, Tresbyterian, and Independant are agreed tn, as belonging to the Fafiors of each particular Church]. The Realbns of this were, i. Becaufe we all believed that the practice of lb much as al! are agreed in, would do very much to the Order and RefoiTnation of the Churches ; and that the controverted Parts are thofe of lealt neceffity or weight. 2.Be-caufe we would not neceffitate any Party to refufe our Affociation , by putting in a word which he difowneth : for we intended not todilpute one another into nearer Agreement in Opinions, but firft to agree in the pradice of all that which was owned by us all. "

According to their defire I drew up fome Articles for our Conlent which might engage us to the moft effedual praftice 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 unrelbrmedneft of the Churches through want of Difcipline inclined them, and yet might not at allcon-tradid the Judgments of any of the three Parties: And I brought in the Reafons of the feveral Points: which after liifficient Deliberation and Examination (with the alteration of fome few words) were confented to by all the Minifters that were prelent ; and after feveral Meetings we iubfcribed 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 ibme neighbouring Counties that were near us. There was not, that 1 know of, one through Presbyterian among them, becaufe there was but one iuch that I knew of in all the County, and he lived lomewhat remote: Nor dicf any Independant fubfcribe, faveonej for there were, ('that I knew of J but five or fix in the County, and two of the weightieft 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 Ibrt of Minifters, whofe Sufficiency or Converlation was queftioned by othersy and knew they were of little efteem among them, and were neither able or willing to exercile any Difcipline on their Flocks: As alfo fome few of better parts of the Ep«lcopal way, who never came near us, and knew not of our Propofals, or refol-▼ed 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 Minifters, who approved of our Agreement, fubfcribed it not, becaufe they had a. People fo very RefrataxDry, that they knew they were not able to bring them to fub-mit to if.

Having all agreed in this Aflbciation, we propofed publickly to our People fo much as required their Conlent and Pradtice, and gave every Family a Copy in Print, and a fufficient timetoconfider and underftand it, and then put it in Execution ; and I publilhed it with the Reafons of it, and an Explication of what feem-ed doubttul in it, in a Book which I called \_Cbriftian Concord^ which pleafed me, and difplealed others. § 29-

1

§ 29. There were at that time, two forts of Epifcopal Meft, 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 Dodtrine Cahimfis, and took Epifcopacy to be necelTary adbeneejje Minifterii &EcchfiiX^ but not ad efji\ and took all thofeofthe Reformed that had not BilKops, for true Churches andMInilters, wanting only that which they thought would make them more com-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 Anmt-m AEi. II. & in Defertat. ) that all the Texts of Scripture which fpeak of Presbyters, do mean Bifliops, and that the Office of Subjed-Presbyters was not in the Church irj Scripture Tmies, ( but before Igmtirts wrote it was ) but that the Apoftles planted in every Church only a Biihop with Deacons, but with this intent ( afTerted but hevar proved ) thatintime^ when the Chriftians multiplied^ thefe BifhopS (that had then but one Church a piece) fliould ordain Subjeft-Presbyters under themj and be the Paftors of many Churches : And they held that Ordination without Bifliops was invalid, and a Miniftry foordained was null, and the Reformed Churches that had no Bilhops, nor Presbyters ordained by Bilhops, were no true Churches, though the Church of Rome be a true Church, as having Bifliops : Thele Men in Doctrine were iiich as are called Arminians : And though the other Ibrt were more numerous and elder, and ibme of them laid that Dr. H. Hammond had giveii away their Caufe ( becauie hereby he confeffeth that de faBo, the Churches were but Congn^ational or Parochial, and that Every Church had a Bifiiop, and no Subjed Presbyters were ordained by the Apoitles, or in Scripture time, whicli is almoft all that the Presbyterians dcfne ) yet Dr. H. Hammond and the few that ac rirft followed him, by their Parts and Intered in the Nobility and Gentry, did carry it at Uft againft the other Party. Now in my Chriftian Concord, I had confef-fed that it was only the moderate ancient Epifcopal Party which I hoped for Agreement with ; it being impoflible for the Presbyterian and Independant Party to alfociate with them that take them and their Churches, and all the reformetJ Minifters and Churches that have not Epifcopal Ordination, for null: And knowing that this Opinion greatly tended to the Divifion of the Chriftian Churches, and gratifying the Papifis, and offending the Troteftants, I fpake freely againft it, which alienated that party from me.

Having /"etled our Aflbciations Dr. Warmerfiry ( after Dean of TVorcefier) 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 Shrtpjhire ( where they then lived ) to our Aflociation : Accordingly we met with them at Ckolfury in Shrop' Jhtre ; and our Articles were read over by Dr. Warmerfiry, and examined one/'by one, and in the conclufion they profefTed their very good likeing of our Defign, and that they purpofed to join with us, but they thought it not meet at that pre-fcnt, being but two, to (ubfcribe their full Affent left it fhould feem over hafty to their Brethren, and fhould hinder the AfTociation, which they Defired to promote: But yet at prefent they fubfcribed as followeth :

Sept.' 20. 16^^.

§ jo.T'TTE whofi Names are under "written, having had Conference with divers of our ' VV Brethren of the Aiinifiry of WoTcd\eT{hhs, concerning their Agreement and Ajjociation, for the promoting of Peace and Unity, and Reformation of their rcfpeilive Congregations; according to the Word of God, do by thefe Vrefents approve of their Chri-fiian Intendments m the general, as being fuch that in Reference to the prefent Condition of the Churchy we conceive to conduce very much to the Glory of God, the Promotion of Holynejs, the reflraint of Sin, the removing of Scandal^ and the fetling of God's People in Chriftian Unity and Concord, Witnefs our Hands, the Day and Year above written,

THO. WARMESTRY. THO. GOOD.

( This is that Dr. Warmeflry, who, when I was filenced by Bifliop Morhy, and he" made Dean of IVorcefier, came purpofely to my Flock, to preach thofe vehement tedious Inveftives of which more hereafter. )

31. In our AfTociation we agreed upon a Monthly Meeting at certain Market-Towns for Conference about fuch Cafes of Difcipline as required Confultation

and

— ——_ —-—^ ■— *

and Confent: Accordingly at EiteJIjam and Kiderminfier they were conftantly kept up ; In the Town where 1 lived we had once a Month a Meeting of Three Ju-Iticesol" the Peace ( who lived with us) and three or four Minifters (forfo many we were in the Parifh, my (elf and Affiftants) and thred 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 j and do that which any of the Church p T'^*: might do ; and they were chofen once a year hereunto (as * Grotius de Imperio jum of' wlm" ?""#• advifeth ); becaufe all the People could not have leifure to meet fb oit, to Book I debate things which required their Confent: At this meeting we admoniihed thofe mod liked that remained impenitent in any fcandalous Sin, after more private Admonition be-and fol- fQj.g ^^Q Qj. jj^^gg . gjjj ^g (jjj ^j[h all poffible tendernefs perfuade them to repen-

"^^"^ ■ tance,and labour to convince them of their Sin and danger; and pray with them if they confented : 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 Admonitions and Exhortations, and fome Minifters of other Parillies 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 penitently 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 admonifhedand prayed for by that Church, ufually three feveral days together ; and if ftill he remained Impenitent, the Church was required to avoid him, as a Perfon unfit for their Communion j as is more fully opened in the Articles of our Agreement.

§ 52. 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 Queftlon which was cholen 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-bufmefs ( as aforefaid ) we confulted of it. And many Minifters met with us, that were not of our Alfociation, for the Benefit of thefe Difputations. I muft confefi 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 LeAureDay I had thepleafrint Company of many of them at my Houle, and every Month at our appointed Meeing I had the Company of more ; I fo well knew their Self-denial, Impaitiality, Peaceablenefi, and exemplary Lives, together with their Skill and^faithlul Diligence for the Good of Souls ( however almoft all of them ha>ve been fince filenced and caft out ) that its plealant to me to remember the Converle I had with them ; io aimable are fmccre and upright Men> whofe finglenefs of Heart doth imitate the State of the primitive Believers, when proud, lelf-feeking referved Hypocrites, do turn their beft Endowments into a Reproach.

§ ; J. When Dr. Wartriefiry and Dr. Good had fubfcribed as above, a while after Dr. IVarmeJiry confulted with his London Brethren : and he received a Paper of Ani-madverfions (not againft the Articles of our Agreement, but ) againft my Ex{)li-cation of them, and my Paftages which oppofe tholi Epifcopal Divines who deny the Miniftry and Churches which have not Prelatical Ordination : Thefe Animarf-verfions he lent to me with a Letter, which fignified his defire of Peace in general, but that he muft not ftrike a League with Faftion, &c. There was no JMame to this Paper, but long time after I learnt that it was Mr. Teter Gunning's, afterwards Bifhop of Ely. I prelently wrote an Anfwer to it, and offered the Dodor to fend In the Ap- it him, if he would tell me the Author. Becaule it is too long to be inlerted here, litndix. I have pat the Paper and Anlwer together in the End, where you may read them.

After this I received from Sir Ralph Clare thefe enfuing Papers, as from fome Courtiers (which are of the fame Strain with Dr. Gtmnm£-i) j wliich with my brief Anfwer I adjoin.

S I R,

SI R,

TH E Influence and Tower you have in the preftnt Vajlor of your Church ( ivho is r»uch famed abroad, and had in a reverend Efieem as -well for Piety of Life, as for bis Learning, Moderation, and defiring the Peace of the Church ) gives Encouragement to your old Acquaintance, and Ajjociate in that One-glorious Court of England to defire the Favour that this inclofed Paper may he presented to hu Chrijhan Vtetv and Con-fuleration j prefuming jo great is his Charity, that he will not leave any ■wounded Soul unhealed, wherein he ts able to befiow h^ Balm. In this he extends not his Chanty alone as to a fingle Perfn, hut (in me) there are many more of your Friends included j who would have appeared in Verfon, 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 Ajjemhlies.

It is not civil in us to chalk the Method of Anfwering the Queries ; yet for Eafement Sake and Brevity, it will be jatisfaBory his free Conceffion of any Proposals in the Affirmative to be true without any Enlargement of Reafons j and for thofe Queries which may andmuH admit Dtvifions, Dtfiinciions, and Difcourfe on the Cafe, let the reverend Gentleman ufe his own Form, Judgment and Dtjcretion ; as believing he will proceed with juch Candor and Impartiality, as becometh a Man of his Calling and Eminency ; waving all By-Inter-efis and Relations to any Party or FaElion, either regnant or ecltpH ; which A£i will de-fervedly heighHn the high Efieem he is valued at, and your felf by this Honour done, engage me and many more of your old Friends ( in me ) to fubfcribe our felves

Your Servants, April 20. i^ff.

Theophilus Church,

(A feigned Name)

Certain Qmries and Scruples of Confcience offered to fome Learned Divines for Rcfolution and Satisfaftion.

I,T"V7H ETHER may a Cbriftian Magifirate tolerate Liberty of Confcience in Re-

VV ligion and Church Difcipltne without Scandal?

1. Whether may and ought a tender Confcience exercife and ttfe his Liberty and Freedom without Violence inforced by Superiors ?

5. Whether in Matters of Government Ecclefiaftical depending only of FaB, tie general and perpetual PraBice of the Church from Age to Age, be not a fufficient Evidence and Warrant of the Right, Truth, a?id certainty of the thing ?

4. Whether the Vocation of Bijhops be an Order Lawful tn it felf ?

f. Whether the Regiment Ecclejiafiical by Btfhops hath not continued throughout the Chri-jlian Church ever fince the Apofiles , untiU Calvin'j days ? No Church Orthodox dtf-fenting.

6. Whether was there ever fince the Apofile's days fo much as one national Church governed by a Presbytery without a Bi{hop untill Calvin'; Days ? If fo, where was the Ori' gtnal ? in what Place? by what Per[ons? of what continuance ? and how was it loH, or changed into Epifcopacy, and upon what Grounds or Motives ?

7. Whether the prejent Mimfiry in the Church of England ( as tt now feparated fi^om their lawful Superiors or Bifliops ) be not Schifmatical ?

8. Whether all thefe Mmificrs that have taken the Oath of Canonical Obedience to their Bijhops, and have backfitden and fubmitted to thoje Powers that violently deprived the /aid Btjhops of their legal Powers and JitrifdiBions, by yielding a voluntary Obedience to their Ordinances, are not under a high Cenfure of Perjury and Schifm ?

9. Whether tho'e Minifiers now pretended to be made and ordained in the Church of England only by their Fellow Mintfiers without a Bifliop., be true Mintfiers or no ; or elje meer Lay Perjons, and bold Ufurpers of the Sacred FunBion and Order, like Corah and hu Complices ?

10. Whether all thofe Minifiers which are now in aBual poffefilon of the late Incumbents Parjonages ^nd Cures of Souls ( and deprived for their only adhering and ajfiiling their late lawful Prince and their Govermur, and alfo their Bijhops ) to whom tbey owed

all

aU Canonical Obedience) without and bejide any Legal hduBion or Admiff.on, may not he refuted as Intruders and falfe Shepherds ?

1 1. Whether it had not been an excellent part of Chriftian PerfeBion, rather to endure fajjl'vely lof of Liberty, Efiate, and ez/en of Life it felffor the maintenance and defence of the yujt and Legal Rights imjefied in the Church, and the Bifliops it's Superintendent Faff ors, and the Liturgy and Service of the Church, than carnally for Self-intcreJ} and Ends, to comply and fubmit even againfi their knowing Confciences, to a 'violent and meer prevailing power and force in the abolifliing of Epifcopal Power, and the daily Prayers and Service ujed in the Church ?

12. Whether allfuch Perfons be not guilty of Schifm and of Scandal given, which Com-wunicate and he prefent in jucb Alimfiers Congregations and JJfemblies, whether in Church or in private Meetings, to bear their Prayers or Sermons, or receive their Sacraments according to the now prejent mode and form,more ef^^ecially in the participation with them in the Sacrament of the Eucharifi? Or how far may agoodChriJlian Communicate with jucb without jufi Scandal given or taken ?

J 3. Whether it be lawful andjufi for any Orthodox Mini/fer or Epifcopanan to accept of any Benefice with Cure of Souls, as the ft ate of the Englifh Church new (fandeth vtfible and ruling, without guilt of Schijm hy compliance to their Form ?

14. Whether as the Condition of the prefent Church of England is. The Mtniflers thereof may not legally, andfo juftifiably, exercife and ufe againfi the late Liturgy of the Church, there being no Statute Law prohibiting the jame ? And whether thofe that continue the Ob-fervtttion of the late DireHory be not perturbers of the Peace of the Church , ejfecially fnce the limitation of trial by a pretended Legality and Command for its obfervance , « expired and not reconfirmed.

I f. Whether the old Jewifii Church bad not fet Forms of Prayer ? whither St. John the Baptifl our Saviour's Pracurfor, and our blejfed Saviour bimfelf, taught not their Difciples jet Forms of Prayers, and whether the Chrijlian Church ( ejpecially fince the time of Peace fi-om the violence of Heathenifl) Perfecution) had not, nor generally ufid fet Forms of Prayer ? And whether the Mimfters now ex tempore Prayers in the Church, be not as well a jet Form of Prayers to the Auditors', whofe Spirits are therein bounded, as any fet Form o£ Prayer ufed in the Church ?

16. Whether may a Chrifiian, without Scandal given, appear to be a Godfather or Godmother to a Child tn theje New /IJjemblies, where the Mimjttr ufeth his own Diilates and Prayers, and not of the ancient Liturgy^ except the Words of Baptifm, I Baptize thee ( A. B. ) in the Name of the Father, &c.

17. Whether any Supream Earthly Pooler or Powers Spiritual or Temporal, joint or fe-farate, can alienate and convert to jecular ufes or imployments any\Hou(es, Lands, Goods, or Things once devoted, offered and dedicated to God and his Church, without grand Sacri-ledge and Prophane^jefi ^ although by Corruption of Perfons and Times they have been either fuferftitioufiy abujed, or too prophanely employed, hut rather to reduce them to their primitive Ufe and Donation ?

18. Whether the ancient Fa/ling Days of the Week and Feftivals of the Church, fetled both by Provincial Synods in the Tear i^Gz. and 1640. and confirmed by the then Regal Power, and aljo hy feveral Statutes and Laws, ought not by aU perfons in Confidence to he fitll obferved, until they be abrogated by the like Powers again ? or how far the Liberty of Confidence therein may be ufed in obfervtng or not obfierving them? the like fior the ufage of the Crofiin Baptifm, and the bumble poHure of Kneeling at the receiving ofithe blefjed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ?

19. Which way of fecurity and peace of Confidence may a quiet Chriftian order and dtjpoje bimfelf, his Wife, Children and Family m ha Duty and Service towards God, and enjoy the right ufie and benefit of the Sacraments and other holy Duties, as long as that part of the Catholtck Church wherein he lives , m under perfecution, and the vifiible Rulin£ Church therein IS fain Schijmatical, if not m many par titulars Heretical ?

April 20th, 16y J.

May

May i4th, i^5$- ^n Anfveer to the foregoing Qnefttons^ fent to

Sir R. Clare.

AdQuefi. I", rrlther that Confcienceowneth the right Reh'gion aud Difcipline \2j only, or the right with Ibme tolerable accidental Errours, or a wrong Religion and Difcipline in the Subftance. The firft the Magiftrate muft not only tolerate, but promote. The lecond he mufi: tolerate rather than do worfe by fuppreffing it. The third he muft fiipprers by all lawful means, and tolerate when he cannot help it, without a greater Evil. I fuppole no Judicious Man will expecfl an exad Solution of lb Comprehenfive a Queftion in few words: And I find not that a large Difcuflion is now expected from me : There are four or five Sheets of my Manufcripts in fome hands abroad on this Point, which may do more towards a latisfadory Solution, than thela 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 reftifie his Judgment, and thereby his Praftice. If in the right, it is a ftrange Qyeftion, Whether a Man may obey God, that hath the Magiftrates leave, till he be enforced by Mens violence ? Doch any doubt of it ?

Ad ;". Matter of Gcvemment depending enly on Faii, is a Contradiction : Seeing 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 Solution,! affirm,That the general and perpetual practice of the Church from Age to Age, of a thing not forbidden by the Word of God,will warrant our imitation.I fay [of a thing not forbidden] becaufe it hath been the general and perpetual practice ot the Church, to Sin, by vain Thoughts, Words, imperfed Duties, d^-c. wherein our imitation is not warrantable. . The general and perpetual praHice includeth the Apo-ftles and that Age. But what is meant by [Evidencing the Right oi a thing that de-pendeth only of Faft] or by [Evidencing the Truth and Certainty of a Faift by general and perpetual pradice] ( which is to prove idem per idem), I will not pre-uime that I underffand.

Ad 4"". I know not what Bifhops you mean. A Congregational Bifnop overlee-ing the People is undoubtedly lawful: fb is a Congregational BiHiop, being Prefi-dent of a Presbytery which is over that Congregation. Where many Congregational Officers are aliociated, I do not think that a Prefident for a time, or during his fitnefi, ffanding and fixed, is unlawful. The like I may fay of a Prefident of many of thofe Aifociations again affociated, as in a Province or Diocels: And I believe it w«re a very eafie work for wife, godly, moderate men to agree about his Power: And I would not ieem (b cenlbrious as to proclaim that England wanteth fuch, further than the adual want of fuch Agreement, or juft endeavours thereto, doth proclaim it. I am fatisfied alfo, that the Apoftles themfelves have de jure Succeffbrs 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 (fanding chief Governour of many particular Churches with their Officers, having either fble power of Ordination and JurildiAion (as fome would have) or a Negative Voice in both ( as others ) it would feem great arrogancy in me to be the confident Determiner of fuch a Queftion, which lb wile, learned, godly fober Men,have (aid fo much of on both fides already.

/fc/j". I. He that knows how/hort Church Hiftory is in thefe Matters for the firit Age after the Apoftles, at leaft, and hath read impartially what Gerfom, Rticerus, Parker, Blondellus, Salwafius, Altare Damafcen, have laid on one fide ; and Saravia^ Dewnham, Dr. Hammond^ 6cc. on the other; would fure never exped that I ftiould prefume to pals any confident Sentence in the Point: And it's like he would be Ibmewhat moderate himlelf.

2. 1 lay as before, I know not what you mean by Biftiops: I am confident that the Church was not of many Hundred years after Chrift governed as ours was lately in England^ by a Diocefan Bilhop and a Chancellor jCxcluding almoft all the Pret byters.

3. Why do you fay [Since the Apoftles days,] when you before fpoke of the [General and perpetual pradice of the Church } ?

X Ad

Ad 6'°. 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 Bifhopsor without them. They that will lock after the moft encouraging Preftdems, rauft look higher than National Churches.

Ad-]"". The Queltion feemsnottomeanany particular truly-fchilrnatical Party of Minifters, but the generality, that live not under the Bifhops : and fo I anfwerwe-gatively, v/iiimg for the Accufers proof.

Ads'". 1.1 know not what the Oath of Canonical Obedience is: therefore cannot give a full Aufwer. I know multitudes of Minifters ordained by Biihops, that never took any fuch Oath.

2. The Powers that violently took down the Bifliops, were the Secular Powers: None elfe could ufe violence. And it were a ftrange Oath for a Man to fwear that he would never obey the Secular Powers if they took down the Bifliops, when'the Holy Ghoft would have us obey Heathen Perfecutors.

3. 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 accufed durft not take it.

4. Moft Presbyters that I know do perform all Ecclefiaftical Matters upon fup-pofition of a Divine Diredion, anS not upon the Command of Humane Powers.

Ad 9"". The Ordination of nicer Presbyters is not null, and the Presbyters Co ordained now in England are true Presbyters, as I am ready to maintain. But wait for the Accufer's proof of the nullity.

Ad 10". I. 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 Induftions and Admit fions.

3. If a worthy Man be caft out, had you rather that God's Worfliip were neg-lefted, and the People perifhed for lack of Teaching, then any other Man fhould be iet 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 Bifliops 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 fliould be Excluded but the Unworthy, (the Infuffici-ent, or Scandalous, or grofly Negligent): And I know but too few of the Ejeded that are notliich : And this Queftion doth modeftly pafs over their Cafe j or elfe I ftiould have laid fomewhat more to the Matter. ,

Ad 11". I. It is a neceffary 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 Epifcopacy, 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 lb (lifFa maintenance, as to the lols ot Life ; nor the loft of 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] -lid grievoufly fin, whether the thing it felf were good or bad : efpecially if they went againft their Confciences.

a. 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 Worfliip, but an Accident of it felf indifferent, that I uieJiefe Words, or Thole, a Book or no Book, a Form premeditated, or not. And no Separatift hath yet well anlwered them.

^d it\ Such as you defcribed you can hardly know, and therefore not knowingly Icruple their Communion ; for a Man's ends and knowledge are out of your fij;ht: You can hardly tell who did this (^againft Knowledge and Confcience, carnally, for Self intereft I But if you mean it of your ordinary Minifters and Congregations, I am paft doubt that you are Scliifmatical, ifnotworfe, if you avoid the Aflembiies, and Ordinances mentioned, upon liich Accufations and Suppofiti-ons: And I fliall much eafier prove this, than you will make good your Separation.

Ad

4

Part IL Kev^endMr, Richard Baxter. ig§

^d 1 3"". Permitting, you to fuppofe [Orthodox] and [Epifcoparikn] to be the fame, at prefent; you may eafily know that the Epifcopal are not all ct a Mind but differ, Ithinkj much more among themfelves, than the moderate Epil'copal and Presbyterians differ : feme maintaining that the Ordination of meer Presbyters is not null, with divers the like things ; which the novel fort 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 before mentioned, ought to reftifie their miftakes, and lb to take up their duty; but as they are, I lee not how they can doit in confiitency with their Principles^unlefe under the Jurildiftion of a Bilhop. ,o.

Ad 14°". For the Point of the legality of the Liturgy, you call me to determine Cafes in Law, which 1 find my (elf unlit for. And tor the Directory, its Nature is ( according to its Name ) not to impofe Words or Matter, nor bind by human Authority, but to dired: Men how to underftand God's Word concerning the Ordering of his Worfliip. Now either it direfteth us right or wrong : If wrong, we muft not follow fuch Dire<ftions: If right, it's no unlawfiil difturbance of the Churches Peace to obey God's Word upon their Dire<51:ion: Circumftances, wherein fome place mofi: of their Government, they very little meddle with. And indeed I know but few that do much in the order of Worfliip eo Nomwe becaufe it is lb in the Diteftory ; but becaule they think it moft agreeable to God's Word ; or mod tending to Concord, as things now ftand. Would you have us avoid any Scripture or orderly Courfe, meerly becaule it is exprelfed in the Diredtory ? And think you thofe are Ways of Peace ?

Ad j^". I think ( on the Credit of others ) that the Jewifti Church had a Litli^ gy ; I am lure they had Forms of Praifes and Prayer in Ibme Cafes, 1 know Chrift taught his Difciples the Lord's Prayer, I will not determine whether as a Direftory for Matter and Order, or whether as a Form of Words to be uf^d, br when, or how oft ufed : I conjedure you regard the Judgment of Grotiui^ who laith in Matt, 6. 9. [^ m-mi: In htmc Senfum : Non enim practfit Cbnftus verba rec'ttari, ^uodfiec legimus Afoftolos fecijje, quanquam id quoque fieri cumjfru^lu foteli fed materiatH frecum hmc 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 Apoftles did it, though that alio may profitably be done; but hence to fetch the Matter of Prayer. -1 You know the Directory advifeth the ule of the Words: And how it was that John taught his Difciples to pray, I cannot tell ; nor Will herein pretiend my letf wifer than I am. The Example of the Primitive Church is never the more imita-ble for the Ceflaiion of Perfecution; and its Example before is moft to be regarded, that being pureft that is next the Fountain. We are fure that the Church long ufcd extemporate Prayers, and its probable betimes, Ibme Forms withal, I think they are ftrangely Dark and addicted 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 16'^. I know no neceflity of any Godfather or Godmother, befide the Parents, unlefs you will call thole fo, that in cafe of their neceffary Abfence are their Delegates. Nor do I know that ordinarily among us any Didates or Prayers are ufed that a Ibber Chriftian hath the leaft reafbn to fcruple Communion in. Will you have a Paftor that ftiall not fpeak in the Name of the People to God ? or will you call his Prayers [ his own 3 which he puts up by Virtue of his Office, according to God's Word?

Ad I J'". I think they cannot without Sacriledge make fuch Alienation ,' except where God's Confent can be proved. For Example; if the Minifters of the Churefj have full as much means given, as is tit for the Ends to which it is given, and yet the People will give more and more, to the Burden and enfnaring of the Churchy and the impoverilhing 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 GifCj for want of Acceptance ; for he accepts noc that which he prohibits. Here therefore the Magiflrate may reftore this to its proper ufe. But whether this were any of the Cafe of thefe ( Sacrilegious) Alienations too lately made in this Land, is a far-Cher Queftion : I apprehend a deep Guilt of Sacriledge upon Ibme.

Ad 18"". The Particulars here mentioned muft be diftindly cbnfidered:

1. About Fafts and Feafts, the Queftion as referring to the Obligation of the Laws of the Land, is of thefame Relolucion as all other Queftionsrelpe^ling thofe Laws; which being a Caie more out of my way, I fhall not prefume to determine without a clearer Call. Only I muft (ay that I fee little Reafon why thole Men fhould think themfelves bound in this, who yet fuppo(ethem(elvesloole from many other Law?, and who obey many of the Laws or Ordinances of the preferit Powers.

2. I much fear that not only the Querift, but many more are much enfnared in their Confcienees, by mifunderftanding the Nature and ufe of Synods. It's one thing for an AlTembly of Bifhops to have a fuperior Governing Power direftly over all particular Churches and Bifhops j and another thing for fuch an Affembly to have a Power of determining of things neceffary for the Concord of the feve-ral Churches. I never yet faw it proved that Synods are over Bilhops in a di-redt Governing Order, nor are called for fuch Ends; but properly in ordine ad Vni-tatem, and to oblige only ( more than fingle Billiops ) by Virtue of the General Precept, of maintaining Unity and Concord. This is the Opinion of the moft learned Billiop and famous antiquary that I am acquainted with.

3. 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 ihall continue them. The Reafon is drawn from the Nature of a Law, which is to be jujjttm Maje^atis, in the Commonwealth, and every where to be a fignof the Re<Sors Will Je debito, 'vcl conftituendo, i/el confirmando : Or his Authoritative Determination of what fliall be due fiom us and to us. Therefore no Re(5lor, no Law : and the Law that is, though made by the deceafed ReAor, is not his Law, but the prefent Re<5tor's Law, formally ; it being the fignifier 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 Summa poteftas that hath the abfolute Legiflative Power. If therefore the Church Governors be dead that made thefe Laws, and no lufficient Power fuc-ceeds them to continue thele Laws and make them theirs, then they are dead with their Authors.

f. The prefent Paftors of the Church (though but Preshyters) are the true Guides of it, while Bifhops are abfent ( and the true Guides conjun«^ly with the Bifhops, if they were prefent, according to the Judgment of your own fide }. Whoever is the fble exiftent 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 Bifhops depriveth not the Presbyters of that Power which they had before,

r 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 prefent time, place or occafion, and not to be univerfal ffanding Laws, to all Ages of the Church : For if fuch Determinations had been fit, God would have made thetp himfeif, and they would have been contained in his perfect Word. He gives not his Legiflative Power to Synods or Bifhops.

r 8. Yet if your Confcience will needs p3rruade you to ufe thole Ceremonies, you have no ground to feparate from all that will not be of your Opinion.

9. For the Ciofs, the Canons require only the Miniller to ufe it, and not you : and if he do not, that's nothing to you.

10. Have you impartially read what is written againft the Lawfulnefs of it, by ./*wf/;»/s frefh Suit, Bradjhaw, Parker, and others: IfyOuhave : you may at lealt lee this, that it's no fit matter to place the Churches Unity or Uniformity in : and they that will make fuch Laws for Unity go beyond their Commiflion. Church Governors are to determine the Circuniflances fro loco& tempore in particular, which God hath in Word or Nature made neceflary in genere, and left to their Determination. But when Men will prefume beyond this, to determine of things not indeed circumffantial, or no way neceffary m genere nor left to their Determination (as to inflitute new flanding Symbols in and with God's Symbols or Sacraments, to be engaging Signs to engage us to Chrilf, and to Work Grace on the Soul as the Word and Sacraments do, that is by a moral Operation ) and then will needs make thefe the Cement of Unity j this is it that hath been the Bane of Unity, and Caufe of Divifions.

II. Kneeling

ii.Kneeling at the Sacrament is a Novelty introduced many hundred years after ChriJtj and contrary to fuch Canons and Cultoms of the Church, to which for Antiquity and Univerfality, you owe much more relpeft, than to the Canons of the late Bi/hopsin England.

12. If your General Rule hold that you ftand bound by all Canons, not repealed 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 Legif-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 ImperioSum. fotest. would teach much more Moderation in thele Matters than I here perceive.

AdQ^J9'". I. It's too much Self-conceitednefs and Uncharitablenefs to pafs fo bold a Cenfure as your Suppofition doth contain, of the vifible ruling Church being Schifmatical, and fo Heretical. Which is the ruling Church ? I know none in England befides Bifhops 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 proved as rallily affirmed, or intimated.

2. Do not be too fenfibleof Perfecution, when Liberty of Confcience is lb proclaimed, though the Reftridion be fomewhat on your fide. O the difference of your Perfecution, and theirs that fuffered by you I

5. The only confcionable andfafe way for the Church and your own Souls, is to love, long for, pray, and confult for Peace. Clofe in the unanimous praftice of (b 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 expeft not that this advice fliould pleafe the prejudiced : But that it's the only (afe and comfortable way , is the Confident Opinion of

"Xour Brother.,

Richard Baxter.

All the Diflurbance I had in my ownParifh was by Sir Ralfb Clares reflifing to Communicate with us, unlels 1 would give it him kneeling on a diftinft Day, and not with thofe that received it fitting. To which Demand I gave him this following Anlwer.

SIR,

UPon Confultation with others and my own Confcience, I return this Anfwer to your lafl: motion j beleeching you to believe that it had been more plea-ling, if it would have ftood with the pleafing of God and my own Confcience.

1. In general it is my reiblution to be lb far from being the Author of any Di-vifions in any part of the Church of Chrift, as that I Ihall do all that lawfully I can to avoid them.

2. I am fo far from the Judgment and Praftices of the late Prelates of England^ in point of compelling all to obey or imitate them in geftures 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^<r. that 1 would become all things ( lawful) to all Men for their good, and as I know that the Kingdom of God ftandeth not in fuch things, lb neither would I Ihut any out of his vifible Kingdom 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 neceflary ; left they prove but Engines to enfnare Mens Conlciences, and to divide the Church. And as I wouW impole no (iich things on other Churches if I had power, fo neither will I do it on this Church of which I have (bme overfight.

g.More particularly,1 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 arrogao-

cy

cy and untnannerlinefi ( to fpeak eafily ) to call that uftrevefence and feTveineff, ( as many do ) which Chriit and the ApolHes and all the Church fo long ufed with one confent. He better knew what pleafeth himfelf than we do : The vain pretended difference between the Apoftles Gelture and ours , is nothing to the matter : He that fitteth on the Ground, fitteth as well as he that fitteth on a Stool: And if any difference were, it was their Gefture that leems the more homely: and no fuch difference can be pretended in the Chriftian Churches many hundred years after. And I think ic is a naked pretence ( having no ftew of reafon to cover it) of them that againfl: all this will plead a neceffity of kneeling , becaufe of our 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 pleafe^ immediately before in praying for a bleffing and for the pirdon of our fins^and as loon as wehavedone. 3. Man muftnot by his own Conceits make thofe things neceffiiry to the Church, which Chrift and his Church for (b long thought unne-ceflfary. 4. On this pretence we might refiile the Sacrament it felf: for they are more unworthy to eattheFlefhof Chrift, and to drink his blood, than to fit at his Table. 5-. TheGofpelis Glad Tidings; the Effeftsof it are Faith and Peace and Joy : the Benefits are to make us one with Chrift, and to be his Spoufe and Members : the work of it is the joyful Commemoration of thefe Benefits, and living in Righteoufnels, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghoft: And the Sacramental Sigfts are fuch as fuit the Benefits and Duties. If therefore Chrift have called us by his Example, and the Example of all his Church, to fit with him at his Table to repre-fent our Union, Communfon, and joyful redeemed State, and cur evcrlafting fitting with him at his Table in his Kingdom, it as little befeems us to reject this Mercy and Duty, becaule of our Unworthinefs, as to be our own Lawgivers. And on the Irka Reafons men might fay, [ I will not be united to thee, nor be a Member of thy Body, or tftarried to thee, nor fit with thee on th-/ Throfie ( Re'O. ;. 2 r. ) according to thy Promife, becaufe it would be too great fiwcinefs in me]. Gofjiel Mercies, and Gofpel Duties, and Signs, muft be all fliited, and fo Chiiift hath done them, and we may not undo them.

4. I muft profefs that upon fuch Confiderations, lam not certain that fitting is not of commanded Neceflity ( as I am (lire it is lawful ) ; nor am I certain that kneeling in the A6t of Receiving, when done of choice, is not a flat fin. For I know it is not only againft Scripture Example ( where though Circumftances apparently occafiorial bind not, as an upper Room , &c. yet that's nothing to others) but alfo ic is ^gaihft the Canotts of Councils, yea a General Council ( at TthH. in Corijfantiiwflc) .-ittd againft fo Concurrent a Judgment and Practice of the Church f(>r many hondred years, that it (eems to fight with Vtfxxntws La-imnf. Catholick iiule, f>uod fcmfcr, ubtque c^ ab omnibus rece ft urn , &C. Let them therefore juftifie kneeling as lawful that can, fori cannot; and therefore dare not do that which Ihall be an owning of it, when we may freely do otherwile.

J. Yet for all this, I fo much incline to Thoughts of Peace, and Clofure with others, that I will not fiy that fitting is of neceffity, nor that kneeling is unlawful (unlefi where other Circumftances make it fb) nor condemn any that differ from me herein : Yea, if Lcould nototherwKe Communicate with the Church in the Sacrament,.! would take it kneeling myfelf, as being certain that the Sacra--ment is a Duty^and riot c^ttaih that knefeling is a fin : ahfd ih that Cale I believe it isTior.

6. As for them that think kneeling a Duty, becaule of the Canons of the late Bifhops enjbynrngif, I hhve more to fay againft their Judgment than this Paper will contain. Only in a word, 1. If it he the Secular Powers eftablilhing , thofe Canons that binds their Coftfctences, Why do they not obey the preient Secular Powers f n all other things ? Ic is known the King coniented to relax this: And however , this is little to them dist go on the Ground of Divine or Ecclefiaftical Right. And if we muftfo plunge cur felvesinto Enquiries after the Rights cf Secular Go-vernours, before we can know whether to ftand or let at the Sacrament, we are all uncertain what to do in greater Matters: for there are as apparent grounds for our' uncertainty of five hiindrtd years old and more , which this is no place to dive into. And it wouW be as unlawful on this ground to read any other Pfalm or Chapter, but what was of old appointed hv the Day, as to forbear knefclingafthc Sacrament. And perhips on the OopOlients grounds, it would be ftil! asfinful to feftrain a Child or Servant from Dancinj* on the Lord's Day. And if ic be Ecclefiaftical Authority ih'it they ftick sx, that muft be derived from Chrift, and fo Originally Divine, or itisiicCe. And thi^h fpot to wade fo unl^afonably into

the

the main Controverfiej, i. Before they have prov€d their Legiflative Authority • 2. And that this Congregation is Jure Divtno part of their Charge, and under their Jurifdi<aion; ;. And that they had power to contraditft the Examples of Chrift and his ApofHes herein, and the conlbnt praftice 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 Hiall find that there muft go more than a flight Suppofition to the making good of their Caufe. According to their own Principles, a lower Power cannot reverfe the Ads of a higher. But the General Councils at N/ce and Con(iantinoplc that forbad Kneeling on any Lord's Day, was a higher Power than the Engltji) Convocation: Ergo, The Ewg/zjlj Convocation cannot Repealits 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 }, y. Befides this; If thafe Canon* bin! Conlcience ; yet, it is either by the Authority 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 Conlcience of: If it be the prefent Authority that is above the Ancient, then i- They that pretend to fuch Authority over this Congregation ftiould procJuce 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 mean time, 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. 5. 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, themfelves, 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 Decency are fb mutable, that God ever gave power to any Bifhops to tie all Congregations and Ages to this or that Sacrament Gefture; nor at all to make them lb necef-lary, as that Bodily Punifliment or Excommunications fhould be inflided on the Negledersof them. And I think that Calling which hath no better Work than this to do, is not woith the regarding.

And here I ftould propound to the contrary-minded one C^ueftion , Whether if a Bifliop fhould command them to ffand or fit, they would do it.' Yea j or if a Convocation commanded it? If they fay Yea ; then mufl 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 Bifiiop 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 Paflors or Presbyters of^the Congregations) I fay, let all this be fet 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 fb much as is exprelTed to the contr.7ry.

Thus Sir, I have firft given you my Realbns about the Gefture it felf. And of putting it into each Perfbns hands, I have thus much more to fay,; 1.1 know nothing to oblige me to it. 2. Chrift himlelf did otherwile, as appeareth in Mattb. z6, 26, 27. [For K<iCi]i, (fAyiJi, ■mili 'J^ mjtS mvju J take ye, eat ye, drink ye all of ;f J doth Ihew that it was given to them all in general, and not to each man fingly. ;. And in this alfb Antiquity is on my fide, the contrary being much later. More Realbns 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 liich a General Delivery.

1. Becaule the contrary was never yet pleaded ncceffary jf«re Divino 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, fo 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.

I. I did never hitherto, tomy remembrance, refufe to give the Sacrament to any one, meerly becaule they would not take it Sitting or Standing; 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

2. If they further expeft that I fhould put it into each Man's hands individually, I may well exped the liberty of guiding my own Adionsj according to my own Confcience, if I may not guide theirs: It is enough that in (iich Cafes they will refufe to be Ruled by me ; they fhould not alio 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 (in they are not guilty of it; Nor have thejPany ground to refufe the Sacrament rather than fo take it.

3. Yet if any of my Pafloral Charge fhall be unfatisfied, if they will but hear my Reafons firil, 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 otherwile, I do purpofe to condefcend to their Weaknefs, and fo to give it them. So that no one of them fliall be ever able to fay, that I wronged a truly tender Confcience, 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 Exclufion from the Sacrament. Nor do I fuppofe it a Sin in me lb 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 necelTary, I fliould make known.

4. But then thele Perlbns !muft not expeft that I fhould never give them my Judgment and Reafons againfl their Opinion: for that were to ceafe teaching them the Truth, as .well as to yield to their Errours.

y. And I fhall expe6b that at the firft Receiving they will openly profels that they take not the Bread for the Subftantial Body of Chrift, nor Worfhip the Bread,

6. But as for thole that are not of my Paftoral Charge, I muft lay more, whether they live in this Parilh or another ; Either they are fuch as are Members of Ibme other particular Church, or of none. For the former (brt, 1. Ordinarily it is fit and necelTary that they Receive the Sacrament of their own Paftor, and in that particular Church of which they are Members ; or elfe how are they Members of it ? 2. And in Extraordinary Cafes, I fhall not deny any of them the Sacrament on thefe Conditions; i. 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 Pallor 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 Members of, and what fleafons they had to withdraw from this Church,! fhall not refufe them, if their account be fuch as may juftly latisfie.

But as for thofe of this Parilh that have ( after this two years Invitation and Expedlation ) refufed to profels 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 Dilcipline, I fhall de-lire to fpcak wich 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, I 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 : r. Becaufe I take it to be a heinous, fcandalous liii, to live from under Difcipline, as a Stragler and in Difbr-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 Drunkard or Adulterer. 2. I dare not be an Inftrument of hindering Reformation, and the Execution of juft Difcipline, by gratifying the Unruly that fiy from it, and let themfelves again it. And as ibr all thole 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 not, or on any ground are from under my Paftoral Charge, without my Fault, I lay, for all thefe, 1 dare not admit them ordinarily to the Sacrament, becaufe I dare not fpend (b much time on them-as is neceffary for Preparation. I may not do it without fome previous Inftrudion ; and I havefb much more work already than I con well do, that I have not a minute of time to fpare. And ('except in publick or extraordinary Cafes) I take my felf to be more ftridly tied to thofe of my Charge, than to any others J and having made my leif theirs, I dare not rob them of my Labours, nor negkift them to attend on others that are no part of my Clurge , nor will be, {f you fiy, that if they did become Members of my Charge , 1 mull then as much ne3!<;<fl; others for them ; I anfwer, but then I could do it innocently, when 1 have

the

A

P A R T 11. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. \^\

the fame Relation to them, and Obligation to help them, as otkers. If 1 were your Steward, and you truft me to diftribute Money or Bread to all that are under 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 give them, I might juftly give them but each one a Pound % But if I had but two, I fhould 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; i, I dare condefcend to give the Sacrament kneeling, and into the hands of thofe that live orderly under Chriftian Dilcipline ; that is ordinarily to thofe of my own Charge ; and occafionally to thole of another Mans. 2. But I dare not (I profels ferioufly I dare not) ordinarily at leaft ) give the Sacrament to thofe unruly fcandalous Perfons, that will live under no jull 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 fay that their coming to Church and receiving the Sacrament is a fufficient Signification that they take us for their Pallors, and therefore they will do no more: I anfwcr, 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 Aflcmblies. This therefore is no certain Sign. 2. And though it were a probable Sign heretofore, yet when we have called our Parilhes to a plain difcovery of their Minds, and they refufe to fignify their Confcnt, {o 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 Confent ( 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 thofs only for our fpecial Charge that would exprefs their Confent, and we waited now two Years to lee whether they would do it: And if after all this they forbear or refiile, let the World judge whether this be not an open, plain difclaiming of our Overfight and their Membcrfhip. What would you have us do ! can we know Mens Hearts that will not open them to us ? Nay, fliall the fame Man {0 long reftile to tell us his Mind, and when he hath done, blame us becaufe we under-ftand it not ? If indeed they confented, a Word fpeaking, or the writing of their Names is no great Colt or Labour to dilcover 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 thele Relations but by confent; nor know them without the Expreffion of that Confent. No Man can be a Member of my Charge in defpight of me i nor can I make any Man fuch againft his Will. I can never marry a Woman that will fay, you Ihall do the Office of a Husband to me, but I will not tell you whether I take you for my Husband, nor promileto be your Wife, &c, I will not have a Scholar in my School, or a Pupil that will fay. Hither will I come, and you Ihall teach me, but I will not tell you whether I 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. 5. Befides, the Office of a Paftor is not only to preach and adminifter the Sacrament, but alfq to admonilh, rebuke, and exercile Ibme Difcipline for the Good of the Church : And he that will not pro-fefs his confent to chefs, doth not by his partial fubmitting to the reft fliew his confent 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 contempt of the Ordinance of Chrift : If 1 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 themlelves Members of the Church and of our Charge, they are bound to obey us unlefs they 'can prove it a Sin. But if they (iy we will not obey them in the fpeaking of fiich . a Word, though indeed they did call us their Paftors, this were but to contradict themlelves, 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 sxpeft

their Wills of us. Sir, Pardon the Plainnefs, and accept the true Account of ray Thoughts, from

Tour Servant^ Ffb. 1. i6yy.

Richard Baxter.

§ 14. About the fame time that we were thus aflbciating in WorcefierjlnTe, it pleaied God to ftir up the Minifters of Cumherhnd, and Wejtmorland to the fame Courle; who though they knew not what we had done, yet fell upon the fame way, and agreed on Articles to the fame purpole and of the fame Senle and Importance as ours were ; of which Mr. Richard Gilpin ( one of them, a worthy faithful Minifter ) fent me word, when he (aw our Articles in Print j and they alio printed theirs (to fave the writing of many Copies, and to excite others to the fame way ) and they found the lame readinefs to Union among the Brethren as we had done.

Their Agreement you may find printed j our Letters were as followeth :

Dear Brethren,

WE falute you in the Lord: It 'Was no fmaU reviving to tti to heboid pur Order and mutual Condefcentiom ( exprejjed hi your Bock of Concord ) to promote the Rtformation of your People in ways of Veace. We unfcigncdlj rejoice on your behalf i and thought our felves bound to Jignifie bow grateful and helpful your Endeavours are to us. The Scormrs of this Age have a long time bent their Tongue as a Bow^ and dipt their Ar-ro-ws in Gall, and fent forth bitter Accufations and Slanders againfi all the Minifiers of the Gojpel, catling them Dijiurbirs, implacable, Scc. as if the very Efle of a Minijler ■were to contradicl, and to be averfe from Peace: Surely your eameB profecution of Concord -will be a (landing Ccnfutp.tion of that Charge, at leaii fo far as to cut off the Note of Univerfdity from it: But that which moft affe^s us is, that you are not -iviUing to look upon the gajping Condition of tha Church here, as idle Speelators, or as meer Witnejfes of her Funeral without trying any Remedy at all, and that you do not apprehend your felves to have done all your Duty, when you have bewailed her Trouble, and complained of ber Advcrjaries Cruelty. Sion indeed hath been thrown down to the Ground, and bath been covered with a Cloud in the Day of the Lord's Anger, and her Adverfaries are round about: In this Diflrefi flie hath fpread forth her Hands, and hath looked upon her Lovers for Help, and that jo long, that fie is ready to fay, that her Strength and her Hope is perilled from the Lord. Now her Sons while they have been cofjfultmg how to relieve her have fallin out about the Cure, and becaufi they have not been admitted to adminijier the Phyfick according to their Alinds, have negleiled to adminijier any at ali^ becauje they could not be fujfered to do what they would, they have forgotten that it was their Duty to da what they might. Some have thrown all afide but preaching, as it were in a pettijii Dif-content ; fome have fatisfed themfelves with adminijlring Cordials, without purging the noxious Humours, becauje they thought this necejfary andjafe though in an unpresbperated Church. Others it may be have fecn a tiecejfty of making farther Progrejs, and have been groaping after it, but have been difccuragcd at the fight of the thwarting and inconfjient Principles J the Animofities and want of Condefcention of different Parties. Others it may he have in their Thoughts overcome this Difficulty, and yet have fuck at one that is lejsf they have been afraid to be the firft Propounders 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 expeSl that the Lord's Houfe (hould be jo fniflied that all fiiall cry, Grace, Grace unto it: Tet that the Building need not wholly to ciafe, yon are the jkfi that have in this publick way broken the Ice, and who knows how powerful your Example may be to call AJcn off' from their Con' tent ions and Strivings one against another, by a brotherly Combination to carry on the work of Chriil at far as they can with one Shoulder.

Whatfoevcr Advantage others may reap by your Endeavours, we are fure the Advantage that we have by them is double, i. fVe, before we had heard of your Book, bad undertaken a IVork of the like nature : Several of us meeting together to confiilt about ma-naging the Lord's Work in our Ha?tds, were convinced that jor Reformation of our People, more ought to be done by us thnn bare Preaching, a brotherly Affoctation of Mtnijlers appeared

feared to he the Itkeliefi courje for the attainment of our Defires, and accordingly vfos re-/ohed on : And becaufe -we knew that 'many of our Brethren in the Mimjiry differed from us, we refolved to draw up feveral^ Vropofals wherein we and they by a mutual Condefctn-tlon might agree as Brethren in Love and Peace to carry on the fame Work, and therefore required nothing of them hut what jve f roved by the Confeffions of the Congregational Brethren ( their own Party ) to be of lejs Moment, and not of abfolute Necefity. Wherein ( we urged ) they rnight and ought to yield for the Churches Peace : But our Pgideavours to gain them were fujlrated, thry were Jo refched that they would not fo much as read our Propofals and Reajons. We therefore jet about the Work our felz/es, and made fome Progrcjs in it j by this time we began to feel what we exposed -at the first Jetting out, viz. the Rage and Malice of wicked Men^vented m Railings and Slanders on the one hand^ and bitter Cenfures and Sufptcions of the Brethren on the other. In the midjt of all this we received your Book as a Jeajonabie Refreshment : Our Hands were much ftrengthned by it ; it' was a great Encouragement to tts, to jef that other godly and learAed Men had walked much what m the fame Steps, andjjad pleaded 'our Caufe almofl by the fame Arguments wherewith we,endeavcured to flfengthenit. But 2. ive are hereby quicknedup to carry our Dejign higher. Our Pr'op'ftions fur the Siihfiance of them are near the fame with yours j we agree tn a great fart of your Dtfcipline, our Rules of Admiffton are competent Knowledge, UnblameableneJI of Convcrfation, and affcnt to the Covenant of Grace, the means to carry it on are, the Peoples Confent and ' Ajjociation of Minifters ; and where we differ from you, 'tis not becaufe we differ in Opinion, but becaufe our People ( who/e Condition and Temper we were forced to jet before us in framing our Agreement ) differ fi-om yours. Hence our Examination of the Peoples Knowledge is more general than yours, if we under f and you right in Prop. 19. Reg.9. hence infieadr of yourParijh Affifianls we are forced to make ufe of .one another s help in private Examinations, and Determination of FitnejS, as well as in more pubUck Debates and Confultations: Yet in two things welcome JJwft of your Agreement ; i. In that we have not as yet propounded to our People your height of Difci-pltne J though we never thought fecret and private Admonitions and Sufpetifion jfrom the Sacrament Jiich a Meafure of Dijcipline wherein we might comfortably Jatisfie our. jelves without farther Progre/s ; yet (our Hands being much weakened by our Brethrens refufal to join with us, our People fiubhorn, andSujpenfion from the Supper being apiece of Dijcipline that hath not been here praclifed till of late, and therefore a matter of greater tShame tii Cujtom (JiaU make it more common ") we refolved to propound and Praclife this first as an Effay to try what SucceS and Entertainment a farther Difciplme might find. For though the Fear of Peoples fij/m^ off and feparating if not by us looked upon as a fufficient Dtf-charge for the negla^ apd laying afide all endeavours to reform: Yet 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 afeaj^ of offending fome of our Brethren, who being more likely to hear of our Pratlice than of the Grounds and Reafons of it, might eafily miftake our meaning. But now the way of Difcipline hting made more fmooth both by what, we have put m Prailice already and by what you have declared, we are encouraged in both thefe RefpeBs to make a farther Addition 'to our former Propofals.

SoT^e things there are wherein a farther Explication of your meaning woufd have been ve-rygrateful to us.

1. Whether the Infants of fuch as are fujpended fiom the Lord's Supper and of (uch as delay or refufe Covftnt to your Dijcipline only fiom D'ljjatisfaiiion about the matter of it4 Management, are to be excluded fiom Bapttjm ?

2. Why you rejolve to exercijc your Dijcipline upon thofe only which teflifie their Confent, feeing you acknowledge your prefent Pari(hes ( before t'he exercije of this Dijcipline ) true particular Organ^ed Churches of ChriB j if fome of thofe whom you accounted Members jhould fly off, why may they not be Sharers in your Dijcipline, and upon their Kefujal * cjfi eut^ rather than filently left out? .

5. Why { if you limit your publick Cenfures and Admonition to thofe only that give ex-prejs Confent Prop, j 8.) fou rejolve to cenjurc the fcandalous Sinner upon fuch an Offer of Conjent as carrieth in the Front of it a plain Refufal of your Difcipline ? Prop. 19. Reg, ic. and how this will ft and with the fourth and fifth Reajons of that Propefitton in pag, }i- of the Explanation ?

• We know that you have of purpofe left many things undetermined, and that which you have propounded is fitted to He Temper of Pariflies in general, rather than to fome of purs in particulary and therefore we do not mention thefe as an Accufation againft pur Propofals J but for our own Advantage and Satisfailion in cafe'we jhould receive any Letters from you. . ' .

Y 2 Brethren,

Brethrenf pray for tu: we dweU in the mid/t of Oppo/ition, and as it will k ottr j>reat Joy to hear that the Work doth prober in your hands: fojhallwe be earneft with t!x Lard for a Blejfing upon your Endeavours. Thus refi

Fenrith, Cumberland, Your, unworthy Fellow Labourers

Sept. I. i6y3.

a in the Work of the Gofpel,

Ri. Gilpin Pd/or tft Grayftock. John Makmillane Pajlor at Odenhall. Roger Baldwin A/»»//?er«>/^PenritK John Billingfley Minilhr of Addinghani. Elifha Bourne Mimfier at Skelron. ' ^ John Jackfon P<>/or 0/Button.

Thomas Turner Treacher of the GoJf^eL

*

For the Reverend our much efteemed Brother Mr. Richard Baxter, and the reft of the Aflbciated Minifters in the County of Worce-fier, Thefe.

To this Letter we return'd the following Anfwer,

ReTcrend and Beloved Brethren j

WE received your Letters, with love and gladtiefi, ^ for their favour of Viety in general, fo of VeaceahkneJS and Zeal for Unity in Ifecial, which we have now learned to take, not as afeparahle Accident of true Religion, but as an Ejfential part. Wt have reverent Thoughts of many Brethren for their [tngular worth and work , who yet for their ABivity 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 affive either as Leaders or Followers in the promoting them, who yet are fo paffively and pajjionately un-peaceable, in an impatient Entertainment of every DiJJenter , and making the lejjer Errours of their Brethren to jeem Herefles, if not Truths to Jeem Errours, qf^d putting fuch odious Confiruclions on their Opinions and PraBices, that they do thereby'^iake their godly-and peaceable Brethren feem Firebrands or Monfters to be avoided or contemned ; and fo affright Men intoidtfunion and difaffeBion. We yet more honour many who are more free bith from a&ive and pajjive uripeaeeablenefi, who yet do fat is fie their Confcieitces with this much, but while they exclaim againft Divifons, do little for the healing them. But too fmall is the number of fuch as you, who are up and doing in this healing work. Your Names, dear Brethren, arc doubly precious to us, as are your Lives. We have many helpers, in other Works of Piety ; but too few in this. Indeed, we are following on the Work as being con-fcious of our duty, but concerning the SuccejSwe are between hope and fear. Among our felves in thuCtunty, God hath (irangely facilitated all, and fatisfied mo(t of thoft that feem faithful in hts Work , on the Terms -which we have publtjhed: We hearalfo that in many other Countjes they are fiirred up to Confultatiens for thefe Ends ; and we perceive that the Excellency and Necejftty ^ Unity, Peace, and (ome RefoYmation, is a little more obfer-ved than it hath been heretofore : and that God begins to dtfgrace Divificns, and to put a zeal for Reconciliation into many of his Miniflirs. Alfa 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 ; and we found them not only much approving the Work, but forward to promote it with the re/l of their Neighbour Mimflers. Our godly people alfo through God's great mercy, are almofl all very tratlablt to, yea and rejoice in the Work.' Theje things give tts hope, that God is about the Reftoringof his People, and that he is kindling that Zeal for Unity and Reformation jvhich fiiall overcome the Fire of Contention that hath been wafimg ns Jo long. And O that we were as fur e that this Workfiiould proffer, as we are that it is preceptively of God '. For oHr parts, we cannot think that God is ouilding hts Church, tiU we Jee 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 fom the backivardnefi of Paflors and People to the Work. For we imderjlandp-om other parts how heartlefijome are to fuch a Work j and how averfe tboje are that are deeply engaged already in Parties! We hear not of thoje hearty inclinations to Peace, in the party wbofe averjnef jfou mention, as we hoped to have done, Ivhen we camefo near them as we do j 7iot croffing, that we know of, any of their Principles, (though

Jilenctvg

fikncivg fome). They do in feme neighbour Counties z.ealo^y freach againft' us, and cry Aown our way as formal and delusory ; waking the People mte-ve that -we make a Partjh and a Church all one, and that to cafi them out of the Church is to cU^ them out of the Parip'y and that we take in aU that wtBcome, be they ne'ver fo had: Though we have fully told them that we are taking in none, but difcermng who are in ; and lliall cajt out all whom they can fro'vefit to be cafi out. Some Brethren alfo of founder Judgments, do fiand at a difiance^ and wiH not come amongfi us, to tell us the Reafons of it. Some in other Counties, that are zJealous to promote the IVork, do meet with fo much oppo/ition, tergiver-fation, and difcouragerxent, that we hear it is like to hinder it with them. Alfo we find no't that love and peaceable inclination m the exafper&ted ^art of the Epifcopal Brethren, as might be expelled from the Sons of Peace. But the greatest dtfcouragement with tu is from our People : for though through the mercy of God diiers of us have encouragement,yet in mofi places the Alultitude hold off, and will not own as- And though Ged fo orders it, that the worf} do generally keep off tbemfelves, and few but Men feeming to fear God do joyn with MS, yet fome few of the moil z.ealous of our People, m fome places, do hold off, as dtjliking the broadntfi of our way. IVefind it » not only in Doilrinals, but Pratlicals, that mofi are for the Extreams, and the mean pleafetb few, but u cenfured of both. No Party will come to m, unlefwe will rejeS all olher Parties, but them. It is itr thofe dif-engaged Chriflians, that are truly Catholick, and are the Servants of Chrift and not of Men, and that love their Brethren as Chriflians, and not chiefly as of their Party, that the great hope of our Succtfi doth confill : Though fmart Experience may pofjlbly recover fome of the reft. Our hopes depending in this doubtful fiate, we give thanks to God, that he addeth fomewhat to our encouragement by you. We adventured not raflily on what we have done.' It is near a year and half (incewe begun our Confultations. Oitr Profeffion was perufed by BiJJjop Ufher and others: Our Propofitions fcand by many far and near : and all was altered in them that any of them were trended at. Yet it ts far from our ExpeEiations that all fiiouldjoyn only on our Terms: Could we get them to Confultations for Unity and Reformation, and to hold on till they did Jucceed, we had our defire. But indeed wefeefuch exceeding di^ercnce in Men f Apprehenfions, and fuch addiBedne^ to their Party in too many, and fucb » loathne^in others to dilfleafe the People, or weaken their own Intereft in them , and haz^ard part of their maintenance that comes fi-om them ; that we do expeB this Work (Ijould go heavily on j and if it pnve otherwtfe, we ihall afcrihc it to the meer good pleafttre of God, and his extraordinary hleffing : for no diiiibt but all the force will be raifed agamjt it, that the intereft of Satan in the ungodly, the heretical Dividers, the dark imperfeil Saints, can procure. But though our greateft Comforts would lye in- the Succefi ( becaufe we work not for our [elves, but for God and hts Church ) yet we find vtry much ix our upright Endeavours. Indeed we have Experience of much fweetnef^ m the Work : Our very Thoughts and Speeches and Confultations of Peace are fweet. That our Mmds fhould be hereby occafioned to dwell Jo much cnfuch a bleffed Subjed, we find a great advantage to our own Souls j it much compnfeth and calmeth our Minds, and killeth the contrary Corruptions, and difpofetb us to love and tendernefi to our Brethren : So that were we fure to have no other Succefi, we have a plentiful Reward. As our ftudies of Heaven, and preaching of it to our Peo-^ pie, occafionetb juch foretafis that are worth our labour a tboufand fold, fo do the fiudies and attempts for Peace. Brethren, our hearts defire is, that as the Lord hath let fall on you , fome of the fame Spirit of Peace , as on tls his unworthy Servants, that you would joyn with us at the Throne of Grace m profecutionofthis Defign, and follow it bard with Qod and Men, and let us be minded of you tn thofe your Addreffes to God, not only as Chriflians, as you do others, but in ffecial as Peace-makers , that we may proffer in this Work, and the Lord would caU in the Spirit ofDivifton, and command down thofe Winds and Waves that have threatned therumeof his diflreffed Church ; and we hope the Lord will help us to be mindful alfo of you. Truly, it is fweeter treating with God tbim with Men. Tct both mufi be done. And as we defire to refifl all Temptations to Deffondency, jo we hope that the Lord will enable you to break over difcouraging Oppofitions, with fucb fixed victorious Refolution at becomes Men that are engaged in fo fweet a Work, and honoured to be Leaders under fo faithful, omnipotent, and viilorious a General. Tou love not tl^ Work of Piety in general ever the worfe for oppofition j nor would you fjfrceafe as difcou-raged though you had met with more. Let it befo alfo in particular far Unity ami Reformation.

We fliall next give you our Anfwer to your three Queflions. I. As we did purpjfelj leave thefiirft Queflion unrefolved, fo we are loth to put the Queflion to any one Ajfociation, much Ufi to all J left lie either agree not, or agree in Toints that may hinder the IVork, when ws forejee the certain difagreement of others.

7.. T*

2. To yturfecond we fay, hi true that we take our Parijhes for true Political Chw-ches, and we take it as probahle ( m4 fa to be judged by m and others') that all thcfe that con-jlantly fubmif to the Ordinances and Mintfitrtal Offices, are true vifible Mtrnbers^and take themfelves for fitch ; exceft they do otherwije dtfcover their diffent. But bccatife whtrePro-fejjions are but implicit, or Uf expref, we have but a probability, and not a full certainty , that aUfuch Perfons do take thcw/elves indeed for Members , and becaufe whtn we call them to ac(juaint us exprejly, whether they take themjelves for Members, or not, they deny it, or refufe to prafejl it, and fo difclaim it, we now firft dijcern that they are no Members ; either not intending to be Juch all tha while, or 'voluntarily departing now.fre ha've r^ore ajj'urance. of the Truth of our particular vifible Churches, than we have of each Alan's mcm'berpup particularly. For fame do plainly profefthevjfelves Members^ and mofi others da that which amounts to a more ebjcure Profeffion, and which makes them guilty of Hypocrifie, if they tn-tend-nat what they feem to profef : But yet when they contradiS the jeemtng darker Pro-feffion by an open difclairmng tt, then they undeceive us, and ceafe that dijjembling : And Multitudes do openly prcfeji in many places, long ago, that it is their liberty to hear all Men, but they take tis for no Churches, or at leafi they take not themjelves as Members. Befides, when they difclaim our Power over them, they will not come near us to be ijuefiioned,or give any account of their ways, but teUus, We have no more to do with them, than others have wbofe Charge they are not under. Moreover, when they have cafi out themjelves, they are not capable of the fame Cafttng out by as, as thofe that are in \ for it cannot be wholly ab eodein termino. Tetwedonot, asyoufay^refolvetoexercife our Difcipline on thofe only that teflifie Confent j but only agree on no more, leaving the reft to be done as above, and be-yond thu Agreement. '

But that's your third Queflion, to which we fay. That we do not Prop. 18. limit our Publick Cenjures to thofe only that expreJJ Confent, as excluding all others, or refolving not to do it on any others : but only refolving here to'do it. Indeed our Judgment ts, that Jo far as a fcandalotts Chrifiian bath Communion with t*s, fo far he may be caft cut ( not breaking Natural and Civil Bonds). If fame have the Communion of p.irticular Chnrch-Members with us, and others h»ve but the Communion of Chrifiians in Neighbourhood, and ordinary Converfe wherein we have occafiorl to manifeB 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 out of that Church we cannot caft him, when he is not in it. Yet for many Reafons we judged it unmeet to put this lafi into our Agreement. 2. You do miflake otir Reg. lo. 0/ Prop. 19.;» fuppofing that the Profeffim of Confent there mentioned, doth carry in the front of it, a flam refufal of our Difcipline. For if he profefS Confent, we mu(l take htm as a Member, and ufe him accordingly ; and by that Profeffion, he manifefietb Confent to our Guidance arid Difcipline in general j and the thing that he refufeth is only Actual Obedience to a particular Ail of Difcipline, and that after the difcovery of Confent j which any corrupt Member may do.

As for the two Points before mentioned by you, wherein you went not fo far as we, this much we briefly fay, i. Our 19th Prop. Reg. 9. Jfeaks of no Ignorance but what was before exprejfed, viz. of Fundamentals, and that only where we have juft ground of Sujficion of it. 2. We dare not dtjjwade your mutual Affiftance in Pafioral Offices to particular Congregations, where there is no offence taken at it. But if the Congregational Brethrenpould take it as a making your many Churches to be but one particular Church, or a giving the Pafier of one Church a true Pafioral Power, and confe^uently Charge and Duty over othyr Churches, ( which you know Mr. Burroughs in his Irxnic. makes their great Offence), then for Unity and Peace fake, we could wi(Ij you did forbear it.

Brethren, Our hearty prayer is that the Lord would guide, quicken,- encourage, and fuc-, ceedyoW, in this bleffed Work. But the more excellent it ts, the more Oppefition expeB from Men and Devils, and your own Corruption: But the dearer it cofteth you , and the more unrefervedly J ou devote your felves and rejign all you have to God, for the faithful performance of it, the more Comf^r: may you expect from God, and thefweeter will be your revitws J^ it at a dying hour. Brethren, imitate your Lord: Do the Work of him that fent you while it is day ; for the night cometb when none dtn work. Parewel: \

<

Kiderminfter, OtUb. Your Brethren

and fellow Servants,

I'iich. Baxter,

farvis Bryan, in the Name and at the Appointment of the I eft.

Brethren

P A R T IL Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 1^7

Bretirefti

* r> Ecaufe you Dire<fted your Letter to me by Name, I am hold to tell you my

* Jo private Relblution of your firft Queftion. I will do by the Children of Re-

* fufersj as by Strangers ( except I know that they refufe through raeer licentiouf-

* nefe ), 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-*ledgej and Reafons of DilTent, and enquire of their Lives: and on the lame

* Terms I admit Diflenters alfo to the Lord's Supper, 'viz. if there be no Charge ' againft their Lives, and they come to me before hand , and fatisfie me of their

* fitnels. 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 theyc* be fatisfied,

* as I would do for a Stranger.

Tour Brother,

Ri. Baxter.

To our Revertnd and Beloved Brethren the ^JJociated Minifiers in the County of Cumberland.

§jy.Upon the Publication of our Agreement,the Minifters in moft Counties began to take the Bufinefs into confideration; and though feme few of the ancient Presbyterians were againft it, and thought it would bring the Presbyterian Government into Contempt, or hinder the Ejtecuiion of it, when it had been agreed on by fo grave a Synod at IVefiminfter, and eftablilhed by the '■ Parliament, and therefore they rather defired a ftrift 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 a partial dividing Agreement, to agree on the Terms of Presbyterians, Epifcopal, or any one Party, becaufe it would unavoidably fhut out the other Parties; which was the principal thing wiiich 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, ib far as we have attained, Tbil. g. if, 16.

§56. Hereupon many Counties began to Aflbciate, as Wiltjinre, Dorfet[fjire, So-merfeijhire, Hampjliire, Ejfex, atid others: And fome of them printed the Articles of their Agreement. In a word, a great defire of Concord began to poflcls all good People in the Land, and our Breaches feem'd ready to heal. And though iome thought that fo many AfTociations, and Forms of Agreement, did but tend to more Divilion, by fliewing our diverfity of Apprehenfions, the contrary proved true by Experience : For we all agreed on the lame Courfe, even to unite in the pra-dice of lo much of Difcipline as the Epifcopal, Presbyterians, and Independants are agreed in, and as crolTeth none of their Principles: And they that thought the Exprellton of the Churches defires in various words of Prayer in Publick was better than a ftinted Form for all Churches neceffarily to ufe, Ihould not think that the Expreflion of ourConfent to the fame things, is a dividing way, becaufeit is done in various Exprellions: for this Liberty greatly helped Unity : for many a one would have Icrupled Ibme particular words in I'uch an impoled Form of Concord, who yet would accord in the Subftance of the Work.

The Effix Agreement was printed; ( to the fame purpole with ours). The lVtlt[})ire Minifters were io ftriftly held to it by the Independant Party, that they could get thera but to thefe following preparatory Articles:

* \"T 7" E whole Names are Subfcribed, Minifters of the Gofpel in the County of

* y V ff^tks, 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

* 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 feveral

'Con-

* Congregations, 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 Profanenefi among them, have conlented and refolved through

* God's Grace, aild in Expedation of his Bleffing on our weak Endeavours, as fel-

* low Servants to the fame Lord Jefus Chrift the Great.Shepherd of Souls, toac-

* quaint our felves one with another, and to j'oyn together and affift each other to

* the uttermoft in the promoting of Gofpel 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 Effefting whereof we defire and purpofe, if God permit, to meet to-

* gether at Sarum on the 26th of OSlob. i6y3. for the end hereafter fpecified.

* Firft, In fome publick Place on the fame day, where any others, whofe hearts

* are inclined thereunto,may joyn with us by Falling and Prayer to fjek 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 inftruding and

* ordering of our feveral Congregations according to the Word of God.

' Secondly, After the faid Publick Duty dilcharged, to come together more pri-

* vately in (bmc convenient place : And there

'Firft,Jointly and Solemnly, as in the prefence of God, to teftifie our fincere

* purpofe of heart, for the time to come (in dependence upon the Lord's Strength )

* to take heed unto our felves, and to our Doftrine, and to continue therein, that in f doing this we may both fave our felves and them that hear us.

* Secondly, To teftific 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 Ihall 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, Tendernefi and Brotherly Love. Yet faithfully to admonilh one

* another of any Mifcarriage or Negleft which we Ihall know or be daily inform-

* ed of, which in any of us bringeth Reproach upon the Name of God, and his

* Ways, upon the Gofpel and the Adminiftration of the fame. And we ihall all

* of us likewife ferioufly promife, humbly and thankfully to accept of (iich Admo-

* nition from any Brother, as a Fruit of Chriftian Love and Fidelity, and without

* Anger, Clamour or Recrimination, either to clear our felves to the Brother which ' Admonilheth us, being free from the Crime objefted, or elfe endeavour Reforma-

* tion in what we have offended.

' Fourthly, At the lame 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 liich Courfes as conduce to God's Glory, the Good of the

* People.and the Difcharge of our Duty in the place wherein God hath fet us: And

* in this our Meeting we fully relblve 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 ) confcionably

* to maintain and exeicife all Chriftian Obedience to Magiftrates, as an Ordinance 'of God.

' 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 Gofpel ' Truth and Holinels, 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 Affociation, we do agree

* Firft, That every Man at his entering into this Society, tender us a Certificate *of hisPainfuInefs in the Miniftry, and of his Godlinefs in Converfacion under the ' Hands of two godly Minifters at leaft, not of the Society j and of two or three ' godly Chriftians known to fome of the Society: And that all the Certificates be

* brought into,and kept in the Handsof one of the Brethren that by common Con-' lent Ihall be appointed thereunto.

' Secondly, That every Man that cometh into this Society and Agreement be ' defined to exprefs his willingnefs, in cale of any Mifcarriage, whereby he Ihall ' 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 ; Ibfarforth as their ' Reproof and Determination Ihall b; warranted by the Scripture.

f Thirdly,

P A a T IL Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. \6^

' Thirdly, That our Meetings be conftantly began and ended with Prayer to « be made by the Mode.-ator fro tempore, who at the firft Meeting is to be chofen for the Meeting next following, and lo continually for the better ordering of our ^ Meetings and Debates.

* Fourthly, That no private Matters be propounded in our General Meetings ' but by the Moderator, and that not while any Publick Bu/lnefs is in debate witli-'out the ISave and conlent of the whole Society, or the major parr.

'Fifthly, That any Brother that fhall be willing to joyn hereafter into this So-* ciety, may upon ths fame Terms be freely accepted into this Brotherly Agree-' nienr.

The Independant Churches alio in Ireland, led by Dr. ?F?'wrc>-Paflorbftheir Church in Vublm, aflbciated with the moderate Piesbyterians there, upon thefe Provocations, and the Perfwafions of Col. John Bridges ( my Neighbour ) : And thsy lent us together their Defiresof Correipondency, with which our Anfwer is here fubjoyned.

Honoured and Beloved Brethren in the Lord,

IT bath f leafed the good hand of Heaven to bring into our Tarts our much efl-eemed FrienJ Coll. Bridges, in mmh Mercy to us ally and by bim^ as alfo by feveral ether hands to ^ve us fome acquaintance -with the State of Chriffs Affairs among you : tnhich very much obliges us to Sympathife with you according to the jeveral Adminiftrations of Providence, as becomes the Relation of Fellow-members and SubjeSls in ChrilFs ^^m'gdom. Hit Return into your Farts affords us an Opportunity to fgnify the fame, and how much we de-fire to matifcft it by real Dsmonfrattons ; through the good Will of him that dwelt in the Bujl}. In order thereunto, we thought fit to tefitfj our Willingnejs to contribute our utmcjt thrciigh his Affijiance, to the maintaining of a Chrifiian Correfpundency between us, that we may mutually receive and give the Right Hand of Feliowflnp, in a Seafvn of Jo much need. Whiljt the common Enemy is ft ill labouring to divide and dejlroy the Friends ofChrift in aU p.irts, it concerns us nearly to be jo much the more indufttious and aSlive in the promoting cfChrift's Intereft againfi his Power and Policy, the bitter Fruits of uncbrifttan Divi-Jtons we have too much tafted of, and through the Lord's Goodnefs have reaped already Jomc Benefit, from our brotherly Afjociation, whereinto we entered not long ago. The prefint Condition cf God's People ih Foreign Paris, as among us, calls a loud for a more cordial Uniofi and Communion among all Jtich who dcfire to fear his Name. It's therefore our Hearts De-fire, not to be wanting in our Faith and Prayers, Refolves and Endeavours to the fiilfiUins; of thofe exceeding great and precious Truths do eminently centre in thefe latter Days, that Chrift's Friends may receive one Mind and Heart, to (erve him with one Lip and Shoulder. TVe are thereby much encouraged to requeft your Chrifttah Affiftance, and Bro^ therly Correfpondency, that we may all be the better able in our fever al Stations and Relations to promote more vigorouf.y the Intereft of Chrifi and of his People. After the fad pakings of this Land, and his many turnings of things upfide down, the Lord ispleafcdto promije us a little Reviving, and to open a Door of Hope, even in the Valley of Achor: Your favourable help is therefore earnejlly craved, that Ireland ?nay once more partake of the glad Ti-. dings cj Heaven, and the wa?its of fftany Tljoufnid fiarving Souls may befafonablyfupply'd with the Bread of Life. The particular of our Affairs Coll. Bridges will give you a more exacl Account of, and will be ready to convey to as the Signification of your Chrifiian Compliance with our longing Defire. To the Bkfilng of the moft High we humbly recommend the care uftbe fever al Nurjeries of Chrisl among you, that the Plants of his Houfe may fiourifij in his Courts, through the Supplies of Chrifi s Spirit, in whom we cordially de-fire to be and appear

Your afFeiflionate Brethren Dublin '^.M. 8. D. i6j5-. ifl the Bonds of the Gofpel,

July j". to ierve you through Grace^

Sam. Winter Paftor of the Church in Dublin. Claudius Gilbert Paftor of the Church at lAmZnck, Ed. Reynolds M. J. Warren M. Will, Markham. The. Osmonton M. In the Name of the ajjociated Churches of Chrifi in Ireland, Thefe for the Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter, Paftor of the Church of Chrilt in Kidermiitftcr, to be by hiiTi communicated to the (everd Churches of that AlTociation.

Our Aniwer whereto was as follows:

Much honoured and beloved Brethren in the Lord,

WE received your welcome Lines from the Hand of our faithful and much irnoured Friend Coll. John Bridges. It 7mch rejotceth us to hear of your brotherly /•fjocia-tion, and the Succefs, and more, that jottr Hearts are enlarged 7i>ith fuch Defires for the farther promoting of this healing Work ; and that you thus breath after the Vmon of the Saints. It doth not only rejoice us on your own behalf, and on the behalf of that defolate Land where you abide, but alfo on the behalf of the Cliurches in general-^ becaufe we fern to difcern the gracious Thoughts of God unto hts People, in founding a R<?treat to their unbrotherly Contentions, by fending forth that Sprit of Love and Peace, which we know muft build us up if iver we are built: When God was pulling down and laying Wajie, he witheld this Mercy, and let out upon h^ Churches a Spirit of Contention, Bitterne/ and Divifton, which hath gone on to demolifli and break in pieces, and made our own Hands the Executioners of thofe heavy Judgments, which have laid usfe 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 feemedglorious Truths ; and all Motions to Reconciliations were tmfavory things, and rejeBed as a Defeclion from Truth or Zeal, and as a carnal Compliance with the ways of Darknejs j and even thofe that were z^ealouifor Truth and Holmefs were too many of them cold for Peace and Unity,^ reading thofe Scriptures which fo earneftly prefs them, as if they read them r.ot ; never obferving or laying to Heart the ftridl Commands of the Lord herein, as if there had been no fuch TaJJao-es in cur Bibles. But, blejjed be the Lord that begmneth mightily to awaken the Hearts of his Servants, and caufe them to obferve the Truths which they overlooked, and at lafi to lay to heart the Duty fo much neglected. We now hear from many Countries of this Nation, the Voice of the Spirit of Peace ; our Brethren begin to get together and confute of the means of reparing our Breaches, and in many Places are aj/ociated; and though the Work be but beginning, and mightily refr/ted 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 IIS to this Work in vain. And ?ion> by the Tidni^s of your Concord, we have received a?} increafe of thefe our Hopes and Conjolattons. Go on dear Brethren as One in the Centre of TJnity j and prevail in the Strength of the great Reconciler: This is the way that will prevail at laft j and however it be thought of by others will certainly be comfortable to our felves in the review ; when dividing ways will be all difgraced, and look with another Face than now they do : He that is for Vanity and Love is likeH to have his Approbation ovho'is one, and who is Love. Our Hearts are ovith you and our Prayers [hall be for you, 4hat you may abundantly reap the Fruits of Concord, in the ConviBion of Gain-jayers, and the farther Confirmation and Edification of your own. Tour Motion for a Correfpondency we gladly entertain, and jliall rejoice in the AJfiftance 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 ParijJies ( who will not do it in the Congregation ) to our Houfes on certain Days every Week, by turns, to be catechifed or infiruBed as ^lall be 7nofi to their Edification : A Work that requircth fo much unwearied Diligejice, Self-dtnial, and holy Skill, and tt^herein we are like to meet with fo much Refrfrance, and yet doth appear to tis of great neceffttyand ufe, that we earneflly crave your Prayers for fuch Qualifications and Succefies. The State of your Affairs we partly underfiand by the Information of Coll. Bridges ; We heartily pray the Lord of the flarvefl to find forth more Labourers among you^ and could we contribute any thi?>g to Jo good a Work, we fhould willingly do it : But able Minifters fit for the Work with you, are too few, and many of them fo weak of Body, that they are unfit for Travel, andmoH 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 j but Tife hope to be faithful in our Endeavours whatever be the Succcfr. Brethren we crave your Prayers to God that we may be faithful and Succefsful in his Work j as alfo that Brotherly Correfpondency which yott motion might abide ; and we remain

Your Brethren

in tlie Fdith of Chrift,

Rich. Baxter, Teacher of the Church at Kiderniinfter. Jaivis Bryan> Teacher of the Church at Old Swinford.

Henry

\

Henry Oafland, Teacher of the Church at Bewdeley. Andr. Triftram, Teacher of the Church at Clent. Tho. Baldwin, Minifier ^f Wolverly.

In the Name of thi ajjociated Minifiers meeting at Kidcrminflero Aiiguft 12. i6j5.

To the Reverend our much honoured Brother Dr. Winter, Paftor of the Church at Dublin, to be communicated by him to the alTociated Churches in Ireland j Thefe.

They wrote us alfo a Second Letter, which I here fubjoin; Reverend and much valued Brethren,

YOUR jiffeHionate Letter in Anfwer to ours, hy that Honourable Perfon, we have received, and do dejire that thefe Lines may tefitfy our 7hankfulneJS to you for your loving and free Acceptation cf our Difires of a Brotherly Correfpondencjf. Tho/s Vantings of yours for the Feace and Union of the Saints, we doubt not ■will be to your Comfort at the great Day of your Account : Cod u not ttnjuft to forget your Work and Labour of Lovet Gij on therefore, dear Brethren, in his Strength whoje work it is, and of ivhofe Power and Prefence you have had fo great Experience: We trufi as our Hearts are with you, fo our Prayers jhall not be wanting for you at the Throne of Grace.

We thank you for your Joy at our Afjociationand Succefs, and that we flill breath after that happy JFork. Surely if after our long Experiences of thofe woful Defolations that Di-vifions and Difjentions have involved the Sair.ts in, cur Hearts jlwuld not be enlarged after Union and Peace that mujt repair our Breaches, we fljould have Cauje to fujpecl cur Union with, and Love to our Head. We are not ignorant how much the Self-love and Pride of /owe, and the mifguided Zeal cf others cf approved Sincerity, have advanced the Defign of the grand Enemy by over eager and tmbrotherly Bitternef j even in matters circum-fiantial: Neither are we altogether ignorant how fubttlly that old Serpent and Deceiver hath laboured by a pretext of Love, to fwallow up Truth ; it being for a while the only Cry, Love, Love, yet not the lea'sl hint of Truth, which had moFt need of their Charity : being miferably tern and mangled. To which our Charity leads us to fft-tribute the Praije of many of our Brethren, as being unwilling to buy Love with the Lojs of Truth: It is the Apofles Advice that the Truth jlwuld be fpoken in Love, and that we [liould contend earnejily for the Faith once delivered to the Saints.

But 2 hanks be to the Lord God of Truth that hath preferved his Darling from the De-vourer, making the way of Love exceeding aimable bccauje of Truth ; Jo that we trufl it will net lie untrodden by the Lord's People, through circmnfiantial Differences, whilB all hold the Form of wbolefom Words, con/idering one another, and walking together in what they are agreed, and waiting upon the Lord for the revealing of that, wherein they differ i ferfeition being referved for another World.

That there are any Beginnings, and that by yon we hear of more, we earnefily deflre our Hearts may be duly and thankfully affected therewith ; praying the God of truth and Peace to uphold his Truth, and to flwwer down plentifully the Spirit cf Love and Peace, that as the Lord is One, fo his People may be One. i

Tour prefent Work, we are in fame meajure fenfible of its Necejjlty and Weightinefs : Wherefore our Prayers fiiall be for you, that the Lord wbofe Servants ye are, and whofe work It IS would be with you to counfel, encourage, firengthen and proffer you in it, as we crave your daily Prayers for theje Infant Churches, that our God may vouchfafe his Spirit and Prefence to us whofe lot is caft in this WilderneJ^,having many Enemies to conflil} withal from within as well as without ; your Advice and brotherly y^ffi^ance we requeil, as we jhall have Occafwn and Opportunity to communicate our Affairs to you.

Laflly, the deep Senfe we have of the extraordinary want of faithful and able Minijiers to carry on the Lord's Work in this dark Land, together with the daily Lryes from many Places of People that are periflnng for want of Bread, prefjeth us to reneov our former Re^^ueft to you for Help m this Day of our Necfffity; and we are fomcwhat the more emboldned thereto, by the Appehenfton we find you to have of our Condition, however for the prejent you find not how to help us,

Z s Tottt

Jour great Vlenty together with your Ajfociation , and nearveji of Habitat ions makirg your Vaftors attd People as one, befides the Univerjities are with you, ■which ( bleJJ'ed be God) are iveH replenijloed yt/ith many gracious Tlants , to whom your Unamity will doubt-leji be a very great Encouragement to fettle amongfi you ; -whereas our dijtance from them, together with thofe fad Reports which are caB upon this Land, render tts hopehj^ of any confiderable Supply that way. Thefe things we humbly offer as Motives to you for Jfaring fame that may be helpful to m in this Day of our Extream Neceffsty. And now, dear Brg' thren, moH thankfully accepting your Love, we recommend your Perfons,Labours and Flocks to the Care and Overflght of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who u the Chief Shepherd Mid Bijtwp of our Souls, whofe Grace be withyeu. Amen,

Your Brethen, unfeignedly Dublin, Jan, i6th.

i6y J. loving you in the Lord,

Sam. Winter.

The. Hook, '\ r Elders of the Church

Ol. Huchinfon, C / ^^ Chrift in Dublin,

William Markham, r f whereof Dr. Samuel John Price, j C Winter is Pallor.

In tjhe Name and by the Appointment of the reft of the Affociated Churches in Ireland.

§ 37. About this time, Mr. T/ww extolling the Judgment and Learning of Dr. Ralph Brownrigg, Bifliop of Exeter, and advifing me to chuie him as the ficteft Man to treat with for Concord with the Diocefane Party, I wrote to him to that End, and feat with all fome Terms of Concord. He returned me a very kind Letter, profeffing his Willingnefi to prolecute that Work, and withal an anl'wer to'my Pro-polals ; 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 Bi(hop V^her, that every Presbyter is, and muft be a Governor as well as a Teacher of his own Flock; and that fubordi-nate AlTemblies 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 tenacious ot the titular Honours of the Bifhops ( which tiiough I could have confented to my felf, yet thofe times would not permit ) I wrote to him no more, and feeing we were not like that way to attain our Ends, which was a prefent Union with that Party : But had I forefesn what fince is come to pafs, I would hare profecuted it farther, that I might have had more of his Confeffions to teftify againft un-peaceable Men.

The Letter I wrote to him was as follows:

MoH Reverend and much Honoured Sir!

'"T^Hat I an utter Stranger to you fhould make this Addrefi, I fuppofe will be no ' JL ftranger matter to you, than that the Weak fhould feek for help unto 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 my own time being

* fpent in fuch Paper Converle with Men whole Faces I never fiw, hath fomewhac

* hardened me to this Attempt: And 1 know, that as far as you excel me in true

* Wifdom and Humility, lo far will you excel in Condelcenfion to Inferiours,

* and in Readinefs to do good : and therefore I have no doubt of your favourable

* Acceptance of this Addrefi, if there be nothing in the Matter or Manner to hin-

* der.

' I fhall take leave firlt to tell you my General Errand, with the Ground of it,

* and then my Particular one. Nature inclineth ustodefire to know : and Grace ' to delire the right Knowl^d^e of God and of iiis Will; from himfelf only, who

* is the Father of lights, muff we have this Light, and from him by his appointed

* M'jans and RevelatioQS. If I learn not of thofe that God hath taught , but ex-

' petl: all immediately from himl'elf, I may live in Darknels. Where I hear of

* the greateft Revelation from Heaven, thither do I cake it for my Duty to Addrels ' 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 moli emi-

* nately illuminated. And though my Actions may be more ruled by many than

* by one, where they have more Authority, yet my Judgment may be better in-

* formed by one that excelleth in Light, than by many others. While I have ' made enquiry after theie Divine Communications, the concurrent Vote of my

* moft learned, Ibber, judicious Friends hath direded me firft to you, as the Man

* who for clearnels and foundnefs of Judgment, is the Oracle of this our Theologi-' cal World. Though I may Learn of many hundreds, yet did I know where lb ' well to profit, and were ibfirong a Judgment as common as many och^r excellent

* Qualifications, in learned Men, I Ihould have taken up nearer home, and not

* prefumed to have invited you to any trouble. My firft Qiieftion therefore is in

* general, Whether your Mind and Leifure will vouchfafe me the Liberty now and

* then to intrude for the Refolution of Ibme Difficulties; not frequently nor con-

* tentioufly, butfeldomand as a meer Learner. If you are unwilling, or not va-

* cant, fay lb, and rid your felf of this Trouble in a word.

* 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 prelent I (hall try your willingnels in, is in Point ' of Difcipline. I have long been very fenfible of the fad Divifions 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 lb much as the Difficulty of things, io I have thought that if ' there were no greater Hinderance in Mens AfFedlions, than in their Principles, it

* would be an eafie matter fpeedily to Reconcile the moderate Epifcopal and Prel-' byterian Divines. My earneft Requeft to you is, that you will be plealed free-' ly to tell me your Thoughts, how fer this Accommodation following may tend to

' a clofure. m

' I. In every Parilh, where there are more Presbyters than one, let one be the

* Chief, and his Conlent chiefly taken in the Guidance of the Church.

* 2. Let many fuch Churches be aiTociated ( call it a Clajjis or what you will ) :

* and let the fitted ManbeyourPrefident as long as he is fit,that is, during Life,un-' lefs he deferve a Removal.

' 3. Let divers of thefe Claffes meet once or twice a year in a Provincial Aflem-

* 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 jiro tem-' pre, be turned to a ftanding Prefident; nor any on the Epifcopal fide, but that ' ( moft neceifary one ) that every Presbyter be acknowledged a Church Guide,

* and not a tneer Preacher.

' 4. Let it be left to each Man's Confcience, whether the Prefident be called by ' theName of Billiop, Prefident, Superintendent,Moderator,c^c. feeing a Name is

* no meet Realbn of a Breach.

' y. Let no Man be forced to exprefs his Judgment de Jure , whether the Prefi-' dent have a Negative Voice in Ordination or Excommunication, nor whether he

* be diftinft in order, or only in degree, feeing it is not the ummmotts and right belief

* concerning thele things that is of Neceffity ( for then they rnuft have been in our •Creed) but the unanimous and right pra8ice: But let all agree that they will

* joyn in thele Claflicaland Provincial Afiemblies, and then only Ordain, and that ' they will not Ordain but when the Prelident is one, unlets in cafe of flat neceffi-' ty, which is never like to befal us if this way be taken.

' My Queftion now is, Whether the godly, moderate Epifcopal and Presbyteri-' an Divines, on fuppofition that .tl;ey can at prefent come no nearer to each other, ' may not and ought not thus far to clofe j and thus live in Chriftian Love and U-' nity J feeing that we are bound to Concord in Praftice fo far as we agree in ' Judgment: and leeing that if any nearer Cloliire be yet neceftiiry, in fuch Uniced ' Bodies, and Amicable"Alfociations, Affemblies, and Correlpondencies, its moft 'likely to be attained this-way ^ and indeed no other chat I can as yet dif-' eern.

' Thof«-

* Thefe Terms I once propounded to one moft Reverend Prelate now near you,

* who told me, That with moderate Men they might fuffice for an Union, If

* you are of the fame Judgment I fhould have the ftronger hopes j and if you are

* not, I fhall the fooner let them fall.

* Were your leifure fuch as to admit of further trouble, I would crave a word

* for the Refolution of my own Judgment in thefe Points:

* I. I am fatisfied that the Apoftles have Succelfors in all thofe Works that are of ' {landing Neceflity, and that Church Government is one of thofe Works, and that

* its improbable that Chrift ftiould fettle one Species of Church-Government in the

* Apoftles Hands for an Age, and then change it for ever after, and that they that ' affirm fach a Change muft prove it ; and this Argument flicks clofe. But then ' 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 ' Govern the Seventy, or the Presbyters as inferiour Officers, befides the power-

* that they had by the meet intereft of their Gifts, and priviledge of being Eye-' witnefles of the Works of Chrift, and Ear-witnefTes of his Word.

' 2. If the Apoftles Examples will prove the Right of an unfixed Ambulatory

* Epifcopacyjec I would fee how it appears that ever they were fixed to particular 'Churches, or ever any of them had a diftindt 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 Bilhop and Presbytery : but I can yet fae no Evidence that ' this Church for rjo or 200 Years was any more than one Congregation ; like one

* of our Parifhes for number of People : which was Congregate in a City, and

' from the Circumjacent Villages, (as our Independant, or Anabaptift Churches -' now are); while the Multitude were Infidels. I would therefore crave one clear

* Proof that the firft fixed Biftiops ruled any more ftanding Congregations ( having

* ordinary Afferablies and Communion in the Lord'sSupper) than ,one only. And ' ' whether the multiplying of Believers did not make a real Change of the former

' Species of Government, while the Bilhop of the City took on him the Govern-' mentof many Particular Churches, who had but onebeforej and when Bifhops ' fhould have been multiplied as faft as Cliurches were, and as Presbyters were : ' Some Paflages in theeldeft Writers incline me to thefe Thoughts, ofvvhich if they ' be wrong, your Correftion will be moft acceptable. May I crave, if not your ' Solution of all thefe Doubts, yet at leaft your Advice in the firft Cale of Praftice, ' and your Pardon of my Boldnefs, I Oiall undergreat Obligations remain

Kiderminfter in Worcefterlhire A humble Reverincer

June 8. 16) y.

of your great Abilities

and Dignity,

Rich. Baxter.

■ If you return any thing, Mr. Underbill at the Anchor and Bible in TauVs Church-yard will convey it me.

To the very Reverend, and much Honoured, Dr. Brownrigg Bi^op of Exeter, Thefe.

Whereto the Bifliop made this fhort Reply: Worthy Sir,

I Have received your kind and courteous Letter, the Evidence of your very fioas and peaceable Spirit, which I heartily defire may be a Provocation to others to lead them into the ways of Peace.

Sir, Your Efieem of me and of my Abilities is the Errour of your Love, and of thofe that have reprejcnted me to you in too great a Character, (quod non humiliter tanfum fed Sc veraciter dico) only I fhall defire to beferviceable to God and brs Church in what I am able.

Tour

i

Part II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 175

Tour Letter came to my hands at the time of my remo'val from Highgate into the Country, here I ba've continued many Monthi fuffering the trouble and pain of the Stone, ■whtch which hath put me into a long and tedious Courfi of FhyfcL Nov/ I am upon my Journey home-wards^ from whence, God VJiBrng, I will write to you j being truly fenfible of your Religious Endeavours for fo good a Work as the Compofing of thofe woful Rents made in this Church.

The God of Truth and Teace guide m into the Ways of Truth and Peace, to whofe Grace and Bkjfng I do heartily recommend you, reding,

SIR,

Highgate July 3.

i6yy. Your very refpedtful Friend fwho

embraceth your Love, and returns

his to you very heartily,

Ra. Exon.

And not long after I received this Anfwer:

Worthy Sir I

fAm indebted to you for an Anfwer to your In<juiries which I received fi-om you. Jt jhould have been morejfcedy, Imt in truth, I brought from London my crafie and ill-eiffeiied Body, which fince my coming home hath bred me much pain of the Stone, and taken up my time in fujfering thofe Difiempers, and ufing the Remedies prefcribed 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 quarrclfome, but 1 apprehend you as one of a peaceable Spirit, aiming only at the Settlement of our unhappy DiftraBtons. The God of Peace compofe all our hearts to Peace, and make the Rents of our Church to he the Matter of our chief Cornpajjkn. Charitas Ecciefia? omnes omnium Charitates infe compleAitur. Sir, 1 have Jenr you my Anfwer VJrttten with a more legible hand, and with fome regard of eafi to my jelf m tranfcribing ; with my very hearty love recommended and ajjured to you J commend you to the Grace and Blejfing of Almighty God, refiing,

Auftie in Hartfordjhire, Your very refpeftful Friend,

July21. j6ss-

Ra. Exon.

Bifhop Brovpnriggs Anfwer about Government.

Prop. I. "SJ Our fir ft Propojal is. In every PariJJj where there are more Presbyters than one, -^ ht one be the Chief, and his Confent chiefly taken in the guidance of the Church.

Anfw. r. This Cafe is rarely to be found in the Parifhes oiEngland,nor c^n there .,j a iufficienc 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 Aifairs, which (hall be referred to them^ be managed by him that hatii the Pr^fefture of that Parifh , I wifii that in thofe Churches which befide the Incumbent have had Lefturers, this Rule had been obferved.

Prop. 2, Let many (uch Churches be ajjociated (call it a Claflis or what you will) and let the fittefi Man be their Preftdent, as long as he is fit, that ts, during life, unkfS he dejerve tt removal. '

Anjw. 2. This Propolal looks like our Rural Deaneries , or Choriepilcopal Order, wliich hath been laid muchafide, but for the reducing of it, and to make it p ofitable, I wifh that it maybe bounded with fit Canons, preforibing what they may dOj and with intimation from the Bifhop and hislnfpedlion, and that fuch a Dean or Prefident may be continued for Life, that being a means to breed Expert-enc9j if he do not deierve a removal.

Prop, 5,

Prop. 3. Let di'vers oftheje Clajjes meet once or twice a Tiar in a Trovincial Ajjembhf and let thefatefi Man in the Province he thetr fiandivg Prefident.

Anjw. ;.Tliis Couife hath been by Law and Piaftice already ufedin our Church in the Archidiaconal Vifitacions and Synods, which may be more quickened and actuated by fit Canons for their Diretlion ; what and who the Prefident muft be, 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 Redors of Churches.

Prop. 4. Let it be left to every Man's Confcience, V/hsther the Tre/ider.t be called b) the Name of Bijliop, Trefident, Sttpcrtntendent, Moderator^^c. feeing that a NaKH. « no meet Reafon of a Breach, 8cc.

AnfTiJ. 4. If by Prefident you underftand him that muft mode -.ice the Half-year or yearly Synods under the Inlped:ion of the Diocefan, as his Order may be newly framed, ib his Name may be newly impofed; but that the Piimitive Name of Bifliop fhould be turned into a new Name, is, as you fay, no meet Realbn for a Breach 5 and we lee Piesbyters afTume that Name to themlelveSj and to put anew Name upon an old Inftitution is^ as AugKfiine ipeaks in the like Cafe j IndoHis (trture faUaciam doSiis facere injuriam.

Prop. y. Let no Man be forced to ExprefS hit Judgment de Jure, Whether the Trepdent have a Negative Voice in Ordination or Excommunication ; or whctber he be diftin£i in Order or Degree, feeing it is net the unanimous and right Bdtef of thefe things that is of Neceffity {for then they mufl have been in our Creed) but the unanimous and right Praclice ; l>ut let them all agree that they iviU confiantly joyn in thefe CIaffical and Provincial Affem-hlies, and then only Ordain ; and that they will not Ordain but when the Frejident is one j unkfi m Cafe of flat Neceffity, which is never like to befall us if this may be taken-

Anfw. y. If by Prefident you underftand the Diocefan, then that the Billiop fliould be deprived of his Negative Voice in Ordination or Excommunication, and io I conceive in other Cenfures and A6tsof Government, is, to make him a meer Shadow without any Authority,like our Scrutators in our Univerfity, to propounc? Graces, and colled Suffrages, and pronounce Sentence: Surely St. Taul inverted Timothy and Tttits with more Power and Authority, both for Ordination and Cenfures; 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, reftine what was amifs in the Negative.

That Church BufinefTes were Orcier?;d by the Concurrence of more Presbyters befides the Bifiiop in Cyprian's timCj was fit at that time ; when the Government of Church Affairs was Arbitrary, and not Regulated by Law; in which Cafe it was fafeft for the Bifhop to have the Conlent of others with him : This is not ourCale^ vfc have exprels Canons and Laws laid upon Biiliops, beyond which they cannot go, and fo may well be intiufted with the Execution of the Sentence of the Law, the Sentence of the Judge being only Dedarativa & Executiva, and if hetranfgrefstbofe Rules prefixed, he is liable to Cenfiirc. In our Church plurimum legi, minimum E-fijcopo reltntjuttur, as we fee in Civil Matters, one Juftice of Peace hath the Power of Executing the Sentence of a Law or Statute, but no Arbitrary Power granted tohim.

That the BiHiop be diftinft from the Presbyter, whether ordine or gradu , is the Schoolmens Debate, and I conceive may hav^e fuch accord as may not ingender Ifrife.

That Ordination be by the Affiftance 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 liifhops for Ordaining of infufficient Men is moft what an undue Charge: the Law of the Land hath fee that lownefs of fufficiency in Men to be ordained and inftituted, that if a Bi/hop refufeth to give Orders or Inftitution to a Min prefented by the Patron, he is pu-niftiabieby the Judges: As I have heard , Archbifhop Abbot was fined an Hundred pounds in c^le, he did noli adinic a CUrk (b meanly qualified as the Law re-qwires.

Some

Part II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 177

Some other Propofals are added in the End of your Letter.

Prop. r. T Arn fatisfied that the ApojlUs have Succejfor'i in aU tbofe Works that are of X fianding ISlecefity, and that Church Government u one of thofe Works, and that it is tTKfrobable, thatChrtfi (liould fettle one Species of Church Government in the Afo-files Hands for an Age, and then change it for ever after, and they that a§,rm fucb a Change mttjt frove it.

Anfiv. 6. Suppofing what the Apoftles did in ordering of Church Goverhment to be in the Name and by the Authority of Chrift, this AfTertioh I conceive to be very true, and it doth infer a Subordination of all Officers and Members of the Church to the Apoftles, and thole that were their Succeffors. .

Prop.2. Whether the Apafiies had a Power by Office to govern the LXX. and the Tresbf' ters as inferior Officers, befides the Tower that they bad by the meer Inter eB of their Gifts ^ and Privtledge of being Eye Wttnejfes of the Works of ChriBy and Ear WttneJJes ef hte Words.

Anfw. 7. The extraordinary Gifts of the Apoftles, and the PriviSedge of being Eye and Ear Witnefles to Chrift, were Abilities which they had for the infallible Difcharge oJF their Fundion, but they were not the Ground of their Power and A.uthority to govern the Church.

That the Seventy, and fo other Presbyters were inferior to the Apoftles, and under their Government, doth appear to me, though at their firft fending by Chrift, they were immediately fubjeft to Chrift, the Apoftles riot being then eftablifhed in the Government of the Church, but when Chrift authoriled his Apoftles with the Power of Government, Veteftas Clavium was committed to them only, not to the Seventy ; and fo we muft conceive that the Colkdge of Apoftles were inverted with the Government of the Church, and the Seventy not having the Keys committed to them were under the Authority of the Apoftles, and (b were Presbyters to the Apoftles Succeflbrs.

Prop. 5. If the Afoftks Example witt prove the right of ah ttnfixed, ambalatory Epifco-facy^ yet I would fee how it appears that ever they were fixed to particular Charges, or ever any of them had a dtfiini} and limited DioceJI, where the refi had not Charge as well as they.

Anfw. 8. I conceive the Apoftles as Apoftles had an unlimited, and, as you call it, an unfixed, ambulatory Epilcopacy, being lent into the whole World, and noC by Chrift's Inftitution confined to any one fixed Seat; but yet that hinders not, but that by Confent and Agreement among tbemfelves, they might have a Diftri-bution of their (everal Circuits, as it is feen in the Agreement between St. Peter and St. Paul, which as it did not exclude their original Power over all Churches, lb it did accommodate them to a more opportune Difcharge of their FunAion, and accordingly they fetled their SucceftTors in thole Places, not committing to them an univerfal Jurildidion which was a Perfonal Priviledge of their Apoftlelliip.

Prop. 4. 1 am fatisfied that very early after the Apo^les, the common Government cf each Church was by a Btfliop and Presbytery ; but yet I can fee no Evidence that this Church for i jo or 200 Tears was any more than one Congregation, like one of our Parties for Number of People, which was congregated in a City, and fiom the circumjacent Villages ; as our Independant or AnabaptiH Churches now are, while the Multitude were Infidels ; I would therefore crave any clear Proof, that the first fixed Bijlwps ruled any more fianding Congregations, having ordinarily Ajjemblies and Communion in the Lord's Supper^ than one only, and whether the multiplying of Believers did not make <i real Change of the former Species of Government, while the Btjlwp of the City took on htm the Government of many particular Churches, who had but one before, and whether Bi[liops fiwuld not have been multiplied as fafi 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 Succeffors which the Apoftles conftitu-ced ; in particular, 7itus is authoriled to ordain and govern not one Parilh, but the many Churches in Crete. That thofe primitive Bilhops did employ their ordinary Funftion of Preaching and adminftring the Sacrament in their City of Re, fidence, may well be granted, which hinders nor, but that they might have In-fpedion into the circumjacent Villages for ordaining of Presbyters, and other Ad~ miniftrations of Government, and what needed a CoUedge of Presbyters rCfiding in the City with the Bifhop, if they were not lent out by him to officiate in thofe Villages adjacentj as ths Number of Believers required, nor did the multi-

A 5» plying

plying of Believers in the adjacent places require feveral Bifhops in feveral Congregations, independent on the City Bifiiop, but the ordinary Difcharge of thofe Places was committed to them in Subordination to the City-Bilhop, 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 adno'vammateriam.

Thefe Anfwers not changing my Judgment, I made the following Notes upon them.

Ad I. Every Church Trima magnitudinu & fpeciei fliould be as great and no greater, than is capable of PERSONAL Communion, as our greater Pa-rifhes J and every fuch Church had of old a Bifiiop. 0»e Altar and eve BiJIwp was Ignatius's Note of one Church ; and fuch a one may maintain divers Minilters; and the Rich fhould not burden the Church for maintenance, but help freely.

Ad 2. This is a Prefident of a Synod of Bifhops.

Ad 5. I thank you for granting Presbyters to be Church-Re<aors,

Ad 4. If he be bu: a Prefident he is but a Bifhop Vrimi Ordinis(o{ one Churdi^ as the reft : But if he be the ftated Reftor of many Churches, he is really an Arch-bi/hop.

Ad y. This was written when our Diocefane Frame was taken down, to reconcile them that were for, and chem that were againft fuch Bilhops, pro tempore.

If you take liberty to caft off the Example of Cjprww's 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 Pracftice of the Church till Cyprian^ time be not a probable Notice to us what was the Apoftolical inftituted Government .^ If not, why ufe you the Argument of Antiquity for Epifcopacy ? If yea, Qu. Whether Rulers may alter the Apoftolick Inftitution ? and the Office and work of Presbyters may be changed on pretence that now Bilhops can do it without them ? He that ever tryed true Difcipline will find one Parilh big enough for one Man's or divers Mens right Performance of it, and Six hundred or a Thoufand Parifhes too many.

Alas! do you think it Lawful to ordain infufficient unmeet Men, if the Law of the Land fo command you ; what then are Chrift's Laws for ?

Ad. 6. Here I granted you the major of your grand Argument for Epifcopacy.

Ad 7. The Apoftles Superiority of Power I deny not j 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 8. I. DefaBo it is no where proved truly that the Twelve or Thirteen Apoftles did by confent limit their Provinces; But contrarily, that they Officiated together at JerMfakf/i] and Teter (if at Rome, as fome think he was) and Fatdin the fame Diocefs at ilowe, &c. and Paul and John atEphefus, and Timothy aKo (as is (aid ).

2. If they had, this had been no fixing any more DiocelTes in the World than Twelve or Thirteen; and whoever fince pretended to fiicceed them in thole Twelve or Thirteen Diocelfes ?

3. And if following Bilhops or Princes fixt Dioceffes, that is no divine nor ua-alterabie Law.

4. We never read that an Apoftle claimed any Diocefs as proper to him, or forbad any other to officiate in it, or blamed them for fo doing.

y. It is certain that while they went themfelves from Country to Country, they fixed Bilhops to every Church or Ciry, AB. 14.2?. Tit. i. y, 6.

Ad 9. I. The Apoftles fixetl not Bifhops of the loweft Rank, Vicatim nor Re-gionattm, but in ewrji Church, which was then in every City where were Chriftians J even the fime Church that had Deacons and Presbyters fixed.

2. Bifhops preached to Infidels to whom they were not Bifhops, but Preachers.

5. The Chriftians of neighbour Villages came to the City-Church ; and when thev had Oratories or Chappels there, it made them not another Parifh ; and excluded not fuch from perfonal Communion with the Bifhops Church, nor extended

ed to fuch as by Diftance or Numbers were uncapable ot luch perfonal Communion.

4. Titos was either an ambulatory Evangelift, to go about as the Apoftles, gai-thering and Setling Churches (as I think); or if fixed, he was an Archhifhop, who was to fettle Bifliops under him in every City ( as Dr. Hammond judged ). it foUoweth not that a meer Bifhop may have a Multitude of Churches, becauiean Archbifhop may, who hath many Bifliops under him.

5-. As the Magnitude of human Body, fo alfo of a particular Church, hath its Limitation luited to its Ends: Communion by Delegates or Officers only, is the Cafe of many Churches alTociated : But Perfiml Communion in Dodlrine, Wor-Ihip, Conversion and Dilcipline is the End of each particular Church, and it you extend the Form to more than are capable of that End, even to many fuch Societies, by fo doing the Species is changed.

§ ;8. About this time a reverend learned Brother, Mr. Martin Jobnfon, being of the Judgment of Dr. Hammond and Dr. Gunning, and yet a Lover of all hone(l-, jieaceable Men, and conftant at our Meetings, Ledures, and Difputations, was pleafcd to write to me about the Neceffity of Epifcopal Ordination : 1 maintained that it was not neceffary ad ejje Eccle/ia, and that he might be a true Minifter who was ordained by Presbyters, and that in Cafes of NeaJJity it was a Duty to take Ordination from them : He oppofedthis ( with Modeily and Judgment, being a very good Logician^ till at lalt he yielded to the Truth. Thele Letters with their Anfwersare added in the Appendix. ^

<5 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 juftihe the Silencing of ail the Minifters that were afterward put out. Oliver Cromwell, who then ufurped the Government, being defired by fome to forbid all Minifters of all Parties what-Ibever to officiate , who were notorioufly infiifficient or fcandalous, taketh hence Occafion to put in with the reft all thole that took part with the King againft the Parliament, and io by offending them, hindred our Agreement with them ; which provoked me then to proteft againft ir, and publifti my Judgment againft the hindering of any Man to preach theGo'pel upon the Ground of fuch Civil Controvcr/ies as thole.

§ 40. And about the lame time, Experience in my Paftoral Charge convinced me th.it publick Preaclring is not all the ordinary Work of a faithful Minifter, and that perfonal Conference with every one about the Pardon rhe tediouf-State of their own Souls, together with Catechifing, is a Work of nsfs of three or four very great Neceffity : For the Cuftom in England is only to catechile Seffions, which repeat the younger fort, and that but by teaching them the Words of the m^d?ne?before'-te' Catechilm in the Liturgy, which we thought ( befides the Dod:rine caufe it is here pu^t in as of the Sacrament) had little more explicatory than the Words them- part of my Pacificatory felves of the Creed, Lords Prayer, and Decalogue : Therefore I pro- Endeavours only. pounded the Bufinefs to the Minifters, and they all ( upon Debate ) conlented that I fliould turn our brief Conl'effion into a Catechifm, and draw up a Form of Agreement for the Pradifing of that Duty :I drew up the Catechifm in Two leaves in 8w. comprehending as much as \s neceffary to be belte'ued, confentedto and praBifedj 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-ftice, which might engage the more remifs to go through with the Work : And when I brought it in, it was conlented to and fubfcribed; and many neighbouring Minifters of other Countries delired to join with us ; and we printed the Catechifm and Agreement together,

§ 41. Of all the Works that ever I attempted, this yielded me moft Comfort in the practice of it. All Men thought that the People efpecially the ancienter fort, would never have fubmitted to this Courle, and (b that it would have come to nothing : But God gave me a tradable willing People, and gave me alfo interefi in them ,• and when I had begun, and my People had given a good Example toother Parifties 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 (elf, took fourteen Families every Week ; thofe in the Town came to us to our lioules; thofe in the Parifh my Affiftant went to, to their Houles ( befides what a Curate did at a Chappelry ) : Frft they recited the Catechifm to us (a Family only being prefent at a time, and no Stranger admitted ) j after that I firft helpt them

A a z to

to underftand it, and next enquired modeftly into the State of their Souls, and laftly, endeavoured to let all home to the convincing, awakening, and refolving of their Hearts according to their feveral Conditions j bettowing about an Hour (and the Labour of a Sermon ) with every Family ; and I found-it foefFedual through the Bleding of God, that few went away without Ibme leeming Humiliatioo, Convidion, and Purpofe and Promife for a holy Life, and except Jialf a dozen or thereabouts of the mofl: ignorant and (cnfelels, all the Families in the Town came to me ; and though the firlt time they came with Fear and Backwai dneG, alter 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 iet upon it, I printed the Sermon prepared for that ule, with necelTary Additions, containing Reafons and Directions for this Work, C in a Book called The Refortmd Pajlor ) which excited fo many others to take the Courfe that wc had taken, that it was a far greater Addition to my Comfort, than the profiting of the Parifli or County where we lived : Yea, a Reverend Paftor from Sivitztrlajid wrote me word, that it excited them to Thoughts of pradifing it there, though the dulnefs of fome Palters and the backwardnefs of the People were their great Difcouragements.

§4 J. But all thele Beginnings which fo comfortably fmil'd upon us from all parts of the land, were clowded and obftrudied by the proud Corn-Though the Con junai- motions, and rebellious unquiet Humour of the Fanaticks; efpecial-meTo fpeak togethe" of ^Y '^^ MiUwry Anabaptids; who thinking it lawful, becaule it feem'd tliefe things, yet the to let up their Se<5l, did oppofe the Miniftry and trouble the Peace of matter of this Seftion the Nation, and raife Stirs againfi: all fetled Government, even againft T^ ime about "tfvo^or ^^^ Ufurper whom they had themfelves fet up. And when Cromwell three Tcars^after""that "'^s '^^^d they fet up his Son, and pulfd him down again, and fet up wliidi foUoweth. Others, and pulfd down them, and never cealed rebelling and over-

turning all before them, till they had not left theiulelvesa Bow to {land upon. And Harrijons Party in the Conventicle called, The Little Parliament, as they caft out all the Miniflers in Wales at once (who though very weak and bad enough for the moft part, were better than none, or lb few Itinerants which they fet up ) fo they attempted and had almoft accomplifh'd the lame in E7:gland: The Independents thought that the Parifhes were no true Qhurches, and the Anabapcifls thought that thole baptiled only in their Infancy, were no Chriftians ; and lb that they might have true Churches and Chriftians, many In-dependants lecretly, and the Anabaptifts openly promoted the Ejedion of all the In Jan. parirti miniiters in Englajid at one Vote, that lb they might (et up the bed of them 1559. the agajj^ in an other way, to make Men Chriftians, and gather New Churches, fce'of I'ar- "'hich they 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 liich \ others, who lent forth many railing Words and Pamptilets, and the Scope of all was

againit the Miniftry (which yet got ground even in thele licentious times, and prevailed againit them, and carried on their Work ) : This was Ibme Diverfion to us, while 1 and others were fain to difpute againit Anabaptilts, and Quakers, and Seekers, and to anfwer their railing Invedives, and to build with our Weapons in our Hands : So that ( befides my Writings againft them ) I feldonv preached a Lerture but going and coming I was railed at by a Qaaker in th'e Marketplace in the way, and frequently in the Congregation bawled at by the Names of [" Hireling, Deceiver, falfe Prophet, Dog,] »nd fuch likeLanguge : But allthis in the IlTue furthered our Work.

§4j. Before this there were two very fober Men in Londo7> (Mr. Lamb and Mr. Alh'M ) who were Paltors of an Anabaptilt leparated Church ; The Wife of one of them ( an extraordinary intelligent Woman ) wrote me a Letter that her Husband was in troubled Thoughts ( not about Anabaptiltry, but) about Separation upon that account, and that if 1 would writeto him now, it might do him good ; which 1 did, and gave him many Arguments to prove that though he Ihould contimre in his Opinion againft Infint-B3ptilrn,yet he ought not to make it a Reafon of denying Communion with his Brethren of another Mind. Thele Arguments met with Thoughts of his own that tended the fame way, and in concUi-

flOB

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fjon he was iatisfied : Afterwards the fame Woman perfwaded me to try with Mr. Allen alfo ; who in conclufion was fatisfied : And they diffolved theJr Church. When this was done, the Men being of extraordinary Sincerity and Undcrftand-ing, were V€ry zealous for the redu(5lionof their Brethren of the Anab.iptilts way t And to that end they had a Meeting with divers of the mod moderate Paftors of the Rebaptized Churches: And they defired my Propofals or Terms on which we might hold Peace and Communion with them. I ient them thefe Terms^and they entered into ConfuUation of them, and were in a very hopeful way of Agreement C 1 faw no likelyhood of the contrary ) : And fuddenly the Broils of tlie Army , pulling down Richard Cromwell, and Jetting up I know not what, and keeping all in Confufion, broke off all our ConfultationSj till the King came in : And fince then Men dare not profecute the Agreement, left they be taken as Confjsirators, that do it in preparation to a Plot ; lb unhappily are the Affairs of the Church oft croffed, by Secular Interefts and Divifions in the World. But thefe two Brethren at laft calt off their Anabaptiftry alfo, and are now more zealous than other Men againfl Independency and Separation, by how much the more they fmarced by it. The Terms of Agreement here enfue, with a lliort Difputation preparatory thereto. The Letters that pafs't on this Occafion betwixt Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Lam^ and Mr. Allen, are inferted in the Appendix.

Whether it he our Duty to feek Peace with the Anabaptifts ? Feb. 2?,

Becaufs I conceive it no very difficult matter to refblve this Qiieftion, I fnail the more briefly difpatch it. Only two Terms do need fome Explication :

1. What we mean by Anabaptijh ? We do not here ule the word with an intention of Reproach ; for that doth lefs befee n a Difputation of Peace ; but we are fain to make ufe of it, as that Name by which that fort of Men are already commonly known, and diftinguifhed from all others; as not knowing otherwife how to fpeak intelligibly of them, without ufing Defcriptions and Circumlocutions in-Jtead of well-known Names or Titles , which would be contrary to the Common Rules of Dilcourfe.

The Perfbns called by that Name in General, are all that are for the Baptizing of thofe who were baptized in Infancy, as fuppofing it null or unlawful. Of thefe there are more Subdivifions than I will undertake to enumerate : As to our prelent purpofe it may fuffice us to take diftifid notice of thefe four forts of them; i.Thofe that only deny Infant Baptifm, and are for the Neceffity of Re-baptizing. z.Thofe that upon this account do alfo 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-lours, either Telagim or Antinomian, or any other, which yet do not fb overthrow the Foundation, but that thePerfons holding them may be faved. 4. Thofe that had fuch Errours as are inconfillent with a true Belief of the Fundamentals, and confequently with Salvation. And among the three former forts,we muft diftinguifh between thofe that are peaceable, temperate, and willing of Communion with us, and that endeavour not the ruine of the Church in their praAice : and thofe that are unpeaceablCj and refufe our Communion, and let themfelves to root out the Miniftry, or to deflroy the Faith or Church of Chrift.

2. The word Veace fignifieth feveral things, according to the leveral forts of Men that we are related to, with whom wemuft feek it; i. There is a Peace of bofbm Friendfhip; and this we owe not to many of the Saints themfelves: For of bofbm Friends we muft have but few. 2. There is a Peace of Adtual Communion in the WorJhipof God, as Members of the fame particular Church: Thus we owe not to every Chriflian ; though fincere in the main.. 5. 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 Conmion Good. 4. There is a Peace which is common to aJl profeffed Chriftians, Members of the Univerfal Church, though perhaps of no particular Political Church. 5. There is a Peace to be kept with fbber 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 prefent Queftion, in thefe following Propolitions: Premifing that i. It is not the Peace of bofom Friendlhip that the Queftion intendeth; and Ergo, we need not ffand 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.

Prep. J,

Prop. I. We may not have that Peace which u proper to Chri[Hami much hS that tvhich js froper to Chrifiians in Church-Order, with any that deny the Ejjentiah ofChrifit-anity. ,

Prop, 2. As for thofe Anabaptifts that in zeal for their Opinion do endeavour the Extirpation of the Mmifiry, or of thofe of thefn that are aguinii thar Opinions, or any otbtr TV ay do attempt that -which ■would tend to the ruine or great damage of the Church, ivemay not have that Peace and Communion with them m with inoffenfive Rrcthrent hut mujf ad-monijh them as fcandalom and grop Sinners, and avoid them, tf after due admonition the^ deftjl not^ and repent not.

Prop. 3. Thofe that deny the Divine Infiitution , or prefent ExiHence of Minifiry, er TVor(hip 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 he-caufe their Doilrine is of heinom Con/e^aence, as tending to the defiruQion of all Church-Order, Worflnp and Commttmon, we mu(l rejecl them, tf they Jliall teach it after due Admonition.

Prop. 4. As for them that think it unlaivful to have Communion with us , unle^ we will renounce our Infant Baptijm, and he rcbaptized, vie cannot have Communion wtth them, in that Cafe, though we would ; hecaufe they rcfufeit with its.

Prop. y. We cannot lawfully difown the Truth of God, nor own their Errours for Communion with them ; nor may we yield for any fetch Ends to be rebaptizcd.

Prop. 6. We may not lawfully be Members of a Church of Anabaptifts , feparated on that Account from others, (^nor of a7iy 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 Mifiakes. Except it were in a cafe of Necejfety, ( as if fucb a Church were removed among Infidels or grefe Htreticks ) where "ive could have no better Communion in worfeiippmg God,

Prop. 7. If any one that Erreth but in the bare Point of Infant JBaptifm, or other Errours that feibvert not the Chrifiian Faith, (t)all yet take it to be his duty to propagate thofe Errours, it will be the duty of every Orthodox Minijier, when he hath a Call and findtth it NeceJJary, to defend the Truth of fuch Errours, and to endeavour the efeabliptng of the Minds of the People, and not to let them go on without Controll or ContradtlHon, lejt he be guilty of betraying the Truth and Peace of the Church, and the Souls of the People who are ufetally forelj endangered hereby : The like mufi be done by Private Chrifiians private!/, or according to their Places and Capacities.

So much for the Negative ; The Affirmatives follow.

Prop. I. The Common Love which is due to all Men, and the Common Peace which mufi be endeavoured with all, must be held or endeavoured as to them that deriy the Efjen-tials of Chrifiianity. But, as is before faid, this is not it that the Quefiion doth intend.

Prop. 2. It is our Duty to do the befi we can to reclaim any Erroneous or Ungodly Ter-fon from his Errour or Iwpiety, that fo they may he capable of that further Love and Peace a7id Communion with vs, which in their prefent fiatt they are uncapable of.

Prop. 3. Thofe that believe not feme Points that are ncceffary to the Confiitution or Communion of Political Churches, if yet they believe in Chrifi j and worflnp God fo far at they know his Will, and live uprightly, may he true Chrifiians , and fo to be efieemed, even when they make themfelves uncapable of being Members of any Political Church.

Prop. 4. Some Anabaptifis and others that make themfelves uncapable of being Members of the fame particular Churches with us, or of local Communion in God's WorJJjip, mayydt be acknowledged to be Chrifiian Societies, or truly particular Political Churches, though in ■ tantum corrupt, and fenfuUy feparated. I mean this of all thofe that differ not from tss tn any Article of our Creed or Fundamental of Chrifiian Religion, nor yet in any Fundamental of Church Policy: As e. g. thofe that only re-baptize and deny Infant Baptifm, or alfe held fomc of the le(S dangerous Points of Antinsmianifm or^elagtanijmh but withal hold all the I'lmdamentals neccjjary to Salvation, and Church PoRcy or Communion.

Prop. <). If any Perfon difelaim his Infant Baptifm, and be Re-baptized, and then having • fo fatisfied his Con(cicnce, Jliall continue his Communion yiith the Church where he was a Member, and not feparate from them, and Jliall profef his rpillingnefe to embrace the Truth -J as Joon as he can difeern the Evidence of it, and Jhall live piaceably and inoffenfively under the Over fight of the Church-Guides, we may not Exclude fuch a one from our Communion, but mull continue him a Member of that particular Churchy and live with him in that love 0nd peace as is due to fuch. < -.

Prop. 6,

Prop. 6. Iffttch an ene fltould aljo mi(iakt it to be bis Duty, fubUcklyto enter his DiJJent to the DoBrine of Infant Baftifm, and fo to aojuiefce, and live quietly under the cver/ight of the Miniftry , and in the Communion of that Church, be ought not to he rejected.

Prop. 7. It is our Duty to invite thofe called Anahaptifis now among us, to loving familiar Conferences ; of furfofe i. To narrow our Vtjfercnces as far as is ffjfble, by a true fiating of them, that they feem not greater than they are: 2. And to endeavour, if toffibk yet to come nearer, by reSlifysng ofMifiakes : 3. And to confult how to improz'e the Principles that we are aU agreed in, to the Common Good, and to manage our remaining Differences in the mofi peaceable manner, and to the leafi dtflurhance or hurt of tht Chmch.

Here come in two more Queftions to be refolved: i.How Jhouldfucb an Attempt be managed? 2. What hope is there of SucceJ!?

For the firft, I ftall briefly give in my Thoughts in fome Direftions.

DireB. I. Let the Attempt be made with none that deny the Principles of Chri-ilianity or Ghurch-Communion ; but with thofe only that Err j and have fiich 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 willingnels to prefer thefe before any private Interefts of their own or any o-thers.

5. Let prudent hands draw up all thole Points wherein we are agreed ( leaving the Difference no wider than it is), and let thefe be all fubfcribed to by each Party.

4. Let all thefe Points wherein we are agreed be publifhed in our feveral Congregations, that the People may not, by our difagreement in other things, be daggered in thefe, nor make that their pretence for any ungodly Principles or Prafti-ces; but may be the more alhamed of them, when they fee they are condemned by us all.

f. Let us next agree to make thefe Common Truths the common and ordinary Matter of our Preaching, and endeavour with our firft andgreateft diligence to promote them, and to perfwade all our hearers to do the like.

6.Let each Party openly dilbwnall thofe that rejed the great and commonTruths, though they may agree with us in thofe Particulars wherein we oppofe each other. And if they be intolerable Errours which they Err in, let us renounce their Communion.

7. Lee 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 neceffary Rules for the moft harmlefs managing of thefe Differences; that the Common Truths and the Souls of Men may be as little hazarded 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 fuch Terms as thefe following.

1. Let there be no withdrawing from the Miniftry and Church of that Place upon the meer ground of Baptifm. If the Minifter be an Anabaptift,let not us with° draw from him on that ground, and if he be a Px'dobaptift, 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 ftiil bound to con-tradiA him, or withdraw; but having once publickly entered his diffent to that Dodrine, and protefted that his Prefence and Patience doth not fignifie an Owning of it ( if his Confcience urge him to go (o far), let him afterward acquiefce and walk refpedfully, lovingly and obediently to the Faftors 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 profeffion 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 profefs their willingnels to do it to the utmoft of their Intereft and Capacity, and de-fire God to accept them and blefs them.

i. Lee

r. Let thole that are for Infant Baptifm profefs that a Perfonal Faith and Re-pent.ince is of Necefltty to the Salvation of all that live to years of Difcretion, and Baptifm without it will not ferve the turn.

6, Let 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 Lord's Supper.

Thus far in Confiftency with the Principles of the Moderate, we may yield to each other,and fo hold Communion in the fame Congregations : and the pradice of this doth belong moft to the People.

But for thofe that joyn Separation to Anabaptifm, yet if they be any thing moderate ( 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 leaft wrong to the Church and Common Truths.

R. I. Let us promiie to go no further from each others Communion, than after ferious Confideration, our Confciences fhall tell us it is our Duty to do.

2. 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 (aved, 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 difpute) which I Ihall 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.

5", If any of each others Flock fhall reproach or difown their Minifters and the Churches they are of,meerly becaufe of their Judgment about Infont Baptifm,letthe contrary part, having opportunity, reprove them ftarply,and help to humble them, and bring them to the Confeflion of their Sin, and to Reformation; thatfo proud, unruly, ungodly People may not take ftelter under either Party by the means of any fa(5J:ioufnefs or partiality of ours.

6. Let us never intrude into each others Charge without the Paftors Con-lent.

7. Let us agree that we will not preach for or againft Infant Baptifm, when our Confciences tell us that the Peoples ignorance of greater 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 Baptifm, as Confcience will permit J and particularly let that which herein wc account the Truth, have but its due proportion of Our Time, compared with the multitude and gieatnels 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 fpeak for our Opinions; that we make not each other uncapable of doing the People good.

2. As to the fecond Queftion, What hope of SucceJS ? I Ihall not prefume to determine it: Let every Man conjefture as he feethCaufe ; for my own part, I am not quite out of hope,offome mealureof Succelswithfbme few particular Perlbnsj but my hopes are very low as to the generality.

ObjeA. I. It ti not our Duty to attempt a Work where there is no hope ofSuccef.

Anjw. The Cafe is not (b defperate as to SKCuIe us from the Duty: A poflibility with the leaft probability may ferve to oblige us.

Objed. 2. What.' Jhall we cotifint to the Exclufion of Infants fiom their Churches ?

Afij'v. No J but confent to improve the common Truths, and perform our Duties even to (uch as differ from us in this.

Objed:. ^. There it not one of an hundred of them that will confent to thefe Terms.

Anjiv. If they will not, who can help it ? when we have tried them,we have done Our Duty, and left them without Excufe.

Objeft. 4. Shall wc confefi a Schifmatical Church for a true Church ?

AnJw. Every Schifm nuUeth not the Church or Miniftry that is guilty of it: ells moft ot the Churches in the World were nulled: If they rejeft the Eflentials of a Church they are none.

- ' ' Obie<a. s.

Obje<ft. y. Baptifm u EjJ'ential to a Church : The Jfofile, Heb. 6. i. futteih it amovg the Principles.

Av[w. I. It is only the thing fignified by Baptifm that is Eflentia!. 2. The A-poftle c.ills it a Vrinctpk, becaufe it is one of the firft things taught j but not becaufe it is Effential to a Church. 3. The Anabaptifts have Baptifm in theif Churches, though not of Infants.

Objed. 6. Tu make a League with Schfmatich, is to he guiUy of their Schifm. Anpv. True, If by that League you own, approve, or confent to their Schifm ; But not by agreeing with them to perform Common Duties.

Objeft. 7. J bey are undermining the Church and Minijiry, and Jliall we feek fence with fuch?

Anfw. I- Thofe that 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.

ObjecS. 8. They are guilty of their Infants Damnation , as much as in them lyetb, by vot believing their part m the Covenant, nor dedicating them to God.

Anfw. They virtually confent for their InfantSj in that they would adually do it, if they knew the Promife.

Objeft. 9. They are under God's vifible DiJ^leafure. Ergo, e^c, Anfw. So far as God difowneth them, wemuft do fo, but no further. Obje(S. 10. IVe'JhaU be reproached as complying 7vith them. Anjw. Slanderous Tongues cannot excufe us from plain Duties. Object- 11. Thofe whom we pwuld Excommunicate we may not have Communion with: But the Anabaptffis Jliould be Excommunicated j Ergo, &c.

Anfw. I deny the Minor taken of fuch Anabaptiftsas we have now in queftion. ObjeA. 12. It a a fcandalous Sin tmrepented of

Anjw. I. So is many a greater Errour, which Men muft not be Excommunicated for. 2. It is virtually repented of j (eeing if they knew the Evil of it, they would repent.

Objed. I J. 2o« would have a loofer Difcipline than the Prelates or Fapifis: for they woulUnut Communicate with Anahaptifis.

Anjw. I. 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 wlioChrift is, whether God or Man ? nor many other Fundamentals. 'Ergo, Their Difcipline is far looler than I defire ; but too partial alfo.

The Anabaptifts objeft j We are bound to propagate the Truth, and if yeti will have Communion with tfs, you mujl he baptized.

Anfw. I, You are bound to propagate firft the greateft Truths, that Salvation Iy» eth on," and to do nothing that may hinder this, by promoting your own Opinions.

2. If you rejed Communion with all but Anabaptins,you rejed all the Church through moft Ages of the World. And no Church no Chrift: and no Chrift no Chriltians, nor any Salvation.

5. Blame us not, if we be not eafily brought to your Opinion , if we had but thefe Reafons.

1. You confefs ( no thanks to you ) that Infants were once Church-Members by God's appointment: and have never yet proved that he caft them out again. And we muft have good proof of that before we can be latisfied with your way.

2. We cannot be hafty to believe an Evil; and we know that it is a fad Penal E-vii for Infants to be put out of the Church : And Ergo we will have proof of it, before we believe it.

5. It muft be no eafie matter with us to believe, that the Head and Shepherd of the Church hath defailohad a Church of a falfe Conftitution, as to the very Materials, and Enterance, from the beginning to this day, except a few within this twenty years that troubled it in a Corner of the World ; and that now in the end ^ of the World, we muft exped a right Conftitution , as if Chrift had flept, or re- * garded not his Church, or been the Head of a Body which he difowned : We cannot haftily believe liich thing?. I fay again. No Church, no Chrift j 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.

Bb 'A»

lS6 '^he L I F E of the L i b. J.

An Offer of Chrifiian fraternal Commumon to the Brethren that, are againji , or doubtful about , Baptix.ing Infants of ;Be= liei/ers.

IT is our exceeding joy that we have all one God, one Saviour, one Spirit, ohe Faith, and one Baptilinal Covenant, one Rule of Faith and Life, ons End and flope, and are Members of one Catholick Church, and agree about God's Wor-fhip in the nioft 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 hindered, our holy Communion and mutual Edification difturbed, cUr Minds difcom-pofed, and the Gofpel, the Catholick Church, and our Saviour dilhonoured. Lamenting this with the reft of our Unhappineis while we are in the Flefti, and ab-fent from the Lord the Centre of Perfed Unity and Concord, and knowing it to be our Duty to walk by the fame Rule,and mind the fame things ib far as we have attained, and being taught of God to love'one another, and obferving hoyi' frequently and urgently Brotherly Love, and Forbearance, and the Unity and Concord of Chriftians, is preft in the holy Scriptures, and Uncharitablenefs and Di-vifions condemned, that as far as may be, we may promote our Common Ends of Chrillianity, and with one Mind and Mouth may glorifie God, We whole Names are under-written do make this ibllowing Offer of Communion.

1. To all thofe that joyn with us in the foregoing Profedion of the Chrifiian Faith, and have been Baptized fince their Infant-Baptifm, as thinking it unlawful or inlufficient, we offer free Communion in our particular Churches, with leave to Enter your diffent fiom our hifdnt-Baptifin into the Church Regiller or Records, fo be it you will thence-forth walk in that Love and Holinefs, and that O-bedience to the faithful Overfeersof the Flock, and that Concord'and Brotherly Communion with the Church , as is required in the holy Scriptures ( according to your power j, and will refill Uncharitablenefs, Difcord and Divifions, and joyn with us in our Common Woi k for the Common Ends.

2. To all thofe that joyn with us in the foregoing Profeflion of Faith , though they have been baptized lince their Infant-Baptifii , or think that Baptiliu unlawful, and dare not hold Local Communion with us in our particular Churches, we yet offer, that we may at that diftance ^hat our Infirmities have let us, maintain unfeigned Brotherly Love, and acknowledge our (everal Churches for Chriftian Congregations, and hold a Correfpondcncy by Delegates or other convenient Means, for the ftrengthening of each other 5 and obferve the Rules expreft in the folbwing Offer.

2. To all thofe that joyn with us in the foregoing Profeffion of Chrillianity , 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 , i. That we may acknowledge each other for Members of Chrift , ( fuppofing the forefiid Profeffion of Chri-ftianity to be Iblemnly and credibly made ) and Members of the Church Univer-lal. 2. And that we may converle in the World together in a faithful Oblervaoce of thefe following Rules.

1. That yve addiA our felves heartily to the promoting and exercifing of Brotherly Love towards one another, and take heed of all things contrary thereto in Word and Deed.

2. That we nddift oui (elves to preferve the Unity of the Church Catholick, . and Concord of true Chriftians, and the Common Intereft of the Godly, and to

farther the Caufe of Chrift in the World, and take heed of (6 managing our dif fcrent Opinions as may be a hinderance to thele.

3. That wc ftudy and addid our felves to promote the CDnverfion 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 oppofingone another,wefliould hinder theio Works, hardening the Wicked, and offending the Weak.

4. That we always in our elkem and indultry prefer the greater common Truths that we arc all agreed in, before the lelTer Points that we differ in : And that we take heed of ib 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.

J. That we publiHi our Agreements, and profefs our Chriftian Love, and Re-fblutions for l^eace in our (everal Congregations, and profels thsre our joync dif-. owning and detefVation of all Errours, Herefies, and Ungodlinefs, contrary to the Profeflion wherein we are agreed.

6. That we will not preach publickly for our differing Opinions in each, others Congregations without the Pallor's conlenr, nor privately to (peak 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 Parishes, which fiiall be more to the diftracSing of each others Societies, than for common Chriftian Edification.

7. That in our Preaching and Conference, we will allow the greater and common 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 fhall be injurious to thofe Truths. . •

8. That we will avoid in Publick and Private aJl unbrotherly, fcornful, reproachful Speeches of each other j efpecially before ungodly People : And that we will not to them diflionour one anothers Miniftry, foas may hinder their profiting by it, but will rebuke all fiich ungodly Perfonsthat we hear reproaching the Mini-Ifers or Brethren of either part.

9. That we will not receive into any of our Churches, any Scandalous Perfbna that fly from the Difcipline of other Churches, arid pretend a Change of Opinion to cloak their Scandals, but will impartially hear what Accufations fliall be lent in againft them, and proceed accordingly.

10. That we will upon any Defamations, or Accufations, or Rumours of Injury againft one another, or of violating our Profeflion by contrary Dodrine, or breaking this Agreement, be refponfible to each other as Brethren, and will forbear divulging private or uncertain Faults, or cenfuring or reproaching one another, till we have either conferred together to give and receive Satisfadlion, and duly ad-monifhed each other, or tendered fiich Conferences and Admonitions fcafonably, till we fee they are wilfully rejeded^

OFFERERS,

Richard Baxter Paftor of theCIiurCh at KiJer'

minfier.

&c. Sec. &c.

WE whofe Names are Suhfcribed, differiting from Infant-Baptifm, heartily ac' cept this Offered Agreement, as followeth :

In the firft Rank.

In the fecond Rank.

In the third Rank.

Optatus Adv. Farm. I. 3. p. yj.

EU M <jui ad Deum fe converfum ejfe frofejjtis est, Vagavum 'vocas ? Vaganum 'vacas cum ^ui Deum Tatrem fer [ilium ejtis ante eram rogavei-it ? Quicunque entm irediderit, in nomine Vatris, Filii & Spiritia San£li, credidit: Et tu eum Paganum 1/0-cos peji confejfionem Fidei. Si aliejuid Chrifiianut ( <juod abfit) unufqutfujue delm^uerit^ peccater dici poteii: Tagantis iterum ejjc non potejt. Sed ha:c omnia vultu nuUius ejje mo-rnenti. At fi tibi ipfi confenferit <juem feducts j unus confenfm, & manui tux porreBio & pauca Verba, jam tibi Chrijtianum faciunt de Chrtfiiano: Et tile vobit vtdebitur Chr'h ftmnas, qui quod vultis feccrit, non quern pdes adduxent.

B b 2 Lib.

Lib. C. p. 86. Dinique -vos cjuibaftifma t^uafi Itbtnter duplicare contenditis, fi datis al-

teruTK bapt'ifma, date alteram fidem ; Jt datis alttram Fidem, d^ alterum Chrifium : $i

datis altcrhiim Chrifium date alterum Deum. Dius Vnus eB: De Um Deo Unas efi

Ckrifttts : Qai rchaptiz,atur jam Chriji'ranus fuerat: Quomodo did ptest tterum Chri-

fi iamu ? .

Lib. 4. p. 76. Si tu non vis ejje Frater, ego effe incipio Impins, ft de vomiw ifio tecuero. . Vid. Lib. r. Fol. i. . .

§ 46. Bsfoffc this I hadoccafion to make a more particular tryalfor Union with the Independent Brethren. 1 knew Mr. Vhd. J^ehad very great power with them, and he being in the Country, I dafired him to give me in Writing all thofe things whith of njceflity mart b;; granted them by the Presbyterians, in order to Concord and Conjunftion in the fame Affociations and Communion : He referred me to the Debates in the* AlTenibly at IVeJlminfier which are in print: I urged him to give them me under his Hand, which at that time he did not, but the next Yefr 1 prevailed with him, and be wrote down the(e two as fufficient Conceflions to our defired End: (^The hrfi: was, that they might have Liberty to take Church-Members out of other Parilhes. And the lecond, that they might have all Church Power within themlelves, in their fcveral Congregations.] I asked him, if I accommodated thenrj in boththsfe, whether really they would unite with us as afore-faid. And he told me that they would: Whereupon I drew up this Form of Agreement following^ vAVvzh I thought granted them both thele : But fd as that they fhoiild be Members of conftant AlVociations, and meet with us in our Synods J and that they Ihould do this not as fubjeft to the Government of thofe Synods, 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 any ^ember out of any other Parilh, it fhould be debated in fuch Aflemblies or Synods, and there it fiiould be tryed whether the Perlbn had fufficient Caufe to withdraw his Communion from the Parilh of which he was a Member: And if the Caufe were jiift he might be allowed ; but if the Caufe were heretical or truly_ Schifma-tical they Ihould hear what the Synod could fay againft it: and if they judg'd the Error tolierahle they would tollerate it, if their Realbns could not fatisfie; if they judged it intolkrable, the worfe could be but our difowning the Faft, and again receding from their Communion. He told me that it would caft a Slurr on them to ba as it were excommunicated by us, that were the greater Number. I told him, I.' That it was not likely that Men who fo muchdefired their Communion, would excommunicrate theih for the very fame things, which we knew they held before we defired it. 2. That whether they affociated with us or not, we could publifii and praccice 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 Hated Alienation or Divifion fhould not be kept up, for fear of a pofE-ble removal again of fbme one Perfon^

• Next he told me that the Point of Ordination was not yet acconmiodated, which . he comprifed under [ Church-Power ]. 1 offered him that if any of their Pallors died or removed, if the fucceeding Paftor were ordained either by any remaining Pafc^r cf that Church, or by any PaRors of other Churches, of tiieir own Party or the other, we wouldJiold Communion with them as Pallors. He denied to yield to this, and required, that if neither any Paflor of their own Church, or any other ordained them they might be held as Paflors. I told him, I. He knew that was againlt the Judgment of thole that they were to agree with. 1. That Mr. 'Norton jmd others of their own way^onfeli, that it is lawful for Pa-ifors of another Church toliy on Hands in their Ordination; and why fliould he not yield for Peace in a Point, which they confefTed lawful ; as long as- they are not obliged rhei eby to acknowledge any SithjeFricn to any other Church, but might receive it on tJiar own Grounds. 3. Or if they would not yield to this at all, we r \-e V.nmmnn]on with them as ChrijHans, without acknowledging them

.^. 1....:.!'. Bi^c p; nn this he receded., and came no nearer to any Agreement

with H9.

In this Internal I wrote to him the following Letter.

Reverend Sir,

I Have adventured, according to my Promifd, to fend youmy Thoughts of the ready way of Agreement, between the Honeit and Moderate of the Presbyterian, Congregational, yea, and Epifcopal way. I purpolely 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 unpolilJied.

' Prop, I. About the Matter oi particular. Churches, as you exprels no Dilagree-ment, (b i find none in the printed Debates j and th^efore take it for«granced that we are at one : That cohahitivg Chri/ians are the fit matter of fuch Churches • or vijible Belie'vers, "vifihle Saints, froftjfmg Believers and Saints, ^c. which come all to one. As to the Execution there will be a Difference even among Congregational Men, or Presbyterians themfelves; according to their feveral Tempers, fbme more Charitable, Ibme more Cenfbrious, Ibme more Stridt, ancj (bme more Remifi.

' With' the Anabaptifls we are agreed of the Matter as to the Membra ptrfeBa^ ( except with them that make re-baptifing effential ) but not as to Infants, who are Membra imperjeBa.

' 2. We are agreed that every Chriftian (where fuch a Benefit may be had) fliould be or leek to be a Member of fbme particular Church, and know his own Overfeers, and every overleer fhould endeavour to know all his Flock.

' 3. We are. agreed that as feme Difcovery ofConfent on both Parts ( thzTafiors and Feeple) is neceffary to the being of the Members of a political particular Church : So that the moB exprejS Declaration of that Conient, is the moft plain and fatisfadory Dealing, ^nd mod: obliging, and likeft to attain the Ends j and therefore cateris paribus, where it may be had, is the beft.

'4. We are agreed that "all fit means (hould be ufed, even in the Determination of Circumftances, to preferve the Union and Peace of Chriflians and Churches, and that ordinarily the bounding of Churches as to Habitation, is a meet'means to thefe End?, and that ordinarily Parilhes are fit Bounds : Or at leaft we are agreed that thefe fhai'i be ordinarily taken for the Bounds to avoid Inconvenient cies J not including all in the Parifhes, but confineing Churches to thole Circu-its ordinarily. Yet we agree that this ordinary Rule harh its Exceptions; as for Example, r. If ParilhtsbefQ fpacious that all the People are not Co-habitants capable of the Ends cf 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 Parilh be lb fmall or bad, that there are not enough to be Materials of a Church, it may be joined by conient to the next. 4. If t;here be no Pallor, or none fit to be owfted. y. If any Ordinance be ftatedly wanting which may be had elle-where, and is needful to the Perlon's Edification, and if he cannot procure it in the Church where he is, and yet cannot remm'e his Habitation to another, without more lols to himlelf and to the Chriftian Interefl,then it is like to receive by his joining to another without Removal. 6. If he cannot have perlbnal Communion with them without his own adual Sin, and yet cannot remove his Dwelling but 4is aforefaid. 7. If Difference in Ibme fmall Opinion ill managed Ihall 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 aforelaid. 8. To comprehend all in this General, we are agreed that no Man that is a Member of another Parilh, fhould be received into our Churches, where it can be proved that it is to the Wrong of the common Good or Chriftian Intereft, efpecially wheii he is a Member of another Church as well as another Vartjl]. The Sum is, Farijlies fhall be the ordinary bounds, but in vecejj'ary Cajes and no other, you ihall except and be free from them. •

' 5-. Whereas the Presbyterians fay, that the Ecdefia prima payticularitpoliticaj may confift of one only Congregation; and the Congregational lay, \tmtift confiif of one only Congregation : The licet fliall yield to the opportat, and it will be agreed that de faiio, our particular political Churches ihall confilt but of one Congregation ordinarily ; allowing the Liberty either of Chappels or private Meetings for thofe of the Church, that by reafon of Age, Weaknels, or other Impediments cannot alway come lb far asthe common Meeting of the Church.Ancfconlequently we fhall agiee that the Number of a particular Church cKceed not fo many as are

ordinarily

* ordinarily capable of perfonal local Communion in God's Worfhip, which is a

* chief end of their Ccnjunclion.

* 6. We are agreed thatthele particular political Churches fhould confifl: of two ' parts, Officers and their Flock, the ruling part and the ruled part j and all the ' great Controverfies that have troubled us about the Peoples Power of Govern-' ment, ftiall be thus agreed j confefs but this [that Paftors are the Overfcers, Teach-' ers. Guides, or Rulers of their Flocks, and are over the People in the Lord, and ' that the People ard bound to obey thole that rule over them, that watch for their ' Souls 3 and let all the red be filenced.

*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 caa(e) or other perloris ' that fiiall defire to be prfllent for the hearing and trying caufes, before they are ' brought to the open Aflembly. And therefore where they can be had, there (hould ' be many Officers in a Church.

' 8 Whereas there be three Opinions about affifting Elders : j. That they ' fhould be Men of the/awe Office w'xth the Paitors, Ordained and Authorized to

* Admimjler Sacraments, and Freach when it is neceffary, though they may divide

* their Work in the Execution. i. That they fhould be a dtftmB Office itnordained, *and not authorized to Preach or Adminifter Sacraments. 3. That they fiiould be ' unordained and noOfficers, but the meer Trufieesoithe 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 this matter.

' p. Thefe particular Churches Ihall have power to govern within themfelves ' ( being once ConlUtuted ) Excommunication it felf not excepted. Only their

* Conftitution and Ordination of their TaHors muft be agreed oft zs follow-'eth.

' 10. It is the Judgment of the Treshyterians that Ordination by Overfeers or Ta-

* ftors is of Neceflity to the Being of an Over[e€r or Paftor, where it may be had;

* and that/owe Ruling Officer is an EJJential part of a Political Church ( though not ' of a.meer Community ) ; and that Impvjition of Hands is a fit Ceremony, and to ' be uled as of Divine Appointment, though not EJJential to Ordination. It is the

* Judgment of the Congregatiofial th^t Ordination by fuch Teaching Elders is lawful, if ' not of necefKry ; and that Impofition of Hands is lawful .- In all this therefore let ' the licet ffoop to the oportet. Agree that you will not de faclo effablilh any Pa-

* ftor or Teacher over a particular Church "without Ordination by teaching Elders^ ' leaving the point of neceffity undetermined, ( except in cafe of necelffiy when fuch

* Ordination cannot be had ). 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.

'11. As a local perfonal Communion of individual Chriftians is neceflary in particu-

* lar Churches to a Concatination, or Union and Communion of thefe Churchs, 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 Ihall be known times and places ' of meeting agreed on, which all the Paftors fliall frequent as oft as they well can, ' not forbiddijjg any of our People that are defirous to be with us. ^

' 15. None ihall be takao into thefe Aflbciations, but approved Men for Godli-

* nefs and Ability, and that by confent of the alTociated Minifters, and none refu-*fed that are fit for our Communion.

* * 14. The Works of thefe AlTemblies Ihall not be to make Laws, to theChurch-

* es or any of their Brethren, to bind them ex authoritate Imperantts, as if they were ' to excrcife a proper Legiflative Power : Nor yet by Agreement to determine of any ' unnecefjary things, and make thole to be Duties which are not lo in them-

* (elves; much lels to lay the Union of the Churches on fu^h unneceffary* ' determinations; nor yet to exercifc any coercive Power by bodily Penalties or

' Mulds, and leaft of all to bind Men to fin againft God :. But it (hail be to agree

* upon the unanimous Dilcharge of our Duties which God hath inipoled to main-

* tain Love and Concord, and remove all Offences and Strangenels and other Oc-' cafionsof Divifion ; to encourage and Ihengthen one another by Exhortation ' and Prayer, to know who are caft out of the leveral Churches, that we may ' concur in avoiding thole that are to be avoided ; to difcern to whom our Com-' munion fliould extend; to incrcafe the Reputation of God's Work in our Hands,

* both to thofc within our Communion and thofc without it, by our Concord and

* Unani-

' Unanimity ; and fo to further the Succels of our Labours; to help the younger ' Miniltersby Ibme profitable Exercifes, and to help one another by cofninon A(!. ' vice, efpecially in calcs of great difficulty. In general it fliall lie forUmonavA ' Communion of Churches and Vafiors, and for the Benefits that cor.ie by both.

* Being all agreed on this much, if any think that fuch Synods aie .nlfo for r.-' reel Government of particular ?ajtors and Churches, as a higher governing OrJcr or ' Power, fuch fhall keep that Opinion tothemlelves, and not impa(e it on other. ' as ncccffary to our Agreement or Communion. Or if thole that hold Synods to

* have a dired ruling Power over particular Palfors and Chuiches, and thole that ' hold them to have only an agreeing Power in order tp Communion: Or any ' of thefe Ihall think that they are bound in Confcience to declare their Piinciples ' in af[ociating and artembling,they Jhall all have Liberty to declare and regilkr ir, ' fo they will after go peaceably on in their AfTociadon; though wedjiiioraihcr ' that the Principles were filenced.

' I y. But as we are agreed that it bclongeth to thefe Conventions to difcern and

* judge what particular Churches, Minijfers, or other Perfons are fit or unfit for ' their common Communion when the Cognizance of it is hecefnuy, ;ind this ex-

* tended Communion is a thing to he valued antl fought, (6 conlequently in order ' toliich Ends, it is the Duty of particular Churches, Paftors, or other Perlbns to ' render an account of their Dodrines and Praftices to thele Aflemblies, when up-' on confiderable Accufations, or- other jufl Caufe it is defired.

' i6. If thele Ailemblies in order to Unity or the Progrels of Religion, Diall

* agree in the Determination of fome Circumftance, not exprefly determined in ' Scripture, fuppofing that the Determination is needful and agreeable to the gene-' ral Rules of Scripture, every Church and Partor ought to ftand to this Agree-' menc, for the fake of Concord, if they do not judge it to be a Sin that is agreed

* to, though they fee not the neceffity. E. g. The Time and Place of their Con-

* vention mult be agreed on by them, and the leffer part muff yield to the greater j ' or elfe by dilTent, no time or place may ever be agreed on : So that if the greater

* part agree on one Tranflation of the Bible", to be nled in all the alTociated Church-

* es or on one Verfionof the Singing Pfalms, it will tend much to Edification^ and 'agrees with the Scripture Commands of Unity. If therefofe that which they ' agree on feem to a particular Church or Pali or no better than another Verfion, or ' fcarcefo good j yet for Unity ( it it be not unlawful, or like to be more hurt-

* fal than theDiverfity will be ) they ought to concifr. But ftill be it rcmembred ' that the Churches Peace or Unity fhouid be laid by Agreements on nothing un-'necelfary. And therefore all agreements mayjiotbe leconded with an avoiding ' all Diflenters.

'17. Becaufe in the great Cafe [of taking Members from other Churches or ' Parilhes ] the Exception from the general Rule (of Parifli Limits) cannot be ' fo enumerated as pundually to refolve each Doubt that may occur, let us firft lay

* down vvhat Rules or Exceptions we can agree on; at leaft this general, that ws

* will talje^no fuch Perlbn into our Churches,when it tendeth more to the hurt than ' the furtherance of the common Good and ChriftianCaule : And therefore that we ' will firft bring the particular cafe to the Affociation, or at leaft be there relpon-

* fible concerning ir, as we are about other Church Affliirs. Accordingly when any

* is adually offended, that another hath taken a Member out of his or another's

* Church or Parifh,' let the Affociation hear the cale on both fides; and if they ju-' Itifie the 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 Honoarof

* Chrilt, and good of the Churches or chriftian Caufe. Andif neither he nor

* they cm be convinced nor brought to reform after fufficient Admonition," it mud ' be confidsred whether the cale befmall and toUerable, or great and intollerable ; ' If the former, we mu ft bear with it, yet profefling our Judgment againft it; ifTti-

* follerable, we muft proceed to diiclaim Communion with the guilty, and fo to ' exclude them from the Affociation and common Communion, which yet muft not ' be done but in heinous cales. And thus the particular cafes muft be tryed and con-' ckided as they fall out, for there is no laying down any Rule beforehand that will ' iic all cales particularly.

' 18. Thofe/r/? AjJ'octationsham^ compoled of fuch Paftors and Churches as arc ' near and within a capacity of iuch Communion ( as aforefaid ) voluntarily

* combined, (hould alio hold correfpondence with Neighbour Ajjociations, either by

* Delegates in Ibme more general Meetings ( as in each County one ) j or at leaft, ,

by

' by Letters and MelTengers; which Communion is to be extended , even as f^r as ' our Natural Capacity extendeth, and the Edification or Preiervation of the ' Churches fhall require it.

' And thus the Presbyteiians and Congregational Men are agreed, if they are ' willing. If all will not, let thofe agree that have hearts , and not Itay for the ' reft.

' And here you fee a Satisfadion to your two Demands. My Queftion was, ' What are the things that the Congregational mufi have, and ■will infiit on , the denial

* whereof doth hinder our Unity and Agreement. Your Anlwer was in thefe words,

* [ To manage all Church Affairs by the Elders and Brethren within ihemjck-es , and with-

* out dependance, mleii for Advice, on any other Ecclefialtical Power. 2. To take in juch

* at are qualified and freely offer themfelves to joyn, though of other Parijhes. Tetfo, as if ' a particular Church m th^t Parijl}, which for the Subftance is gathered, according to the

* Order ef the Gojfel, and the Party a Member thereof, an account is to be given to the ' Church or the Elders of it, of the Caufe of his removal, that it may be, if poffible, with ' confent.^ And this is all that hinders our Agreement it feems. Alas, i. For thg ' firlt, it is granted you in termmts, only in point of Ordination : yield but to be ' Ordained by Teaching Elders, which you confef lawful, and others think necef-*^ fary. And remember, i. That to depend on other Ecclefiaftical Power, even for

* Advice, is a great dependance. 2. That to depend on them, not as a Superiour ' Power, but as a Link upon the Chain, for Union and Communion , we can ne-

* ver exempt you from, nor will you fure defire it. There is a fourfold Advice; ' I. An Authoratative Advice of Governours ( as Parents, Schoolmafters, Paflors,) ' to their Inferiours, who are bound to obey them, on a double account, ratione

' materia & authoritatis. Thus the Paftors in a Synod advife their Flocks conjunftly. ' 2. The Authoratative Advice of one Officer to another. And lo,as we preach to one 'another, I think asChrift's Minifters, we tnufi advi[e one another. 5. An Ad-' vice of a Adajor part among Ei^uals in Order to Union and Concord, and this is ' the Principal to be refpedted in thefe Conventions; 4. An Advice of a pri-vate ' Perfon, not authorized by Office, and this binds but ratione materia, &c. 2. To

* your lecond, you will grant ( as I hope by the printed Debates ) that ordinarily

* Parifti-bounds, fhall be the Rule for Limitation (alter Pariflies if they be araifs ) : ' and that you'l not fwerve from this Rule, but upon necelfary Caule, and not when

* it is to the apparent wrong of the Caule and Intereft of Chrift, and you will ' yield to be refponfible to the Affociation which you are a Member of, concerning ' the Cafe, when you are queftioned. And this Ihall agree us.

* And why fliould I not add two Propofitions for Peace with the Epilcopal.' That 'way, or the Perlbns are not fo contemptible ('if you confider the Antiquity, the ' great Difficulty, their Number and Extent, and the Works of many of them) as ' to berefuledourCommunjon, though on fome Abatements to them.

' Prop. 19. Let therefore thele Presbyteries of particular Churches have one to be

* the ftated Prefident, as long as he is found fittelf, and let all the AfTociations (at ' leaft wliere Epifcopal worthy Men require ic ) have fuch fixed Prefidents, e^uam

* dtu betiefe gefftrmt ( as your AlTembly at Weftmmfier had ) by common Confenr. ' Bilhop Hall and Ufher lay, this will fatisfie, but it will not without the next.

'Prop. 20. Seeing the Presbyterians-and Congregational fay. That (except in ' cafe of neceflity ) it's lawful to forbear Ordination till the Prefident be there, and ' One, and to take him with you ; and the Epifcopal fayjThat it's of neceffity • there-' fore let the Cafe of Neceffity and the Title be purpolely filenced, and left to each ' Man's Judgment; but defa^o, let your Licet yield tor Peace to their Oportet, ac ' leaft for Ibme years trial. And agree to Ordain none (but in neceffity) with-' out the Prefident, as he fiiall Ordain none without the Conlent of the Affociation, ' or at leaft the Elders of the Church where he is Prefident , and v;here he Or-'daineth ( if there beany left). I fuppofe, as to a Parochial or Congregational ' Prefident, in one Elderfhip, you will grant this I and why not to the Prefident of ' the Affociation, for Peace i' when he that is Ord,yncd a Paftor of your particu-< lar Church, is thereupon made an Officer in the Univerfal.therefore others fhould

' have fome care of it, orelle ~ — Tie let Objertions pafs in filence, only

' defire you, if thds two laft diflike you, not therefore prelently to rejcft the reft, ' but lay theftf by.

'On

as found.

«!■ 1^ -i^ ■ - . ■ I, - - — II- •

Part If. Kg^gm/ ^\A£jjchg^ j^

, "^ On thefe Terms, in the two laft ProDof^cion': Klhr^r^ rm TT t i

•• ed chem to him. told me, That the EpTopaSty 3k tll^^'" ^ '^'"uP"'"'^-the moderate would, but the reft would notf ^ ^ "^'" '^''^ '^"^ m.and

To tnj Reverend Brother Mr. Phih'p Nye,

Jri\r'''. '^'' r"^"'/'^ ^'^'T' '° "'"''" ^ f""^'" ^"^'^Pt for the reconciling^ of thofe Controverfies, o far as that we might hold Communion together And I drew up a larger Wru.ng^mlhncing in about Ten Points of Difference bnween

IsfhS-S'T"'^'".^'P!fr""' P^^^i^g^hat the Differences were noS

as Ihould hinder Concord and Communion: The Writin<- faein? tnn ilr^L V i

here inferted, you ftall have with the reft at the end of theSorl * IK P ^" .ru- w

key was reftored there hath been no Opportunity to Debate the' Ltcers^fofth; SS

Reafons aforefaid, and many odiers: Only I put thefe Papers into M g gS^ f°-^ ^ow^

pight tend to thedefired Concord, and fJ I took thta7ayt^^^^^^^

§ 48. About the fame time, the great Controverfie that troubled all the Church being about the Qualification of Church-Members I annreh^nH^^ i u of a due and folemn manner of Tranfition from the' NuKr of jnf- M.' T"' anto the Number of the Adult, was the caufe both of AnabaptiLv ^S'^^^^ dency, and that the right performance of this (ascJ^„f':^fojRa^^^^^^^^ Common Prayer would have Confirmation performed ) would be the moil excel i?n/''P'^"V^°''' for Reformation and Reconciliatioi (finding that the Indt pendants themlelves approved of it). I meditated how to get thi way S Jli Co.fir»^at^on reftored and introduced: when in the mean time cameSh a fff tife for th.s way of Confirmation by Mr. Jonathan Hanmer, SrTSoufly and p.oufly written : And becaufe it was fent me with a Requeft to Vrite mv Fndpr Z^? TH ^P"?"Epi91« before it, further to prove^ the defiTaUendl /f fS thmg I The Book was very well accepted when it came ahrn;.H K, (X to me, defiring me not only to fhew the ufefulnefs ofTt • buTaffo' to nrnT..7°'* fu er Seripture Proofs that ft is a Duty : whereupon I wVoteVl^ called, IConf^rmauor^thev^ayto Reformation andReconaUat:on\KnATm^^^

forVht4ua1p'r:m^gt^^^^^

Cr.m..eg himfelf, and fuch others, cllnlygavt outtha^ Z?.' °?7 ^^^^T' ftand what the Magiftrate had to do in 2tfrs of Rd£nn ^ '.''1,°°' u""'^'^ that all Men fliould be left to their own Confdencef f d t^'"?.^^'i?^ could not incerpofe but he fhould be enfnaredS Gdl of Pe r^cano^'^iV" while thefe Extreams prevailed, upon the Difcourfes ofTme TnH. ' 'x^^^'

fered them a few Propofals fui'ted to thofe Trscomai^^^^^ } f

which a willing Magiftrat6 might eafily retdSchurcL n ^ f^?^ T^ ^"n" ^'^ without incurring xL guilt of Perfecution or Prof.n/n.f fi ^"^ holy Peace, having no CorrefpondLcy wich C^w" o anytf th clncTrv w^ '' '" ver Ihewed, or made ufe of any further han Sr ^L r^ rV- ^^^^ ^^""^ "^■

gave them, ( who being one7their FadJ^n, ththri;tffib^^^^ " J^T ' further improved them). The Paper was this which followed^ ' ^^' ^'''

h

1^4 The LI F E of the L i b. L

By the Efiahlijhment of what is contained in thefe Tn>ehe Fropofttions or Articles following^ the Churches in thefe Illations may ha<ve a Holy Communion , Peace and Concord, rpithout any Wrong to the Confciences or Liberties of Presby" teriansy Congregational, Epifcopal, or any other Chrijiians.

I. T-^Orafmuch as God hath appointed Magiftracy and Miniftry, as Fundionsof

r *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 Fundion of the other. Let

Miniflers have no Power of Violence,by infliAing Corporal Penalties or Mulfts j

nor be the Judges, (though in Cafes of Herefie or Impiety ) who is to beyo punijh-

ed, and who not: but let them not be denied to be the Miniflers of Chrift , and

Guides of the Church : And therefore let the Word of God be their only Rule

what they niuft Preach, and whom they muft Baptize, and receive into the

Church, and to whom they muft Adminiller the Lord's Supper, and whom they

muft Reprove, Admonifii, Rejedor Abfolve; and (b for the reft of their Mini-

fterial \york. And let not Princes or Parliaments make them Rules, and tell them

whom to admit or rejeA; 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 inftrufted and guided according to the Word of God, fo we

are by him to be commanded and punifhed 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 punllli us if we difobey, and we muft fub-

mit to liich commands and punifliments. And therefore if the Parliament fee caufe

to make any Laws, according to which their Judges and Officers fhall proceed

in punifhing Minifters for Male-adminiftraticn, we 11^11 not difobey, them, if

agreeable to God's Word ; if not, we Ihall obey God, and patiently luffer from

them.

2. Seeing there is very much difference between an Infant ftate of Church-Memberfhip and an MuU ; one being but imperfeft Members in comparifon of the other; and one being admitted on the Condttton they be but the Seed of the Faithful, and the others Title having another Condition, even a Faith or Profeflionof tbeir own; and one having right only to Infant Frivtkdges, and not to the Lord's Supper and otlier parts of Communion proper to the Adult, becaufe they are not capable of it. And feeing the great pollution of our Churches, and much of our Di-ItraftioninMattersof Church-Order is from the carelefi, unoblerved, irregular Tranlitiqn out of the ftate of Infant Memkerjhip^, into the ftate of Adult Mem-ber/hip; every ignorant Man almoft taking himfelf for an Adult Member, be-caule by Baptilm he was made an Infant Member, and hath cuftomarily been prelent at Publick Worfhip : Let the diftincftion therefore between Infant Members and Adult be more obferved in every Pariflj ; and let the Tranfition out of the one ftate into the other be more tblemn and regular under the Judgment of the Guides of the Church : That no Perfon may bs admitted to be an Adult Member but by the Minifter in the face of the Cori-yregation (ordinarily^ after a Solemn Profeffion of the Faith, Repentance, and Relolutionibra Holy Life, of the Perfon admitted ; to which there muft be the preparation of Catechifing, and of a Converfation that contradideth not thePro-feflion fo made. i. This was the CourJe of the Ancient Churches, who catechized Children, and admitted them among the Confirmed Members by Imposition of Hands. 2. The Divines of the Reformed Churches commonly own it, and wift for it in their Writings. 3. The Epifcopal Divines in the Rubrick of the Common Prayer, Ordained th.it none Ihould be admitted to the Sacrament till after Catechifing, and a Certificate under the Minifter's or Curate's hand, he were confirmed by the Bilhop, ( though it was done to little purpofc by them). 4. The Pref-byterians Examination of Men before the Sacrament intimateth the like. j. The C.x)nc^regational Men's trial of particular Church-Members importeth their appro-Ij.itionof thib. 6. The Anabaptifts by going farther, do feem to be permitted of God, of purpolc to awaken us to this Duty ; and I think they will continue to be our Scourge till this be done ; andthis will half latisfie fome among them that are moderate, and filcnce many Objedlionsof thereft. 3. Let

;. Let the Minifters appproved by the State, be conftrained to Catechize, arid perfonally inttrud-, and publickly preach to all tSe Perfons in their Parifnes ( ac- -cording to their ilrength and opportunity ) in order to prepare fuch as are willing to learn, for an Adult Itateof Chriftianity, as the ancient Churches did their Ca-techumeni. And let the young, and ignorant,and ungodly of tliis Rank, be compelled by fome moderate Penalty to hear and confer with the Teachers, and be in-ftrucfted and catechized by them. And let not any Miniilers be fuffered to admi-nifter the Lord's Supper to any that have not been admitted ( as aforelaid upon k Profeflion of Faith and Holinefij into the number of Adult Members.

4. Seeing a particular Church muft confift of [ Chriftians cohabiting and con-fenting ] let Pariflies be the ordinary Bounds of Churches, fo that all the Adult Members of the Univerlal Church ( and no other at Age ) within that Parilh^ who do confent, be Members of that particular Church ( into which they are rtrft admitted, or whether into both at once, we need not determine) : And if i-ny be taken out of other adjoyning Parifhes, let it be by exception from the common Rule. And feeing there are many Cafe in which Members may be taken out of other Pariihes, the Differences thereabout may be denied^ as is after declared. Prof 8. §^ii.

y. The Paftorsof particular Churches have power to Teach and Rule thofe Churches according to the Word of God, and the People are bound to efteetn them, love them, honour them, and obey them, i Ttm. y. 17. i JheJJ'. y. 12. Heh? I;. 7, 17. Therefore let them ufe the Power of Adminifrring all Congregational" Worfhip, and the Keys for Binding and Looting wichin their own Gongregarions; And let it be granted to them that defire it j at leaft for Peace and Concord fake,-that they be not forced to Subjeftion to any pretending to a Supsriour, Governing Power, befides the Magiftrate.

6. As particular Chriftians muft hold Communion in particular Churches, for the Worfhip of God and their mutual Edification j fo particular Churches muft all hold fuch a Correfpondency and Communion with one another, fo far as their Capacity extends, as mofl tendeth to the Edification, Strengthening, Peace and Concord of them all, and to the Publick Profperity and the Succefi of the Gofpel among them, and in the World. The whole Church being one Body,, mufl maintain the Union and Communion of the Parts, and do God's Work in the greatefl Concord that they can, and with the beft Advantages.

7. This cannot de done well without Meetings to thefe Ends: nor thofe Meetings be improved to the beft advantage, unlefs the Times and Places be fixed and commonly known : And as the ufe of them is ordinary, fb the Aflemblies fhould 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 moll Ability and Leifure, bsing wholly fet apart to the Work of the Gofpel. It is therefore meet that there be known Times and Places of Meeting, where Minifters, and as many more as the Churches fhall think fit, may affemble ; Every Minifler ( or Church ) according to their conveniency, choofing of what Aflbciation they will be; which ordinarily they fhould frequent : and which fhould confift of fuch, and only fuchv as for Piety, Ability, and faithful Diligence are fit for the Miniftry and fuch Communion.

8. If it be the Judgment of fbme that thefe Affemblies have a Superior govern-ing Power over the particular Paftors, and of others, that they are only for Communion and mutual Ailiftance, they ihall either keep their feveral Opinions to themfelves, or at leaft, having profefTed 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 Affemblies, to bind by a ruling Power ; but to confulr, and advife, and agree; nor yet to agree upon things unnecefjary ; nor lay the Churches Unity upon fuch'; much lefs to exercife any migifterial coerfive Power: But, i. To open any occurrent difficult Cafes in Do-drineor PraAice , that befal any particular Church or Pa&or, 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 Circumflances, in cafes where Uniformity will further the Work. As for Example, what Tranllation of Scripture to ufe, what Verfion of the Pfalms to fing, &c. 3. To communicate thofe Affairs of the Churches that are of common concernment; to give notice of fuch as one Church hath excommunicated, that other Churches may avoid them, or elle chey may liave Familiarity with all other Chriftians about them, and be en-tred among them as Members, and fo Excommunication will lofe its force and

C c 2 mifs

mils of its Ends. 4. To maintain perfonal Unity among Miniftefsj b(^iFarniUa-rity and Correfpondency, and to heal DivifionSj and Diffefitions, anilriEi^Jjflgsd-nels; and cherifh Brotherly-love. y. In ca(e any be injurioufly cart out. of any Neighbour-church ( as for profeffing found Dodrine againft lomeErrors of that Churchj or the like) to confult of it, that we may not alfoinjarioufly pelade him from our common Communion. 6. In fach cafes of Error or Malc'Sclminidraci-tion, to admonifli Neighbour Minifters and Churches; as alfo in cafe 5<f any Abufe of their Paftors, or choice of unfound, hereticil or ungodly Paftors, or cheriOiing Seducers or ungodly Perfons in their Churches, or neglecting Difcipline, or fal-ing to loolenefs, or in cafe of Scandals among tl^m, or of Offences and Divifions among themfelves, or between them and Ibme Neighbour-church, or many the like cafes, the Advice and Admonitions of the Neighbour aflbciated Pafiors, ihould be directed to them for their Recovery ; which cales fingle Minifters cannot id weli be informed of, nor perform their Duty with fo much Advantage as the AfTociati-on may. 7. To concur in fome Admonitions to the irttradable and incorrigible of our feveral Parifhes, that they that will not hear their own Teachers through any Prejudice, maybe prevailed ivith by many ^ and toftvengchen our Hands and the Reputation of our Dodrine and common Duties with the People, by our, Unity and Concord. ;• 8.- To help-one another, bdtefpecially the younger (01* of Mini-fters, to whom it may be as an Academy.' by Conference, Dilprntations, and other profitable Exerciftsafid preaching (they that ordinarily preacii have need lometimes to hear:^ and to have a Communication from their Brchrens Gifts, as well ds.the Peojjle^have from them ). 9. Thofe Minirters that icruplfr cenliiring any Offender withbut the cqntent of other Minilters, may :here take their conleftt.; and yoiing Minjfters that are unskilful in managing i'uch Works, may take Advice. 10. We may here ngree upon the fitteft manner, and fsafoo, and peribns, ind places, in-ouc l«iping die Congregations that are ignprant, ill-provided, or unptovided, of MSijifters, or dirtgeroufly corrupted ; and miy advife aiiy Neighbour Chilrchesrtliat fend to us'toi.help them to a fit Minillej-, at ih the. like cales. i r. Becaule it is impoflible to enumerate punctually the cales in which' it is lawful to take Members toaiparticularCbiirch, out of another Church or Pa-viih, all Churches and Paiflbrs IhalL-givg, an account of any fjch A<5lion to thele. Alfociations, if any be offended'with the»i: Where it lliall be enquired, vvhether the A(5lion be dillionourable to God, and injurious to the publick Good of the Churches; if it be nor, theOffence is removed : If they, find it be, tha Parties offending aretobeadmonillied; and if they give not Satisfa(5kiOn, it is^tote enqui-I'ed whether . there be ahy thing in the Principles and manner of the Adion thac inakesit aiLintteilletable Offence to the Churches : If there be, then afterfufficienc Adriionitiffm.and'waitingj; tbe Guilty, if impenitent, are to be cart out of our common Cnnraiunion, or the Churches to refolve to hive no Chriftian Communion with them. But if therdibe noliich heinous intollerable Ingredient, we mult becontentoniy fa admonilhthem, and diiown the Sin, and continue Communion with rheraii . In like manner if any Scandal be raifed of any Brother of the Al-Ibciation, of if any have an Accufation againrt him, we muft hear them, and he muft be refponfible, and.^ve account of his Ways; though not as to his Governors, yet as to his Biethren, to remove Offence, and to keep clear the way of holy Communion. 12; It wiUbe moft regular, and avoid the hurt of theChurch-es, if Ordivtrtien of Mtmfiers ht either performed by theft Ajjembltes, or the Minifters to be ordained be here trkd and affiro'ved^And the Ordination to be performed in the -Church to vvhieh he is ordained by luch as they appoint, or by the teaching Elders ofthat Cliur6h;it lelf, after their Approbation of the Perlbn. Inthefe Twelve Par-tiQulars you may fee whatufe there is of thefe Mifterial Alfociations and Affem-Wies, without medling with afiiperior governing Power; and how great Reafoa there is that all fober, godly, .peaceable Minifters ihould join in them ; even for coitimunion <if. Pallors and Churches, and the promoting of our .common Work and Welfare.

9. Lee rhds Afl'ociatlons chufe their Prefidents or Moderators, ( and any fie Name by which they will call him ) and determine whether he fhall be protempo-tCf or how lofig, or fixed as long as he liveth and is the fitteft, according to ths judgment oi ibe Minifters: For this is not a call* in which Men can be forced from , their Liberty: And if any will Ibfar make ufe of his Advice, as to be guided by liim, as none can deny him that Liberty of his own Mind, fo he muft not feek to bind all others to the fame Subjeftion > but thofo that bring themlelves to it by the fame Ettimatioh have their Liberty as he.

10. Though

Pa pi t II. Reverend Mr. Ri(?Ji3ftd Baxter. ~X97^

10. Though it,,benotof neceflity,,jteD wouldJc'be of |,rgftA;o?^y(?nJ6f)aji-.80d ufe, if the M^igiftrate would be wirh us^, or appoint, jom^' i>ub|f|tute,.to r^^ii^c him in all our AlTemblies, that he m-iy be a Witinefs of oar Proceedio^^^^-i^ f^e that we do no vvrongtothe CommonvvcaUhj and 3void all Suigjcipns tl^Cinf^y be occafioned by Rumors : But principafly that he may fee how far it is meet fo.r,.^im in any cafe to fecond us by his Power. For as in many c^fe tlv^^Pov^er gf tj^Q Magiftrate ought to be ufed to fecond the Miniftry ( as to reftrain Men tVofUBB^-liibing damnable Herefies, from difturbingths Chuidies Peacq,'«^'<;,) I9 jy^^h^jf ic a vile abuie of Magiftrates to require them, to be ,th^, megr^ ^x^ociEJyf^jl^jjf our Sentences, and to punilh Men only becaufe we hava ExcoiiMTjur)ic^^fi^ti»«i, before he know the jultneG of the caufe. As tha Qhurch or jj^iltejs av& J4»c}gj^ es, when the Queftion is [whether fuch a Man is,to be avoided, r,«j«fted, or e.^qpiij,-raanicated for Herefie or any Sin.' j (othe Magiftrate only is Judge vvive(j^f%^<^tw-Ition is, [whether he be to be corporally' puniilisd for Herdie or any Sin? J/.aod therefore he mutt know the caufe. , , ., .\i,.,,,.,^,-T

11. As thofe Neighbour-Minifters that live at conveniei^c DLftince for ifaoK Communion, fhould hold fuch Affociations as aforefaid, iq ttje-(^omi;ouniQ8'/©f Chriftialis and Paitors in fpecial being to be extended as far aS:naturalandHiQral ca? paclty will permit, ic is meet that tl^re be for more extenfive Coii\muiuon, lom$ more'general AlTemblies of the Minifters, to be held by thePel3^t<s of thefi.Af-fudations, for matters .that are of more general Concernment j y^*, and that by Meilengers and Letters we hold fuch concfpondency with thq Qturches of. Chriti abroad,, as is neceflary to promote this common Caufe, and thf J^ove and Comr muiMwi^ of the Saints.' ■Jif'n''-: r-r .v,,c :>>'.. Wv, ,v^o;^ .^.^S^W-l sCvV

12. Ifthefe Ailociations ihouid attempt any thing unjuft and'ifljurious Co,i«ha Commonwealth, or a corrupt Majority lliould grow in time to countenance eithec tlerely or Ungodlinefs,or they fhould by Contentions among themfelves difturb the i-'eace. of. the Churches, and divide them, and fall a railing ar, or excommuniqa-ting pcjibnately one a,VOther,; if is here the Magiftrates Duty to ia^erpofe, and I'e-prebend, and correct them, and difplace the unworthy, and fet all in joint again by Violence, and lecure the Peace cf Church and State. And neither Pope,. Prelate, nor Cocncil ILould take this Work upon them which is his. And ther^ore Magiftrates ihould be Wife and Holy, and fie for fo great a Charge 4s they uor-dertakc.

It mn(t be fitU noted tbit aUthis wai'U'hen Dioccfami were put df/ivw, and ftw faw any. frcbabihty if- rejhrtng thira, and mcmy reltgioui. Frrfunj dreaded fuch a Refio-rattnf. ■

§ JO. When CVoaswe/^'sFadion w^re making him Protedor , they drew.i^p; a Thing which they called. [ The. Government 0/England, &c.j Theiein they,, determined that all Ihould have Liberty or free Exercife of their Religion, i^ho pro-fcfjsd Faith in God by Jeftis ChriHj. After this he called a Parliament, whigh Ex-a-.iyned this Inftruroent of Government • and when they came to thole words, the Orthodox Party affirmed, That if thejjpakede re, and not de nomine ,[ FanhmGod hy Jef$ts Chrift 3 could contain no le^than the Fundamentals of Religion : whereupon it was purpoled that all fhould have a due meafure of Liberty who profelled the F«n. damemals. Hereupon the Committee appointed to that Bufmefs were required to nominate certain Divines to draw up in terminii the Fundamentals of Retgion ; to be as a Teft in this Toleration. The Committee being about Fourteen, named e-vcry one his Man: The Lord Brogbill ( after Earl of Orery, and Lord Preddent of Aiunfrer, and one of his Majefly's Privy Council ) named the Primate of Ireland, ArchbiIhop L/JW: When he ( becaufe of his Age and Unwillingneis to wrangle vvich fuch Men as were to join with him; hadrefufed the Service, the Lord Brog-'jiU nominated me in his Stead : Whereupon I was fpnt. for up to London: But before I came the refl had begun their Work, and drawn up Ibme few of the Pro-pofjtions which they called Fundamentals : The Men that 1 found there were, Mr. Marfial, Mr. Rejfier, Dr. Cheynell, Dr. Goodwin^ T)i\ OweVj Mr. Nye, Mr. Sydj(9^ Hympfen, Mr. Fpics, Mr. Mamon, and Mr. Jacomb. j

§ J I. I knew how ticklifh a Bufinefs the Enuraerationof fundamentals wa$yan4 of what very ill Confequence it would be if it were ill done j and how unlatiifa-rtorily that Queftion \_Pfhat are your Fundamentals? ^ is ufually anjwered to the Papifts. My own Judgment was this, that we muft diftinguith laefween tlje,^f«/e ( or matter ) and the Words^ and that it's only the Sen^e that is primarily in^.{properly

pttXy b\xv fundamntds : and the Words no further than as th^y are needful td ex-prels that Sence to others, or reprefent it to our own Cohcepticjn : that the Word [ FundamentalsTbeing Metaphorical and Ambiguous, the Word [ EJJentialt'] is much fitter ; it being nothing but what is Ejjential, of Confthutive of true Religion, which is underftood by us uliially when we fpeak of Fundamentals: that >juond rem there is no more Ejjential or Fundamental in Religionj but what is contained in our Baptifmal Covenant, [ I believe tn God the Father, Son and Holy Gho/l-, and give up my [elf in Covenant to him, renouncing the Flejlj, the World and the Devil. ^ He that doth this truly fhall be laved J ov dkjincere Covenanting cou\d noz 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 j becaufe all that fincerely give up themfelves in Covenant to God, as our God and Father, our Redeemer and Saviour, our Sandifier and Comforter, have right to the Bleffings of the Covenant. And ^uoad verba, I fuppofe that no particular Words in the World are Ejjenttals of our Religion : Otherwiie no Man could be laved without the Language which thofe Words belong to : He that underftandeth not Credo in Deum, may be laved if lie 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 lame importance, profefleth a Saving Faith. And as to the Ufe of a Form of Words to exprefs our Belief of the Effential, 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 underftand the fame thing, f I believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghojt,'] exprefleth all the Ejjenttals intelligibly, to him that hath learned truly to underftand the meaning of thele Words: But to an ignoranc Man a large plain Catechifin is fhort enough to exprefi the fame things. But as to the Vie of Publtck Profeffions of Faith, to j'atiifie 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 oblcure by too much Concilenels, nor Tedious or Tautological by a needlels Multiplication of Words, I take to be the fitted-. To which ends, and becaufe the Ancient Churches had once a happy U-nion on thofe Terms, 1 think that this is all that Ihould be required of any Church or Member ( ordinarily ) to be profefled, [ In General I do believe all that is contained in the Sacred Canonical Scriptures, and particularly I believe all explicitly contained in the AncicKt Creed, and Idefire all that ts contained in the Lords Prayer, and I refolve upon Obedience to the Ten Commandments, and whatever lelfe I can learn of the Will of God.'] And for all other Points, it is enough to prelerve both Truth and Peace, that Men promile not w preach againfi them, or contradiB them, though they Sub-Icribe 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 Eifsntials or Fundamentals j 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 where.is they ftill laid, [ A Sociniafi or a Papi/r -will Subfcribe all this ] I anfwered them, So much the better, and fb much the fitter it is to be the Matter of our Concord : But if you arc afraid of Communion with Papijls and Socinians, it muff not be avoided by making a new Rule or Teff of Faith which they will not Subfcribe to, or by forcing others to Subfcribe to more than they can do, but by calling them to account wli^never in Preaching or Writing they contradid or abule the Truth to which the) have Subfcribed. This is the Work of Gowr»we»f.- And we muft not think to make/,(j3i'i ferve inftead oijud^-mint and Execution' nor mufl we make new Lavs as oft as Hcreticks will mil-interpret and liibfcribe the old : tor when you have put in all the Words you can devife, Ibme Hereticks will put their own Sence on them, and Subfcribe them : And we mufV not blame God for nnt making a Law that no Man can imfmterpret or break, and think to make fuch a one our lelves, becaufe God could not or would not. Thefe Prefumptions and Errours have divi-dcd and diftrafted -the Chriflian Churches, and one would think Experience fhould lave us from them.

% ')%■ But thj Brethren rcfolved that they would hold on the way which they had begun : And though they were honeff and competently judicious Men, yet thole that managed the Bufinels, did want the Judgment and Accuratenefs which fuch a Woik required, (thougiithcy would think any Man fupercilious tiiat fhould tell them lb ): And the tinfture of Faction ftuck Ko upon their Minds, that it hindered their Judgment. Tf.e great doer cf all that worded the Articles was Dr. Owen :

Mr.

Part II. R^^r^WAfr. Richard Baxter. i^^

Mr. Np, and Dr. Goodwin and Mr. SjJ.Sympfon were his Affiftants ; and Dr. Chey-neU his Scribe : Mr. MurJliaH (a fober worthy Man ^ did (omething: the reft ( fober Orthodox Men) faid little, but fufFered the Heat of the reft to carry all.

§ j4. When I faw they would not change their Method, I dw al(b that there 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 crude Conceits, among our Fundamentals. And presently Dr. Owen in extolling the Holy Scriptures, put in that [ That no Man could know God t^ Salvation by any other means j ; I told him, that this was neither a Fundamental nor a Truth : and that if ^mong the Papifts or any others a poor Chriftian Ihould believe by the teaching of another, without ever knowing that there is a Scripture, he fhould be faved, becaufe it is promifed, that -whofver heliivedpo'uld be faved. He faid awhile. That there could be no other way of Saving Revelation of JefusChrift: I told him that he was lavingly revealed by Preaching many years before the New Teftament was written. He told us that the Primitive Church was bound to believe no more from the Apoftles but what was written before in the Old Teftament, and proved thence : I told him that by that AfTertion he fubverted the Chriftian Church and Faith: i. By overthrowing the Material, 2. and the Formal Objeil of our Faith, or the medium necsfTary thereto, i. For the Matter, it is not in the Old Teftament, [ That thU Jefus U the Cbrifi ; that he is already incarnate, conceived by the Holy Gbojt, born of the Virgin Mary, fulfilled the Law, fuffered,' -was crucified, buried androfe again,afcended into Hear-ven, and u there at the right hand of God tn our Nature, and therein intercedeth for the Chitreh j that he hath inft itiited the Sacraments, fent his Apofilts , given the Holy Gbofi to them to direSi them into all Truth, &c.] with more of the like. 2. That if Chrift and his Apoftles were not to be believed for the Image of God appearing on their Dodrine , and the Divine Atteftation of Miracles confirming it, then Mofes and the Prophets were not for thofe Reafons to be believed : And consequently not to be believed at all; for there was no reafon to believe them, which. Chrift alfo gave us not for the belief of him and his Apoftles. After a deal of wrangling about thefe Thfngs, becaufe the Doftor was the liotter, and better befriended in that Affem-Hy, and I was then under great Weaknefs and Soporous or Scotomatical Ilnels of my Head, I asked their leave to give them the Reafons of my Opinion in Writing : which I brought in, and never received any Anfwer to ir. AnJ yet if Mr. Vines ( who came but (eldom) had not ftuck to me when he was there, they would have made the World believe, Cas Ibme of them endeavoured) that I was Po-pilli, and pleaded for the Sufficiency of Tradition,to Salvation.without the Scripture. But Bilhop U/7«r was of the fame mind with me, and told me, that he had faid the lame to the Jefuits Challenge, Cap. de Tradit.

§ yj. Many other fuch crude and unfound Paffages (like the Savoy Articles of Juftification after put into the Independant Agreement ) had come into our New Fundamentals: And all becaufe the over-Orthodox DodorsJ Owen and Cheynell, took it to be their Duty in all their Fundamentals to put in thofe words, which (as they (aid ) did obviate the Herefies and Errours of the Divines: Whenas I told them, they (hould make the Rule to look no way but ftrait forward, and put in their Rcjeclions after ( as the Sy-nod of Vort doth), as being the Contradictions of the Rule. One merry paflage I remember occafioned laughter: Mr. Sympfon cauled them to make this a Fundamental, That [ He that aUowetb himfelf or others in any known fin, cannot be faved ]. I pleaded againft the word [ allowed T ; and told them that many a Thoufand lived in wilful fin, which they could not be faid to £ allow themjelves ] in, but confefl'ed it to be fmj and went on againft Confcience, and yet were impenitent, and in a ftate of Death : And that there (eemed a little contradiction between [ known fin ] and [ allowed ]; ib far as a Man kno-weth that be finnetb, he doth not {^allow'], that is, apptove it. Other Exceptions there were; but they would have their vi/ay, and my oppofition to any thing did but heighten their Refolution : At laft I told them. 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 j and they would not believe me', but marvelled what I-meant: I told them that the Parliament took the Independant way of Separation to be a fin : and wjien this Article came before them, they would laj. By our Brethrens own Judgment we are all damned Men, if we allow the Independants or any other SeAaries in their fin. They gave me no Anfwer, but they left out ail that FundaowntaL The Papers "which I gave them in were thele. . ',

C Without the Knowledge -of whom by the Revelation of Scripture, there is no ^dt-•vation. ]

The Words [ by the Revelation of the Scripture ] I defired might be either here left OUtjOr changed into [ the Revelation of the Gofpel ; or^f^e Word of God. ] 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 ma'y be Salvation. I cannot fubfcribe to the Article as it ftands j of which when I have (hewed the point of our Difference, I fhall give you my Reafens:

I. Our Difference is not de doclrina tradtta] but de modo traJendi: 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 Book of the Creatures is infufficient hereunto : So far we are agreed as to the way of the Revelation. 3. Nor do I doubt of the full PerfcAion of the Scripture, but deteft the Popifh Dodrines of Traditions or unwritten Verities to fupply what is fjppofed to be wanting in the Scripture, as if it were but i part of God's Word for the revealing of thefe fupernatural things: I defired rather that you would more fully ex-prefsthe Scriptures Perfedion and Infallability. 4, Nor is it any doubt between us whether Men fliould wait for farther objedive Revelations or Additions to the written Word, or whether we fhould condemn the Errors of the Enthufiafts herein, we are agreed in all this. 5-. Nor is the Queflion de Officio, whether it be the Duty of all Men to look out after the written Word, as tar as they can, and reft in it. 6. Nor is the Queftion whether the Scripture only have the proper Nature of a Rule to Judge Controverfies by. 7. Nor yet whether Scripture be of neceffity to the Church in General. 8. Nor whether it be necefTary as a means to the Salvation of all that have it. 9. Nor whether it be the only fufficient means of fafe keeping and propagating the whole Truth of God, which is neceffary to the Church. 10. But the Quelfion is, of every particular Soul o.n Earth, whether we may thus afTert that there is no Salvation for them, unlefs they know Chrift by the Revelation of the Scripture: And I cannot afTent to the Article for thele Rea-fons J I. It leems a Snare by the unmeet Expreffions. 2. We cannot be certain df the Truth of it, 3. It is not of (b great neceffity as that all fhould be caft out of the Miniftry, though in other things Orthodox, that will not own ir. 4. Moch lels is it a Fundamental: Nor dare 1 judge all ro Damnation, that are not herein of your Opinion. 5-. Itfeemsto metobe injurious to Chriftianity it felf. 6. And ro the prelsnt intended Reformation. 7. And to the Parliament. 8. And to our felves.

1. For thepirft 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 aflert that the divine Authority of the Scripture is that* primum credibile^ which muft needs be believed before any Truth therein contained can be favingly believed. And it is thought by Ibmethat your Affertion is made good if it be but proved that all favingRevekuion that is now in the World, is from Scripture originally, and fubordinate to it, and not co o'di-nate. Bilt the obvious Senfe of your Words will feem to many to be this, that the particular Knowledge of that Perfon who will be faved, muft be by Scripture Revelation, as the objedive Caufe or Inftrument, even under that Confideration either in the Mind of the Speaker or Hearer, or both. If it fhould belaid 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 fb there Iiath been an IntermifUon of afcribing it to the Scripture, as to thofe Men by whom it vvas carried down, this will not feem to agree with your ExprefHon?. And feeing many others mult be Judges of your Senfe, who fhall have l-'ower to trie Minifters J hereby you enable them by yourobfcure Expreflions, to wrong the Church, opprefs their Brethren, and introduce Errors : And fo it leems you frame a Snare. 2. And you will put every poor Chriftian in thele Places where Chrilfs Faith is known to many but by Verbal Tradition, into an Impoflibility of knowing that they have any true Faith, becaufe they cannot know that it came from the Scriptures. ,

2. That we are not certain of the Truth of this AfTertion, nor can I be Judge^ T. Becaufe there was Salvation from Adam to Mofes by Tradition, without the written Word j and there was a confiderable fpace of time after Chrift's AfTention before th$ Scriptures of the New Teftament were written: The firft Chrillians

were

Part II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 201

were favingly called, and the Churches gathered without thefe Writings, by the preaching of the Doftrine which is now contained in them : And though that be now neceffary to the Safety of the Church and Truth, which was not(b neceffary when the Apoftlcs were prefent, yet it is unproved that there is more neceffary to the Salvation 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 withr out Scripture : Yea, and to the Gentiles that knew not the Scriptures of the 0\6. Teftament. 2. If there be no Salvation but by a Scripture Revelation j then, either becaufe there is no other way of revealing the Marrow of the Golpel, or be-caufe it will not be faving in another way. But neither of thefe can be proved true : f Ergo ) for the latter : i. The Word of God and Dodrina of his Gofpel may fave if revealed ( fuppofing other Neceflaries in their Kinds); For it luf-ficeth to the formal Objeft of Faith, that it be 'veracitas wvdantts ; and to the material Objeft, that it be, Hoc verum & bonum revelatum, but it muff be truly reve-latum, though not by Scripture. Ergo 2. God hath promifed Salvation to all that 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 Revelation, 2. For the former, [ That there is now in the World no other way of re'vealtng the Marrow of the Gofpel but by Scripture or from it. ~\ i. It cannot be proved by Scripture, as will appear when your Proofs are tryed. 2. The contrary is defended by moft learned Proteftants.

I. A Pracepto, another collateral way of Revelation is commanded by God ; Ergo there's another: 2. From certain Hillory and Experience; which (peak of " the Performance of thofe Commands; and the Inftances they give of both are thefe ; I. Minifters are commanded to preach the Golpel to all Nations before it was written, and a Promi(e annexed that Chrift would be with them to the end of the World : In Obedience whereunto, not only the Apofiles, but Multitudes more did lb preach ; which was by delivering the great Mafter-Verities which are now in the written Word : This Command is not rcverft by the writing of the Word : And therefore is ftill a Duty, as to deliver the Gofpel Do<arine in and by the Scripture, fo collaterally to preach the Subftance of that Dodrine as delivered from the Mouth of Chrift and his Apoftles. 2. Chrift commanded before the Gofpel 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-lafting Glory upon a holy Life. This was done accordingly both before and finc« the writing of the Gofpel: And fo the very Sum and Kernel of the Gofpel, and indeed all the true Fundamentals and Eflentials of the Chriftian Faith, have been moft certainly andconftantly delivered down by Baptifm; as a collateral way di-ftind from the written Word; which is evident in the very Succeffion of Chrifti-ans to this Day. 5. Another means hath been by Symbols, called Creeds and Ca-techifing which was moftly by opening the Creeds: As Reverend Bilhop UJher hath manifefted that the Weftern Creed, now called the Apoftles ( wanting two or three Claules that now are in it) was not only before the Nicene Creed j but of liich farther Antiquity, that no beginning of it below the Apoftlcs 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-techumeni were to be inftrufted in. Origen, lertuUtan, Irenaus, to fpeak of none of thele below them, do mention and recite them : The DoArine of this Creed they affirm themfelves to have received from the Apoftles 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 imperfed way than by the Scriptures. 4. Another means hath been by Parents teaching thele Principles to their Children, which as they were commanded to do, and did before the writing of the Gofpel; fo did they fucceflively continue it as a collateral way. y. Another collateral means was in the conftant u(e of the Lord's Supper, in Commemoration 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 ; which hath been continued by uninterrupted Succeffion, even from the time that preceded the writing of the Scriptures, it is therefore conceived poffible for fome Souls to be converted in darker parts of the World by thefe or Ibme of thele means, without the written Word. 3. The ancient Dodors of the Church affirmed that they had their Dodrine from the Apoftles by verbal as well as by written Tradition j Yea, and that if there were no Scripture, yet Tradition might refolve the Doubts againft the Here-

D d ticks.

ticks, and that (in thofe Days which were nearer the Spiing-Head) Tradition was a better way than Scripture to confute Hereticks, as TerttiUian de Prafcript at large, and Jrenauss Words are well known. Whether in this they miftake or not, I don't determine j 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 fa£io, there is among them no liich Tradition ; or elfe inufl: have fome Revelation from God, that there is not any fuch, nor fliall be: But \\q have neither of thefe J Ergo we cannot certainly conclude ic. j. Wc fe by Experience that more in fubftance of other common Precepts and Hiltory can he delivered down to Po-fterity by other means, without formal Records: Erg', lb may thele : For though they cannot have the golden Cabinet of Scripture, but from the Spirit j nor without the Spirit can Men believe : Yet the Truths may be remembred and delivered as aforefaid. 6. God can deliver the Marrow of the Golpel by other means than the Writing ; and he hath not told us that he viill not: Ergo, for ought we know he doth. 7. We ought not ablblutely to exclude extraordinary means when God hath not tyed lumfelf 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 3 when yet it's by fome affirmed to be your Senfe ; and by all chat it is yoiir Duty to deliver your Senfe as plain as you may : So much of my Reafons againll the certainty of the Truth of your Allertion.

5. I next add, that it leems not a Point fo weighty, as to call out all that are different from us in this Opinion. My Reafons are, i. From the Nature of the Thing. I. Ic hath fb much to be faid againlt the very Truth of it, and lb is doubtful. 2. There can no ill Confequences be manifefted to rife fiom the contrary Opinion : Much lefi fo ill as to deferve fiich a Cenfure: It is no wrong to Scripture that there is a more imperfed collateral way of delivering fome part of the fame Truths, no more than it is a wrong to Scripture chac the Law of Nature delivers fome other Part of them. 2. From the Perfons that were of the Opinion contrary to your Affertion; who were the ancient Dod:ors of the Churches, and many of the mod learned, judicious, and godly of the Reformed Divines, as I undertake to manifeft: when I have Opportunity, and it is neceffary. For my own part, if it were only my felf that Ihould be caft out by this Engine, I fliould (ay the leG J but as I know not how many Hundred may be of the lame Mind, and as I think it to be the mofl: 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 fub-Icribe to this your Affertion : whereby it leems to me, to be more tollerable to diffentfrora you.

4. Seeing you have voted to lay down only Fundamentals to Salvation fir.1: 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 ic is not Funda-mental appears; i. In that the F.ithers and choiceft reformed Divines were elfe no Chriftians. 2. No Creed of the ancient Churches did contain it. 3. It is not of neceffity to our believing on Chrift the Foundation : A Man may be brought himfelf by the Scripture to believe, that yec thinks another may believe by verbal Tradition. 4. No Scripture doth exprefly (no not implicitly ) deliver it j much le(s as a Fundamental.

y. My next Realbn was, that your Affertion and Reafbn are injurious to the Chriftian Caule. For i. 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 thole Infidels that deny the Authority of Scripture j elpecially when they tell us, that wc cannot prove that our Doftrine was delivered from Chrilt and his Apoftles, and not fince deviled or corrupted by later Hands. Now you would force our Arguments out of our Hands, to the Advantage of the Enemy : Upon the Experience of fome lace Debates with fubtil Apofbres,'now Infidels, I am bold with Submiflion to fay, that I would not for all the World io wound the Chriftian Caufe, as it is wounded by thole who bercive 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-Doiftrine, and matters of Fad delivered to us by the Hand of certain

Tradition.

P A R T II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. j^a^

Tradition. And 3. By the Reafonings that are brought againd- Co-ordinate .Tradition, you will invalidate fubfervient Tradition, which is neceirary to c6nve\' the very Scriptures from the ApolHes; and to affiire us that thefe are all the fiou; Writings; and not corrupt j and which is the Canonical,- and that there were no more. :,r:i

6. My fixth Reafon againft your Aflertion is, That it feems injurious to tRe Work we have in hand : For i. you will by any one Errour keep or calt out many godly Men from the Miniftry. 2. You will harden the Libertines when they difcern it. 5. And you will do more to introduce an Univerfal Toleration , than can be done by moll: other Means imaginable. For i. One flaw found in your Work, may caule it to be caft by. 2. It will (eem a potent Realbn for luch Toleration, when the choicelf Enemies ihall miftake in their very Fundamentals. 5. You will force us th.u are your Brethren to petition for Liberty, and then others will think that they may come in at the fame Gap.

7. I added. It will be a dilhonour to the Parliament. 1. When they fhall lend fo hard a Work abroad, and eftablifh (uch a crooked Rule ; if they thus receive k from you: if they rejeft or correct it, it will be their grief to lee our Divifion and Miftake.

8. Lallly, I added, That it will be much to our own difhonour. For, i.The Parliament will exadlly lean it •. and no doubt difeover 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 liich cholen Enemies have erred in their very Fundamentals: and for the Papiils to inlult over us, and (ay we can agree inno 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 Univerfal Toleration, and made fuch flaws in our Work to Jefiroy it, and intended to undo all by our overdoing or mifdoing.

I ftiould not have prefumed to have put you to fo much trouble, nor have made any ftop in your Work, vvlien the dilpatch is (o defirable, had not the Conlequents of Silence ieemed to me lb imollerable.

I only add, 1.1 dare not think but Scripture is fufficient both for Matter and Words to afibrd us Fundamentals, and to any thing which it Ipeaks, I am ready tofubferibe. 2. I dare not think that your late Reverend Affembly hath left out the very Fundamentals in their large Confeffion, to which in this Article I offered to fubl-jrible. 5. 1 dare not undertake at the day of Judgment to juftifie that Man from the Charge of damnable Infidelity, who hath had only verbal Tradition of Gods Revelation, of the Sumof Chriftianity : as if this did not make his Inhdelity inexcufable, becaule he had it not from Scripture. But 1 think that he jhall be damned for his Infidelity, who believethnotinChrift , 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 following Paper.

The Article.

[^ AH the means of Revealing Jefus Chrisi are fuhordinate and fubfervient to the Hoi) Scriptures j and none of them cd-ordinate.^

It is no fmall trouble to me that I was neceffitated to be the leaft delay to your Proceedings, by realbn of my unlatisfiednels 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 oar Difference ftiould be again received, by the Addition of this Article, is yet a greater trouble to me. Not lb much for my own lake, as others: left it Ihould offend the Parliament , and open the Mouths of our Adverfaries, that we cannot our felves agree in Fundamentals: and left it prove anoccalion for others to lue for an Univerfal Toleration.

I an unlitisfied in the laft, that is, the Negative Claufe of this Article, as I was in the former : i. As to the Truth of it, and 2. As to the weight of it, as a Teft for the Minifters that fhall be allowed to preach. 3. And as to the Neceffity of it to Salvation , as a Fundamental. Concerning the tirft , it muft be remembred I. That you Ipeak of [ Ali meant 3 of i evealing Chrift, without any Exception ,

Dd 2 Li-

Limitation or Reftriftion; no not fo much as to {_ ordinary ^ means, nor retraining it to means [fuffcient to Sahadon^' 2. That you deny them to be [co-ordinatej abiblutely aUb, without any diftin6tion, exception or limitation, g. I de/lre it may be obferved, that I am not my felf impoljng any Terms on you, or offering the Terms {_fiibordjnate^ or any other to be put into the Article , but only giving a Reafbn why I cannot (ublcribe it as it is; which I lliall now render, having pre-raiied thefe Oblervations: iThe word [co-ordinate] being comprchenfive and ambiguous, I conceive doth among others contain thcle leveral Sences following: I. As the Specks is fubordinate to totheGcw?//. 2. As the nearer Caules in the iame rank are fubordinate to the higher and remote, and all to the Hrft Caufe : as in Generation the nearer Parents to the remote. 5. As the Means are fubordinate to the End, in order thereto. 4. As the leis worthy is fubordinate to the more worthy, in degrees of Comparifon. Many other common Sences I now pais. Thefe being fat leaft the three firft ) common, and the oppoled Co-ordination univer-lally denied, I fee no Evidence to warrant the denial, i. In the tiril refpeft, I conceive that Divine Revelation being the Gf«»f, byword, and by writing, are diftind: Species ; And as the delivery of the thing revealed is the Genus^ fo the delivery of the perfe(ft word in Scripture, and of the Sam of the matter in Sacraments and other Means forementioned, aved'iAinS; Species. 2. In order of Efficiency I conceive that fome Means are Supra-ordinate to Scripcure, and feme Coordinate and Subordinate in feveral Relpedls, and fome Subordinate only : of which I fliall give Inftances anon. 3. In order to the nearer End j thole Means are fubordinate to Scripture,which are fupraordinate in Efficiency ; and fome ofthofe which <j^ or/^:«c 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, fbm.e below it. For Inftances in theft Cales: i.Jelus Chrifl: himfelf, both as the great Prophet of his Church, inditing the Scriptures by his Spirit, and finding the A-poftles, and ftiU fending Minifters, and owning his own Word, is one Means of Revealing himfelf to Mankind : And he is in order of Efficiency and of Dignity, 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 Ilipra-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 lb Revealing by the Inftrumentality of the Word, is in Efficiency and Dignity above the Word. 5. The Apoftles themfelves were in order of Efficiency, above the Writing or Letter of the Word, though in order of Dignity the Scripture is above them. 4. The Miniftry and Teaching of Parents, is as to theOriginil both fubordinate to Scripture , 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 fubordinate to Scripture in Dignity, and as to the nearer End. j. The fame is true of Baptifm and other Ordinances mentioned already. 6. The delivery of the Sciipiures down to our hands, t. As to acquaint us with the Canonical Books; 2. And that thefe are all; 3. And that they are uncorrupted in Matters of momenr, 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 fubordinate to the Scripture. Thefe things leeming thus to my apprehenfion, I cannor yet acknowledge it a Truth, that no Means of Revealmg Chrift is co-ordinate with the Scriptures.

I need to (ay no more to theNeceffity and Fundamentality than I faid in my laft Papei-.

I earncftly crave that the olTering of thefe Reafons, as my Diffenr, may not hi offenfive 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 co be an Engine to tear in pieces the Church, than an unfbund compolure of Fundamentals j 1 mc.^n, ao Impofingot thofeTilings as Fundamental which are not found; whereby th« nioft deferring may be ejc<5ted from the Miniftry, and cenfiired to Damnation. We are framing a Me.;n3 of Union, and not of Divilion. And though it grieves me to be ofFcnfive to my Brethren, yet had I rather luffer any thing in the World, than be guilty of putting among our Fundamentals one word that is not true. The ChriltianFaichhath been ever the fame finv-C the ApolHes days: and I find not that ever the Churches fundamentals contained fuch an Article as thi5. The Scripture, nor the Alfembly s Confcflion , have none fuch that I know oK The ^void L.C0-ordinate] is lb ambiguous, that ic is unfit to lay fb great a flrels upon it, .^ and

I

and the ufe of it here yet more perfwades me, that it had been better for U5 to adhere to Scripture Terms.

R. B,

§ y6. At laft Twenty of their Propofitions were printed for the Parliamenr. Bat the Parliament was difl'olvedj and all came to nothing, and that Labour was loft.

§ 57. At this time the Lord Broghill and the Earl of Warwick brought me to Preach before Cromwell the Protetilor (which was the only time that ever I preached to him, lave once long before, when he was an infcriour Man among other Auditors): 1 knew not which way to provoke him better to his Duty than by Preaching on i Car. i. lo. againft the Divifions and Diftraftions of the Church, and fhewing how mifchievous a thing it was for Politicians to maintain fuch Di» vifions for their own Ends, that they might fifli in troubled waters, and keep the Church by its Divifions in a ftate of Weaknefs, left it Ihould be able to offend them : and to ftew the Neceffity and Means of Union. But the plainnefi and nearnels I heard was difpleafing to him, and his Courtiers ; but they put it up.

§ J 8. A while afcer Crcmwell ient tolpeak with me I 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 Spam and Holland, &c. When he had wearied us all with fpeaking thus (lowly about an hour,l told him,lt was too great Condefccniion to acquaint mefo fully with all thefe Matcei s which were above me, but I told him that we took our Ancient Monarchy to be a BlelCng, and not-an Evil to the Land, and humbly craved his Patience, that I might ask him, How England had ever forfeited that Bleffing, and unto whom the Forfeiture was made ? ( 1 was fain to fpsak of the Species of Government only, for they had lately made it Tieafon by a Law to ipeak for the Perfonof the King ). Upon that Queftion he was awakened into fome Paffion, and told me it was no Forfeiture, but God had Changed it as pleafed him j and then he let fly at the Parliament ( which thwarted him ) j and elpecially by name at four or five of thofe Members which were my chief Acquaintance ; and I pre-fumed to defend them againft his Paffion j and thus four or five hours were ipent.

§ 5'9. A few days after he lent for me again to hear my Judgment about Liber-berty of Confcience (which he pretended to be moft zealous for ) before almoft all his Privy Council: where atter another How tedious Speech of his, I told him a little of my Jut'gment: 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, 1 told him, that if he would beat thelabourto 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 Subjed by me , written for a Friend, which if he would perule, and allow for the change of the Per-fbn, he would know my S'-nfe. He received the Paper afcer, but I Icarce believe that he ever read it; for I faw that what he learned muff be from himlelf; being more difpofed to fpeak many hours, than to hear one j. and little heeding what another laid, when he had Ipoken himlelf.

§ 6o. While I lodged at the Lord Broghtlh, a certain Perlon was importunate to Ipeak with me , \)£._Njc^ Gibbo n t who fliutting rhe Doors on us that there z4<ux8. might be no Witneffes, drew forth a Scheme of Theology, and told ms 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 cont.^ined the only Tirmi and Method to refolve all Doubts whatever in Divinity, and unite allGhrittians riiroughthe World: And there was none of them printed b it what he kept himlelf, and he communicated them only to fuch as were prepared, which h,^ thought I vv.ns,. becaule I was i. Searching, 2. Impartial, and 5. A Lover of Method. I thank'him, and heard him abovean hour in filence, and after two or three days talk With him, I found all his Frame ( the Qintrivance of a very Itrong Head-piece) was fecretly and cunningly fitted to ulher in a Soctman Poperv, or a mixture of Popery and half Socinianifm, Bifliop Ujlier had before occafionaUy fpnken of him in my hearing as a Socinian, which cauled me so hear him with luipicion, but I heard none lulpe<5i: hitn of Popery,

though

though I found that it was that which was the end of his Defign. This Jiigler hath this Twenty years and more gone up and down thus fecretly, and alfo thruit himfelf into places of Publick Debate ; ( as when the Bilhops and Divines difputed before the King at the IJle of Wight, Sec.) And when we were lately offering our Propofals for Concord to the King, he thruil in among us; till I was tain plainly to deted: him before fome of the Lords J which enraged him, and he denied the words which inlecrethehad (pokentomel And many Men of Parts and Learning are perverted by him.

§ 6i. In this time of my abode at the Lord BrcghiU's , fell out all the Acquaintance 1 had wirh the molt Reverend , Learned, Humble, and Pious Primate of Ireland, Archbilliop Ujher, then living at the Earl of Feterborough'i Houfe in Martin s-Lttfie. Sometimes he came to me, and oft I went to liim : And Dr. KtmUl who had wrote pettilhly againft me about Univerfal Redemption, and the Specification of Saving Grace, defired me, ( when I had anfwered one of his Invedives, and had written part of the Anfwer to the other } to meet him at Bifliop 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 Dodrine of Univerfal Redemption wlrich lafTerted, and gloried that he was the Man that brought Bilhop Davenant and Dr Vrefion to it, he perfwaded us f who were both willing) to Silence for the time to come.

§ 62. In this time I opened to Bilhop Ujlier the motions of Concord which I had made with the Epifcopal Divines, and defired his Judgment of my Terms, which were thele : i. That every Paftor be the Governour , as well as the Teacher of his Flock. 2. In thole Parilhes that have more Presbyters than one , that one be the (fated Prelident. 3. That in every Market Town, or Ibme iiich meet Divifi-ons, there be frequent AflTemblies of Parochial Pallors afTociated for Concord and mutual Affillance in their Work; and that in thefe Meetings, one be aftated,(not a temporary Prefident). 4. That in every County or Diocefs there be every year, or half year, or quarter, an Affembly of all the Miniilers of the County or Diocefs; and that they alio have their fixed Prefident ; and that in Ordination nothing be done without the Prefident, nor in nutters of common or publick concernment. 5'. That the coercive Power or Sword be medled with by none but Magi-ftrates. To this Senfe were my Piopolals; which ihe told me might fuffice for Peace and Unity among moderate Men : But when he had oflered the like to the King, intemperate Men were difpieafed with him, and they were then rejeblied ; but afterward would have been accepted : And fuch Succefi I was like to have. 1 had heard of his Preditions that Popery would be reilored again in England for a Ihort time, and then fall tor ever. And asking him of it, he pretended to me no prophetical Revelation for it, to himfelf, but only his Judgment of the Senle of the Apocalyps.

§ 65. I asked him alfo his Judgment about the validity of Presbyters Ordination ; which he aflerted, and told me, that the King asked him at the Ifle of Wight, whereever he found in Antiquity that Presbyters alone ordained any i and that he anlwered, 1 can Hiew your Majelly more, even where Presbyters alone fucceffively ordained Bifhops; and inltanced in Hterom's Words Eptfi. ad Evagrium,. of the Presbyters of Alexandria chuling and making their own Bifhops from the Days of Marky till Hcrachts and Dionyftm. 1 asked him alio whether the Paper be his that is called '^A Rtduilion of Effjcofacy to the Form of Symdtcal Gcvernment^ which he owned ; and Dr. Bernard after witnelTcd to be his.

§ 64. And of his own Accord he told me confidently, [ That Synods are notfro-ferly for Government, but for Agreement among the Pajlors ; and a Synod of Bijliops are not the Governors of any one Bijhop there prefent ]. Though no doubt but every Pa-itor out of the Synod, being a Ruler of his Flock, a bynod of fuch Paitors may there exercife Ads of Government over their Flocks, though they be but A61:s of Agreemejit or Contrad lor Concord one towards another. Quere, If the whole Synod have no governing Power over its Members, hath the Prefident of that Synod any ^ua talis ?

§ 6^ V/hen Oliver Cromivel was dead,and his Son almofl as foon puUd down as fet up (or upon their Tumults voluntarily refigned their Places) the Anabaptilfs giew infolenc, in England znMreLind ; and joining with their Brethren in the Army, were cvry where put in Power ; and thofe of them that before lived in fome IcciningFriendlinefs near me at BewdUy, began now to fhew that they remem-bred all their former Provocations (by my publick Difputation vvith Mr. Tombes, and vviiting againft them, and hindring their increafein thofe paits) And though

they .

Part IL 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 Fan<t was in Power, and forming his Draught of a ( not Free but ) Fanatick Common-wealth, and Sir George Booth"s Rifing was near, and the look't for Oppofition, they laid wait upon the Road for my Letters, and intercepting one written to Major Beake o{ Coventryy they lent it up to Sir Henry Vane to London^ who found it (b warily written, though himfelf was mentioned in it, that he could have nothing againft it; yet (ent he lor Major Beake to London, and put him to anlwer it at the Committee, where, by examination they (ought to have made (bmething 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 iri 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 King's old Party (called then the Cavaliers) and the Parliaments Party (called the Presbyterians) did iecredy combine in many parts of the Land to rile all at once and liipprels thefe inlolsnt Ufurpers and bring in the King : Sir Ralfb Clare of Ktderminjhr, acquainted me with the intended Rifing; (the Iffue of which was, that the Cavaliers failing, except a few at Salisbury, who were fuddenly difperlt or taken. Sir George Booth, and Sir Tho^ Middleton, two old Commanders for the Parliament, drew together aa Army of about yooo Men, and took Chefier^ and there being no other to divert him, LaniT lert came againft them, and lome Independants and Anabaptifts of the Country joining with him, his old Souldiers quickly routed them all, and Sir George Booth was afterwards taken and imprifoned) : I told Sir K. Clare that if the Presbyterians and Epilcopal Men had but before come to fome Agreement, they would the more unanimoufly join againft the Fanaticks : But fmce 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 Miniltry ; and avoided all wavs of Agreement with them, but by an abfolute Submiffion to their Power (as the Papifts do by the Proteliants ); and that there is a wonderous difference between the Cauie of the one Party and the other : For though they are born equally capable of Government or Subjedion, yet all that the Presbyterians ( for the moft part of them ) defire, is but to have leave to worlhip God, and guide their Flocks in ways of Piety and Concord, without being perfecuted for it, Anc3 the Prelatical Mens Cauie is, that they may be tlie Governors of all, and that no Man have leave to ftrve God but as they prefcribe 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 efpeciaily 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 filenccj that we look'd on it as the ruine of the Church ; that we had not any Animofity againft them ; that we defired no Man fhould be hindred in his Miniftry for any thing he had done in the Wars againft the Parliament : But we defircd that the People might have faithful Paftors, and not drunken ignorant Readers, as he knew in this Country they had had a And that every ceremonial Difference n^ight not again be thought a fufficient Realbn to caft out hundreds of the ableft Men, and put in fuch inlufficient Perfons in their fteads: Per-fecution and the Ruine of the Miniftry and Churches were expedted by moft, if Prelacie got up again ; and if fuch leading Men as Dr. Hammond vJoxACi but beforehand come to Terms of fome Moderation, and promile to endeavour faithfully to bring things to that pafs as now fhould be thought indifferent, it would greatly facilitate Mens Conjundion againft the turbulent Sedariss and Souldiers, I told him he had long lived here among us, and law the worft of us; he faw that our private Meetings weie only in due Subordination to thePublick, and that they were only Ipent in fuch AAions as every Chriftian might do ( to repeat a Sermon, and Pray^ and propole his Doubts to his Paftor^ and fing Pfalms) and not to any Fadion or Sedition ; and that we had not a SeAary in the Town, but were all of a Mind, and walked in Humility, and BlameleCncls, and Charity toward all j all which he did fieely acknowledge j 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 ) Ihould beg but for Liberty to live quietly by them, or thole that were now kept under, and not obtain it. l^ut we carsd little for thisasit is our ownlntereft? lo thatthg Soulsof Msn, (even

Thouf^nd s

thoufands in all Countries) might not be injured and undone by an ignorant vicious perfecuting Miniftry.

To this he confidently affirmedj that he, being moft throughly acquainted with Dr. Hammond, who received Letters from Dr. Morley then with the King, could affure me that all Moderation was intended ; and that any Epifcopacy how low (bever would ferve the turn and be accepted : And a bare Prefidency in Synods, liich as Bifliop U^er in his Redudion did require, was all that was intended; Yea, Bifliop HaWi way of Moderation would fuffice; that there Ihould be no Lord Bifhops^ nor fo large Dioceffes, or great Revenues, much lefs any perfecuting Power, but that the Effentials of Epifcopacy was all that was expeded ; that no godly able Minifter fhould be difplaced, much lefs filenced, nor unworthy Men any more (et up, that there {hould be no Thoughts of Revenge for any thing paftj but all be equal.

In Conclufionwe agreed that I fliould make (bme Propofals to Dr. Hammond, containing the Terms of our Agreement, and he would bring them to him ( for he li. ved but (even Miles from us ) and procure me an Anfwen Whereupon I drew op a few Propofals, and Sir Ralfh 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 promile his beft Endeavours to accomplifti it, by perluading 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 Wifdom would fure have hindred much of the Violence which after followed : I wrote him a Reply, but never fent it, be-caufe the Tumults prefently interrupted us. The Papers on both fides were thefe following:

R. Baxter'/ Fropofab fent by Sir R. Clare to Dr. Hammond.

HAvlng premifed the Terms oO which the Epifcopal Presbyterian and Indepen-dant, &c. may maintain a Brotherly Agreement, in cale the Magiftrate gives Liberty to them all, I ihall add Ibme Propofitions containing thole things that we defire the Brethren of the Epifcopal way will grant us, as neceflary to the Peace of thefe Churches, and the avoiding of Perfecution, to the hindrance of the Gofpel, in cafe the Magiftrate fhould eftablifh their way.

1. We defire that private Chriftians may not be hindered from praying in their Families, according to the fenfe of their Neceflities, without impofed Forms j nor from reading Scripture and good Books, catechifing and inftruding their Families and reftraining tliem from dancing and other Vanities, which would withdraw them from holy Exercifes on the Lords Day: And that Neighbours be not hindred from meeting at convenient times in each others Houfcs, to edifie themfelves by Godly Conference, Reading, repeating Sermons, Prayer, finging Pfalms; fo be it they refufe not the overfight of their faithful Paftors in the management hereof; nor Ik up thefe Meetings in Oppoficion to the publick AfTemblies, but in due Subordination to them; and be refponfible to Governors for all Mif^ carriages.

2. We defire that the ungodly fort of People may not be fuffered to make the ferious praftice of Godlinefs an open Scorn, or to deride the Pradice of fuch holy Duties, as by God, and our Governors we are allowed to perform.

3. That the moft able. Godly, faithful Men be Paftors of the Flocks; and the jnfufficient, ungodly, negligent, fcandalous, and Heretical be kept, and caft out; the Welfare of the Church confifting lb much in the Quality of the Paftors.

4. That no Paftors be forced upon the Flocks againft their Content ( the Church Governors being the Approvers and Ordainers and fit means being ufed to procure their Confenc ) though meer Teachers may be forced on the Ignorant, Heretical, and obftinate, that are unmeet for Church-Communion.

<y. That the Teachers of the Parilhes may be urged to catechife the People, and peifonally ( in due time and Place ) to confer with them all, and inftrud them in the Matters of Salvation; and all the People may be urged to liibmit thereunto.

' 6. That

6. That before any Pedbn's baptized in infancy be admitted among the adult Members of the Churchy to their holy Communion and Priviledg^s^ they make an open Profeflion of Faith and Holineis, fuch as Ihall be approved by the Paftor of that particular Church ( who is refponiible if he deny Approbation unjuftly. ) Thefolemnity of Confirmation we leave to theWildom of Church-Governors.

7. That we may have Liberty in the Temples to affemble for God's Worfhip,-and may have no new Worihip and Ordinances or iymbolical myllic^l Ceremo' nies enforced on us againft our Confciences : And that (iich as dare not ufe the Grofi, Surplice, or kneeling in the Ad of Receiving, may not by Penalties be forced to them, nor therefore denied the Exercife of the Miniftrj', or the Communion of the Church j and thole that Scruple theEngliih Common Prayer-Book may have leave to exercife their Miniftry without it; at lealt that they may be allowed the uie of a Licurgy toT)e drawn up in Scripture Words, and approved bv a Synod j and befides that, freely to pray Recording to the variety of Occafionsj and Subjeds which they preach of j they being reiponfible to their Governors for all that they (ay and do amiis.

8. That the Paftors of each Parifh-Church may have Liberty to hear Accufati-ons of Herefy or Scandal, and to admonilhthe Offenders pubiickly, that hearnoc private Admonition; to call them openly to Repent, and confefs their Sin, and promife Reformation, to ablblve the Penitent, and rejed the Impenitent, requiring the People to avoid them. But yet, if you require that no Paftor (liould proceed to the publick admonilhing and rejeding any, but upon the Judgment "of the next Synod, and (heir Prefidenr, wefubmit ^ unlefs (which God forbid) thsv Jhould defend Herefy and Wickednefi, and prohibit Difcipline,

9. That the Neighbour-Paftors aflbciating tor Union and Comrnunion, may hold monthly Synods in every Market-Town, having a Preildent ( ftated for Life, unlels he piove unfit ) ; And that the Paftors of the Particular Churches be herd refponfible tor their Dodrine and Pradice, if any Jliall accufe them. And that Cales about Publick Confirmation, Admonitions, or Cen'.ures, excepted«from

the Power of the Pallors of the particular Churches of that Affociation may be / here decided. Butyet, that tlie Prefident and Synod may not be forced to urjder-take the fpecial Charge of all the Souls of each Congregation^ as it belongeth to the feveral Paftors.

10. That every Quarter (and ofcner, if the Prefident fee caufe ) there may be a Synod of all the Paftors of each County ( or Diocefles if that may not be granted ) who alfo (hall have a ftated Piefident (the Name we leave to you) who (hall maintain a more general Communion, and without delfroying the Power of the farticdar Vaftors, or U^'er Synods, (liall receive Appeals, and take Cognizance of {iich Cafes as are proper to them. And that no Prefident of greater or lefter Synods, Ihal! ordain, fufpend, deprive, or excommlinicate any Paftor or Deacon, without the Cbflfenc ot* the Synod, and the Prefence of (ome of them ,• nor cenflPre the Members of any particular Church, without the Confent of the Synod or of the Paftor of that Church. And that all Pretidents be freely cho(in by the Synods where they muft prefide.

11. That National Councils may confiftof thePrefidents of both the Diocefane and inferior Synodsj or elfe of the Diocefane, and two out of each County, freely tholenby the Major Vote of all the Paftors.

12. That no Subfcription be required of the F'aftorS to any thing about Religion, but to the Holy Scriptures, and the ancient Creeds, and tothe necefTary Articles of Faith and Pradice expreft in Scripture Terms, and to the Renunciation of all Hcrefies cpntrary thereto : And that in the Matter of the Divine Right of Prelacy orSynodical Government, or Cereqionies, it may fu(fice that we are refponfible for any Diibbedience, and bo not forced to(ubfcribe our Approbation ; they being not Articles of Faith, but Points of Pradice j 2nd if you (ee Cau(e to re-ftrain Men from Vreachmg agatnji any other controverted Opinions, they may not be forced to approz'e them.

i;. That no Paftor bedifplaced, unlefs for Infufficiency, Negligence or Scandal committed within two Ye.irs before the Accufation ; or unlels fome able Godly, (aithful Paftor prove a better Title to the Place.

14. Laftly, That Pcrlbns Excommunicate, may-not be punilhcd eo Nomine, Jbe-Cauih Excommunicate, by corporal Puni(h(jienis, unlels it be by disfranchifing, that they be uncapable of Government, or of choofmg Governors,* feeing the fame Men are alfo obnoxious to the Laws of the Land, for fuch Crimes as the Laws condemn, notwithftanding their Excommunication.

Ee On

On thefe Terms we may hold a Chriftjan Concord, without any Danger of Perfecution, or Breach of Charity, or Peace, if the Magiftrate fhould think meet to (ettle Epifcopacy : as we may on the forementioned Terms, while the prelent Liberty continueth.

July 16J9.

Dr, Hammond'/ Anfiver.

m

i.rTZH A T concerns private Chriftiansin their own Families, will Ifuppofe V V eafily be granted, care being'taken that nothing contrary to known Laws be attempted under Pretence of convening for Chriftian Advantages.

2. What concerns the Reftors of each Parifh in the Difcharge of the Duty by Law committed to them, there can be no doubt of. What is more required to be intruded 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 Coafidera-tion of Ancient, Primitive Pradice, and what may probably mod tend to Edification.

3. What concerns the Obfervation of Ceremonies by Minifter or People, by Law eftabliflied, muft be done by Tolleration or Exemption from Puniih.aients, allowed to tender Confciences, with care had alio to Uniformity.

4. The Nomination of Perfon?to Offices in the Church, mull have relpeft to to the lawful right of Patrons, unlels by Law fome Change be thought expedient to be introduced herein.

S- U the Prefjdents of inferior Synods are to have Episcopal Power in Confirmation, Cenfures, Ordination, then this being the multiplying of Bifhops, muft be referred to the Supreme Power to judge whether atl things confidered, it be beft, or whether fome larger Diocefles being divided, fome leffer 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 u(e of them and their Synods may be good, widi Subordination toBiftiops and regulated by Laws.

6. If there be Biiliops in the Church, lure th-iy muft have the fuperintendent Care ; and fo Power over the whole Flockj Presbyters and People j yet fo that for the Exercife of it, they intruft to the Reder of each Parilh wich what Jhall be found nscelfdry for the Souls of the People in daily Adminiftration.

7. I cannot think it meetthaitHe 59 Articles which are the Hedge between us and the papacy fhould be removed, and Articles in bare Scripture-termJ fubftituted in their room, iinlefs by this means ( the Papacy receding alfo ) an universal Ij^acc n)igiit be hoped, which is a thing beyond our Profpeft. That no more Articles be added to clog our Communion, is very reafonable. That any of thefoeftabli/hed, are excepted againft by thofe, in Relation to whom we now confider, is more than i have heard.

8. For the not removing any Minifterbut upon weighty Caufe, and not punilh-ing Offenders by other than Ecclefiaftical Cerrfures, leaving the reft to the Civil Magiftrate, I fee no matter of Debate betwen ui.

R. B.'j- Reply.

'"Tp FIE Stiiiftures returned, inflead of Abatements for Accommodation, refer ■X alnioft all the Matters in Difference to the Civil Magiftrate. We know tliat whoever is in pofTeffion of the Magiftracy will be the Judge of his own Anions, and give us I^ws according to his Judgment. Our Motion is not, for Divines to do any of the Magiftrates Work. But when Magiftrates againft Epifcopacy are up, we would have Divines endeavouj in their places, to draw them from injuring the bi ethiert tiiat are tor Epifcopacy : And when Magiftrates that are for Epilco-pacy are up, we would have Divines endeavour in their places to draw them from injuring the Brethren that cannot comply with it any nearer than on the fore-ex-

prefTed

prelTed Terms. And that the Party that is ftill under might not be lookt upon, and u(ed as a S2<5t, and Divifion might not be cheriftied among us, we much ra ther defire an Accommodation than a Toleration : that we may be but one Body* and Itjck together whatever Changes come. To this end, we firft dellre that our Rule for Docftrine, Difcipline and Worfhip, be (iich as may ferve for an Univer-fal Concord : and next, that we may be lecured from Encroachments on our juft Liberty, and fuch Impofitions ( befides or above the Knh) as we know will caufe Divifions and Perfecutions. That which we defire to thefe Ends, from the Divines to whom we offer our Propolals, is that they will expreis their own Defire that (b much may bo granted by the Magiftrate, as they find meet to be granted • and agreeing on the fitted Terms among tiiemfelves, will profefs and promile their faithful Endeavours in their Places and Capacities, to procure the Conceffion and Approbation of the(e Terms from the Magiftrate. And this any fingle perfon may ( to prepare for a further Communication) confider of, and content unto, 'viz,, to improve his Intereft to thele Ends.

Now to the Particulars, i. We defire that you will profels your Judgment, and promife your juft Endeavours in your place that [no Laivi] may be made, for continued) that are contrary to thele Chriftian Duties (and I know of none fuch ex-iftent): And then we confent that all Perfons be refponfibk for their Mifcar-riages.

2. This is the chief of our Defires, that you will profeft your defire, and promife your endeavour in your place, that the power mentioned in the eighth Article, may by Law be granted to the Redors of each Parifh j we fuppofe that their Office is of Divine Inftitution : and therefore that Magiftrates may not change it: what is by Law eftablifhed, the PofTefTors of the Government, will ftill be Judges of. Did we believe that the Paftors of particular Churches are not of Divine Inftitution, unchangeable by Man ; or that Diocefan Bilhops could exercife Chrift's Difcipline over lb many hundred Parifhes, lb that it would not certainly be caft: out by their undertaking it, we would hot have infifted on this Article, but yield that Rechrs JJjall never Rule.

3. We might hope that the Ceremonies might be left indifferent, and lb there might be no Divifions about them. As we find it nov/ by Experience in our At femblies, in the finging of Pfalms, the Geft:ure 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 Ifandeth, 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 anothei-. And fome Congregations fing one Verfion of the Pfalms and Come another, and (though Uniformity in that be much more defirabla than in a Crofs, or Surplice, or Kneeling at Receiving the Eucharift, yet)there is nodi-fturbance among 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 Seds by our Toleration of Diffenters: And doubtlefs if your Toleration be of all that profefs Tendernefs of Confcience in thefe Pointsji you will find fuch .ibundance of godly Men avoid your Ceremonies and accept of your Toleration, that you will think your felves neceffitated to perfecute them, as difhonouring you, and difcouraging Uniformity by their diflent. But if.you,tolerate fome, and not others that can lay the fame claim to it, your partiality will quickly break all into pieces. We are certain that leaving thefe unneceflary 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 Commiir' nicants have their Confcnt preferved, without which none is to bs obtruded on them : Though in cafe of unreafonable refufal of fit men,much means may be ufed by Church-Officers and Magiftrates to bring them to confent: But how can People be governed in the Worinip of God, and in a Holy Life, by any Paftor without their own conJent i

y. The multiplying of Bifhops is in our Account, the making Difcipline become poffible, that elfc is not ( to any purpofe ) : And though our own Judgment be that every Parifli that is great fliould have a Bifhop and Presbytery; yet we yield to you for Concord and Peace, that there be a Bifhop and Presbytery in every City, that is. Corporation or Market-Town, and thelc ( as is expreffed in the Articles) to have one in every County or Diocels to whom they /hall be re-Iponfible. We defire only the profpflion of your Confent to this Change, and promife of your promoting it in your place by juft mo^nSj that lb our Differences

Ee 2 ' " '"^y,

may be ended. But if this cannot be granted, and no particular Paddrs tolerated to exercife Difcipline in their own Parishes, but all mufl be done by the Bilhop and his Court, we muft take it as equipollent to this Conclufion, [ Dif:ipline fhal! be cafl: out of the Churches ] : And ihen we have no hopes ot the heiHng of our Divillons, or fatisfying the Defires and Confciences of multitudes of Perfons,'truly fearing God : And if we may not have Difcipline to promote a \\\{\ Retornration of Manners, we fhali ftill have irregular Attempts of Reformation.

But ic is not the Name that we infift on; Call them Rural Deans or Arch-Deacons, or what you pleafe, fo be it, they may be author feed 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 Paflor is another. The former extendeth no further than to overiee the particular Paftors, and to receive Appeals in extraordinary Cafes from any of the People j and to teach then) in couris, while as Vifitors they pafs from one Parifti to another, and in the fame manner to adminifter Sacraments, and perlbnally exercife Parifh Difcipline : But the Special Charge containeth an Obligation to watch over each particular Perlbn in an ordinary teaching them, publickly and privately, as they have occafion and opportunity, and plucking up all Weeds of Herefie and Profanenels, that ftall Ipring up among them, refolving Doubts, convincing Gamfayers, and ordinarily guiding them in Publick Worlliip, 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 impofe on every Dio-cefan Bifhop ( befides the fore-de(cribed General Care) this Special Charge over every Soul, as every Paftor of a particular Church hath, you will take an effedual Courfe to keep the moft pious, modeft , and thoughtful Perfons out of that rank.

And your Phrafe of [ Intruding fo much as is found neceffary in the hands of the Reftor of each Parifh ] feemeth to intimate that you take thofe Redors not only for Men of a diftind Order or Office, from the Bifhops, but alfo of an Office that it is not of Divine Inftiturion , and delcribed by God, hut of Humane Inflitution, and left to the Bilhop's Difcrecion what it fhall be , and how much power fuch fliall have, and that they are to be intruded with it from the Bifhops fas the Italians in Coned. Tridm. 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 Redors of each Parifh may know their Office from the Holy Scripture, and receive it as from Chrift, who hath inflituted it,and entruffed them with if.

7. We defire the ScriptureConfeflion but to the Extent and Securing of our Peace and Concord. If Papiffs would agree upon fuch a Confeflion, yea on a Subfcription to the whole Scripture, we fhould rejoice: But they cannot do it, without ccafing to be Papifls. And many may rife up among our lelves 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. Cbillingworth's Inliance proves) : i. As he that fhould Icruple fome one word ( of no great weight ) in Athanafins's Creed, contrary to Art. 8. 2.0r the abfolute Exclufion of Works in the Article of Juffitication, Art.ii. 5. Or the difpleafingnefs and finfulnefs of Works before Faith, and their not making Men meet to receive Grace, Art. i ;. 4. And that voluntary Works, befides or above God's Commandments, cannot be taught without Arrogancy and Impiety ( -vide Anmt. Dr. H. H. m i Cor. 9. i6,17. ) Art. 14. j. If any think that the Virgin Mary, or Infants offended not in many things, .Art. 15-.] We queflion whe-rlicr 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 may be as evidently known, as a Tree difcerned by the Fruit], fhould he be pre-fently caft out .-^ Art. 12. 8. The n y^frf. concludeth that [General Councils may not be gathered together without the Commandment and Will of Princes ] ; and Ibme think it may as well befaid, that we may not meet for Publick Worfhip without their Command and Will; and that this proveth, that there never was a General Council, nor ever will be ; becaufe the Princes ( Infidels and ChriftiansJ ia whole Dominions the Bifhops live, never did, or will generally Confent to have their Subjefts go to a General Council. 9. The ;ift Art. concludeth [ that there is hone other Sitisfaftion for Sin, but ChrifFs alonej : which many befide Gro;/*r do coiitradid. tb. Many dare not Subfcribe to the 34th Art. without rettridion.

11.Many

Part II. R^'uer^WAfr. Richard Baxter. 213

rt. Many good Men dare not To fully approve of all the Homilies as/^r^.jy doth. 12. Many have refufed Subfcription becaule of Art. 36, it being hard fo far to ju-ftifie every word in fuch Humane Writings as the Book of Conlecration is. Now it leems againft our Unity, to make fuch a Teft of ir, as all Perfons tolerable cannot agree in. And it feems contrary to the Ancient Simplicity, vvhich required no o-ther Teft than the Scriptures and the Creeds. And it hardeneth the Papifls to call on us to prove a Succeffion of Frotejfants from the firft Ages, that is, of Men that have held all the 59 Articles.

But yet we highly value the 39 Articles as (bund arid moderate, and if we cari procure no nearer a recourfe to Scripture and Ancient Simplicity, we ftiall cheerfully fubaiic to che 39 Articles ; if the Dodrine of BilTiops and Ceremonies, might be left cut, as Matters of Pradice and hot of Faith, as long as we are refponfible for any Difobedience. And it's hard if fUch things muff be Subfcribed, as of Ne-ceffity to our Church Communion, or Miniftry.

And that thefe have been excepted againft by the Old Nonconformifls,! fuppofe you know.

And if you could be content with a Scripture Confeffion if Rome would yield to it, why fiiould you deny to your Brethren at home, that which you would grant the Rbmanifls, and therefore confefs you may liwfully grant r Let us lay down fuch a Rule of Concord, as is fit for all to yield to, and then leave all to accept it as they pleafe ; and fb they cannot blame our Religion, nor maintain their Alien.2tion : But if we will not be content with a Rule that's fitted for Univerfal Concord, vve keep Men from it.

And feeing you now fay. It's reafonable that we be clog'd with no more} why might not the lame have been faid of fome of the fore-mentioned Paflagesj if they had been left out ?

8. But the Doubt is. Whether you will allow the Title of the Miniflers now in pbffeflion (except as before excepted), or whether you will rather judge all their Titles void that were not Ordained by Dioceftn Bifhopj.

I.aftly, We defire to know whether all the relf, not touched on and excepted againft in thefe Notes, have your Confent: ( as that Bilhops be chofen by the whole Clergy , and Ordain not , and Cenfure not , without their Synods,

O how eafic were a Peace on thefe Terms I how eailly and fafely might you ghint :hem, without any wrong to your CcnfcienceS, or the Church ? Yea, to its exceeding benefit! How lowd do our Miferies cry for fuch a Cure! How long hath ic been neglefted I

If there be any more than what is here granted by us, that you think neceffaiy fot- us to yield toon our parts, we iliall gladly revive your Demands, and yield for Peace as far as is poflible, without forfaking our Conlciences: And what Ihall be agreed on, we fliall promife faithfully to endeavour in our places, that the Magi-flraie may confent to it.

The inclofing Paper fignified a readinefs to yield to an Agreement, on the primitive Simplicity of Dodrine, Diicipline and Worlhip: as Dr. Hejlin alfb 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. I. Did the Trirnhive Church recjuire Suhfcriftion to all in our 39 Articles, or to any Tkore thdn the words of Scripture, and the Ancient Creeds, in order to Mens Churcb-Com-tKiehicti and Liberty ? Were fuch Volumes as our Homilies then to he fubfcribed to ?

Ci_2. fVere any recjuired as necejjary to their Minifiry in the Trimitive Times, to Suh-fdrihe to the Divine Right of Diocefan Prelacy, and promife or fvear Obedience to fuch ? Or to Subferibe to all that is contained in our Book of Ordination ?

Q, 3. IVere all, mofi, or any Bijhops of the firfi Age, ( of thelowefi rank, 730W difiin-gutfijed from Archbifiiefs) the fixed Taftors of many particular Churches, or of more Souls than one of our ordinary ( or greater ) Parijlies? Much lefi of fo many as are in a Dio-cefi. Let 1SS hut have no more Souls, or Congregations under the lowe(i rank of Bifliops voiv, than -were in the firfi Age ( or fecond either ordinarily ), and we fliall fcon agree, t think in all the Sub/lance of Government.

Q^ 4. IVas our Common Prayer ufed, and necefiary to a Pajlors Liberty, in the firfl or Jecond Age ? Or all that is in it ? Or will you leave out all that you cannot prove to have teen then ufed, and that as necejjary, as now it is Jupfofed ?

(^y. Were the CroS, Surplice, and Rcftriclion to kneeling in receiving the Eucharif^ er/joyned bj Peter or Paul, or any in the firfi- Age ? (or fecond either, or many after ? ) If you fay, that fame Form of frayer was tifed, though not ouri: I anjwer, i. Prove it ujed, and impojed m neceffary to the Exercife of the Mmiftry: and that any -was enjoy^ied to Suhfcrtbe to it, and uje it on pain of Deprivation or Excommunicatioju 2. If the fir[i (^fuppofed) Book of Prayers wot r.eceffary in Specie, for continuafice, we tnuft have it y and ca^ft away this that's pleaded for: If tt were not, then why may you not as well difpinfe with this, and change it, feeing you cannot plead it more imnsu'tahie than the (ftippofed ) Apofiolical, crPrnmtizie Prayer Book? 3. When Forms of Liturgy came up, had they not divers in the fame Empire, and alfo changed them in particular Churches ? (_ as the Ccn-tfoverfe between Bafil and the Church of Neoca;(area fiews, &c.) And why then may not at much he granted now in England ? at leaft to procure Unity and Peace in other things, after fo long uncharitable Alienations, and doleful Effecis of them in the Church and State ?

JV. B. That the forefaid Exceptions againfV impofing the Subfcription of the 39 Articles, are uiged <»<//jwwiwewjbecaule though the Dodrinal Part of thofe Articles be fu-h as thegenerality of the Presbyterians would Subfcribe to, yet ! fee not how the Reverend Brethren on the other flde can poffibly Sublcribe them as reconcileable to the Principles publi/hed by many of them.

§67. Shortly after this, when Sir George Booth's Rifing failed, Major General Monk in Scotland, with his Army, grew lo fenfibie of the Info-March 10. 1559. A Petition lencies of Vane and Lambert, and the Fanaticks in England and was fcnt up from Woycefter(liire, to j,,i^„^ ^ho f^t up and pull'd down Governments as boldly as have had the Long Parhamenf -ru i-Tjr-N* j r

fate, till they had done that for '^ they were making a Lord of a Maygame, and were grafp-King, and Church, and Country, ing all the Power into their own Hands J fo that he prelently which they were reftored for: fecured the Anabaptifts of his Army, and agreed with the reff, But it was not delivered becaufe ^^ ^.g^jj^ ^i^gj-g Ufurpers ; who would have England the Scorn

Sen;.fe?en[f" '''' of ^H the World. At fi?fl when he drew near to England, he

March I ^. The Long Parlia- declared for a Free Gommonwcalth. When became in, Lam-

ment D ffolyed it felf. bcrt marched againfl: him, but his Soldiers foi faking him, and

March 25. Ur. Hammonddiei.. Sir Arthur Hafelrigge getting Portfmouth, and ColMorley ftrength-

ning him, and Major General Berry's Regiment, which went to block it up, revolting to them, the Clouds role every where at once, and Lambert could make no refiltance ; but infiead 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-fiilted with his Friends, what to do ! Many Countreys fent Letters of Thanks and Encouragement to him. Mr. Tho. Bampfield was lent by the Gentlemen of the Wefl ; and other Countreys did the like j fo that Monk came on, but (till declared for a Commonwealth, againft Monarchy : Till at lafl, when he faw all ripened 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. Clargcs and Sir William Morrice, his Kinfinan, and tlie Petitions , and Affeftions of the City of London, principally moved by Mr. Calamy and Mr. Ajii, two ancient, leading, able Minifters ( with Dr. Bates, Dr. Manton, Dr. Jacomb, and other Minillers of London who concurred } : And thcfe were encouraged by the Earl of Manchefier , the Lord flollts, the ( late ) Earl of Angle fey,3t\d many of the (then) Council of State : And the Members of the Old Parliament that had been formerly ejcded, being recalled, did Diffolve themfelves, and appoint the Calling of a Parliament which might Rs-call the King. When General Monk firft came into England, mod Men rejeded, in hope to be delivered from the Ufurpation of the Fanaticks (Anabap-tilis. Seekers, c?'c.) And I was my felf fo much affefted with the flrange Providence of God, that I procured the Minillers to agree upon a Publick Thankfgiving tb God. And I think all the Vidorics which that Army obtained, were not more wonderful than their Fall was, when Pride and Erroar had prepared thcrn for it. It Teemed wonderful to me, that an Army that had got fo many great and mar-vt-'llous Victories, and thought themfelves unconquerable, andtalktof nothing but Dominion at home, and marching up to the Walls of Rome, fhould all be broken and brought into Subjedion, and fin illy Disbanded, without one blow ftricken, or one drop of Blood (Tied I and that by fb (inall a power as Monk's Army in the qeginning was : So Eminent was the Hand of God in all this Change !

9 68.

§ 68. Yet were there many prudent, pious Men that feared greatly the return of the prelates, an exafperated Party thjt had been before fubdued ; and as they law that the Fanaticks would bring all to Gonfufion under pretence oF pi emoting Godlinefs, fo they fear'd the enraged Prelatical Party would renew their Perfecu-tion, under pretence of Order and Government. And fome that thought R.Crom-Tveli's Refignation was not plain and full, did fcruple it. Whether they were not at prelent obliged to him ; for though they knew that he had no Original Right, and though the condemned the AA of thofe Men as Treafon, who fet up both his father and him, yet when he was fet up, and |he Government had been 1 welve years in their Hands, and theHoufe of Commons had fworn SubjedVion to him, they thought it was very doubtful whether they were not obliged to him, as the PoffefTor: And withal, maiiy had alienated the Hearts of Men from the King, making them believe that He was uncertain in his Religion, &c. and that the Duke of Tork was a Papift, and that they would (et up the revei!geful Cavalit;vs : but thcle things were quickly at an end : For many Gentlemen , who hai becyi wirh the King in Scotland, efpecially the Eai 1 of Lauder Jaile and Colonel Greavts , 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. II

§69. Asfor myfelf, lams to London Jpr il ihe ijih, 1660. where I was no (boner arrived but I was accofted by the Earl of Lauderdale ( juft then relealed from hS tedious Confinement inWfndfor-Caftk by the reltor'd Parliament) who having heard from fome of the SeAarian P*rty, that ray Judgment was that Our Obligations to Richard Crormvell were not diffolved, 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 dandefline Rumours, he by means of Sir Robert Murray, and the Countefs of Bal-ctrit then in France, procured feveral Letters to be written from thence, full of high 'EUgiums of the King, and AiTurances of his firmnefs in the Proteftant Religion, which he got tranflated and publifht. Among others^ one.was fent to me from Monlieur Caches, a famous pious PiCacher at Cbaremm ' wherein, after an high ftrain of Complements to my felf, he gave a pompous Charaderof the King, and affured me, that during his Exile hi never forbore the Publick Prafcflion of the Proteftant Religion, no not even in thofe places where it feemed prejudicial to his Affairs. That he was prelent at Divine Wor/hip in the French Churches at RoaH and Roch^l, though not at Charenton, during his Ifay .jt Pans; and earnellly prels't metoule my utmoft intereft-, that the King might be "reltored by means of the Presbyterians, &c.

The Letter being long, and already piiblifbf, i^all not be here inferred. But I could not forbear making divers Reflexions, upon the Receipt of fuch a Letter as this was.

$ 70. This Excellent Divine, with divers others, living at a diftance, knew not the (fate 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 not have thought it needful to ufe any Exhortations to them to that end. And they knew not thofe Men,' who with tHb King were to be reftored, ib well as we did : What the Presbyterians did to preferve and reftore the King, is a thing that we need not go to any Corners or Cabinets to prove I The Votes for Agreement upon the King's Ccnceflionsjn the JJle of Wight prove it: The Ej'jAion and Imprifonment of moft of the Houfe'of Commons, and all the Houfe of Lords prove it: The Calamitous overthrow of two Scottifh Armies prove it. The Death of Mr. Love, with the Imprifonment and Flight of other London Minifters prove it: The wars in Scotland, and their Conquefl by Cromwell "prove it: The Riling of Sir George Booth and his Army s overthrow prove it : The Surprize of Dublm-CajHe from the Ana-baptifls by Colonel John Bridges and others in Ireland, and the Gratulations of General Monk in England, the Concurrence of the Londonners, and the Minifters there, the A<ftual Preparations of the Reftored Members of the Long Parliament, and the Conlent of the Council of State left by them, and the Calling in of the King hereupon by the next Parliament, without one contradi(B-ing Voice, and finally the Lords and Gentlemen of th« King's old Party in all Countreys, addrefling themlflves to the Parliamentarians, and the King's grateful Acknowledgments in his Letters, and his Speeches in Parliament, do all put this Matter flut of queftion. Of which I have faid more in my Key for Catholicks.

§71.

§ 71. And when I read this Reverend Man's exceffive Praifes, and his concluding Prayer for the Succefs of my Labours, 1 thought with my (elf, how little doth the good Man underftand how ill the beginning and end of his words accord : He prayeth for my Congregation, and the Bleffing 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 Bleffing to them. He overvalueth and magnifieth my Service to the Church , and then perfwadeth me to that which will put a Period tp my Service, and to the Service of many hundreds better than my felf. But yet hisCaufe and Arguments are honeft ; 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 Reltoringthe King, that our Miniftcy may be freed from the obloquy of malicious Enemies: but I am for reftoring of the King, that vvhen we are Silenced, and bur Mirrirtry at an end, and ibme of us lye in Prifons, we may there, and in that Condition , have Peace of Confcience in the Dilcharge of our Duty, and the Exercife of Faith, Patience and Charity in our Sufferings.

§ 72. And I confeli at that tinte the Thoughts of Mens hearts were various according to their leijgral Expsdlations: The Sectarian Party cried out that God had in Juftice cut off the Family that Reigned over us ; and 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 puUd down the King and Parliament, OTid let up themfelves, and broken their Oaths, ai^ puU'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 VVills diffolved; and that they were not bound to be Aftors in that which will Silence thoufands of faithful Minifters, and be like to be the Perdition of many and many thoufand Souls. But the Presbyterians faid, 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 Changes fince have been made unlawfully by Rebellious Sectaries j and for our parts, whatever others have done, we have taken no Engagements or contrary Oaths: if the Seftaries 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 C rown, we ought to do our Duty , as Loyal Subjetfts to Reftore him, and for the Ilfue let God do what he will.

§ 7j. This was their Af/o/«^io«, but in thw Ex feci at ions they much differed: for thofe of them that converfe with the Nobles and Great Men, and heard from them an high Charafter of the King, as to his Temper and Piety, were apt to believe them : and had great hopes, that becaufe he had taken the Covenant him-felf, he would be moderate in letling all Matters of the Church, and would allow the Presbyterians liberty to prpach the Gofpel in their Parilh-Churches I and that he would remove the Sublcriptions, and leave the Common Prayer and Ceremonies indifferent, fo that they fhould not be caft out of the Churches. Others thought that the Prelates, being once let up, ifhere would be no place for Non-liiblcribers in the Publick Chiuches: but yet that if we were the means of the Kings Reftoration, the Prelates would not for fhame deny us luch Liberty as the Protellants have in France ; and that Proteftants would not deny that to Prote-ftants, after fiich an Obligation, which Paplfts 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 conform. We all look to be Silenced, and fome or many of us imprifoned or banifhed: but yet we will do our parts toreftore the King, becauie no fbreleen ill conlequence, mult hinder 14s from our Duty: And if ignorant Men be put into our places, and pever fo many Souls perilhby it,the Fault isnocours,but theirsthat do it. And a fourth fort there were, that forefeeing the Silencing of thie MiniOers, laid, We are lure that there arc not competent Men ( much lels excellent) \n England, to fupply the place of one among many of thole that will be caft out ; and we know that Goduleth to woik by Means: and therefore that tlje Chnr.geis like to be the damnation of many thouland Souls: and we do not believe c!uit we are bound (all tjiings confidercd) to be forward to bring fuch a Work to pafi : But we will Hand by, and fee what God will do, and will not hinder it.

§74-

§ 74. Thole that lookc for Liberty, were encouragsd in their Expsddtions by theie Means following:

1. All the Noblemen and Gentry that had been Sequeftred for the Kings Caufe againft the old Parliament, did in leveral Counties, publifh Invitations to all Men to promote the King's Redu(5lion, protelting againil Thoughcs of Revenge or Un-charitablenefs, and profefling their Refolution to put up all Injuries and live in Peace.

2. Afterward his Majefty fent over a Promife of Liberty of Confcience, as thefs Men underftood it: but indeed it was but a Profeffion of his readinefs to confcnc to any Aft which the Parliament fhould offer to him to that end.

3. Dr. Morley, and other of the Divines on that fide, did privately meet with fe-' veral Perfons of Honour, and fome Minifters, and profcfled Refolutions for great Moderation and Lenity.

§ 7f. But thofe that look'd for filencing, cruelty, and Confufion, faid, thac from the Beginning ( except a few inconfiderable Per(ons) it was all the Enemies of lerious Godlineis 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 llde : That the Enmity between the Womali's and the Serpent's Seed is the moft unreconcibble in the World : That all the Hypocrites and carnal Sort of Formal Pharifaical Chrilii-ans will perfecute them that are born after the Spirit: That Wars and Sequeltra • rions, AnACromwel'i feverity againft them, have exafperated them ; fo that we fliall have natural Enmity and Malice fublimated to deal with j and that they will revenge all their real and feeming Injuries j that thefe twenty Years Tryal hath jDroved them unreconcilable : That their carnal Interefl will continually engage them againft ferious Godlinefs j and a Man of Confcience that cannot lay or Iwear or do any thing which they command him^ will be taken by them for a Schifma-tick and Enemy : That the late Wars hath given them i\.d'/antage to caft theOdf-um of Civil Broils upon Religion, and of other Mens Fi>u!ts upon the innocent; (o that there Inrereft will certainly lead them to call all thofe Rebels that '[wear not to their Words; and every Man whole Religion is not ceremonious and com-plemental fhall 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-ifb Names of Puritans and Roundheads, henceforth if a Man will not be as bad as others, he Ihall be called an Enemy to the Government : And though not one of forty of the Minifters ever medled with the Wars, they fhall all fare alike if ihey be not Prelatifts. Thus did Men differ in their Expedations.

§ 76. When I was at London, the new Parliament being called, they prelently appointed a Day of Falling and Prayer for themfelves: The Houle of Commons chofe Mr. Calamy, "Dr. Gauden, and my felf to preach and pray with them at xhe laft St. Margarets Wefiminficr. In that Sermon, I uttered fome Paltagesthat were after Day of A-matter of Ibme Dilcourfe : Speaking of our Differences and the way to heal them,^"' ^^^°' I told them that whether we Ihould be Loyal to our King was none of our Dif- tJ'the plf^ ferences; in that we are all agreed ; it being not poffible that a Man fhould be liament, v ' true to the Proteftants Principles, and not be Loyal; as it was impoffible to be firphc^f-^^ 7 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 ealy for moderate Men to come to a fair Agreement, and that the lare Reverend Primate of Ireland and my lelf had agreed in half an Hour. I remember not the very Wordj, but you may read them in the Sermon, which was printed by order of the Houfe of Commons. , ' ;

§ 77. As foon as this printed Sermon came abroad, the Papifts were enraged againft me j 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 fime Ch.illengej bat never told me where they dwelt, nor how I might convey an Anfwer to them; whereas the heedlefs Challengers might have feen that I fully performed what I undertook, and anfvvered their Challenge before they lent it, in the Sermon it lelf, when I cited Can. 3. of the General Council at the Latcmve under Pope Innocent III, which I have done in other Places again and again to provoke them to mike fome Anfwer to it; but never could procure it of them : But to gratifie thefa Gentlemen, I began to write a fuller Proof of what I there aftirmed ; but I wr.s ndvifed not to publifh it, confider-ing the Power and Malice of the Papifts, and !io\v gready ( though they called for rt ) they would be enraged by it, and in likelihood quickly work my Ruine.

l?f S78. The

■May I. § -78. The next Morning after this Day of Faftingj did the Parliament unani-1660. the, niouflj' Vote home the King, Nemine contraJicente j and do thac which former owned'tlic Adions had but prepared for.

King, and § 79- The City of London about that time was to keep a Day of folemnThankf voted his giving, for General Afow;^« Succefs; and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen defired Recall. jpjg J.Q preach before them at St. Faul's-Church : Wherein I lb endeavoured to ihevy the Value of thac Mercy, as to fhew alfo how Sin and Mens Abufe might turn it into matter of Calamity, and what fhould be right Bounds and Qualihcations of that Joy. The Moderate were plealed with it j the Fanaticks were offended with me for keeping fuch a Thanklgiving ; the Diocelane Parry 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 v/ith Bifhop UJJ)er, in the Sermon before the Pailiament, put me to moft Trouble. For prelentiy many moderate Epifcopal Divines came to me to know what thole 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 almoft all our Differences were at an end. Among others I had Speech about it with Dr. GauJcn, who promifed bbiing Dr. Morley, and many more of that Party to meet with Ibme of the other Party at Dr. Bernard's Lodging in Grays-Inn ; there came none on that fide but Dr. Gr.riden, and Dr. Bernard j and none of the other fide but Dr. Manton and my felf: ■ nd fo little was done but only Defires of Concord expreffed : Butwhereas 1 told i . <.}au-den [ That for the Y)oh\\na.\ Part of the Common-Frayer-Book, though I Lr^w that there v;ere many Exceptions againfi it, yet I remembred nothing which I could not ajjtnt to, allowing tt but the favourable Interpretation which the Writings of all Divines are allow-ed'\ : He took Advantage from thele 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 Worfliip, leaving out the firft Words [ As to the Doff final 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 contradifted. Thus Men were every day talking of Concord, but to little purpofe, as appeared in the Iffue.

§ 81. And becaufel heard thac Dr. Morley was a Moderate Orthodox Man, and had often Meetings with Dr. Manton and others, whom he encouraged with Pacificatory Profeffions, and that he had greatert Intereft in the King and the Lord Chancellor, I had a great defire to have one hours Difcourle with him, to knovj^ whether really Concord was intended : And when he gave me a Meeting, and we had ipent an Hour in Difcourle, I found that lie fpakc of Moderation in the general, but came to no particular Terms, but pafl: by what I mentioned of that Nature : But fpeaking much for Liturgies, againft Extemporary Church-Prayers^ he told me at lad that the Janjemfts 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.

§ 02. When the King was to be fent for by the Parliament, certain Divines with ' others were fent by the Parliament and City to him into Holland j viz. Mr. Calamjy Dr. Manton, Mr. Bowles, and divers others j and fome went voluntarily j to whom his Majeity gave fuch encouraging Promifes of Peace, as raifed fome of them to high Expeftations: And when he came in, as he palt through the City towards We^mi'/ifter, the London Minifters in their Places attended him with Acclamations, and by the Hands of old Mr. Arthur Jackfon, prefented him with a Rich-adorned Bible, which he received, and told them it Ihould be the Rule of his Acftions.

§ 83. About this time I had fome Conference with one (that called himfelf) WiUiam Johnfon, a Papift j the Occafion, Progrefs, and End of which I will here give you at once, to avoid farther Litenuptions by it.

When I v.'AS ^t Kiderminfier, i6^<). one Mr. Lavghorn, a Furrier in Tfatbrook, fent me a Sheet of Paper iiibfcribed by IVilliamJohnJon, containing an Argument againJt our Church, for want of perpetual Vifibility; or, That none but the Church of Rome, and thole in Communion with it, had been fucceflively vifible ; cafling all on his Opponent to prove our Churckes condant Vifibility. lie th,.t fent this Paper defired me to anfwer it as for (bme Friends of his who were unfai. 'i-.d. I lent hirii an Anfwer ihe next Day after I received it. To this, fbme Weeks 'frer I received a Reply : Th'i\ Reply had cited many Fathers and Councils, and as the ule is, brought the Cbntroverfy into the Wood of Church-Hiftory. To this 1 orew up a large Rejoinder, and lent it by the Carrier j though I Was not rich enough to

keep

keep an Amanuenfis, and had not leifure my (elf to tranfcribe, yet as it weJi happened 1 had got a Friend to write me a Copy oi" my Re/oinder : For it fell out that the Carrier loft the Copy which I gave him to carry to London, and profefled that he never knew what became of it: And no wonder, when 1 after learnt that my Antagonift lived within five or fix Miles of me, whom 1 fuppo(ed to have lived one. hundred and fifty Miles off: When I expefted an Anfwer, I received a Month ii\ ter an Inlulting Challenge of a fpeedy Anfwer, and this feconded with aiioclier, alj calling for halle. Ifuppofe he thought I had kept no Copy, but as (oonasi could get it tranfcrib'd I fent it him j and I heard no more of Mv.Jobnfvn in a Twtlve-month. When I was at London I went to Mr. Langhome, and dedred him co procure me an Anfwer to my Papers from Mr. Johnfon , or that I might know that I fliould have none: At laft he told me that Mr. Johnfon would come fpeak with me himlelf; which he did, and would have put off all the Bufmefs wirh a few Words, but would promile me no Anfwer. At la(t by Mr. Tillotfon I was informed that his true Name was Ttrret^ and that he lived in the Houfe of a certain No-■ bieman near our parts, and that being much in London^ he is there the chief Heftor, or great Difputer for the Papifts j and that he was the chief of the two Men who had held and printed the Dilpute with Dr. Vierfon and Dr. Gmtimg: And when I faw what Advantage he .had got by printing that Difpute, I refolved tha^-he (hould not do fb by me, and lb I printed all our Papers j but before I printed^ them, I urged him to (ome farther Conference J and at our next meeting J told him how necelTary it was that we fljould agree firft of the meaning of our Terms> and I wrote down fome few [ as Church, Pope, Council, Bilhop, Herefy, Schifin, dfc.^ which I defired him to explain to me under his Hand promiling him the like whenever he defired it ; which when I had got from him, I gave him Icime Ani-raadverfions on it, Ihewed their Implications; to which he anfwered, and to that I 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 1 have fince publilhed a full Rejoinder to which I can procure no Anfwer.

§ 84. And not long after, hearing that the Countefs of BrJcanes wasnot well,. I went to vifit her, and found hergrievoudy afflided for her eldeft Daughter, ths Lady /f«w Lindjc) about fixteen or fcventeen Years of Age, who was fuddenly turn-. ed Papift by (he knew not whom. She told me, that when /he firft heard of it fhe defired Dr. Gunning to meet with the Prieft to difpute with him, and try if her Daughter might be recovered, who pretended then to be in Doubt: And that Dr. Gunning firft began to perliiade 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 lett her Daughter worfc than before j 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, andconfeis that the Church and Mihiftry of Kowe was true. She defired me that I would fpeak to her Daughter, and try whether Ihe would yet enter into Conference about the Reafon of her Faith. But Ihe utterly rehifed it, and would fay nothing to that purpofe, but refer us to the Church, and profefs her acquiefcence 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 iatisfied her in this, and therefore defired her that ihe would hear that Prieft or Jefuit on whofe Word /he built all her Faith, in the Pre/ence of C>me one that was fit to help her in the Try-al of his AfTertions, andintreated her to procure a Conference in her hearing between him and ni"^, Ihe promi/ed readily that it fhould be don?. The next time I came again, and askt whether /he had /poke with him about it, and whether time and place were agreed on 5 Ihe confidently told me that he was ready to do it when I plea/ed, and that all he defired wasi that my Promife might fecure him from Ac-' culation, and from the danger of the Law, and that was all that he was Iblicitous for. I offered her to bring only two Witneffes on each fide, and that We might htVB two days Conference or Di/jsute; in one of which he (hould give his Rea-fons why /heought tochange her Religion, and 1 would anfwerthem ; and in ths other I would give my Rea/bns why Ihe ought not to change, and he (hould anfwer me; and I thought this the cleareft and moft impartial Method for the dif^ cerning of the Truth. And 1 ptomifed her all the Security which I could procure him from any danger. The next time I came to know the Day, Ihe told ms the Gentleman would not meet nor difpute : 1 defired to know the Rea/bn: But Ihe told ms tliat /he did not know her felf: I intreated her to procure fome other

F f 2 tt>

to do it, in whom fhe put the greateft Confidence, and defired her to take the ableft ftie could get among all the Je(uits or Priefts of the Queen or the Queen-Mother, with whom I knew flie was not unacquainted. But Die would not undertake for any j whereupon I was forced to urge her with Provocations, and tell This was her, that feeing Ihe was forced to refolve all her Faith into the Word of particular in the end Pfiefts,by which only fiie knew the Senfe of the Church,and all that Hiftory which of A'ov. induced her to believe that Reme was the true Church, llie ieemed very little to re-1660. g^|.jj i^gj. ^Qy]^ ^j^Q would {o far venture it upon the Words of Men that would not be provoked to an equal Conference in her hearing. The next day I came, I urged her again to procure a Conference : She told me that the Gentleman would not consent : And when I urged her to tell me his Realbn, llie 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; but fince he knew it was me that he was to meet with, he would not come; buc would not tell her why. And though Itill I told her that there were more enough if he refuted, I could not procure her to bring any of thera to a Difpute. But at laft, when I purpofely continued to provoke them, Ihe told me that he would yield to Difpute, fo it might be done only in Writing, and not a Word Ipoken, nor any thing written but Syllogiftically and according to the (trideft Rules of Dii-putation. I told her, i. That I fuppoled that fhe underftood not when an Argument was in Mood and Figure; nor what a Fallacy was, and therefore that this was not defigned to her Edification. 2. That I fuppofed that file had not read one of many of all thofe Books already written againlt them which are unanfwered: And if Writing w\\\ lerve turn, a printed Argument is as good as a written one : Nor had fhe read the late Difjiutation between Mr. Johnfon and me: nor were any one( of my Books againft them yet anlwered, and why then fhould I write more till thole were anlwered. 3. I told her that Mv.JohnJon's Writing and mine held us above a Twelvemonth, and yet was not driven to the Head : And 1 asked her whether fhe would be willing to wait a Year or two, and fufpend her Refolution in Religion, till fhe law the luue of our Difputation in Writing. 4. I told her that it was like that he that offered this, imderftood that by his IVlajel<:y's Plealure, 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 I would do all that hedefired, and manage it in Wiiting, fo be it, he would firft but fpend two Hours in verbal Difputation in the way I had propoled, ■viz. That he fhouId fpend one Hour in giving his Reafbns for her Change, and I might anfwer them j and the other Hour I would give my Reafbns againff it, and he fhould anfwer me: And after that we would go to it by Writing. But a D^y or two after, when I Came for Anfwer to this Propofal, the Lady was gone, being fecretly ftolen from her Mother in a Coach, and fo I undcrlfood the meaning of this Offer, and never could fee the Face of any of her Priefls.

§ 8f. At laff it was difcovered that the Man that feducad her and refufed Difputation, was this Mr. John/on (or Terret ) the fame Man that I had before conferred and wrote with : And yet when I asked her whether it were he, fhe plainly and pofitively laid it was not; and when a Servant went after her Coach and overtook her in LincoIns-Inn-FieUs, fhe pofitively proniifed to come again, and faid, fhe went but to lee a Friend. Alfo fhe complained to the Qaeen Mother, of her Mother, as if fhe ufed 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 fince then fhe could believe nothing that Ihe laid. This w.?s 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 AfTedions to all Creatures. This Perverfion had been a long time fecretly working before fhe knew of ir ; all which time the young Lady would join in Prayer with her Mother, and jeer at Popery till fhe was detefted, and then fhe faid fhe might join with them no more,

§ 86. They that flole her away, conveyed her to Frimee, and there put her into a Nunnery, where fhe is fince dead. Not long after her departure, fhe lent a Letter fuperfcribed to her Lady Mother, &c. and fubfcribed , Sifitr Anna. Maria, See. It contained the Reafbns of her Perverfion : And thoiif^h I knew they were not like to fufFer her to read it, 1 wrote an Anfwer to it, at her Mother's defire, which was fent to her by her Mother. The Letter which I font her the day before fhe was floln away, and the Anfwer to that her Letter from the Nunnery , I thought meet here to infert, which are as followeth.

■,■■■ .. ..^ -r -T-TT r^Miiii ■ ^i.iL II

P A K T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 221

The Letter to the Lady Anne Lindfey.

Madam!

' 1^ H E Reafons that moved me to be fo importunate with you for a Conference

* X in your hearing with the ableft Jefiiit, Pricft, or other PapKt you could get, ' were (as I told you) i. My very highefteem of your truly Honourable Mother •

* whofe Sorrow hach been fo great for your Delufion, that 1 muft cont'efs, though ' but a Stranger, I fufTer much with her by Compaffion. And as it would much ' relieve her if you were recovered, fo if God deny her that Mercy, it will Ibme-

* what fatisfie her Confcience,that fhe hath not been wanting in the ufe of means.

* 2. And for your own fakCjWhom I the more compaflionate, becaufe you are not

* only the Daughter of fuch Parents,but of fo modeft and fober a Difpofition your

* felfjthat I am not out of hopes of your Recovery, though the Difeale be luch as ' kw are cured of,that catch it by relapfe and delertion of the Truth.

* I can imagine nothing but Confcioufnels of a bad Cauft, that can caufe therri

* 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 perlbnal preparations: for they are trained up meerly to this work (I am loath

* to lay to deceive) and have all the helps that Art can afford them. I was never

* of any Univerfitie, nor had one Months afiiitance of any Tutor in all my Stu-'dies, of Sciences or Theology. If you can get no Jefuit, Fryar or Prielf that ' will fairly debate his Caufe with one of fo poor Preparations and Abilities, doth

* it not (hew that they are lamentably diffidsnc of their Caufe. AH the Conditions ' or Terms that I defire to be before agreed to are but thefe. r. That I may one

* day produce my Reafons why you (hould not have turned Papift, and therefore ' fhould return ; and he Anfwer them as I urge them. And that the next day (or

* the firft if he defire k) he will produce his Reafons why you ought to turn to ' them as you did, and I anfwer them. i. That we may (peak by turns, \^ithout

* interrupting one another. 3. That whatever PalTages mu(t be determined by

* Books (or WitnelTes) that are not at hand, they may be noted down, and left till ' there be leifure to perufe 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 thole ' with me, fhall 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 fliould oblige 'him to betorehand. I agiin intreat you, if one will not, get another to mode-' rate the Work. I underlfand 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 ' veil kmweth me. If foj why will he not confer with me, as well as he hath done

* with Dr. G«>i»/w^?

* For U'ritmg, I. It's like he knoweth that I am here engaged in fb much una-

* voidable Work, that I have (carce time to eat or fleep. 2. You cannot but ' know that by Writing it's like to be a year, or many years work : And them-

* lelves have cut me out Work enough already for my Pen, if I had no more (and

* now would take me off it, that 1 might be forced to omit one). I look not to

* live to end a Difpute by Writing, fo many are my Infirmities, and are you con-' tent to (lav fo long before you have the benefit ? 3. If Writings will be ufcful to ' you, may you not as well read what is wiitten already 'i Many great Volumes ' are yet un^nlwered by them. 4. I have already written divers Writings againd: ' their Delufions ( viz,. The Safe Religion ; A Key for Catholiclis, 8cc. A Wtndmgjheet *for Popery ; The true Cathohck and the Catholick Church dejcribed j A Dijprttatton with ' A/r.Johnlbn ahut the Succejfive Vtfibdtty of the Church] and they never anfweredany

* one of them j no not (o much as the (ingle Sheet that ever I heard of. When they ' have anfuered them all, let them cill for more , or oifer writing, j. But yet, ' rather than be wanting to you, let the Peribn but vouchlafe me this Verbal Con-' ference ftr(f, and try what we can do in a few hours there, and if there (hall then ' appear to be caufe to profecute it by Writing, I intend not to fail of taking the ' firll opportunity for ic, 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, M^dam, may I intreat you to read impartially and delibe-' rately, i. My little Book called, The True CatboUck and Catholick C/'wci6^8cc.(which

' I fliall fend or bring you). 2. My Preface before the Difputation with Mr.John-

* [on and the Letters in the end, and the Second Part, and then the firft. 3. My

* two firft Books againft Popery (The Safe Religiott and The Key) : For your for-' mer reading of them j before any doubting had made you ohlerve the ftrefs of

* Arguments, is nothing ; if you will but now read them again impartially after

* your contrary Conceptions, continue aPapift 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 miift be a Witnelsagainit

* you before the Lord, that you wilfully refufed Inltrudion, and fold your Soul at

* too cheap a rate.

' I tried when I was laft with you, to revive your Reafon, by propofing to you ' the Infallibility of the Common Senles of all the World ; and i could not pre-

* vail though you had nothing to aniwer that was not againft Common Senfe. And ' it is impoflible 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

* only, but all Mens elle. Senfe goes before Faith. Faith is no Faith but upon ' Suppofition of Senfe and Underiianding; if therefore Common Senfe be fallible,

* Faith muft needs be fo.

' But methinks yet 1 (hould 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 ; 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

* State (ofGracelefnefs and Damnation ) and all becaufe we believe not that the ' Pope is Chrifts Vicar General, or Deputy on Earth, and dare not fubjedl our ' felvcs to his ufurped Dominions i When we are ready to proteR before the Lord, ' as we (hall anfvver it at his Bar, that we would be his Subjeds 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 ' ftudy and pray, and hear all that can be faid for them ; and fome of us read as ' much of their Writings as of our own and more ; and would not Hick at Coft or ' Pains, or Lois or Shame ; were it to travail over Land and Sea to find out that ' 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 Affiliance, the more diligently we ' fearch, we are the more refolved and convinced, that their way, as ic diftereth ' from ours, is falfe; and that they are the moft Superfticioiis, Tyrannical, Leprous ' part of the CacholickChurch.condemningthe main Body,bccaule they will not be ' under their abominable Dominion,and will not fin as much as they. We hold all

* that was held nccelTary by the Apoftles and the ancient Church j and we dare not

* make a new Faith to our (elves, as the Papal Sectaries have done : Muft we re-' nounte both our Senfe and Rejf:>n, and put out the Eye of Natural Underftand-' ing, and alfo renounce the Catholick Church and Chriftian Charity, and ftep

* intotheThrone, and pronounce Damnation not only upon all the Saints of God

* that we have been acquainted with our felves, but alio on the Body of Chrift ' which he died for, even on the far greateft part of the Univerfal Church i and all

* this becaufe they will not depart from the Word of God, to corrupt his Dodrine, ' Difcipline and WorlLip, and herein obey an ufurping Vice Chrift ? muft we do 'all this, or elfe be judged to Damnation by the Sedariesof Rome ? For my part,

* I Ihall be fo far from fearing their Sentancs, that I appeal to Chiift, whole Body ' they condemn ; and I had rather be tortured in their Inquifition, and cut aslmall

* as Herbs to the Pot, and be accounted the odioufeft Wretch on Earih, than be ' guilty of being a Papift at all, but elpecially on liich hcUilh Terms as thefe. If

* the gre.'ter part of the Church muft be damned as no part of the Church , it

* will be impoffible to prove your Se<5t or Fragment to be the Church, any more

' th.in any otiier. Chrift is the Saviour of his Body, Eph j. 2;, and to him, as to j ' its Head, it's (uhje<^, -ver. 24. and this Body is that which is fandifisd by him, ' ver. •}.«. And hj one Spirit all his Members are haptizeJ into one Body, i Cor. 12. 12,

* i:;. Did you never note, where the Unity ol the Body is fullieft delcribed ,

* that Apoftles themielves are made but Members, and Chnll onlj the Head, i Cor. ' 27, 28, 29. Eph.. 4, 4, y, 7, ir. There is but one Lord, &c. hut dnjerftty of gtfti,

* of whom the Apoftles are the chief. And when Thoujands were added to the Church,

* (even fisch asjhould be favcd, A(5t5 2.47.) what made them ChriUiansbut the B^p-

' tilmal

Part II. R^'uer^WiVfr. Richard Baxter. 225

tiimal Covenant ? and what were they Baptized into, buc into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghofi? P«er or PW bap;ized none into their own Names, nor dare the Pope himfelf, left his Innovation be too vifible. Chrift hath laid, Hi that helie'vetb and » hptiz.edjhall he faveJ, M-ivk 16.16. Did they ever then (lib-jeftany Baptifm to the Biftiop of Rome? Was the Eunuch yicis S. liibjeded t6 the Pope, that only faith [ Ibelicve that Jeftts Chrtfi is the Son of God] and waS Baptized ? If men could not be faved without believing in the Pope, and being fiibjed to the Church of Rome, how comes it to pa(s that none of the Apoftles preached this necelTary Article of Faith ? Why did they never fay. You muft believe in, or be fubjecS: to the Pope of Rome , or you cannot be laved ? Would they be fo unfaithful as to hide a neceflary Article ? Why did Peter himfelf,yf<:7i 2. by Baptifm take Three thoufand into the Church without preaching any of this Dodrine to them. The Golpel profeffeth, that he that hath the Son hath Ltfe,i ]oh. y.i I, 12. and 'whofoe'ver helieveth in him paU not feri(h but havee'verlajting life, Joh. g. 16. and that there ts no condemnation to them that are in Chrtfi Jefts, that walk not after the FleJI) hut after the Spirit. And now up fteps a Man of Rome, and pre-fiimeth to Reverie the Gofpel, and fay, [^It's no Juch mattery for all this theypaU not he faved, unlefi they will he my SubjeUs ? J ' If you fay that thole may be faved that Sin for want of Light; 1 anfwer, i. On this account your Doftors teach the Salvation of Heathens, ( Are thofe of your Church ?) and fb no otherwife of ChrilHans than of Heathens. 2. Either thefe wanting your Light are in the Church or out. Ifm it, then a Man may be ot the Church without being a Papift, which is againft your Faith. I[ out of it, theri it leems Men out of the Church may be faved, and Chrift is the Saviour of more than his Body, which is againll: your Faith and ours. 5. Who is it that hath fufficient Light ? if all that have heard or read the frivolous Realbnings of the Pa-pifts, then your Parents, and almoit all of us muft perilh : But if it be any other Light which muft be had, you know not what meafure to give us to difcern i^, nor ever will know; and io you make your Church iw^yF^/e, while the Members of it cannot be known: For none can know of another ( by your Rule) whethei' his Light be fufficient or not i And I pray you, are not all the hdians o£.America, that never heard of Chrift, the Members of your Church ? for their Light liire is not fufficient to Ihew them either the Pope or Chrift. Hath he the heart of d right Chriftian that can thus damn two or three parts of all theChriftians in th6 World, for not believing in a Wretch at Rome, that Ibmetime is an Infidel him-felf, ('for lb was Pope jfo^» 2;. judged to be, by the great General Council at Conflance, even one that believed no Refurredion , which is worfe than a Turk, or Jew, or lome Heathens^.

' And it's a wonder to me, that if your own Soul hath ever been ferioufiy con-verfant with God in Holy Worfhip, you can favour and fuic with the Cantings, and Repetitions, and Stage-Devotions of the Papifts: and that a Latin Mali Ihould be believed to be the acceptable way of Worfhip ; when the Holy Ghoft hath fo plainly and eopioufly dilbwned that ferving of God in an tmknoii>n tongue, I Cor. 14.

; ' Pardon me, if I intreat you to make a deliberate fearch into your Heart and former Ways, and try whether you converted with God in the Spii it, and were lerious in your Faith and Love and Worlhip : If you were not, no wonder if an unlbund fuperfical Religion be eafily let go, and luch an unexperienced Heart carl fuit with a Canting, Carnal, ludicrous kind of Devotion ; or if God fo tar for-fake a Soul that was hot found and ferious in the Religion once profelTed by you. But if it was better with you, then its ftrange your Soul can lb lofeits relifii; and its ftrangerthat one, that was a Member of Chrift, and in the Church and jufti-fied before, Ihould turn to a Sed that tells them, they were not what they were, and muft come to them for what they had already.

' And whereas all the pretence you Ihew me for your Change was the difference that you found amongit us Protcftants, and our condemning one another, dd you not know that in Policy, greater Differences are tolerated among the Papifts imder the Names of divers Orders, by far than any are between the Pief-byterian, Independant and Epifcopal Proteftants. And that none but ungodly or uncharitable paffionate People with us, do deny any of thele Parties to be true Members 9V the Univerfal Church : If you here met with any one that doth condemn the other, as no parts of the Church of Chrift, they (pake not according to the Proteftant Religion, apd you can no more charge us with the Railings of every Fellow that is drunk with domineering Pride or Paftion, than with the words of theneJ^t Scold or Quaker, or Papift that you Ihall hear Reviling us. 'I

' I have faid more to you than at firft I intended. I look on you as one about

* that Age, when Confcience uleth to receive its firft lerious deep Impreflions,afsd ' the Papifts falling in with you juft at that time, ( I doubt before you had hear-' tjly received the Life of what before you profeffed, and had time to be rooted " and ftablifhed in the Truth ) the opportunity ferved them to your Delufion:

* That it may not prove to your everlafting Deftru6Uon, lliall be the Prayers, and

* if you admit them, the faithful Endeavours of

Dec. J. 1660. Your Servant in obedience to Chrift,

though to no Vice-Chrift,

Rich. Baxter.

The Anfwer to the Lady Anne Lindfey x Letter to her Mother,

Madam I

IT plealed the truly honourable Lady your Mother to fhew me your Lettef direded to her from Cahce^ and to give me leave to fend you my Animadver-fions upon it: which I am the wiliinger todo, becaufe I perceive you have there contrafted the Reafbns rnoft commonly ufed for the perverting of the Ignorantj and which its likely have prevailed molt with your (elf: ( You mult give me leave to be free and plain with you in the Matters of God and of Salvation j. 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 Doftrinal Part that I fliall (peak to.

' You fay that [ Herefies again fi Faith, exprejfedby the Name of Sects .cut as off from Heauen, and that an Anathema k on them that preach any other Dnclrine than what was preached by the JpofilesJ. How far Herefie cuts off from the Church, I have di-(lincftly (hewed you in the end of my Book againft Mr. Johnson, on that Quefti-on : but while you expe<5l your Mother (hoald confider of your Reafbns, you will not your folf perufe an Anfwer to them, which before was tendered you : whom then can you blame if your Sou! be cheated. Briefly, you err in Confounding Seils and Herefies, which are not the (lime. Herefies indeed, which are falfe Dod:rines practically inconfiftcnt with the Ejjentials ofChrt/tian Fatth,do cut Men off from a ftate of Life, or fhew them to be Aliens: but lelTer Errours, called Herefies by ignorant or uncharitable Men, do un-C^iurch none. Herein I plead for you: for it they did, then wo to the Church of Rome, that hath (b many Errours : And if it be damnable to be a Scit, all Papifts niuli bs damned ; they being 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, is a Sedt or Party of Schifmaticks: but fuch are the Papifts: Therefore they are a Sed, &c. But this is not the worft; You confequendy Anathematize all Papifts by your Sentance: for Herefies by your own Sentance cut off Men from Heaven : But Popery is a bundle of Herefies: Therefore it cuts off Men from Heaven. The minor I prove according to your Churches Principles, that Do(flrine is Herefie which is contrary to a point of Faith : But many of the Papifts Doflrines are contrary to Points of Faith : Ergo,&c. To pafs by now all thofe Points of Popery which are contrary to what the Holy Scripture revealeth for us to believe (which are many ) I only inftancein the Point oi Sovereignty, is contrary to the Determination of our General Councils. That which iscontrary to what a General Council pronounceth to ht believed, is (in the Papifts fence ) a Herefie: But that the Pope is above a General Coimcil, and that a General Councili is above the Pope are both determined to be believed by General Councih : The lull by the Councils, At ths Laterane Ar\(\ Floreme \ and the (econd by the Councils 3.: Ctinj'/ance md Bafil: They are both Herc:fies therefo'C, becaufe they are both ag.iinft General Councils: and they are both l^oinrs ni' Popery,* becaufe both determined in General Councils, ( as I have proved m my Key, &c.) If you will peiul; a Catalogue in the End of my Book, called The Safe Religion , or

'the

Pakt IL Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

' the Thirty two Novelties mentioned in my^^^~Z,n- ,>, ia-, t>. „ > -u ; fee whether Popery be Error If any other^Do^fnf' col^c^^^y^^ 'c^hy^do^"

?r '" f f "'"' '^'" vT^f'"'^ ^°". ^° P^P'^^- And here you may fee he

* Safety of the true Cathohcks that have reiefted Pooerv • Onr Ji^]L;^l-v

' taineS in the Holy Scripture ; we profeli^to havero'chefR^ul^f Td^y^ ha^" us not (that I know of ) with believing too much by holding any pofKve Error but with believing too httle, becaufe we believe not your fupernuL^ra;A„i4es:

,;And therefore you cannot fay, that we teach any other DoBune thZ Thrift's'■

.though you fancy that we teach not all, becaufe we teach not your Tradition^' But on the contrary we prove that you teach another Dcar^ne^nA ry,any Th which Chrift never delivered to the Church. But yet to abate your feve?e Self

; condemnation let me excufcyou thusfar, as to Gy, char yoiv do ic upon miftake ■ For Gal i. faith not, iUt hrm be accurjedthat freachethanother DoShL^ but \alo. ther Gofpl: ] While It IS the fame Gojpel in the Ellentials that is preached and be-

^'il' this ^..rW.belongsnot even to you that err, till you conie to contra-dia the Ejfencc and make it [ another Gofiel ] as well as [ another Doclrtne "

If you have made it your whole bulinefs till feven een Years ot Age w i'nay to God to dtreSl you to follow hi, Doitrtne ] it's like that I ( and many another-) have made It at leall as much of our Bufinefi till forty fix Years ofXe as ever you did and with better Advantage, and yet are as confident of the Falfe nefs of your Dodrine, as we are that the Earth doth bear us j here therefore vou

* are not beforehand with us. "•wis.iuic juu

' But what have you found that cheated or frighned you into Popery -'if rh, 'vanetyofJudgrKentsQ But you never found the far greater vaHecy imong Pa-pifts ? You never read the voluminous Difpute between the Dominicanes and Te» fuits (to overpafs the reft ) j or perhaps you will ( as others do ) exped that the very fame Opinion be a Herefy in a Cahamfi, and none in a DomLanoTjal 'femff : or a Herely in a Lutheran and none in a Jefutt ■ You will run nut nf r Wbecaufe of Mens diverfity of Complexions^ind Jing a gL^^D e/fitvTn France, expeft it (hould be efteemed none. If I prove not bffore any impartia"

* rh ^'^hL V^'^h'PA?' ^'T ^'' Tl^ and greater Differences amongl/thSve « t!nr pI T1'^-^^'"'V^"l""'^ Proteltants (yea, I doubt not, I may ad?

than Greeks, Calv.n.fts, Lutherans, and many more fuch fet together ) then iS your Imagination go for Truth. Bellarnnne -himfelf h,uh enumerated enough

'.Knf.rh^-r'^' "-i 7T fi"'"Vf "" P''^^'' h'terfretat^onV But i Vou

abufe the Text and your felf with a falfe Interpretation of it, in thefe Words

' An Interpretation is called private, either as to ^he Subp5i M« or as to the 1 rr K •■ ^°." "^? '^l ^fV"". ^^''^ °f^he latter,'when /he Context £ntv

* £nTJ T '^K V" ^Pf 1' ''l^h^i'T^''' The Apoftle direding them S Vndl ftand the Prophefies of the Old Teftament, gives them this Caufion :That none

'oreled !s SeTo?S '''/''°''? °^ ^^"'^^ ^^ P"^'''^'^ P^^^°»^ niuft be inter preted as fpoken of Davtd or other private Perfons only, of vi^hom thev were

mentioned but as Types of Chrift: It is fubjedively a p ivate Intemrefation to reftrain that Scripture (e. g. the Second Pfalm ) to DW or other orEvM.n which the Holy Ghoft intended of,the Meffiah. But herewl " ^^^^^^^ ' 'vate Inter^eters, but only againft a Vrt'vate Interpretation, a. But fuppo^ k were •as youimagin, and the publick Judgment of any Cafe fuppofe a PuSck Wr ; preter. yet every Man muft fee with his own Eyes, and tE private iadgm/nt of Difcretion muft be according to their private; that is. perfonal InterpStTon-Or elfe your Churches Interpretation muft have anoth;r publick irerSZ' vonr n a"°'ht' '"^ K° '"^^^"y '• ^^ ^^ ^^" underftand your Coundr( which « eafiIv^,nH ^'J ^'J^g;;^%^bout ) without another publick Interpretation weCy as eafiiy underftand the Scripture, or at leaft. much of it: And therefore that can ' n'fnV^'^'^ Sence which you imagine [no Scripture, c^c. ] Yea fan

M^hndli^yn^'^'TT^^'P"'^''''^'^' ^"^y°" ma? not'prefui to m unde?-Itand the Commands of Repentance, Faith or Love, without a oublick Com-

' Greek ArlSl T/;^ P"^^^^J"t«';Fetation than that of the Me Chlh: The ' Church TnTV^'?^"''' P*-"^^'^^"^^. and fo all the far greareft part of the *Ste other 3r 'Yl Jexts, which you wreft for the Papal Soveraignty, in a . r r H uS ^^ > ^""^ ? "°'/''^ Interpretation of your Fourth or Third part of < wn,SV K^'x'/'"''^ '" '^^ ^^^"'^ ^ '"^'-^ P"^^t« ^han that of all the reft ' would you have Men care no more for their Souls than to caft chem away upon . ttiC Deiufion ol fuch Reafonings as thefe ? ^ ^

Gg '3. You

The LIFE of the

Lib. I

' g. You next (peak of [ Interpretations by Jpojleltcal Iraditim ]; But are fober People capable of fuch a BaffllCj as to lay their Salvation on a Dream that never had a Being ? Was there ever fuch a thing as an Interpretation of the Bible by Apoftolical Tradition, without which, no Scripture mu(t be interpreted ? Where is that Commentary that the World never knew, and yet all mult know it that will be faved ? Written it is not, by Fathers, Popes, or Councils j and if unwritten, in whofe Memory is it, and how learnt they it ? Not in the Peoples, nor the generality of Pallors, for they ( that were moft learned ) prefume to write their private Interpretations and Commentaries ('never giving usthepublick Commentary) 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.'] Chrifl (peaks there of Preachers, but let it be of the whole Church. In good fadnefs can you believe that [ the Uni'verfality of Chrtflians ~\ which is the true Catholick Church, is not more con-fpicuous than the Papal FaBion, or any one particular Part ? Should your Seft be judged more vifible than the whole Chriftian World ?

' f. That the Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth, the TefjeJJors, Keepers and Teachers of God's Oracles, and that the Gates of Hell fliaH not prevail agatnjt it, is moft Cure and comfortable Truth. But what is this to Rome, any more than to Jernfa-lem or Alexandria? Ihe Gates of HeU (hall not prevail againfi the Body of Cbrtfi, the Univerfality of Chriftians, the true Catholick Church : But it may prevail ag^inft Corinthians, Gallateans, Romans, or any particular part : As it prevailed againft Pope John XXIL alias XXIII. to make him deny the Refurre<ftion, and againit Pope Eitgemus to make him a Heretick, if General Councils are to be believed,

* 6. As to what you fay of [ Apoflles fiill placed in the Church']: When any (hew us an immediate Million by their Commiffion ; and by Miracles, Tongues, and a Spirit of Revelation and infallability prove themfelves Apofiles, we (hall believe them. Till then we remember that Church that was commended for trying them that fatd they -were Apofiles, and were not, and finding them Lyers, Rev. 2 5. Peter and the Twelve Apoltles with him we acknowledge, and Paul we acknowledge, but know none properly called Apofiles, living now : But if it be only the Name and not the Ofiice that you differ about; and by Apofiles you mean not [ Men immediately Jent by Chri/l to preach the Gojjid -with a Spirit of Miracles and Infallability^ ( which is our Senle of that Word ) but fome other Ibrt of Men, then if they be ordinory Pallors or Bifhops its no matter of Difference ; if not, you moft de-fcribe them before we can know them : They are to blame whoever they be, that they call not themfelves Apollles, and tell us -where^ who, and how many they ars, if they are lb indeed.

' 7. They were to be accounted Heathens and Publicans that heard not the Church admonijl)ing them: But fure other Pallors bcfides Apoflles mud admonijh and be heard: And other Churches befides the Roman, mufi hold or refufe Communion, as is tliere fignihcd ; either you will ( erroneoufly ) have that Text underflood 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 alfo j furely this is plain Truth if you are willing to (ee.

* 8. You (ay, f The Faith of which Believers were, wat that of the Romans /pread through the World. ] Anfw. Yes; and it wasthe Faith of the £p^e/?d«/, Philippians^ Cehfilans too, and all one : The Romans had not a Faith of their own fpecificaliy different from others: Nor did the Holy Ghoft by the Apollles ever give one Word of Command to other Churches, to conform their Faith to Rome, or take that Church for their Millrefs or Sovereign. Thefe Fancies Pride hath (et up againfi Chrill: The Faith of Jerufalem was as much known through the World

as riut of Rome; and fure you think not that [ being known through the World J made them the Rule or Rulers of the World.

' 9, [ Upon Obfervation, you find thu Church fining as a Light, and fet ai a City on a Hill ] And was not Jerufalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Ephefw, &c. (b too.' Sure they were. All faithful Preachers of the Gofpel, efpecially the Apofiles, were ob-fervable ( as fuch Lights and City ) to the World, that wondred at their Dodrina ( which is all that Chrill there faith ); and (as I faid ) the univerfal Church is more obfervable than the Roman Sed : And other particular Churches are and were as Light and Confpicuous as it: And the moll confpicuaus Church hath from thence no Pretence to be ther«/e or Ruler of the refl.

10.

You

* 10. You fay, [ Thti Church hath been ever tritinjphatit over Herejies. 1 An(w.

* I. What! when Honorm was by two or three General Councils cond;;mned tor ' a Heretick ? Pope John XXII. and Eugemus, as beforelakl, for that and worfe,

* ( with many more. ) 2. Woe to the Churches, if others had not conquered He-

* refy better than the Roman Party hath done. 5. And verily did you "think thac

* a particular Church is therefore the Rule or Ruler to the reft, becaufe it triimph-

* eth over Herefy ?

* ir. You add \_inmtoveahlt inTerfecuUons.~\ Anfiv. r. For they have been the

* great Perfecutors, as Leeches fucking and fwell'd with the Blood of Thouijnds and

* Ten Thoufands of the Saints and iVIartyrs of Jefus: O the Blood that will be ' found among them, when the righteous Judge of all the World fhall makelnqui-' fition for Blood, among their Maffacrees and Inquifitions. 2. Was that Church ' unmoveable in Perfecution, when the: Head of it ( Vo^q Marcellmus) offered In-

* cenfc to Idols ? And Liherius fubfcribed to the Arrians, and againft AibeTtafins ? ' What fhould I tell you of more, who I perceive are made believe the Crovy is

* white ? 3. Again, it is a pitiful Proof of their Rule, to prove them immutable *- in Perfecution. The Church hach many Heads, if every Church or Bilhop be

* its Head that hath ftood faft in Perfecution.

* 12. You add, [ And alwajs watchful in the Succejfion of Vafiors."] 1 give you

* the fame Anfwers: i. watchful indeed I when their own Church Hiftories tell us

* of fuch Multitudes that came in by Symony or Poilbn, or other Murder or Vio-

* lence, that have been Hereticks (as aforefhewd ) or Adulterers, Murderers, and

* fuch impious Wretches as the Cannons depofe ; and when John XIL or Xlil. ' was depofed by a Council for ravillving Maids and Wives at his Doors, and abun-

* dance more luch Villanies; and Johny^W. for worfe; and when Eugenics con-

* tinued the Succeffion when a generftl 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 Schilm of Forty Years, in which no

* Man knew, or knows to this Day which was the true Pope : and when mecr

* Toffejfion is it that muft prove their Succeffion. For ( befides thefe Incapacities )

* Mr. Johnfon you may lee confeffeth, that no one way of Eledion ( by Cardi-

* nals, People, Emperors, Bifhops, Councils, &c.) hath been held or is neceflary,

* nor any Conlecration neceflary at all,to the being of the Pope. And if a Succeffion

* of bare Poffeffion ferve, how many Churches have the like i Yea, 2, Cmftanti-' nople,Etbtopia,Armema,and many other Churches have had afar more regular Succef-' fion than Rome ; or at leaft as good. 3. And it's a pitiful Argument, that becaule a

* Church hath had a Succeffion of Faficrs, therefore they are the whole Church, and

* others are no part ; or therefore they are the Rule and Rulers to the reft ; or there-

* fore we muft be of that particular Church only. Sure none denies the Succeffion of

* Paftors in England, as to meer poflcffion of the Place, if that willferve the turn.

* 13. To what you fay of he.\ng[_ Men Holy, Catholuk and Apoftolick and cannot de-' ceive joti.'] I anfwer, i. O dreadful Delufion I that a Church headed with hor-« rid Monfters and not Men, as their own Hittories defcribe a multitude of their

* Popes, Ihould call it felf and fuch Men Holy I Dare you read what I have writ. ' ten of their Holinelsin my Key, chap. 34. DeteUion 2j. or procure them to an-

* fwer that and the reft there. 2. Are all that are Holy the Rule or Rulers to all ' others ? v;hen you have converfed among the Papiftsone leven 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 'which were the more holy. 3. As \_Catholickj fignifiech a Member of the ' Church Catholick, or fuch as hold (he Catholick Fatth, fo other Churches are much

* more (uch than Rome: As it fignifieth [fAe umverjalChurch'] Rome is none fuch. ' The fame I fay of [ Apoftolick: ] Thofe that are moft exatflly of the Apoftolick

* Faich, are to be callsa Apoftolick j but Woe to us if we were in that no better

* than Rome. .

' 14. You may fee now what pitiful Grounds you have, for flying into aPeft-' houle as a City of Refuge ; or for forfaking all the cleaneft Rooms in the Houfe ' of God, and betaking your felf to that Room thac hath the moft leprous infeded ' Peifons in It, as if it were the only Church of God. And for Novelties, O thac ' the whole Cafe might there be tried I and let that Church that hath introduced ' moft Novelties in Faith and Difcipline and Worfbipbe moft rejeded, as unclean.

* Were you impartial the feveral J?r.'/« of <Hir Religion might put that part of the ' Controverly paft Controvevfy with you : Forour Rule of Religion is only the Ho-

* ly Scripttiv: ; ( if you fhcvi? us that wfi tnifunderftand itj we fhall renounce that

<^ S 2 • Mifun-

' mifunderftanding: but to miliinderftand Scripture, is to make a new Rule j uo

* more than to underftand your Councils ): And you knovv the Scripture is no

* Novelty, but the Eldefi. Your Rule is Councils and Papal Decrees, which are

* new, contradiftory, and endlefs; and you never know when you iiave ail, and ' when your Faith is at its maturity, and no more to be added, under pretence

* of Determinations. If you dare read my 24th, zjth, and 55th Deceilton in my

* Key, you may fee quickly who are the Novelties: One chief Reafon of my ab-' herring Popery, is that I am abfolutely certain of its Novelty.

' Madam, I muft take the freedom to fay. That when your Priefts dare neither ' Dilpute in your hearing, upon all the provoking offers that I madej nor \fjt ' will anfwer the Books that I have written, nor yet give you leave to read them,

* they have imprilbned your Soul in the partiality of a Seft j and while you are

* fo unfaithful to your felf, if you be miferable becaufe you would not make ufe

* of the Remedy, and deluded becaufe you are relblved or obliged f/om coming

* into the Light, your Friends will have an eafier account to make for you before

* God, than your fclf; as having difcharged their Duty, when you wilfully le-

* fufe yours. What you read formerly againft Popery , before you doubted or ' heard then Fallacies, was as nothing I luppofe: for I do not think you obferved, or ' remember the ftrefs of the Argumentation which you read. We will have leave ' to pray for you, though we cannot have leave to inOrud you j 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

* (fuch) Piety bred among us, carried by miltake into their Church ; but little ini-

* tially bred there: Though they pretend that Perfons of Charity and the Spirit

* of God with us, muft go to them to receive it. I would I knew whether you

* can fay by true Experience, [ I felt no true Love of God in my Soul before j ht as ^ foon as I turned PaptB, 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 Delu/ions, and Idola-' try in your Mothers Chamber fas to her lelf ), while fhe walks uprightly with God :

* Nothing that I find in your Manual, or the Maji- Book, will ever have that power.

* For the Liberty of your Religion, which you fay, you hope for on the Grounds of the

* Kings Declaration, I have no more to lay, but i.That I never loved Cruelty ia

* any, and it hath increafed my averfion to Popery, that I ftill obferved that lying ' and uncharitable cruelty, have been the two Hands by which it makes fuch a buftle

* in the World. 2. And that ii Italy, Spain, and Aufiria , Bavaria, &Cc. would

* grant Liberty to Proteftants, we fhould fee more Equality in the Expedations of

* it here: but if you get Dominion, as well as Liberty, it will be no Evidence of the

* Truth and Goodnels of your Cauie : Our God, our Rule, our Hope, our End

* and Portion, are the fame in the Imjmjition, Prifon and Flames, as in Profperity:

* We have a Kingdom that cannot be moved, and Treafure that none can rob us ' of: It is for that, and not for Worldly Profperity, that we renounce all Senfuali-

* ty, Herefie, SuperlHtion, Idolatry, Tyranny and falfe Worlhip , and defire in

* Pure and Spiritual Worfliip, with Faith and Patience, to wait for the Coming

* and Righteous Judgment of the Lord. Who with the Spirit of bis Mouth, and the

* brightneis of his Coming, will deftroy that wicked One , tht Son of Perdition^

* a Their. 2.

Madam,

London, Jan.Z(). I rtfi your Servant for

1660,

and tn the Truth of Chrifi-y

Rich, Baxter,

' Since the Writing of this, I am informed that Mr. Johnfon is the Perfon that ' you would liave had to Difpute for you : and that did ( now and formerly ) Di-' fpute with Dr. Gunmng. If fo, I like your Condition or Religion never the bet

' rer

P A a T II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 22^

' terfor your denying it: when you confefled he feared not anyjpjj^ from ttit:" ^ Our Relieion is more a Friend to Truth. ^ ' .,

For the boneurabk Lady Anne Lindley at Calice, This.

§ 87. When the King was received with the General Acclamation of his People^ the Expeftations of Men were various, according to their feveral Intereils and In^ ducements: Some plain and moderate Epifcopal Men thought of Reconciliation and l7nion with the faid Presbyterians; yea, and a Reward to the Presbyterians for bringing in the King. The more Politick Men of the Diocefan way, under-. Itood that upon the King's Return, all-the Laws that had been made in Nineteenr Years, 'viz,. fince his Father's departing from the Parliament were void, and fo th.it all their Ancient Power, and Honour, and Revenues would fall to them without any more ado; and that they had nothing to do but to keep the Miniders and People in quietnefe and hopes, till Time Ihould fully do the work. Some few Presbyterians thought the King would favour them as well as others, for IHrring up the Soldiers and City to rellore him : In London, I found that Mr. Calamy, for his Age and Political Underltanding, and Intereft in the Earl of Mambefitr, who kept Correfpondence with him in fuch Matters, was much valued and followed by the London Minifters, as their Guide j and many frequently met at his Houfe: Mr.Ca-lawy took Dr. Reynolds along with him , as one whofe Learning and Reputation would be of ule: And he took Mr, A^ along with him , as one whoie eminent Holinels and Simplicity made him much loved and honoured by all: And he had been the Earl of Mancbefier's Chaplain in the Wars, and had concurred with him to bring in the King: Thefe three were the Leading Men that kept Correfpondence with the Lords, and had moft Intereft, feemingly, at Court, as having been moft ferviceable to them : To them joyned Dr. Dates, Dr. Manton, and moft of the City Minifters: But Dr. Seaman and Mr. Jenkins, and fome few more, were a little eftranged from them, and hardlier (poken of at Court. Mr. Calamys Party ( and all that b.'-ought in the King ) were for Confultations with their Friends at Court, for the prelerving of the Churches Intereft. Dr. Seaman s Party medled not with them, not as being unwilling, but becaufe the Court did give them no Encourage-inent.

^ § 88. For the Gratifying and Engaging fbme Chief Presbyterians, that had brought in the King ; by the Earl of Manchefiers means, ( who then being Lord Chamberlain, 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.Reynolds were firft nut in j and then Mr. A(I} was importuned to accept it, and then they put me in for one : ( Mr. Nath. Newcomen refuled it ) : And then Dr. Sptrfiow, Dr. Wallts, Dr. Bates, Dr. Manton, Mr. Cafe, &c. were admitted. ( But never any of them was callecl to Preach at Court, laving Mr. Calamy, Dr. Reynolds, my Self ,and Dr. Spurfiow, each of us once : And I fuppole never a Man of them all ever received or expeded a Penny for the Salary of their Places.

§ 89. When 1 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 his Majefty's Chaplains in Ordinary. I defired to know whether it „ were his Majefty's defire, or only the EfFed of their favourable requeft to him. {^fojw?s 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 ^'^^PjJIJ, him, and Difcover any Confpiracy I Ihould know of, &c. And I received this jy.^' Certificate from him:

THefe are to Certijie, That Richard Baxter, Clerky hath been Srvorn and Admitted Chaplain to the Kings Majejiy in Ordinary, to ha<ve and Enjoy all Rights, Profits, and Fri^iledg-es thereunto belonging. Gfven under my Hand this 26th e/June, 1660. in the Twelfth year of the Reign of our So'veraign Lord the Kingi

Ed Manchefter*

§ 90.

in Ordina-

§ 90. When I was with thele two Lords on this occafion, I tdid them what Conferences 1 had with feveral Epifcopal Men about the Terms ot an Agreement or Coalition, and how much it concerned the Intereft, both of the King and of Religion, that we might befo united, and what unhappy Confequences eUe would follow, and how eafie I thought an Agreement with moderate Men would be, and on whatTermsBilhopC7/7jer andl had agreed in a little fpace. A little after the Lord Broghill was pleafed to come to me j and he told me, That he had told the King of the Bufinels of a Conference tor an Agreement, and that the King took it very well, and was relblved to further it. And about the fame time the Earl of Manchefier fignified as much to Mr. Calamy : So that Mr. Calamy ^ Dr. Reynolds , Mr. A\ii , and my Self went about it to the Earl of Mmche-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 I, and I think all the reft, did leave the Nomination of the Peribns to be employed ) advifed that all that were the King's Chaplains of us might be called to the Conlultation, and that we four might not (eem to take fo much upon us without others: ( if we did go once without them to the King, which I well remember not, that was all ) : So Dr. WaUis, Dr. Manton, and Dr. Sfurfiow, &c. went with us to the King: who with the Lord Chancellour, and the Earl of St. Albans, &c, came to us in the Lord Chamberlain's Lodgings. We exercifed more bold-neis at firft, than afterwards would have been born: when fome of the reft had congratulated his Majefty's happy Reftoration, and declared the large hope which they had of a happy tJnion among all Diffenters by his means, &c. I presumed to fpeak to him of the Concernments of Religion, and how far we were from de-firing the continuance of any Faftions or Parties in the Church, and how much a happy Union would conduce to the good of the Land, and to his Majefty's Satit faftion; and though there were turbulent Fanatick Perfons in his Dominions, yet that thole Minifters and Godly People, whole 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 aS godlinefi and honefty ; and whereas there were differences between them and their Brethren about feme Ceremonies or Difcipline of the Church, we humbly craved his Majefty's favour for the ending of thole Differences, it being cifie for him to interpole, that fo the People might not be deprived of their faithful Pallors, nor ignorant, fcandalous, unworthy Ones obtruded on them ! I prelumed to tell him. That the People that we fpake for were fuch as were contentsd with an Intereft in Heaven, and the Liberty and Advantages of the Goljael to promote it j and if this were taken from them, and they were deprived of their faithful Paltors, and Liberty of worfhipping God, they would take themfelves as undone in this World, *chatever plenty ells they Ihould enjoy : and the Hearts of his moft faithful Sub-jefts, who hoped for his help, would even be broken: and that we doubted not but his Mjjefty defired to Govern a People made happy by him, and not a broken liearted People that took themfelves to be undone, by the lofs of that which is dearer to them than all the Riches of the World! And I prefumed to tell him, That the late Uturpersthat 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 effeftual meansj and h<td placed and encouraged many Thoufand faithful Minifters in the Church, even fuch as detefted their Uliirpation : 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 thit had taken the contrary Courle, had thereby broken themlelves to pieces : Wherefore I humbly craved his Majefty's patience that we might have the freedom to rcqueft of him, that as he was our lawful King, in whom all his People ( fave a few incon-fiderable Perfons) were prepared to Centre, as weary of their Divifions, and glad of the Satisfadory means of Union in him, fo he would be plealed to undertake this blelfed Work of promoting their HoUneJS and Concord: ( for it was not Fadion or Difobedience which we defired him to indulge ): And that he would never fiilfer himfelf to be tempted to undo the Good which Cr»wxfe5 or any other had done, becaule they were Uftirpers that did it, or difcountelianca a faithful Miniftry, becaule his Enemies had let them up : But that he would rather out-go them in doing good, and oppofing and rejeding the ignor.nt and ungodly of what Opinion or Party (never: For the People whofe Caufe we recommend to him, had their Eyes on him as the OHicerof God, to defend them in the poftedion of the helps of their Salvation j which if he were plealed to vouchfafe them , their E-

ftvtes

1

ftates and Lives would cheerfully be offered to his Service. And 1 humbly be-fought him that he would never fuffer his Subje<9:s to be tempted to have favourable Thoughts ot the late Ufurpers, by feeing the Vice indulged which they (up-preffed ; or the godly Minifters or People difcountenanced whom they encouraged I For the Common People are apt to judge of Governouts b/ the Effeds, even by the Good or Evil which they feel : and they will take him to be the beft Governour who doth them moft good, and him to be the worft that doth them moft hurt ; And all his Enemies cannot teach him a more effedual way to reftore the Reputation and Honour of the Ufurpers, than to do worle than they, andde-ftroy the Good which they had done, that (b he may go contrary to his Enemies j and fo to force the People to cry out. We are undone in lofs of the Means of our Salvation: It being a hard matter ever to bring the People to love and honour him, by whom they think they are undone , in comparifon of thole that they think made them h^ppy, though the one have a juft Title to be their Governour, which the other hath not. And again I humbly craved, That no mifreprelentati-ons might caufe him to believe, that becaule fome Fanaticks have been Factious and Difloyal, therefore the Religious People in his Dominions, who are molt careful of their Souls, are fuch, though fome of them may be diffatisfied about fome Forms and Ceremonies in God's Worfhip, which others ule : And that none of them might go under lb ill aCharader with him , by mifreports, behind their backs, till it were proved of them perfonally , or they had anfwered for them-lelves: For we that better knew them than thofe that were like to be their Acculers, did confidently teftifie to his Majefty on their behalf, that they are refolved Enemies of Sedition,Rebellion,Difobedience and Divifions; which the World Ihall lee ; and their Adverlaries be convinced of,if his Majefty's Wifdom and Clemency do but remove thofe Occafions of Scruple in fome Points of Difcipline and Worfliip of God, which give Advantage to others, to call all Diffenters, Faftious and Difobe-dient, how Loyal and Peaceable (bever. And I humbly craved. That the Freedom and Plainnels of thefe Expreffions to his Majefty might be pardoned, as being ex-traded by the prefent Neceflity, and encouraged by our revived hopes, I told him alio, that it was not for Presbyterians or any Party, as fuch, that we were fpeaking for, but for the Religious part of hisSubjeds, 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 Majefty, to the People, and to the Biihops themfelves, and how eafily it might be procured, i. By making only things Neceffary to be the Terms of IJnion. 2. And by the true Exercile of Church Difcipline againft Sin. ;. And not cafting out the faithful Minifters that muft Exercife it, nor obtruding unworthy Men upon the People, And how eafie it was to avoid the violating of Mens Solemn Vows and Covenants without any hurt to any others. And finally, I requefted that we might but be heard fpeak for our felves, when any Accufations were brought a-gainft us].

Thele, with fome other luch things, I thenfpake, when fome of my Brethren had fpoken firft. Mr, Simeon yJjl) alfo fpake much to the lame purpofe, and of all our Delires of his Majefty's Aftiftance in our defired Union.

§ 91, The King gave us not only a free Audience, but as gracious an Anfwer as we could expert ; profefltng his gladnefs to hear our Inclinations to Agreement, and his Rcfolution 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 accomplifhed, it fhoiild 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. Infomuch that old Mr. y4jh burft out into Tears with Joy, and could not forbear expreffing what Gladnefs this Promife of his Majefty had put into his heart.

§ 92. Either at this time, orlhortly after, the King required us to draw up, and offer him fuch Propofals as we thought meet , in order to Agreement about Church Government; 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.

§ 9;. We told him, i. That we were but a few Men, and had no Commiflion 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 take them with us. The King anfwered, That that would be too long, and make

toe

too much Nnife, and therefore we fliould do what we would our felves only, with fuch of the City as we would take with us. And when we then profeffed that we prefumed not to give the Senfe of others, nor oblige them ; and that what we did muft fignify but the Minds of lb many Men as were prefent. He anfwered, That it fliould fignify no more; and that he did not intend to call an Aflembly of the other party, but would bring a few, luch as he thought meet; and that if he thought good to advife with a few of each fide, for his own Satisfa<5lion, none had caule to be offended at it.

§ 94. Alfb 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 alfo the uttermoft that they could abate and yield to us for Concord, that feeing both together, we might fee what probability of fucccels we had. And the King pro-mifed that it fhould be fb.

§ 9)-. Hereupon we departed and appointed to meet from day to day at Sion Col-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 Minillcrs who were in the City came alfo to us; as Dr. IVorth ( fmce a Billiop in Ireland ) Mr. Fulwcod ( fince Archdeacon of Totnes) &c. But Mr. Matth. Newcomen was molt conftant in aflifling us.

§ 96. In thefe Debates we found the great inconvenience of too many Adors (though there cannot be too many Conlenters to what is well done ) : For that which feemed the moft convenient Expreffion to ode, (eemed inconvenient to another, and that we that all agreed in Matter, had much ado to agree in Words. But afcer about two or three Weeks time, we drew up the following Paper of Pro-polals, which, with Archbifhop Ujhers Form of Government (called his KeduBi-on, &c. ) we fhould offer to the King. Mr. Calamy^ drew up moft with Dr. Rey' noUs J Dr. Reynoldi and Dr. Worth drew up that which is againft the Ceremonies ; I only prevailed with them to premife the four lirft Particulars, for the countenancing Godlinefs, the Miniftry, Perfonal ProfefTion, and the Lord's Day : They were backward becaufe they were not the Points in Controverly ; but yielded at laft on the Reafons offered them. About Difcipline we defignedly adhered to Billiop V^.m-s Model, without a Word of alteration; that fo they might have lefs to fay againit our Offers as being our own ; and that the World niight fee that it was Ept/copacy tt [elf which they refuled j and that they contended againfl the Archbifhop as well as againff usj and that we pleaded not at all with them for Vnsbytery, unlefs a Moderate Epifcopacy be Fresl/ytery : Yet was there a FaAion that called this Offer of Bifhop Vpirs tpifcopacy by the Name of the Treshyteriam impudent ExpeBations. 1 alfo prevailed with our Brethren to offer an Abflra(a of our larger Papers, left the reading of the larger fhould (eeni tedious to the King; which Abftrad 'verbatim, as followeth, at their Deilre 1 drew up, and have here after adjoined.

Ihe firji Addrefi and Propofals of the Minifters.

May it pleafe Your mojl excellent Majefiy,

* T T 7E your Majefty's moft Loyal SubjeAs cannot but acknowledge it as a very

* W great Mercy of God, that immediately after your lb wonderful and peace-' 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 Prophanenefi in the People, fo to endeavour an happy compofing of the Dif-

* ferences, and healing of the fad Breaches which are in the Church. And we

* 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-' fly's Heart, will by his heavenly Wildom and holy Spirit to affifl you therein,

* and bring your Refblutions unto lb perfect an Effeft and Iffue, that all the

* good People of thefe Kingdoms may have abundant Caule to rife up and biefs you, ' and to blefs God who hath delighted in you to make you his Inftrumentin fbhap-' py a Work. That as your glorious Progenitor, Henry VII. was happy in uniting

* the Houfes of Tork and Lancafler; and your Grandfather King Jamet of bleffed

* Memory in uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland^ fo this Honour may

*be

^__ dT-

* be relerved for your Majefty as a Radiant Jewel in your Crown, that by your ' Princely Wifdom, and Chriftian Moderation the Hearts of all your People may

* be united, and the unhappy Differences and Mifunderftandings amongft Bre-

* thren in matters Ecclefiaftial fo compofed, that the Lord may be one, and his

* Name one in the midftof 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

* Dodrinal Truths of the reformed Religion, and in the fubftantial parts of Divine ' Worftip, 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 reprefenr. That in as

* much as the ultimate end of Church-Government and Miniftry is, that Holinefs

* of Life, and Salvation of Souls may be Effedually promoted, we humbly defire in

* the firfl place that we may be fecured of thole things in Pradice, of which we ' feem to be agreed in Principles.

* I. 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

' Ufages be liiffered to be reproachfully handled; but have Liber- This was put in becaufe the fe-

* ty and Encouragement in thofe Chriftian Duties of exhorting rious prafticc of Religion had

*and provoking one another unto Love and good Works, of ^'T.'^ff.'r^rin'Tr" ^^'°"''

,, ., ,r ° , . , . n. 1 T^ • i_ J t II 3nd a tew Cnnltians praying or

* buildmg up one another in their molt holy Faith,and by all re repeating a Sermon together had

* ligious and peaceable means of ftirthering one another in the been perfecuted by fome Prelates

* ways of eternal Life J they being not therein oppofite to a'a heinous Crime. ' Church-AfTemblies, nor refufing the guidance and due

* Infpedion of their Paftors, and being refponfible for what they do or

* fay.

* 2. That each Congregation may have a learned, orthodox and godly Paflor

* refiding amongft them, to the end that the People might be

* publickly inftrufted and edified by preaching every Lord's Day, This was added becaufe we ' by Catechiftng and frequent Adminiftration of the Lord's Sup- knew what had been done, and

* per, and of Baptifm and other Minifterial Ads as the Occa- was like to be done again. ' calions and the Neceflity of the People may require both in

* Health and Sickneis ; and that effedual Provifion of Law be made, that fuch as

* are Infufficienr, Negligent, or Scandalous, may not be admitted to, or permit-

* ted in lb Sacred a Fundion and Imployment.

' ;. That none may be admitted to the Lord's Supper, till they competently un-

* derltand the Principles of Chriftian Religion, and do perfb-

* nally and publickly own their baptifmal Covenant, by a ere This was added becaufe that

* dible Profeflton of Faith and Obedience, not contradiding theutternegleftof Difdpline by ' the fame by a contrary Profeffion, or by a Scandalous Life : ^\^ oycsAm Prelates had caufcd r « J I ■' r u I ^ /• • / -c ■ J • I all our Perplexities and Confu-

* And that unto luch only Confirmation ( it continued in the f,oi,s- and in this Point is tlie

« Church ) may be adminiftred : And that the Approbation of chiefe'fl part of our Difference ' the Paftors to whom the catechiftng and inftruding of thofe with them indeed, and notabout ' under their Charge do appertain, may be produced before Cevemomes. ' any Perfbn 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.

' 4. That an effedual Courfe be taken for the Sandification of the Lord's Day,

* appropriating the fame to holy Exercifes both in publick and This was added becaufe abun-' private withoucunnecelfary Divertifements; it being certain dance of Minifters had been caft ' and by long Experience found, that the Obfervation thereof is °"V." ^^ ^f^'^f" i^y^. for not ; a fpecial means of preferving and promoting the Power of God- '^S Sci' ^Jldt^h sjort

* linels, and obviating Prophancnets. on die Lord's Day.

' Then for the Matters in Difference, viz,. Church-Government, Liturgy and ' Ceremonies, we moft humbly reprefent unto your Majefty.

* I. Firft For Church-Government; that although upon juft Reafons we do dil^ 'lent from that Ecclefiaftical Hierarchy or Prelacy declaimed in the Covenant, as

* it was (fated and exerciled in thefe Kingdoms j yet we do not, nor ever did re-

* nounce the true Ancient and Primitive Pfefidency as it was ballanced and mana-

Hh 'managed

' managed by a due Comraixticn of Presbyters therewith, as a fit means to avoid

* Corruptions, Partiality, Tyranny, and other Evils which may be incident tothe

* Adminiitrationof one fingis Perfon : Which kind of attempered Pefidency, if it

* ihalibe your Majefty's grave Wifdom and gracious Moderation, be in fuch anian-

* ner conditutcd r.s that the forementioned, and other like Evils may be certainly-

* prevented, vjq fliall humbly fubmit thereunto.

• ' And in Order to an happy Accommodation in this weighty Bufineis, we de-' fire humbly to offer unto your Majeify Ibme of the Particulars which we con-' ceive were aniils in the Epiicopal Government, as it was praftiled before th e ^ Year 1640.

* 1. The great Extent of the Biftiops Diocefs, which was much too large for his ' own perlonal Infpeftion, wherein he undertook a Paftoral Charge over the Sonls

* of all thofe within his Bifhoprick, v;h ch muft needs be granted to be too heavy a ' Burthen for any one Man's Shoulders: The Paiforal Office being a Work of Per-' fonal Miniftration and Truft, and that of the liigheft Conceinraent to the Souls

* of the People, for which they are to give an Account to CliiilK

* 2. That by Reafon of this Difability to diicharge their Duty and Tnift perfo-

* nally, the Bilhops did depute the Adminiftracion of much of t'lt ir Trusi, even in

* matters of fpiritual Cognizance, to Commiffaries, Chanc.llojs and Officials,

* whereof fome v/ere Secular Perlons, and could not admiaiuer that Power which ' originally appertaineth to the Paftors of the Church.

' 3. That thole Bilhops who affirm the Epiicopal Office to be adiftind Order

* by Divine Right from that of the Presbyter, • did affume the lole Power of Or-' dination and Jurildidion to themfelves.

' 4. That (ome 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 Minilters ' and People not required by Law j and by fufpending Miniliers at their Plea-' fure.

' For leforming of which Evils, we humbly crave leave to offer unto your

* Majefty,

* I. The late moft Reverend Primate of Inland his Reduction of Epilcopacy

* unto the Form of Synodical Government, received in the ancient Church; as a ' Ground-work towards an Accommodation and fraternal .Agreement in this Point ' of Ecclefiaftic.1l Government: Which we rather do, not only in regard of his

* eminent Piety and fingular Ability as in all other Parts of Learning, (b in that '■ elpccislly of the Antiquities of the Church, but alio becaufe therein Expedients ' are ofTered for healing tlieie Grievances.

^, And in order to the lAme end, we further humbly defire that the Suifragans or *- Corepiieopj, mentioned in the Primate's Redudion, may be chofen by the re-< fpeftrve S} nods, and by that Eledion be fufficiently authorized to diicharge their 'Trull

' That the AlTociations may not be lb large as to make the Difcipline impoffible, ioj to take off the Minillers from the reft of their neceftary Imployments. . ' That no Oaihs or Promifeaof Obedience to the Bilhops, nor any unnecelTary ' Sublcriptions or Engagements be made neceffary to Ordination, Inftitution, In-

* du(5tion, Miniftration, Communion or Immunities of Minillers; they being re-

* fponfible for any Tranfgreffion of the Law. '

* And that no Bilhops nor any Ecclefiaftical Governors, may at any time exer-' clle their Government by their own private Will or Pleafure ; but only by luch '- Rules, Canons, andConftitutionsas ihall be hereafter by Aft of Parliament rati-' fied and eliablilhed: and thaj fufficient Provifion be made to fecuie both Mini-

* Hers and People againft the Evils of Arbitrary Government in the Church.

2. Concerning the Liturgy.

f

' I. We ara fitisfied in our Judgments concerning the I-awfulneQ of a Liturgy, '■x>r Form of publick Worftiip ; provided that it be for the matter agreeable unto '^iLe Woidof Godj and fitly lu^t?d to the Nature of the feveral Ordinances, and

' the

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 235

* the neceffity of the Church; nether too tedious in the whole, nor compofcd of

* too fhort Prayers, unmeet Repetitions or Reiponfals, nor too tliflbnanc from the

* Liturgies of other Reformed Churches ; nor too rigorouflyimpofed ; nor the Mi-' nifier lb confined thereunto, but that he may alio make ufe of thole Gifts for ' Prayer and Exhortation which Chrift hath given him for the Service and Edifica-

* tion of the Church.

' 2. That inaliiuich 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, Perfonsof Pious, Loyal, and Peaceable

* Minds are therein greatly dilTatished ; whereupon, if it be again impofed , will

* inevitably follow fad Divifions, and widening of the Breaches which your Ma-

* jelly is now endeavouring to heal j We do molt humbly offer to your Ma)e(ty's ' Wildom, that for preventing lb great Evil, and for fetling the Church in Unity

* and Peace, ibme Learned, Godly, and Moderate Divines of both Perlwafion?,

* indifferently cholen, Tnay be imployedto Compile fuch a Form as is before de-*

* fcribed s as much as may be in Scripture words : or at leaft to Revife and eife-' (ftually Reform the old ; together with an Addition or Inlertion of Ibme other

* varying Forms in Scripture phrafe, to be ufed at the Minifter's Choice : ofwhicH f Variety and Liberty there be Inftances in the Book of Common Prayer,

5. Concerning Ceremonies.

* We humbly reprefent, that we hold our felvqs obliged in every part of Divine

* Worlhip, to do all things decently, in order and to Edification, and are willing

* therein to be determined by Authority in liich things as being meerly Circum-

* Itantial, are common to Humane AAions 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 obferved. '' - '

' And as to divers Ceremonies forrtierly retained in the Church of England, We ' do in all Humility offer unto your Majefty thele etifuing Confiderations.

* That the Worlhip of God is in it felf perfeft, without having fuch Ceremo-' nies affixed thereto.

' That the Lord hath declared himfelf in the Matters that concern his Worlhip, ' to be <j Jealous God ; and this Worlhip of his is certainly then molt pure,and moft ' agreeable to the Simplicity of the Gofpel,and to his holy and jealous Eyes, when

* it hath lealt of Humane Admixtures in things of themlelves confefTedly unnecef-

* fary, adjoyned and appropriated thereunto; upon which account, many faith-

* ful Servants of the Lord, knowing his Word to be the perfed: Rule of Faith and

* Worlhip, by which they mult judge of his Acceptance of their Services, and

* muit be themlelves 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 mull daily expeft the Communications of his Grace and Comfort j

* efpecially feeing that thefe Ceremonies have been impofed and urged upon fuch

* Confideracioms as draw too near to the lignificancy and moral efficacy of Sacra-

* ments fhemfelves,

' That they have, together with Popery, been rejedledby many of theReform-

* ed Churches abroad, amonglt whom notwithltanding we doubt not but the Lord ' is worlhipped decently, orderly, and in the beauty of Holinefs.

' That ever fince the Reformation they have been Matter of Contention , and ' endlels Difputes in this Church; and have been aCaufe of depriving the Church

* of the Fruit and Benefit which might have been reaped from the Labours of ma-

* ny Learned and Godly Minifters ; Ibme of whom judging them imlawful, others

* unexpedientj were in Confcience unwilling to be brought under the power of ' them.

* That they have occafioned, by the offence taken at them, by many of the ' People, heretofore, great Separations from our Church, and lb 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 bell but indlffsrent, and in their Nature mutable ; and that it's ' (elpecially ) in various Exigencies of the Church, very needful and expedient,

* that things in themlelves mutable, be Ibmetimes actually changed, left they Ihould

* by perpetual permanency and conltant ufe, be judged by the People as neceffary ' as the Subflantials of Worfh'p themfelves.

H h a * And

And though we do nioft heartily acknowledge your Majefty to be Cb/oj utrt-' iifquc TahuU, and to be Supream Governour over all Persons, and in all Things

* and Caules, as well Ecclefiaftical as Civil, inthefe your Maieity's Donuflions,yec ' we humMv crave le^vs to befeech your Majefty to confidsr, whether m a Chri-

* flian Maglihats, you be not as well obliged by diac Dotlrine olthe Apoltlc ' touching"7/6i«!^j mliffa-ent, not occahoning an offence to weak Brethr-en, as the

* Apoftle himfelf (then one of the highelt Officers in the Church of Chrift)

* judged himlelf to be obliged : and wliether the great Work wherewich the Lord ' hath intrulkd 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--' /hip fliould be duly performed^ then that Things unneceirary Ihould be made by ' Humane Command neceffary and penal. And how greatly plsafing it. will be to

* the Lord, that your Majefty's heait is fo tenderly and religioufly Compaffionate, ' to liich of his poor Servants differing in lb fmall matters, as to prefcrve the Peac^

* of their Confciences in God's Worlbip above all their. Civil Concernments what-' Ibever. "

' May it therefore pleafe your Majafly, out of your Princely Care of healing

* our Breaches, graciouQy to grant. That Kneeling at the Sacrament of the Lord's •^ Supper, and fucb Holydays as are but of Humane Inftitution may not be impoled ' upon fuch 3s do conlcientioufly (cruple the Obfervation of them. And that the u(e

* of the Surplice and CroQ in Baptifm, and bowing at the Name of Jef/4s rather ' than the Name of Chrijtot Emanuel, or other Names whereby that Divine Per-

* fon, or either of the other Divine Perfons is nominated, maybe abolilhed ^ rhefc ' things being in the Judgment of the Impolers themfelves but indifferent and niu-

* table J in the Judgment of others a Rock of Offence j and in the Judgment of

* all not to be valued with the Peace of the Church.

* We likewife humbly reprefent unto your raoft Excellent Majefly, That divers

* Ceremonies which we conceive had no Foundation in the Law of the Land, as ' ereding Altars, bowing towards them, and fuch like, have been not only in-

* troduced, but in (bme places impofed j whereby an Arbitrary Power was ufurp-'ed, divers Minifters of the Gofpel, though Conformable to the Eflablilhed Gere-' monies, troubled, fomc Reverend and Learned Bifliops 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 Wiidom ' ihall judge meet, effedually to prevent the impofing and uiing of fuch Innova-

* tions for the future,that fo according to the pious intention of your Royal Grand-

* father King James of bleffed memory, the ?ubhck fforjliip may be jree^not only fro7H ' blame, bid fi-omfu/pictoti.

' In obedience to your Majefty's Royal Pleafure gracioufly fignified to us, ' 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 ' Differences, but the Roots and Caufes of them. We humbly beg ' your MajeRys favourable Acceptance of the(e our Loyal and Confcien-' tious Endeavours to lerve your Majefty and the Church of Chrift, and

* your gracious Pardon, if in any Thing or Exprcllion, we anfwer not

* your Majefty's Expcftation : profefting before your Majifty, and be-' fore the Lord the oearcher of Hearts, that we have done nothing out of ' ftrife, vain Glory or Emulation : but have fincerely offered what we ' apprehend moft feafonable and conducing to that happy End of Unity ' and Peace which your Majefty dothfo pioudy profecute.

' We humbly lay our (elves, and thele our Addreffes, at your Majefty's feet * ' profefting our unfeigned refolution to live and die your Majefty's faith-' ful, loyal, and obedient Subjeds; and humbly implore your Gracious ' Majefty, according unto your Princely Wifdom and Fatherly Compaf-' fion, lo to lay your Hand upon the bleeding Rents and Divifions that ' are amongft us, that there may be an healing oi them : lb /hall your ' Tiirone he greater than the Throne of ynur Farhcii J in your days the ' Kij^hreous /ball fiourilli, Peace ftiall run down lik^ a River, and the Gs-' nsrations to come /hall call you bleffed.

This

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 237

This loHovCing Paper I drew up at this time, and offered jto tiie Brethren to have been prefented to the King as the Summary of our jtjdgment, ilvathc might fee in a few plain words wliat it was that we indceil defireii. hvx it was not contented to, both becaulc that all of us were not agreed an^.ong our lelveSj in granting (b much of Epifcopacy, and becaufe we would not hinder our Succefs by adding any more to Bllhop t;/J;er's Model, hoping that his Authority might have facilitated the Reception ol it; to which Reafon? I conlented.

the brief Sum of our Judgment and Defirfis about Church-Ce^erf:-ment, y:...w

I. T^Ower is I. Imperii! and Coercive, by Mulds and Penalties; 2. or DoAoral

1. and Suafory. The firft belongeth only to the Magiihate j The fecond to the Paftors of the Church.

2. Though in Cales of Neceffity the fame Man may be both a Magiftrate and aPaftor; yet out of fuch Cafe it is unlawful or very unmeet : Each Calling wilt find a Man work enough alone. And otir work being per/wafivi, is fuccefslul but as it proau-eth Csntsplacency and Content i and therefore we ftioukl he put upon no fuch Adions as wiil render us more feared nnd hated,than defired to our Flecks. We therefore humbly befeech your Majefly to truft, no Church-men with the Sword ; with any degree of Imperial,Coacftive Power j but where it muft be uled, that it be by Magiltratcs. And chat pur Execution be not annexed to tkir Judgments'^ nor any M^n vumjhul l>jfyoa, meeriy becauje he is Excommumcate ("that is, Ibrely punitludl) by tbem.

;. Every ftaced full Congregation that had tmtim /ikere, was by Divine Inftita-tion to have a Bifhop of their own, or many if they could be had ; which Bifhops were calkd Elders alfoin the Scripture. And for Order fake, where there werfc many of thefe/he Churches foon placed the Precedency and Modefatorihip in one whom they called by Eminency the Bifttop.

"4. Becaufe in the beginning there were no (fated Churches or Altars (ordinai'ih ly ) but in Towns and Cities; therefore the fame Apoflles that ordained Elders in every Church, are laid alio to appoint that they be Ordained Ka^ra Tn^tn , eppi-Aatim, in every Town or City. And it being long before the Villages had Churches, they were the Parifh or Diocefs of the Bifliops of the Town. And when Rural Bifliops were placed jn thofe Churches, they were fubjecfted to the City Bi-Ihops; when every Church, as in the beginning, fiiould have had a Bi/hop of their own.

f. If yea will return to the Scripture Tattern, every (tated Congregatmt that hath one Altar, muff have Fafiors that have the Go'vernment of the People ; and if yoii wilt return to the primitive Eptjcofacy, eminendy fo calledjetefy one oithefe Cburch-ts Ihould fuive a Bijhop with FeUo-iff Freshpers as his CoUe^ues, or Deacons at leait in (mailer Qiurches. ^ J. '^ _ ^ , ii ^ ■

6. If you will return to tHe firft drii foweff degree of Corruption of Church-Order^ you mult have a Bllhop and Presbytery in every City and Town only, fuch as our CorporatioTu atid Bsr^ugks arc, who niuft take c'ai6 alio of the adjacent Villages.

7. For the maintaining of Unity and Concord, and Edifying each other by Coinrhanibn, thelc Bifhops held ordinary Synods or Meeting":, in which by Agreements called Canons ( no proper Laws ^ they bound up themfslves in things of mucable Determination, ^d al(b tied themlelvcs to their Duties.

8. Befidtfs thele particular Bifhops, there were General Overfeers of the Church, (ivdi as the ApolHes, Evangelids, and others that fixed not themfelves in relation to any one particular Church, but the Care of many." And that the(e have Sue-ceiiors in this ordinary part of their Work, we do not gainfay. But we humbly crave, that if our DiocelJns will be fuch, they be taken for Archbifhops or Gene-rai ?afiors\ and that they take only a General Charge of the Flock, overleeing the pamcular Palfoi-5 or Bi(hops, and receiving Appeals in (bme Special Ca(es, and not i piiTticulai' Ci>a>ge of each Soul as the particular Bilhopshavc. And thereiore

that they be not charged with ordinary Confirming (or admitting into the (late of Adult Members ) all the People, which will bind theminConfcience to know and try them all, or moft: Nor yet to receive Prefentments of all Scandals, nor to Excommunicate and abfolve, or impofe Publick Penitence, on all that theJe belong to.

9. If thefe things may not be granted, we muft be bold to leave our Teftimony, that Diocefans affuming the particular Government of all the People , in fb many Churches, as they have in England , are deftruftive i. To the very being of all the pirticular Churches, fave the Cathedral or City where they are j (It being that old Maxim, Ubi von eft Epifcoptts non efi Ecckfia ; viz. in fenfu poltttca ): 2. And to the Palloral Office of Chrill's Inftitution : 3. And to the moft ancient Epifcopacy. Whenas by the eftablifhing of thele Parochial Bifhops, ( at leaft Oppidatim ) the Diocefans may become of great ufe for the Work of General Overfight. We re-fufe not General Officers, fo they overthrow not the particular Officers arid Churches: As if General Officers in an Army or Navy would be the fble Commanders, and depofe all the Captains, and confequently make the Difcipline im-poffible.

10. We mod earneftly befeech your Majefty, that in Matters of Dodkrine, Discipline and Worlhip, the Modes and Circumftances and Ceremonies may not be made more neceffary to our Ordination, Inftitution , Miniftration, or Communion 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 Simplicity ; and may have Liberty in things UnneceJJary, as to Subfcriptions, Promilcs and Pradice j 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 unfealbnable violence; nor any permitted , much lefs confirained to be Members of our Churches and Communion that 'vilifie fucb Priviledges, and cannot be moved by our Exhortations, noT feel the weight of a meer Excommunication. Though a gentle Force is neceffary to compel the Learners or Catechumens to fubmit to the neceffary means of their InftruAion : and to reftrain the petulant from abufing the Wor-ftiip 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 fo unfit to be a Member of the Church, that it is moft unfit to drive him into it by Imprifon-ment, Mulfts, or Secular Force: And this is that which doth corrupt and undo the Church.

I fhall here Annex Archbilhop V^eri Model of Government, which we now aV fo prefented.

the ReduSiion of Epifcopacy unto the Form of Symdical Govern* meat received in the Ancient Church^propofed in the Tear 1^41. as an Expedient for the prevention of thofe Troubles which afterwards did arife about the Matter of Chmch-Government,

Epifcopal and Presbyterial Governmznt conjoyned.

Vi,

U) The T^Y the Order of the Church of England, all Presbyters are charged to (*) ml-Formof Jl) niftcr the Dodlirine and Sacraments and the Difcipline of Chrift as the Lord on'ricfts *^^^'^ commanded, and as this Realm hath received the fame. And that we might ^i) ^ibidm^^^ better underltand what the Lord had commanded therein , the Exhortation of Arts 20. St. Paul to the Eiders of {b) the Church of Ephejus, is appointed to be read unto ii7, la. ^ them at the time of their Ordination : Take heed unto your felves and to all the Flock, fo^talxn"' ''"'""J^ whom the Huty Ghofi hath made you Overfters, to * rule the Congregation of God, M]ttli.2.^. V/hich he bath purcbafed with his Blood.

bi9.ev.i2. Of the many Elders who in common thus ruled the Church oi Ephefas, there 5-^ i9-'5 w,i5 one Prefident whom our Saviour in his EpiJtle to the Church, in a peculiar Y/ ^^' ** manner ii'ikth the (c) Angel of the Church of Epheius. And Ignalifts io another E-

piftle

1

piftle written about twelve Years after to the fame Church, calieth theiiilhop rhere-

cf. Betwixt which Biihop and the Presbytery of that Church what an hjrmoni-

ciis Confent there was in the ordering the CI;arch«Government, the fame Igftati'-

us doth fully theie declare by the Presbytery ( with (A) St. Parti) underltanding

the Company of the reft of the Presbytery or Elders who then had a Hand, not

only in the delivery of the Dodrine and Sacraments, but alio in the Adminiftrati-

on of the Diftipline of Chrift. For farther Proof whereof we have that known

Teftimony of TertuUian in his general Apology for Chriftians. In (e) the Church

are ufed Exhortations, Chaftidiments and divine Cenfures; for Judgment is given (0 V'tdm

with great Advice as among thofe who aie certain they are in the light of God, ''"'"'".''*-

and it is thechiefeft forcfliewing of the Judgment that is to come, if any Man hath '("Jn^'^'l""

fo offended that he be banilhed from the Communion of Prayer, and of the AlTem- nt'fy 'cni-

bly, and of all holy Fellow/hip. furs dhi-

indkatur tnagno cum pondere, ut dpud certos de Dei con^eHu fummumq; futuri Judki't p-£]udkium ejfe. Si quk ita de-liquerit ut a commitmone orationu ^ conventui (fy- oninis Smili commercii rdegatwr. Frxfident probati quiqui fenhres, hi-mrem ifium mnprecio fed tcfiimonk adepti. Tert. Apol. Cap. 39.

The Prefidents that bear rule therein are certain approved Elders who have obtained this Honour, and not by Reward, but by good Report. Who were no /-fix-other (as he himfelf ellewhere inrimateth ) but thofe from (/) whole hands they de alionm uled to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharift; manihus,

quitm p)-d'

fidcntium [umimus {[y idem de corona militis. Cap. j.

For with theBifhop, who was the Chief Prefidcnt (and therefore fiyled by the lame TertuUian in another place 5,vww(»j (g) Sacerdos for diltindion fake) the reft CgJ Dm-of the Difpenfors of the Word and Sacraments were joined in the common Govern- f 'i"}'^"" ment of the Church. And therefore in matters of Ecclefiaflical Ju.iicat:;te, Cor-ifj^^f',^, wUhs^ Biftiopof iJowe uled the received Form of (h) gathering together the Pros- summui'

bytery. Sacerdos

qui eft Epif-cupHf, defint Pi-edyteri (fyf Diaconi'Tdeitt de Baptifmo^ Cap. 17. (hj Omni alfu ad me perUti ptacuitcon-tralii Presbyterium, Cornel, apud Cyprian Epif. 46.

Of what Perfons that did confift, Cjprian fufficiently declareth^ when he wifii-ed him to read his Letters to (t} the flouriihing Clergy that there did refide or Q^/ft^"' rule with him. . '. :• - ■ •;. m'dm

ticm prsfidentj, Cyprian Epift. $5. ad Cornel.

The prefence of the Clergy being thought to be (b requifite in matters of Epif^

nrk in the Saxoni Times^ and afterwards into the Body of the (m) Canon-Law it t'l'fj^pl-e'-''

fetf. fentia cle-

,. , . . . , .- j! _ ., "».!i)acH' ''A ■-A , ricoritm fu-

erum, alioquin imta erit jentenfia Epifcopi mft cleriarum prefentu confirmetiir. Concil. Carthag. j. Cap "i, ftj Eneerption Eibertt, dp. 4^. fmj ij; (^i 7. Cap. A'«/to. *

True it i&, that in our Church this kind of Presbyterian Government hath been long difufed, yet ieeing it ftill profefteth that every Paftor hath a right to rulerhc Church ( from whence the Name of Reftor alfo v/as given at firft unto him ) and to adminifter the Difciplineof Chrift, as well as to difpsnce the Dodrine and Sacraments. And the reftraint of the E\T3rcife of that Right proceedeth only from the Cuftom novy 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 fhew of Alteration the Synotlical Conventions of the Paftors of every Parifh n>jght be accorded, with the Prefidency of the Bifhops of each Diocefi and Province, the indifferent Reader may quickly perceive by the per-uial of the enfuing Propofitions.

° '^ The Parc-

cliijl Go-L vernment

anfwera-

In every Parifh the Redor or the incumbent Paftor, together with the Church- ^'^ ^° ^^"^ wardens and Sidemen, may every Week take notiee of fuch as live fcandalouOy in scmon in

that Satland.

that Congregation, who are to receive fuch feveral Admonitions and Reproofs as ^ the quahty of their Offence fhall deferve ; and if by this means they cannot be reclaimed, they may be prefented unto the next Monthly Synod, and in the mean time be debarred by the Paftor from accefs unto the Lord's Table.

11.

The Pres- Whereas by a Statute in the Twenty fixth of King Henry VIII. (revived in the or mTnth- ^'^^ "^^^^ °^ Queen Eliz.abeth ) Suffrages are appointed to be erefted in twenty ty Synods ''x feveral Places of this Kingdom, the Number of them might very well be con-anfvverable formed unto the Number of the (everal rural Deaneries into which every Diocefs is tothtScot- fubdivided, which being done the Suffragan ( Supplying the place of thofs whoixi ujh Pres- jj^g ancient Church were called Chorepifcop ) might every Month affemble a Sy-Ecdefia-"^ nod of all the ReAors, or incumbent Paftors within the Precinft, and according ftical to the major part of their Voices conclude all Matters that fliould be brought into Meeting.; Debate before them.

To this Synod [ the Redor and ] Churchwardens might prelent fuch impenitent Perfons, as by Admonition and Sufpenfion from the Sacrament would not be reformed; who, if they fliould ftill remain contumacious and incorrigible, the Sentence of Excommunication might be decreed againft them by the Synod, and accordingly be executed in the Parilh where they lived. Hitherto alfo all things that concerned the Parochial Minifters might be referred, whether they did touch their Docftrine or their Converlation: As alfo the cenfure of all new Opinions, Herefies and Schifms which did arife within that Circuit, with Liberty of appeal if need lb require unto the Diocefane Synod.

III.

Diocefane

Synodsan- j|^g Diocefanc Synod might be held once or twice in the Year as it fliould be to'tiiepro- thought moft convenient, therein all the Suffragans and the reft of the Reftors or vincial Sy- Incumbent Paftors [ or « certain fele£l Number out of every Deanery within that Dio-nodsin cefs"] might meet; with whole Confent, or the major part of them, all things Scotland. j^\^^ [jg concluded by the Bifhop or * Superintendant ( call him whither you will) ■rivZ^Xt. or in his Abfence by one of the Suffragans, whom he Ihould depute in his ftead to Super'm- [jg Moderator of that Affembly. Here all matters of greater Moment might be ta-tcndentes ^^^ j^^^^ Confideration, and the Orders of the Monthly Synods reviled and (if menEpilt need be ) reformed. And if here alfo any matter of Difficulty could not receive pi traHim a full Determination, it might be referred to the next Provincial or National f/J.Hieron. Synod. Epift. 85. ■'

ad Evagri ,^ ,

urn. *^-

The pro- The Provincial Synod might confift of all the Bifhops and Suffragans, and luch vincial of the Clergy asfhould be ele<5ted out of every Diocefs within the Province. The a"<l "'^^'°: Primate of either Province might be the Moderator of this Meeting (or in his room anA^^Se ^^^^^ 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 Ad: for a Triennial fembly in Parliament j both the Primates and Provincial Synods of the Land might join to-SiQtUnd. ggji^gj.^ 3fjd make up a National Council; wherein all Appeals from inferior Synods 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 pleale your Grace,

I would defireyou to confiitr whether Prefentmetits are fit to he made by the Churchwardext alone and not rathir by the ReSlor and Churchwardens. Then whither in the Diocejan Sy-fwd the Members of it be not too many^ being aU to judge and in their own caufe, as it may fall out. Therefore after thts Clauje, and the reft of the Redors or incumbent Paftors, whether it be not fit to interItne, or four or fix out of every Deanery.

Ri. Holdfworth. We

» * ■

Wc are of Judgment, that the Form of Government here propofed, is not in any point repugnant to the Scripture, and that the Suffragans mcnrioned in (he k-cond Proportion, may lawfully ule the Power both of Jurifdidtion and Ordination according to the Word of God, and the Pradice of the ancient Churcli.

§ 97. When we went with thefe forefaid Papers to the King, andexpeAed there to meet the Divines of the other party, according to promili, with their Propo-fals alfo containing the loweft Terrtis which they could yield to for Peace • we ftw not a Man of rhem, nor any Papers from them of that Nature, no hot to this Day : But it was not fit for us to expollulate or complain.

§98. But hisMajefty verygracioully renewed his Profeffions, (I miifl not call them Promifes) that he would bring us together, and fee that the Bilhops /hould 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 Li'tur-gy, and yielded to the Ejjence of Epifcopacy, and therefore he doubted not of our Agreement with much more ; which we thought meet to recite in our following Addreiles, by way of Gratitude, and for other Reafons eafy to be conjeiftured.

§ 99. Yet was not Bifliop JJ^jgrs Model the fame in all Points that we could wifh : But it was the belt that we could have the leaft hope (I lay not to obtain, but) acceptably to make them any Offers of: For had we propofed any thing below Bi-ftops and Archbifhops, we (hould but have fuddenly furnifted them with plaufibfe Reafons for the rejedling of all further Attempts of Concord, or any othdr Favour from them.

§ 100. Before this time, by the King's Return many hundred worthy Miniflers were difplaced, and caff out of their Charges, becaufe they were inSequellrations where others had by the Parliament been cafl out : Our earneft Defires had been that all fuch (hould be caft out as were in any Benefice belonging formerly to a Man that was not grofly infufficienr or debaucht ; but that all that fucceeded fuch as theje Scaijdalous ones (hould hold their Places: but thele Wiihes being vain, and aU the old ones reftored, the King promiied, that the Places where any of' the old ones -were dead, (hould be confirmed to the Polfeffors: But many got the Broad Sed 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 thefe five Requefts to the King ^ 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 Propofals of the mutual Condelcentions, before they pafs into Refolves, (and if it be thought meet, our Brethens Propofals alio.)

2. That his Majefty will publickly declare hisPleafure for theSufpenfion of jpro-ceedings upon the kSt of Uniformity, againfl Nonconformifts in Caleof Liturgy and Ceremonies, till our hoped for Agreement.

5. That his Majefty will be pleafed to publidi his Pleafure, (at leaft to thofe that are concerned in the Execution) that (till the faid expefted Settlement) no Oath of Canonical Obedience, nor Subfcriptiori to the Liturgy, Difcipline, Ceremonies, &c. nor Renunciation of their Ordination by meer Presbyters, or confefling it to be finful, be impoled on, or required of any, as neceffary to their Ordination, In-ftitution, Indudion, or Confirmation by the Scales.

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 ToJJe(fion, to which none before could claim a right j that is, fuch as they call iUad Places.

f. That his Majefty will be pleafed to provide (bme 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.

§ roi. While we waited for the promifed Condefcefttions of the Epifcopal Divines, there came nothing to us,but a Paper of bitter Oppofitions, by way of Confutation of our former Propofals.We were nocinfsnfible of the unworthinefs of this dealing.and

It th9

the Brethren at firft 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 ftarp Difputation, which would increafethe Difcord ; and lb what I had written was never feqn by any Man ; left it fhould hinder Peace.

The Bifhop^s Anfrver to the jirfi Propofals of the London Mini' fiers-i who attempted the Work of Reconcilement, which was brought them afterward injiead of cheir Conceflions, before ex-peBed and promifed. When we looked to fee how much they would abate of their former Impofitions, for the attaining of "Unity and Feace , we received nothing hut this Contra" diBion,

Concerning the Preamlle,

S *-\T7E firft obferve that they take it for granted that there is a firm Agree-W ment between them and us in the Dodrinal Truths of the reformed Religion, and in the Subftantial Parts of Divine Worfliip j and that the Differences 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 leem to intimate as if we did difcountenance the PraAice of thole things which in Principles we allow, which we utterly deny.

In fundry Particulars therein propoled, we do not perceive what farther Security can be given, than is already provided for by the eftablifhed Laws of this Realm j whereimto fuch Perfons as Ihall at any time find themfelves agrieved may have recourfe for Remedy.

§ 5. I. We heartily defire (as well as they ) that all Animofities he 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 WorJhip may be prelerved ,• and that a Gap be not thereby opened to Sedaries for private Conventicles ; for the evil Confcquents whereof none can be fufficiently refponfible unto the State.

§ 4. 2. We like wife defire that every Congregation may have an able and Godly Miniftcr 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 effedual Provifion of Law can be ni.idemore than is already done concerning the Things here mentioned, we know not.

§ 5-. 5.Confirmation (which for fundry Ends we think necefl^ry to be continued in the Church ) if rightly and lolemnly performed, will aJone be lufficient as to the point of Inftruftion. And for notorious and fcandalous Offenders, provifion is made in the Rubrick before the Communion, which Rules, had they been carefully oblerved, the Troubles of the Church by the Difputes and Divifions here _ mentioned had been prevented. W

§ 6. 4. There cannot be taken a more effeftual 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 ftrifter than the Laws of any Foreign reformed Churches whatloever.

Concerning Church-Goi/ernment.

§ ": The)' 'do not fuggeft, nor did we ever hear any juft Reafbns given for their di^tieit frfwn dio EccIeliaiHcal Hierarchy or Prelacy, as it was ftated and eftablifli-*d in tliis Kingdom. Which we believe to be for the main, the true ancient primitive

mitive Epifcopacy, and that to be more than a meer prefidency of Order. Neither do we find that the fame was in any Time ballanced or managed by any Au-thoritatire Commixtion of Presbyters therewith. Though it hath been then, and in all Times fince ufually exercifed with the Affiftance and Counfel of Presbyters in iubordination to the Billiops,

§ 8. And we cannot but wonder that the Adminiftration of Government by one fingle Perlbn, fliould by them be affirmed to be fo liable to Corruptions, Partialities, Tyrannies, and other Evils, that for the avoiding thereof it /hould be needful to have others joyned with him in the power of Government. Which if applyed to the Civil State, is a moft dangerous Infinuation. And we verily believe what Experience and the Conftitutions of Kingdoms, Armies and even private Families fufficiently confirmeth (m all which the Government is adminiftred by the Authority of one fingle Perfbn, although the Advice of others may be requi-fite alfo ; butvvithout any fliare in the Government) that the Government of many is not only m«ft llibjeft to all the aforefaid Evils and Inconveniencies, but more likely alfo to breed and foment perpetual Fatftions both in Church and State, than the Government by one is or can be. And fince no Government can certainly prevent all Evils that which is liable to the leaft and feweft is certairjly^to be preferred.

As to the four particular Injiances of things amifi^ Sen,

§ 9. I. We cannot grant that the Extent of any Dlocels is fb great, but that the Bilhop may well perform that, wherein the proper Office and Duty of a Bi-fliop doth confift ; which is not the perfonal InlpeSion of every Man's Soul under his Government ( which is the Work of every Parochial Minifter in his Cure) but the Pafioral Charge of overleeing, diredting, and taking care that the Mini-flers and otlier Ecclefiaftical Officers within his Diocefi, do their feveral refpedtive Duties in their feveral Stations as they ought to do. And if (omeDioceffes lliall be thought of too large Extent, the Biihops may have Suffragan Bifliops to affilt them, as the Laws allow. It being a great miftake, that the Perfonal InfpeAion of the Bilhop is in all places of his Diocefs at all times necelTary. For by the fame reafon, neither Princes, nor Governours of Provinces, nor Generals of Armies, nor Mayors of great Cities, nor Miniders of great Pari/hes could ever be able to difcharge their Duties in their leveraV Places and Charge?.

§ io 2. Weconfefsthe Bi/hopsdid (as by the Law they were enabled) depute part of the Adminifhation of their Ecclefiaftical Jurifdidions to Chancellors, Commiffaries and Officials as Men better skill'd in the Civil and Canon Laws. Biit as for M.utersof more Spiritual Concernment, 'viz,. the Sentences of Excommunication, and Abfolution, with other Cenfures of the Church, we conceive they belong properly to the Biiliop to decree and pronounce, either by himfelf where for the prefent he refideth, or by fome grave Ecclefiaftical Perfon by him Surrogated for that purpof;, in fuch Places where he cannot be Perfonally prefent. Wherein if many things have been done amifs for the time paft^, or ftall be (ea-fonably conceived inconvenient for the future, we fliall be as willing to have the fame Reformed and Remedied, as any other Perfons whatfoever.

§ II. 3. Whether a Biftiop be a diftinft Order from Presbyter or not, or whether they have power of fole Ordination or no ? is not now the Queftion. But we affirm that the Biihops 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 Biihops. And we conceive it very fit, that in the exercife of that part bt" their Jurifdidion which appertaineth to the Cenfures of the Church, they fhould likewife have the Advice and Affiftance of Ibme Presbyters. And for this purpofe the Colledgesof Deans and Chapters are thought to have been inftitutcd, that the Biihops in their (everal Diocels might have their Advice and Affiftance in the Adminiftration of their weighty Paftoral Charge.

§ 12. 4. Thislaft dependeth upon Matter of Fad, Wherein if any Biihops have or Ihall do otherwiie than according to Law, they were and are to be anlwerable for the fime. And it is our defire ( as well as theirs ) that nothing may be don© or impofid by the Bilhop, but according to the known Laws,

I i * For

The LI F E of the L i b. L

For Keforming of n>hich Ei/ilsy &c.

§13. I. The Primates Reduftion, though not publiftied in his Life time, was formed raany years before his Death, and fhewed to fome Perlbns ( ready to at-teft the fame ) in the Year 164.0. 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 neither of which is to be found any mention of the Redudion aforefaid. Neither is there in either of them propounded any fuch Model of Church-Government, as in the (aid Reduction is contained. Which doubtlefs would have been done, had that Platform been according to his feded Judgment in thofe Matters.

In which Reduftion there are fundry things ( as namely the Conforming of Suffragans to the number of Rural Deaneries) which are apparently private Conceptions of his own j accommodated at that time for the taking off fome preftnt Ani-mofities : but wholly deftitute of any Colour of Teftimony or Prefident from Antiquity, 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 Jurifdidion into a National Synod, where it feemeth to be placed in that Redudiion without naming the King, or without any dependance upon him, or relation to him, be not deftrudlve of the King's Supremacy in caules Ecclefiaftical.

It is obfervable nevcrthelefs, that even in the Reduftion Archi-Epifcopacy is ac* knowledged.

/is for the fuper-added Particulars ^

§ 14. I. The Appointment and Eleflion of Suffragans is by the Law already veiled in the King, whofe Power therein is by the Courfe here propoled taken away.

§ I J. 2. What they mean by Affociations in this place, they explain not; but we conceive it dangerous that any Affociation (whatlbever is underftood thereby) fhould be made or entered into without the King's Authority.

§ 16. 3. We do not take the Oaths, Promifesand Subfcriptions by Law required of Minifters at their Ordination, Inftitution,d^c. to be unneceffary : 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. Upon all which Confideration it is, that Officers in the Court , Freemen in Cities, and Corporate Towns, Mafters and Fellows of Colledges in the Univerfities, &c. are required at their Admiffion into their feveral relpedlive places to give Oaths for well and truljt performing their feveral refpeftive Duties, their liablenefs to punirti-ment in cafe of Nonperformance accordingly notwithflanding. Neither doth it leem reafonable that fuch Perfons as have themlelves with great leverity prefcribed and exa<Sted antecedent Conditions of their Coijimunion not warranted by Law, ihould be exempted from the tye of fiich Oaths and Subfcriptions as the Laws require.

§ 17. 4. We agree that the Bilhops, and all Ecclefiaftical Governours, ought to exercife their Government, not Arbitrarily but according to Law.

f. And for Security againft fuch Arbitrary Government and Innovations the Laws are, and from time to time will be fufficient provifion.

Concerning Liturgy,

• § 18. A Liturgy or Form of Publick Worfhip being not only by them acktiow-ledged lawful, but by us alfo ( 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 eftabliflied, to be luch a one as is by them defired j according to the Qualifications here mentioned, viz.

i.For

1. For Matter agreeable to the Word of God, which we and all other lawful Minifters within the Church of England^ have, or by the Laws ought to have at-tefted by our Perlbnal Sublcription.

2. Fitly fiiited to the Nature of the feveral Ordinances, and the Neceflities of the Church,

3. Nor too tedious in the whole. It's well known that fome Mens Prayers before and after Sermon, h ave been ufually not much Ihorter , and fometimes much longer than the whole Church Service.

4. Nor the Prayers too Ihort. The Wifdom of the Church, both in ancient and latter times, bath thought it a fitter means for relieving the Infirmities of the meaner fort of People ( which are the major part of moft Congregations) to contrive (everal Petitions into fundry (horter CoUeds or Prayers, than to comprehend them altogether in a continued ftile, or without interruption.

y. Nor the Repetitions unmeet. There are Examples of the like Repetition frequent in the Tfalms and other parts of Scripture. Not to mention the unhandfome Tautologies that oftentimes happen, andcanfcarce be avoided in the Extemporary and undigefted Prayers that are made ; efpecially 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 pradife and continuance in the Church.

7. Nor too diflbnant from rfie 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 Obje<ftions of the Common Enemy ; To which Liturgies, if the Form ufed in our Church be more agreeable than thofe of other Reformed Churches, and that it were at all needful to make a Change in either, it feemeth to be much more reafbnable that their Form fhould be endeavoured to be brought to a nearer Conformity with ours, than ours with theirs: Efpecially the Form of our Liturgy having been io fignally approved by fundry of the moft Learned Divines of the Reformed Churches abroad, as by very many Teftimonies in their Writings may appear. And fome of the Compilers thereof have Sealed the Proteftant Religion with their Blood, and have been by the moft Eminent Perfons of thole Churches efteemedas Martyrs for the fame,

§ 19. As for ttat which foUoweth: Neither can we think that too rigoroufly im-poled which is impoled by Law, and that with no more rigour than is necelTary to make the Impofition effedual fotherwifa it could be of no ufe but to beget and nourifh fadions). Nor are Minifters denied the ufe and exerciJe 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 moderation poflible.

§ 20. If any thing in the Eftablifhed Liturgy fhall be made appear to be juftly offenfive to fober Perfons, we are not at all unwilling that the fame fhould be changed.

*rhe 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 j and the People 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 God's bleflingj a fpecial means of making up the Breach. There being (as we have great caufc to believe) many Thoulands more in the Nation that defire it, than diQike it.

Ncverthelefs we are not againft revifing of the Liturgy by fuch dilcreet Perfons as his Majefty fhail think fie to imploy therein.

Of

Of Ceremonies,

§ 2 i.We conceived there needs no more to be laid for juftifying the Impofition of che Ceremonies by Law eftablifhed, then what is contained Ih the beginning of this Se<ftion : which giveth a full and fatisfadoiy Anl'wer to all that is alledged or ob-jeded in the following Difcourfe, which is for the moil part rather Rhetorical than Argumentative. Inalinuch as lawful Authority hath already determined the Ceremonies in queftion to be decent and orderly, and to ferve to Edification j and con-fequently to be agreeable to the General Rules of the Word.

We acknowledge the Worfhip of God to be in it (elf perfed in regard of Effen-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 Siibftance of his Worlhip, fo hath he left the Church at liberty for CircumlbntiaU to determine concerning Particulars according to Prudence as occafion fhall require, fo as the forefaid General Rules be ftillobferved. 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 detraftion from the holy Duties of God's Worlhip. Nor doth the fame any way hinder the Communication of God's Grace or Comfort in the performance of fuch Duties.

§2 2. The Ceremonies were never efteemed Sacraments, or impoled as fuch; nor was ever any Moral efficacy afcribed to them, nor doth the fignificancy C without which they could not ierve to Edification) import or infer any fuch thing.

§ 25. Ceremonies have been retained by moft of the Proteftant Churches a-broad, which have rejeded Popery, and have been approved by the Judgment of the moft Learned, even of thofe Churches that have not retained them. Every National Church being fuppofed to be the belt and moft proper Judge what is ficteft for themfelves to appoint in order to Decency and Edification, without prefcnbing 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, t)r the enjoyning of the fame by lawful Authority: but partly from the weaknels of ibme Men's Judgments unable to fearch into the P..ea(on of Things: and partly from the un-fubduednefs of fome Mens Spirits more apt ^^ontend, than willing to fubmit their private Opinions to the Pu&lick Judgment of me Church.

§ 2f. Of thole that were obnoxious to the Law, very few ("in comparifon) have been deprived, and none of them ( for ought we know ) but fuch as after admonition and long forbearance finally refufed to do, what not only the Laws required to be done, but themlelves alfb tbrmerly had (olemnly and ( as they profeffed) willingly promifed to do.

§ 26. We do not fee with what Confcience any Man could leave the Exercife of his Miniftry 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 lead:, to call the fubmitting to Authority in liich things, a bringing the Confcience under the power of them.

§ 27. The Separation that hath been made from the Church, was from the taking a Scandal where none was given: The Church having fully declared her fence touching the Ceremonies impofed, as Things not in their Nature neceffary, bat indifferent. But was chiefly occafioned by the Pradice, and defended from the Principles of thofe that refuled Conformity to the Law, the juft Rule and Mea- ] fiire of the Churches Unity.

§ 28. The Nature of Things being declared to be mutable, Iheweth that tfiey may therefore be changed, as they that are in Authority ftiall fie it expedient; but it is no proof at all that it is therefore expedient that it Ihould be aftually changed. Yet it's a (ufficient Caution againft the Opinion ( or Objedion rather ) of their being held by the Impolers either neceftary or Subftantials of Worfhip. 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

p • —'— ■ —-— ■ ,

fome Inconveniencies, without great and evident neceflity, hath been by Wili men ever accounted a thing not only Imprudent, but of evil, and Ibmetinies pernicious Confequence.

§ 29. We fully agree with them in the acknowledgment of the King's Supremacy, 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 Subjefts, he be any'way obliged to Repeal the Eltabliflied Laws: the Repealing whereof would be probably * diffatisfadory to many more, and thofe (lb far as we are able to judge; no left confiderable a part of his Subjeds. Nor do we conceive his Majefby by the Apo-ftle's either Docftrine or Example obliged to any farther Condefcention to particular Perfons, than may be fubfcrvient to the general and main Ends of Publick Government.

The Lord hath entruftcd Governours to provide, not only that Things necef. fary in God's Worfliip be duly performed, but alfo that things adviledly en joy n-ed, though not otherways neceflary, fhould be orderly and duly obferved. The too great negled whereof would fo cut the Sinews of Authority, that it would become firft infirm, and then contemptible.

As we are no way againft luch tender ahd religious Compaffion in Things of this Nature, as his Majefty's Piety and Wifdom fliall think fit to extend; fo we cannot think that the Satisfadion of fome private Perlbns is to be laid in thg Balance againft the Publick Peace and Uniformity of the Church.

. * Concerning particular Ceremonies.

§ ;o. It being moft convenient that in the Ad of receiving the Lord's Supper one and the fame Gefture fliould be uniformly ufed by all the Members of this • Church J and Kneeling having been formerly enjoined and ufed therein, as a Gefture of greateft Reverence and Devotion, and fo moft agreeable to that Holy Ser-«rice. And Holy-days of human Inftitution having been obferved by the People of God in the Old-Teftament, and by oarblefTed Saviour himfelf in the Gofpel, and by all the Churches of Chriftin Primitive and following times, as apt means to pre-ferve the Memorials of the chief Myfteries of the Chriftian Religion. And luch Holy-days being alfo fit times for the honeft Recreation of Servants, Labourers, and the meaner fort of People.

For thefe Reafons, and the great Satisfadion of far the greateft part of the People, 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 Jefus; although we find not here any fufficient Reafon alledged why they Ihould be utterly abolilhed : Neverthelefs, how far forth in regard of tender Confciences a Liberty may be thought fit to be indulged to any, his Ma jsfty, according to his great WiJdom and Goodnefs, is beft able to judge.

§ 52. But why they that confefs that in the Judgment of all the things here mentioned are not to be valued with the Peace of the Church, ftould yet after they are eftablifhed by Law, difturb the Peace of the Church, about them, we undcr-ftand not.

§ 3;. We heartily defire that no Innovations fhould be brought into the Church, or Ceremonies which have no foundation in the Laws of the Land impoied 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 fo far from believing that his Majefty's Condefcending to thefe Demands will take away not only Differences, but the Roots and Caufes of them, that we are confident it will prove the Seminary of new Differences, both by giving diffatisfadion to thofe that are well pleafed with what is already eftabliftied j who are much the greater part of his Majefty's Subjeds ; and by encouraging unquiet Spirits when thefe things fhall be granted,to make further Demands. There being no afTurance by them given, what will content all DifTenters: than which nothing is more neceffary for the fetling of a firm Peace in the Church.

4

A Defence of our Propofalf to his Majejiy for Agreement in Matters of Religion.

Concerning the Preamhle.

§ i-lY/E are not infcnfible of the great Danger of the Church , through the W DoiHirinal Errours of many of thole with whom we are at difference alio about the Points of Governraenr and Worfhlp now before us. But ) et we chofe to fay of the Varty, that we are agreed in Dodrinals, becaufe they fubfcribe the fame Holy Scriptures and Articles of Religion, and Books of Homilies as we do. And the Contradidions to their own Confeflions, which too many are guilty of, we thought not juft to charge upon the Party ; becauleit is but Perfonal guilr. As to the differences ( which in Charity and for Peace, we had rather extenuate than aggravate; ) it'noi Objective Conceptions that we fpeak , there being a difference m the things, as well as in our apprehenfions. And we conceive that [ The Ancient Form of Chiirch-Government, and the Soundnefi of the Liturgy, and freedom fi-om corrupting unlawful Ceremonies, ] are Matters that are worthy a conltionable regard : and no liich Htde inconfiderabie things as to be received without fufficienc trial, or ufed againft the DifTwafions of our Confciences. No Sin Ihould (eem fo fmall 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. Whofoever fljall break one of tbcfe leafi Commandments, andfiaH teach men fo , he Jliall be called the leafl in the Kingdom of Hea'ven : but whofoever fhall do , and teach them the fame , flsall he ailed great in the Kingdom of Heaven^ Match, f. 19. And-whether the Impojor or che Forbearers do hazard and difturb the Church, the nature of the thing declareth. To you it is indifferent before your Impofition \ and therefore you may without any regret of your own Confciences forbear the Impofition,or perl wade the Law-makers* to forbear it. But to many of thofe that diffent from you, they are /«/«/; and thereforecannot 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 Conlci-ence of a Subjedl: forbid the u(e of Crucifixes, and Images, and Chrifm, and Holy 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 Darnel could not foibe.ir 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 peevifli and mifinformed; Charity and Modelty requireth you not to overvalue your own, or groundlefly vilifie the Judgments and Confciences of your Brethren. We (ludy as hard as you ; and are ready to joyn with you in the foieiiineff Protcllations, as before the Lord, that we are earnefHy defi-rOus to know the Truth : and we fuppofe we (land on the calmer fide the Hedge, in point of Temptation: for if we err it is to ourcoft andlofs, and have little but Reproach and Suffering to entice us willingly to mifbke. And we are always .ready to try by Argument which Side it is chat is midaken.

§ 2. May not we crave that neceffary things may be fecured to us, without being interpreted to feem to infinuate Acculkions againft you ? As it is not the Authors of this Anfvver perfbnally confidcred, that we could be imagined to accufe, becaufe we knew them not,- fb there are others hefide^ the party with whom we are fceking a Reconcih'ation, that may be averfe to the pradlice of thofe things about which Divines are do<^rinally agreed in, efpecially that part of the Vulgar who are pra-c^tically of no Religion. And it is very dilplealing to us to be called out to an Ac-cafation of otliers; as being a Courfe that will tend more to exafperate than reconcile. Fain we would have had leave to Petition for our Liberty and for the fecu-ricy of Religion, without accufing any of being injurious to it. But it is the unhappy Advantage ot thofe that are uppermolf, that they can cut oiit at pleafure fuch work for thole that they would ulc as Adverfiries, that fhall cither make them fcm their Advtrfaries, or appear to be really the Adverlaries or Betrayers of the Truth, and caff them upon Inconveniences and Odium which way foevcr they go. But tn be plain with you, if you would but agree with us in the pradiifing and promoting the Practice of thofe things about which you profefi to be agreed in Principles,

pies, our Differences in all other things would quickly be ac an End. The great Controverfies between the Hypocrite and the true Chriftian, whether we Ihould be lerious in the Pradlce of the Religion which we commonly profefs? hath troubled England more than any other : None being more hated and derided as Puritans, than thofethat will make Religion their Bufinefs, and make it predominant in their Hearts and Lives, while others that hate them, take it up in cuRom, for Falhion, Or in joft, and ule it only in Subferviency to the Will of Man and their Worldly Ends, and honour it with Complements, and paint the Skin while they ilab the Heart. Reconcile this Difference, and moft others will be reconciled.

§3. Whether this frgnifie any Repentance for the voluminous Reproaches which many of you have written againft thole you call Puritans, your Ameindment will interpret. That you will give us Liberty in our Family-Duties alone is a Courte-ly that vou cannot well deny a Papifl or a Mahometan, becaufe you have there no WitnelTes of what they do; and yet wc fiiall take our lelves beholden for it, fo low are our Expedations. But is there no Duty that private Chriftians owe to one another, for the furthering their Salvation, but only for their leveral Families ? why may not thoie that on the Lord's Day repeat a Sermon in their Families, ad-' mit a Neighbour-Family to be prelent, which is not able fo to help themlelves ? A great part of the Families among the Poor,are compoled 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-difed as if it were remembred j and the Ignorant will hardly remember it if they never hear it but once. At lead methinks it fhould be an Encouragement to you, when you have fludied what to fay to the People ( rather than matter of Offence ) to iee them lb far value it, as to defire to faften it in their Memories. And if leveral Families join alio in the iinging of Pfalms ofPraife to God, and calling on him for a Bleffing on the Minifter and themlelves, is this a Crime.'' when perhapsmort: of thole Families either cannot pray at all, or not with fuch cheerful Advantage, hy themlelves: 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 thele to us againft your Canons ? If they have, why have lo many Families formerlybeen undone, for fuch Exerci-les as thefe ? and for fafting and praying together for the Pardon of their Sins ? To deal freely with you, we are conftrained lo well to know with whom we have to do, that our Bulinefs is to requeft you of the Clergy, not to provoke the Law-°i-v^s to make any Law againft this: That it may not become a CrTme to Men, to Y'ay together, and provoke one another to Love, and to good Works j 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 relolve that they fliall hear none which is worth their repeating and remembring. And whereas you fpeak of open-, ing a Gap to Se<ftaries for private Conventicles, and the evil Conlequents to the State, we only delire you to avoid alfb the cherijhing of Ignorance and Prophane-nefs, and fupprefs all Seftaries, and fpare not, in a way that will not lupprefs the means of Knowledge and Godlinels. As you will not forbid all praying or preaching, left we (fiould have Seftarian Prayers or Sermons, fo let not all the People of the Land be prohibited fuch Afliftancetoeach others Souls, as Nature and Scripture oblige them to, and all for fear of the Meetings of Sedaries: We thought the Cautions in our Petition were fufficient, when we confined it Suhjeiii'vely to ihcfe of our Flovh, and ObjeBively to thttr Duties of exhorting ami provoking one an'othef to L,ove and to good Works, and of building up one another w their mo(^ holy Faith. And only by religious peaceable means of furthering each other in the ways of eternal Life: And for the Order [^Tbey being not oppo/ite to Churcl^Afj'emblies (but fubordinate ^ nor refufm^ the Guidance and InfpeBion of their F.afiors.( who may be Ibmetime with them and prcfcribe them their Work and Way, and dired their Adions) and being rejponfihlv 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 lecure -you againft the Fear of Sedaries, unlefs all fuch Helps and mutual Comforts be for, bidden to all that are no Sedaries. This is but as the Papifls do in another Cafe, .,when they deny People Liberty to read the Scriptures left they make Men Here-ticks or Sedaries. And for the Danger of the State, cannot Men plot againft it in Ale-houfes, or Taverns, or Fields, or under Pretence of Horle-Races, Hunting, Bowles, or other Occafions, but only under pretence of Worfhipping God ^ If they • may, why are not all Men forbidden to feaft, or bowl, or hunt, &c. left Sedaries «.;'• f " > K k make

make advantage of fiich Meetings, as well as to faft and pray ? God and wife Men know that there is fomething more in all fuch Jealoufies of Religious Duties.

§ 4. Do you really defire that every Congregation may have an able, godly Minifter ? Then calt not out thole many Hundreds or Thoufands that are approved fuch, for want of Re-ordination, or for doubting whether Diocefans with their Chancellors &c. may be fubfcribed to, and let not up ignorant ungodly ones in their Places. Ocherwile the poor undone Churches of Chrift will no more believe you in fuch Profeffions, than we believed that thofe Men intended the King's jujt Fower and Greatn((S, who took away his Life.

But you know not what we wean by Kefdence, 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. Henderfon. I doubt the People will quickly find that you did not underlland us. And yet I more fear left many a Parilh will be glad of Non-refidence, even if Prieft and Curate and all were far enough from them, through whofe Fault I fay not.

§ J. Two Remedies you give us inftcad of what we defired for the Reformation of Church-Communion : i. You fay, Confirmation if rightly and felemnly perfornt-ed will alone be jufficient as to the point of InftruSlion. Anjw. But what we defired was neceffary to the right and Iblemn 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 fuch as defire Epifcopal Confirmation .'' Is it Sufficient in pint of InftruSiton, for a Bifhop to come among a company of little Children and other People, whom he he never (aw before, and of whom he never heard a Word, and ol whom he never asketh a Queftion which may inform him of their Knowledge or Life; and prefently to lay his Hands on them in order, and haftily fay over a few Lines of Prayer, and fo difmils them ? I was confirmed by honelt Birtiop Morton, with a multitude more, who all went to it as a May-game, and kneeled down, and hedif-patched us with that fliort Prayer (6 faft, that I Icarce underftood one word he faid ; 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 of much more done by any Englilh Bilhop in his courfe of Confirmation. If you fay that more is required in the Rubrick, I lay then it is no Crime for us to defire it. 2. And for your Provifion in the other Rubrick again fcandalous Communicants, 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 for-row of Heart, ^e pray to God, that his Churches may have experienced Pafitrs^ who have (pent much time in lerious dealing with every one of their Parifhes perfonally, and know what they are and what they need, inftead of Men that have converled only with Books, and the Houfes of great Men j or when they do fometimes ftooptcfpeak to the ignorant, do but talk to them of the Market or the Weather, or ask them, what is their Name.

§ 6. To your Anfwer we reply, Thofe Laws may be well made ftri(9:er: They hindred not the Impofition of a Book to be read, by all Minifters in the ChurcheSj for the Peoples Liberty for Dancing, and otherfuch Sports on the Lord's Day, and this in the King's Name, to the ejeding or lufpending of thofe Minifters that durft 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 Idlenels, you are fad Paftors that no better know the Flock : If yoa know it, and defire not the Reformation of it, you are yet worle. Religion never prolpered any where (o much, as where the Lord's Days have been moft carefully fpent in holy Exercifes.

1

Concerning ChHrcb-Governmint. '

§ 7. Had you well read but Gerfom, Bucer, Didoclavius, Parker, Baynes, Salma-fitts, Blondell, &c. yea, of the few Lines in Bilhop Veer's ReduAion which we have offered you, or what I have written of it in Dtfp. r. rf Church-Government ; you would have feen jufi Reafon given for our Dijjent from the Ecclefiafiical Hierarchy as ftated m 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

8. The Words which you here except againft with Admiration oi the Co>rup-tions, Partialities, lyranny, which Church-Government by a llngle Perlbn is lyable to, was taken by us out of the Book commonly afcribed to King Charles himlelf called Icon. Bafil. but we purpofely fuppreft his Name to try whether you would not be as bitter againil his Words, as tigamjt ours, and did not elteem Ftdem per perjunas, non perfonas per fidem.

And further we reply, it is one thing for a Billiop to rule alone when there aie 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 lealt degradeth all the reft, orchangeth their Office j which is to guide as well as to teach: As it the General of an Army, or theCoUonel of a Regiment Ihould rule all the Souldiers alone; doth he not then depofe all his Captains, Lieutenants, Cornets, Corporals, Serjeants, &c. Bat elpecially, it is one thing for Ignatius his Bipop 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-lijli Diecefan to rule a Thoufand fucb Churches alone 1 And when all is done, do they rule alone indeed ? Or doth not a Lay-Chancellor exercife the Keys ? lb far as is ne-ceffary to Cupprefi private Meetings for Falling and Prayer, &c. and to force all to the Sacrament, and enforce the Ceremonies, and fome fuch things; and lor the great Diicipline it is almolt altogether left undone. We are (brry that you ftoiild be able to be ignorant of this; or if you know it, that fuch Camels (tick not with you, but go down fo eafily.

Ifjjiances of things amifs.

§9. I. That which you cannot grant (that the DiocefTes are to great) you would quickly grant if you had ever confcionably tryed the task which Dr. Hammond delcribeth as the Bifliops Work ; yea, but for one Parifti, or had ever believed Ignatius and other ancient Defcriptions o£ a Bifhop's Church.

But is it faithful dealing with your Brethren or your Confciences (pardon our Freedom in fb weighty a Cafe ) to difpute as though you made a Bifliop but an Archbilhop to fee by a general Infpedlion of the ParifliPaftors 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 Englifli Man can be ignorant that our Bifliops have thzfole Gcvernment of Fafiors and People, having taken all JurifdiAion or proper Government ( or next all) from the particular Pallors of the Parishes, to themlelves alone. Is not the Qaeftion rather as whether the King can rule all the Kingdom by the Chancellor, or a few (uch Officers, without all the Juftices and Mayors ; or whether one Schoolmafter fhalLonly rule a thoufand Schools and all the other Schoolmaiters only teach them. You know that the deprii'mg 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 ExcUifion of all true Dilcipline. And'whether the Office of the Bifliops of particular Churches «»/w< Ordmw, velgradiis, be not for Perfonal Inlpeftion and Miniftration, as well as the Office of a bhoolmafter or Phyfician, vou will better know when you come to try it faithfully, or aniwer fearfully for Unfaithfulnefs. We know that the knowing Lord Bacon in his Cotijiderattons faith lb as well as we.

And for what you lay"of Suffragans, you know there are none fuch. .\V '! '■'■

§ 10. 2. We are glad that in fo great a matter as Lay-Chancellors Exdrcile of the Ke)s in Excommunications and Abiblutions, you are forced plainly, and without any Exculc toconfefi the Errors of the way of Government. And let this Hand on Record before the World to Juftify us when we fliall be filenced and reproached as Schilinaticks, for defiring the Reformation of liich Abufes, and lor not IWearing Canonical Obedience to fuch a Government.

§ II. ;. And you have alniolt as little to fay in this Cafe. Mark Reader, that we muft all be filenced, and call out of our Offices, if we fubfcribe not to tha Book of Ordination ex Ammo, as having nothing contrary to the Word of God: And the very Preface of that beginneth-with the Affirmation of this DifiinSlion of Orders, Offices, Functions, from the Apoftles Days, and one of the Prayers afcribeth it to tire Spirit of God ; and yet now it is here (aid, that {^whether a Bi[}jop be a diftin£i Order from a Presbyter or not, is none of the QuejHon ] ; That mult be none ot the Queftion when the King calleth them to treat for a Reconciliation or Unity^

Kk z which

~ ■ —— ■ ; — . .

which will be out of Queftion againft us when we are called to fubfirihe, or are to be forbidden to preach the Gofpel.

And let what is here confefTed for Presbyters Afliftance in Ordination, (land on Record againft them when it is negleded or made an infignificant Ceremony.

§ li. 4. In the laft alfo you give up your Caufe, and yet it's well if you will amend it. Whether the Canons be Laws, let the Lawyers judge: And whether all the Bifliops Books of Articles ( as againft making Scripture our Table talk, and many fuch others) be either Laws, or according to Law, let the World judge.

the Remedies offered for reforming thefe E*vils.

§1;. I. Whereas to avoid all EKcepdon, or fruftrating Contentions or Delays, we offered only BiHiop V^ers Platform ( fubfcribed alfo by Dr. Hold/worth ) that the World might lee that it is Epifcopacy it felf that we plead for j you tell us rhat it ivof formed many T'ears before bis Death, and is not cmfifimt with two other of bis Dif-courfes: In which either you would intimate that he contradideth himfelf, and could not fpeak confiftently, or that he afterward retradted this Redu<ftion. For the firft, We muft believe that many Men can reconcile their own Writings, when ibme Readers cannot, as better underftanding themfelves than others do. And that this reverend Bifhop was no fuch raw Novice, as not to know when he contradid-ed himfelf in Co publick and praftical 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 j only you muft not take him to mean that all was well done, which as an Hiftorian he faith wot done. And as to any Retra<Stion, one of us ( my felf) is ready to witneG that he owned it not long before his Death, as a Colledion 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 tonferming of Suffraganes to Rural Deaneries^ and other fuch, are bis private Conceptions, defiitute of any Teftimoney of Antjquitj : We anfwer. No marvel, when Rural Deaneries were unknown to true Antiquity. And when in the Ancienteft Church, every Church had its proper Biihop, and every Bilhop but one Church, that had alfo but one Altar. But iurely the Corepifcopi were no Strangers to Antiquity, as may appear ( before the Council itl^tce) in Conctl. Ancyran. Can. 12. and la Canal. Anttochin. Can. 10. &c. It Was unknown in the days of Ignatius and Jufim Martyr, that a Church fhould be as large as a Rural Deanry, containing a dozen Churches with Altars, that had none of thera peculiar Bilhops: But it was not ftrange then that every Church had a Biihop j and if it were Rural, a Chorepilcopus. As alio you may gather even from Clemens Ro-maniis.

The Quarrel which you pick with the Archbilhops Reduiflion for not Naming the King, as if he deftroyed his Supremacy, is fuch as a low degree of Charity, jpg Q^g^i^ with a little Underftanding, might eafily have prevented. Either you know that Elizabeth's'^^ is the Power of the Keys, ( called Spiritual 2nd proper-Ecclejiafiical) and not the Injunfti- Coercive Power circa EccUfaJtica, which the Archbilhop fpeaketh of,and all our Con-ons and troverfie IS about, or you do wo^ ilwoii'it. If you <^o >fe»oif it, either you think this tick^^ Pewfr of the Keys is relblved into the King, or not: If you do think fo , you differ from the King, and from all of your felves that ever we talked with, and you contradict all Proteftant Princes, that have openly dilclaimed any fuch Power, and publifhed this to the World to ftop the Mouths of Calumniating Papifts : And we have heard the King, andfomeof you, difcUim it: And how can you then fidy debate thele Controverfies that differ from all Proteftant Kings, and from the Church I But if you your felves do not fo think, had you a Pen that would charge the Archbilhop for deftroying the King's Supremacy,fbr afferting nothing but what the King and you maintain? And if you knew not that this Spiritual Power of the Keys, as diftind from Magiftratical Coercive Power, isthe Subjedof ourContro-verfie, we difpute to good purpofe indeed with Men that know not what Subjeftit is that we are to difpute about I lb that which way (bever it go^ou fee how it is like to fall J and how Men that are out of the duft and nolle 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 litde the Englijh Btflwps had to fay againft the Form of Primitive Epifcopacy contained in Archbilhop Uflier's Redudion, in the day when they ratherchole the incrcale of our Divifions,the Silencing of many Hundred

faith-

faithful Minifters, the feathering of the Flocks, the affli<aing of fo many thou-•fand godly Chriftlans, than the accepting of this Primitive Epifcopacy : which was the Expedient which thofe called Freshyterians offered , never once fpeakinp for the Caufe 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 fcveral Conceflions for Peace and Concord ready drawn up, and the Presbyterians in their Conceflions laid by all their Caufe, and propofe'd an Archbilhops frame of Epifcopacy : and the other fide brought not in any of their Conceflions at all but only unpeaceably rejedcd all the Moderation that was defired.

Laftly, They hear defire it may be oblerved that in this Redudion, Archiepifco-pacy is acknowledged : And we Ihall alfo defire that it may be obferved, that we never put in a word to them again(t Archbilhops, 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 underflanding with whom we had to do, we offered them not that which we approved our fehes ostheheH, but that which we would fubmit to, as having lome Confiflency with the Difcipline and Order of the Church, which was our End.

Of the Superadded ParticularSi

§ 14. t. This is (carce 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 Pallors of the Church or Bifhops, the Chnrches had the Choice for a Thoufand years after Chrifl, 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 choole every Rural Dean himfelf: And is it any more deftruAive of his PCwer to do it by the Synods, than by the Diocefan ? This ule the Name and Power of Kings is made of by fome kind of Men, to make a nolle againlt all that crols their Domination, but all that is exercifed by themlelves is no whit derogatory to Royalty, And yet how many Men have been Excommunicated for refufing to Anfwer in the Chancellor's Courts, till they profefs to fit there by the King'i Authority ?

§ I)-. We much doubt whether you defigned to read the Archbiihop's ReduBion when you anfweredour Papers : If you did not, why would you choofe to be ignorant of what you anfwered, when lb light a Labour might have informed you? If you did, how cotdd you be ignorant of what we meant by Ajfoaattons , when you faw that, fuch as our Rural Deaneries was the thing fpoken of and propofsd by the ReduBton ? And r. Are the Rural Deaneries think you, without the King's Authority ? If not, what nrean you by fuch Intimations ? unlefi you would make Men believe that we breadieTreafon, as oft as we breathe (as the Soldier charged the Country-man for whtftling Treafon, when he meant to plunder him). 2. And what though AfTociations may not be entered into without the King's Authority : Do you mean that therefore we may not thus defire his Authority for them ? If you do not, to what fence or purpofe is this Anfwer ? Sure we are, that for Three hundred years when Magiitrates were not Chriftian, there was Preaching, Praying, and Alfociating in particular Churches hereunto without the Kings Authority, and alfo Affociating in Synods: And after that for many a Hundred year the Chri-llian Magidrates confirmed and overruled fuch AfTociations, but never overthrew them, or forbad them.

§ 16. But the Apoltles of 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 Underftandings of thefe Men of Yefterday, that are wifer than Chrift, his Apoltles and Univerial Church, and have at laft found out thefe neceffary Oaths and Subfcriptions. And you are not quite miflaken: Neceffary they are, to let up thole that (hall rule by Conftraint as Lords over God's Heritage, and neceffary Engines . for the dividing and perlecuting of the Church : But judge thou, O Lord, according to thy righteoufiiefi, in the day which it coming.

But the Examples of Corporations and CoUtdges are brought in, who p-event Offen-ces by Subfcriptions and Oaths. And even lb hath Chrift ( whole Spirit would irapofc nothingon the Churches but things neceffary ) appointed a Vow and Solemn

lemn Covenant to be the way of Entrance into his Cliurch : And the Apilli Spirit which foUoweth hira C to counter-work him ) by the Addition of Humane Churches, Sacraments and Ordinances, doth alfo imitate him in making their Oaths and Promiles neceffary to engage Men to their Service and Inftitutions, as Chrilt hath made Baptifm neceffary to engage us to his Service and InlHtutions. And your Arguments forDiocefans are fb weak, that we wonder not that you think both Oaths, Sublcripfions, PrifonSj Conhfcations and Banilhments neceffary to enforce them.

What you add of [ fuch Perjens as ha've themfelves exacted CofitUtionii of their Com-wumon hot warranted by Law], we underftand not : Either the Law warranteth Men to own Chrisi for their Saviour, and to own their own Memhcrjlip in (he particular Church which th^iy demand conftant Communion with, or it, doth nor. M" it do not, we have reafon to defire more than is warranted by that Law. If it do, you Hiould have done well to initance what Perfons and what EKadtions you mean. If you fpe^k this oF «//?)&(; C/j«rc/;« of the Land that diflike your Prelacy, it is too grois An untruth to have been uttered in the Light. If yon fpeak only of ibme Pel Ions or Parties, that is no reafon why others ihould be deprived of their Liberty and Miniftry. Nor indeed is it good Arguing that luch Oaths and Subicripti-ons as the Church of old did never know, may be imposed by the Laws of Men, becaufe fome Brethren have lately required fuch Conditions of their Con^.munion, as are impofed by the Laws of God. But let us prevail with vou to drive this no further than the Perfons, ( whoever they be ) did drive it whom you blame • Their ucmoft Penalty on the Refulers of their Conditions was Non-CotKfnnnion with them; C A thing v^hich many of you voluntarily chofe^. Let this be all our Penalty for refuling your Oaths and Sublcriptions ( if we can get no better from you ) : But fiiall we be Silenced, Imprilbned, Confilcated, Banilhed^ tor refufing your Oaths and Subfcriprions, becaufe Ibmebody impofed Things which the Law allowed not in order to their own Communion. Thefe are no Ht Proportions of Jultice.

§ 17. Out of your own Mouths then is your Government condemned. What Adt 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 Beok, or any fuch things ? What the better were all thole for the Laws that were Silenced, or driven into Forreign Lands i But perhaps the Laws will provide for us indeed as you dcfire. ,

Comermng the Liturgy.

c

This is § i8. I, The Doc7n«fi.is found. But the Apocryphal Matter of your Leffons,

fpoltenof jf, Xohith, Judith-. Bell ind the Drag-on, &c. is fcare agreeable to the. Word of the Old jQ. ^

Praver 2. Whether it be fitly fuited, let our Exceptions and other Papers be heard before

Book, and your Judgment go lor infallible.

not of the g^ What Mens I^rayers you take your Meadire or Encouragement from, we where the '^"o^ ^^^ '• ^'^'^ ^^ ^^^ furethat if all the Common Prayers be twice a day read, Doftrine the time for Pfilms and Sermons will be Ihorr. And yet were they free from dif-in pointof order and defedivenels in Matter, we could the better bear with the length,though Infants other Prayers and Sermons werepardy excluded by them.

fschanaed. 4' Tliough we live in the lame Countreys , we fcarce differ any where more * than in our very Experiences: Our Experience unrefiflably convinceth us, that a continued Prayer doth more to help moft of the People, and carry on their De-firesj th.m turning almoft every Petition into a diftintil Prayer; and making Prefaces 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 now^ were fuch as yours, we fhall fay no more in that againlt it: Btjt if it were not, be not wile then overmuch.

f. We are content that the Liturgy have fuch Repetitions as the Scriptures have, C> it may have no other I And we are content that all Extemporate Prayer be re-IVrained which is guilty of as much Tautology and vain Repetition as the Liturgy is: If this much will latisfie you, we are agreed.

6. Nor

6. Nor are we againft any fuch Refponfals as are fit to the Ends you mention: If ours are all fuch ( upon impartial Examination), let them ftand.

7, But the Queftion is, i. Whether the Greek and Latin Churches in the three firftAges, or thofe of later Ages, be more imitable. 2. And whether the other Reformed Churches have not more imitated the ancienteft of thole Churches* though we have more imitated the latter and more corrupt. ;. And whether our firftworkbeto ftop the Papifts Mouths by pleafing them,or coming too near them, when we know they that are likeft themin all their Corruptions pleaii them beft. Yet are we not for any unneceflary difference from them, or affeftation of cauflels fingularity.

As to the Reformed Churches Teftimony of our Liturgy, Dial! their very Charity 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, as oppofite to the Reformed Churches Mode ( for fo they fufFered not) ; but as fuffering for the Sound Dodrine and Tri^Worfhip of the Proteftants, as oppofite to Popery and the Mafs. *

§ 19. Your Reafons to prove your Impofitions not too rigorous, are i. Becaufb they are hy Law : If we tell you thatfo is the Spanifh Inquifition; you'l fay, we compare our Law-givers to th& Spaniardi: If we fay that your New-mentioned Martyrs were burnt by Law in England, ^ou'l fay that we compare them to Pa-pifts. But all thefe are Laws: And fo are thofe in Reformed Countreys which are againft Bifhops and Ceremonies : Do you therefore think them not too rigorous ? 2. Your other Reafon is,that the Rigour ii no more then is necej]ary to make the Imprjiti-on effectual. You never fpake words more agreeable to your hearts,as far as by your Pradices we can judge of them. Either you mean ejf'eBual to change Mens Judgments^ or effeSual to make them go againft their Judgments, or effeBual to rtd them out ef the Land or World. The firft you know they are unfit for : If you think other-wife, would you that your Judgments fliould have fuch kind of helps to have fee them right? The (econd way they will be effedual with none but wicked Men and Hypocrites, who dare Sin againft their Conlciences for fear of Men: And is it worth lo much ado to bring the Children of the Devil into your Church ? The third way of Efficacy, is but to kill or banifli all the Children of God that are not of your Opinion: for it is they that dare not Sin againft Confcience whatever they fuffer : And this is but fuch an Efficacy as the Spaniih Inquifition, and Queetl 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 Banifliment, or Imprilbnment at leaft, that is the Efficacy which you defire : And if no fuch rigour be too much, its pity the French, that murthered ;oooo or4oooo at their Bartholomew days, or as Dr. Petet Moulin faith looooo within a few Weeks, and the Irifh that murthered 200000 had not had a better Caufe: For they took the moft effiBisal way of rigour.

But when God maketh Inquifition for the Blood of his Servants, he will convince Men that liich rigour was too much, and that their Wrath did not fulfil his Righteoulhcfs.

You fhew yourKindnefs to Men's praying in the Pulpit without your Book ; Make good what you fay, that fuch Praying is of no great Antiquity, and we will never contradid you more 1 (^r if we fro've it not the Ancienteft way of Praying in the Chriftian Church, we will give you free leave to hang or bani/h us, for not Subfcribing to the Common Prayer Book : which the Apoftles ufed^and which was impoled on the Church for fome hundred years. But it leems you think that we are beholden to meer Sufferance without Law or Canon for conceived Prayers: How long then it will be (uffered we know ^not; if we muft live by your Patience.

§ 20. It feemeth that our Converfe and yours much differ: The inoft that we know or meet with had rather be without the Liturgy : and you lay, Tliat the Peo-fie generally ere well fatisfied with it. By this time they are of another Mind. If it ■were fo, wetake it for no great honour to it; confidering what the greater Number are in.moft places, and of what Lives thole Perlbns are ( of our Pari/hes and Acquaintance generally or for the moft part) who are for it: Or what thofe are that are againft it,and whom for its fake you defire your ejf\3ual rigour may be exercifed againlh The Lord prepare them to undergo it innocently.

§ 21. Doth there need m more to be (aid for the Ceremonies ? How little will fatisfie ibme Men's Confciences! Lawful Authority hath in other Countreys caft out the fame Bifliops and Ceremonies which are here received ; Doth it follow that they are good in one Country, and diforderly and undecent in another ? Or that our Authority only is infallible in judging of them ?

Is not God's Worlhip perfed without our Ceremonies, in its Integrals as well as its Effmtals ?

^As for Circumfiantials whenyoul'a.w us allow of them,you need not plead for them as againft us. But the Queftion is,whether our Additions be not more then Ctramfiances. § 22. We fuppole that you give all to the Crofs in Baptifm which is necelTary co a Humane Sacrament: And this we are ready to try by juft Difpute.

When you fay that never was Moral Efficacy afcrtbed to them, you leem to give up all your Caufe: for by denying this afcrtbed Efficacy, you (eem to grant them unlawful if it be fo : 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 EfFeift from Moral Efficacy. But the informing and exciting the dull Mind of Man in its Duty to God is an Effecft afcribed to our Ceremonies: Ergo , a Moral Effed from Moral Efficacy is afcribed to our Ceremonies. The major cannot be denied by any Man that knoweth what a Moral Effe6t and Efficacy is: that which worketh not per medum Natura in genere Caufa efficientis naturalis only, but per mo* dum objeBi, vel in genere caufa finalts, upon the Mind of Man, doth work morally:

but fo do our Ceremonies: Ergo -lure the Arminians that deny all proper Fhy-

fical Operations of God's Spirit, as well as his Word, and reduce all to Moral Efficacy, will not fay that Ceremonies have fuch a Thyfical Efficacy more than Moral. And if not fo, the good Effeds here menrioned can be from no lower Efficacy than Moral. 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 objeclum, 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 wifhed you would not. Our Crofs in Baptifm is [ A dedicating fign (faith the Canon ) or tranfient Image, made in token that this Child pall not be ajhamed of Chrifi crucified, but manly fight under hu Banner agamfi the Flejh, the World, and the Dfvil, and covtmue Chrtji'sfatthftd Servant and Soldier to hu Lives end. So that I. It is a Dedicating Sign, performed by the Minifter, and not by the Perfbn himfelf, as a bare Frofejfmg Sign is. 2. It engageth the Party in a Relation toChrift f tfj hu Soldier and Servant]. 5. And in the Duties of this Relation againit all our Enemies, as the Sacramentum Milttare 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 Baptilin, nor called a Sacrament, but as far as we can judge, made elTentially a Humane Sacrament ad joy ned to Baptifm. The Reformed Churches which ufe the Crofs,we mean the Lutherans, yet ufe it not in this manner.

§ 24. This is but your unproved Affertion, That the Fault was not in the Ceremonies, but in the Contenders: we are ready to prove the contrary : but if it had been true, how far are you from Pauh mind, expreffed Rom. 14. & i^. and i Cor. 8. You will let your weak Brother perifli, and Ijjare not, fo you can but charge the Fault on himfelf; and lay Stumbling-blocks before him, and then fave him by your iffetUial rigour, by Imprifonmentor Punifhment.

§ 2 J. Thole feem a4ewto you that feem many to us : Had it been but one hundred (uch as Cartwnght, Amefiris, Bradjljaw, Parker, Hilderjiiam , Dod , NicoUs, Langley, Paget, Hcring, Baynes, Bates, Davenport , Hooker, TViljon, Cotton, Norton, Shi'pbard, Cobbet, Ward, &c. they had been enough to have grieved the Souls of many Thoufand godly Chriftians; and enough for any one of the Reformed Churches, had tfiey poflelTed 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 deboilt Readers inUead of Minifters ( for too many fuch we have known j that it was their Paftors faults that obltinately refuled to Conform, when they had promifed it; that is, that repented of the Sin of their Suhfcription when they difcerned it: And had they never been ignorant enough to Sublcribe, they had never entered : And the many hundreds which you thus kecpfi-om the Miniftry, you make nothing of. § 2(^.

Par.t II. Reverenc/Mr. KichsLtd Baxter, 251

§ 26. Whether Diocelanes be a lawful Authority as claiming Spiritual Government, and how far Men may own them even in lawful things, are Controverfies to be elfewhere managed. We juftify no Man's leaving his Minidrj' upon the Re-fufal of any thing but what he judged unlawful, yea, and what was really (b.

§ 27. Whether any Off ence ■were given ( though not enough to warrant Separation) let our Argumentations on both fides declare. The faid Declaration of the Churches Senle is not the fmalleft part of the Scandal. Calling a humane Sacramem, m-diferent, or wo Sacrament, proveth it not to be as it is called. That the Nonconfor-mifts were the Caufe of Separation, who did molt againft it, is eafily faid, and as eafily proved as the Arrians proved that the Orthodox were the caufe of theSchifm of the Luciferans who feparated from the Church for receiving the Arrians too eafily to Communion.

§ 28. Church Matters in this much differ from Civil Matters; and its one thing to change a Church Cuftom when it dangcroufly prevaileth to corrupt MensUn-derftandings, and another thing when there is no fuch Danger. So Hiz,ekia% thought when he deftroyed the Brazen Serpent, and Paul ( who before circumcifed Timothy ) when he faid. If ye be circumci/ed Cbrifi (liall profit you nothing. Could Men haveforefeen that the Primacy of the Bifhopof Kojwe in the imperial Churches, would have been fublimated to fuch a challenged Supremacy over all the Chri-Itian World, we fuppofe the Ancients would have held it tlieir Duty to have removed thePrimacy to Ibme other Seat.

§ 29. According to your Councih will you be judged of God ? The Not-abating of the Impofitions is the cafling off of many hundreds of your Brethren out of the Minitlry, and of many thoufand Chriftians out of your Communion : But the <»^df»»g of the Impofitions, will fo offend you, as to-filence or excommunicate none of you at all: For e. g. we think it a Sin to Sublcribe, or (wear canonical Obedience, or ufethe tranfient Image of the Crols in Baptifm, and therefore thele mufi: caft us out: But you think it no Sin to forbear them, if the Magiftrate abate them, and therefore none of you will be caft out by the Abatement. But it feenieth that your Charity judgeth the bare difpleafiog 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 allj For your Difpleafure will be only that another Man fubfcribeth not, crofleth not, &c. while you may do k your lelves as much as you pleale.

Whether the cafting out of fo many Miniflers and Chriftians, for fuch things do more fubferve the main ends of fublick Government, than the forbearance would do, if you know nor, we leave you to God's Convidion. As alfb 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 juftly laid upon them : Such Concefli-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 Sacrament Prayer, while the People kneel? We Ipeak againft none of your Liberty in ufing either kneeling or Holy-days, and perhaps fome of us mean to ufe bpth our fclves; but only beleech you, that they may be no more impofed than the ancient Church impofed them, and wedefire no morej 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.

§ 51. It's well you have no more to fay againft Liberty to forbear the other three Ceremonies; the more unexculable will you be, when you filence and excommunicate ihofe that ufe them nor.

§ ;2. And its ftrange that meaner underftandings than yours cannot fee why Men Ihould forbear that whi(ib u 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 therefore 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 > fhould lb refolvcdiy lay the Churches

Peace upon fuch things as thefe, where they know beforehand, that Men of no Confcience will all be peaceable, and thoufands of godly People are unlatijlied ; 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.

§ 3 3. 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-feduaily to the afflicting of your Brethren and the Church j when we tell you what will end your Differences, you know our Minds fb much better than our (elves, that you will not helteiie 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 promiled by his Ma-jefty, that you fhould meet us half way, you bring in nothing, and perfuade his ^ajefty alfo that he {hould not believe us in what we offer, that it would be fa-tibfa<ftory if it were granted I You fay that it will give DiJJatisfaBion to the greater Fart of his Majeftys Subjechl We are more charitable than to believe that a quarter of his Majefty's Subjects arefb uncharitable, as to be diffatisfied if their Brethren be not filenced and excommunicated for not jwearirg, fubfcnbing, or ti/i»g a Ceremony, while they may do it as much as they lift them (elves. And whereas you fay, that there is no a]]urance given that it ■will content all DiJJenters ; you know that there are many Diffenters, as Papifts, Quakers, &c. for whom we never medled : And we think this an unjuit Anfwer to bs given to them, who craved of his Majefl-y, that they might (end to their Brethren through the Land, to have the TelHmony of their common Confent, and were denied it, and told that it ftouldbeour work alone, and imputed to no others.

In Conclufion, we perceive your Counfels againft Peace are not likely to be fru-ftrated ; Your Dellres concerning us are like to be accomplilhed : You are like to be gratified with our Silence and Ejedion, and the Excommunication and Confe-quent fufferings of Diffenters. And yet we will believe that bleffed are the Peacemakers, and though Deceit be in the Heart of them that tmagin Evily yet there is Joj to the Counfellors of Peace, Prcv. 12. 20. And though we are ttopt 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 hold your Peace ) yet are we refolved By the help of God, if it be poifible, and as much as in us liech, to live peaceably with all Men, Rom, 12. 18.

§ 102. Hereupon fome very very learned, godly Men, renewed their former Speeches, [ That it was a vain Attempt to Endeavour a Reconciliation with fuch Mm ! that their Minds were exafperated, and they were refolved to monopoliz^e the Favour of our Prince, afid all Honours and Preferments to themfelves : That there was no hope they would do any thing for the promoting of firiEt ferious GodlmeJS, or any thing that dejerved the Name of Ecctefinftical Difcipline: 7hat undoubtedly they do but draw us en, partly to Jpin cut the time till they are ready to perjecute m without any danger to themfelves, and partly to let us together by the Ears, and otherwife abuje «f, by drawing us to grant thtm that which they know our Brethren cannot grant. ~]

§ log. To all this I aniwered for my own part, [That though Charity com.-manded me to hope that there were fom'i 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 (aid ; that for my own part I looked e're long to be filcncr^d 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 wa lie the Iffue : i. Becaufe we are commanded if poflible as much as in us licth, 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 lealt prfibility of a better Iffue, may (hew us that we (hould wait on God, in the u(e ot the Means, till we are difappointed. 3. Becaule we have no other means at all to ule : To keep our Flocks and publick Work we cannot : For the old Laws will be in force again, if we fay nodiing; and new ones will further enforce them if there be need. And for our parts we are not formidable to the Bi-(hops at all, were our Number five times as great as theirs: For we abhor all Thoughts of Sedicion and Rebellion, and they l^now that this is our Judgment, and theretore how ftould they be afraid of Men, whofe Confciences bind them to

' make

P A R. T U. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 255^

make no refiftance to the legal Exercife of a lawful Authority. If it were the Ana-baptifts, Millinaries or Levellers they would fear them. But for my part, I thought it very unmeet that fiich a Word as intimated any formidablenels in us, /hould ever come out of our Mouths, either to them, or to our People, or among our (elves ; for it feemeth to intimate either that we would refill, or would have them think lb. 4. And I looked to the end of all thefe Adtions, and the chief things that moved me next the pleafing of God and Confcience, is, that when we are all filenced and perfecuted, and the Hiftory of thele things fhall be delivered to pofte-rity, it will be a juft Blot upon us if we liifFer as refufmg to fue for Peace, and ic will be our juft Vindication when it Ihall appear, that we humbly petitioned for and earneftly ptirlued after Peace, and came as near them for the obtaining it, as 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 liiifer much more comfortably when I had uled thele means, and been repuUed, thah if I had ufed none. y. 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 Diftcrence right to the undarftanding of Foreigners and Pofterity, and to bear my Teftimony to the Caule of Truth, and Peace, and Godlinels, openly under the Protedion 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 all is gone j and then have tlieir 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, that 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 alfo 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 fo had the Liberty to acquaint us with our Error, and to fee us right.

§ 105'. Shortly after this, inftead of the Diocefans Conceflions, it was told us that the King would put all that he thought meet to grant us into the Form of a Declaration, and we (hould fee it firft, and have Liberty to give notice of what we liked not, as not confiftent with the defired Concord ( and lo 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 publi(hed, that it might fatisfie our Defires. Received on Seft. 4.

His Majejiys Declaration to all hk loving SuhjeSls of his Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, concerning Eccleftajiical Affairs.

* fjO W much the Peace of the State is concerned in the Peace of the Church, 'tl and how difficult a thing ic is to preferve Order and Government in Civil, ' whilft there is no Order and Government inEcclefiaftical Affairs, is evident to the

* World; and this little part of the World, our own Dominions hath had (b late

* Experience of it, that we may very well acquiefce in the Conclufion, without ' enlarging our lelt in difcourfe uponit, it being a Subjeft we have had frequent oc-

* cafion to contemplate upon, and to lament abroad, as well as at home.

' In ourLetter to theSpeaker of theH.ofCommons from 5rf(/<»,we declared how much

* we defired the Advancement and Propagation of the Proteftant Religion:That nei-' ther theUnkindnefs of thole of the lame Faith towards us, nor the Civilities and

* Obligations from thofe of a contrary ProfefIion(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 Affeftion for it, to

* which we will not readily confent. And we faid then, That we did hope indue

* time our (elf to propofe ibmewhat for the propagation of it, that will fatisfie the

World that we have always made it both our Care and our Study, and have e-noughoblerved what is moft like to bring difadvantage to ir. And the truth is, we do'think our felf the more competent to propole, and with God's afliftance 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 Comitrejs, and in Germany, where we have had frequent Conferences with the moft Learned Men, who have unanimoufly lamented the great Reproach the Proteftant Religion undergoes, from the Diitempers and too notorious Schifms in Matters of Religion in England. And as the moft Learned a-mongft them, have always with great Submiffion and Reverence , acknowledged and magnified the Eftabliflied Government of the Church of England, and the great countenance and jhelter the Proteftant Religion received from it, before thefe unhappy times; fo many of them have with great ingenuity and. Ibrrow con-feffed, That they were too eafily niiflead by mifinformation and prejudice, into-fome difsfteem 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 wiih itre-ftored to its old Dignity and Veneration.

' When we were in Holland, we were attended by many Grave and Learned Mi-nijters from hence, who were looked upon as the wo/ ahk and frinctfdAffertors of the Vresbyterian Opinions, with whom we had as much Conference as the multitude of AffairSj which were then upon us, would permit us to have : artd to our great Satiifaliion and Comfort, found'them Fet-fom full of JffeBion to us, of Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State ; and neither Enemies (as they have been given out to be) of E-pifcopacjr or Liturgy I but modejHy to defire fuch Alterations m either , as-Without Jl)aking Foundations, might beji allay the prefint Di/lempers, -which the Indijpofitim of the Times, and the Tendernef ofjome Mens Confcicnces had contraBed. 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 Diffatisfadlions which had or (hould arile in Matters of Religion: and in the mean time we publifhed in our Declaration from Breda, A Liberty te tender Conlciences^avd that no man Piould be dijcjuieled or called in ^ueftion fur differences of Opinion m Matters of Religion, -which do not difiurb the Peace of the Kingdom ^ and that we ftiall be ready to confent to (uch an Aft of Parliament as fhall upon mature deliberation be offered to us, for the full granting that Indulgence. * Whilft we continued in this Temper of Mind and Refolution, and have io far complyed with the Perfwafion of particular Perfons, and the Diftemper of the Time, as to be contented with the ExercKc of our Religion in our own Chappel, according to the conftant Pradiice and Laws eftablillied, without enjoyning that Pradice, and theObfervation of thole 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 Gods Grace we fhall always retain ; we have found our felf not fb candidly dealt with as we have deferved, and that there are unquiet and reftlefs Spirits, who without abating any of their own Diftempers in recompence of the Moderation they find in us, contiuue their bitternels againft the Church, and endeavour to raife Jea-lou'lics of us,and to leffon our Reputation by their Reproaches; as if we were not tiueto the Profeffioos we have made. And in order (hereunto'they have very unfeafonably caufed to be printed, publiflied, and dilperfed throughout the Kingdom,,a Declaration heretofore printed in our Name, during the time of our being u) Scotland- of which we fliall lay no more than that tlie Circumftan.es by whicl) v\e 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-,5hieft and greateft part of that Mation did even then deteft and abhor the ill ulage ot us, jn that particular, when the fame Tyranny was exercilcd there, by jfh(^ power of a few ill Men, which at that time had fpread it felf over this Kingdom: and therefore we had no realon to expert, that we lliould at this (ealbn, when we are doing all we can to wipe our the Memory of all that hath been done amils by pthdr Men, and we thank God, have wiped it out of our own remembrance, iuve-./been our Iclf alTaulted with thole Reproaches, which we will like wife forget, a ' •

' Since

' Since the printing of this Dedaration, feveral Seditious Pamphlets and Queries

* have been publifhed and Icactered abroad, to infuie Diflike and Jealoufies into the *Heait5 of the People, and of the Army j and fome who ought rather to have .

* repented their former Mifchief they have wrought, than to have endeavoured to ' improve it, have had the hardinefs to publiih. That the Dodrine of the Church-, ' againfl which no Man with whom we have conferied hath Excepted, ought to ' be reformed-as well as the Difcipline. ■

' This over-paffionate and turbulent way of Proceeding, and the Impatience ws ' find in many for fome fpeedy Determination in theie Matters, whereby the Minds

* of Men may becompoied, and the Peace of the Church edablilhed, hath pre-'vailed with us to invert the Method we had propofed to our felf, and even in or-

* der to the better Calling and Compoling of a Synod ( which the prefent Jealou-' fies will hardly agree upon ) by the afiiilance of God's b'leffed Spirit, which we ' daily invoke and fupplicate, to givelbme determination our felt to tjis Matters

* in difference, until fuch a Synod may be called, as may without pallion or pre-

* judice, give us fuch a further afliltance towards^ perfed Union of Affedions, as

* well as Submiffion to Authority, as is neceflary. And we are the father induced

* to take this upon us, by finding upon the full Conference we have liad with th^

* Learned Men of leveral Perfwafions, that the Miichtefs under which, both the ' Church and State do at prefent fuffer, do not refult from any formed Dodrine or

* Gonclufion which either Party maintains or avows i but from the Paffionand Ap-' petite andlnterelt of particular Perfons, who contrad greater Preii.div.e to each

* other from thofe Affedions, than would naturally arile from their Opinions; and ' thole Diilempers muft be in fome degree allayed, before the xMeeting in a Synod 'can be attended with better Succels, than their Meeting in other-pUc^s^and their ' Difcourlesin Pulpits have hitherto been : and till all thoughts of Vidory are laid ' afide, the humble and neceflary Thoughts for the vindication of Ti-uth cannot be ' enough entertained. . .

* We muft for the Honour of ail thofe of either Perfwafion, with whom we have

* conferred, declare. That the Profsffions and Defires of all for the [ Advancement

* of Piety, and true Godlinefs, are the fame: their Proftffions of Zeal for the

* Peace of the Church, the fame; bf Affedion and Duty to us, the fame: They 'all approve Epifcopacy: They all approve-a Set-Form of Liturgy : And they ' difapprove and diflike the Sin . of Sacriledge , and tlie Alienation of the ' Revenue of the Church: And if up6n the(e excellent Foundations, in Sub-' miffion to which there is fuch a Harmony of Affedions, any Superihudures ' fhould be railed to the Ihaking thofe Foundations, and to the contrading and lef-

* fening the bleffed Gift of Charity, which is a Vital part of Chriftian Religion, we

* fliall think olir fclf very unfortunate, and even fufped tRat we are defedive in ' that Admiailtration of Government, with which God hath intrufted us.

' We need not profefs the high Affedion and Elieem we have for the Church ' of England, as it is eftablifhed by Law ; the Reverence to which hath fupported

* us, with Gods Blefltng, againft many Temptations : Nor do we think that Re-

* verence in the leaft degree diminilhed by our Condelcenfions, not peremptorily

* to infill upon fotne Particularsof Ceremony, which however introduced, by the ' Piety and Devotion and Order of former Times, may not be (b agreeable to the ' prefent; but may even leffen that Piety and Devotion, for the improvement. ' whereof they might happily be firft introduced, and confequcntly may well be ' di(pen(ed with. And we hope this Charitable compliance of ours, will difpoli ' the Minds of all Men to a cheaiful Submiffion to that Authority , the prefervati-' on wjiereof is fo ncccffary for the Unity and Peace of the Church; and that ' they will acknowledge the Support of the Epilcopal Authority , to be the beft ' Support of Religion ; by being the boftineans to contain the Minds of Men with

' in the Rules of Government. And they who would reft rain the Exercife of that

* holy Fundion, within the Rules which were oblerved in the Primitive Times, ' muft remember and coniider, that the Ecclefiaftical Power being in thofe bleffed ' Times always fubordinate and liibjed to the Civil, jf.was likewife proportioned

* to fuch an Extent of Juiifdidtinn as was agreeable to that : And as the Sandity ' and Simplicity and Refignacion of that Age, did then refer many things to the ' Bifhops, which the Policy of fucceedingAges would not admit, at leaft did o-

* therwife provide for; fo it can be no Reproach tp Primitive Epifcopacy, if where ' filers have been great Alterations in the Civil Government from what was then, ' tliere have been likewife fome Difterence and AUeiiatlon in the Eccleliaflical,' ' the Effence and Foundation bsing ftill prclvjrved ; And upon this Groundj with-

• out

* but taking upon us to Cenfure the Governmeftt of the Church in other Coun-' trieSj where the Government of the State, is different from what it is here, or ' enlarging our felf upon the Reafons why, whilft there was an Imagination of E-' reding a Democratical Government here in the State, they fhould not be willing ' to continue an Ariftocratical Government in the Church, it (hall fuffice to fay,

* That llnceby the wonderful Bleffing of God, the Hearts of this whole Nation are

* returned to an Obedience to Monarchique Government in the State,itmufl be very

* reafonable to Support that Government in the Church, which is e/Ubli/hed by ' Lawi and which with the Monarchy hath flouriflied through fo many Agesj ' and which is in truth as ancient in this inand,as the Chriftian Monarchy thereof: ' and which hath always in fbme refpefts or degrees been enlarged or retrained,

* as hath been thought inoft conducing to the Peace and Happinefi of the King-

* dom: and therefore we have not the leaft doubt but the prelent Bifhops will think

* the prefent Conceflions now made by us, to allay the prelent Diftempers very

* juft and reafonable, and will very chearfuUy Conform themfelves thereunto.

' I.We do in the firft place declare, That as the prefent Bifhops are known to be

( Men of Great and Exemplary Piety in their Lives, which they have manifefted

in their notorious and unexampled Sufferings, during thefe late Dilhmpers; and

* of great and known Sufficiency of Learning ; fo we fhall take fpecial Care by ' the Afliftance of God, to prefer no Men to that Office and Charge, but Men of

Learning, Vertue, and Piety, who may be themfelves the belt Examples to thofe who are to be Governed by them: and we rtiall exped and provide the beft we can, that the Bifhops be frequent Preachers, and that they do very often preach

* themfelves in fome Church of their Diocefs, except they be hindered bySicknefs, or other bodily Infirmities, or Ibme other jultifiable occafion, which rtiail not be thought juftifiable if it be frequent.

* 2. If any Diocels (hall be thought of too large an Extent, we will appoint Suf-

* fragan Bifhops for their Afliftance.

■' 5. No Bifhop fhall Ordain or Exercifeany part of Jurifdlftion which appertainS^ ' to the Cenfures of the Church, without the Advice of the Presbyters, and no ' Chanceliour fhall exercife any Aftof Spiritual Jurifdicftion.

' 4. As the Dean and Chapters are the moft proper Council and Afliftants of the

* BUhop both in Ordination, and for the other Offices mentioned before; fo we ' fhall take care that thofe Preferments be given to the moft Learned and Pious

* Presbyters of the Diocefs, that thereby they may be always at hand and ready to ' adviie and afTilt the Bifhop: And moreover. That fome other of the moft Learn-

* ed. Pious, and Difcreet Presbyters of the fame Diocefs ( as namely the Rural ' De.ins, or others, or fo many of either as fhall be thought fit, and are neareft) be ' called by the Bifhop to be prefent and afTiftant together with thofe of the Chap-' ter, at all Ordinations, and at all other Solemn and Important Adions in the Ex-

* ercife of Ecclefiaftical Jurifdidion, efpecially wherein any of the Minifters are

* concerned. And our Will is, that the great Work of Ordination be conftantly

* and fblemnly performed by the Bifhop in the Prefencc, and with the Advice and

* Afliftance of his aforefaid Presbytery at the four fet Times and Seafons appointed ' by the Church for that purpofe.

' 5'. We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and folemnly performed by

* the Information and with the Advice of the Minifier of the Place, and as great

* diligence ufed for the Inftrudion and Reformation of notorious and fcandalous ' Offenders as is pofltble ; towards which the Rubrick before the Communion hath

* prefcribed very wholefom Rules.

' 6. No Bilhop fhall Exercife any Arbitrary Power, or do or impole any thing

* 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 ;

* 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

* ot England, Contained in the Book of Common Prayer, and by Law eftablifhed,

* to be the beft we have leen, and we believe that wc have feen all that ai e extant

* and ufed in this part of the World, and well know what Reveience moft of the ' ileformed Churches, or at leaft the moft Learned Men in thofe Churches have ' for it; Yet fince we find fbme Exceptions made to many abfolete words, and o-' ther Expreflions ufed therein, which upon the Reformation and Improvement of

'the

I

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. $^3

' the Englilh Language may well be altered, we will appoint fbme Learned Divines

* of different Perfwafions to review the fame, and to make fuch Alterations as

* Jhall be thought moft neceffary, and ibme fuch Additional Prayers as jhall be

* thought fit for emergent Oecafions, and the improvement of Devotion ; the u-

* fing ot" which may be left to the Difcretion of the Minili^ers ; In the mean time,

* and till this be done, we do heartily wifti and defire, that the Minifters in their ' leveral Churches, becaufe they diflike Ibme Claufes and ExprefHons , would not ' 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 beft Inftance of declining

* thofe Marks of Diftindion, which we fbmuch labour and defire to remove.

* 8. LalHy, Concerning Ceremonies, which have adminiftred fo much Matter

* of Difference and Contention, and which have been introduced by the Wildoni

* and Authority of the Church, for Edification and the Improvement of Piety j we

* Qiall fay no more, but that we have the more Efteem of all, and Reverence for

* many of them, by having been prcfent in many of thofe Churches where they

* are moft abolilhed or difcountenanced, and where we have obferved fo great and

* fcandalous Indecency, and to our Underftanding fo much abfence of Devotion, ' that we heartily wifli that thofe pious Men who think the Church of England o-

* verburthened with Ceremonies, had Ibme little Experience, and made Ibme Ob-' fervation in thole Churches abroad which are moft 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 folicitous for Indul-

* gence of this kind, are earneft for the lame out of Compaflion to the Weakness

* and Tendernels of the Conlcienceof their Brethren,notthat themfelves who are

* very zealous for Order and Decency, do in their Judgments believe the Pra6lic£i

* of thofe particular Ceremonies which they except againft, to be in it lelf unlaw-

* ful ; and it cannot be doubred, but that as the Univerfal Church cannot introduce

* one Ceremony in the Worfhip of God that is contrary to God's Word expreffed

* in the Scripture j lb every National Church ( with the approbation and conlent

* of the Soveraign Power ) may and hath always introduced fuch particular Ce-

* remonies, as in that Conjunfture of Time, are thought moft proper for Edifica-

* tion, and the necelfary improvement of Piety and Devotion in the People ; ' though the neceffary Pradice thereof cannot be deduced from Scripture, and that ' which before was, and in it lelf is indifferent, ceales to be indifferent after it is

* once eftablifhed 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 utcerly to abolifh any which are eftablifhed by Law (if any are pra-' i^iifed contrary to Law, the fame fhall ceafe) which would be unjuft, and of ill ' Example , and to impofe upon the Confcience of fome , and we believe much ' Superiour in Number and Quality, for the Satisfadion of the Confcience of o-

* thers, which, is otherwile provided for j as it would not be realbnable that Men

* Ihould expect, that we Ihould our lelf decline or enjoyn others to do fb, to re-

* ceive the Bleffed Sacrament upon our Knees, which in our Confcience is the molt ' humble, moft devout, and moft agreeable Pofture for that holy Duty, becaufe ' fome other Men, upon Realbns beft, if not only known to themfelves, choofe

* rather to do it Sitting or Standing : We (hall leave all Decifions and Determina-

* tions of that kind, if they fhall be thought necelT^uy for a perfed and entire U-' nity and Uniformity throughout the Nation, to the Advice of a National Synod,

* which (hall be duly called after a little time, and a mutual Converfation between ' Perlbns of different l^erfwafions, hath mollified thofe Diftempers, abated thofe ' SharpnefTes, and extinguifhed thole Jealoufies which make Men unfit for thofe ' Conliiltations : and upon fuch Advice, we fhall ufe our beft endeavour that fuch

* Laws might be eftablilhed as may belt provide for the Peace of the Church •' and State.

* r. In the mean time, out of Compaffion and Compliance towards thofe who ' would forbear the Crofs in Baptifm, we are content tfiat no Man fhall be com-' pelled to ufe the lame, or fuffer for not doing it j But if any Parent defire to ' have his Child Chriftned according to the Form ufed, and the Minifter will not

* ufe the Sign, it fhall be lawful for the Parent to procure another 'Minifter to do

* it J And if the proper Minifter Ihall refufe to omit that Ceremony otthe Crols, it ' fhall be lawful for the Parent who would not have his Child fb Baptized, to pro-' cure another Minifter to do it, who will do it according to his Defire.

x.]A9

' 2. No Man fhall be compelled to bow at the Name of Jefus, or luffer in any ' degreefornot doing it, without reproaching thofe who out of their Devotion ' continue that Ancient Ceremony of the Church.

' 3. For the ufe of the Surplice, which hath for fo many Ages been thought a

* molt decent Ornament for the Clergy in the Adminillration of Divine Service ; ' and is in truth of a different faftiion in the Church of England, from what is ufed

' * in the Church of Rome ; we are contented that Men be left to their Liberty to ' do as they ftall think fit, without fiifFering 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 either of our Univer-' fities; where we would have the feveral Statutes and Cultoms obferved, which

* have been formerly.

' And becaufe fbme Men ( otherwife Pious and Learned ) fay they cannot con-' form to the Subfcription required by the Canon at the time of their Inftitution

* and Admiffion into Benefices, we are content ( fo they take the Oaths of Aile-' giance and Supremacy ) that they Ihall receive Inftitution and Indudion, and

* ftall be permitted to exercile their Fundion, and to enjoy the Profits of their ' ' Livings, w;ithout any other Subfcription,until it fliall 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 ' fr©m Breda, for the Liberty of tender Confciences, that no Man fhall be diiquie-' ted or called in qued ion for Difference of Opinions in Matters of Religion, which 'do notdilhub the Peace of the Kingdom; and if any Have been difturbed in

* that kind fince our Arrival here, it hath not proceeded from any Diredion of

* ours.

• * To conclude, and in this place to explain what we mentioned before, and ' laid in our Letter to the Houfe of Commons from Breda, that we hoped in due

* time our felf to propole lomewhat 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 bring difadvantage to it: we ' do conjure all our Loving Subjects to acquiefce in, and fubmit to this our Decla-' ration, concerning thofe differences which have fo much dilquieted the Nation at ' home, and given fuch Offence to the Proteftant Churches abroad, and brought ' llich 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 Praftice of ' Chriftian Duties and Obedience to be difeountenanccd and fufpended, and in-

* troduce a Licenfe in Opinions and Manners to tRe prejudice of the Chriftian

* Faith: And let us all endeavour, and emulate each other in thole Endeavours, to ' countenance and advance the Proteftant Religion abroad, which will bebeft done ' by fupporting the Dignity and Reverence due to the beft Reformed Proteftant ' Chuf ch at home; and which being once freed from the Calamities and Reproach-' es it hath undergone from thefe late ill times, will be th« beft fheiter for thofe

* abroad, which will by that Countenance, both be the better protefted againft ' their Enemies,and be the more eafily induced to compole the Differences amongft

* themfelves, which give their Enemies more advantage againft them. And we ' hope and expeft that all Men will henceforward forbear to vent any fuch Do-' Aline in the Pulpit, or to endeavour to work in luch manner upon the AfFedi-' 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

* (everal Vocations endeavour to preferve with the fame Affeftion and Zeal we

* our felf will do, all our Good Subjeds will by God's Blefling upon us enjoy as ' great a meafure of Felicity, as this Nation hath ever done, and which we ihall

* 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 i. A Declaration which the Scots drew the King to publirti when they Crowned him in Scotland, difclaiming his Father's Wars and AAions, in Language {6 little tender of his Father's Flonour, 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 Kijig

was

^ "^

Part il. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 26^

was angry with thole rafh Peopte whdever they were, whb' now reprinted

it. '■ '

2. A Book of Dr. Cornelius Surges, who ( though he was for a moderate Epifcopacy ) had written to prove the Neceffity of a Reformatation in Doctrine, Difcipline and Worlhip : whereas in all our Treaty we had never medlcd with the Docftrine of the Church : Becaufej though the moft part of the Bifhops were taken to be Arminians ( as they are called ) yec the Articles of Religion we took to be Ibund and moderate, however Men do varioufly interpret them.

§ 10^. When we had received this Copy of the Declaration, we faw that it would not fervc to heal our Differences ; Therefore we tgld the Lord Chancel-lour ( with whom we were to do all our Bulinefs ftill before it came as from us to the King ) that our Endeavours as to Concord would all be fruftrate, if niiich were not alcered in the Declaration ( I pafi over all our Conferences with him, both now and at other times J: In conclufion, we were to draw up our Thoughts of it in w.iting ; which the Brethren impoled on me to do. My judgment was,That all the Fruit of this our Treaty ( befides a little Reprival from intended Ejeftion) would be but the Satisfying our Confciences 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 j higher hopes, we fhould (peak as plainly as Honefty and Confcience did require us. But when Mr. Celamy and Dr. Reigmlds had read my Paper, they were troubled at the plainnsls of it, and thought it would never beendured, and therefore defired (bme Alteration ; elpecially that I might leave out i. The Predi<aion of the Evils which would follow our Non-Agreement, which the Court would interpret as a Thieatning. 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 paft more effedually they told the Earl of Manchefier ( 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 Anglefey and the Lord HoUu to the Confultation as our Friends: And thefe three Lords, with Mr. Calamy and Dr. Reigmlds, perufed all the Writing, and all with earneftnefs perfwaded me to the faid Alterations. Icon-fefi I thought thofs two Points material which they excepted againft, and would not have had them left out, and thereby made them think me too plain and un-pleallng, as never ufed to the Language or Converle 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 ranch as be received, and that I muft go with it my felf, for no body elfe would, I yielded to luch an Alteration as here followeth. It was only in the Prefr.ce that the Alteration was defired. I fhall therefore, that you may fee what it was, give it you as firft drawn Up, and afterwards aker'd.

Our Fetition to the King^ upon our Sight of the Firjl Draught of

his Declaration.

May it fleaje your Majefty^

*C O great was die Comfort created in our Minds by your Majen-^^'s oft-cxprelTed

0 Refoiution to become the effedtual Moderator in our Differences, and your

* felf to bring us together by procuring fuch mutual Condefcentions as areneceffary

1 thereto, and alfo by your gracious Acceptance of our PrppofalSjWhich your Maje-' fty heard and received not only without blame, 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 nofmall Grief that furprizeth our ' Hearts, from the Complaints of the Students ejeAed in the Univerfities, and of ' faithful Minillers removed from their beloved Flocks; and denied Inttioution,

Mm 'for

•^^iop'wiLnt afcSubfcri'ptiDOiv Re-Ofdination, ^or an Oath of Obedience to the Bi/hop ° ' but efpecially from many Congregations in the Land^ that cry out they are undone ^by the'iofi ©F thole M€arfs of their Spiritual Welfare, which were dearer to them ?.than all Worldty Riches, and by the grievous Burden of Ignorant, or Scandalous, '■ or dead unprofitable Miniiters let over thecn, to whom they dare not commit the

* Guidance and care of their Immortal Souls, and whole Miniftry they dare not ' own or countenance, lell they be guilty of their Sin: And it adcieth tro our Grief 'and Fear in fir^ding lb much of the propoled neceffary Means of our Agreement, ' elpecially in the point of Government here paffed by, in your Majelly's Declara-' tion, as if h were denied us. But yet remembring the gracious and encouraging ' Promiles of your Majelly,and oblerving your Majelly's Clemency in what is here

* granted as, and your great Condefcention in vouchfafing not only U) gracioufly ' to hear us. in theie our humble Addreffes and Requefts, but alfo to grant us the

* Sight of your Declaration before it is relblved on, with Liberty of returning our ' Additional Defires, and hope that they Ihall not be rejefted ; we re-affume our ' Confidence, and comfortably expe<9:, that what is not granted in this Declaratir ' on th?x is reafonable and necelTary to our Agreement, Ihall yet be granted upon

* fuller Confideration of the Equity of ourRequelrs.

' ' As our Defigns and Defires are not for any worldly Advantages or Dignities to *^our lelves, fo have we not prefumod to intermeddle with any Civil Intereft '-'bf your Majefty , or any of youi Officers j nor in the matters of meer •"Convenience: to caft our Reafon into the Ballance againft your Majeily's Pru-'"^ence J but meerly to fpeak for the Laws and Worlhip and Servants of the Lord, '"and. for ^^^ Peace of our. Confciences,' and the Safety of our own and Brethrens '^S'oliU. it lifEs us up with Joy to think whac happy Confequents will enfue, if your ' lilajedy /hail entertain thele healing Motions : How happily our Differences *vv^ll be reconciled, and the exalpsrated Minds of Men compoled : How Temp, 'tat ions to Contention and Uncharitablenefs will be removed : How comfortably ''^'your Majefly will reign in the dearell Affejftions of your Subje«3:s; and how firm-'•. ly they will adhere to your Intereft as their own : How chearfully and zealoufly '^ttie united parts and Interefts of the Nation will conljaire to ferve you : What a '^S^rength 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 f.'6l(ify to be the King of the moft religious Nation in the World, that hath no

* donliderable Prfrf/w, but what are Centered (under Chrift)inyou: What a f Comfort it will be for the Bilhops and Paftors of the Church, to be honoured and

* loved by all the moft religious of their Flocks ; to lee the Succels of their La-' bours and the Beauty of the Church promoted by our common Concord, and *'iirethren toafTemble and dwell together in.Unity; ferving'one God, according '^t'o one Rule, with one Heart and Mouth.

■ '^ [And on the contrary, it aftoniflieth us to forefee the doleful Confequents that i' ' ' would follow if ( which God forbid ) your Majefty (hould re-

All tl.is encfofedpart was left ' f^i'^ the moft ncceflliry, moderate Ways of Concord, and be out of the Petition as prefcntcd to 'engaged by a party to exalt them by the Supprefiion of the his Majcrty : Tiiis only being in- * reft I How woful a Day v/ould it provc to your Majefty and ferted in the room of it. c yo^. Dominions, in which you Ihould thus efpoufs a Caufe

we^fofc t.;; SpporS; o^t - ^nd intereft injurious to the Intereft of Chrift, and the Caufe defiredKcconciliation and Union, ' ot Unity^ and Love, and contrary to your Majetty s gracious it aftonifheth us to forefee wliat * Inclinations be engaged unawars in a feeming ncceffity to deal dolea,! Effefts bar Divifions f hardly with the Minifters and Servants of the Lord I How rforcf."a"nKSo^rparti" ' confiderable a part of the Three Nations for Number, Wif-culars left our Words fliould be * dom, Piety and Intereft, you would be drawn to govern with mifunderflood. And feeing all ' a grievous Hand j and to lay than under the greateft Sorrow this may fafely and eafily now be t ^^^ reftored and received your Majefty with Joy I How the SrSfin MerSt vouS ' Di^ent of Minifters from the Government and Ceremonies of to your Majefly an Heart to dif- ' theChurch,were it exprefted but by theirGroans and Tears,,ind coriia right-of [Time and Judg- • moderate Complaints to God, or Not-praying for that Church mcnt, < Government which they dare not pray for, would be reckoned

* as Dilcontent and Sedition ; and it would be judged a Crime ' tofed when they are hurt.' What Occafion this would give to irreligious Tempo-' rizers to arrogate the Name of your Majefty's beft Subjefts, and to let out their ' Malice againll the Upright, and make Religion a Reproach I And then what a ' i^itidrance that would be to the Converfion and fiving of the Peoples Souls I and * what a fruitful Nurfery of all Vice I How giievoully Charity would be over-

' thrown.

'thrown, while the People are engaged in the hardea Thoughts and ' Speeches of each other ! What a Tempc4tioa ic would he to the afflidied part, ' to abate their Honour and due Refped to thofe they fuffer by, when they ars ' deprived of that which is deareft to them in the World ; and when the Groans

* and Cryes of afflided Innocents arrive at Heaven, and have awakened the Ju-

* ftice of the King of Kings, the greateft cannot ftand before him. And whac^a

* Snare and Grief wiil it be to the Bi/hops and Paftorsof the Church to be efle^m-

* ed Wolves, and to be engaged to fupprels them, as their Adv^rfaries, that eHe ' might be the Honour of their MinJftiy, and thq Comfort of their Lives, An('

' ence ontlie State. : And by all this^hpw much will Satan and th<? Enemies of our ' Religion be gratified, and God difiinnoured and difpleafed. .A"d, feeing all tins 'may fafely and eafily be now prevented, we humbly bifeechi ^he Lofdj in ' Mercy to vouchUfe co your MajeHy a Heart to difcern of time and Judg-' ment. ]

' And as thele are our General Ends and MotiveSjfQ we are induced, to* infifl: up-*on the Form of Synodic alGevernmvn Qoiijund with a%ed Prefidenfty; or Epifcopa-

* cy,for thefe Realbns: • ^

' r. We have reafon to believe that no other Tern>,s will bs ib. generally agreed

* on. And it is no way injurious to Epifcopal Powffl-; but moft firmly eftabli/h-' eth all in it that can pretend to Divine Authority or true Antiquity. It granreth

* 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.

' 2. It being moft agreeable to t.he'5cripture and the Primitive Government,^^ Is 'likeft tobethe way of a moreUniyerfal Concord, if ever the Churches arrive

* on Earth at iuch a Blefltng. However it will be Juqft ^QceptaljJ^ to God, and

* to well informed Confciences. .,1;,( ; _.;; ri) . irHr, v'^ '

* 3. It will promote the Pratfticeof Difcipline and Godlinefs without Difcrder j

* and promote Order without the hindering of Difcipljne and G.odlinefs. , ,, ••

' 4. And it is not to be (ilenced (though in fome refpefts we are loath to men-

* tion it ) that it will fave the Nation 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 impoitd or not, we are affured from ' the Nature of a Vow to God, and from the Caies of Saul, Zedekinh, and others,

* that it would be a terrible thing to us to violate it on that pretence. Though we ' are frr from thinking that it obligeth us to any Evil, or to go beyond our Pla-

* ces and Callings to do Good, much lefs to refift Authority ; yet doch it undoubc-' edly bind us to forbear our own Cenfent to thofe Luxuriances of Church-Govern-' ment which we there renounced, and for which no Divine Inftitution can be

* pretended. * It u not only the Presbyterians, hue multitudes of the

' Epifcopal Party, and the Nobility, Gentry, and others that ad- ,. " ™'. "'^'^ f'^"^ cxpretfed in c u'^ J u- 1 x/r • n • -u 1 » u \i7 .u ^/- - the Petition that was prelented

' hered to his late Majefty, m the late unhappy Wars, that ( at r^^, prefummg to meddle with

' their Compofition ) took this Vow and Covenant +[[And' the Confciences of thofe many of

' God forbid that ever the Souls of ^o many thoufands ihould the Nobility and Gentry, (Z^rc]

* be driven upon the Sin of Perjury, and upon the Wrath of + wi f f n ■ u- j •. 'God, and the Flames of Hell: Or. that under Pretence of incbf^i^ waStl^dtth°eS ' calling them to repent of what is evil, they Ihould be urged py prefented, this only bein^ ' to commit io great an Evil. If once the Confciences of the inferred in the room of it.

' Nation Ihould be ib debauched, what good can be expedcd . ciem^JIf^.°"fo""o^ur leVel^'^?^''

'from them? or what Evil Ihallthey ever after be thought to therTwho wfevethemfelmtL'

' make Conlcience of.'' or what Bonds can be fuppofed to ot^. be under its obligations. And

' lige them ? or how can your Majefty place any Confidence God forbid that we that are Mi-

* in th3m, notwithftanding the Oaths of Allegiance and Supre jj^^^d doVn^^thhi°''t'I) e°ncoIi'""^''

* macy which they take ? or how can they be taken for compe your u^)tWi Subfedh to aTlff

* tent Witneifes in any Caule, or Perfons meet for human con tlie Confcience of an Oath.] ' verle .''or how fhould thofe Preachers be regarded by their Au-

' ditors that dare wilfully violate their (blenin Vows ? and it would be no Comfort '' nor Honour to yourMajeOy to be the King of a Perfideous Nation. And, what-' ever Palliation Flattery might at Hand procure, undoubtedly at diffance of time

* and place ( where Flattery cannot filence Truth ) it would be the Nations perpe-

M m 2 '■ tual

' tual Infamy I And what Matter of Reconciliation would it be to the guilty Pa-' pilts, when we blame their impious Doftrines that have foch a tendency ? How ' loofe would it leave your Majelty's Subjefts, that are once taught to break fuch ' facred Bonds]] Till the Covenant was decried as an Almanack out of date, ' and irs Obligation taken to be null, that odious Fa6t could never have been per-' petrated againft your Royal Father: Nor your Majeliy have been fo long expul-

* fed from your Dominions. And the Obligation of the Covenant upon the Con-

* (ciences of the Nation, was not the weakeft Inftrument of your Return. We ' therefore humbly befeech your Majcfty ( with greater importunity then we think ' we fliould do for our Livesj that you will have Mercy on the Souls and Con-

=^ This en- ' fciences of your People, [ * and will not urge or tempt them to this grievous clofedpart c Q^jj^^ nor drive them on the infupportable Wrath of the Almighty, whole Judg-left oufof' '"^"^ " ^' )^inA, where Princes and People muftgive that account, on which the Copy ' the irrcverfible Sentence will depend : For the honour of our Religion, and of that was ' your Majefty's] Dominions, and Reign, we befeech you] , fufFer us not to be prefented. < tempted to the violating of fuch Solemn Vows: and this for nothing I when art ' Expedient is before you, that will avoid it without any detriment to the Church j

* nay, to its honour and advantage.

' The Prelacy which we difclaimed is [That of Diocefans upon the Claim of a

* Superiour Order to a Presbyter, afTuming the fole Power of Publick Admoniti-

* on of particular Offenders, injoyning Penitence, Excommunicating and Abfbl-' ving ( befides Confirmation ) over (o riiany Churches, as neceflitated the Cor-

* ruption or Extirpation of Difcipline, and the ufing of Humane Officers (as

* Chancellors, Surrogates, Officials, Commiflaries, Arch-Deaconsj while the un-

* doubted Officers of Chrifl: ( the Paftors of the particular Churches ) were hin-

* dered from the Exercile 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 neceflary Confultation

* and Communion of Churches, and of the Primitive Prefidency or Epifcopacy ' for the avoiding of all Ihewof Innovation and Diforder] is that which we hum-

* bly offer as the Remedy: befeeching your Maiefty, that if any thing alTerted

* leem unproved, an Impartial Conference in your Majefty's hearing may be al-

* lowed us in order to a juft Determination.

Concerning the Preamble in your Majeflys Declaration^ "we prefnme only to tender thefe Kequejis.

I. "Tp II A T as we are perfwaded it is not in your Majefty's Thoughts to inti-X 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 profeiTed our willingnefs to fubmit to the Primitive Epifcopacy, and a Reformed Liturgy , hoping it may prove an Expedient to an happy Union, yet have we exprefled our diflike of the Prelacy and prelent Liturgy, while unreformed. And though Sacriledge and unjuft Alienation of Church-Lands is a Sin that we deteft, yet whether in fbme 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 m.ide fbme Alienarions,are Points of high Concernment, of which we never had a Catfto give our Judgment: And therefore humbly beleech your Majefty, that concerning thefe Matters, we may not to our Prejudice be otherwifc underRood, than as we have before and here expreffed.

3. That as your Majeffy hath here vouchlafed us your gracious Acknowledgment of our Moderation, it might never be faid, That a Miniltry and People of fuch moderate Principles, conlcnting to Primitive Epifcopacy and Liturgy, could not yet be received into the Setdement and countenanced Body of your People, nor polTefi their Stations in the Church, and Liberty in the Publick Worlhip of God.

4. And

4. And whereas it is exprefTed by your Majefty, That [the EfTence and Foun? dation of Epifcopacy might be prefeived, though the Extent of the JuriWidioni might be altered], this is to us a ground ol" Hope, that Iceing the greatning or the lefl'ening of Epifcopal Power is in your Majelty's Judgment but a Matter o\ Convenience, the Lord will put it into your Heart to make fuch an Alteration in ther alterable Points, as the Satisfadion of the Coniciences of Ibber Men, and the Healing and Union of thefe Nations do require. ,■ >

As to our Plea for Vrimiti've Epifcopacy , the Offices and Ordinances of Chrifl: muft be (till diltinguilhed from the alterable Accuhnts. Though we plead not for the Primiti've Poverty, Ferfecution, or Reftramts, yet muft we adhere to t.\\Q PrimtttveOr-der and IVorflnp, and Admtmflrations in the Subftance j as believing that the Cir-cumfiantiating of them, is much committed unto Man , but to iiiditute the Onli-nances and Offices is the high Prerogative of Chrift , the Univerfal King and Law^ giver of the Church.

. ,,/rf. >

Concernwg the Matter of yonr Majejiy^ Concejjions- , as related td our Propofah.

i. \ir7'E humbly renew our Petition to your Majefly, for the eflfedual Security W of thofe premiled NecefTaries, which are the Matter of our chiefelt Care^ and whereunto the Controverted Points (ublerve: 'viz,. i. That private Exercifes of Piety might be encouraged. 2. That an able, faithful Miniftry may be kept up, and the infufficient, negligent, fcandalous, and nonrefident, call out. ;. That a. credible Profeflion of Faith and Obedience be pre-required of Communicants^ 4. That the Lord's Day be appropriated to Holy Exercifes without unriecefTary Divertifements.

2. For Church-Government. In this your MajeOy's Declaration , Parifh Difci-pline is not lufficiently granted us. Infenour Synods with their Prefidents are paf-led by ; and the Bilhop which your Maj'efty declareth for, is not Eptfcopts PrafeSf but Eptfcopus Princeps ; indued with Jole Power both of Orditjatioh and JurifdUlion. For though it be (aid, That [the Bifhop Ihall do nothing without the Advice of Presbyters] yet their Confent is not made neceffary, but he might go contrary to the Counfel of them all. And this Advice is not to be given by the Diocefan Synod, or any chofen Reprefentatives of the Clergy, but by the Dean and Chapter, and io many and liich others as he pieafe to call. In all which there being nothing yielded us, which is fufficient to the defired Accommodation and Union, we humbly profecute our Petition to your Majefty, that the Primitive Prefidency with the lefpecftive Synods defcribed by the late Reverend Primate of Ireland, may be the Form of Church-Government eltablifhed among us: At leaft in thefe Three needful Points.

' I. That the Paflorsof the refpedive Paridies may be allowed, not only pub-

* lickly to Preach, but perfonally to Catechize or otherwife Inftrud the feveral

* Families, admitting none to the Lord's Table that have not perfonally owned their ' Baptifmal Covenant by a credible ProieHion of Faith and Obedience ; and to

* admonilh and exhort the Scandalous, in order to their Repentance j to hear the ' Witnefles and the accufed Party, and to appoint fit Times and Places for thefe

* things; and to deny liich Perfons the Communion of the Church in the Holy Eii-' charilt, that remain impenitent ; or that wilfully refufo to come to their Pallors 'to be inllrucfted, ortoanfwer fuch probable Accufations ; and to continue iiich

* Exclufion of them till they hive mide a credible Profeffion of Repentance, and

* then to receive them again to the Communion of the Church j provided there be ' place for due Appeals to Superiour Power].

All this we beleech your Majefly to expref; under your Fifth Conceffion, be-caufe it is to us of very great weight, at^d the Rubrick is uhlatisf.iAory to which we are referred.

>

* 2. That all the Paftors of each Rural DeanSrles, having a ftatedPrefident cho-' (en by themlelves ( If your Majefty pieafe to grant them that liberty) may meet ' once a Month, and may receive Prefentments of all fuch Perfons as notwithftand-

*ing

*ingSufpenfion from Communion of the Church, continue impenitent or unre-' 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 Sul'pended,

* and may decide the Caufe.] Or if this cannot be attained , at leaft [^that the

* Pallors of each Rural Deanery with their Prefident, may have power to meet » Monthly, and receive all fuch Prefentments and Appeals, and judge whether

* they be fit to be tranfmitted to the Diocelan or not : and to call before them and

* admonilh the Offenders fo prefentedl.

"Yet if Prefentments againft Magiftrates and Mimften be referved only to the Vioccfan Synod, and their Appeals immediately there put in, we fhail therein fubmit to your Ma jelly's pleafure.

' ;. That a Diocefan Synod, confifling of the Delegates of the feveral Rural ' Synods, be called as often as need requireth : and that without the Confent of the ' major part of them, the Diocelan may not Ordain, or Exercife any Spiritual

* Cenfures on any of the Minifters: nor Excommunicate any of the People but by ' conient of the Synod, or of the Pallors of the particular Parifhes where they had

* Communion. And that not only Chancellors, but alfo Arch-deacom , CommiJJiirks, ' and Officials as fuch, may pafs no Cenfures, purely Spiritual.

But for the Exercife of Civil Government coercivel^ by Mulds or Corporal Penal-tics by Power derived from your Majefly, as Suprcam over Pcrlons, and in things Ecclefiaftical, we prefume notatall to interpole: but Ihall fubmit to any that ad by your Majefty's Gommiffion.

Our Keafons for the Jlrji part of DifcipliaCy viz. in particular Parijhei, are thefe :

IT is necelTary to the Honour of the Chriftian Profeflion , to the integrity of Worfliip, to the daftrudion of Impiety and Vice , to the Prefervation of the Sound , the railing them that are Fallen, the comforting of the Penitent, the flrengthning of the Weak ; the Purity, Order, Strength and Beauty of our Churches, 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 Prartice of the Churches, and is conlented to by our Reverend Brethren, and lb is no Matter of Controverfie now between us.

Yet is not the Rubrick fatisfaftory which we are referred to : r. Becaule it leaves the People at their liberty, whether they will let us knov/ of their intention to Communicate, till the Night or Morning before ; and alloweth us then only to admonilh them, when ( in great Parifhes ) it is impoflible for want of time.

2. Becaule it doth allow us to deny the Sacrament to thole only that malicioujly refuje Reconciliation with their Neighbours, and only admonijl) other jcandalous Sinners jto forbear: Though the Camns Forbid us to deliver them the Sacrament.

the Keafons why tve infiji on the fecond Fropofaly 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 Moderation by others, and every Church is not like to be provided with grave, difcreer, judicious Guides j the necefltty of thele frequent leffer Synods for luch Moderatim and Advice and Guidance will appear by thele two general Evidences.

r. It is the very Nature and Subllanceof 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 Inilitution of Jefus Chrill, cannot be altered by Man. In their Ordination, according to the eflablilbed Order in England, it isfaid, [ Whofe fins thou dofi remit, they art remitted : -whojefins thou dofl retain, they ore retained']. And they are commanded {_to Mtnifler the Doilnne, Sacraments, and Dtfciplme of Chrifi, at the Lord hath commanded, and as this Realm hath received the jame"], as exprefly as the -'. • . Bifiiopj

Bipofs arc. And as the late Primate of Ireland oblerveth in his ReduBion, That thj may the bci'.ter undcrjtand what the Lord hath commanded, the Exhortation of St. Paul to the Elders of the Church of Epheliis u appointed to he read to them at the time of their Ordination, Tfike heed to your jehes and to all the Flock, over which the Holy Ghoft hath made you Over(eers, to ( feed or ) rule the Congregation of God which he hath purchafed with ht* blood\. And it is apparent in this Ath 20. 17, 18^ 28. and 1^2;, ij. and 16.4. I Iheff. ^ 12, i;. I Tim. ?.4, 5-. and y. 17. Hth. 13. 7,17, 24. and other places, that it is the Office of a Presbyter to Overfee, Rule, and Gmde the Flock ( which the Minifterial Rule which confifieth in the Exercife of the Keys, or Management and Perlbnal Application of God's Word to the Confciences and Cafes of particrilar Perfons, for their Salvation, and the Older of the Church ; tlie Coercive Power belonging to the Magillrate). And this was the Pradice in the Ancient Church, as appeareth undeniably in Ignatius, Tertullian, Cyprian, Hierom, Chryfo-fiom.&cc. Cow«/. C4rf^^^.4.Crt».22.2 5,29,32,54,35'336j37.as is confelTed by the chieted Defenders of Epifcopacy.

2. It" all Prefentments and Appeals be made to the BiJIjop and his Cetiffhry alone, it will take from us the P«>7/7; Discipline which is granted us, and caft almoft all Dil-cipline out of the Church. As is mott apparent to them that by experience are acquainted with the quality of our Flecks, and with the true Nature of the Pa/loral Work. Confidering i. How many hundred Churches are in a Diocefs. 2. How many thoufand Perlbns are in very many Parifhes: and of thofe what a number are obftinate in wilful grofs Ignorance or Scandal, reiufing to be inftrufted, or admo-nifted Ijy their Paftors. 5. How long, and earneltly, and tenderly Sinners muft be dealth with, before they are cut off by Solemn Excommunication. 4. How unlatisfadory it muft be to the Confcienceof a Biftiop or Synod, to cut dff a Man as impenitent upon the bare report of a Minifter, beforeby full Admonition they have proved him impenitent themlelves; efpecially when too many Mirtifters are ( to (ay nothing of Paflton that might caule partial Accufations ) unable fo to manage a Reproof and Exhortation, as is neceffary to work on the Confciences of the People, and to convidl Refifters of flat Impenitency. y. What abundance of Work the Biftiop will have befides : Conftant preaching will require time lor preparation : Vifitingthe leveral Churches: Confirming all the Souls in fb many hundred Parifhes: ('which alone is more than any one Man can do aright,if he had nothing eHe to do ): Ordaining, Inftituting, and Examining the Perlbns, fo far as to fatisfie a tender Confcience (^*^3t takes not all on truft from others, and is but the Executor of their Judgments). Thele, and much more, with the care of Church-buildings, Lands, and his own Affairs and Family, and Sickneffes, and ne-ceffary abfence Ibmetimes, will make this great additional Work , which muft be conliantly performed for fo many hundred Pariflies, t6 be impoffible. 6. Reproofs and Sufpenfion would lb exalperate the Scandalous, that they would vex the Paftors with numerous Appeals. 7. The Paftors will be undone by tr.ivelling , and waiting, and maintaining fuch a multitude of Witrieffes as is neceffary for the profecuting of Prefentments, and anlwering fo many Appeals. 8. The Bufinels will be fb odious, chargeable and troublefom, that Witheffes will ndt coma in. 9. The Minifter by thefe Profecutions and Attendances, will be taken off the reft of his Minifterial Work. 10. Bilhops ( being but Men ^ will be tempted by this intolerable Burden to be weary of the Work, and flubber it over, and caft it upon others, and to dilcountenance the moft confcionable Minifters that moft trouble them with Preientments: which when the Offenders perceive, they will the more infult and vex us with Appeals. ^

So th.it the Dijcouragements of Minifiers-, and ther tt'tt^' Incirpacity of the Bijhops to perform a quarter of this Work, will nullifie Diltipline, as leaving it impoffible. Experience hath told us this too long.

And then when our Communion is thus polluted with all that are moft incapable through utter Ignorance, Scandal, and Contempt of Piety, i. Minifters will be deterred from their Adminiftrations to Subjeds lb uncapable. 2. Biihops that are tender Confcienced, will be deterred from undertaking lb impoffible a Work, and of (b ill Succefi. ;. And Men that have leaft tendernels of Confcience, and Care of Souls, and Fear of God's Difplealure, will (eek for and intrude into both places. 4. And the tender confcienced People will be tempted to fpeak hardly of liich undifciplined Churches, and of the Officers; and to withdraw from them. f. And hereby they will fall under the Difplealure of Superiours, and the Scorn of the Vulgar, that have no Religion but what is fublervient to their Flefh. 6.And io while the moft pious are brought under Dilcountenance and Reproach, and the

moft

moft impious get the Reputation of being moft Regular and obedient to their Rulers, Piecy it ielt will grow into dilerteem, and Impiety efcape its due difgrace : And this hath been the Caufc of our Calamities.

3. As to th3 Liturgy; it is Matter of great Joy and Thankfulnefs to us, that we have heard your Majdly tnore than once fo relolutely promifing, That [none Jhall fuffer for not ufing the Common Prayer and Ceremonies , but you would (ecure them from the Penalties in the AA for Uniformity, as that which your Declara^ tion at Breda intended], and to find here (b much of yourMajefty's Clemency in your gracious Conceflions for a future Emendation. But we humbly crave leave to acquaint your Majefty, (i.) That it grieveth us after all to hear, that, yet it is given in Charge by the Judges at the Affizes, to indid Men upon that Aft for not ullng the Common Prayer. (2.) That it is not only {_Some abjokte wordj and other exprefflonsj that are offenlive. ('j.) That many (cruple Hfing fonie part of the Book as it is, left they be guilty of countenancing the whole, who yet would u(e it when reformed.

' Therefore we humbly crave that your Majefty will here declarCj [ That it is ' your Majefty's pkafure that none be punilhed or troubled for not ufing the Book ' of Common Prayer, till it be effedually reformed by Divines of both Perfwafions ' equally deputed thereunto].

' And that your Majelty would procure that Moderation in the Imfojition hereafter, ' which we before defired.

4. Concerning Ceremonies. Returning our humble Thanks for your Majefty's gracious Conceffions C of which we are alfured you will never have caule to repent) we further crave,

1. That your Majefty would leave out thole words concerning us. That we [^do not in our yudgments believe the practice of thoje particular Ceremonies -which we except C' gainfi-to he in it felf unlawful^; for we have not fo declared our Judgments. Indeed we have iiid, that treating in order to a happy uniting of our Brethren through the Land, our Work is not to fay what is oar own Opinion, or what will fatufie us ; but what will latisfie io many as may procure the iaid Uniorrj^ • And we have faid, that fome think fame of them unlawful in themfeher , and others hut in-cowvenicnt. And while the Impofers think them but indifferent, we conceived they might reafonabiy be entreated to let them go; for the faving of their Brethrens Confciences and the Churches Peace. We are fure that a Chriftian's Conlcience ftiould be tender of adding to, or diminifliing from the Matter of God's Worfhip in the frnalleft Point j the Laws of God being herein the only perfed Rule, Deut. 12.32. And that a Synod infallibly guided by the Holy Ghoft, would lay upon tlie Churches no greater burden then mccjjary things, A<fts i j. 28. And that for things indifferent, Chriftians fhould not dejpife or judge, each other, Rom. 14, much lefs by filencing the able and faithful Minifters of the Gofpel, to p««//7j the Flocks even in their Souls, for the tolerable Differences and fuppofed Miifakes of Ministers. We doubt not but Veter and Paul vvenc to Heaven without the Ceremonies in que-ftion. , , ,

And leeing yourA/Iajefty w^ll expreflfeth k,'[T7)at the Univerfal Church cannot introduce one Ceremony in the fVorJhip of God that a contrary to God's Word exfrejjed in the Scriptures'], and Multitudes of Proceftants at home and abroad^ do think that aU Myfttcal Sacramental Rit^s of Humane Infiitution are contrary to ths pcrfeSton of God's Law, ^nd to Deut. 12. ^z.&c. (thojghthe Determination of macr Circum-[tances mcefj'iry in genere, be not ibj, and therefore dara not ufe them, for fear of the Difpleafure of God thcUniverfal Sovcjreign j it mult needs be a great Exprel-fion of your Majefty's wildom and tendernefs of God's Honour and die Safety of your Peopks Souls, to refu/e in things unneceffary to drive Men upon (apprehejrtd-ed) Sin, and upon the Wrath of God, and the Terroursof.a Condeiuning Coti-fcience. '<,,,•:

2. We befecch your Majefty to underftancj^ that it » not our meaning by the Word [ aboUpung'] to crave a Prohibition'againft 'your own-or other Mens Liberty in the things inqueftion ; but it is a. fid Liberty that we defire; fuch as ihould be in tmnecejjary things ; and fuch as will tend to tlie Concoid ot your People, viz-. That there be no Law or Canon for or againfl them, commanding, recommending or prohibiting ihw» : As novj there is none for any particular Gefture mfingtng of Pfalpn, whre Liberty ptskrveth Ari uninterrupted Unity. -' . -u\-

For

Part II Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 273

For the Tartknlar Ceremonies.

= 1. We humbly crave as to kneeling m the A£i of Recciiufig, that your Majefty

* will declare our Liberty therein, that none ihould be troubled for receiving it ftand-

* ing or fitting.

And your Majefty's Expreffions [upon Reafivs befi known, if not only to themfelves] command us to render fame of our Reafojis.

;i. We are fure that Chrift and his Apoflles finned not, by not recei-ving it kneeling ; and many are not jure that by kneeling they fhould not fin ; and therefore for the better Security, though not for ahfolute Neceffltj, we crave leave to take thefafer fide.

2. We are fure that kneeling in any Ailoraticn at ally in any Worjlnp, on any Lords Day in the Year, or any Week-day between Ejter and Fentecojt, was not only dijujed, but forbidden by General Councils (as Concil. Nicen. i Can. 20. 5nd Concil. Trull. &c.) and dilclaimed by ancient Writers, and this as a general and uncontroled Tradition : And therefore that kneeling in the Ad of receiving is a Novelty contrary to the Decrees aJid PraHicc of the Church for many hundred Years after the Apolties. And if we pir"t with the venerable Examples of all Antiquity where it agrees with Scripture, and that \ov nothing, wc fliall depart from the Terms which moft Mo-dtrators think neceflary for the Reconciling of the Churches. And Novelty is a Dillionour to any pare of Religion : And ii' Antiquity be Honourable, the tnojl ancient, or neareft: the Lcgillation and Fountain, rnufl be ?nofi honourable. And it is not (afc to ivumaie a Charge of Unreverence upon all the Apoftles and primitive Chri-IHanSj and the Univeifal Church, for lb many hundred Years together of its parelt Time ■ .

;. 'J'hovigh our meaning be good, it is not good to fhe^v a. needle^ Countenance cf the l^ipills Praftice of Adoring the Bread as God, when it is u(ed bv them round about us: Saith Biihop Hall in his Life, pag. 20. [^I bad a dangerous Confliclr with a. Sarbonifi, who took occafion by cur kneeh/tg at the Receipt of the Eucharifi, to perfuhde all the Cofnpa?iy of our Acknowledgment of a tranfubfianttation.

4. Some of us that could rather kneel than be deprived of Communion, ftiould yet liiffer much before we durlt put all others from the Communion that durfl not take it kneeling ; which therefore we crave we might not be put upon it.

2. We humbly crave alfo |^' that the religious Oblervation of Holy-days of hu-* man Inftitution may be declared to be left indifferent, that none be troubled for ' not oblerving them.]

3. We humbly tender your Majefty our Thanks for your gracious Conceffion of Liberty as to the Crofs and Surplice, and bowing at the Name \ffefus] rather than [Chrift] or^God].-But we farther humbly beleech your Majefty z.lhat this Liberty in forbearing the Surplice, might extend to the CoUedges and Cathedrals aljo ] that it diive not thence all thole that Scruple it, and make not thofe Places receptive only of a Party ; and that the Youth of the Nation may have juft Liberty as well as the Elder. If they be engaged in the Univerfities, and their Liberties there cut oft" in their beginning they cannot afterwards be free; many hopeful Perfons will be elfe diverted from the Service of the Church. 2. That yonr JvLijcfty will endea-vour the repealing of all Laws, and Canons by which thefe Ceremonies are impojed, that they might be left at full Liberty.

/^. We alio humbly tender our Thanks to your Majefty for your gracious Con-ceflion of the Forbearance of the SubfcriptioO required by that Canon. But (i.) we humbly acquaint your Majefty, that we do not diflent from the DoArine ofthe Church of England, exprefled in die Articles and Homilies: But it is the controverted Paflages about Govermnent, Liturgy and Ceremonies, and fome By-pafTiges and rhralcs in the dodrinal Part, which are Icrupled by thole whole Liberty is de/ired. Not that we are againft fublcribing the proper Rule of our Religion, or any meet Confellion of Faith. Nor do we Icruple the Oath of Supremacy or Allegiance, Nor would we have the Door left open for Papids or I Icreticks to come in. 2. We take the boldnels to lay that fince we have had the Promifes of your gracious indulgence herein, and upon divers Addreftes to your Majefty and the Lord Chan-ceVlor, had comfortable Encouragement to expecl: our Liberty, yet cannot Mini-iteis procure Inititution without renouncing their Ordination by Presbyters, or being re-ordjined, nor without Sublcription and the Oath of C.inonical Obetlicncc, ;. We mult obferve with Fear and Grief, that your Majcft/s Indulgence and

N n - Coaceflions

The- LIFE of the L i b. I.

Conceffions of Liberty in this Declaration extendeth not either to the abatentent of Re-ordtnatton, or oi fuhfa-iptional Ordination, or of the Oath of Obedience to the Bi(Iiops. We therefore humbly and earneftly crave, that your Majefty will declare your Pleafure. i. [* That Oidination, and Inftitution, and Indudion 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 of-

* dained by Presbyters. 3. And that none be judged to have forfeited his Prefen-' tation or Benefice, nor be deprived of it for not reading thofe Articles of the 39

* that contain the controverted Points of Government and Ceremonies,

Lafily, We humbly crave that your Majefty will not only grant us this Liberty

* till the next Synod, but will indeai'our that the Synod be trnpartiaUy chofen, and that your

* Majefty will be fleafed to endeavour the Procurement of fuch Laws as Ihall be ne-' neceflTary for our fecurity till the Synod, and for the Ratification of moderate and

* healing Conclufions afterwards, and that nothing by meer Canon be impofed on ' 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-Iperity, 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 compaffion on the faithful People in your Dominions, who do not petition you for Liberty to be Schifmatical, Fadious, Seditious, or abufive to any, but only ibr leave to obey the Lord, who created and redeemed them, according to that Law by which they muft all be Ihortly judged to everiaft-jng Joy or Mifery, And it will excite them to, and unite them in the cheerful Service of your Majefty, with their Eftates and Lives, and to tranfmit your def^ved Praifes to Pofterity.

A little before this, the Bifliops Party had appointed (at our Requeft:) a Meeting with fome of us, to try how near we could come, in preparation to what was to be relblved on. Accordingly Dr, Morley, Dr. Hinchman, and Dr. Coftas, met Dr. Keignoldi, Mr, Calamy, and my felf} and after a few roving Difcouries we parted without bringing them to any particular Conceffions 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 eled ( but not confecrated ) to theirfcveral Bifhopricks, we called them \_rny Lords'^ which Dr. Afor/e; once returned with fuch a Paflage as this [ we may caU you alfo I fuppofe by the fame Title "ji by which I perceived they had fome Purpoles to try that way with us.

§ i07.This Petition being delivered to the Lord Chancellor was (b ungrateful that we were never called to prefent it to the King : But inftead of that, it was offered us that we ftiould make fiich Alterations in the Declaration as were neceftfary to attain its Ends: But with thefe Cautions, that we put in nothing but what we judged of flat neceffity. And 2. That we altered not the Preface or Language of it. For it was to be the King's Declaration, and what he fpake as expreffing his own Senfe, was nothing to us; but if we thought he impofed any thing intollerable upon 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 Declaration alone j But withal, by Word to tell thole v^e 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 fliall humbly fubmit, and thankfully acknowledge his Majefty's Condefcention, if we may obtain what now we offer, and fhall faithfully endeavour to improve it to the Churches Peace, to the utmoft of our Power]. Haring declared this ( with more) we delivered in the following Paper.

n

t

■ - ■' ■ ■ ■ — —r^ ;;y—*■-

Part II. R^wr^^^Afr.Richard Baxter. 275

the Alterations of the Declaration rphich tve offered,

[i.^"V7E do in the firft place declare that our Purpofe and Refolution is, and VV 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 appropriated to holy Exercifes, without unneceffary Divercifements j and that infuffi-cient, negligent, non-refident, and fcandalous Miniflers be not permitted in the Church :] And as the prelent Bifhops arc known to be Men of great and exempla* ry Piety, &c.

2. [ Becaufe the Diocefles, efpecially fome of them, are thought to be of too« large Extent, we will appoint fuch a Number of fuffragm Bilhops in every Diccels, as ihall be fufficicnt for the due Performance of cheir Wos k.]

g. [No Bilhops (hall ordain, or exercife any part of Ju.iftlicftion which appertains to the Ceniures of the Church, without the Af'^vice and Conkncot the Presbyters, and no Chancellors, Commiflaries, Archdeacons, or Officials Ihallexi.rcile any AA of Spiritual JurililiAion.]

4. [To the end that tiie Deans and Chapters may be the better fitted to afiord Counleland Afliftance to the Bilhops; both in Ordination, and in the oci ■-. Of-dinances mentioned before, we will take care that thoie Preferments be givvi. iO the moft learned and pious Presbyters of the Diocefi.]

[And moreover, that at leaft an equal Number of the moft learned, pious, and dilcreet Presbyters ofthelame Diocels, (annually cholen by the major Vote of nil the Presbyters of that Diocefs) /hall be afliftant and confenting together with thoie of the Chapter at all Ordinations, and all other Ads of fpiritual Jurildidion.]

[ Nor ihall any Suffragan BiOiops ordain, or exerciie any act of ijairicual Jurnidi-(Stion, but with the Conlenc and AlTiltance of a fufficient Number of the moft Judicious and pious Presbyters, annually chofen by the major Vote of all the Presbyters in his PreciiiAs :]

And our will is, that the great Work of Ordination be conitantly and iblemn-ly performed at the four (ct times and Sealbns appointed by the Church fer that purpofe.

y. [We will take care that Confirmation be rightly and (blemnly performed,by the Iiilbrmation, and with the Confent of the Minilter of that Place. Who ihall admit none to the Lord's Supper, till they have made a credible Profcifion of their Faith, and promifed Obedience to the Will of God according as is exprelfed in the Con/ideration of the Rubrick before the Catechifm; and that all poffible Diligence be uled for the Initrudion and Reformation of fcandalous OiFenders, whom the Minilters ihall no: fuifer t,o partake of the Lord's Table until they have openly declared themfolves to have truly repented, and amended their former naughty Lives, as is partly expreifed in the Rubrick, and more fully in the Canons. Provided there be place for due Appeals to luperior Powers.

6. No Bilhops, &c.

7. We are very glad to find that all with whom we have conferred, do, in their Judgments, approve a Liturgy, or a fet Form of publick Worihip to be lawful, which in our Judgments, for the Prefervation of Unity and Uniformity, we conceive to be very neceifary : And although we do eilcemthe Liturgy of the Church ol England contained in the Book of Common-Prayer and by Law eftablilhed, to be the belt that we have feen, ( and we believe that we have feen all that are extant, and uied 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; yet fince we find ibme Exceptions made againft feveral things therein [ JVe v.'iU appoint an equal Number of learned DiviMs of both Perfuajions to review the jams, and to make juch Alteratuns as pall be thought mofi necejjary j and fome additional Forms ( in Scripture Phrafe as near as may be ) fuited unto the Nature of the feveral Ordinances, and that tt he left to the Mintfier's choice to ufe one or the ether at his Di/cre-tion.1 In the mean tiine, and till this be done, although we do heartily wiih and defirc that the Minifters in their feveral Churches becaufe they diflike fomeClauies, and ExpreiIions,woald not totally lay afide the ufc of the Book of Common Prayer, but read thofe Parts againlt which there can be no Exception, which would be the bert Inllance of declining thole Marks of Dillindion, which we fo much labour and defire to remove : Yet in compaiTion to divers of our good Subjeds ^

N n 2 who

who (bruplethe ufe of it as now it is, our Will and Pleafure is that none bepuni/h-ed or troubled for not ufing it, until it be reviewed and effedually reformed as aforefaid,]

In the Preface concerning Ceremonies, we defire that at lead thele Words be left out 'Not that themfehei do in their Judgments believe I he Pra&ice of thefe f articular Ceremonies, which they except againf, to be tn it [elf unlawful.^

As concerning Ceremonies, our Will and Pleafure is, i. That none fiiall be required to kneel in the &St of receiving the Lord's Supper j but left at Liberty therein.

2. That the religious Obfervation of Holy days of human Inftitution be left iri-difTerent, and that none be troubled for not obierving of them.

3. That no Man ftiall be compell'd to ufe the Crofs in Baptifm, or TufFer for not ufing ir.

4. That no Man fliall be compelled to bow at the Name of Je(us.

5-. For the ufe of the Surplice, we are contented that all Men be left to their Liberty to do as they {hall think fit, without fufFering in the leaft Degree for wearing or not wearing it.

And becaule fome Men otherwife pious and learned, lay they cannot conform unto the Subfcription required by the Canons, nor take the Oath of Canonical O-bsdience, we are content, and it is our Will and Pleafure (fo they take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy) that they fliall receive Ordination, Inftitution, and Induftion, and lliall be permitted to exercile their Fundion, and to enjoy the Profits of their Livings without the laid Subfcription, or Oath of Canonical O-bedience.

And ntoreover, that no Perfbns in the Univerfities Ihall, for the wanf of fuch Subfcription be hindred in taking their Degrees.

Laftly, That fuch as have been ordained by Presbyters, be not required to renounce their Ordination, or to be re-ordained, or denied Inftitution and Indudli-on for want of Ordination by Bifhops.

And moreover, that none be judged to forfeit their Prefentation or Benefice, or be deprived of it, for not reading of thofe of the ;9 Articles that contain the controverted Points of Church-Government and Ceremonies.

§ ro8. After all this a Day was appointed for his Majefty to perufe the Declaration as it was drawn up by the Lord Chancellor, and to allows what he liked and alter the reft, upon the hearing of what both fides fhould fay: Accordingly he came to the Lord Chancellor's Houle, and with him the Duke of Alhermsrk, and Duke of Ormond ( as I remember ) the Earl of Manche/ler, the Earl of Anglesey, the Lord HoUis, &c. and Dr. Sheldon ( then ) Bifiiop of London, Dr. A/or/ey (then ) Bifhop of IVorcefier, Dr. Hmchnan (then) Bilhop of Salisbury, Dr. Cnfins BUhop of Durham, Dr. Gauden ("after) bilhop of Exeter and Worcefter, Dr. ^^jrif/cl (after) Dean oi Pauls, Dr. Hucket Billiop of Ccvivtry and Litchfield, with divers others j among whom. Dr. Gunning was nioft notable.' On the other part ftood Dr. Reigmlds, Mv.Calamy, Mr. Afii, Dr. I'/aBu, Dr. Manton, Dr. Spurftoiv, my (elf, and who elle I remember not. The Eufinels of the Day was not to difpute, but as the Lord Chancellor read over Declaration, each Party was to (peak to what they difliked, and tl>e King to determine how it Ihould be, as liked himielf. While the Lord Chancellor read over the Preface, there vvas no Interruption, only he thought it beft himielf to blot out thole Words about the Declaration in Scotland for the Covenant [That we did from the Moment it faj]cd our Hand, ask God Fcrgivenefs for our Part in it.'\ The great matter which we ftopt at was, the Word [ Conjent'] where the Bifliop is to confirm by the [Conjent j of the Paftor of that Church ; and the King would by no means pais the Word Confint either there or in the Point of Ordination or Cen-fures ; becaule it gave the Minifters a negative Voice: We urged him hard with a Paflage in his Father's Book of Meditations, where he e.xprefly granteth this [Cow-fcnt \ of the Presbyters j but it would not prevail : .The inoft that I infifted on was from the end of our Endeavours, that we came not hither for a Perlonal Agreement only with our Brethren of the other way, but to procure liich gracious Con-cellions from his Majefty,as would unite all the Ibbereft People of theLand: And we knew that on lower Terms it would not be done. Though [Confent] be but a little Word, it was necefCiry to a very defirable end ; if it were purpoled that the Parties and Divifions fhoiild rather continue unhealed, then we had no more to lay, there being no Remedy : But we were liire that Union would not be attained

if

if no Confent were allowed Minifters in any part of the Government of their Flocks, and lb they (hould be only Teachers without any Participation, and the ruling of the People, whofe Reftors they are called. And when 1 perceived Ibme Offence at what I faid, I told them that we had not the Judgments of Men at our command : We could not in reafbn fuppofe that our ConceflionSj or any thing we could do, would change the Judgments of any great Numbers; and theretore we muft confider what will nnite us in cafe their Judgments be not changed, or elle we labour to no purpole.

§ 109. But Bilhop Morley told them how great our Power was, and what we might do if we were willing j and he told the King that no Man had written better of thefe Matters than 1 had done, and there my five Dilpucations of Church Government, &c. lay ready to be produced ; and all was to intirfiate, as if I now contradifted what I had there v/ritten. I told him, that I had bell: rea-(bn to know what I had written, and that I am ftill of the fime mind, and fland to it all, and do not I'peak any thing againft it. A great many words there were about Prelacy and Re-ordination ; Dr. Gunning and Bifhop Morley fpeaking almoll: all on one fide ( and Dr, Hinchman and Dr. Coftns fometimes ) : and Mr. Calamy and my felf moft on the other fide: But I thin!: neither Party doth value the rambling Difcourfes of that Day, fo much, as to think them worthy the recording. MnCa/z/wKanlwered Dv.Gnmiwg from Scripture very well againft the Divine Right of Prelacy as a diflinft Order. And when Dr. Gunning told them, that Dr. Hammond had (aid enough againft the Presbyterains Caufe and Ordination, and was yet unanfwered : I thought it meet to tell him, that I had anfwered the Subihnce of his Arguments, and laid enough moreover againft the Diocefan Frame of Government, and to prove the validity of the Englifh Presbyters Ordination, which indeed was unanfwered, though I was very defirous to have feen an Anfwer to it: which I faid becaufe they had got the Book by them, and becaufe I thought the unrealbnablenels of their dealing might be evinced, who force (o 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 iiich a Prefence.

§110. The moft of the time beiftg fpent thus in fpeaking to Particiilars of the Declaration as it was read, when we came to the end, the Lord Chancellour diew 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. Thereupon he read, as an Addition to the Declaration, That [ others alfo be prmitted to meet for Religious JVorjhip, fo he it, they do it not to the difiurbance of the Teace: and that no Jujtice 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 Presbyterians all perceived, as (bon 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 (ay no- ^ thing, for it was an odious Bufineis, but let the Bifhops fpeak to it. But the Bi- " ihops would not fpeak a word, nor any one of the Presbyterians neither, and (b we were like to have ended in that Silence. 1 knew if we conlented to it, it would be charged on us, that we fpake for a Toleration of Papifts and Se6tarie« : ( But yet it might have lengthened out our own). And if we fpake againft it, ?.ll Seds 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 laft, ieeing the Silence continue, I thought our very Silence would be charged on us a Conlent if it, went on, and therefore I only Tiid this, That \^ this Rwerend Brother Dr, Gunning eijen now peaking agaihji SeBs, had named the Fapijls and the Socinians : For our farts we defired not favour to cur jelves alone , and rigorous Severity we defired againjt none ! As we humbly thanked his Majefly for hts Indulgence to our felves, fo we dtfiwguijl] the tolerable Parties from the intolerable : For the former, we humbly crave jud lenity and favour ; hut for the latter, Juch as the two forts named before by that Reverend Brother, for our farts we cinnot make their Toliration our re^uefi ] ; To which his Majefty faid, That there were Laws enough agatnft the Papifts] and I replyed, That we underflood the Queflion to be, whether thofe Laws fhould be executed on them, or not. And (b his Majeily br,;lce up the Meeting of that Day.

§ I r r. Before the Meeting was diffolved, his Majefty had all aUng told what he would have ftand in the Declaration, and he named four Divines to determine

of

pf any Words in the Alteration, if there were any difference, that is, Biihop Mor-Uy, Bifliop Hinchman, Dr. Keignolds, and Mr. Calamy, and if they difagreed, that the Earl of/iw^/e/e/and the Lord Ho//« iTiould decide it. As they went out of the Room, I told the Earl of AngUjey, That we had no other hu(inefi there that day but the Curches peace and welfare, and 1 wotdd not ha-ve been the Alan that Jliould haz/e done fo mnch agamfi it as he had done that day, jor more than be was like to get by it-: ( for being called a Presbyterian, he had Ipoken more for Prelacy than we expeded): And I think by the Confequent that this faying did fome good ; for when I after found the Declaration amended, and asked him how it came to pals, he intimated to me that it was his doing.

§ 112. And here you may note by the way, the fafhion of thele Times,and the ftate of the Presbyterians: Any Man that was for a Spiritual ferious way of Wor-ihip ( though he were for moderate Epifcopacy and Liturgy ), and that lived according to his Profeflion, was called commonly a Presbyterian, as formerly he was called a Puritan, unlefs he joyned himfelf to Indefendmts, Anabaptifis, or fome other Se<a which might afford him a more odious Name. Axid of the Lords, he that was for Epilcopacy and the Liturgy, was called a Presbyterian, if he endeavoured to procure any Abatement of their Impofitions, for the Reconciling of the Parties, or the eale of the Minifters and People that difliked them. And of the Mi-nifters, he was called a Presbyterian that was for Epilcopacy and Liturgy, if he conformed not fo far as to Subfcribe or Swear to the Englifli Diocefan Frame, and all their Liipofitions. 1 knew not of any one Lord at Court that was a Presbyterian; yet were the Earl of Manchefier ( a good Man ) and the Earl oi Anglejey, and the Lord HoUts called Presbyterians, and as fuch appointed to dire<9- and help them : when I have heard them plead for moderate Epifcopacy and Liturgy my felf j and they would have drawn us to yield further than we did.

§113. And if ever any hereafter fhall f^y, That at King Charlet the Second's Redoration, the Presbyterian Caule 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 bed of my knowledge the Presbyterian Caule was never fpoken lor, nor were they ever heard to petition for it at all: for the reft of the Minifters who came not to us, late ftill, and faid nothing; and for my felf, I ever profeffed my Judgment to be fb far for Epilcopacy, Liturgy, d^c. as 1 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 Bt^wp and Presbyters are \tt Scripture of the lame fignification, and that they differ but ^»W«, not ordtne, which abundance of Epifcopal Men alfo hold, as did Biihop Ufher, and even many Schoolmen, and other Papifts. And as for Dr. ReignoUs, he was alwavs of Mr. Stillingfleefs mind (' as I have heard him profels) That no Form of Church-Government is determined of in the Word of God, but it is variable as occafion requireth. And as for Mr. A^), though he was a Presbyterian, yet that good Man being all forHolinefs, and Fleaven, and Peace, and being no Difputer, he went along with us, and Ijjake for no more than we did. Never did we write or fpeak a word (that 1 knew of, who was always with them) for Ruling Elders, nor for the Government of Synods or Presbyteries without Bifliops or ftated Prefidents, nor againft Liturgy in general^ nor againft Holydays in general, nor againft Kneeling at the Sacrament ( but only againft the rejeding thofe from the Churches-Communion who dare not kneel, as fuppofing it Idolatrous ); nor for any one thing which is proper to Presbytery : Inlomuch that when they Hill fuppoied 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 fiiewed that we never medled with their proper Caufe, partly becaule we were not all of a mind our felves in every Imall matter ; and partly becaufe we knew (iich a Plea would not now be heard ; and partly becauie we took thofe Terms to be infufficient for the Churches Union, nor would our (elves lay its Concord on fo narrow a Foundation. But Mr. Calamy would not let it pafs, becauie it might offend the Presbyterian Brethren, who expeAed more from us.

§ ^14. But to return to the Hiftory: When I went out from the Meeting on O^tob. 22. I wenr dejeded, as being fully fatisHed, that the Form of Goverment in that Declaration would not be Satisfaftory, nor attain that Concord which was our end, becaufe the Paftors had no Government of the Flocks; and I was refol-ved to meddle no more in the Bufinefsj but patiently fuffcr with other Dilfenters:

But

But two or three days afier, I met the King's Declaration cried about the Streets and I prelently ftept into a Houfe to read it, and feeing the word [Cfl«/:«f] put in about Confirmation and Sacrament, though not as to Jutifdidion, and feeing the [ Pafioral ferfwafive fower ] of Governing left to all the Minifters with the Rural Dean, and Ibme more Amendnents, I wondered at it, how it came to Oifs but was exceeding glad of ir, as perceiving that now the Terms were ('though noc fuch as we delired, yet) fuch as any fober honelt Minifters might fubniit to : And I was prelently refolved to do my belV to perfwade all, according to my Interert" and Opportunity, to Conform according to the Terms of this Declaration • and cheartully to promote the Concord of the Church , and Brotherly Love which this Concord doth belpeak.

^ iif. Having frequent Bufinefs with the Lord Chartcellour about other N/^'^ers ( of whichfomewhat anon) I was going to hira, when 1 met the Kine'^ Declaration in the Street, and I was (b much plealed with it, that ( having told him why I was fo earneft to have had it fuitcd to the defired end) I gave him hearty thanks for the Additions, and tald him that if i. The Liturgy may be but altered, as the Declaration promifeth j 2. And this may be letled and continued tc> us by a Law, and not reverfed, I ftould take it to be my Duty to do my belt to procure the full Confent of others, and promote our happy Concord on thefe Terms, and fhould rejoyce to fee the Day that Faftions and Parties may all be fwallowed up in Unity, and Contentions turned to Brotherly Love. At that time he began to offer me A Bilhoprick (of which more anon ).

§ ii(^. I Ihall here a little look to a pafiage of another Nature. Before this, I was called to preach at Court before the King ( by the Lord Chamberlain who had fworn me his Chaplain , and invited me tinder that Name) : And after Sermon it pleafed his Majeity to fend the Lord Chamberlain to require me to print: it. And the Earl of LauJerdale told me, that when he fpake to the King of the great number of Citizens that wrote it in Charaders, and faid that (bme of them would publilh it; the King anfwered, I will prevent that, for I -wiU have it pMjJ}e<i, Yet when this Sermon came abroad, Dr. Thomas Pierce went up and down raging againft me, for calling my felf on the Title page [ His Majeft/s Chaplain] (which if I had not, it would have been taken as a Contempt) and for faying it was printed by his Majefty's Special Command: and he renewed all the Railings which in print he had lately vented againft me. I admired that a Man, whom the Dioce-fan Party fo much gloried in, fhould be guilty of fo great folly and imprudency, and could no better cloak his Malice: When he could not but know that the King himfelf would have fought Satisfadion if I had fo fooliftily belied him on my Title Page : Therefore I defired Ibme that told me, to give it me under their Hands, that I might convince him of it. And fo I received thefe following Tefti-n)onies, from two of his Familiars, but honeft underftanding Men, viz.. Mv.Griggs of Elackfrjars, and Mr. Brent of Creed-lane.

To my honoHred Friend , Mr. William Allen, at his Houfe in

Broad-ftreet.

S I R,

YO V being fo well acquainted with Mr. Baxter, / defire you ■will flcafe to ask him, whether he be the Kings Chaplain m Ordinary, or not ? And whether he had, as he hath printed, his Majefiys Jpecial Cornmand for the printing of his Sermon. For, lately Dr. Pierce told me, that he was the King's Chaplain no more than I was, and that he had no order from the King for the printing of his Sermon j which didfo amaze me, that I took the boldnejs to make you this Trouble, who am,

Aug. 50. 1660. • SIR,

Your true Friend to ferve you,

John Grigg^i.

The

The other was as followeth;

Dr. Pierce called Mr. Baxter hold, impudent, fawcy Fellotv^ for preaching fucb a Set' monto the King, and for printing himfelf his Majefiy's ChapUin, and his Sermon to be printed at his Adajefiys Command, when neither were true j and called Mr. Baxter, Thief, Murderer, the greateji of Rebels, worje than a Whore-mafter or Drunkard, &c. Some of this I heard him /peak wy felfj the refi 1 had from a Friend which heard it from Mn

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. Tierce was not without too many Companions of .nis Temper. Thefe Men that witnefs thefe Words of his were godly Men, who Heaving been Mr. John Goodwin's Difciples, had been made Armmians by him ; aSJd fell in with Dr. Tierce, for his Agreement with them in the Arminian Points: B«t they could not lay by Piety and Charity in Partiality for Opinions, and being impatient of his Impudence, thus made it known to me. I purpoled to have produced it before all the Bifhops, when Dr. Tkrce was there (having no other Opportunity to fee him ): But I had no fit Occafion, and was loth in Bulinefs ot pub-lick refpe<a, to interpofe any thing that meerly concerned my lelf j and fo 1 never yet told him of it.

§ 117. That the Reader may underftand this the better, by knowing the occafiorj of his Malice, this Mr. Tho. fierce ( being a confident Man, that had a notable Stile and Words at Will, and a venomous railing Pen and Tongue againft the Puritans and Cahamfis ) having written fomewhat in Defence of Grotius, as a judicious peace.ible Proteftant, in Oppofition to fome PafTages in my \_ChrijlianCcnrord'] where I warn the Epifcopal Party to take heed of Grotiamfm that was creeping in upon them, 1 did thereupon write a little ColleAion out of the late Writings of Grotius ( elpecially his Difcujfio Apologetici Rfvetiani ) to prove him to have turned Papift; and that Popery was indeed his Religion ( though he communicated with no Church ] C tor he cxprefly pleadeth lor our confenting to the Council of Trent, and all other general Councils astiie Churches Law, and to the Pope's Sovereign Government; ib it be according to thole Laws, and to the Miftrcfsfliip of the Church of Rome over all other Churches, and to Pope Pius's Oath, with much more to that purpofe: and telleth us that he was turned from us becaufe he faw that the Protellant Churches had no poffibility of Union among themlelves, &<:. and there is a Book written ( I think by Vincentitts ) a French Miniftcr, called Grotiui Vapizans, which proveth it: And Claud. Sura-via, an honourable learned Councilor of Taris, in his printed Epiftles publilheth the fame from Grof;»/s own Mouth) But Mr. Fierce 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 Grotius or himlelf In that Book he (crapes up all the Words through all my Writings where Ifpeak any thing of my (elt, and puts them together, more impudently interpreting them, than could have been expeded from a Man : Becaufe I confcG 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 muij ever have been the Teacher of the People, till that ignorant Wretch were reftored to his Soul-murdering Condition :Becaufe I had written to perHiade fome honeft (crupulous Perlbns,thatthey fliould not forlake the Churches Communion, though fome were there that had been drunken or other-wife Icandalous, 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 tliey took to be the fcandalous People of the Land ; lb little Thanks doth he give me for this Excufin^ of his Party, that he calls me \_woije than a Drunkard or Whoremonger ] as if I had pleaded tor thefe Sins, and yet in his former Book he had laid, that [// Icamethu' way, and would communicate with him and his Church, no Man in the whole IVun'^ Jhould be more welcome ] ( dreaming that I had difowncd Communion with tlie i'le-latifts, which I never did for all their publick and perfonal Corruptions) But his Venom againft the Puritans is meerly Serpentine: He delciibeth them as the moil bloody, traiterous, wicked Generation; unworthy to live; and blameth the former Bifhops that uled them fo gently, and provoketh the Governois to hang them in greater Numbers than heretofore j and efpecially againft Cartwright he fallly

but

but confidently wrketh,. that he was confederate with Racket, Coft?,ger, and Ar-tbivgton ( whom he fcigne:h to have been Presbyterians or Puritans, ( who were dilir3aed Fanaticks, one calling hinifcif Clirif^, and the other his two WitneiTes ) put Mr. Curtwright himfelf long ago publifn'd a Detcnce againft the Acculacions'of Dr. Sk/c//^ on this very Matter. »

§ 118. But to return from this DigrefTion : A little before the Meeting about the King's Declaration, CoIIonel Birch caine to me as fioai the Lord Chancellor, lo perluade me to take the Bilhoprick of Hereford (for he iiad boujjlit the Bilh'op's Houle at IVhitburne, and thought to mak^ a better Bargain with me th,m with another, and therefore finding that the Lord Chancellor intended me the Oifer of one, he defired it might be that); 1 thought it belt to give theni no pofitive Dcny-al,_ till I law the utmoft of their Intents: And I perceiv^ed that Coll. Birch came privately that a Bilhoprick might not be publickiy rcfuled, and to try whether J[ would accept it that elfe it might not be offered me ; for he told me thit they would not bear fuch a RepuUe. I told him that I was relolved never to be Bilhop of Hereford, and that I did not think that I Ihould ever lee cauleto take any Bilhoprick but I could give no pofitive Anfwer, till I law 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 flatdenya!) he came again and agam to Dr. ReigmUs, Mr. Calimy, and my lelf together, to importune us all to acce,)t the Olfcr j (for theBiflioprick oi Norwich was offered Dv.ReignoUs, and Coventry and LttcbfieU 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 nie whether I would accept of a Bilhoprick : I told them that if he had asked me that C^ieltion the day before, I could eafily have anfvvered him, that in Confcience he could not do it -for though I would live peaceably under whatever Government the King ftould' let up, I could not have a hand in executing it. But having as I was coming to him leen the King'i Declaration, and feeing that by it, the Government is fo far altered as it is, I take my fdf, for the Churches fake, exceedingly beholden to his Lordlhip for thofe Moderations; and my defire to promote the Happinefs of the Church, which that Moderation tendeth to, doth make me refblve to take that Courfe, which tendeth molf thereto : But whether to take a Bilhoprick, be the way, 1 was in Doubt, and defired Ibme farther time of Confideration. But if his Lordlhip would procure us the fettlement of the matter of that Declaration, by palling it into a Law, I promifed him to take that way in which I might moft'fervB the Puplick Peace.

§ 119. Dr. RetgnoUls, Mr. Calamj, and my fclf, had fome Speaches oft together about It; and we all thought that a Bilhoprick might be accepted according to tha Dekription of the Declaration, without any Violation of the Covenant, or own-ing the ancient Prelacy j but all the Doubt was, whether this Declaration would be made a Law ( as was then expecfled ) or whether it were but a temporary means to draw us on till we came up to all the Diocefans defired j and Mr. Calarni defired that we might all go together, and all refufe, or all accept it. '

§ 120. Bur by this time the rumour of it fled abroad, and the Voice of the City made a Dilference; for though they wilhd that none of us fiiould be Bifhops, yet they laid, Dr. Retgmlds and Mr. Baxter, being known to be for moderate Epil-copacy, their acceptance would be Icfs fcandalous : But if Mr. Calamy lliould accept it, who had preached, and written, and done lb much againft it ( which were then at large recited ) never Presbyterian would be trufted for his fake j fothatt'ha Clamour was very loud againli his acceptance of it : And Mr. Matthew Newcomm hisBrother in Law wrote to me earnelHy to difTuade him, and many more. *

9 121. For mv own part I refolved againft it at the firft, but not as a thing which I jndged unlawful in it Iclf, as delcribed in the King's Dechration : But 1. 1 kneiv 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, uncapable Men? 5. I tear.-d that this Decluation was but for a prelent ufe, and that fhort-ly It would be revokd or nullified. 4. And if fo, I doubted not, but the Laws

""'a^^u''-V "^^ '^°^'^ *"'' ^^'^^'P^' '" filencing Minifters, and troubling ho-

^It Chriliuns for their Conlcionces, and ruling the vicious with greater Lenity, &c. As that I had rather have the meaneft Imployment amongft Men. f And rny Judgment was fully refolvsd againft the Lawfulnefs of the old Diocefane

Fram?.

§ 112. But when Dr. Reigmlds and Mr. Calamy askt my Thoughts, I told thenij [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 lawfiil, 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 Oninfel, but for Dr. /?e/^wWj I perfuaded him to accept it, fo beit, he would publickly decla.re that he took it but on the Terms of the King's Declaration, and would lay it down when hecould no longer exercife it on thole terms: only I left it to his Confideration whether it be better ftay till we (ee what they will do with the Declaration j and for my felf, I was confident I fhould fee caufe to refufe it.

§ 123. When I came next to the Lord Chancellor, (the next day fave one ) he asked me of my Refolution, and put me to it fb fuddenly, that I was forced to de-' lay no longer, but told him that I could not accept ir, for feveral Reafons j and it was not the lead that I thought I could better lerve the Church without it, if he would but profecute the eftablifhment of the Terms granted : And becaufel thought that it would be ill taken if I refuled it on any but acceptable Reafons, and alfo that Writing would ferre beft againft mifreporrs hereafter, I the next Day put , this Letter into the Lord Chancellor's Hand, which he took in good Part j In which I concealed themoft of my Reafons, and gave the bell-, and ufed more Freedom in my farther Requefts, than I expeded Ihould have any good Succefi.

My Lord,

VO U R great Favour and Condefcmtion encourages me to gmeyou more of my Senfe of the Bufinefi which your Lordfljip was pleajed to propound. I was till 1 faw the Declaration, much dejcBed, and refolved againfi a Bijlioprtck as unlawful. But finding there more than on OStoh. 22. hu Majejty granted us (in the Tafter's Confent, Scc. the Ru' ral Dean with the whole Mtniftry enabled to exercife as much pcrfuafive Pafloral Power as Icould dcfre (who believe the Church hath no other kind of Power, unleji communicated from the Magiftrate) Subfcriptton abated in the Univerfities, &c.) And finding jacbbap-J>y Concejfians in the great point of Parochial Power and Difciplme, and in the Liturgy and Ceremonies, &C. my Soul rejoiced in thattlfulnefi toGod and his Inftruments, andmyCon-fcience prefently told me it was my Duty, to do my beft with my felf and others as far as I bad Interejt and Opportunity, to fupprefs all finful Difcontents ; and having competent Materials now put into my Hands, (without which I could have done nothing ) to perjuade eti my Brethren to Thankfulnefs , and obedient Submiffion to the Govermmnt. Afid being raifed to fome joyful hopes of feeing the Beginnings of a happy Union, I fliaU crave your Lordpip^s Pardon for prefuming to tell pu what farther endeavours will be neceff'ary to ac-complifi) it : I. If your Lordjhip will endeavour to get this Declaration pa/s into an Ati- 2. If you will Jpeedtly procure a Commijfion to the Perfons that are (equally) to be deputed to that work, to review the Common-Prayer-Book, according to the Declaration. 5. If you will further effcBualiy the Re(l oration of able, faithful Minifters (who have and wiU have great Interejt tn the Jober part of the People) to a Jetled fiation of Service in the Church, who are lately removed. 4. If yoa will open fome way for the ejection of the in-fufficient, fcandalous and unable, y. If you will put as many of cur Perjuafion as you can into Btjhopricks ( if it may be, more than three.) 6. If you will defre the Bijhops to place fome of them in inferior Places of truft j ejpccially Rural Deanrics, which is a Station futtable to us, tn that it hath no Salliry or Maintenance, vor coercive Power, but that (imple , paftoral ferfuafive Fewer which we defire: This much will jet us all in joint.

And for my own part., I hope by Letters this very Week to differfe the Seeds of SatisfaBi-on into many Countries of England. But my Confctcnce commanding me to make this my very Work and Bufinejs ( unltfi the things granted poultl be revtrjt, which God forbid ) Imuft profeji to your Lordjlup, that I am utterly againjt accepting of a Bijlwprick (as be-cauje I am confcioits that it wiU over-match my Jujficiency, and ajrighf me with the remembrance of my Account for jo great an Undertaking, &c. fo ) jptcially becaufe it will very much dijabte me from an (jfeBual promoting of the Churchei Peace. As Men will ejueftion all my Are^umentations and Perfuajives, when they jce me in the Dignity which I plead for, but will take me to jpeak my Conjcience impartially, when I am but as one of them, jo Imujt profejsto yottr Lordjhip, that it will jtop my own Mouth, jo that I cannot for Shame f^cak half jo freely as now lean (and will tf God enable me) for Obedience and Peace, while I know that the Hearets will be thinking I am pleading for my felf Therefore J humbly crave,

I. That

P A RT II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 283

I. That your LorJfliip v^ili put fame able Man of our perfivafion into the place ivhicb you intend me ( Though I now think that Dr. ReignolcJs and Mr. Calamy may better accept of a Bipoprick than 7, which I hope your Lord^np will promote ). / //m^ pjefume to offer fame Choice to your Confideration ; Dr. Francis Roberts of Wrington in Somer-(etihire ( known by bts Works ), Mr. Froyzal of Clun in ShropJhire and Hereford Dioceji (a Man of great worth and goodinterejl ), Mr. Daniel Cawdrey of Billing in Northamptonlhire, Mr. Anthony Burgefi of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickfiiire ( all known by their printed Werks ); Mr. John Trap of Glocefterfiiira , Mr. Ford of Exeter, A/r. Hughes 0/Plymouth, M-. Bampfield e/Sherborne , M-. Woodbridge of Newbury, Dr. Chambers, Pr. Bryan and Dr. Grew both of Coventry, M-.Brinl-ley 0/" Yarmouth, Mr. Porter 0/Whitchurch ;« Shropihire, Mr. Gilpin 0/Cumberland, Mr. Bowles of York, I>r.Temple o/Brampfton tn Warwickfliire : 1 need name no more.

2. That you will believe that I as thankfully acknowledge your LorJjhip's Favour, as if I were by it poffeffed of a Bijlwprick : And tf your Lordjlnp continue in thofe Intentions, I (Jiall thankfully accept it tn any other fate or relation that may further my Service to the Church and to his Majefty. But I defire for the forementioned Reafons that it may be no Cathedral Relation. And whereas the Ficar of the Pari(l} where I have lived will not rejtga, but accept me only as hu Curate, if your Lordjhip would procure him fome Prebendary, or othir place of Competent Profit (for I dare not motion him to any Fajloral Charge, or Place that recjuireth preaching ), that jo be might refign that Vicaridge to me, without his Lofi, according to the late Act, before December, for the fake of that Town ( of Kiddermin-fter ) 1 Jliould take it as a very great favour. But if there be any great Inconvenience or Dffficultiei in the way, I can well be content to be his Curate. I crave your Lordship's pardon of this trouble ( which your own Condefcenfion bath drawn upon you) and remain

Nov. I. 1660. Your Lordfliips

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 Perlbns of higher Quality you (ce meet. And alfo the French Prd-jeft with th\soi London for a Corporation for the Poor, that by (uch 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 refolved together what to do. But I told him the truth, that being upon other ne-celTary Bulinels with the Lord Chanceilour, he put me to it on the fudden, (b that I could not conveniently delay my Anfwer.

§ 127. And Dr. Regnolds alnioft as (uddenly accepted it, iiy'ing, That fome Friend bad taken out the Conge d'eflier for him without bis knowledge. But he read to me a Profcflton direded to the King, which he had written, wherein he profefTed that he took a Bilhop and Presbyter to differ not ordme but gradu, and that a Bilhop was but the Chief Presbyter, and that he was not to Ordain or Govern but with his Presbyter's Afliftance and Confent, and that thus he accepted of the place, and as defcribed in the King's Declaration, and not as it ftood before in England ^ and that he would no longer hold or exercife it than he could do it on thcfe terms] : To this fence it was; and he told me that he would offer it the King when he accepted ot the place; but whether he did or not I cannot tell. He dy'd in the Bifhoprick of Norwich An. 16^6.

§ 126. On Friday Novemb.z. being AU-Souls-day, the Queen came in : And there were that day on the Thames three Tydes in about Twelve hours, to the common admir.ition of the People.

§ 127. Mr. Cd/.iwy long (iifpended his Anfwer, fo that that BilTioprick was long undifpofed of; till he faw the iflbe of all our Treaty, which ealily reiblved him. And Di. Mamon was offered the Deanery of Rocbefter, and Dr. Bates the Deanery

O o 2 of

of Co'ventry and Lichfield, which chey both ( after lome time) refufed: And, as I heard, Mr. Edward Bowles was offareJ the Deanery oiTork (at leaft) which he re* fufed, (and not long after died of the ftone).

§ 128. When the King's Declaration was paffed, we had a Meeting with the Miniflers of LWaw called Presbyterian (that is, all that were neither Prelatica!, nor of any other S=<a, j to confult with them about their returning Thanks to the King for his gracious Declaration; that fo it might appsar that thofe that were not with us were thankful for it, as well as we. At the firft Meeting the City Mi-niflers fi'-fl voted their Thanks to be given to us for our Labours in procuring it, Nemine contradicmte : But old Mr. Arthur Jackfon ( a very worthy Man ) and Mr. Crofton, (pake againft returning Thanks to the King : Not that they were not truly thankful; but becaufe their Thanks, would fignifie an approbation of Bifhops and Archbifliops which they had covenanted againfl. This I undertook to confute, by proving, that the Bilhops and Archbifhops in the King's Declaration are not ejuj-tlemjpectet with what ihey were before : And that there is the fame Name, but not the lame Thing ; and withal by proving that the Covenant did not meddle againft all Bifhops and Archbifliops,'but only thofe of theEnglifli Diocefm Species: And that there was a Specifical Difference, I proved, in that by the King's Declaration the ElTentialsat leaft of Church-Government is reftored to the Paltors, 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 Houle fr^nd. and all that is vifible without, but within you pull down the Partitions and turn ». !i:o a Church. For before every Bilhop was the loweft and fole Governour ( with iiis Court and Confiftory) of many hundred Churches: and now every Paftor is the loweft Governour of his Flock, and the Bifliop is but the Superiour Governour of rlie lower Governou! s and the Flocks: and indeed are all Archbirtiops, though they have the Name df Bifliops ftill. Moft of the Minifters were fatisfied, but to me remained unlatisfied 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 :

T/je humble and grateful Ach^orvledgment of many Minifters of the Gojpel in and about the City of London, to his Royal Majefly for his gracious Concejpons in his Majejiys late Declaration concerning Eccleftaflicd Affairs.

Moil Dread Sovereatgn!

* IT/E your Majedy's moft Dutiful and Loyal Subjefts, Minifters of the Go-' W fpel in your City of London, having perufed your Majefty's late Declarati-

* on concerning Ecclefiaftical Affairs, and finding it to the joy of our hearts, fb

* full of Indulgence and gracious Condefcenfion, we cannot but judge our lelvea

* highly obliged, in the firft place to render our unfeigned Thanks to our good

* God, who hath (o mercifully inclined your Majefty's Royal heart to this Mode-

* ration, and next our moft humble and hearty Acknowledgments unto your Sa-

* cred Majefly, that we may teftifie to your Royal Self,and all the World^our juft ' Releniment of your Majefty's great Goodnels and Clemency therein exprelTed.

May It flcaft your Majefty, ' The Liberty of our Conlciences and the free Exercife of our Miniftry in the ' Work of our Great Lord and Mafter, for theConverfion 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 TenderneC, manifefted in thefe (b high Cuacernments, ' doth wonderfully affed us, and raife up our Hearts to an high pitch of Gra-' titudc.

Part li. R^'u^reWAfr. Richard Baxter. 285

' We cannot but adore Divine Goodnels for your Majefty's ftedfaft adherance-to the Proteftant Religion, notwithftandinga'.l Temptations and Provocations to the contrary, and your profelTed Zeal tor the Advancement and Propagation thereof, declaring, that nothing can be propofed to manifeft your Zsal and Af-fe«9:ion for it, to which you will not readily confent.

* Your Majefty has gracioufly declared, That your Refolution is, and fhall be, to promote the Power of Godlinefs, to encourage the Exerci(es of Religion,both publick and private, to take care that the Lord's day be applyed to holy £xer-cifes, without unneceffary Divertilements; and that infufficient, negligent and fcandalous Miniiiers be not permitted in the Church. Your Majefty hath granted that no Biiliop fhall Ordain, or Exercilc any part of JurifdiAion which appertains to th^. Cenjares of the Church, without the advice and afliftance of the Presbyter?, and neither do, nor impofe any thing, but what is according to the known Laws of the Land. Excluded Chancellours, Commiflaries, and Officials from Ads of Jurifdiftion : fo happily rertorcd the Power of the Paftors in their feveral Congregations; and granted a Liberty to all the Minifters to affemble Monthly for the Exercife of the Paftoral perfwafive Power, to the promoting of Knowledge and Godlinels in their Flocks. Your Majefty hath gracioufly oromi-fed a Review, and effeftual Reformation of the Liturgy, with additionalForms to be ul'sd at Choice : And in the mean time, that none be punifhed, or troubled for not ufing it. Your Majefty hath gracioufly freed us from Suhficription required by the Canon, and the Oath of Canonical Obedience ; and granted us to receive Ordination, Inftitution and Indudion, and to exercife our Fundion and enjoy the profit of our Livings, without the fame. Your Majefty hath ora-tified the Confciences of many, who are grieved with the u(e of fome Ceremonies, by indulging to, and dilpenfing with their omitting thofe Ceremonies 'viz,. Kneeling at the Sacrament, the Croft in Baptifm, bowing at the Name of Jefus, and wearing of the Surplice.

* All this your Majefty's Indulgence and tender Gompaffion ( which with delight we have taken the boldnels thus largely to Commemorate } we receive with all humility and thankfulnefs, andjas the beft Expreffion thereotj iliall never ceafe to pray for your Majefty's long and profperous Reign ; and ftudy how in our feveral Stations we may be moft Inftrumental in your Majefty's Service: And that we may not be defe(5Kve in Ingenuity, we crave leave to profefi, that though all things in this Frame of Government be not exadly fuited to our Judgment, yet your Majefty's moderation hath fo 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 Brethren, 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 impoled j 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 incline your Majefty's Heart to gratifie us in thele our humble Defires alfo.

'That we be not further burthenlbme, we humbly beg leave to thank your ' Majefty for the Liberty and Refpeft vouch fated to our Reverend Bre-- * thren in this weighty Affair of Accommodation. The God of Heaven ' blefs your Majefty, and all the Royal Family,

Your Majefty's

moft Loyal Subjeds,

Sa. Clark. WiS. Cooper. Eli. PleJger.

Tho. Cafi. mil. Whittaker, Will. Bates.

Jo. Rarvlinfon. Tho. Jacotnb. Jo. Gtbhon.

Jo. Sheffield. Tho. Lye. Mat, Toole.

Tho. Gouge. Jo. Jackfon. With may o-

Gab. Sanger. Jo. Meriton. thers.

This Addreli was Prefented to his Majefty at Whitehall, Nov. i6. by fome of thefe Minifters,to whom he wasplealed to return a very gracious Anfwer.

LonJon, Printed by his Majefty's Approbation for Joh. Rotbmlt at the Sign of the Fotmtain in Cbeaffide, inGoUfmiths Row^ 1660.

§ijo. Whether this came to the King's Ears, or what elfe it was that caufed itj I know not, but prelently after the Earl of LaudertlaU came to tell me, that I muft come the next day to the King:Who was pleated to tell mejthat he (enc for me only to fignihehis Favour to me: 1 told him, 1 feared my plain Speeches OUob.zz. which I thought that Caufe in hand commanded mi, might have been dilpleafing to him : But he told me that he was not offended at the plainnefs or freedom or earnelfnefs 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 fiippoie this Favour came from the Bilhops.who having notice of what laftpaft, did think that now I might (erve their Intereils.

§ I; I. The Queftionnow is, What we got by procuring this Declaration of the ' Kings, and howj ic was accepted by the People ?

r. I thought it no fmall gain, though none of it (hould be fulfilled , that we had got fo much from the hand of a King, to take off prejudice among the People , and abate the violence of cruel Men, and toftand on record to Pofterity that once {o much was granted us by the King! for if ever there be any inclinations to Peace and Charity hereafcer,that wliich once hath been granted vf'iW beeaiilier granted again, than that which was never granted before. This Teftimony is more worth than all our labour for it.

2. The Vliniflersand People of the Land that were concerned in it,had a Twelve months time by it, in their Minifterial Liberty, and Maintenance : for this fufpend-ed the Execution ofthe old Laws which were in force againft them , till the new ones were made.

;. We got (which"was a valuable benefit) the Liberty in our Treaty to fpeak for our Caule under the protedion ofthe King's Commiflion, and juftly to ibte our Differences j which elfe vvould have been fafly ftated to our prejudice, and none might have contradicted them.

§ i;2. But for the fulfilling of it, there was nothing at all done which the De-claracion mentioneth,fave only this years Sufpenfion of the Law againft usiAndfome Men were fo violent at a dilfance in the Country, that they indifted Minifters at the Affizes and Sellions notwithffanding the Declaration, taking it for noSufjjenfi-on of the Law : which put us on many ungrateful Addreffes to the King and the Lord Chancellour for their Deliverance : For the Brethren complained to us from all Parts, and thought it our Duty, who had procured the Declaration, to procure the Execution of it : And when we petitioned for them they were commonly delivered from that Suffering.

But as to the Matter of Church-Government mentioned in the Declaration, I. The PoTi^cr of Go JlineJI huh been promoted, as the AB of Uniformity, and the Aii agatnfi Conventiclej, and the Ejsding of i8co Minifters at once, and many Hundred before, with much more to the famepurpofe, exprefs." 2. The publick and private Exercifes of Religion, have been encouraged, juft as thofe two forementioned A(5ls exprefs: Of which toEnglifh-menI need not give an Expofition. 3. Ofthe appljiing the Lord's Day wholly to holy Exercifes , without unnecefj'ary Divertijewents, I have leaff to fay; becaufe in thefe Times we expeft only liberty to do fo our felves, leaving all others to take their own way : And through God's mercy we have liberty to meditate or pray in our Clolets j 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 thole Parifhes that have a Miniff er that can and will preach: And if others think a Play, or publick Games or Drinking, or Ryoting to be necefl'ary Dtvertife-ments j they cannot conftrain us to the like. 4. That Claufe of not permitting^ infiiffcitnt, negligentf (candalous Mmifiers ffor the word [Non re/ident^ 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, Declarations, and Praetift-s of Conformity, about Oaths, Prelacy and Ceremonies, to be more infufhcient for the Miniftry (how learned and able otherwife fbever ) than an ignorant Reader is. And I fuppofe they take one that renounceth not the Obligations of the Vow and Covenant, and Subfcribeth not to Prelacy and Ceremonies to be more fcandalous than a Drunkard or a Whoremonger j and one that ncgledeth ar^y of thele to be more negligent than he that neither preacheth to his r luck, nor pcrfonally inffrudeth tUem.

§133.

§ 135. As to the Appointment of fucb a number of Suffragan Btjljopj in c'very Dtoceft DecL,,: as li neceffary to the due firformance of the Work, there was never a one appointed in-'''* "* any one Diocefi in the Landj that erer I heard of j but yet this may be thus far ex-cufed, that the Parliament having done fo much of the Work of Church-Difcipline themfelves, as to caft out j 800 of us at once, there was the lefs need of Suffragans afterwards j and the Billiops themfelves were lufficient to caft out, or keep out the reft, if ever any fuch more as we jhouid feck to get into the Miniliry.

§ 134. That no Bilhop pall ordain or exercife any fart of JurifdiBion, &c. without p, u.

tdling him who they be that (cruple Ceremonies, and who meet in privat&to Wor-fhip God, and what nonconformable Miniflers prefume to preach the Gofpel.

§ i;^. That no Lay Chancellor, Commijjartes, or Officials as fuch fhall excommum- p. 11. cate, ahfohe, &c. may for ought I know be fulfilled : For though they do it Familiarly, as they did beforCi and few Countries have not fome that arc excommunicated by them, for not receiving the Sacrament againft their Conlciences, or fome iuch Matter : Yet whether they do it [ a) fuch'] or in any other unknown Capacity, is more than a Stander-by can tell, and they fay, that when it comes to the Sentence of Excommunication, lome of them ufe a Prieft fro Forma.

§ i;6. Nor did I ever yet hear of an Archdeacon who exerctfed bit JnrifdtQion by the Advice and Afliilance of fix Minifters chofen as is there mentioned (f. 11.)

§ 137. Nor did I ever hear that an equal Number (to tiie Canons and Prebends) were annually, for ever once) chofen in any one Dioceft by the Vote of the Presby-P- 12. ters to be alivajs affilling to the Bijhop in all Church-cenfures, &c. But indeed the Suffragans did never exerctfe their JurifdiSlion without them j becaufe iuch Suffragans ne- ^ ^^• Vcr were.

§ 118. Nor did I ever hear that the Minifters Confent was defired for the Confirm- p. 12. ing ofany in his Parifh ; nor of any other than the old way of Confirmation, that is, 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 Bi/hop's Hand on his Head.

§ 139. Nor did I yet ever hear of any one, who before he was admitted to the p. i^. Sacrament, was called to any other \_credtble'PrDfefflon of Faith'] and Promife of Obedience, 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 truly repented and amended their formernaughty Lives. But I have oft heard them threat-ned for not receiving.

§ 140. Much lefs did I ever hear of any fiich thing as a Rural Dean with his;,. ,, Neighbour Minifter meeting monthly, or ever once, for any of thofe excellent Works there mentioned : Nor of any Attempt of (iich a thing.

§ 141. As for the Bilhop's not Uliing Arbitrary Power, but according to the known p. 14. Law of the Land, I fuppofe they take th« Canons to be the Law of the Land, or according to it, which other Men never dream'd of, that delired 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 Part j of Worlhip, you may know by perufing it, and by that which here followeth.

§ 143. Yet I think that thole Men are reproveable who fay that nothing but Deceit and Jugling was from the beginning intended : For who knowefth other Mens Intents but God j Charity requireth us to think that they fpeak nearer to the Truth, who fay, that while the Dicceian Dodors 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 Derfaration of Breda ; arid that when they came in, it was necelTary that they ftiould proceed fafely, arid feel whether the Ground were fblid under them, before they proceeded to their Strudure: 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 ruling 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 rhele things beforehand ? Therefore it was neceflary that moderate things fhould be propoled and promifed • and no way was fo fit as by a Declaration, which being no Law, is 3 temporary thing, giving place to Laws : And

it

it was needful that the Calling of a Synod were delayed, cill the Presbyterians were partly call our, and a way to keep out the reft lecured. And if when all iheie things were done, the former Promifes were as the Independants called the Covenant, like an Almanack out of Date, and if Severities were doubled in comp.irifon of what they were before the Wars, no Man can wonder that well undcrdood the Perfons and the Caules.

§ 144. Prelently after this, Mr. Crofcon writing to prove the Obligation of the folemn National Vow and Covenant ; (not as binding any Man to Rebellion, or to any thing unlawful, but in his Place and Calling to endeavour Reformaticn, to be againft Schilm, Popery, Prelacy and Profanenefs, and to detend the King ) he was font Prifoner to the Towtr j where when he had laid long at great Charges, he fought to get an Habeas Cerpus ; but his Life being threatned, 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 Chepiire, he was imprifoned there; and when he procured his Liberty, he was fain to fet up a Grocer's Shop to get a maintenance for his Family. While he was in the lower, he went to the Chappel Service and Sermon; his Judgment being againft feparating from the Parilh-Churches, notwith-flanding their Conformity, lb be it he were not put himfelf to ufe the Common-Prayer as a Minifler, or the Ceremonicf, And this occafioned fome that thought his Courfe unlawful, to write againft it: to which he fomewhat fharply lepliedj and fo divers Writings were publiihcd on both fides, about fuch Communion.

§ 145". This calleth to my Remembrance, how earneft the Brethren of LonJon and the Countries were, to have had us draw up among our felves, how far we ihould go when Conformity was impofcd, that we might not be vseakened by differing among our felves; which I could never perluade my felf to attempt, confi-dering, as 1 oft told them, i. That we had no fuch Defign, as to unite and ftrengthen one Party againft onother, but to keep up the Intercft of Religion in the Land. 2. That if God permitted fome able Men to confornij though Imfully, he would do good by it to his Church, by keeping the Parifh-Churches in liich a Cafe, that all of i^s might not be driven to forfake them. 1. That the thing de-fired was utterly impoflible : i. Becaufeno Man could tell betbr;hand what would he impofed on us ; and therefore none could tell wherein we fhould be forced to difient. 2. Becaufe the fime 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-vcrfity 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 perfiiade Cenforious Brethren, to unite in Chrljlian Faith rndLd'e, and to keep Charity and Peace with all that agree in the Foundation, and not to make a Breach by their Cenforioufnels, and then iay others make a Breach by differing from us : Nor to be of the fame Spirit with Impolcrs, while they are in the Heat of Oppofition againft them ; or of fufferings by them. The Difference is but in the Exprefflons of Uncharitablenels: one Party filenceth, imprilbneth, and banifheth ; and the other Party «w/«rcf/& thole that differ from them, asTem-porifers, and unfit for their Communion. 3. And if any had let down his Terms or Bounds, who can dream that all would have agreed to them, when Mens Judgments, and Interefts, and Temptations are (bvarious.'' 4. The thing would have Icem'd intollerable to our Govcrnois; and they would have taken usfor Fadious, that had more defired to ftrengthen a Party againft them, than to live in Peace and Concord.

§ 146. About this time, there fell out an Accident that g-we Occafion to the Malicious to reproach us: Ic was our great Grief, that fo many faithful Minifters were put out, and lb many unworthy Peribns reftored, or newly put into the Miniftry. Every Day almoft People talkt to us of one drunk at fuch a Place, and another carried in a Cart, or lying in a Ditcii at fuch a place; or one taken drunk by the Watch at Night ; and another abuled and made a Scorn in his Drunkennels by the Apprentices in the Streets; and of Three that the Day when they had been Ordained, got in their Drink, three Wenches to them in the Inn or Tavern.which having their married in their manner, &c. two tied, and the third w.is fain to take his Wench to Wife ; with abundance fuch News that fiUd the City. V/e modeft-ly told (bme 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 di link at fVejltrirflcr, and fell a railing at the People in the Cimrch, in his Seinun, wiih much ot the like : Becaule the Rumour was fo com-jnon we enquired after it, till it was atteftcd to us by the Hearers j and having "^ liich

—■— ' ■■ - ■ ■■ 1 1^ ■ -- ■

fuch unquedionable Witnefi, Ibme Brethren would by all means tell the King of it, as by the byi to move him to reform (uch things: When we were next with him. Dr. MamontdiA him of it, and there being one Baker elected by the King to an Irilh B'dhnprick, and the common Fame and ibme of the Hearers laying, that it was the iame Man ; I feconded Dr. Manton, and told the King, Thar we could not fay upon our knowledge that it was true, but when the Fame of fucli tilings was common as to afied his Subje<9-s, be it true ar falfe, we thought it better tor his Majefty to hear what the People faid, than never to hear it: and alfo that it was laid. That this Baker was one that he had eledcd to be a Bifliop. This greatly troubled th.e King, and he called for the Book that had the Catalogue of the Bi-fhops; which Secretary Nicifio/^ brought, and faid there was no fuchNamej But the King prelently,fpied th« Name ; and faid, There it was, and charged that be Ihouid beenquired'aficr. The next day we learned that it was another Baker of the l^ne Name wich the Bilhop : And though we alio learned that the BilTiop him-lelf was a Good-fellow, yet becauleic 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 Bilhop might receive no wrong by it: which he promi-fed 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 Nevis-Book, That (bme 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 c-led Billiop, when it was as ancient a Prieft of the fame name, than for the Man to preach and pray in hisDrunkennefs. I never heard that he was rebuked for it j but we heard enough of it.

§ 147. Upon this Fad, when we met and dined one day at the Lord Chamberlains, among other talk of this Bufinels, I laid, [That if I wijhed their hurt as one of their Enemies, IPwitld wijh theywere more fuch , thut their Jliawe wight cafi them Jov-m\ Mr.HDrton (a. young Man that was Chaplain to the Lprd Chamberlain, and then intended to confornij anfwered. That v>e mufi vot wi^i evil, that good may come of It. To which 1 replyed, There u no doubt of it: far » it from me to fay that I iifi(J) it y but if I were their Kn^my, I could Scarce wij}) them greater hurt and injury to their Caufe, than to ftt uf juch Men'^ and that thofe are their Enemies, whoever they be^ that perfwade them to cuft cut learned, godly Mmijicrs, and fet up Juch m their room as thefe. Yet did this Mr. Hon on, in his complying weakneis to pleafe that Party, tell Dr. Bolton, That 1 wijfied that they wtre allfuch : And Dr. Bolton told it from Table to Table, and publiflied it in the Pulpit : And when he was queftioned for it, alledg-ed Mr. Horton as his Author. When I went to Mr. Hortcn, he excufed it.and faid, Jhat he thought I had faid fo ; and when I told him of the additional words, by which then I difclaimed fuch a fisnce, he could not remember them ; and that was all the remedy I had j though none of the Brethren prefent remembred any fuch words as he reported. But when the Lord Chamberlain knew of it,he was (b 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 heexpreit his diftaft——.

For my ejieemed Friend Mr. Baxter, Thefe.

SIR,

I Have jufi Caufe to intreat your Excufe for fo abruft a breaking from you : I confefi I was under very great trouble, for the folly of my Chaplain, and could not forbear to exprefi it to htm. I am concerned with a very true refentment for fo imprudent a Carriage. Let me intreat you that it may not reflect upon me, hut that you will believe that I havtfo great a value of you, and am jo tender of your Credit; as 1 cannot eafily pafi by my Chaplain's indtfcrelion : Ta 1 (liall endeavour to char you from any untrue AQierfiont , andpaS approve my jeif

Your a flured Friend,

Ed. Mancbefter. P p § 148.

Ihe LIFE of the L i b. L

§ 148. 1 fiiall next infert fome account of the Bullnefs which I had lb often with the Lord Chancellour at this time : Becaufe it was moft done in the imer-fpace between the pafling of the King's Declaration, and the Debates about the Liturgy.

- In the timeofCrflwM;ei/'s Government, Mr, John Elliot, with Ibme Affiftant in New-England, having learnt the Natives Language, and Converted many Souls a-mong them ( not to be baptized and forget their Names as well as Creed , as it is among the Spaniards Converts at Mexico, Peru, &c. but to ferious Godiinefs ) j it was found th^tthe great hinderance of the progrels of that Work was the Poverty and Barbaroufnels ot tl^.e People,which made many to live difperfed like wild Beafts in WiMernefles, fo that having neither Towns, nor Food, nor Entertainment fit for Englilh Bodies, few of them could be got together to be fpoken to, nor could the Englilh go far, or (tay long among them. Wherefore to build them Houfes, and draw chem together, and maintain the Preachers that went among then^ and pay School-mafters to teach their Children, and keep their Children at Schooljd^f, Cromwd caufed a CoUedion 10 be made in England in every Parifii j and People did contribute very largely : And with the Money ( befide fbme left in (tock) was bought 7 or 800 /. per Annutn of Lands, and a Corporation chofen to'difpofe of the Rents for the furthering of the Works among th6 Indians. This Land was almoft all bought for the worth of it of one Colonel Beddtngfield, a Papift, an Officer in the King's Army : When the King came in, Beddtngfield leizeth on the Lands a-gain; and keepeth them, and refuTeth either to furrender them, or to repay the Money; becaufe all that was done in Crewwell's time being now judged void , as being without Law, that Corporation was now null, and lb could have no right to Money or Lands: And he pretended that he fold it under the worth, in expe-ftation of the recovery of it, upon the King's return. The Prefidentof theCor-

/ poration was the Lord Steele, a Judge ( a worthy Man ) : The Treafurer was Mr. Henry Jpttrfi, aficT'tfie Members were fuch fober godly Men , as were beft affeAed to NewEnglands Work: Mr. /Ijhurjf (being the moft exemplary Perfon for eminent Sobriety, Self-denial, Piety, and Charity, that London could glory of, as far as publick Oblervation, and Fame, and his moft intimate Friends Reports could

. tefHfie j did make this (and all other Publick Good which he could do) his Bufi-ne(s: He called the Old Corporation together , and defired me to meet them : where we all agreed, that fuch as had inairred the King's Difpleaftire, by being Members of any Courts of Juifice, in Cromwell's da.ys, fhould quietly recede, and we ftiould try if we could get the Corporation reftored, and the reft contir)ued,and more tit Men added, that the Land might be recovered : And becaufe of our other Bui'inefs, I had ready accels to the Lord Chancellour, they defired me to folicic him about it: fo Mr./Iflntrji and I did follow the BufineG. The Lord Chancellour at the very fiift was ready to further us, approving of the Work, as that which could not be lor any Fa«a:ion, or Evil end, but honourable to the King and Land. And he told me, That Beddtngfield could have no right to that which he had (old, and that the right was in the King, who would readily grant it to the good u(e intended : and that we Ihould have his beff afliftance to recover it. And indeed I found him real to us in this Bufinefs from firft to laft : yet did Beddtngfield by the friendfhip of the Attorney General, and Corns others, fo delay the Bufinefs, as bringing it to a Suit in Chancery, he kept Mr. A^mrfl in a Twelve-months trouble before he could recover the LaVid : 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 jand Mr. Ajhurft and my felf had the naming of the Members: And we defired Mr* RobtYt Bojle ( a worthy Perfon of Learning and a Publick Spirit, and Brother to the Earl oiCork) to be Prefident (now Called Governour ) and I got Mr. AjhurH: to beTrenfiirer again, and f:)me of the old Members, and many other godly, able Citizens made up the reft : Only we left the Nomination of (bme Lords to his Majefty, as not prefuming to nominate fuch, ( And the Lord Chancellour, Lord Chamberlain, and fix or feven more were atkled ). But it was Mr. Boyle and Mr. Jjimrfi, with the Citizens, that did the Work : But efpecially the care and trouble of all was on Mr. Apitrfi^. And thus that Bufinels 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, tranflated and printed in the Indian's T>.ingu.ige: Such a Work and Fruit of a Plantation , as was never before pre(ent' ed to a King. And he fent word, that next he would print my Call to the Unconverted, and then The PraSliceof Piety : But Mr. Bc/Zf fenthim word it would be bet-

' ter

P A B. T II. Reverend Mr. Ricfaard Baxter. ''^^"^i

— !—- ■ : : . ,' ; • ~ V "-£'1 'J , ■ . ■ ,■' "

ter taken here, if the VraBic ofVietj were printed beFQfQ.any thing oj mine. fAr the prelentthe Revenues of the Land gdeth molt to the maintaining of tne ,P.^el«. Upon the occalion of this Work, I had thefe Letters of Thhriks from the Court and Governour in New-England, and from Mr. Norton and Mr. Ettiot.

Reverend and much honoured Sir

*-p>H3twewho are perlbnally unknown to you, do in this manner apply our

* 1. felves, is rendred not only excufible, but unlefi we will be ingratefal, necei-' fary, by Obligations from your fclt'3 with whom the intereft of. pppr Strangers in *■ a remote Wildernefs hath been fo regarded as to (hew them kindnefs,an.d that (we

* believe) upon the beft account, (i.e.) for the Lord's fake. We have underftood *from thofc that were employed by us, with what loving and cordial readinefsj'ou ' did upon requeft put forth your felf to further our Concernments in our late Ap-' plications to his Majefty ; for which aft of favour and love we cannot but _re-' turn our unfeigned thankful Acknowledgments; and the rather becaule we know ' no Argument that could move your Thoughts in it, but that of the poor Piji)-,

* phets Widow, viz,. That your Charity did look upon your Servants as Fearers of

* 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 fuch a time as this. Wc tfuft: the ' faithful God will not forget your Work' and Labour of Love which ybi; have, ' fhewed towards his Name, in miniftring to the help of fome partoF his unworthy *,People who are Exiles in this Wiidernefi we hope for his Names fike,

' Sir, You fhall further oblige this poor People, and do that that will not be un~

* pleafing to him who is our Lord and yours, by the continuance of your Love and

* Improvement of your Interefts and Opportunities in our behalf What advan-'tage God hath put into your hands, andfeferved your weak Body unto, by ac-

* eels unto Perfons of Honour and Truft, or otherways, we hope it will be no

' grief of heart unto you another day, if you Ihall improve pare thereof tliis way :,

* All that we defire is Liberty to ferve God according to the Scriptures : Liberty

* unto Errour and Sin, or to lit up another Rule befides the Scriptures, we neither ' vvifh to be allowed to our lelves, nor would we willingly allow it unto others. If ' in any thing we fhould miftake the meaning of the Scriptures, as we hope it is ' not in any Fundamental Matter that we do lb ; (having therein the Concurrence ' of all the godly Orthodox of the Reformed Proteltant Religion), lb on the other ' hand, in Matters of an inferiour and more difficult Nature (wherein godly Chri-' ftians may differ, and Ihould bear difference without difturbance) we are willing ' anddefirous to live and learn by any orderly means that God hath appointed for ' our Learning and Inftru£tion j and glad ihall 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 lime advantaged and encouraged by the Gonftitution of ' our Civil Government, according to Conc^effions and Priviledges granted and ' eltablilhed to us by the gracious Letters Patents of King Charks the Firll, the

* continuance of which Priviledges (concerning which his Majeifty's late gracious ' Letter to us hath given us very great encouragement) is our earneff and j ifl de-

* fire; for nothing that is unjulf, or not honeft , both in the fight of the Lord, and ' alio of Men, do we leek, or would allow our lelves in. We hope we (hall con-

* tinue as faithful Subjeds to bis Mnjelty ( according to our Du(»yJ and be every ' way as beneficial to thelnteted of our Nation, under an E!e(5):ive Government as ' under an Impofed : But liindry particular Perlbns, for private refpedf s. are , as

* we hear, earneftly foliciting to bring Changes upon us, and do put in many high ' Complaints againlf us; in iJDecial, that the Generation of the Quakers, are our

* bitter and relllels Enemies, complaining of Perlecution, but are themfelves moft

* troubleiome 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 gre4t and effectual Door of Liberty to lerve him, and

* opportunity to advance his Name in this Wildernels; although there be many

* Adverfaries, among which he can raile up for us fome Friends; as he hath dona ' your fclf: And as a Friend lovsth at all times, and a Brother is born for Adver-

P p 2 ' fity,

* fity, (b may you in this time of our threatned Adverfity, ftill perform the f>artof a ' Friend, as opportunity ferves, we fliall be further much ingaged to Thankfulnefs ' unto God and you, who are.

BoHon in New-England^ this SIR,

ytbof Jugufi^ 1661.

Tour Friends and Brethren

in the Faith of Chris},

Jo. Endecott Governour ; With the Conjhit and by Order ef the General Court.

To the Rewrendahd much Honoured Mr. Richard Baxter one of his Majefifs Chaflains in Ordinary.

Reverend and dear Sir! "TpHough you are unknown to me by Face, yet not only your Labours, but alfo

* X your fpccial Afliftance in a time of need unto the promoting the welfare of

* this poor Country, certified unto us by Captain Leveret fupon which account our

* Gensral 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, IViIliam ' Leet Governour of JVfU' H<iw»Jurifdifl:ion, whofeCafeis this. He being confci-

* ous of indifcretion and (bme negieft ( not to fay how it came aboutj in relation ' to the expediting the Execution of the Warrant according to his Duty, lint from

* his Majefty for the apprehending of the two Colonels,is not without fear of fome ' difpleafure that may follow thereupon,and indeed hath almofl ever fince beenaMan ' depreffed in his Spirit for the negled 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 attelt, they fee not what he could have ' done more. Sir, If any report prejudicial to this Gentleman in this relpeft, ' come unto your Ear by your prudent Enquiry upon this Intimation , or othcr-ft

* wife: lb far as the fignification of the Premiles unco his Majeily, or other eminent' " ' Perlbn may plead for him, or avert trouble towards him, I afluremy felf, you

* may report it as a real Truth j and that according to your Wililom, you would

* be helpful to him lb far therein is both his and my defire. The Gentleman hath ' purfued both others and my felf with Letters to chis effed, and yet not latisfied ' therewith, came to Bojhn to disburden his heart to me formerly unacquainted ' with him, only fome few times in Company where he was ; upon ilTue ot which ' Conference, no better Expedient under God, prelented it (elf to us than this. So

* far as you fliall fee caufe,as the matter requireth, to let the Premifes be underftood,

* is finally left with your lelf under God.

'Sir, The Author of thefe Lines, it Ihall be your favour and a pledge of Love ' undeferved, to conceal, farther than the neceffity of the End defired lliall call for. ' And if hereby you Ihall take occafion ( being in place of difcoveryj to intelli-' gencethe Writer touching your obfervances with relation to the concernments,oEil

* this People, your Advertifements may not only be of much ufe unto this whole' ' Country, but further your account, and minider unto many much caufe ofThanf-

* giving on your behalf And I Ihall be bold upon luch encouragement fif Godper-' mics) to give you a more diftinft account how it fareth with us, I mean of the ffefjs ' of Divine Providence, as to the Publick, both in our Civils and EccIefia(Hckf,which

* at (omelpare time, may haply be looked at as a matter of contentful Medication to ' your feU. I crave now pardon for being thus bold with you,and will not preliime

* any further to detain you. The Lord Jefus be with your Spirit, and let him alio ' be rcmembred by you in your Prayers, who is in chief,

SI R, Boflon, Sept.2 j. Tours in any Service of the Gofpel,

i66i. John Norton.

For the Reverend and bit much Honqured Friend Mr. Baxter, Chaplain in Ordinary to hu Majejtj. . Keverend

F A R T 11. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 2^3

Reverend and much efieemed in the Lord I

* TjOwever black the Cloud is.and big the Storm ,yet by all this theWork and De.

* Jrl fign of Jefus Chrilt goeth on, and profpareth, and in thefe Clouds Chrilt is

* coming to let up his Kingclom. 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-

* nefTes? Is not thisChritt, in Power and great Glory ? and if Chrilt hath fo much

* Glory in the flaughter of his Witneffes^what will his Glory be in their Refurrecfti-' on ! Your Conftancy who are in the heat of the Storm, and Numbers, minifters ' matter ot humbling and quickning to us, who are at a diftance, and ready to ' totter and comply at the nolle of a probable approach of our Temptation. We

* are not without our Snares, but hitherunto the Lords own Arm hath brought Sal-

* vation. Our Tents arc at Ebenez^er. However the trials and troubles be, we mu(^ ' take care of the prelent Work, and not ceale and tarry for a calm time to work ' in. And this Principle doth give me occafion to take the boldnefi to trouble you ' with thele Lines at prelent. My Work about tlie Indiart Bible being (by the good ' hand of the Lord, though not without difficulties) finilhed,lam meditating what ' to do next for thefe Sons of this our Morning: they having no Books for their

* private u(e, of miniflerial compoHng. For their help, though the Word of God

* be thebeft of Books, yet Humane Infirmity is, you know, not a little helped,by ' reading the holy Labours of the Minifters of Jeliis Chrift. I have thereforfe pur-' pofed in my heart C feeing the Lord is yet plealed to prolong my life) to tranflats ' tor them a little Book of yours, intituled, [ A Call to the Unconverted]: The keen-

* nefs of the Edge, and livelinels of the Spirit of that Book, through the bleffing: ' 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 prelume to do ' liich a thing, without making mention thereof unto your lelf, that lb I might ' have the help and bleffing of your Counftl and Prayer?. I believe it will not be ' unacceptable to yoli, that the Call of Chrift by your holy Labours,lhall 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 gre.it ditference in the

* Work from my former Tranflations: I am forced fometime to alter the Phrafe,

* for the facilitating and fitting it to our Language, in which I am not lb ftridl as ' I was in the Scripture. Some things which are fitted for En^lijh People, are not

* fit for them, and in fuch cafes, I make bold to fit it for them. But I do little that ' way, knowing how much beneath Wifdom it is, to Ihew a Man's (elf witty , in ' mending another Man's Work. When this Work is done, if the Lord Ihallpleafe

* to prolong my Life, I am meditating of Tranllating Ibme other BookjWhichmay ' prelcribe to them the way and manner of a Chriftian Life and Converlation, in ' their daily Courie j and how to worfhip God on the Sabbath, fafting, fealting

* Days, and in all Ads of Worlhip, publick, private, and lecret j and for this pur-

* pole I have Thoughts of tranflating for them, the Fraitice of Ptety j or fome other ' fuch Book : In whichCale I requeft your Advice to me j for if the Lord give op-

* portunity,l may hear from you(if you lee caufe fo far to take Notice hereof)before

* I Ihall be ready to begin a new work ; efpecially becaule the Plalms of David ' in Metre in their Language, are going now to the Prefs, which will be Ibme Di-' verfion of me, from a prelent Attention upon thele other propoled Works.

' Sir, I am very well latisfied with your Explications of the Point of Free-will € in fallen Man, which 1 have read in a fmall Treatile of yours, which I once had t thehappinefi to lee. I doubt not but you will give me leave to talk a little ac-

cording to my weakneG.Gew. i. 26. God made Man after bis own \ ^^^S'f

I Likeneji. ' I have oft perplexed my mind to fee the difference of thefe two Divine Stamps ' upon Mjn. That God's Image conlil^eth in Knowledge, Holinefs, and Righte-

* oufnels, is clear and agreed, exprefledin Scripture. But what our likencfs to ' God is, is the Quelfion: Why may it not admit this Explication ? that one chief ' thing is, to a<5t like God, according to our light freely j by choice without com-' pulfion, to be Author of our own aft,to determine our own choice : this is fpon-

* taniety. The Nature of the Will lyeth in this.

Between God's Image in Man, and the Likenels of God in Man, are thefe two

Differences; * I. God's Imige was loll and changed, and in thg room of it, Original

' Sin '

Sin was infufed, inflifted upon the Soul ; and in this Change the Will fufFer-ed.

' But the Spontanlety was not loft; nor changed. But the Will doth freely acft according to theie new ill Qualities, and freely chooles to Sin, as afore this Changeic freely aded according to the good Qualities which it was endewed wich-all.

' So likewife at Converfion, and in San»ai{ication, the Will fufFereth the Powerful Woik of the Spirit to change thele Qualities, to kill the old Habits of Sin,

and to create the new Habits of Grace; that it may freely adl: according to Grace, as afore it freely afted in Sin.

' 2. Difference is, that Gnd's Image are feparable Qualities of the Will, and the moral Ground which maketh our Anions good, legal, regular, and vinuous: As orignal Sin is the ground that maketh our Actions illegal and finful. But Sponta-niety is the Form and Nature of the Will, which if it cealc, we (hould ceale to be Men, and to ad: by Choice; and fo not capable to fin, or to adt virtuoufly.

' "Sir, I pray pardon my Boldnels and Weaknels thus to talk ; but it is for my Information in this Point. I obferve alio in yours, a thing which I have not fb much obfeived in other Mens Writings ; vix,. That you often inveigh againftthe Sin of Gluttony, as well as Drunkennels. It appearethto be a very great point of ChrilUan Prudence, Temperance and Mortification, to rule the Appetite of eating as well as drinking, and were that Point more inculcated by Divines, it would much tend to the SanAification of God's People, as well as to a better Preiervati-on cf Health, and lengthening of the Life of Man on Earth.

' I lately met with an excellent Book of learned Dr. Cbarletoti's, about the Immortality of the human Soul, compofed in a gallant Dialogue, where fpeaking of the admirable Advancement of Learning in thefe late Days, he, among other excellent matters, fpeaketh of that long talk'd of and defired Defign of a univer-ial Charafter and Language, and what Advance hath been made towards ft, by jomeof the learned of theie Times, and that by the way of Symbols. Of this he fpeaketh, p. 45', 46. I doubt nor, but that it is a divine Work of God, to p„t it into the Heart of any of his Servants, to promote this Defign, which (b great and eminent a Tendency, to advance the Kingdom of Jeliis Chriff, which fhall be extended over all the Kingdoms and Nations of the Earth, Re-v. ir. ij-. Not by the perfonal Prefcnce of Chriit, but by putting Power and Rule into the Hands of the Godly, Learned in all Nations: Among v.hom, a univerlal Cha-raAer and Language, will be both necefTary, and a fingular Promotion of that great Defign of Chrift : Now, whereas the Propofalof it is by way of Symbols, I would make bold to propofc a way, which leemeth to be of more Llopes of Succels, and that is by the Hebrew Language, which above all other Languages, is moft capable to be the Inflrument of fo great a Defign. If you pleafe to look into a Book called, jcrdmi Hehrea radices, compoled by Decads into Heroick Ver-les; the Hebrew iS^^/.v, with the Signification in Latin, helping to fmooth it into a Verfe ; a worthy Work, wherein bene meruit de Lingua Hvbraica, This Author in his Preface, fpeaketh moft honourably of the Hebrew Tongue ; and Iheweth that by the trigramical Foundation, and divine Artifice of that Language, it is capable of a regular Expatiation into Millions of Words, no Language like it. 'And ic had need be fo, for being the Language which Ihall be fpo-ken in Heaven, where knowledge will be fo enlarged, theie will need a Ipaci-ous Language ; and what Language fitter than this of God s ov;n making and compofiirc ? And why may we not make ready for Heaven in this Point, by making and fitting that Language, according to the Rules of the divine Artifice of it, to exprels all imaginable Conceptions and Notions of the Mind of Man, in all Arts and Sciences ? Were this done, (which is fb capableof being done, and it feemeth God hath fitted Inlfruments to fall to the Woik ) all Arts and Sciences in the whole Eucyclopsdie would loon be tranllatedintoit; and all Pagan-ifh and prophanc Tralh would be left cut: It would be ( as now it is ) the pureft Langu3gc-',in the World : And it (eemeth to me, that Zeph. 5. 9. with other Texts, dp prophefie of fuch a univerlal and pure Language. Were this done, all Schools would reach this Language, and all the World, efpecially the Commonwealth of Learning, would he of one. and that a divine and heavenly Lip.

* iV'oreover, This learned Dodlor fpeaketh very honourably of that renowned Society, the CoUedgc of Phyficians in London, and no whit above their Deferts, as ..ppearech by the admirable Eff'cifts by the bleffing of God, upon their Studies and Labours, which they have tound out and produced for the Benefit of the Life

of

' of Man. In which Art, by the Bleffing of God upon them, they ieem to me to ' defign iiich a Regiment of Health, and luch an exaft Inipsdion into all Difeafes, ' and Knowledge oT all Medicament, and Prudence of Application of the rame,that

* the Book of divine Providence feemeth to provide for the lengthning of the Life ' of Man again, in this latter End of the World, which would be no fmall Advan-

* tage unto all kinds of good Learning and Government. And doth not fuch a ' thing (eem to be Prophefied, Efay. 6^. 20. If the Child pall die one hundred Years ' eld, of -what Jge (ball the old Man he ? But I would not be too bold with tlie ' Holy Scriptures.

' If unto all this, it may pleafe the Lord to direft his People into a Divine Form

* of Civil Government, of liich a Conftitution, as that the Godly, Learned in all ' Places, may be in all Places of Power and Rule, this would (b much the more ' advance all Learning, and Religion, and good Government; lb that all the World

* would become a Divine CoUcdge. And Laftly, when Antichrilt is overthrown,

* and a divine Form of Church-Government is put in praftice in all Places;

* then all the World would become Divine : or at leafl, all the World would be-

* come very Divine or very Prophane, Kev. 22. 11, i j. And [o the World ftiould ' end as it began. Gen. 4. 26-. (oiYie calling on the Name of the Lord, and Ibme

* prophaning it; eminently diftinguifli'd from each other. I rejoice to lee and

* tafte the wonderful gracious Savour of God's Spirit among his Saints, in their

* humble Retirements. Oh ! how fweet is the trodden Cammomile I How pre-' cious and Powerful is the Miniflry of the Crofs I It is a dryer time with us, who

* are making after Compliances with the Stream. Sir, I befeech you, let us have

* a fhare in your holy Prayers, in your holy Retirements, in your blefTed Cham-

* bers, when the Lord ftuts the Door, and yet is among you himfelf, and maketh

* 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

Roxbm-y, this 6th of the 5 th. Tour unworthy Fellow-Labourer

166%.

In the Lord's Vineyard,

John Eliot.

To his Reverend Friend and Brother, Mr. Baxter.

The Anfrveti

Nov. 30. /Jew Adon, near London. Reverend and much hmourcd Brother,

•T^'Hough our Sins have feparated us from the People of our Love and Care, and

* jL deprived us of all publick Liberty of preaching the Gofpel of, our Lord, I « greatly rejoice in the Liberty, Help and Succels which Chrift hath io long

* vouchlafed you in his Work. There is no Man on Earth, whofe Work I think r 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 ' our hating and devouring one another. There are many here that would be

* ambitious of being your Fellow-Labourers, but that they are informed, you have

* accels to no greater a Number of the Indians, than yoq your felf, and your pre-*fent Afliftants are able to inftruit. An honourable Gentleman (Mr. Roh. Boyle, ' the Governor of the Corporation for your Work, a Man of great Learning and

* Worth, and of a very publick univerfal Mind ) did Motion to me a publick Col-

* ledion, in all our Churches, for the maintaining of luch Minifters, as are wii-

* ling to go hence to you, partly while they are learning the Indian Language, ' and partly while they after labour in the Work, as alfo to tranlport them : But I ' find thofe backward to it, that I have fpoke to about it, partly lufpeAing it a De-' fign of thofe that would be rid of them; ( but if ic would promote the Work of ' God, this Objedion weretoo carnal to be regarded by good Men ) partly fearing

* that when the Money is gathered^ the Work may be fruftrated by the alienation

of

' of it ( but this I thit* they need not fear, fo far as to hinder any ) ; partly be-' caule they think there will be nothing coniiderable gathered ; becaiife the People ' that are unwillingly divorced fron their Teachers, will give tiothing to lend them 'further from them, and thofe that are willingly feparated from them, will give ' nothing to thofe that they no more refped : But fpecially becaufe they think ( on

* the aforefaid Grounds ) that there is no work for them to do if they were with ' you. There are many here I conjedurq, that would be glad to go any whither '( to Per/ians, Tartanans, Indians, or any unbelieving iNation ) to propagate the

* Golpel, if they thought they could be ferviceable, but the Dcfeci: of their; I.an-' guages is their great Difcouragement: For the univerfal Charader that you fpeak ' of, many have talked of it, and one hath printed his Ellay, 'and his way is only ' by numeral Figures,makingfuch andfuchFigures to itand for theWordsof the fame

* figiiification in all Tongues j but no body regards it. 1 {hallcommunicate your ' Motion here about the Hebrew, but we are not of fuch large and publick Mindsr ' as you iinagin ; every one looks to his own Concernment, and fonie to the things ' of Chrift that are near them, at their own Doors. But if there be one Timothy ' th.u naturally careth for the State of the Churches, we have no Man of a Multi-' tude more likeminded, but all feek their own things ; we had one Durjr here, ' that hath above thirty Years laboured the reconciling of the Ciiurches, 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 ftiould be like them, but

* there is no hope of bringing any more, than here, and there an experienced, ho-' ly, felf-denying Perlbn, to get fo far above their perfbnal Concerninents, and

* harrownefs of Mind, and fo wholly to devote themlelves to Go4. The Induftry ' of the Jefuits and Bryars, and their Succefles in Congo, Japan, China, &c. fhame ' us all, fave you : But yet for their perfonai Labours in the Work of the Gofpel, ' here are riiany 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 fhould 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 ); and whether it ' reach onlv to a few fcattered Neighbours, who cannot themlelves convey their ' Knowledge far, becaufe of other Languages. We very much 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.ycur blefied Work, I Ihall have great caufe to be thankful to God, ' and wholly fubmit the Alteration and ufe of it to yourWildom. Methinks the

* Ajjemblies Catechijm lliouid be next the holy Scriptures, moft worthy of your La-' hours. The Lord prolong your Days, and proiper you.

' As to your Cale about God s Inwge and Likenefs, i. The Controverfy de No-

' mine isof no great Moment : I know the Schoolmen make the twoWords fignifie

■ ' two things: 1 think it's a groundlefs Conceit. But Jere (call them what you will,

' Imag^e or Likenefs ) it confifteth of three parts, or a Trinity in Unity, i. The

* natural liibftantial 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 Controverfy Je iVbw»»eislmall.) i. Man's high luperanimal ' or rational Life in Unity, hath his Trinity of noble Faculties ; an Intelled or Rea-' fon capable of knowing God, a free or filf determining Will, capable of adhear-

* ing to him, and an executive Power capable of lerving him : That thefe Natural

* Efl'ential Powers, are the Natural Part of God's Image, appears. Gen. 9.6. wherei ' Man, as Man is fuppofed to have it; elfe the Murder of none but Saints is there

* forbiddt-n : This no Man lofeth. 2. Holtmfs, or the Spirit in Unity containeth,

* I. The Ju'tfdom of the Mind, which is the Knowledge of God. 2. The Redlttude of ' the Will, which is xhtLove of God. And 5. LhePromptirude, Obedience and Fort i-' tude of the Executive Power, in and for the Service of God ; and this is the Tfioral ' Part of God's Itna^e. 3. God, having the only Aptitude by his three great Proper-' ties, Infinite POWER, WISDOM, and G O O D N E S S, and the ^ otily Right JiireCreationts [and fince Redemptivnu & Regenerationu "] immediately ' Hood related to Man, in the three great Relations contained expreflively in the ' Name God •, i. 0\xx ah flute proprietary Ovntr or Lord. 2. Our Supreme ReBor. ' 3. Our bountiful BenefaBor, or Father, and F.»d, all flowing from his Relation, ' of our n-.oft potent, wile, good CR E A TOR. Man is related to him, i. As ' his 03i7;, to be wholly at his difpofe. 2. As his 5«^jf<?, to be wholly at his Go-

* verr.menr. 3. hi )^\i Beneficiary, or Child to love him with all the Heart. Now

' God

».- — ■ ■■ ' " ~' " ™ ' ~^' ■ ' -■■■■, ■ _ _

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 2^7

' God hath given Man to bear his Image in thefe Relations, which is in Unity cal-

* ed his Dominion over the hrmt Creatures, And in Trinity containeth, i. That we ' are their Owners, and they our own. 2. we are their Governors ( according to ' their Capacities). 5. ^e ire their Benefai^iors, and they have (and had more) de-' 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-

* r«/part is that which the S/>;r/f reftoreth : The Wildom of the Mind, the Righte-' oulhefs or Reditude of the Will, and the Holinels and Obedience of the Life. ' If we had a right Scheme of Theology ( which I never yet faw) Unity in Tri-' nity would go through the whole Method : It's ealy 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 Correspondent Relations in Man, and the mutual Expreffions ' go far in the great parts ot Theology: But when we run it up to the Numerous

* and finall 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

* /hall be feen to us iino intuitu, as a moft entire, perfed Frame. Pardon my too

* many words to you on this.

^ As for the divineGovernmentby theSaints which you mention,! dare not exped: '^fuch great Matters upon Earth, left I encroach upon the Priviledge of Heaven, and ' tempt my own Affedions downwards, and forget that our Kingdom is not of this ' World. Certainly if Ghriftianity be the fame thing now that it was at firft, it is ' much unfuitable to a reigning State on Earth: Bearing the Crofs, Perlecution^

* Self denial, &c. found fomething of another Nature. The Rich will rule in the ' World, and few rich Men will be Saints. He that furveycth the prefent State of ' the Earth, and confideieth that fcarcely a fixth Part is Chriftian, and how linall

* a Part of them are reformed, and how fmall a part of them have much of the '' Power of Godlinefi, will be ready to think that Chrift hath called almoft all his

* Chofen, and is ready to forfake the Earth, rather than that he intendeth us luch ' blefted Days below as we defire. We Ihall have what we would, but not in this ' World. As hard as we think God dealeth with us, our King's Dominions are yet

* for the Power of Godlinefs, the Glory and Paradile of the Earth. Succefs tempt-' ed fome here into reigning Expedations, and thence into finfiil Aftions 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 'Chrift crucifiedon Earth, andChrift glorified in Heaven, Ilhalibehappy. Dear

* Sir, the Lord be your Support and Strength : I reft

Tour Weak FeUow-Ser'vant,

Richard Baxter.

§403. That you may the better underftand thefe Letters, and many other fuch Paflages, you muft know that the great Reafon why my lelf, and fome of my Brethren 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 fhould be favoured, and fo might think their Condition happy. And though we our (elves made no doubt but that this was the ufe that was to be made of us, and that afterward we (hould be filenced with the reft in time, yet we thought that it was not meet to deny their OfFer.The People at Lo«</fl»,who were near, judg-ed as we did, and were not much deceived : But thofe in the Country that were further ofl^ underftood not how things went above. But efpecially thofe in France and in Nt-w-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 wilh it were their own : Infbmuch that there grew on a fudden in New-England a great Inclination toEpifcopal Government; For many of them faw the Inconveniencies of Separations, and how much their way did tend to Divifions, and they read my Books, and what I faid againrt both the Souldiers and Schifmaticks in England j and they thought that the Church-Government here would have been fuch as we were' pleafed with; fo that thefe and many other Motives made them begin to think of a Conformity : Till at hit 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 (bmething befideSchifm to be feared, and that there lyeth as perilous an Extreme

on the other fide. But they have in their Synod part Ibme fuch moderating Con- . dufions about Baptifm and conftant Synods, as have ended moft of the Differences between them and the moderate Presbyterians.

§ 151. I am next to infert fome Bufineffes of my own, which fell in at this fame -time. When I had refufed a Bilhoprick, I did it on fuch Reafons as offended not the Lord Cluncollor; and therefore/inftead of it, I prefumed to crave his Favour to reltore me to preach to my People at Kiddermmfier again ; from whence 1 had been caft out ( when many hundreds of others were eje<fted ) upon the Reftoration of all them that had been fequeftred. It was but a Vicaridge, and the Vicar was a poor unlearned, ignorant, filly Reader, that litde underftood what Chrifrianity and the Articles of his Creed did fignifie j 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 Lc^urer, and he was bound in a Bond of f 00 /. to pay me 601, fer An. and afterward he was fequeftred, as is before fufficiently declared ; my People were lb dear to me, and I to them, that I would have been with them upon the loweft lawful Terms; Some laughed 4t me for refufing a Bilhoprick, and petitioning to be a reading Vicar's Curate. But I had little Hopes of fo good a Condition, at leaft for any confiderable time.

§ 1 j2. The Ruler of the Vicar, and all the BufmeG there was, hn Ralph Clare, an old Man, and an old Courtier, who carried it towards me all the time I was there with great Civility and Refped, 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 Refpeds 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 could fo far rule the Town as to reduce the People to his way. But he little knew ( nor others of that Temper ) how firm confcientious Men are to the Matters of their everlafting Intereft, and how little Mens Authority can do againft the Authority of God, with thole that are unfeignedly fubje<9: to him. Openly he feemed to be for my Return (at firft ) that he might not offend the People ; and the Lord Chancellor leetricd very forward in it; and all the Difficulty was, how to provide Ibme other Place for the old Vicar ( Mr. Dance ) that he might be no bfer by the Change : And it was lb contrived, that all muft feem forward in it, except the Vicar; the K-ing himlelf muft be engaged in it; the Lord Chancellor earneftly preffethit ; Sir Ralfb Clare is willing, and very defirous of it j and the Vicar 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 was infufticient; and yet he is ftill thought fufficient to be the Paftor of f'"edMr "^^'" 4°°° ^°'^^'" ^^® ^"'^^ Chancellor to make the Bufinels certain, will engage D«"e/after himlcif for a Valuable ftipend to the Vicar, and his own Steward muft be cora-to fay, manded to pay it him : What could be defired more ? But the poor Vicar was to how hard- arfwcrhim, that this was no fecurity to him ; his Lorddiip might withhold that 'y i-Jd^ Stipend at his Pleafure, and then where was his Maintenance ? give him but a le-to let go §■»! Title of any thing of equal value, and he would refign (and the Patron was the Place, my fure and innmate Friend }. But no fuch thing was to be had j and fo yix.Dmct muft keep his Place.

§ IJ J. Though I requefted not any Preferment of them, but this, yet even for this, 1 lefolved 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 F told them that if it were any way inconvenient to them, I would not requeft it of thsm. And at the very firft I defired, that if they thought it beft for the Vicar ro keep 1 lis Pl.ice, 1 was willing to take the Ledure, which by his Bond was (ecured to me, and was ftill my Right j or if that were denied me, I wouWbe his Curate wliile the King's Declaration ftood in force. But none of thefe coutd bcaccepted, with Men that werefo exceeding willing. In the end it appeared, that twoKnights of the Country, ^\x Ralph Clare, anA'bnJohnVacktngton, who were VBiy great with Dr. Morky, newly made Billiop of Worccfitr; had madfe him believe, that my Tn-tereft was lb great, and I could do (b much with Minifters and People in that Country, that nnlefs I wor.ld bind my felf to promote their Caufe and Party, f was not fit to be there: And this Bilhop ( being greateft of any Man with tlie Lord Chancellor) mnft' obftrudt my Return to my ancient Flock. At laft Sir Ralph

Clare

■ ■ ■ I ■ , I I I I I -■ ■! ■ — ■ ■ "

Part II.' Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 2^9

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 lo fit to be there ; for no Man could more effedually do it: but if I would not, there was no Man lb unfit for the place ; for no Man could more hinder it.

§ I j'4. I defired it as the greateft favour of them, that if they intended not 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 beexpectted : 1 had continual encouragement by Promiles, till I was almoft tired in waiting on them. At laH", meeting Sir Ralph Clare m the Bifliop's Chamber, I delired him before the Bilhop to tell me to my face, if he had any thing againft me, which might caufe all this ado. He told me that I would give the Sacrament to none kneeling, and that of-Eighteen hundred Communicants, there was not part Six hundred that were for me, and the reft were rather for the Vicar. I anfwerd. That I was very glad that tbele words fell out to be fpoken in the Bilhop's hearing. To the firft Accufation, I told him,That he himfelf knew thati invited him to theSacr3ment,and offered it him kneeling, and under my hand in that writing ; and openly in his hearing in th6 Pulpit, I had promifed and told both him and all the reft, that I never had, nor never would pat any Man from the Sacrament on the acc;)unt of kneeling, but leave every one to the Pofture which they Ihould choole : And that the rea(()a why I never gave it to any kneeling, was, becaufe all that came would fit or ftand, and thofs 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 themlelves, when the reft were not prefent : and I had no mind to be the Author of fuch a Schifrn, and make as it were two Churches of one : But efpecially the conCiioufnels of notorious 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, arriong 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 witnefled how many were againft my Return. I craved of the Bifhop that I might (end by thenext Poft to know their Minds, and if that were fo, I would take it for a favour to be kept from thence. When the People heard this at K/r/</erw/w/?fr, iri a days tin;ie they gathered the hands of Sixteen hundred of the Eighteen hundred Communicants, and the reft were fiich 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 earned for my Return. Sir Ralph was filenced as to that point: but he ,ind the Bilhop appeared fo much the more againft my Return.

§ ijj. The Letter which the Lord Chancellour (upon his own offer) wrote for me to Sir Ralph Clare, he gave at my requeft, unfealed : and (b I took a Copy of it before I lent it away, as thinking the chief ufe would be to keep it, and compare it with their Dealings j and it was as foUoweth.

To w) noble Friend Sir Ralph Clare, 7hefe.

S IR,

I Am a little out of Countenance, that after the difcovery of fuch a de/tre in bis Majeflj, that Mr. BAXter jljould he felled at Kidderminfter, as he -was heretofore, and my pro-mife to you hy the King's Dtre6lion, that Mr. DancQ jliould very puniluaSy receive a Re-compence by way of a Rent, upon his or your Bills charged here upon my Steward • Mr.BaX-ter hath yet no fruit of tbu hu Majefij's good intention towards him : fo that he hath too much reajon to believe that he u not ^o frankly dealt with in this particular as he defervit to be. I do ogam tell you, that it will be very acceptable to the King, if pu can per/wade Mr. Dance to Jurrender that Charge to Mr. Baxter : and in the mean time, and till he it preferred to as profitable an Imphyment, v-'hatever Agreement you jball make -with htm for an Annual Rent, it fiiall be paid Qjiarterly upon a BtH from you charged upon my Steward Mr. Clurterbucke ; and for the exact performance of tbu , you may fecurely pawn yout full Credit. I do mo(l earneflly intreat you, that you will with all Qxed inform me what ve may depend upon in this particular, that we may not keep Mr. Baxter in fuff^enfe, who

Q q 2 hath

hath (leferved ''very wejl from his Majefiy, and of whom hts Majefty hath a very good O-■pinion, and I hope you wiSnot be the le^ deftrstis to Comply with htm for the particular Re commendation of,

SIR,

Your very affciftionate Servant,

Edw. Hjde.^

§ I f 6. Can any thing be more ferious 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 tak6 up his time fo much and often about fo low a Pcrfoii, and lb fmalla thing ? And fliould not a Man be content without a Vicaridge or a' Curatlhip.when it is not in the power of the King and the Lord Chancellour to procure it for him, when they 16 vehemently defire it ? But, O thought I, how much better a Life do poor Men live, who (peak as they think, and do as they pro--fefs, and are never put upon fuch Shifts as thefe for their prefent Conveniences! Wonderful I thought I, that Men who do fb much over-value worldly Honour and Edeem, canpoffibly fo much forget futurity, and think only of the prefent day, as if they regarded not how their A<itions 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 Publiek Mainrenance : lb that I and many a hundred more had not had a piece of bread, but for the voluntary Contribution ( whilft we preached ) of another fort of People. Yea, while 1 had all this excefs of favour, I would have taken it indeed for anexcefi, as being far beyond my expeftations, if they would but have given me liberty to preach the Golpel, without any Maintenance, and leave me to beg my Bread.

§ IJ7. And this bringeth to my remembrance the Motion which I oft made to my Brethren when they were oft admitted to the King, and thought rhemlelves in fb great favour, and had Bifhopricks and Deaneries offered them, and the Mini-flers of the Land had fuch high Expedations: I motioned to them that now while the World would blufli at the denial,, we might Petition for a bare Liberty to . preach for nothing, in the Publick Churches, at thofe hours of the Lord's Day , and thofe days of the week, when the Minifters that are put into our Places are vacant, and are not there. But the Brethren thought this was to come down our felves bcfoi-e they took us down. But the time quickly came when we would have been glad of this much.

§ ijS. A little after this. Sir Ralph Clare, and others, caufed the Houfes of the People of the Town of KidderyninHer to be fearcht for Arms, and if any had a Sword, it was taken from them I And meeting him after with the Bi/hop, I defi-red him to tell us why his Neighbours were fb ufed, as if he would have made the World believe that they were Seditious, or Rebels, or dangerous Perfons that fliould be u(ed as Enemies to the King. He anfwered nie, That it was b^caufe they would not bring out their Arms when they were commanded, but laid they had none, whenas they had Arms upon every occafion to appear with on the behalf of Cromwell. This great difingenuity of lb ancient a Gentleman, towards his Neighbours whom he pretended kindnels to, made me brake forth into fome more than ordinary freedom of reproof J and I anfwered him. That wc have thought our Condition hard in that by Strangers that know us not, we Hiould be ordinarily traduced and mili-eprelented ; hut this was moft (ad and marvellous, that a Gende-man fo Civil, Ihould before the Bifhop fpeak liich words ag.iinlt a Coi poration, which he knew I was able to confute, and are lb contrary to truth 1 I asked him whether he did not know that I publickly and privately fpake againft the Ultirpers, and declared them to be Rebels j and whether he took not the People to be of my mind : and whetlier i and they had not hazarded our Liberty by refuling the Engagement againft the Kin^ and Houle of Lords, wiien he and others of his Mind had taken it.'' He confelfed that I had been againft Cromwell, but they had always on every occafion appeared in Arms for him. I told him that he Ibuck me with admiration, that it fhouldbs poffible for him to live in the Town, and yet believe what lie l.iid, to be true, ofyet to fpeak ic in our hearing, if he knew it to be unr wuc. And I prof,;ired, that having lived there Sixteen years fuice the War?, In*'

ver

ver knew that they once appeared in Arms for CrofK-ivell or any Dliii persj 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 utinoft ; and then he inftanced in the time when the Scots Army fled from Worcefier. 1 challenged him to name one Man of them that was at Worcefier Fight, or bare Arms there, or at any time for the Ufur-pers: And when lie could name none, I told him that all that was done to my knowledge in Sixteen years of that Icind, was bat this, that when tht Scots fled from fVbrcefter, as all the Country fought in covetoulheis to catch Ibme of them for their Horfes, ^o two idle Rogues of KeiUerminjfer, that never communicated with me any morethan he did, haddrav</n two or three of their Neighbours with them in the Night as the Scots fled to catch their Horfes : And I never heard of three that they carcht: And I appealed to the Bifllop and his Confcience,whethet he that being urged could name no more but this, did ingenuoufly Accufe the Corporation, Magiftrates and People to have appeared on all occafion in Arms for Cromwell. And when they had ho more to (ay, 1 told them, by this we faw what mea(ures to expeft from Strangers of his mind, when he that is our Neighbour, and noted for eminent Civility, never fticketh to Ipeak fuch things even of a People among whom he hath ftill lived I

§ 15-9.About the fame time,about Twenty or Two and twenty furious Fanaticks^ called Fifth-Monarchy-rtKn fone Fentier a Wine-CoOper,and his Church that he preached unto) being tranfported with Enthufiaftick Pride, did rife up in Arms, and fought in the Streets like Mad-men againft all that fl:ood in their way, till they were (bme kill'd and the reft taken, fudged and executed. I wrote a Letter at this time to my Mother-in-law, containing nothing but our ufual matter,- even Encouragements to her in her Age and Weaknefs, fetcht from the nearnefs of her Reft, together with the Report of this News, and fome fliarp and vehement words againft the Rebels. By the means of Sir John Tackijigton, or his Soldiers, the Poll was fearched, and my Letter intercepted, opened, land reviled, and by Sir John lent up to London to the Biihop and the Lord Chancellour : ib that it was d wonder that having read it, they were not afliamed to fend it up : But joyful would they have been, could they but have found a word in it, which could poffibly 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 ulage, and that I had not the common liberty of a Subje<51:, to converfe by Letters with my own Family. He difowried it, and blamed Mens raflinefs, but exculed it from the Diftempers of die Times; and he and the Bifhops confefled they had feen the Letter, and there was nothing in it but what was good and pious. And two days after came the Lord Wmdfor Lord Lieutenant of the Country, and Governour of jf^jwaic^, with Sir Charles Littleton the King's Cup bearer, to bring me my Letter again to my Lodgings ; and the Lord Windier told me, The Lord Chancellour appointed him to do it: After fome ex-preflion ol my fenfe of the Abule, I thanked him for his great Civility and Favour. But I (3iW how far that fort of Men were to be trufted.

§ 160. And here I will interpofe a fhort Account of my Publick Miniftry in London: Being removed from my ancient Flock in IVorcefierfliire, and yet being uncertain whether I might return to them or not,I refuled 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. Dunfianh in the Weft in Fleetfireet, and preached once a week, for which the People allowed me (bme Maintenance. Before this time I Icarce ever preached a Sermon in the City, but 1 had News from Wefiminfrer that I had preached leditioufly , or againft the Government, when 1 had neither a thought nor a word of any fuch tendency. Sometimes I preached purpofely againft Fadion, Schilin, Sedition and Rebellion, and thole Sermons alfo were reported tft be Faftious and Seditious. Some ^ermons at Covent Garden were fo much accu(ed, . that I was fain to print them, (th6 Book is called The Formal Hypocrite deteiied, &c ) But when the Sermons were printed, I had not a word more againft them. The Accufations were all general ( of Sedition and Faftion, and againft the Church ) but not one Syllable charged in particular.

§ 161. The Congregations being crowded was that which provoked Envy to accufe me : And one day the Crowd did drive me from my place. It tell out that at Dunfian'i Church in the midft of Sefmon, 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 tonfufed a hafte

to

to get away, that indeed the Noife of the Feet in the Galleries founded like the falling of the Stones; fo that the People crowded out of Doors; the Women left Ibme of them a Skarf, and Ibme a Shoe behind them, and (ome in the Galleries cart themfelvcs down upon thofe below, becaufe they could not get down the Stairs. I fate ftill down in the Pulpit, feeing and pitying their vain Diflemper, and aflbon as I could be heard, I intreated their Silence, and went on. The People were no (boner quieted, and got in again, and the Auditory compoTed , but ibme that flood upon a Wainlcot-Bench near the Communion Table,brake the Bench with their weight, fo that the Noife renewed the Fear again,and they were worfe difordered 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 old, and rotten, and dangerous) this put the Parifh 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 ; nor inllanced in any culpable words, but in general all ivat agsinjt the Church and Government: Upon which ( and the requeft ,of the ConntQkoi Bakaries, one of my Hearers, a Perfon of exemplary worth) I was fain to publiftimany of my Sermons 'verbatim^ on 2 Cor. 15. 5'. in a Book called \_The Mtfchkfs 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 Dunfians Church, I preached out my Quarter at Brtdes Church in the other end of Fleetftreet ; 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 Accufations flill continued.

§ 1^4. On the Week days, M.r.Ajimrfi with about Twenty more Citizens, de-fired me to preach a Ledure in Milkfireet ; for which they allowed me 40 /. per Annum, 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 judicious Man was Minifter. ) In Mdkfireet I took Money becaufe it came not from the Parifhioners, but Strangers, and lb was no wrong to the Minirter (Mr. Vincent, a very holy, blamelefs Man ) : But at Blackfi-yars I never took a Penny, becaufe it was the Parilhioners who called me, who would elle be left able and ready to help their worthy Paftor ( who went to God by a Confumption a little after he wasfilenced and put outj. At thefe two Churches I ended the Courle of my Publick Miniftry (unlefsGod caufe an undelerved Relurredion).

§ i^y. Here aUo my Accufations followed me as malicioudy and falfly as before ; and 1 was fain to clear my felf by printing fome of my Sermons, in a little Book called I^ow or Never, and in part of another called a Saint or a Bruit.

§ i66.Before this I relblved to go to the Archbiihop o(Canterbury (then Bifliop of London ) to ask him for his Liccnfe to preach in his Diocels: Some Brethren blamed me for it, as being an owning of Prelatical Ufurpation. I told them that the King had given him a power to Juffer 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 the King : And though I was under no neceflity, I would not rcfufe a lawful thing, when Authority required it. The Archbifhop received me with very great expreflion of Refped;?; and offered nie his Licenfe, and would let his Secretary take no Money of me : But he offered me the Book to Sublcribe in : I told him that he knew that the King's Declaration exempted us from Subfcription:He bid me write what I would: I told him that what I refnlved to do,and I thought meet for him to expeft,! would do of choice,though 1 might forbear: And lb (in Latin) I fubfcribed my promile not to preach againfl the Doftrineof the Church, or the Ceremonies eflabliftied by Law,in his Diocels, while I uled his Licenfe. And I told him how grievous it was to me to be daily haunted with liich general Accufations behind my back, and asked him why I was never acculed of any Particulars: And he confeffed to me. That if they had got any Particulars that would have deferved it, I Ihoutd have heard particularly from him. I (carce thiiik that I ever preached a Sermon without a Spy to give them his report of it.

$167.

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 303

■ : ^'^ : :— : — : .

§ 167. But my laft Sermon that ever I preached in Publick being at Blackfryars^ was defamed with this particular Acculation, That I told them that the Goipel was now departing from them : Infomuch as the Lady Bakarres told me. That even the old Queen of Bohemia told her, fhe wondered that I was fo impudent, as to fay, the Golpel was going away, becaufe that I, and fucR as I were filenced, while others were put into our places. But all this was the breath of Mil-reporters, N>vithout any colour of ground from any thing that I had faid , as may be ieen in the printed Sermons.

§ 168. For when the Miniflers were all filenced, feme covetous Bookfellers got Copies of the lall 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 lelf) : but fomeof us were much abuQd by it j and efpecially my fe!f: for they ftiled it A Farewel Sermon, and mangled lo both Matter and Style, that I could not own it; befides the printing it to the ofienfe of Governours. So that after-awards 1 writ out the Sermon more at large my lelf ( on Col. 2. 6,j. ) with another 'Difcourfe, and offered them to the Prefs, but could not get them LiCenfed *: for *^^."' .^"'^'^ Reafons afterwards to me mentioned. fcd^an"

§ 169. On April 2%. was his Majefty's Coronation Day ; the Day being very le- printed, rene and fair, till fuddenly in the Afternoon, as they were returning from WeHmin- "lledD/-fttr-htiU, there was very terrible Thunders, whejj none expefted it. Which made ',^^'''"f, me remember his Father s Coronation, on which, being a Boy at School, an^^hi- clrh]im 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 Commentary on thefe, but only to relate the Matter of Fa<ft.'

§ 170. To return at laft to our Treaty with the Bilhops: If you obferve 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 tew Forms drawn up in Scripture phrafe. Jutted to the fe-veral parts of H^rfljif), that Men might ufe which of them they pleafed] ( as already there were fome fuch variety of Forms in lome Offices of that Book). This was yet to be done, and till this were dene, we were uncertain of the IfTue of all our Treaty : but if that were done, and ill fet-led by Law, our Divjfions were at an end. Therefore being oFteft with the Lord Chancellour on the foreraentionedoccafions, I humbly intreated him lohaften the finilhing of that Work, that we might rejoyce indur defired Concord. At laft Dr. . Reigtiolds and Mr. Calamf were authorized to name the Perfons on that fide, to manage the Treaty ; and a ConlmiOion was granted under the Broad Seal to the Perfons nominated on both fides. I intreated Mr. Calamy and Dr. Reignolds to leave me out: for though I muchdefired the Expedition of the Work, I found that the laft Debates had made me unacceptable with my Superiburs; and this would much more increafe it, and other Men might be fitter, who were lels diftaftcd. But I could not prevail with them ( unlefs I would have peremptorily refufcd it ) to Ex-cufe me. So they narrtcd, as Commiflioners, Dr, Tuckney,Dr. Conant, Dr.Spur flow. Dr. Mantov, Dr. Wallis, Mr. Calamy and my felf, Mr.Jackfon, Mr. Cafe, Mr.Clark, and Mr. Newcomen, bqffides Dr. Reignolds then Bi/hop of Norwich : And for Afli-ftants ( being the other Party had Affiftants ) Dr. Horton, Dr. Jacomb , Dr. Bates, Mr. Rawitnjon, Mr. Cooper, Dr. Ligbtfoot, Dr.CoSim, Mr. Woodbridge, and T>v.Drake. According to the King's Commiflion we were to meet and manage our Confe-rence,in order to the Ends therein cxpreffed. The Commiflion is as followeth:

* /^ HARLESthQ Secomi, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland,

* V^ France An^ Ireland, Defender of the Faith, d^c. To our trufty and well-

* lieloved the moft Reverend Father in God accepted Archbifhop o'i Tork, the

* Right Reverend Father in God G//(Jer< Bi/hop of Z-o»«/o>7, j'.j'iM Bi/hop of £i«ry5itfw,j'^oj6/i

* Biihopof Kochejter, Hetiry Bi/hop of Chichefier, Humphrey Eiihop oi Sarum, George

* Bi/hopv of IVorce^er, Robert Biihopof Lincoln, Benjarmn Bifliop of Teterburgh, Bry-' an BS/hop of Chefler, Richard Bilhop of Carlijle, John Bi/hop of Exeter., Edward ' Bifhop ot Norwich, and to our trufty and well-beloved the Reverend Anthony ' Tutkny Dr. in Divinity, John Conant Dr. in Divinity, Pf^tlllam Spwfiow Dr. in Di-' vinity, John Wallis Dr. iti Divinity, Thomas MantonDr. in Divinity, Edmund Ca-' lamy Batchelour in Divinity, Richard Baxter Clerk, Atthur Jackfu Clerk, Thomas

* Cafe, Samuel Clark, Matthew Newcomen Clerks, and to Oltt' Uuliy and well-belo-' ved Dr. Earles Dean of tVeflmin^er, Peter Heylin Dr. \ri Divinity, John Hacket Dr. ' irv Divinity, John Barwick Dr. in Divimty, Peter GurtrtingDv, in Divinity, John

' Pierfon

The LIFE of the

L I B. {

Pkrfon Dr. in Divinity, Thomas Pierce Dr. in Divinity,y^«f^o»;' Sparrow Dr. in Di-Vinky,Herbert Ihorndike BAtche\our in Divinity ^ Thomat Horton Dr. in Divinity , Thomas Jacomb Dr.inDivinityJViliiam Bates, John Ravjlmfon Clerk, fVilliam Cooper Clerk, Dr. John Lightfoot, Dr. John Collins, Dr. Benjamin Woodbridge, and IVU-liam Drake Cici k, Greeting. Whereas by our Declaration of the Five and twentieth of OBober laft concerning Ecclefiaftical Affairs, we did amongtt other things exprefs &n efteem of the Liturgy of the Church of jE»g/tf»^, contained in the Book of Coiiimon Prayer, and yetlince we find feme Exceptions mads; againlt (everal things therein, we did by our faid Declaration declare we would appoint an equal number of Learned Divines of both Perfwafions, to review the lame, and to make fuch Alterations therein as Ihall be thought moft neceflary; and ibme additional Forms in the Scripture phrafe, as near as might be, fuited to the nature of the fe-veral Parrs of Worfhip, we thereforein acconiplifliment of our faid Will and Intent, and of our continued and conitant Care and Study for the Peace and Unity of the Churches within our Dominions, and for the removal of all Exceptions and Differences, and Occafions of Differences, and Exceptions fromamongft our good Subjeds for or concerning the (aid 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 York, Gilbert Bilhop of London^ JohnWi^o^oi Durham, jfc/6w Bifliop of Rochefter, Henry Bilhop oi Cht-chefter, HuTKphrey Y)i\\\o\> of Sarum, George Bifhop of Worcefier, Robert Bilhop of Lincoln, Benjamin Bilhop of Teterburgh, Bryan Bilhop of Cbefier, Richard Bilhop of Carlijle, John Bifhop of Exeter, Edward Bilhop of Norwich, Anthony Tucknty,John Conant, William Sfurjhw, John IVallu, Thomas Manton, Edmund Calamy, Richard Baxter, Arthur Jackfon, Thomas Cafe, Samuel Clark and Matthew Newcomen, to ad-vile upon and review the laid Bookof Common Prayer, comparing the lame with the moft ancient Liturgies which have been ufed in the Church, in the primitive and purelt Times: And to that end to affemble and meet together, from time to time, and at fuch times, within the fpace of four Kalender Months now next enliiing, in the Mafters Lodgings in the Savoy in the Strand in the County of Middlefex, OX in fuch other place or places as to you fliall be thought fit and convenient, to take into your ferious and grave Confiderations, the leveral Diredi-ons, Rules and Forms of Prayer, and Things in ths faid Bookof Common Prayer contained, and to advile and confult upon and about the fame, and the feveral Objedions and Exceptions which fhall now be railed againlt the fame. And if occafion be, to make fuch reafonable and neceflary Alterations, CorreiSHons and Amendments therein, as by and between you and the faid Archbilhop, Bilhops, Dodors, and Perlbns hereby required and authorized to meet and advils as atore-laid, Ihall be agreed upon to be needful or expedient for the giving batisficftion unto tender Confciences, and the reltoring and continuance of Peace and Uni' ty, in the Churches under our ProteAion and Government. But avoiding, as much as may be, all unneceffary Alterations of the Forms and Liturgy . wherewith the People are already acquainted, and have fo long received in tiie Cliurch of England. And our will and pleafure is, that when you the laid Archbilhop, Bilhops, DoAors anil Perfons authorized and appointed by thefe our Letters Patents, to meet, advife and confult upon about the Premiles aforelaid, Ihall have drawn your Confultations to i^ny Relolution and Determination which you Ihall agree upon as needful or expedient to be done for the altering, ditninilhing or enlarging the laid Bookof Common Prayer, or any part theieof, that then you forthwith certifie and preleot unto us in Writing, under ydur feveral Hands, the Matters and Tilings whereupon you Ihall fo determine, for our Approbation. And to the end the lame, or {o much thereof as Ihall be approved by us, may be eftablifhed. And forafmuch as the faid Archbifhop and Bilhops, having fiveral great Charges to attend, which we would not difpenfe with, or that the fame Ihould be negleded upon any great occafion whatlbever, and Ibme of them being of great Age and Infirmities, may not be able conltantly to attend the Execuiion of the Service and Authority hereby given and required by us in the Meetings and Confultations aforefaid, We Will therefore, and do hereby require and authorize you the faiti Dr. Earles, Peter Hejlm, John Racket, John Barwick, Peter Gunning, John Pearfnn, Thomas Pierce, and Anthony Sparrow, and Herbert Thorndike , to fupply the place or places of fuch of the laid Archbilhop and Bilhops (other than the faid Edward Bifhop of Norwich) as fliall by Age, Sicknefs, Infirmity, or other occafion, be hindred from attending the faid Meeting or Confultations, ( That is to fay; that one of you the faid Dr. Earles, Peter Hayltn, John Hacket, John Barwick,

Peter

* Feter Gunnings John Pearfon, Themas Pearce, Anthony Sparrov/, and Herbert Tborn-*dike fliall from time to time fupply the Placeof each one of them, the faid Arch-'bifhop and Bifhops, other than the faid Edward, Bidiopof Norwich, which ftail

* happen to be hindred, or to be abfent from the faid Meeting or Confulcations,

* and (hall and may advile, and confult, and determine, and alfo certifie and cxe-' cute, all, and fingular the Power and Authority before mentioned, in and about ' the Preuiiles as fully and abfblutely, as fuch ArchbiHiop Oi- Bilhops, which fhaH

* (b happen to be ablent, ftiould or might do by Vertue of thefe our Letters Pa-' tents, or any thing therein contained, in cafe he or they were perlonally prefent,

* And whereas in regard of the Diftance of fome, the Infirmities of othcis, the

* multitude of conitant Imployments, and other incidental Impediments; fome of ' you the faid Edward Bifhop of Norwich, Anthony Tuckney, John Conant, William ' SfurfioWy 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, 7ho-

* mas Jacomb, WtUiam Bates, John Rawlinfon, William Cooper-, John Ligbtfoot, John ' Collins, Benjamin Woodbridge, and William Drake to fupply the Place or Places of ' fuch the Commiflioners lall above mentioned, as Ihall by the means aforefaid, or

* any other Occafion be hindred from the faid Meeting and Confultations ( that is

* to lay ) that one of you the faid Thomas Horton, Thomas Jacomb, William Bates,

* John Rawlinfon, William Cooper, Dr. Ligbtfoot^ Dr. Covins, Mr. Woodbridge, and

* Mr Drake (hall from time to time fupply the Place of each one of the faid Coni-' miffioners lall mentioned, which (hall happen to be hindred, or be abfent from ' the Meetings and Confultations, and (hall and may advile, 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 ab(blutely as fuch of the faid ' laft mentioned Commifiioners which (hall fo happen to be abfent, Ihould or might

* do by vertue of thefe Our Letters Patents, or any thing therein contained, in

* cafe he or they were perfonally prelent.

In Witne^ whereof we have caufed thefe our Letters to be made Patents. Witnefs Our felf at Weftminfter, the five and twentieth Day of March, in the Thirteenth Tear of Our Reign,

Per ipfum Regem

Boocker.

Note that Dr. Roger Drakes Name being mifvv^ritten William Drake, he there fore went not publickly with us.

§ 171. A Meeting was appointed, and the Savoy ( the Bifhop of Z,o»(/o»'s Lodgings) named by them for the Place. There met us Dr. Frewen, Archbifhop of Tork ; Dr. Sheldon, Bi(hop of London ; Dr. Morley, Bifhop of Worcefier j Dr. Saun-derfon, Bi(hop of Lincoln ; Dr. Cojins, Bifhop of Durham; Dr. Htnchman, Bi(hop of Salisbury ; Dr. Walton, Bi(hop of Chefier ; Dr. Lany, Bifhop of Peterborough; Dn King, Bithop of Rochefier j Dr. Sterne, Bi(hop of Carli/le (but the conftantefl Man after was. Dr. Gauden, Bifhop of Exeter ). On the other fide there met, 'Dr. Retgnelds, B'lihop oi Norwich, Mr. Clerk, Dv.Spurftow, Dr.Ligbtfoot, Dr. Wallis, Dr. ALmton, Dr. Bates, Dr. Jacomb, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Rawlinfon, Mr. Cafe and my felf TheCommiffion being read, the Archbilhop of Tork (a peaceable Man) Ibake fir{\, and told us, that he knew nothing of the Bufinefs, but perhaps the Bi-fnop of London knew more of the King'i Mind in it, and therefore was fitter to fpeak 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 deJired Alterations in the Liturgy ; and therefore they had nothing to lay or do, till we brought in all t|;iat we had to fay againft it in Writing, and all the additional Forms and Alterations which ws defired. Our Brethren were very much againft this Motion, and urged the King's Gommiflion, which requireth us to [ meet together, advife and conjult J : They told him that by Conference we might perceive as we went what each would yield to, and might more Ipeedily difpatch, and probably attain our End ; whereas Writing would be a tedious, endlels Bufinels, and we ihould not have that Familiarity and

R r Acquaii\tan5§

J^ The LIFE of the Lib.!

Acquaintance with each others Minds, which might facilitate our Concord. But the Bilhop of London refolutely infifted on it, not to do any thing, till we brought in all our Excepttens, iterations and Additions at once. In this I confefs, above all things elfe, I was wholly of his Mind, and prevailed with my Brethren to confent; but I conje<aure, upon contrary Reafons. For I fuppofe he thought that we ihould either be altogether by the Ears, and be of feveral Minds among our felves, at leaft in our new Forms; or that when our Propolals and Forms came to be fcanned by them, they fhouldfind as much Matter of Exception againft ours, as wedidagainft theirs; 6r that the People of our Perfuafion would be diffatisfied or divided about it: And indeed our Brethren themfelves thought either all, or much of this would come to paG, and our Difadvantage would be exceeding great. But I told them the Reafons of my Opinion: i. That we Ihould 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 aimed at and brought in, as the only way of Accommodation, confidering that they ihould be in Scripture Words, and that Minifters fliould 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 People, or Foreigners, or Popertty ; but our Conference and Caufe would be milreported and publifhed as the Conference at Hampton-Court was to our Prejudice, and none durfl contradift it. And that what we faid for our Caufe, would this way come fully and truly to the Knowledge of England and of other Nations; and that if we refilled this Opportunity of le-aving upon Record our Teftimony againft Corruptions, for a juft and moderate Reformation, we were never like to have the like in haft again. And upon thefe Reafons I told the Bifliops 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 pleafed our Brethren prefently to divide the undertaken Work: The drawing up of Exceptions againft the Common-Vraytr^ they undertook themfelves, and were to meet from day to day for that end: The drawing up of the Additions or new Forms they impofed upon me alone, becaufe I had been guilty of that Defign from the beginning, and of engaging them in that piece of Service ( and feme of them thought it would prove odious to the Independents, and others who are againft a Liturgy as fuch ): Hereupon, I departed from them, and came among them no more till I had finilhed my Task ( which was a Fortnight's time). My leifure was too fhort for the doing of it with that Accuratenefs, (which a Bufinefs of that Nature doth require ) or for the confiilting with Men or Authors: 1 could not have time to make ufeof any Book, lave the Bible and my Concordance ( comparing all with the Affemblies Direcftory, and the Book of Common-Prayer, and Hammond VEftravge.) 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 thefe few Advertifements.

1. That one of my chief Reafons for the doing of this Work was, that if really 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 ftanding Witnefs to Pofterity, both againft the SeAarians, 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 (elves agreee in.

4. I made it an intire Liturgy, but might not call it fo, becaule our Commiffion required us to call it Addtttom to, or Alterations of the Book of Common-Prayer.

y. I put in the Direihw Part called Rubricks, that the reft might not be unintelligible^ apd the whole defeAive.

6. I pur in the Forms and Order of DifcipUne, partly becaufc elfe we fhould never have had Opportunity therein to exprels our Minds; and partly becaule indeed it belongeth to the Integrity of the Work, and to (hew the difference between their kind of Dilupline in Chancellors Courts, and ours by Pailorsin Chriftian Con-.gregations.

7. Note

Par.t II. R^^r^W M\ Richard Baxter. 307

7.Note that the method oitheLitavy andgemralPrayers,is according to the Direfti-on of the Lord's Prayer, of which and the Ten Coroi^^ndments it is a Commentary. The firit Commandment falleth in with the Preface, and the three firfl Petitions of the Lord's Prayer: All, the other Commandments, with the Evangelical precepts, come in under the third Petition, Tly Will be done 5 and then 1 proceeded to the other three Petitions and theConclulion. Doubdefs the Lord's Prayer is the moll perfeA method for univerfal Prayer or holy Defiies, that can be poffibly invented.

§ 174. When I brought my Draught to the Brethren, I found them but entring on their Work of Exceptions againd the Common-Prayer, and fo 1 vyas 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. KeignoUs, Dr JVal-Its, Mr. Calamy, Mr. Ne-wcomen, Dr. Bates, Mr. Clarke, Dr. Jacomb, Scc. Dr. Morton never came among us at all, nor Dr. Tuckney (alledging hisbackwardnefito (peak, though he had been the Doftor of the Chair in Cambridge ) nor Dr. Ltghtfoot but once or twice; nor Mr. Woodbridge but tWicfe or thrice ( dwelling far oiF) •" Mr. Clarke brought in that large Enumeration of Corruptions in the Liturgy recited in the Abridgment of the Ltncohifliire Minillers j but it was refufed, becaule we would be as little querulous as poffible, led ic (hoald offendi and hinder ourdefired Accommodation: and what PalTages Ibeverleemed to make the Common-Prayer-Book odious, or favour of Spleen and Paffion, they did reject whoever offered them. My principal Bufinels was to keep out fuch Acculations as would not bear weight, and toreprels the Opinions of one of the Brethren ( who came from far, and (b came not till late among us) who was ablblutely againft all parts of the Common-Prayer, becaufe they had been ufed by Papifts to Idolatry. And I drew up fuch Faults as in perufing the Common-Prayer-Book it (elf, did occur to me ; and which were they which I moft difliked in the Forms j being not fb much offended with Ibme other things, as lume others were : But the Brethren reduced it to a fewbrief 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 wasnbtjof their Mind whocharged the Common-Prayer with falfe Doctrine, or Idolatry, or falle Worlhip in the Matter or, Subitance, nor that took it to be a Worlhip which a ChrilHan 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 Dijcrder and Vefeilivefiefs: and fo that it was a true Worihip, though imperfed ; and Imperfection was the Charge that we had againft it (confidered as diftind from the Ceremonies and Difcipline ). I.looked at it as at ihePrayers of many a weakChrifHan that I have heard,who prayed withDiforderand Repetitions and unfit Expreflions: I would not prefer fuch a weak Chriftian in Prayer before a better j but yet if I feparated from liichan one, or thought it unlawful to join with him, I fhould be finfully Curious and Uncharitable. And I think this was the Mind of all our Brethren, faveone, as well as mine: And old Mr. Ajh hath often told us, that this was the Mind of theold Nonconformifts, and that he hath often heard fbme weak Minifters fo difbrderly 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 wedefired the Reformation of it, efpecially at a time when the Peoples Hearts were fo much fet 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, leff it fhould offend them, was this following.

Rr 2 n

e

The Exceptions again/l the Commori'-^rayer which I offered the brethren when they were drawing up theirs^

The Common-Trayer-Booh^ is guilty of great DefeSti'veneffy Dif-order and tfain Repetitions ; and therefore unfit to be the com-nton impofed Frame of Worfhip to the God of Order, without Amendment^ when we may do it;

i./^R D E R requireth that we begin with Reverent Prayer to God, for his

\J Affiftance and Acceptance, which is not done.

2. That the Creed and C>ecalogue,containing the Faith,in which we profefsto af^ iemble for God's Worfhip, and the Law which we have broken by our Sins, Ihould go before the Confeflion and Abfolution ; or at lead before the Prailes of the Church ; which they do not.

^. The Confeflion omitteth not only Original Sin, but all a^ual Sin as (pecified by the particular Commandments violated j and almoft all the Aggravatious of tliofe Sins; and inftcad thereof, it containeth only the repeated Confeflion, that [ we have erred and grayed from God's ways: That we have followed the Devijes and Defires of our Hearts: That we have offended agamfi bts Laws: That we have left undone thofe thtngs that we ought to have done, &C.J which is but to fay, \jVe have finned hj Omijjion and Commiffton : ] Whereas Corfeffion being the Exfrejjion of Refentance, /hould be more particular, as Repentance it ielf ftiould be.

4. When we have craved help for God's Prayers^ before we come to them, we abruptly put in the Petition for (peedy Deliverance [ O God make {peed to fave us i O Lord make hajle to help us. ] without any Intimation of the Danger that we defire deliverance from; and without any other Petition conjoined,

5. It 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 A(* fiflance, come in abruptly, in the midftor near theendof Morning Prayer; And [ Let m Pray ] is adjoined when we were before in Prayer.

7. Lord have Mercy upon m : Chrifi have Mercy upon us: Lord have Mercy upon us J feeineth an affeAed Tautologie, without any fpecial Caule, 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 fiiew thy Met' cy uponus.'\

8. The Prayer for the King [ O Lord fave the King ] is without any Order put between the forefaid Petition, and another General Rcqueft only for Audience [ And mercifully bear us when we call upon thee^

9. The lecond CoUeft is intided [for Peace ] and hath not a Word in it of Pe-• tition for Peacty but only for [Deftnce in Ajjaults of Enemies, and that we may not

fear their Power. ] And the Prefaces [In knowledge of whom (landetb our eternal Ltfe, and whofe Service is perfeS Freedom 3 have no more evident relpeft to a Petition for \_ Peace'\ than to any other. And the Prayer it lelf comes in diibrderly, while many Prayers or Petitions are omitted, which according both to the method of the Lord's Prayer, and the Nature of the things, fhould go before.

10. The third Collect intituled Q/or Grace] is diforderly, in that it followeth that for Peace j which belongs to the lafi Petttton of the Lord's Prayer ; and in that in the Conclufion of Motning Prayer, we begin to beg the Mercies for the Day. And it h defeiltve, in that it is but a General Requeft for defence from Sin and Danger. And thus the main parts of Prayer, according to the Rule of the Lord's Pray-fr, and our common NeceflSties are omitted, as may be (een by comparing our Forms with thele.

11. Moft of ourNeceflities are pafled over in the like dcfedive Generals alfo in

the Everitig Prayer.

12. The Lttany, which fhould contain all the ordinary Petitions of the Church, omiticih very many pjirtigulars, as may appear in our offered Forms compsred

with

with it: It were tedious to number the half of its omifltons. And it is exceeding diforderly, following no juft Rules of method : Having begged pardon of our fins^ and deprecated vengeance, it proceedeth to E'viltn general, and feme few'Sixns in farticular, and thence to a more particular enumeration of Judgmentr, and thence to the recitation of the parts of that Work of our Redemption, and thence to tlie deprecation oi Judgments again, and thence to Prayers for the King and Magifirates, and then for all Nations, and then for Love and Obedience, and then for leveral/afsi of men, and then for all men, and ior Enemies, and then for the Fruits of the Earth y and then for Repentance, Forgivene^ and Grace again, and then turneth to Repetitions of the fame Petitions for Far don and Mercy, and after the Lords Prayer, returneth to the (amerequeft again. Next this, in the midft of Prayer,it repeateth [Let us prajij. Next is a Prayer againft Adverfty and Perfecutions , which was done before : and both here and through the reft of the Prayers, the deprecation o{bodily fuffermg hath very much too large a proportion, while j/^»r;f«a/i are too generally and /r/f/?/touched ; which is unbefeeming the Church ol Chrift, which mindeth not the things oftheflejh, butof the^ff-i;, Rora.8.y,6,7.

Next folioweth a reduplicate Petition that God would [arife and help us and deliver m] with aninterpofed Argument from his Ancient Works: which comes in without any realbn or order,and is the fame that was before petitioned ; and feems to be fitted to fome fpecial dirtrefs or danger of the Church, and yet mentioneth not that diftrefs or danger ; and is to be uled equally in the profperity of the Church. Next this folioweth the Doxology, as if we were concluding, and then we go on to the fame Requefts lb oft before repeated, for deliverance from \_affli£iions and farrows ], though perhaps it We not a time of AffliAion with us, but of Joy : and fo it proceeds to ask/org»i/fWf/y, fo often asked, and then four time repeats the Pe-' tition for Auiitnctj when we draw near an end, and twice repeats the general Petition for Mercy. Next this, while we are praying, we again fay, Let us pray. And then again pray againft delerved Evils, and for Holincfs in general, all out of any order, and oft repeated, while abundance of moft weighty Particulars are never mentioned. N«xt this the Prayer for the King and the Royal Family is again repeated, which went before : If that were the due place, why fhould not our Petitions have been there put in together for them ?but the minds of the Church are thus tofled up and down like the Waves of the Sea, from one thing to another j and then to the firft again , without any regard to order,in the prcfence of the God of Order.

Next this, the Bijhops and Curates are prayed for without the Parifls Incumbent, Presbyters, or dfe it's intimated that they are but the Bijhops Curates , or el(e they are called Biibops themfclves; and no Man can tell certainly which of thele is the lence : And the Preface wouW intimate to tlie People, that it is fome fpecial great marvel for Bifhops and Curates to have Grace: And after all this, there are no particular petitions for them, according to the nature and neceffity of their Work, or of their Congregation, but only rtiis one General Requeft, that they may have God's Grace and Bleffing to pleale him. Laftly f before the Bleffing) is Chryftfo-y?(»m's Prayer, meerly for the granting of ourRequefts, with two Petitions, one for Knowledge, the Other for Life Eternal. The following Prayers and Thanklgivings 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 thele Prayers and Thanklgivings are all placed after the Benedi-ftion, is diforderly. And though it's moft probable that yet it was intended they fhould go before it inufe, there is no fuch thing expreffed in the Book. And thus we fee how unlike the Utany is to the Lorls Frayer, and how far from all juji Order, which is a deformity that fuch Holy Works fhould not be guilty of,

I;. The like defe^tvenefi AnA 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, but the Generals [ To caft away the Works of Darkntf , and put on the Armour of Ught.

That forthefecond Sunday in Advent is a very good Prayer, ( viz.. to learn and obey the Scripture ): but there is no more realbn why it fhould be appropriate to that day than another, or rather be a common Petition for all days.

The fame is true of that for the third Sunday in Advent, which begs no more but [bearing our prayers and lightning our darknef'\.

As little realon is thcro for the appropriating that for the fourth Sunday in Advent to that day: which is a General Requeft, that God would (omt among mandfuccottr

us.

^is, znAJpeedily deliver us, who through our fm and ivickedneJS are fore let and hindered] without acquainting us what the wickednels or 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 lefs the Day : And the fame Prayer is appointed for divers days after : fo that if by [day} is meant any other Ipace of time than a Natural Day , then it is no fitter for Chriifmas day than another. If it mean a Natural Day, then it is an untruth on the following days, in the fence of the Impofers.

The Colleca on St. Stephens day hath but one Petition. That on St^Johtis day hath nothing in it proper to him in the reafon of it. That the Jews Children are called Innocents, that were two years old ; and that they are fiid to confeis Chrift by dying, and fo muft have a Holy-day. when they confefled him but objedively as Sacrifices did ; that hence we take occafion to pray for the killing of Vices in us, that our Lives may exprefs our Faith, is partly Uncertainty (at the beft) and partly incoherence.

The Colleft for the Epiphany hath no Petition, but one, for [the fi-uition of the ^U-rious Godhead after thu Ltfe].

The Colled for tlie firft Sunday after the Epiphany is no more pertinent to that day than to another j and is only for the Generals [jhe hearing of our Frayers, 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 thsEpiphany is no more pertinent 5 and hath nothing but in General, that God will look upon our Infirmities, and help us in all dangers and neceffities.

The fame is to be faid of that for the fourth Sunday after Epiphany, which is only for [health of body and foul to paf and overcome Sufferings'],

The Colleftfor the keeping of the Church ia the true Religion, is no more pertinent to the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, than to another duy. - • . -

The Colled on Septuage/Ima Sunday is, [_that we that are jujlly punijljed for our of' fences, maj he mercifully deli'vered ] i when perhaps the Church, is under «0 fpscial Puriifliment: nor is there any reafon for the order of this Prayer, ,^

That on the Sunday caWtd^exageJma hath no reafon of its location or order there : and hath no Petition but that fo'oft repeated one, to be [defended againjt all ad'verfity\

The Petition for C/6<jnV;'on ^;w^««^f^w<i Sunday , bath no realbn for difor-der ; nor for appropriation to, that day, but ffeould be part of every days Re-quefts.

The fame is to be faid of the Colled on the firft day of Ltnt ; which alfo un-handfbnily faith, that [Go J 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. y. j.

The General Petitions on the fecond ^unday in Lent, [to ke^p our bodies from ad-verfity, and our fouls fi-om evil thought^'] have no reafon for their order,/ ...j; r^. .,:

The fame is true of that on the third Sunday in Lent, which hatli no Petition, biit that God will look upon our dejires'^, andfiretchforth ha right hand to be otir;defense againft Enemies. , ' . , ,'..-,,;,. ;■ mi •,■•>>:£.•'•'f;.'

There is no more reafon for that order of that" on the fourth Sunday in Lent, which is only a Petition [for relief to tu that are ovortbily puniflied], when perhaps we areunderno fpecial Punilhment, but in Profperity.

The fame Ataxic is in that on the fifth Sunday in Lent^ which asketh nothing but 10 hzl^governed and preferred evermore']. . •,,,.,,.,

That on the Sunday before Ea/^r, and divers days after, giveth no realbn of Chrift's Incarnation and Death, but that [all mankindJlwuU follow the-example of his humility], and yet muft be ufed rather then that on the lecond Sunday after Eafier, which in fewer words conjoyneth \_both d Sacrifice for Sin, and alfo an Enfa?/jple of Godly Life].

The firft Colled on Cood-fryday hath no Petition , but that God will [ gracioujly heboid this his Family] ( inconveniently alio exprefTed: the Pronoun [tbts] feeming plainly to mean, that particular Congregation j which is not to be Ci\kd Gods Family, but part of it).. ,\'' ' ' ', '"'"V , .".' . V ' The following Colli§<a;s for "the'flay are good, but have no order as to their loca-

tion.

£ven

Even the Colled on Eafter-day is diforderly, and dry, having no Requeft annexed to the mention of Chrift's Refurredion, but that \_by God's help vfe may bnvg the good Je/ires be hatb given tu to good effeil'], which alfo is repeated the next day , and alio on the firft Sunday after Eafier.

That on the fecond Sunday after Ea[ler is fitter for Geod-friday, but indeed muft be a daily Petition.

That on the third Sunday after Eafier hath no reafon of its order or placing there.

The fame is true of that for the fourth Sunday after Eafier : and that on the fifth Sunday : which are but Generals (to think and do good).

That on Whitftmday and divers days after, ufeth the words [ as upon this day ] of which before : and petitioneth for no gift of the Spirit, but [ a right judgment and rejoycing].

That on Trinity Sunday asketh nothing at all, but [ through the fltdfaftne^ of our ■Faith to be defended evermorefiom all adverfty']. A Petition lb frequently repeated, even alone, as if we would perfwade the Enemies of the Church, that we are a worldly carnal People; and principally feek the things that perifh : when indeed it is a fin to pray to be [ evermore defended from all adverfity J j when God hath -told us, that through many tribulations we miiB enter into his kingdom, and that he that •will live godly in Chrtfijejui jlalljuffer perJecution,and that God chaHtneth every fon ■whom he receiveth, and that be that -wtll be Chrifi's Difciple muB deny himfelf, and furjake all and take up bisCrofi and follov/ him, accounting the affliStons 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 containeth only the General Requeft, fo oft repeated, of Grace to keep Gods Gommandments and pleaje him.

No more reafon is there for the order of the Petition for [^fear and love ] on the' fecond Sunday after Trinity.

Nor of that on the third Sunday, which only asketh audience, and that God [by his mighty aid will defend us"] without any inftancing from what.

No more reafon is therefor the order of the Requefts on the fourth Sunday after Trinity, the fifth, the fixth, the leventh, the eighth (which only prays God, whole Providence is never deceived, to put away from us all hurtful things, and give us thoje things that be profitable: all meer Generals; in which no particular repentance or defires are expreffed). So aUb on the ninth Sunday ( that hath the like Generals) and on the tench Sunday, which asketh nothing but that we may obtain our petitions, and ask that which pleaftthGod: 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 prefumeto ask ) : and that on the thirteenth fthat we may jo run to the prsmifes at to attain them) which is all the Petition : and that on the fourteenth ; and that on the fifteenth (keep m ever by thy help,and lead us to all things profitable to aur falvation ) ; and that on the fixteenth, the leventeenh,the eigh-teenth (where [the infeilions of the Devil] is an inconvenient phrafe j; the nineteenth, the twentieth, the one and twentieth, the two and twentieth (which again prays that the Church may be free from all adverfities ) : the three and twentieth (which is nothing but in general, that what we ask may be granted) ; the four and twentieth ( for/or^ia/f«f/) J the five and twentieth { iov Good works)', all which are without any fpecial reafon both appropriated to the feveral days, and placed where they ftand in the order of our Requefts.

The Petition on St. Thomas''^ day, ,for fo perfeB a Faith as (l)aB never be reproved in the fight of God, is of doubtful conveniency, becaufe contrary to the Scripture pre-didion of the event.

In the Colled on St. John Baptifi's day, the pre(tcbing of Penance, is a word of a more miflvading 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 forfaken through the Book.

The next Prayer for lovmg and magnifying God's l<!ame^i% moft neceflary,but there out of order.

Tht Commandments come in alfo out of order, without any fpecial reafon of connexion to what goeth before and foUoweth.

So do the following Prayers for the King, which yet in theralelves are very good. And the Epiftle, and Gofpel, and Creed. The Churchwardens are not direded to an orderly collect ion for the Poor.

In

In the Sentences exciting to remember the Poorj the Scriptures and A^sochry-phal Paflages of Tobit are confounded, without any note of fufficienc diftindion , as if we would have the People believe that 7ohtt is Canonical Scripture.

The Prayer for the Church Militant (one of the beft) is very defeftive, having no Petition for the Church, but thofe for [Truth, Unity, Love and Concord],

The Exhortation biddeth all (and intreateth them for the Lord Jelus fake) even the worfl: and moft unprepared that be/)re/£«f, 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-ludej which fjjeaketh 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 it were made at a liifficient diftance before the Sacrament, that they might have time of Preparation.

The next Admonition againft unworthy Receiving is very good ; but impertinent and unieafonable, while it perfwadeth them to come to the Minifterfor Advice, in order to the Sacrament which is perfectly to be adminiftred.

It is a dilbrder, for one of the Communicants to be invited to be the Mouth of the refi • in Confeffion of Vrayer. If the Veople may fro tempore make a Minifter , why not for continuance ; and fo the Common Prayer Book is for the Principles of Popular Se-paratifts.

The proper Vrehcasfot Cbrifimas-day and Wbitfunday, repeat the word [at this day~\ which is either a falfhood or impertinent j and non-intelligible to the moit.

It is a diforder in the next words to begin in a Prayer and end in a Narrative.

It is diforderly for the Minifter to receive the Sacrament in both kinds himfelf before the other Minifters, or People do receive it in either.

There is no, liifficient Explicationof the Nature and Uk of the Sacrament pre-mifed : which is the greater defc6l where the Sacrament is allowed to be admini-ftred without a Sermon; and where fo many of the People never learned the Ca-techifm, or underftood what a Sacrament is.

The Exhortation is too defeftive for the exciting the Faith and other Graces of the Communicants j 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-flindtly enough performed.

Sometime the A4inifler is to kneel at Prayer, and fometime to ftand up, without any ipecial reafbn given for it.

It were more orderly to make the Delivery diftinft 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 ('ordinarily) in the Plural Number, and to the Church, or to many at once, [ Takeje, Eat ye. Drinkye,~\ than in the Singular Number recited to each one.

It is diforderly for the People to repeat every Petition of the following Prayers, after the Minifler.

That the Hymn be fung in Profe feemeth diforderly.

The CoUefts appointed to be faid after the Offertory, have no reafbn of order or connexion with what went before, or foUoweth after.

The firif of them beggs [ yjjflfiance in thefe ottr Supplications and Prayers^i which iliould rather be towards the beginning than when we are concluding.And it beggs but the oft repeated benefit of Defence againfi tie Changes and (as it is inconveniently called J the Chances of this Ltfe. And another of them again asketh thofe things ivhicb we dare not ask~\.

But it is the greateft diforder of all, that every Parifhioner ftall Communicate at lealt thrice in the year, whether he be fit or unfit, and be forced to it.

In Baptifm it is the greateft diforder, that Minifters muft be forced, though a-gainft their Confciences, to baptize all Children without Exception; the Children of Atheifts, Infidels, Hereticks, unbaptized Pcrfons, Excommunicate Perfons, or Iir.penicent Fornicators,or fuch like.

Part II. R^i;^r^«^M-.Richard Baxter. 313

It is difbrdetly that the Parents are neither of them required ('ordinarily) to be prefent, and prefent their Child to Baptifm, but it is left to Godfithers and Godmothers that have no power to confent for them, or enter theminto the Covenant, unlefsit be in the Parents name, or they be Pro-parents, taking the Child as their

own.

And it fruftrateth due Enquiry and Affiftance , when the Parents may choole whether they will come before to the Minifter to be inih uded about the Nature and Uk of Baptifm ; and may choofe whether they will let him know of ic till the Night or Morning before.

The Exhortation before Bapttfm is very defeftive, omitting many weighty Points.

So are the two Prayers before it: where alfo it is ingonvcniently faid , That God by ChrijFsBaftifm did fanitifie the Flood ]oidin, and all other Waters, tethemyfti-,cal tvafliingatvay of Sin.

The afcribingof the Gift of the Holy Ghoft to Infants by their Baptifm, as its ordinary Effed atid neceffary to their Regeneration, is to bring an undetermined uncertain Opinion into our Liturgy.

The Arguments for Infant-Baptilm are lb defedively expreft, as have tempted many into Anabafttfm.

The third Prayer faith very little, but what was faid in one of thofe foregoing-

Sureties that have not the Parents power, are unjuftly required to promKein the

Infant's Name, or the Infant by them : And lb it is a doubt whether many Infants have ever indeed been entred into the Covenant of God, when they cannot be faid to Promife or Covenant by Perfons, whom neither Nature or Scripture , or any fufficient Authority hath enabled to that Office.

The Sureties are unjufHy and irregularly required, to profefs prefent Adual Fakh in the Infant's name, when it is a thing not required of the Infant; 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 capable.

Of the Crofs in Baptifm we have faid more in due place j but here only add that it is a very great diforder f befides the other faults ) to expreft the Terms of the Covenant as fignified by the Crofs, more fully than as Signified by baptizing ; viz. [jVe fign him with the fign of the Crofi, in token that hereafter he Jhall not bt afliamed to confeJS the Faith of Chrifi crucified , and manfttllj/ to fight under his Banner, againfi Sin, the World and the Devil, and to continue Chriji's faithful Soldier and Servant unto his lives end : Amen^.

TheConclufion that [the Child is Regenerate'\ and the Thankfglving for [Regenerating it hy the Spirit ] are doubly faulty: Firlt, in concluding that all Children baptized are Regenerate, when we admit thofe (beforementioned; whofe Intereft in the Covenant, which Baptifm lealeth, cannot be proved : that is, fuch whole Parents can lay no juft claim to the Grace of the Covenant: At leaft , here is a private Opinion thruft into our Liturgy. Secondly in concluding all Infants regenerate by the Holy Ghoit, when io many Learned Divines think that it is but a Relative Regeneration, that is afcertained them; and the Controverfie is yet undecided.

The Exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers impofeth on them the Duty of the Parents, to fee to the holy Education, which ordinarily they cannot do, nor ai e to be required to do; nor is it ordinarily done, and yet we go on in the abufe.

The concluding Rubrick halleneth Children too foon to Confirmation, contrary to Ibme Claufes in the Rubrick for Confirmation.

Divers Defeth befides thefcexprelTed, 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 Godmothers renew johmnly the Covenant-hgagement of the Child , when before we are to [certifie them that all is well done, and according to due order ] j and the Jolemniz,ing of the Covenant is the principal ufe of Baptifm j fb that ics doubtful whether the repeating of lb great a part of Baptifm , bs not a great part of Anbaptifm.

An^ it is not orderly that twice we muft fay to the Godfathers and Godmothers [ Dop thou in the Name of this Child^ as if we fpoke buc to one of them: and the third time we fay [Do you in bis NaTxe}.

S s Alfo

Alfo the Prayer of [^gtvivg the Sftrit to the Infant,that he being born agatn] feems to import the Effeds of Btptijm onChrift's part,(as underftood by the Common Prayer, Book) to be not given by the Private Baptifm.

In the Kubrick for Confirrtation, the Order that Children fhall be Confirmed when they can fay the Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments, and an- A fwer the Qaeftions of the Catechifm, feems contrary to the firft and third Rea-fons, which require that Sokvin Renewal or owning of their Covenant, which ordinarily they are not ripe for, of many years after they can fay the Catechifm,

And though we fuppofe, the meaning was only to exclude the Necefficy of any other Sacrament to baptized Infants, yet thefe Words are dangerous, as to miflead the Vulgar, [He pall know for a Truth, that it is certain by God't Word, that Children being baftiz,ed have aH things necejjary for their Salvation, and be undoubtedly fnved]. The meaning is ex farte Eccleftx but it hath miflead many to think it is abfolute, and comprehendeth all things necelTary in every refped.

In a Catechifm where fo many neceffary Points are pafTed over , it's difbrderly ro put two fuch frivolous Queftions in the beginning, as {What is your Name ? and Who gave you this Name ?2

In the Catechifm there is omitted fome of the EjJ'mial Attributes of God, without which he cannot be rightly known. There is alfo omitted the Dodrineof the Law made to Adam, and of Man's Fall, and the Dodrine of our Mifery is infuffici-ently touched : The Perfon, Office, and Properties of the Redeemer , are fo in-fufficiendy opened, as that we rtiould think the Eflentials of ChrilHanity are omitted, were ic not that they are (generally at leaft) expreffed in the Creed it felf^^Nb^ch is more full than the Explication of it. There is no mention of the Holy Scriptures in it: and the Doctrine of the Covenant of Grace is very defedively exprel-fed ; and ib is the DoArine of Sandification, and other parts of the Work of the Holy Ghoft ,• and the whole Doftrine 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 fullefl: : as will appear by a true comparing it with what we offer.

The Prayers and AdminiftraticMi of Ccaifirmation fuppole all the Children brought to be Confirmed, to have the Spirit of Chrift and the forgivenels 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, careleG Life, and (hew no Love to God above all, no prevalent Self denial, Mortification, nor Faith in Chrift, and Heavenly-niindednefs, norferious Repentance for the Life of Sin which they continue in after Baptifm : Therefore to thefe Children Confirmation is not to be Adminiftred, till befides the frying of the Catechifm, they make a credible Profaffion of Faith, Repentance and Obedience : And to them that do not thus,Confirmacion is a grols and periUous Abufe.

In the concluding Rubrick there is no care tak^en for the multitude that being p^aft Childhood, underfhnd not what it is to be a Chriftian : who alfo have need ofCacediizing.

In Matrimony thele Words \_ For be je well afjured that fo many as be coupled together otbenvtfe than God's IVord doth allow, are not joined together by God, rteither is their Matrimony Lawful} do dangeroufly fpeak that of Irregularities in General, which is true only of Ibme grearcr Faults that are contrary to the Effentials of Matrimony : For in many Cafes i^nod fieri non debet, faihtm valet.

The Ring ftould not be forced on thofe that fcruple it.

The obliilete Phrafes \_Wuh my Rodj 1 thee IForfliip, &c.] Ihoold be changed.

The Pi .lyers at the Table are difbrderly Repetitions, not delivering that in many Words, winch may be expreft in few.

It is unfit to keep all Perfons unmarried that are unmeet for the Communion, being Infidels and unbaptizcd and prophane Perfons may marry : and it is unmeet to fo) ce fuch to receive the Communion the fame Day that they Marry.

If it were requifitc to put the private Work of vifiting the Sick,into the publick Liturgy of the Chm ch ; yet the Variety of the Cafes of the Sick is fuch, that thele Forms arc not fuitabic to all.

In

In the Communion of the Sick, the ancient Cuftomof the Church was where tim« and place allowed it, to fend the Deacon to the Sick, at the time of tlie Celebration, wich a Portion of the Confecrated Bread and Wine, which is here omitted.

The Minifler is caufelefly tied to meet the Corps jufl at the Church Sryle,andto ulethe oft-repeated [^Lord have Mercy upon uiyChrift ba-vt Mercy upon us,Lord have Mercy upon as] : And it is a Confufion perilous to the living, that we are to prefiima that all we bury be of one fort viz. Elect and Saved: when contrariiy we fee multitudes die without any fuch Signs of Repentance, as rational Charity can judge (incere.

It is a diforder that Women be not at all required beforehand to de/ire any pub-lick Prayers for their lafe Deliverance j and yet when they are delivered, that a Thankfgiving on the Lord's Days, fuch as is for other great Deliverances will not lerve the turn, without a fpecial Office j which if performed on the Lord's Day will be an Impediment or Difturbance to the publick Worfhip : And while an ia-convenientPfalms, and Repetitions, and Refponds be uled, the Prayer is defeftive as will appear by comparing it with what we offer.

It is a perilous Dilbrder, that Penance (as it is called) be ufed by notorious Sinners at a (fated time, the beginning of Lent, which fliould be ufed (rightlyj to reftore thePerfon whenever he is fallen : And this is not to be wifhed (in this Diforder) to be reltored again ; no more than that Phyfick be given only at Lent in acute Di-leafes, 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 dehortaiion may be well ufed : But this pertaineth to the ordinary preaching of the Word.

Of the Refponds, and the doubtful Phrale [ thou hatefi nothing tkat thou hafi made ] we have (poke before.

Other OmifEons and Diforders appear by comparing it with what we offer. We only add upon the whole, thefe further general Remarks.

• I. It is a great Diforder that we have fb many Prayers, inftead of many Tetiticns in one Prayer : The Gravity and Seriou(he(s requifite in our Prayers to God, and the Examples left on Record in Scripture, do perfiiade us, when we have many Petitions at once to put up to God, which all have a Connexion in Nature and Neceffity, that there (hould be fuch a Connexion of our Defires and Rcque(ts, and many of them (hould con(fitute one Prayer, whereas the Common-Prayer-Book, in its numerous Collects, doth make oft times as many Prayers as Petitions j and we un-decently begin with a folemn Preface, and as Solemnly conclude, and then begin again j as if before every Petition of the Lord't Prayer, we (hould repeat [ Our Father 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 (bme one Particular Requeft to put up, without Connexion with others, we may then make a Prayer of that alone.

2. Hencait comes to pafs that the holy and reverend Name of God is made the matter of unnecelfary Tautologies, while half the Prayer is made up of his Attributes and Addrelfes to him, and with Conclufions containing the Mention of his Name and Kingdom, and the Merits of his Son ; even in holy Worlhip we (hould fear uJing God's Name unreverendy and in vain.

3. And it is a great Diforder, that fo much of the publick Prayers (hould be uttered by the People, as in the Rejponds, and that they only (hould put up the petitioning part, while the Minifter doth but (uggeft to them. Or recite the Matter of the Petitions, as in the Litany : feeing the Minifter is by Office to be the Mouth of the People and God, and Scripture intiraateth, that ordinarily their Part was but to fay, [-Amen] j and it feemeth to many fober People, who are much offended at it, to be a very confufed and unfeemly Murmur, that is caufed in moft Congregations by the Peoples (peaking. Efpecially when in reading the Plalms the People fay every fecond Verfe, which cannot be heard and underftood by fuch as cannot read, or have no Books j and then the other Verfe which the Miniftet

S s 2 faith.

faith, is not underftood, becaule we hear not the annexed Verfe, which containeth part of the Senfe. And fo the whole reading Pfalms, are almofl as in l:atin to them that cannot read themfelves.

And that all this is really DjforJer and contrary to Edification, appeareth both in the Reafon of the thing, and in that the Prayers mentioned in Scripture are of another Order; and in that they are not according to the Method of the Lord's prayer, which is the perfed Rule of Prayer in all univerfal Prayers, which confiils not of occafional Particulars; and in that the mod fenfible experienced praying Chriftians find it by Experience to hinder their Edification (and their TelHmdhy ihould be preferred before that of ignorant.unexperienced, partial, or ungodly Men; or at leafl a Courfe taken which is agreeable to both forts, and hindereth the Edification of neither): And lafily thole very Men that will not reform any of this Diforder in the Liturgy, do nauleate and condemn the Prayers of a weak MinHler, or private Chriftian, if they have but the fourth part of the very like I^forders, Repetitions, Tautologies, or Defeds as the Liturgy hath.

For thefe Reafons a proportionable Reformation is defired.

Befides all forementloned, there is in two months fpace no lels than one hundred and nine Chapters of the Apocrypha appointed to be read as Leffons, juft in the time, manner, and Title as the Chapter of the holy Scriptures bej even the Stories of Tobit, and Judith being part; and alfo of Bel and the Dragon, and Sufanna, which Prcteftants hold to be but Fables. But thole Exceptions which we actually offered to the Bilhops were as follows.

Jhe Exceptions againji the Beoh^ of Commn-Prayer.

Acknowledging with all humility and thankfulnels, hh Majefty's rnoft Princely Condefcention and Indulgence, to very many of his Loyal Subjeds, as well in his Majefty's rnoft gracious Declaracion, as particularly in this prelent Gommil^ fion, iflued forth in purfuance thereof; we doubt not but the light Reverend Bi^ Ihops; and all the reft of his Majefty's Commiffloners intrufted in this Work, will, in imitation of his Majefty's rnoft prudent and Chriftian Moderation and Clemency, judge it their Duty (what we find to be the Apoftles own Praftice) in a fped-al manner to be tencierof the Churches Peace, to bear with the Infirmities of the weak, and not to pleale themfelves, nor to meafurc the Confciences of other Men by the Light and Latitude of their own, but feriouOy and readily to confider and advife of fuch Expedients, as may rnoft conduce to the healing of our Breaches, and uniting thofe that differ.

And albeit we have an high and honourable efteem of thole godly and leartled Biihops, and others, who were the firft Compilers of the publick Liturgy, and do l«ok upon it as an excellent and worthy Wotk, for that time, when the Church of England made her firft ftep oat of fuch a Mift of Popifli Ignorance and Superftition wherein it formerly was involved; Yet confidering that all human Works do gradually arrbe at their Maturity and Perfedion; 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 Difparagement or Derogation either to the Work itfelf, 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 necelfary for fatisfying the Scruples of a mulcituds of Ibber Perfons, who cannot at all ( or very hardly ) comply with the ufe of if, as now it is, and may beftfuce with the prefent times after lb long an Enjoyment of the glorious light of the Gofpel, and fo happy a Reformation. Elj^ecially confidering that many Godly and learned Men, have from the beginning all along ear-neftly defired rhe Alteration of many things therein, and very many of his Majefty's pious, peaceable, and loyal Subjects, after fo long a difcontinuance of it, are more averle tfom it than heretofore. The fatisfying of whom (as far as may be) will very much conduce to that Peace and Unity which is lb much defired by all good Men, and fo much endeavoured by his rnoft excellent Ma jelty.

And

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 31 If

And therefore in purfiiance of this his Majefty's moft gracious Commiffion, fir the fatisfaftion of tender Confciences, and the proouring of Peace and Unity amongft our felves, we judge meet to propnfi,

FirlJ', That all the Prayeis, and other Materials of the Liturgy may confift of nothing </tf«^r/«/or ^«f///owci/amonglt pious^ learned, and orthodox Perlbns, inafmuch as the profefied end of compofing them is for the declaring of the Urtny and Covfint of all who join in the publick Worfhip ; it being too evident that the liniicing of Church-Communion to things of doubtful Dijputatton, hath been in all Ages the ground of Schifm and Separation according to the faying of a learned Peribn.

' To load our publick Forms, with the private Fancies upon which we differ, is i^^r./ialci^ ' the molt fovcraign way to perpetuate Schifm to the World's End. Prayer, Con-

* feffion, Thanklgiving, reading of the Scriptures, and adminiftration of the Sacra-

* ments in the plained, and fimpleff manner, were matter enough to furniih out a

* fufficient Liturgy, though nothing either of private Opinion, orofChurch-ponp,

* of Garments, or prefcribed Geflures, of Imagery, of Mufick, of matter concern-

* ing the Dead, of many Superfluities which creep into the Church under the Name ' of Ordery and Decency, did interpofe it felf. To charge Churches and Liturgies

* with things unnecenary, was the lirft beginning of all Superftition, and When

* Scruple of Confcience began to be made or pretended, then Schifm began to break

* in. If the (pecial Guides and Fathers of the Church would be a little fparing of ' incumbering Churches with Superfluities, or not over-rigid, either in reviving ob-

* (blete Curtoms, or impofing new, there would be far lefs Caufe of Schifm, or Su-' perftition ; and all the Inconvenience were likely to enfiie, would be but this, ' they Ihouldin lb doing yield a little to the irabecillity of their Inferiors j a thing

* which St. Paul would never have refafed to do : Mean while, where(oever falfe

* or fufpeded Opinions are made a piece of Church-Liturgy j he that leparates is 'not the Schifmatick j for it is alike unlawful to make profeffion of known, or(uf

* pedsd Falfhood, as to put in pradrce unlawful or fulpefted Adion.

2. Further, we humbly defire that it may be (erioufly confidered, that as our firft Reformers out of their great Wifdom, did at that time (6 compole the Litu:^, as to win upon thePapifts, and to draw them into their Church-Communion, by varying as little as they well could, from the Romifii Forms before in ufe; fo whether in the prefent Conftitution, and State of Things amongft us, we fhould not according to the fame Rule of Prudence and Charity, have our Liturgy fo compoled, as to gain upon the Judgments and Affedion of all thofe who in the Subftantials of the Proteftant Religion are of the fame Perfuafions with our felves: Inafmuch a& a more firm Union and Conlent of all fuch, as well in Worfhip, as in Dodrine, Would ; greatly ftrengthen the Proteftant Intereft againft all thofe Dang«rs and Temptations which our inteftine Divifions and Animofities do expofe us unto, from the common Adverlary.

3. That the Repetitions, and Refponfals of the Clerk and People, and the alternate reading of the Pfalms and Hymns which caule a confufed Murmur in the Congregation, whereby what is read is lefs intelligible, and therefore unedifying, may be omitted : The Minilter being appointed for the People in all publick Services 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 witli SHence and Reverence to attend thereunto, and to declare their Confent in the Clofe, by laying Amen.

4. That in regard the Litany (though otherwife containing in it many holy Petitions) is fo framed, that the Petitions for a great part are uttered only by the People, which we think not to be foconlbnant to Scripture, which makes the Minifter the Mouth of the People to God in Prayer, the Particulars thereof may be com-poled into one Iblemn Prayer to be offered by the Minifter unto God for the People.

y. That there be nothing in the Liturgy which may leem to countenance the Obfervation of Lent, as a Religious Fajl j the Example of Chrift's fafling Forty Days and Nights, being no more imitable, nor intended for the Imitation of a Chriftian, than any other of his Miraculoi;s Works were, or than Mojes his forty Days Fall was for the Jews: And the Ad of Parliament, y EUtj. 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, fiiall notifie 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 otber politick Laws are.

6. That

"318 The LIFE of the '■ L i b. T

6. That the religious Obfervation of Saints-days appointed to be kept as Holy-days, and the Vigils thereof without any Foundation fas we conceive) in Scripture, may be omitted. That if any be retained, they may be called Fefii'vals, and not Holy-ilays, nor made equal with the Lord's-dayy nor have any peculiar iervice appointed for them, nor the People be upon fuch Days forced wholly to abftain from Work, and that the Names of all others now inferred in the Calender which are not in the firft and fecond Books of Edward the fixth, may be left out.

7. That the Gift of I'rayer, being one fpecial Qualification for the Work of the Miniftry beftowed by Chrift in order to the Edification of his Church, and to be exercifed for the profit and benefit thereof, according to its various and emergent neceffity ; It is defined that there may be no fuch impofition of the Liturgy, as that theexeicife of tiiat gif be thereby totally excluded in any part of Publick Wor/hip. And further, confidering the great Age of lome Minilters, and Infirmities of o-thers, and the variety ot feveral Servicesoft-times concurring upon the fame day, whereby it may be inexpedient to requireevery Minifter, at all times to read the whole •, It may be left to the difcretion of theMinifler, to omit part of it, as occa-fion fliall require : 'vtiich liberty we find to be allowed even in the firft Common Prayer Book of Edward 6,

8. That in regard of the many Defedts which have been obferved in that Verfi-onof the Scriptures, which is ufed throughout the Liturgy ( manifold Inftances whereof may be produced, as in theEpiftle for the firft Sunday after Epiphany, taken out of Romans 12. i. Be ye changed inyourfijape j And the Epiftle for the Sunday next before Eafter, taken out oiVhdtppians 2. j. Found in his apparel as aman ; as al-(6 the Epiltle for the fourth Sunday in Lent, taken out of the fourth of the Galati-ans, Mount Sinai is Agar m Arabia, and bordereth upon the City which is now called Jerujdlem. The Epiltle for St. Matthew's Day taken out of the fecond Epiftle of Corinth, and the 4th. IVe go not out of Kind. The Golpel for the lecond Sunday after Epiphany, taken out of the fecond of John, When Alen be drunk. The Gofpel for the third Sunday in Lent, taken out of the nth of Luke, One Houfe dtth faU upon another. The Gofpel for the Annunciation, taken out of the firft of Luke^ Thu u the fixth Month which was called barren ] and many other places) we therefore defire inftead thereof the New Tranflation allowed by Authority may alone be ufed.

9. That inafmuch as the holy Scriptures are able to make us wile unto Salvation, to furni/h us throughly unto all good Works, and contain in them all ihings necef-fary, either in Dodrine to be believed, or in Duty to be pradilcd \ whereas divers Chapters of the Apocryphal Books appointed to be read, are Charged to be in both refpe<fts, of dubious and uncertain credit: It is therefore defircd, that nothing be read in the Church for Lejjbtn, but the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Te-ftamenr.

10. That the Minifter be not required to rehearfe any part of the Liturgy at the Communion-Table, fave only thole parts which properly belong to the Lord's Supper ; and that at fuch times only when the faid holy Supper is adminillred.

I J. That as the Word (Mtntfter) and not Priefi, or Curate, is uled in the Abfolu-tion, and in divers other places j it may throughout the whole Book be fo ufed inftead of thole two Words j and that inllead of the Word Sunday, the Word Lords-day, may be every where ufed.

12. Becaule finging of Plalmsisa confiderable part of publick Wor/hip, we de-fire that the Verfion fet forth and allowed to be liing in Churches, may be amended, or that we may have leave to make ule of a purer Verfion.

1;. That all obfolete Words in the Common-Prayer, and fuch whofeufe is changed from their firft figniffcancy (as Aread) ufed in the Gofpel for the Monday and Wednefday before Eafter [ Then opened he their IVits j uled in the Gofpel for Eafter Tuefday, &c. may be altered unto other Words generally received, and better un-derftord.

14. That no Portions of the Old Teftament, or of the Ads of the Apoftles, be called Epiftles, and read as fuch.

i^. That whereas throughout the feveral Offices, the Phrafe isfueh as prefumes all Perlbns (within the Communion of the Church) to be regenerated, converted, and in an adual ftate of Grace (which, hadEcclefiaftical Difcipline been truly and vigoroufly executed, in the Exclufion of Scandalous and obftinate Sinners, might be better fuppoled ; But there having been, and ftill 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.

Part II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 319

^ ' /

16. That whereas orderly Connedion 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 negleil of both, of this Order, and of other juft Laws, of Method.

Particularly.

1. The Colleds are generally fhort, many of them confiding but of one, or at moft two Sentences of Petition j and thefe generally ufliered in with a repeated mention of the Name and Attributes of God, and prelently concluding with the Name and Merits of Chrift j whence are caufed many unneceffary 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 Serioufiiels of that Holy Duty.

2. The Prefaces of many Collefts have not any clear and fpecial Refped to the following Petitions; and particular Petitions are put together, which have not any due Order, nor evident Connedion one with another, nor fuitablenefi with the Occafions upon which they are ufed, but feem to have fallen in rather ca/ifafy, than from an orderly Contrivance.

It is defired, that inftead of thole various Colleds, there may be one methodical and intire form of Prayer compoled out of many of them.

17. That whereas the publick Liturgy of a Church fliould in reafon comprehend the Summ of all fuch Sins as are ordinarily to be confeffed in Prayer by the Church, and of fuch Petitions and Thanklgivings as are ©rdinarily by the Church to be put up to God, and the publick Catechifms or Syftems of Dodrine, Ihould fiimmarily comprehend all fuch Dodrines as are necefTary to be believed, and thefe explicitly fet down : The prelent Liturgy as to all thefe feems very defedive.

Particularly.

1. There is no preparatory Prayer in our Addrefs to God for Afliftance or Acceptance J yet many Colleds in the midfl of the Worfhip have litde or nothing clie.

2. The Confeffion is very defedive, not clearly expreffing original Sin, nor fuf-ficicntly enumerating adual Sins, with their Aggravations; but confifting only of Generals: Whereas confcflion being the Exercife of Repentance, ought to be more particular.

3. There is alio a great Defed as to luch Forms of publick Praife and Thankfgi-ving, as are fuitable to Gofpel-worfhip.

4. The whole Body of the Common-Prayer alfo confif^eth very much of magr Generals: as, (7c have our Prayers heard) to he keft from all Evil, and from all Enemies^ and all Adwrjity, that we might do God's IVHl; without any mention of the Particulars in which thefe Generals exifl.

y. The Catechifm is defedive as to many necefTary Dodrines of our Religion ; fome even of the Ejjentials of Chriftianity not mentioned except in the Creed, and there not fb explicite as ought to be in a Catechifm.

i8. Bccaufe this Liturgy containeth thelmpofitionof divers Ceremonies which from the firft Reformation have by fundry learned and pious Men been judged unwarrantable, as

1. That Publick Worfhip may not be celebrated by any Minifler that dare not wear a Surplefs.

2. That none may baptife, nor be baptifed, without the tranfient Image of the Grofs, which hathatleart the Semblance of a Sacrament of human Inftitution, being ufed as an ingaging Sign in our firft and (blemn Covenanting with Chrift, and the Duties whereunto we are really obliged by Baptifm, being moreexprefly fixed to that airy Sign than to this holy Sacrament,

J. That none may receive the Lords Supper that dare notkneel in the ad of receiving ; but the Minifter muft exclude all fiich from the Communion: although fuch kneeling not only differs from the pradice of Chrift and of his Apoflles, but (at leaft on the Lord's Day) is contrary to the pradice of the Catholick Church for many hundred Years after, and forbidden by the raoft venerable Councils that

ever

ever were in the Chriftian World. All which Impofitiohs, are made yet more grievous, by that Suhfcription to their Lawfulnef, which the Canon exa<5ts, and by the heavy Puniflimcnt upon the Non-obfervanee of them which the A61 of Uniformity infli6T:s.

And it being doubtful whether God hath given power unto Men, to inftitute in his WorHiip fuch Myftical Teaching Signs, which not being necefTary in genere, fall not under the Rule of doing all things decently, orderly, and to edification , and which once granted will upon the fame reaibn, open a door to the Arbitrary Im-pofition of numerous Ceremonies of which St. Augufiine complained in his da) s j and the things in Controverfie being in the Judgment of the Impofers confelTedly indifferent, who do not fo much as pretend any real Goodnefs in them of them-felves, otherwife than what is derived from their being impofed, and confeqiiently the Impofltion ceafing, that will ceale alio, and the Worftiip of God not become indecent without them.

Whereas in the other hand on the Judgment of the Oppolers-, they are by fome held finful, and unlawful in themfelves j by others very inconvenient and uniuita-ble to the Simplicity of Gofpel Worfliip, and by all of them very grievous and bur-thenfomej 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 Miljione hang'd about his neck, and he cafi into the depth of the Sea, than to offend one of his little Ones: And how the Apo-flle Paul ( who had as great a Legillative Power in the Church, as any under Chrift ) held himfelf obliged by that Common Rule of Charity, not to lay a ftum-hling block, or an occafion of offence before a -weak Brother, cbujing rather not to eat flejlj ovhiles the worldfiands (^ t^iough in it felf a thing lawful J than offend his Brother for ■whom Chrtft died. We cannot but defire that thefe Ceremonies may Act be impoled on them, who judge liich Impofitions a Violation of the Royalty of Chrift, and an Impeachment of his Laws as infufficient, and are under the holy awe of chat which js written, Deaf. iz. 32. (What thing foeverl command you , obferve to do it ) Tbouffiak not add thereto, nor diminijlj fom it) but that there may be either a total Abolition of them, or at leaft facha liberty, that thofe who are unfatisfied concerning their lawfulnefs or expediency, may not be compelled to the Praftice of them, or Suhfcription to them. But may be permitted to enjoy their Minifterial Fundion, and Communion with the Church without them.

The rather becaufe thele 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 Rulers, calling them on the edge of the Penal Statutes, to the iofs not only of their Livings and Liberties, but alio of their Opportunities for the Service of Chrift, and his Church j and forcing People, either to Worfhip God in fuch a manner as their own Confcienccs 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 retaining and impofing of thsfe Ceremonies, unleft we could preiume, that all his Majelly's Subjefts fhould have the fame Subcilty of Judgment to difcern even to a Ceremony, how far the Power of Man extends in the Things of God, which is not to be expefted, or ftiould yield Obedience to all the Impofitions of Men concerning them , without inquiring into the Will of God, which is not to be defi-red.

We do therefore moft e.irneftly entreat the Right Reverend Fathers and Brethren, to whom thele Papers are delivered, as they tender the Glory of God, the Honour of Religion, the Teice of the Church, the Service of his Majefty in the Accorrplilliment of that happy Union, which his Majefty hath fb abundantly te-ftified his Defires of, to jnyn with us in importuning his moft Excellent Majefty, that his moft gracious Indulgence, as to thefe Ceremonies, granted in his Royal DecLiration, may be confirmed and continued to us and our Pofterities,and extended to fuch as do not yet enjoy the Benefit thereof

ip. As to that Paffagc in his Majefty'sCommiffion, where we are authorized , ,nnd required to compare the prefent Liturgy, with the moft ancient Liturgies which have been ufed in the Church , in the mnft pureft and primitive Times; We have in Obedience to his Majefty's Commiftion, made Enquiry, but c.innot find any Records of known Credit, concerning any entire Forms of Liturgy,within the firft Three hundred years, which are confeftcd to bs as the moft primitive,

fo

F A R. T ii. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 321

fo the pureft Ages of the Church: Nor any Impofitions of Liturgies upon any National Chuich for fome hundreds of years after. We rind indeed fome Liturgical Forms f4tiiered upon St. Bafil, St. Chryfojtome, and St. Ambroje, but we have not leen any Copies of them, but fuch as give us fufficient Evidence to conclude thern either wholly fpurious, or fo interpolated, that we cannot make a judgment which in them hath any primitive Authority.

Having thus \ngeneral expreifed our Defires, we come now to particulars, which we find numerous, and of a various nature ; fome we grant are of inferiour Con-fideration, verbal rather than material fwhich were they not in the Publick Liturgy of fofamoLJS a Church, we fhould not have mentioned) others dubious and difputable, as not having a clear Foundation in Scripture for their warrant : but fome there be that leem to be corrupt, and to carry in them a repugnancy to the Rule of the Gofpsl; and therefore have adminillred jnft Matter of Exception anci Offence to many, truly religious, and peaceable ; not of a private ftation only, but learned and judicious Divines, as well of other Reformed Churches, as oi' the Church of England, ever (Ince the Reformation.

We know much hath been fpoken and written by way of Apology, in An-Iwer to many things that have been objeAed ; 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 Majefiy now on the Throne, and for the whole Kingdom, and exceedingly becoming ihe Miniflers of the Golpel of Peace, with all holy Moderation and Tendernefs, to endeavour the removal of every thing out of the Wor-ihip of God, which may judly offend or grieve the Spirits of (bber and godly People. The Things themielves that are defired to be removed, not being of the Foundation of Religion, nor the Effentials 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 fo many pious and able Miniflers, and the unconceivable grief that will arifd to multitudes of his Majefty's moft Loyal and Peaceable Subjeds 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 thcfe Particulars following, may be taken into ferious and tender Confideration.

Concerning Morning and Evening Trayer,

Rhbrick. Exception.

Trpnt QJOJiimg ann (EUenino; ^T/E defire that the words of the \^ma (Ijall fcC llfcn in tljC ac- VV firft Rubrick may be' cxprefled CUffon^Cl! place 3f l1je CljUVClj, as in the Book eftablifhed by Authority €l)aHCe(,(l?C()nppcIi except it be of Parliament y & 6 Edw.6. Thas[r^e OtljenUlfe tietCrminCt! lip tljS £)?l»i= Moming andEvemvg Tracer fiall beufed in narV of t&e place, ann tfje CijanCel fuch place of the church, Chappel, or Chan-ftall temailt a0 t'n timCjS pafi* «/, and the Mmtjler pall fo turn htm, as

the People may bejl hear, and if there be

any Contreverjk therein, the matter jhall be

referred to the Ordinary.

Rubrick. Exception.

9lin Ijete 10 to tic nOtCU, tijat tlje Forafmuch as this Rubrick feemeth to

^intfter, at t!jC time of tlie Com- bring back the Cope, Albe, &c. and o-

mum'OII, ann at Otfiei* time0, in W ther Veftments forbidden by the Cora-

^iniaration, fljall UfC fUClj ©?na-- nion Prayer Book, y and 6 Edii;. 6. and

inentSS m t!)C CtjUlCl), a.S tOCte in and fo our Reafons alledged againft Ce-

iaebPaitt?)0|itJ'Of l^atiiamcntjin remonles under our Eighteenth general

t&e ^econti pear of tlje LACIgn of Exception, we defire it may be wholly

Edward tijc eii:tfj,acco2liins to tlje left out.

m of pacJiameiu» ,

The LIFE of the , L J b. 1,

Rubrick.

Cfje torn ^imt after tlje ^h-

CoUltiOn £ntl0 tl)US( 3 Deliver us from Evil.

Rubrick.

gnn at tlje enD of eUetp l^falm tljiougljoiit tlje pear, ann lifectoife

in tije CnU of Benediftus, Benedicite, Magniticat, & Nunc Dimitis, fljall be repeateUj Glory to the Father, &c.

Rubrick.

3!n fucf) places tofjcrc tljep no fino:,tI)ere fljall tlje LelTon? be funLV, m a piatii cuue, ann liHeiutfe, tlje epiftie ann (©ofpel-

Rubrick. ©? tbi0 CantlC(C , Benedlcite hia opera.

om-

Exceptton. We defire that thefe words , For thine it the Kingdom , the power and the glory jvr ever and ever. Amen. May be alwa. s added unto the Lord's Prayer; and that this Prayer may not be enjoyned to be (0 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 fx times ordinarily in every Morning and Evening Service, fi-e/juently etght times in a Morning 'j foTKetimes ten, which we think carries with it at leaft an appearance of that vain repetition which Chriit forbids; for the avoiding of which appearance ot' eviljwe defire it may be ufed but once in the Morning, and once in the Evening.

Exception. The Leffons, and the Epifiles, and Gofpeis being for the moft part neither Pfalms nor Hymns, we know no warrant why they (hould be fung in any place, and conceive that the diftindt Reading of them with an audible voice, tends more to the Edification ot the Church.

Exception. We defire that fomePralm or Scripture Hymn may be appointed inftcad of th^e Apocryphal.

In the Lctafiy.

Rubrick.

'Eom an jFo?ntcation,anti ail 0-tijer umy fin.

Rubrick.

jrrom TBatteljanti ^urtljerjanti funoen Dcatij.

Rubrick.

Cf)at it ntap pleafe tfjce to p?e= feiue all tijat naui bp lanB 0? bv luater, ail ujomcn laljouring luitlj ci)iiti, ail ficli pccfonsi, anti poung cljilti^cn, ann to (t)eui tljp pitp upon ait p?tfonerp anu captiues.

Exception,

IN regard that the wages of fin is death j we defire that this Claufe may be thus altered, From Fornication.and all other heinotfs, or grievous/ins. Exception. ' Becaufe thisExpreffionof yi/^/Jcw//w^i hath been fo often excepted againfl-, we defire, if ic he thought fit, it may be thus read, Fro?n battel and mitrther, and from dying [uddenly, and unprepared. Exception. We defire the term (All) may be ad-vifed upon, as I'eeming liable to jufl Exceptions, and that it may be confidered, whether it may not better be put indefinitely, thofi that travel ^ &c. 'rather thaa tmiverJaHy.

The CoUeB on Chrijimas Day.

Rubrick.

ALmtffljtp ^oti,iDl3icl)ljaft n;iticn us ti)V onl]^ bcgottcu eon, to take ourl^iature upon ljim,ant)tljt!3 cap to be bo^n of a pure airstn,?c

Exception.

WE defire that in both Colleds the word (Thts day) may be left out, it being according to vulgar acceptation a Contradidion.

Rubrick.

Rubrick.

Cljen (tall follota tlje CoUert of t(3e Batimt^ , tof)ic& fljalt hz fain

COntinuallP unto New-years-day.

The ColleB for Whitfundaj.

Rubrick.

G©ti tDljicfi Upon tW liapj f c Rubrick.

CT)C fame Collect to tie rean on $©onnai»anti Cttesuap in Whitfon-

week.

Rubrick. djettnO COUCCtlEJ fO? ©t- John's

tia}>, anti innocents, tfje Collcctjs fo? t{)e fitft Bap in Lent, fa? tljc fourtij

^lUmai' after Eafter, fO? Trinity Sunday ," f02 tlje fijCtlj ant> tU)Clftf) ©UnUap aftet Trinity, fo? ^t.Luke'jJ tap, anU Michaelmas 53?.

Exception!. We defire that thefe Colleds may be further confidered and debated,as having in them, divers things that we judge fit to be altered.

The Order for the AdminijlraUon of the Lord's Supper,

Rubrick.

cOmanv as intcnn to Ije parta-'1 kers of tijc ipolp Comnumion ftall fiKuifie tijcit Bameis to tfie Curate oijer=nii5fjt, oi elfc in tlje ^O2nino; tefo^c tIjc tJeRinnino; of S^oininff i^japer, o? inmieniatelp after.

Rubrick.

gnu if anp of tljefe fie a noto?i= 0U5 ciiil Kiier, tfje Curate Ijatiino; Unotofenge tljercof, fljall call ijim, ano aDUerti?e Ijim in anp uiife not to pjefume to tlje loiD'^ Cable-

Rubrick.

Cftenfljall tlje I9?ieff tefjefttfe Hi* fiiniTip all tfjetenConimanliment0, ann tljc l^coplc luiccung,a3nll after euerp Cbmuuiiitinicnt ask »^oi'j3 mercp fo? tranfsrclTinQ; tOe fj?me.

Exceptiov.

THe time here affigned for notice to be given to the Minifter, is not fut-ficienr.

Exception.

We defire the Minifters power both to admit and keep from the Lord's Table, may be according to his Majefty's Declaration , 2^ Ocloh. 1660. in thefe words, The M'mifier Piall admit none to the Lord i Supper, till they have made a credible Vrofeljion of their Faith , and promifed obedience to the Will of God, according as is exprejjed in the Conjlderations of the Rubnck, before the Catechifm, and that all pojjible diligence be ufed for the Infiruclion and Refor-^ mation of Scandalous Offenders , whom the Minifier jJjall not fuffer to partake of the Lord's Table, until they haiie openly declared themfelves to ba've truly repented and amended their former naughty lives, as is parti/ exprejjed in the Rubrick, and more fully in the Canons.

Exception.

We defire,

1. That the Preface, prefixed by God himlelf to the ten Commandments, may be reftored.

2. That the fourth Commandmene may be read, as in Exod. 20. Deut. j. He hlejjed the Sabbath day.

3. That neither Minifier nor People may be enjoyned to kneel more at the readingofthisjthanofother parts of Scrip-

T t 2 cures

The LIFE of the

Lib. I,

tures, the rather becaufe maoy ignorant Perfons are thereby induced to ufe the Ten Commandments as a Prayer.

4. That inftead of thofe ihort Prayers of the People, intermixed with the fe-veral Commandments, the Minifter after the reading of all may conclude with a fuitable Prayer.

Kubrick.

gftct tijc Creed, if tfteic bc no Sermon, fljall folloto one of tijc ^)oitiilie0alrcanpfet fa2tf),o? Ijere-after to be fct fojtlj \^v common aiitfjojttin

after futlj eermoit, iipomilp, 0?

Exception.

We defire, that the Preaching of the Word may be ftri(5tly enjoined, and not left fo indifferent at the Adminiftration of the Sacraments, as aUb that Miniders may not be bound to thofe things which are are as yet but future a,nd not in being.

Two of the Santences here cited are

aEj;ljO?t'itiOnj tlje Curate f[)all Be- Apocryphal, and four of them more pro-

clare, &c. anti eanicftlP txlmt tfjcm to remember tlje l^ro?, faping one 0? mo?e of t^efe fentencej3 fol-loujiuff* Cben fljall tlje Cbarcb tuartscn^,

per to draw out the Peoples Bounty to their Minifters, than their Charity to the poor.

_ ., ^ _, ^ Colledion for the Poor may be better

0? fome Otljcr bp tbcm appOinteb, made at or a little before the departing gatbcr tbe DebOtiOn of tljC PeO- of the Communicants.

pie*

Exhortation.

Wit be come tOgCtljCr at X\S\^ if it be intended that thefe Exhortati-

ttme to feeb at tlje LOZbS S)UPPerj ons fhould be read at the Communion,

unto tbC lUbiCb in tSoBlS bCbalf 3 they feem to Bs to be unfeafonable.

bib pou all tljat be Ijere p?efent,anti befceclj poit foj tlje lo?ij MuiS Cbrift fake tljat pe tDill not refufe to come, Sec.

Clje toap anb mean^tbereto (0 firtt to cramine pour Libejs anb Con» berfationjj, anb if pe fljall pcrceibe pour olfenceiEi to be fucb m be not onip againft tSSob, but atfo againft pour l^Jeigbbours, t\yz\\ pc (ball re--concile pour felbej? unto tljcm, anb be reabp to make Eeftitution ann ©atisJfattion.

anb becaufe it I0 requifite tbat no man (boulb come to tlje Ijolp Communion, buttuitb a full trull in *55obsi mcrcp anb toitlj a quiet Confcience.

Before the Confeflton.

Cljen njall tbi0 general ConfcD

fiOn be mabC in the name of all thofe

tbat are minbcb to receibe tbe bolp Communion citber bp one of them, 0? elfc bP one of tbe ^^inittersi, o? bp tlje iy?icit bimfclf

Before the Confeflion.

Cben fball tbe p?ieC 02 tbe 051' Ibop fbeing piefent) llano up, anb turninff bimfelf to tbe people fap tbujs.

Before the Preface on Chrifimas day, and 7 days after.

•Becaufe tbou bibtl clbe JcfuiS Cbriit tbine onlp ©on to be bo^n ajs tbi!3Dapfocu!35 S'c.

We fear this may dilcourage many from coming to the Sacrament, who lye under a doubting and troubled Confcience.

We defire it may be made by the Minifter only.

Exception. The Minifter turning himfelf to the People is moft convenient throughout the whole Miniftration.

Firjt, We cannot peremptorily fix the Nativity of our Saviour to this or that day particularly : Secondly, it feems incongruous to aj[firm the Birth of Chrift

Upon

Part II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 325

upon Whitfmday ^ and fix days af- and thedefcending of theHoly Ghoftto

be on this day for leven or eight days to-

ter.

accojDino; to tof)ofe mofl true pjomifc t()e tpolp »si)0(l came ooujii tlji0 Dap from ipeatien.

Prayer before that which is at the Confecration.

<S?ant m tfjat our finful ftotiicsi map 1)C maUc clean \\\> W Odoop, anti our ^oul0 luaajeti tlj^ougf) W tnoC P2eciouss falopo.

gether.

We defire, that whereas thele Words feeni to give a greater efficacy to the Blood than to the Body of Chrift, they may be altered thus, That our finful fouls and bodks may be ckanfed thraugh bis freci-oits Body and Blood.

We conceive that the manner of the ipear \X% €> merciful jf atlier, &:c. confecrating of the Elements is not here tDljO tn tfje fame nig^t tljat lie tUajS explidte and diftina enough,and theMi

Prayer at the Confecration.

nifters breaking of the Bread is not (b much as mentioned.

tetrapco, trok bieau, ano luljcn fie I)aii5iijeittf)auk0, OebiaUeit, an5 gaue to W Difciplesi, faping, Cafee, eat, &c.

Kubrick.

Cfien fliaU tlje spinilfer flrff re^ teiuc tlje Communion in bot& itintijai, ^c. auD after UeUiJcr it to

t^e people in tljeirljann^feneclmgi Saviour as near as may be, and that the

We defire, that at the Diftribution of the Bread and Wine to the Communicants, we may ufe the Words of our

ano UJijen {jc oeUiieretl) tlje brcno,

lie fljall faP, The Body of our Lord Jefus Cbrifil which was given for thee, freferve thy body and foul unto everlafitng Ltfe, and take and eat this in Remembrance, &c.

Minifter be not required to deliver the Bread and Wine into every particular Communicants Iiand, and to repeat the words to each one in the fingular number, but thatit may fiiffice tolpeak them to divers jointly, according to our Saviours Example.

We alfo defire, that the Kneeling at the Sacrament (it being not that Gslture which the Apoftles ufcd, though Chrift was perfonally prefent amonglf them, nor that which was ufetl in the pureft and primitive times of the Church) may be left free, as it was i. and i. E D W. As touching Kneeling, 8cc. they may be ufcd or left as every Mans Devotion jerveth, without blame.

Exception. Foraffnuch as every ParijJiioner is not duly qualified for the Lord's Supper, and thole habitually prepared are not at all times actually dilpofed, but many may be hindered by the Providence of God, and Ibme by the Diftemper of their own Spirits; we defire this Kubrick may be either wholly omitted, or thus altered .-

Every Miniller fhall be bound to ad-miniftei' the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 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 f and 8 Edw. eftabliflied by Law as much as any other part of iheCommon-Prayer'-Book, may be reltored for the vindicating of our Church in the matter of Kneeling at the Sacrament (although the Gellure be left indifferent) [' Although no or-

* der can be ib perfedly deviled, but it may be of ibme, either for their Ignorance

* and Infirmity, or elte of Malice and Obftinacy, mifconllrued, depraved, and in-

* terpreted in a wrong part j and yet, becaule brotherly Charity willeth that fo much

*8?

Rubrick.

gnu note, tfiat t\ittp parii!)(a= Iter fljall Communicate at t&e leaff tljree timcjs in tlje pear, of tDfjici) Eafter to ht onc, aun I^all al= fo recciiie tl)e ©acramentss ano 0= tljcr Eite0, accoioing to tije £)?= Herss m tW OSoofe appointen.

The LI F E of the

L I B. I.

* as conveniently may be, Offences fliould be taken away, therefore are we willing

* 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 iT.ouid re-' ceive the holy Communion, which thing being well meant for a fignification of 'the humble and grateful Acknowledging of the Benefits of Chrifi given unto the ' worthy Receivers, and to avoid the prophanation and diforder whi>.h about the

* holy Communion might elfe enfue, left yet the fame Kneeling might be thought

* or taken otherwile, We do declare, that it is not meant thereby that any Adora-

* tion is done or ought to be done either unto the Sacramental Bread or Wine, there

* bodily received, or unto any real orefTential Prefence there being of Chrift'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 Chriffians: and as concern-' ing the natural Body and Blood of our Saviour Chriff, they are in Heaven, and ' 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 Tublicl^ "Bapti/m.

THERE being divers Learned, Pious, and Peaceable Mi-nifters, who not only judge it unlawful to Baptize Children, whofe Parents both of them are Atheifts, Infidels, Here-ticks, or Unbaptifed, but alfofuch whofe Parents are Excommunicate Perfons, Fornicators, or otherwife notorious and fcanda-lous Sinners; We defire they may not be enforced to Baptize the Children of fuch, until they have made due Profeffion of their Repentance.

Kubrick.

patents fljnll ^iXiC notice oiiec niijljtj 0? in tOc nto?ninB,

Before Baptifm.

Exception. We defire that more timely notice may be given.

Rubrlck.

anu tljc (Sorifatl)crj3, ann tlje ^otimottjEtjs, aim tfjc people toitO ttjc Ct)ii5i:en3 scc.

Rubrick.

Ecanp at tijc lont.

In the firfl Prayer.

%i> tfje 'Baptifm of tljp caelbC' lo^JcTi ©on, &c. tiitifl fanaifie tlje jflooD Jordan, auH all otljcc ujatetjs

Exception. Here is no mention of the Parents, in whofe right the Child is baptifed, and who are fitteft both to dedicate it unto God, and to covenant for it : We do not know that any Perfons, except the Parents, or fome others appointed by them, have any Power to content for the Children, or to enter them into Covenant. We defire it may be left free to Parents, whether they will have Sure* ties to undertake for their Children in Baptilin or no.

Exception. We defire it may be fo placed as all the Congregation may beft lee and hear the whole Adminiffration.

It being doubtful whether either the Flood Jordan, or any other Waters were landtified to a Sacamental Ufe, by

to

Part II. R^'u^reWAfr. Richard Baxter.

to ttiC £!!9?IttCaI tiJJrttjl'ng ntnap of Chrlft's being baptized, and not necef-@itt, &c. ^3ry to be afferted, we defirethis may be

other wile exprefTed.

The third Exhortation.

Do p?omife bp pou tfiat ht tijei'c Sureties.

The Qneftions.

DoefttljouMafee, &c. £)oeff t!)ou i)cUei3e, &:c. mat tljou be I3apti?eii, &c.

The fecond Prayer before Baptifm.

C^nu rccciijc rcmiffion of S)i'ns ljjt> fpititunl 3ae0cnecatioit.

In the Prayer after Baptilin.

Cljat ft Ijatlj p(cafrti tijcc to tc= ffcnei-ate tijiss infant op tp ijolp ^ptcit

After Baptifm.

We know not by what right the Sureties do promile and an{wer in the Name of the Infant: it leemeth to us alio to countenance the Anabaptiliical Opinion of the neceflity of an aduai Prof ;(-(ion of Faith and Repentance in Order to Baptifm. That fuch a Protefiion may be required of Pa.'"ents in their own Nan>e, and now folemnly renewed when they prefent their Children to Baptifm, we willingly grant: butthea;king of one for another is a Practice whole warrant we doubt of j 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 Baptiz^ed into this Faith ?

This expreflton feeming inconvenient, We defire it may be changed into this; May be regenerated and receive the Remijfwn of Sins.

We cannot in Faith lay, that every Child that is baptized is regenerated by God's Holy Spirit ; at leaft it is a difputa-ble point, and therefore we defire it may be otherwile expreffec?*

Cljen fljall tSe ^^iett mafee a concerning the Crofs in Baptifm, wc CrofSf, Sec. refer to our i8th General.

Of Trivate "Baptifm,

WE defire that Baptifm may not be adminiftred in a private place at any time, unlets by a lawful Minifter, and in the prefence of a competent Number: That where it is evident that any Child hath been lb baptiled, no part of the Adminillration may be reiterated in publick, under any Limitations; And therefore we fee no need of any Liturgy in that Gale.

The LIFE of the

L r B. 1

Of the Catechi/m.

I i^iefi.

w

Catechifm.

Hat is your Name,&c. 2 Que(i. Who gave you that Name ?

/.nf.^p (©otifati)cr0 ann nip ^oO' tnotljtcs ill m 'Baptifnu

5 ^(f//^. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers do for you inBaptifin ?

2 AnC ju ttip OBaptifni, tD|)erciii 3 \aa0 mane a cijilD of (Sod, a £i3emi3cr of C&^ift, aiiD an 3ni)eri= to? of tlje aURuDom at^znuw.

Of the Rehearfil of the Ten Commandments.

lo Anf a^p Dutp totuartigi «^otJ f^ to believe in Sim, ?c.

WE defire thefs three firft Quefti-ons may be altered j confidering that the far greater number of Perlbns Baptized within thele Twenty years laft pait, had no Godfathers or Godmothers at their Baptiim : The Hke to be done in the feventh Queftion.

We conceive it might be more fifely cxpreffed thus; Wherein 1 was 'vifibly admitted into the number of the Members of Chr'tjt, the Children of God, and the Heirs f rather than Inheritors) of the Kingdom of Heaven.

We defire that the Commandments be inferted according to the New Tranfla-tion of the Bibl?.

In this Anfwer there feems to be particular refped to the feveral Commandments of the firft Table, as in the following Anfwer to thofe cf the f:;cond. And therefore we defire ic may be advifed upon, whether to the laft word of this Anfwer may not be added [ fartictdarly on the Lord's day] otherwife there being nothing in all this Anfwer that refers to tlie fourth Commandment.

That thefe words may be omitted^and Anlwer thus given ; 7wo on!/ , Baptifm and the Lord's Suffer.

We defire that the entring Infants into God's Covenant may be more warily exprefied, and that the wosds may not (eem to found their Baptiim upon a really aclual Faith and Repentance ot their own ; and we defire that a fromtfe may not be taken for a/?er/()rw^wce offuch Faith and Repentance : and elpecially, that it be not arferted, that they ferfurm thefe by the promije of their Sureties, it being to the Seed of Beliewrs that the Covenant of God is made ; and not ( that we can find ) to all that that have fuch believing Sureties, who are neither Parents^nor Pro-farents of the Child, In the general we obferve, That the Dodrine of the Sicraments which was ad-d::d upon the Conference at Hampton-Court, is much more fully and particularly delivered than the other parts of the Catechifm, in ihort Anfwers fitted to the memories of Children, and thereupon we offer it to be confidcred :

Firfi, Whether there fliould not be a more diftind 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 ) (omewhat particularly concerning the Nature of Faith , of Repentance , the two Covenants, of Juftification, Sanftificatioo, Adoption, and Regeneration.

j^QNe/f. How many Sacraments hath Chrift ordained, &c ?

Anf Ctoo onlp, ais ffenccalip nc* ceflatp to ©alijation,

19 Quefi. What is required of Perfons to be Biiptized ?

Anf Bcpentance, tol)Eveb)> tijcp fo?fa{iE fuu anu jfattl), tofjerebp tf\zv ft etifaaij) MitU tljc l^jonitfejs Of\^OD, ?c,

20 Quefi. Why then are Infants baptized when by reafon of ther tender Age they cannot perform them .''

Anf. fc0 : tljcp 00 peifo?m fcp t!}£if @)UiTtles , iDljo pjcniifc ann uoto tijcm Ootlj in tOeit jI5anic.0»

Of

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr. Richard baxter.

Of Confirmation.

329

A Lthough we charitably fuppofe the *^ meaning of thefe words was only to exclude the vecejjityof any other Sacraments to baptized Infants; yet thefe words are dangerous as to the mifleading of the Vulgar, and therefore we defire they may be expunged.

Tlie lafl Rubrick before the Catechifm.

ABtj tljat no C^an ftaU tSink tljat anp Detriment fljall come to CbilU^cn \iV Deferciitff of tftcit; Confirmation, ijc (tiail knoiu fo? tcutlj, tljat it (0 certain ftp ^Soti'js aao?ti, tljat Cf)iHi?en beino; bapti-5eU, ba\3C all tijings necelTatp fo? tijcir valuation, ann be unoonbt' c5lp fabc5.

Rubrick afcer the Catechifm.

%Q fOOn 30 tIjC Cl)im^en can fap We conceive that it is not a fufficient

ill tljClC ^i9Clti)er=tOn0;ue tije arti' qualification for Confirmation,thatChil.

t\Z^ of tijC jf attb, tfje LO?ll0 i??aP- dren be able memoriter to repeat the Ar-

Cr, ailB tbC Cen Commannment^, tides of the Faith, commonly called, the

anO can anfUier fUCij OtIjCr dUefti* Apoftles Creed, the Lords Prayer, and

onS of tIjiSS fljO?t Catecljifm, U. the Ten Commandments , and to an-

tljcn fljall tJjep be b?oujjljt to t&e TBtajop, $c. anti tlje 05ifljop fljaU Confirm tljcm.

fwer to fome Queftions of this ftort Catechifm ; for it is often found that Children are able to do all this at four or five years old. idly, It croffes what is faid in the third Reafon of the firft Rubrick before Confirmation, concerning the ufageof the Church in times paft, ordaining that Confirmation fhould be miniftred unto them th.it were of peifed Age, that they being inltruded in the Chriftiaq Religion, ihould openly profefs their own Faith, and promife to be obedient to the Will of God. And therefore r3dly), we defire that none may be Confirmed but according to his M.ijelty's Declaration, viz. That Confirmation be rightly and jukmnly ferformed by the Information^ and with (he Confmt of the Minifter of the place.

Rubrick after the Catechifin. Clicn fijaK t!jCP be b^OUSbt to tbe This feems to bring in another fort of 'BtftJOp bP one tijat (Ijall be W Godfathers and Godmothers, befides CDatiftUijCCj Ot (JDOUmOtOft^ thofe made ufe of in Baptifm ; and we

fee no need either of the one, or the o-ther.

The Prayer before the Impofition of Hands. ZllfiO baff bOUCbfafeU to tegene^ This fuppofeth that all the Children rate tbefe tbP ^emantSS bP aXLlatet who are brought to be confirmed, have anU tfjC IpOlP «©l)0(t, ann Ijaft giben the Spint ofChrifi, and the firgiveneji of unto tbem tlje fOlgiiJenefSi of a!l an their fim .Whereas a great number of tOciCfinsi. Children at that Age , having commit-

ted many fins fince their Baptilm, do fliew no Evidence of ferious Repentance, or of any Ipecial Saving Grace : And therclorc this Confirmation (if adminiftred to fuch J would be a perillous and grols Abule.

Rubrick before the Impofition of Hands.

€()en tbe OBilbop m\i lap bi0 Ijann on cUcrp Cbiio feuctallp-

This feems to put a higher value upon Confirmation, then upon Baptifm or the Lords Supper ; for according to the and Order in the Common-Prayer-Book , every Deacon may Baptize , and every Minifter may confecrate and adminifter the Lord's Supper, but the Bi-ihop only may Confirm.

Rubrick

Vv

The

The LIFE of the

L I B. I

The Prayer after Impofition of Hands.

mz make our Ijumblc ©upplica-tionss unto tljfe fo? tljefcCijilD^cn; upon iDljom, after tfje €j;atnpie of t&P ^olp apoftlc^, toe Oaije lain our Dann!3, to ccrtifie tljcnt bp tfjijs @ign of tljjj faijour auD ccaciousi ^ootinefs toujaruss t&em.

We defire that the Pradiceof the A-poftles may not be alledged as a ground of this Impofition of Hands for the Confirmation of Children, both becaule the Apoftles did never ule it in that Cafe, as alio becaule the Articles of the Church

of England declare it to be a corrupt imitation of the ^pofiles praBice^A£ts 2 ^. We defire that Impofition of Hands may not be made as here it is, a Sign to cer-tifie Children of God's Grace and Favour towards them , becaule this feems to fpeak it a Sacrament, and is contrary to that fore-mentioned 2 jth Article , which faith, That Confirmation hath no 'vipble Sign appointed by God.

The laft Kubrick after Confirmation. We defire that Confirmation may not

Bone fljall Jje atmifttCU to tfje IjOlp be made lb necelTary to the Holy Com-

ContttlUnton, until fUCOtlme as IjC munlon, as that none fiiould be admit-

ran faj> tlje CateCljtfnij anH H con ted to it unlefs they be confirmed.

firnieiJ.

Of the Form of Solemni:^ation of Matrimony,

Tpt 99an ftau gfiie tlje tOonian a mtno:, f c fljall fureip

perfo?m ann keep tljc ^m mr\ Couenant ftettofrt tljem mane, mijercof tljis jRing giucn anli re-ceitieo 115 a Cohen ano intense, ?c.

SEeing this Ceremony of the Ring in Marriage is made neceJJ'ary to tt, and a fignificant Sign of the Vow and Covenant betwixt the Parties; and Ro-mifh Ritualifts give fuch Realbns for the 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 indifferentjio be uled or forborn.

tE^E ^an fljaU faPj with my Body This word {_worilnp'} being much al-1 thee worfhip. tered in the Ule of it fince this Form

was firft drawn up ; We defire fome 0-ther word may be uled inltead of it.

3|n tllC I5ame of tlje Jfatljer^antJ ^Thefe words being only ufed in Bap-

of toe ©on, aim oftDeipoip *i5ijoft

VLxW Deatij ujs uepart

Rubrick.

COen tOe 93iniaet o? Clerk go^ ing to tlje Lo?D0 %mt, fljaJl fap o? fing t(ji!3 ipJfaim.

tnm, and herein the Solemnization of Matrimony, and in the Ablolution of the Sick ; We defire it may be confider-ed, whether they fhould not be here o-mitted, leaft they fhould leem to favour thofe who count Matrimony a Sacrament,

This word ''depart'] is here improperly, ufed.

Exception. We conceive this Change of Place and Pofture mentioned in thefe two Kubricks is needlels, and therefore defire it may be omitted.

Next Rubrick.

%\)t lp)faini enoeti, ann tlje c^an ann t^c ^Ionian kneeling bcfo?e m Lo^D'jJCatjiea t&e la^icft ttanning at tfje %mt> an5 turniiiB ijijes face, etc

Colled.

CoUech

ConfecrateD tl)e aate of: 9^m\-' monp to fuel) aRCJCcclIent^pftccp.

Exception. Seeing the Inftitution of Marriage was before the Fall, and fo before the PjO-mife otXhrift, as alfo for that the (aid Paffage in this Collect (eems to countenance the Opinion of making Matrimony a Sacrament, we defire that Claufe may be altered or omitted.

Exception.

This Rubrick doth either enforce all

fiich as are unfit for the Sacrament to

forbear Marriage, conti-ary to Scripture,

which approves the Marriage of all Men;

or elle compels all that many to come to

CljC ttCto Uiari'leD PcrfOltjai tfje the Lords Table, though never lb un-

fame Oap of t&Eit ^acvinge nUlft prepared : And therefore we defire it

teC0iilC tt)e i^Olp COUmiUniOtt may be omitted, the rather becaulethat

Marriage Feftivals are too often accompanied with fuch Divertifements as are unfuitable to thole Chriftian Duties which ought to be before and follow after the receiving of that Holy Sacrament,

Rubrick.

Ci^cnflmll fteffin tf)e Contminu-on,anti afta* tlje *S5ofpeI fijaH be faiD

La ft Rubrick.

Of the Order for the Vijitation of the Sic^,

Rubrick before Ablblution.

Exception.

FOrafmuch as the Conditions of ficic Perfons be very various and different , the Minilter may not only in the Exhortation, but in the Prayer alfo bs direfted to apply himfclf to the particular Condition of the Perfbn, as he fhall find moft fuitable to the prefent occafi-on, with due regard had both to his Spiritual Condition and Bodily Weaknefs, and that the Abfolution may only be recommended to the Minifter to be u(ed or omitted as he /hall fee occalion.

That the Form of Abfolution be Declarati-ve and Condttional, as [I pronounce thee ab-fohed] inftead of [ / ahjohe tbee^ ff thou doefl truly repent and believe.

Here i^all tlje fick petfon malte afpecial ;£:onftflrton, $l aftcc fljettt) st'onfeaion tlje l??ieft fijaU abfolue i)iuj aftec •t()t0 fo^t: Our

Lord Jelus Chrift, &c. and by his Authority committed to me, I abfolve thee.

Of the Communion of the Sic^,

Rubrick.

B&t it ti)t fick pcrfott lie not a-ble to come io Cljurclj, pet fss UcnroujS t(S teccitic t^ Com' inunion in Im li)oufc; tijcnije itiua giije fenoiBleoge oiiet-nigfjt, o? cifc carlp in tfit^ominQ, to tbe Curate, anu 6nt)(ng a conlienicnt place in tlje fick 93an sf ^oiife, tje fi&aii tl)ete aonitiuKer t!je po\v Communton.

COnfider, that many fick perfons either by their ignorance or vicious Life, without any evident manifeflation of Repentance, or by the Nature of the Difeafe diflurbing their Intelleftuals, be unfit for receiving the Sacrament, It is propofed, that the Minifter be not en-joyned to adminifter the Sacrament toe-very fick Perfbn that fhall defire it, but only as ht fhall judge expedient.

Vv z

Of

The LI F E of the

Lib. J

Of the Order for the burial of the Dead.

WE defire it may be exprefled in a Rubrick, that the Prayers and Exhortations here ufed are not for the benefit of the Dead, but only for the Inftru-dion and Comfort of the Living.

Firft Rubrick.

C^el9?icl! meeting tl)e Co^pjs at tl)E€l)urcl>S)tiIe,fljan fap, o? ctfe tije isiieft nno Clerk mw fing, gtt.

We defire that Minifters may 5e left to ufe their Difcretion in the(e Circura-ftances, and to perform the whole Service in the Church, if they think fit, for the preventing of thefe Inconveniences which many times both Minifters and People are expofed unto by (tanding in the open Air.

The fecond Rubrick.

mw tljep come to tf)e ^mt tTje lS)?feft fljatl fap, ^c-

jro?armuc6a0it6atlj plcafen 91-migljtj? ^oti,of f)t!3 great mercpto taKc unto Ijimfclf tije %m\ of out tear 15?otljcc Occc DcpnctcD : 2xLtc tijcrefoic commit W "BoDp to tlje c5?oimt> in fute ano certain ijopeof Eefurrection to eternal Life.

The firtt Prayer.

2XIe gibe tljec fieartp tf)anfe0 fo? tljat it IjatO pleafcD tljee to Belimr tl3i0 our OD^otftcr out of tfie mife-tiexJ of tlji!ci finful ido^IQ, $c*

CI)at me tuitlj tljijs our OS^ot&er, ann all otljcr nepatteti in tfje true ifaitlj of tf))> iMv SdiAxm , map jjaDe our perfert Confirmation anfl

05lif!3.

The laft Prayer,

Cljat tofien Uie nepart iW life, tue map reft in Ijim, ass our Ijope i? tljis our 'B^otDcr DotO*

Thele words cannot in Truth be faid of Perfons living and dying in open and notorious fins.

Thele words may harden the wicked^ and are inconfiftent with the largeft rational Charity.

Thefe wosds cannot be ufed with re-fpeft to thofe Perlbns who have not by their aftual Repentance given any ground for the hope of their Blefled E-Itate.

Of the Thanksgiving of JVomen after Child-^birth com-

monly called Churching of Women.

Tj;c i^aoman fljall come unto tlje CDurcf), anD tfiere fliall kneel foiun in fome convenient place niglj unto tljc place luijere tf)e Cable ftannjs, anu tOe l^^icft ftantJ= ing ijp Oct, fljall fap, $c*

Kubrick.

t2:ijen tijc p^ieft fljall Tap tljis J9falm 121.

In regard that the Womens kneeling near the Table is in many Churches inconvenient, 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 leems not to be io pertinent .-islbme other , 'viz.. as Ffalm iij. and Tfal. 128.

© ILa?ll {0it t&i0 (GUOttian tSP it ^^y ^all out that a woman may dCttJSttt come to give thanks for a Child born in

AnC ^tliCFj pUttetft fiet ttUtt in Adultery or Fornication, and therefore tljCg. we defire that fomething may be re-

quired of her by way of Profeflion of her Humiliation,as well as of her Thankf-giving. Laft Rubrick. %\)Z lUonmx tljat conies to gi^e This may feem too like a Jewifli Pu-CljaufeS, tmift OffeC tlje aCCUttOUieO rificatlon.rather than aChriftian Thankf-

SDfferincsi. giving.

The fame Kubrick. 9ntl if tljerc be a Communion, it We defire this may be interpreted of is COnllCnicnt tljat flje XZiZi^t tIjC the duly qualified ; tor a fcandalous Sin-l^Ol? ^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 Commiffioners for their ferious and grave Confideration, wherein we have not the leaft thought of depraving or reproaching the Book of Common Prayer, but a fincere defire to contribute our Endeavours towards the Healing the Diftempers, and fas loon as may be) reconciling the Minds of Brethren. And inafmuch as his Majefty hath in his gracious Declaration and Commiffion mentioned new Forms to be made and luted to the feveral Parts of Worlhip > We have made a confiderable progrefs therein, and '

Ihall ( by God's afliftance ) offer them to the Reverend Commiffioners with all convenient fpeed. And if the Lord (hall gracioufly pleale to give a Bleffing to theie our Endeavours, we doubt not but the Peace of the Church will be thereby letled, the Hearts of Miniilers and People comforted and compofed , and the great Mercy of Unity and Stability (to the immortal Honour of our moft dear Soveraign ) beftowed upon us and our Pofterity after us.

§ i7y. When the Exceptions againft the Liturgy were finifhed, the Brethren ofc read over the Reformed Liturgy which I offered them. At firft they would have had no Kubrick or Directory, but bare Prayers, bccaufethey thought our Commiffion allowed it not: That at laft they yielded to the Realbns which I gave them, and relblved to take them in. But firft to offer the Bilhops their Exceptions.

§ 176. At this time was the Convocation cholen : fortill 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 thole Minifters, that for Twenty years together, while Bilhops were laid afide, had been Ordained without Diocefans, were in many Countreys denied any Voices in the Eledion of Clerks for the Convocation : 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 AC-fembly, the Diocefan Party wholly carried it in the Choice.

§ 177. In London the Eledion was appointed to be in Chrift's Church, on the Second day oi May (1661). The London Minifters that were not yet ejedcd, 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 to Mr. Calamy , and Cwithout my knowledge) they chofe Mr. Calamy and me for London. 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 cholen by the Minifters in a certain Circuit, did give us the great ufe of being both left out, and fo we were excufed, and the City of London had no Clerk in the Convocation. How fliould I have been there baited, and what a vexatious place (hould I have had in fuch a Convocation I

$178.

1 he LIFE of the Lib. I,

§ 178. The fourth day of May, we had a meeting with the Biftiops, where we gave in our Paper of Exceptions to them ; which they received.

§ 179. The feventh diy of May was a Meeting at Ston-CoSedge of all the London Minifters, for the choice of a Prefident and Affiftants for the next Year : where (fome of the Presbyterians upon a pettilh Scruple abfenting themfelves) the Dioca-lane Party carried it, and fo got the Poffeflion and Rule of the CoUedge.

§ 180. The eighth day of May the new Parliament and Convocation (at down, being conftituted of Men fitted and devoted to the Diocefati Intereft.

§. 181. On the two and twentieth day of M*y, by order of Parliament, the National Vow and Covenant was burnt in the Street, by the Hands of the common Hangman,

§ 182. When the Brethren came to exainine the reformed Liturgy, and had ofc read it over, they paft 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 ; and they put out a Page of Realons for Infant Baptifm, which I had annexed to that Office, thinking it unneceffary,- and they put the larger Litany into an Appsndix as thinking it too long ; and Dr. Wallis 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 Biftops, profeffing our readinels in Debates to yield to the fhortning of any thing which Jhould be too long, and the altering of any thing that fliould 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 earneft Petition to the Bilhops,tn yield to fuch Terms of Peace and Concord as they themfelves did confefi to be lawful to be yielded to : For though we are equals in the King's Commiffion, yet we are commanded by the Holy Ghoft, If tt be foffibk, and at much as in us lieth to live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12. 18. anA 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.

§ iS+. This Motion was accepted, and I was defired to draw up the Petition, which I did, and it was examined, and with a Word or two of Alteration confent-ed to.

§ i8f. 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 ojr appointed bur.nefs was to treat, yet we were confcious of our PLiceand Duty, and had drawn up a Petition to them, whicli, though fomewhat long, I humbly craved their Confetjt that 1 might read it to them. Some were againlt it, and fb they would have been generally if they had known what was in it; but at laft they yielded to it: But their Patience was never fj 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 againlt it: To which when he came to the end, I replyed : But I wasinteirupted in the midil of my Reply ; and was fain to bear it, bscaufe they h.jd be;n patient (with much adoj fo long before.

§ 186. 1 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. And they received both, and fo we departed.

Our laid Writings are too long to be here inferted,

§ iZ~. After all this, when the Bilbops were to have fent us two Papers, one of their Conceffions iiow much they would alter of the Liturgy as excepted againft, and the other of their Acceptance of our offered Forms, or Reafons againft them, if^llead of both thelc, a good while after, they lent us fuch a Paper as they did be-fire, of their Reafonings againft all our Exceptions, without any Abatements or Alterations at all, that are worth the Naming. Our Brethren feeing what they were refulved to bring it too, and how unpeaceably they managed the Bufinefs, did iliink heft to wiitj them a flam Anlwer to their Paper, and not to fupprcfs it as we had drne by the Firlh This Task alfo they impofed on me, and I went out of Town to Dr. Sfurflow^ Houfe in Hackney for Retirement, where in eight D.iys time I drew up a Reply to their Anfwer to our Exceptions; and the Brethren rcid it and conlented to it ; only wifhed that it had been larger in the latter end, where I had purpolely been brief, becaui's I had been too large in the beginning.

Part II. R^^r^WAfr.Richard Baxter, 53^

ginning, and becaufe Particulars may be anfwered fatisfadorily in a few Words^ when the General Differences are fully cleared.

§ 188. By this time our Commiffion was almoft expiredj and therefore our Brethren were earneftly defirous of perlbnal Debates with them, upon the Papers put in to try how much Alteration they would yield to: Therefore we lent to the Bi-ihops to defire it of them; and at lafl: they yielded to it, when we had but Ten Days more to trear,

§ J 89. When we nnet them^ I delivered them the Anfwer of their former Papers (the largenels of which I faw difplealed them) and they received it. And we ear* neftly preft them to fpend the little time remaining in tuch pacifying Conference as tended to the ends which are mentioned in the King's Declaration and Commiffion, 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 td thofe ends.

§ 190, I have reafon to think that the Generality of the Bifhops and Do(5l:ors pre-ftnt never knew what we offered them in the reformed Liturgy, nor in this Reply, nor in any of our Papers, fave thofe few which we read openly to them. Foi" chey were put up and carried away, and I conjedure fcarce any but the Writers of their Confutations would be at the Labour of reading them over. And I remember in the midft of our laft Difputation, when I drew out the fhort Preface to this laft Reply (which Mr. Calamy wrote, to enumerate in the beginning before their Eyes, many of the groffeit Corruptions which they flifly defended and refu-fed to reform) the Company was more afhamed and filent, than at any thing elfcs that I had laid j by which I perceived that they had never read or heard that very Preface, which was as an Epifile to themfelves: Yea, the chief of them confef-fed when they bid me read it, that they knew no fuch thing : So that it (eems before they knew what was in them, they refblved to rejed our Papers, right or Wrong, and to deliver them up to their Contradiftors.

§ 191. 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 that they would tell us what they allowed, or dilallowed in them^ that we might have the ufe of them according to the Words in the King's Declaration and Commiffion. 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 Es" ceptions: yet could we never prevail with them to fay any thing about them in Word or Writing ; but once Biihop Morky told us oitUeiv length, to which I anfwered that we had told them in our Preface,that we were ready to abbreviate any thing which on debate fliould appear too long ; but that the Purity of the Prayers made the ordinary Lord's day Prayers far (horter than theits. And finci we had given our Exceptions againfl: theirs, if they would neither by Word nor Writing except againfl: ours, nor yet give their Confent to them, they would not honour their Caufs or Conference. But all could not extort either Debates on that Subject, or any l^eprehenfions ^of what we had offered them. Nor have they finceto this Day, in any of their Writings ( which ever I could fee or hear of ) (aid a Word in way of Exception againft thofe I^apers: Yea, when Roger L'Efirangeh\m{k\i\\wiQ (according to his manner) a malicious Inve(3:ive againlt our feveral Papsrs, when they were afterwards printed, he could find little to fay againlt our Liturgy, but that we left it to the Liberty of the Minifter in feveral Cafes, to pray \_inthefe Words, or to this Senle~\. And is that all the fault ( befides the Length foremention-ed ) ? Did they not know that it belongeth to the Prelates, and not to fuch as we, to deprive Men of their Liberty in praying? If they had defired it, how eafy had it been for them to have daihc out that one Claufe [or to this SenfeJ? 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 hadcaft outthatpart of our defired Conference, our next bufinefs was to defire them by friendly Conference, to go over the Particulars which we excepted againlf, and to tell us how much they could abate, and what Alterations they could yield to. This Bifhop Reignolds oft preft them to, and fo did all the reit of us that fpake. But they refolutely infiffed on it, thae they had nothing to do till we had proved that there was any neceffity of Alteration, 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 Declaration

ration and Commiffion, i. That the ends expreffed are [/or the removal of all Exceptions tmd Occafions of Exceptions, and Differences fi-om among our good SubjeUs, ] and S_ for giving SattsfaBion to tender Confciences, and the refioring and conttnuance of Peace and Unity in the Churches. ] 2. And the means is [ to make fuch reafonable and necej-fary Alterations, Correilions, and Amendments therein, as pall he agreed upon to be needful and expedient, for the giving SatisfaSlion to tender Confciences, and re[lormg and continuing Peace, &c.] We plainly fhewed hence that the King liippofeth thac feme Alterations mnll be made : But the Billiops infifted on two Words [necefjary} Alterations, and \_fuch as Jlwuld be agreed on]. We anfwered them. That the Word [necejjary'] hath reference to the Ends expreffed, vtZj. [the fatisfytng tender Confciences ] and is joined with [Expedient']: And its (trange if when the King hath fo long and publickly determined of the End, and called us to conrult of the means, we Ihould prefume now at laftto contradid him, and to determine that the End it felf is unneceflary, and confequendy no means necelTary thereto : What then have ■ we all this while been doing ? 2. And when they are called to [agree'] on fucli necelTary means, if they will take the Advantage of that Word, to [agree on nothing'] that (o 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-niiflion, and the Hopes of a divided bleeding Church. Thus we continued a long time contending about this Point, [Whether fowe Alterations be fuppojed by the Kings Declaration and Commtjfion to be made by us ? or whether we were afiew to dijpute that Point i But the Bifhops would have thn to be our Task or nonej to prove by Difputation that any Alteration was necejjary to be made ; while they confuted our Proofs. We told them, thac the End being [to fatisfy tender Confciences and procure Unitjf] thofe tender Confciences did themlelves profefe, that without ibme Alteration, and that condderable too, they could not be latisfied; and Experience told them, that Veace and Unity could not without it be attained. But ftill they faid, that none was necejjary, and they would yidd to all that we proved necefjary. And here we weieleft in a very great Strait: If we fliould enter upon Difpute with them, we gave up the End and Hope of our endeavours: If we reiuled it, we knew that they would boall th.u 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. CaLuny with ibme others of our Brethren would have had usrefufe the Motion Cff difputing, as not tending to fulfil the King's Commands : We told the Bilhops over and over, that they could not choole but know that before we could end one Argument in a Dilpute, our time would be expired j and that it could not poflibly tend to .my Accommodation: And that to keep off from perfonal Conterence, till within a few Days of the Expiration of the Commiffion, and then torefcjive to do nothing but wrangle out the time in a Difpute, as if we were betvteen jeafl and earnelf in the Schools, was too vifibly in the fight of all the WoilJ, to defeat the King's Commiffion, and the Expedtations of many Thou-lantls, who longed for our Unity and Peace. But we fpoke to the Deaf j they had other Ends, and were other Men, and had the Art to inn the means unto their Ends. For my part, when we law that they would do nothing elfe, I per-fuaded our Brethren to yield to a Difputation with them, and let them underJtand tint we were far from fearing it, (eeing they would give us no hopes of Concord : but withal, firft to profelsto them, that the Guilt of difappointing his Majefty and the Kingdom, lay not upon us, who defired to obey the King's CommiOion, but on them. And fo we yielded to fpend the little time remaining, in deputing 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 lb provoked us, nor were able to prove our Accufuions of the Liturgy.

§ 19; When this was relolved on, we (pent 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 Dilputation might be on equal Terms. They refu-ledthis, and aniwered. That it belonged to us only to argue who were the Accu-fers, and nnt 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 fuch things, or eUe we Ihall be excommunicate, filenced, imprilbned, andundone: We defend our lelves againlt this cruelty, by calling upon them to (hew their Authority from God for (uch Impofitions: Therefore we Hill call upon them to prove that Gnd hath authoriled them to any fuch thing : And if they refule this, they do give up thsir Caulo. We offered firlt to prove the unlawfulnefs of their Impofitions,

if

Part U. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. 337

if they would afterward prove the lawfulnefs of them, or their Power fo co impofe them. On thefe Terms we ftood with them about two Days^ and they would not yield to prove arty thing at all. At laft I oft declared to 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 rook them for Deferters of their Caufe. At laft Dr. Fierfin 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 Writihg, the reft of the Com-miffioners on both fides did choole three of a Party to manage the Dilpute, that the other might withdraw themfelves, becaufe they had no more to do. The Bi/hops chole Dr. Pierfon, Dr. Gummg, and Dr. Sparrow *. The other fide chole * Since Bi-T^t. Bates, Dr.Jacomb, and my felf: (for I never medled with the choice of any,^°P^°^ only I would fain have had Mr. WtUiam Mojcs, Mr. Gibbons., and Mr. Matthew ?ooff'^^!^^l^' into the Commiffion, that I might have had their help in Difputing, becaule they i;orwich. were very quick, ingenuous Men, and I could not prevail.) The reft of our Brethren prefently withdrew, and hot a Man of them came near us any more ; 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 more than the Difputants might be prelenc. And I anfwered them, That we cared not how many of thorn were prelent: And after that, others that were not in the Commiffion asked, whether they might be prefent j and 1 told them the fame. So that there came Dr. P07, 'Dv.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.TtUotfon, &c)

§ i9y. When 1 began our firft Argument, to prove their Impoficions /■»/«/, Bi-ihop Co/im was oifended at the Word i/inful'] ; and told me that I condemned all the Churches of Ghrift, who all of them impoled Ibme Gefture or other, as much as that came to; and what intollerable Boldnefs was it in us to charge all the Churches of Chrift with Sin I I anfwered him, i. That many of the reformed Churches did not impofe any fuch thing on their Terms; that is, to rejeA all from the Miniftry and Communion that conformed nor. 2. It was no Arrogance nor Uncharitablenefi, to charge all the Church and World wich 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 Sin. This they ftormed at, and yet could not tell how to deny it. Bilhop Lany (aid, [That jujiified Verfons have no Sin, and are no Sinners ; becaufe Jufiification taketb it awayX But when I anfwered him by opening the Nature of Juftification, and fhewing that it took not away the Sin it felf, but the Guilt, which is the Obligation to Puniftiment, he was confounded, and unfaid all again, and knew not what he (aid : I told him that he might (ce how near we came to him : I confeffed that if the Controverly were but de Nomine, and he took Juftification, as fome do, for San6lification, or a Change of our Qualities and Adions, then 1 granted him that it took away Sin it felf, but not perfeftly, and therefore Sin ftill remained. Here he and forac more faid, that no Man before me ever took Juftification in any fuch Sence, and they laughed at me : I anfwered, that I was glad to hear him fay fo; for my fear that he fymbolized with the Papifts was abated, now 1 perceived that he knew not what they held : And Dr. Gunmng anfwered againft hini, and faid that the Papifts dofb ufe the Word. I went on and told him, That I al(b granted that a Man for a certain fpace might be without any A£i: of Sin ; and as 1 was proceeding, here Biihop Morley interrupted me, according to his manner, with vehemency crying out, what can any Man be for any time without Sin! And he founded out his Aggravations of this Dodrine; and then cryed to Dr. Bates, what fay you Dr. Bates, is this your Opinion ? Saith Dr. Bates, 1 believe that we are all Sinners j but I pray my Lord give him leave to ffeak: I began to go on to the reft of my Sentence, where I left, to (hew the Senle and Truth of my Words; and the Biihop (whether in Pa(^ (ion or Defign I know not) interrupted me again, and mouthed out the odiouCiefi of my Dodrine again and again, 1 attempted to fpcak, and ftill he interrupted me in the lame manner : Upon that I fat down and told him, that this was neither .igreeable to our Commifiion, nor the common Laws of Difputation, nor the Civil Ufagc 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 Interruption. He told me, I h.id 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 fac dov^n and gave over, and told him I took ic for his Pro-

X X hibitioij

' hibition. At lalt 1 let him talk, and fpake to thofe nearer me, which wonld hear me, and told them, that this was it that I was going to lay, 1 hat I granted Bidsop Lany, that it was poflible to be free from ading Sin tor a certain time, that fo he might have no matter ot Objedion againft me ; and that the Inllances of my Conceilion vvere thele : i. In the time of abfolute Infancy. 2. In the time of total Fatuity or Madnefi, as natural Ideots that never had the ufe of Reafon. 5. In the time of a Lethargy, Carus, or Apoplexy, or Epilepfie. 4. In the time of lawful fleep, when a Man doth not lb much as dream amils: And whether any other Inftances might be given, I determined not. But as I talked thus; Bifliop Morly went on, talking louder than I, and would neither hear me, nor willingly 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. Lmy, in that Jeroboam made ijrael to Sm : What gather you thence, quoth I, that thty bad no Sin but that, or never finned before : He anfwered yes; and with a little iSJonfence would defend it, that Ifrael finned not till then : When I had proved the contrary to him in the general Acceptation of the Word [Si» ; ] I told him, that if he took the Word Figuratively, the Gcnuj for a Species, 1 granted him that they finned not that Species of Sin, which Jeroboam taught them, which is in the Text emphatically called 5;;; : If he meant that they finned no Sm of Idolatry, or no NattonalSin 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 National Sin till then. I asked him whether the Idolatry, the Unbelief, the Murmuring, &c. by which all the Nation, fave Caleb and Jnjhua fell in the Wildernels, 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 Inttance of this Odious kind of Talk, to Ihew him what kind of Men wc talkt with, and what a kind of Task we had.

§ 196. And a little further touch of it I fliall give you: Wlien I beg'd their Compaffion on the Souls of their Brethren, and that they would not unneceflari-ly caft fo many out of the Minii^ry and their Communion : Birtiop Cefns told me that we threatned them with Numbers, and for his parr, he thought the King fhould do well to make us name them all. A charitable and wife Motion ! To name all dieThoufands of England that diffented ficni them, and that had fworn the Covenant, and whom they would after Perlecute.

§ 197. When I read in the Preface to our Exceptions againft the Liturgy [That i^ter twenty years Calamity, they would rot yield to that which feveral Bipops voluntarily offered twenty Years before] (meaning the Cnrredions of the Liturgy offered by Archbifhop Ufliir, Archbilhop M'^iUsams, Bilbop Morton, Dr. Pridcaitx, and many others); Bilhop Co/ins anlwered me, That wc threatned them with a new War, and it was time for the King to look to us: I had no iheker from the Fury of the Bifliop but to name Dr. Hammond, and tell him thac I remembred Dr. Hammond infilled on the fame Argument, that twenty Years Calamity fuould have taught Men more Charity, and brought them to repentance and Brotherly Love; and that it is an Aggravation of their Sin to be unmerciful after fb long and heavy Warnings from God's Hand : He told me, if that were our meaning, it was all well. And thefe were the moft logical Difcourles of that Bifliop.

, § 198. Among all theBifiiops there w.is none who had fo promifing a Face as Dr. Sterne the Bilhopof Cariijk: He look'd lb honeftly, and gravely, and foberly, that I fcaice thought fuch a Face could have deceived me; and when I was in-treating them not to caft out lb many of their Brethren tlirough the Nation, as Icrupeled a Ceremony which they confefs'd indifferent, he turn'd to the reft of the Reverend Bilhops, and noted me for laying [;» the Nation .] He will not fay [«« the Kingdom] laith he, Ufi he own a King'. This was all that ever I heard chat worthy Prelate lay : But with grief 1 told him, that half the Charity which became fo grave a Biihop, might have luHiced to havehelpt him to a better ExpofKionof the Word iNation]^ ; from the Momlis of liich who have lb lately taken the Oaths of Allcgijnceand Suprem.icy, and fworn Fidelit)' to the King as his Chaplains, and had (uch Tcftimonies from him as we have had : ai.d that our cafe was fad, if we coukl plead by the Kings Commillion lor Accommod.uion, upon no no better Terms, than to be noted as Traytors, every time wc uled inch a Word as the {_Na-tkn] ; which ii\ monarchical Writers ulv*.

§ 199.BHI10P Morley earneftly pleaded my own Book with me (my fifth Dslpur.) as he had done before the King: And I ftill told him, I went not horn any thing in it. He vehemently aggravated the mifchiefs of Conceived Prayer in the Church, and when I told him that all the Adions of Men would be imperteft, while Men were imperfe<ft, and that the other i\de alfo had its inconveniences; he asked me whether I thought the inconv6niences of Extemforary Prayer were not rather to be avoided, than thofe of impofed Forms: I told him that v.'efhoulddo oar bell- to avoid the evils or abufe of both : He asked me, how that ihould be? laniWeed him, not by dilclaimingtheufe of Forms, or of conceived Prayers, but iiling hoth

in their proper feafons -And as I was going on, the Company fell intp a la ugh-

ter at me, as if I had fpoken for fome fooliih thing, when I I'pnke but for that which the Minilters of £wg/<j»^have u(ed ever fince the Reformation; and molt that have any Zeal do ufe by their allowance to this day, praying Extempcre in the •Pulpir.

§ 200. I oft made it my earneft requeft to them, but that we might have our proper turns in fpeaking, and that we might not interrupt one another , but (tay the end : but I could never prevail, efpecially with Biihop Morley j who , when any thing was Ipoken wl<ich he would not have to be fpoken our, would prefently interrupt me, and go on in his way. I told them that if they took this Courle, I judged all our Conference fruitlcG to the hearers: for my Speeches were not incoherent, but the end and middle muR be joyned to the beginning to make up the fence, and that as the End is firft in the intention, but lali in execution, fo I ufually re-lervcdthe chief part of what I had to fay to the laft, to which the beginning was but preparatory : And therefore I had rather they forbad me to fpeak any more , than let nie begin, and then not fuffer me to go on any further. The Bifhop an-fwered that I Ipake lb long, and had k many things ^ that their memories could Bot retain them all, and fhould lofe the firlt if they ftayed till the laft : and that I Ipake more than any other: I told him, that as to my fpeaking more than others, it W.IS my duty, yea to fpeak as much as all the reft,, except when my Brethren laved me that labour. If they thought I (pake too much , they would tell me io : And for others, one fide was to fpeak as oft as the other fide : if we had conlented that they fliould fill the Room, when we were but Three, and then every one in the Room ftould (peak as much as one of us, we had made a fair bcut of it. I cared not how many of them fpake, if tliey were but willing to beanfwered : But if live of them muft fpeak, and but one of them be anfwered, they would lay, that all the reft were unanfwerable. And for my length, I told him, that we conlented that one oUhemfdves (hould 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-Glafi, and fee that one fpeak no longer than the other : And for the weakneG of their memories, I fuppofed they were on equal Terms : It was as hard for us to remember what they faid j and if wc c»uld not, we would either take Notes, or ask another, or pafs by what we forgot, rather than overthrow all Order in Difcourle, 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 lence 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 Difcourfes, where Interruptions and Interlocutions tofs us up and down from thing to thing, and never let us lee the lence and reafon of each others in that Connexion and Harmony which is its Light and Strength]. But all thefe words were ^ft away ; and they had feldom Patience to forbear an Interruption.

§ 201. One learned Dodor behind me ( that was no Commiflioner ) dcfired to be heard, as if he had fome unanfwerable Argument : And it was a Qiieftion, Whether all that fcrupltd Confortnity, ■whom we pleaded fer, were not fucb as had been a-gainji the Kmg ? I anfwered him, i. That the King tumlelf had given fufficient Te-iiimony of mapy of them. 2. That thereis not oneMinifter of twenty that we plead for that had ever any thing to do in the Wars, or againft the King; moft of them being then Boys at School, or in theUniverfity. 5. That Men on both fides had been againft the King. Hereuj^pn Biihop Morley asked me , whether ever I knew a conformable Man for the Parliament, againft the King : Yes, my Lord, quoth 1, many a one. Name one, quoth fome of them : Yes, a Bi/hop, yea an Archbilhop, quoth I: At which they all hearkened as at a wonders Do you not know, quoth I, that the Archbilhop of Tar^fe, Dr. Williams, fometime Lord Keeper

X X 2 ■ ©f

of EnglandyWzs a Commander of the Forces for the Parliament in Wales ? At which they were filent, and that Argument was at an end. U^on en- § 202. When I told them that if they caft out all the Non-conformids, there ^""■y °^ would not be tolerable Minifters enow to fupply the Congregations: Bifhop Morley bitants'^ anfwered that {b it was in the late Times, and thatibme Places had no Minifters at fince,i un- all, through all thofe Times of Ufurpation : and named Aylesbury, which he knew dcrfland to have had none upon his own knowledge. I told him that I never knew any tlufitis {{xc\\, and therefore I knew there were not many fuch in Evgland : And if it were tliin ""^ but ^°'^ hoped that he would not plead for fuch a Mifchief by the Example of the Ufur-that/jV''/- P^'^^* ^"^ fince, I have enquired of the Inhabitants about /tylesbmyy and they una-burywis moufly profefled that it was notorioufly falfe, and named me the Minillersthat had vvellfup- been there fucceffively, and ufually two at once.

th'er bv'a ^ ^°3- ^'^'^ thefaid Bilhop, when I talkt of filencing Minifters for things in-

fetled in- different, told me. That we fliould remember how we did by them ; and that we

cumbent, talkt not then as now we do. I anfwered him. That 1 was confident there was no

or the Man there prefent that had ever a hand in filencing any of them : For my

ofdiVoa- °^" P^*^^' ' '^^^ ^^^^ ^" Judgment for cafting out the utterly Infufficient and noto-

rifon. rioudy Scandalous, indiffeiently of what Opinion or Side foever; but I had pub-

Hckly written againft the filencing or difplacing any worthy Man for being againft

the Parliament: And if it had been otherwile, he fliould take warning by others

Faults, and not imitate them, and do evil becaufe Cromtvell did fb.

§ 204. Upon this, Dr. Walton Bifliop of Chefier laid , Indeed Mr. Baxter did write againll the Cafting 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 compulfion of the Sword, that none but Drunkards would joyn in them. I anfwered, No,my Lord, I did not: I only laid, that (as they had been ordered j 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 dilhonourable] There is no impleading Mens .Writings, unlefs the Book be opened, and the words and context well peiuled.

§ 205-. Dr. Batei urged Dr. Gunning that on the fame reafons that they {o impo-fed the Grols 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 (b I think we ought to have more, and not fewer, if we do well, ( or to that lencej.

§ 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 Country under them : Or that ever any Council, Synod, or Patriarchs , or Metropolitans, did impole one Liturgy on all the Bifhops and Churches under them. I proved to them not only from the inftances of Bafd , and the Church of Naocejarea, but othersthat every Bilhop then chole 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, Bifliop CeJ/ns, taking the Chair, told us. That a very worthy Perfbn had offered untohisSuperioursa Paper containing the way to our Reconciliation, which he thought fo realbnable and fit, that he de-fired us to take them into our Confideration, and lb delivered me the Paper. ■ I asked him, from whom he expecfted an Anlwer: He faid from me : I told him that he might well know that I would enter upop no new Debates, without the Con-lent ot my Brethren prelent, and whether they would meddle in it, and undertake new Work without theConfent of our Brethren , who are abfent, I could not tell; efpecially when long and wandering Difcourles had already taken up almoftall our time. But upon perufal of the Paper, I perceived that it was a cunning Snare for us; but advifedour Brethren prefent that we might promife them an Anfwer by the next Morning, but only in the name oi us three, and that our Brethren abfent fhould not be judged to be concerned in it. This I the rather did , becaufe I perceived it came by the notice of fome above us, who would enquire after it,and that an Anlwer in Writing would be a better (pending of our time, than that rambling Difcourle which there we fpent it in J where a multitude of Men would needs I'peak, and yet would be angry if they were anlweied. The Paper with the A.n{wer is as follows.

The Taper offered hy "Bifloof Cofins us from fome con^

ftderahkTerfon.

A way humbly propofed to end that unhappy Controverfie 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 Dlvifion.

y. TpH^f the Quefiion may he put to the Managers of the Di'vi/ton, Whether there he any JL thmg in the DoEirine, or Difcifline, or the Common Frayer, or Ceremonies , con-' trary to the Word of God ; and if they can make any ftich appear, let them be fatufad.

2. If not, let them then prof ofe what they defire m point of Expediency, and ackmivledgt it to he no more.

\.Let that then be received from them,andjpeedily taken into theConfideration and Judgment of the Con-vocation, ivho are the proper and authentick Reprefintatives of the Mtntftry, in whofe Judgment they ought to acqutejce in juch Matters j and not only fo , but to let the People that follow them know that they ought not to difturb the Peace of the Church under the pretence of the Profecution of Expediency, fince the Di'vijion of the Church w the great Inexpedient.

The Anfwer to the forefaid Paper.

Right Reverend, &C. *

AS it was your defire that we fhould return an Anfwer to thefe Three Propofals only in our own Names who are but Three , fo we muft here profeQ therefore, that it is not to be taken as the Ad of the reft of our Brethren the Commifli-oners; but as part of the Conference to which v/e are deputed : And though we are the Managers of the Treaty for Pacification or Agreement, and not the Managers of the Divifion, and therefore cannot take our lelves to be the Perfons meant by the Author of the Propofals j yet we are glad to take the opportunity of your invitation, to profefs that the principal part of thefe Propolals is fo Rational, Regular and Chriltian-like, that we not only approve of, but Ihould hefuUj/ fatufed (as to the Debates before us) with the real grant of the firft alone, and not be wanting in our Duty, according to our Underftanding and Ability, in endeavouring to ac-complilh the Ends of your Defiresin the reft : More particularly,

/Id V>>, Though we find by^««r Pafers and Conference that in your own perfonal Dothtnes, there is fomething that we take to be agamft the Word of God-^ and perceive that we underftand not the Doftrineof the Church in all things alike, yet we find nothing contrary to the Word of God in that which is indeed the Doftrine of the Church, as it comprehendeth the Matters of Faith, diftinft from Matter of Dilcipline, Ceremonies and Modesof Worfliip.

As to Dijctplme, 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 wc (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 Repljf. delivered you an Account t)f what we take to be unlawful and inconvenient : And we humbly crave that our Realbns may be yet inipartially confidered. At prefcnc we fliall humblv offer you our Judgment concerning the following Particulars, and profefs our readineG 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 prcfcribed ule of the Tranfient Image of the Crofs.

2. That

. ^ ■ —— ' : : _____

2. That no Minifter be permitted to read or pray, or exercife the other px-ts 6f his Office that dare not wear a Surplice.

3. That none be admitted in Communion to the Lbrds Supper, that dare not receive it kneeling: and that all Miniflers be enjoyned to deny ir to fuch.

4. That Minilters be forced to pronounce all baptized Infants to be Regenerate by the Holy Ghoft ( whether they be the Children of Chri(tians or notj.

y. That Minifters be forced to deliver the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chrift, unto the unfit, both in their Health and Sickneis: and that with perfonal application putting it into their hands: and thatfuch are forced to receive it^tiiough againfl: their own wills, in the Confcience of their Impenitency.

<$. That Minifters be/orcei to Ablblve the unfit; and that in abfolute Exprefl fions.

7. "Xlhat they are forced to give thanks for all whom they Bury, as Brethren -whom God in mercy hath delivered and taken to himfelf.

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 Articles, that is contrary to the Word of God : Thefc are moft of the things

which we judge contrary to the Word of God, which at prefent come to our remembrance. So we humbly defire, that whenever you would have us give you a full enumeration of liich, we may have leave to confult with the reft of our Brethren, and deliver it to you by our Common Confenr. And we humbly crave that all thefe Points may be taken into ferious Confideration, and thole of them which we have not yet debated,we are ready to debate and give in our Arguments, whenever we are called to it, to prove them all contrary to the Word of God. And may we be fo happy as to have this Proposal granted us,we fhall undoubtedly have Unity and Peace.

Ad 2'", We fiippefe 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 mexfedtences: As a Phyfician may murder a Man by giving him inexpedient Medicines; and a General may deftroy his Army by inexpedient ways of Conduft and Defence. And the Paftor may be guilty of the tjamnation of his People by Doftrines and Applications inexpedient and unfuitabie to their ftate : And a way of worship may be lb inexpedient as to be (infirl and loathfom unto God ; fuch is the Battology or thinking to ba heard for afledted Repetitions or Bablings; Pharifaical Thankfgivings, that Men are better than indeed they are., with abundance fuch like: But iuppofing that you here fpeak of no fuch inexpedient things, but fuch as are not contrary to the Word of God, We add;

Ad I"' , We are thankful that in fuch Matters we may have leave to make any fuch Propofals as are here mentioned: but we ftall not be forward to bufie our felveSj and trouble others about liich little things, without a Special Call: If the Convocation at any time defire an account of our Thoughts about (uch Matters, we ihall readily produce them.

And for [ acquiefcing in iheir Judgments in fuch Matters ] what we Three do in that point, is but of (mall 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 V6tes, becaufe not Ordained by Diocelans,and others not approving the Conftitution of our Convocations durft not meddle in the choice: We cannot tell how far they will think themfelves obliged by the Determination of this Convocation. But this can be no matter of impediment to your Satisfaftion 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 Chriftian patience to fufter what he infliSeth on us for not obeying in things unlawful: And therefore while we acquiefce thus far in the Judgment of thole who muft make the Decrees of the Convocation to be civilly obligatory, and the King iiitendeth to take their Advice before he determine of luch Matters ; It isall one as to the end, as if we diredly did thus far acquiefce in the Judgment of the Convocation, if the King approve it: But if the King and Parliament difient or difallow the Convocation's Judgment (as it is poflible 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 Affiftancc , ( if you. do not fi-lence or difable us) we arc refolved faithfully to teach the People , that the Divi-fion of the Church is worje than inexpedioit j and the Peace of it not to be difturbed for I he avoiding of any fuch inexpediences a§ are not contrary to the Word of God :

We

We o->nclude with the Repetition of our moreeajnell Requeii,That thefo wife ard moderate Propofals may be prolecuted, and all things be abated us which we have proved, or (hall prove to be contrary to the Word rit'God. But if we agree not on thole things among our lelves accordFng to his Majelty s Coinmiffion,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 Majelly's Declaration^ would end all our Differences about Matters of Worihip: And when you have had tiiem in your hands lo long, iince you called for them, and have not, notwithftanding the Importunity of our Requefts, vouchfafcd us any Debates upon them, or Exceptions againft them, but are pleafed to lay them by in filence ; We ones more propole to you, Whether the granting of what you cannot blame, be not now the Ihortell and the fureft Way to a general Satisfadlion.

Note here, That I offered to mylBrethren two more Particulars as contrary to the Word of God : which were,

r. That none may have leave in Publick Worlhip to ufe a more fult.ible orderly way ; but all are confined to this Liturgy,which is fb defective and diforderly Cwhich we are even now ready to manifell if you will receive it.)

2. That none may be a Minifter of the Golpel that dare not (ubjetT: himfelf by an Oath of Obedience, to the Diocefans in that State of Government which they exercifed in this Land, (contrary to the pradice of all Antiquity}.

Thefe Ten Things I offered as contrary to the Word of God , but the two Brethren wiih me thought thefe two lalt were better left out, left they ocgafion new Pebates, though they judged them true.

§ 208. When I read and delivered thefe Papers, the Bilhops were muchdifplca-fed, that I fliould charge fb many things on the Church as Sim : Where you may note the marvellous ofcitancy of thefe men, that when they had treated with us lo long, and received (b many large Exceptions and Replys, and in- all had heard us open the finfulnefs of their way, they Ihould yet imagine that we hadacculed their way but of inexpediency, and think to gratilie themfelves by fuch a poor device. But their main defign was to divide us, while they let us upon diitinguifli-ing all their/«»/ from ihek tnexpe^iences; and they thought that one would take tl;at ior in:'xpcc!ient on\y, which others tooktobe/«. And they confidered not that we were now creating what fliould be impcfid, and not what Ihould be obeyed if it were impoled ; and that we would charge Sin upon their lmpofitio?is,\n many points ■which migiit lawfully be done when Impofed, rather than to tbrfake the Churches. And if I did the Church any Service in all thefe Debates, it was principally by fru-itrating their evil defign, of dividing us ; (b that all the Snares that ever they could Jay for us, never procured them juft advantage, once truly to lay, that we dif-ag: ecd among our felves. For though there were enow at a difl:ance,vvho couW not ^. have agreed to all that we di<j, yst we lb far left thejii out ( though to the dilpka-tare both of thePrelariils and them, that no difcord was found in any of our Propofals or Debates ): winch cut fonie of them moie to the heart, than all that elle we did to their difpleafiire.

§209. By this time, our frequent eroding of their Expectations, I faw had made fome of the BifhopB angry : above all IMlhop MarUy, who over-ruled the whole fcufinefs, and did intercls him(eif in it deeplier than the rell, and was of a hotter Spirit and a readier Tongue. But that which difpleaied thenj mod 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 Perlbns: For I perceived that chey had that eminency of Power and Interefl, that the greateft Lords were glad of their favour, did expect that the prelence of fo many of them fhould have awed us into fuch a filence, or cowardlinels, as ihould have betrayed our Caule j or at lead that their Vehemency, and Paflions, and Interruptions IhoulU iiave put us out of Countenance : But 1 intreated them to give us leave , with the due honour of their Perlbns, to ufe that necclTary liberty of Speech to them, as befeemed fiich as are very confident that they plead for the Caufe ot God, and the happinels and healing of a bleeding Church, and that upon the warrant of the King's Commifli-oa : And I mult fay, that though they C owned at my freedom of Speech, they never once accufed me of any unmannerly or unreverent Language.

42rc.

5^4.4. The LIFE 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 but the Viftory of Truth.

§211. And before he began with them, he would fain have had one bout with me himfelf: Whereas I moved them tofome 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 lawfulnefs of kneeling in the reception of the Sacrament ( though I ftill profeft to them that I held it not unlawful my felfjwhen the Sacrament could not be otherwifehad) Dr. Pterct offered himfelf to a Difputation, to prove that ( let them be never fo many ) it u an A8 of Mercy to them to fut them all from the Communion of the Church : 1 eafily perceived what advantage his Confidence and Paflion gave me, and I intreated him to try his skill, I-ut his Brethren would not give him leave : I earneffly entreated them to give him leave but to try one Argument, but I could not prevail with them j being wifer than to fuffer his Paflion to expofe their Caufe to Laughter and Contempt: But yet he could not forbear to caff out his medium, and tell us how he would have argued j viz,. That they that receive the Sacrament, being in judgment againft kneeling in the A(5t of Receiving, do receive it Schifmatically, and io 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 Legijlators fhould by Laws or Canons keep them away, and not whether a Vaflor, fuppofing fiich Laws exiffent, Ihould 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 elie the Cuffom 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 the Conctl. Trull, and the moff ancient Writers, do unanimoufly decree againft kneeling, and make it univerlally unlawful ( and that by Apoftolical Tradition) ^ to adore kneeling ] on any Lord's Day in the Year, and on any other Day between Ea(ter and fVhitfunday; and that no General Council hath reverfed this, till nieer Dilul^ and contrary Culfom did it. And for Cufiom, the I^roteftant Churches concur not in thatCuftom, nor are they Schifmaticks for difTeringfrom the Pjpifts and others that do fo;nor 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 aSchilmatick that followeth not the Cuftom of their Church in every particular Gellure, unlefs he feparate from their Church it (elf; much lefs do they pronounce Damnation on allluqh. 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 tt u Charity to make a Law to keep all from Church Communion that will kneel, hecaufe when fuch a Law is made, it is damnable Schifm to kneel^. But the very truth is, 1 perceived fo lictle Compaffion to Souls in the zealous and fwaying Managers of the(eControverfie«, and fo little regard of the Scruples and Tendernels of Godly People who were afraid of Sinning,as tliat 1 fcarce thought among Proteftants there had been any fuch. Whether they would have abated one Ceremony if they had had an. hundred more, to keep all the DifTenters in three Nations from being caft out of the Miniftry and Church, I know not; but of thofe they have they would not abate one : which made me oft 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 Tomb's of the Frophets,and over-honouring (hs dead Saints, while they go on to hate and deftroy the livwg. And it made me oft remember Biftiop Hia/Z's Charader of an Hypocrite {wbohowetb at the Name of Je/us, and fweareth by the Name of God, and would fet all the World on fire for a Ctr-citmliance']. And it made me remember what that learned godly Minifter Mr.Spi-nagc hath ofc told me, and many others, and is ftill ready to juftifie upon Oath , that being heretofore familiar with this Mr. Ihom.is Pierce, and faying once to him; ( Tbejc Men that you Jo abhor, are itery godly Men, and have much Communion with God 1, lor fome- he brake out into this Anfwer, [ A pou on this Communion with God\ And it made 11!-' 'Vf'^ me think of Augu/line's Delcription of the fottifh Worldlings, that had far rather there file fee ^^''^ ""^ ^'"^ fewer in Heaven, than one Cow or one Tree iheftwer in their Grounds^; So j^'uflln: had thefe Men rather Onethoufand eight hundred godly faithful Minifters were fi-Ni'ihcnl- Icnccd at once,and a Hundred thoufand godly Chriftians kept out of the Churches /'.''f-?/■'"■'• Communion and perfecuted , than one Ceremony IhoulU be caft out of the *"'•'•'^'♦' Church.

Part li. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter 345

Church, or left indifferent, or one Line reformed in their Coninion-Pra3er.'.

§ 212. But when Dr. Pierce could not have leave to take up his Difpute, he fit upon me with kind Perfuafions; and Bifhop AJorlry (and hej firit lo'd me, that ic was llrange I (hould make fuch a (Hr for other Mens Liberty to forbear kn.e!-ing in the ad of Receiving, when I profelt my icU" to take it to be lawful: I told them that they might perceive then, that 1 argued nctfiom htsieft and Opimon ; but from Charity, and for Lo've and Feace. They told me that ic was we that had filled the Peoples Heads with thefe Scruples, and then when we fhould dilpollcfs them of them, we pleaded for their Libeity : If I would but teacli the Peupk better, they would quickly be brought to Obedience, and would need no Liberty, I told the Bilhop, that he was much miliaken, both in faying that we put thele Scruples into their Heads, and in thinking that my Power with them wasfogrenr, as that I alone could preach them out. He reply'd with great Confidence, that it" I would but endeavour in good earneft to latisfy them, they would quickly be latil-fied. I told him that he had both before the King, and here, declared that no Man had written better about the Ceremonies than I had ; and had p:odu:ed my Book: and therefore I thought he confuted hinifelt: For I wrote that Bonk betoie the King came in, even in the heat of the Nations Zeal againft Ceremonies j and how then is it like, that I put thole Scruples into their Heads when I wroto sgiinft them? And I thought. Writing was the publickeft manner of Teaching, where I ipake to many thoulands who could never hear my Voice: How then could hclay that I wrote \o well, and yet did not teach the People what I wrote ? I!ut I told him thAt he muft pardon me, that in the Pulpit I found greater matters to do thai: to preach for Ceremonies, and could never think that fuch kind of preaching tended molt to the faving of Mens Souls. And 1 many times told him and the reO, that 1 perceived that it was like to be a great Wrong to us, and a greater to them-lelves and the Kingdom, that they mt(h,kingly imagined our Power to be greater with the People than it is, and that they think we could reduce them at our Flea-fure to Conformity, when it is noiiich matter; and that they ini.igin that the Godly People who dilTent from them, do pin their Religion lb ablbUicely on our Sleeves, and take up all their Opinions on truft from us: Whereas I affured him, that he will find by Experience that lb many of them know why they hold what they hold, and do it (o purely for Confcience fake, that if all we jliould turn and let againil them, there would fb many thoulands continue in their Opinions, as I would not be a Perfecutor of, or excommunicate for more than ever their Lord/hips will get by ir. But the Bifhop exprelf more confidence ftill, that I could reclaim, them my fi:lf 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 did not follow my Opinion which he himfeU faith 1 have publiihed in Print. Hereupon Dr. Pierce would needs lovingly delirc that he and 1 might hm go about the Country and preach People to Conformity, and he did not doubt but they would quickly be reduced. 1 cold him that for his part, I knew not how powerful his preaching might be, but I could exped no fuch Succefs of mine j and I marvelled why he had not recovered all the Country before this Day, having had (b m^ny Years time to have gone about and preacht them to Conformity, if he would haveufed it. He anfwered, That he had recovered all his own f^uilh. 1 told hini. That if he had done fo by all others, there would have been no need of all this Trouble: But I often told the Bilhop and him, that they knew that thougli I took not kneeling to be unlawful, yet I took their Subfcriptions and Oatli of canonical Obedience, and other things to be unlawful J and I perceived that they intended no Abatements, and confequenc-ly that they intend the fi fencing of me, and all that are of my Mind (for all their Commendation of my Writing on that Subj.'ftJ? And I ask't them then, how lean go about to preach for them, when they have firft filenced me ? Or if they would be lb favourable to forbear me till I had done preaching for their Cere-monieSjit was but an odd kind of motion for them to make [come pleach for ourCcremo-tiies Jo long, and then you ^all never preach more ; J and an odd Employment, for ms to undertake, to go about to perfuade People to obey them in a Ceremony or two, that are intended when that is done, to forbid me and others to preach the Golpel, 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 Ibughc to make them odious, by reprelenting chem as cruel, and Perlecutors, as if they intended tofilence and caff out lb many. And it was one of the greatelt matters of Ofience againft me, that 1 foreknew and foretold them what they were abourto do.They laid.that this was but to ftir up the Fears of the People^and caufe them to

Y y dilkf-

difafTeA the Government, by talking of filencing us, and calling out the People from Communion. I told them that either ■they do intend (iich a Cour/e or not: If they do, why fhould they think us criminal for knowing ic? If not, what need had we of all the(e Difputes with them ? which were only to perfuade them not to caft out the Minifters and the People on thefe Accounts. And it was but a few .Weeks after this that Bidiop MorUy himfelfdid filence me, forbidding me to preach in his Diocefs, who now took it (o heinoufly that I did foretell it; Yet, becaufQ the Hearers knew not what would be, their Party juftified them, and concurred in cenliiring me as uncharitableforfpeakingfo hardly of them, and this maketh mere-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 Army did intend to do againft them (and many others more particularly foretold it) i the Army was angry with (them and) me, and accufed us of making them odious by our Slanders (andcaft out many Membersof 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 AccompliHiment; and lb dangerous is it to foreknow what cruel Men are about to do.

§ 213. You have had the Subltance of our wandering Difcourfes j you are next to have our as unprofitable Difputes: In which all was to be managed in Writing ex tempore, by Dr. Fierfon, Dr. Gunning, and Dr. Sparrow, with Dr. Pierce on one fide ; and Dr. Bates, Dr. Jacomb, and my lelf on the other fide ; we withdrawing into the next Room, and leaving the Billiops and them together, while we wrote our part: And we began with the Impofition of Kneeling, upon two Accounts, (though I took the Gefture it felf as lawful) i. Becaule I knew I hid the fulleft Evidence, and the greateft Authority of Antiquity or Church-Law and Cu-ftom again'ft them. 2. Becaule 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 difputed againft.

OiifAr- §214- Oppon. Arg. x. To enjoin all Minifiers to deny the Communion to aU that guments. ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ Reception of the Sacrament on the Lords days u 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 v/bich *s finful.

' Refp. Not granting nor denying the Major, in the firft place piove the

' Minor.

llehAn- Oppon. We prove both : i. Prob. Major. To enjoin Minifiers to deny theCommunion to

I iver. Aden, becaufe they dare not go agatnfi the Pratlice of the Apoftles, and the uni-verfal

Church for many hundred Yean after them, and the Canons of the mofi venerable Councilt

K finful.

But to enjoin Minifiers to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament on the Lords Days, u to enjoin them to deny Communion to them, Becaufe they dure not go againfi the Prailue of the Apofiles, and the uni'vetjal Church for many hundred Tears after them, and the Canons of the moft venerable Councils.

Ergo, To enjoin all Minifiers to dewy Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Recep' tion of the Sacrament en the Lord's Day ts fmful.

Prob. Minor. The fVords of the Common-Prayer-Book and Canons prove it,

' Refi. The Minor (viz,, as to the Common-Prayer-Book, of which the Proof muft proceed) is not yet proved.

' But the Major (which we had not then fpoke to, but now do, clearly deny-' ing ihat Major alio of the fir.'t Syllogilm) you prove by theSyllogifm brought; in ' which we deny the Minor.

§215'. Here we told themj That for the Proof of both Propofitioni denyed, the Pre-fence of the Books u necefiary, which we defired them to procure us j but they were not fetcht. And firfi vje had a large Debate about the IVords of the Common-Prayer, [//« fliall deliver It them kneeling on their Kneesl: Dr. Pierfon confefTed, that the Canons did rejeft them that kneel not, from the Communion ; but thele Words of the Common-Pr.iyer-Book donot : But they only include KneeUrs, but exclude not others. We ;»nlwercd diem, that either the Common-Prayer-Book doth exclude them that kneel nor, or it doth not: If it doth, the Proportion is true : If it do not, then we Jli.ili willingly let fall this Argument againit it, and proceed to another: Therefore I delircd them hut to tell us openly their own judgment of the Senle of the Book j for we pvofclTcd 10 argue againit it only on Suppofition of the exclufive Scnle.

ai6

P A R T 11. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. =34.7

§216. Hereupon unavoidably they fell into Difcord among themfelves: Dr. Tierfon, who was to defend the Book, told us his Judgment was, that the Senfe was not exclufive : Bifhop AdorUy, who was to ojfenJ the Nonconform [is, gave his judgment for the exclufive Senle j viz,. That the Minilter is to give it to Kneelers, aVi'd 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 preferit, I alledged the zoch Canon Conctl. Nican. & Conctl. Trull, and TertuUian oft, and Epi-fbanius, with the common Confent of ancient Writers, who tell us, it was the Tradition and Cuftom of the univerlal Church, not to adore by Genuflexion on any Lord's Day, or on any Day between Eafter and fVbitfuntiJei Ergb, not lb to adore in taking the Sacrament. ;

§218. Bifliop Morhy anfwered. That this was the Cuftom but only between Note this Eajler and IVbitfuntide, and therefore it being otherwife the reft of the Year, wasS''^^* ^-more againft us. 1 anfwered him that he miltook, where a multitude of Evid^n- qu^fntance ces might reftifie him, it was on every Lord's Day through the Year, that this Ado- with Anti-ration by Genuflexion was forbidden: though on oiher JVetk-dap it was Only be- quity. tween Eajhr and IVbitfuntide. « . . '

§ 219. Next he and the reft infilled on it, that thefe Canons and Cuftomsejftend-ed only to Prayer. To which I anfwered. That i. The plain words are againft them, where fome fpeak of all Adoration, and otheVs more largely of the publick Worfhip, and offered to bring them full Proof from the Books, as foon as they would give me time. 2. And if it were only in Prayer, it is all one to our Cafe: For tiie Liturgy giveth the Sacrament with Words of Prayer; and it is the common Argument brought for kneeling, that it's liiitaWe to theconjund Prayer. And 1 told them over and over, that Antiquity was lb clear in the point, that I defired all might be laid on that, and I'might have time to bring them in my Teftimonies! Euc thus that Argument was turned off, and the Evening broke off that part of ihi Difpute. ' \'--

The next Days Ai-gumeht.''■'' i'-''^ -'^'■•^ "'^

§ 220. Oppon. To enjoin Min:fieri to dtny the Communion to fuch-i^4l>e Holy Ghofi hath required us to receive to the Communion ts finful.

But to enjoin Aimifltrs to deny the Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacramenty is to enjoin them to deny the Communion to fuch as the holy Ghofi hatB required MS to receive to the Communion. '!' '

Ergo, to enjoin Minifiers to deny the Communion to alt that dare not kneel in the Rectf'. tion of the Sacrament-, ts a Sin. -. *

' Rtjp. We deny the Minor.

Oppon. The Holy Ghofi bath required us to receive to the Communion, even all the •weak in the Fatth, -who ttre charged with no greater Fault than erroneously refufng things lawful as unlawful. '^■

But many of thoje ■who dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament are (at the worfi) but weak in the Faith, and charged with no greater Faulty than erroveoufly refufing things lawful as unlawful. •^••■^ «'*' ■ ■•' "'■-

Lrgo, To enjotn Minifiers to deny the Communion to aU Vifho dare not kneel in the Re-ception of the Sacrament, is to enjoin them to deny the Communion to fuch as the Holy Cbojl hath required m to receive to the Communion. . . .. .,

' Rejp. We lay, This is no true but a fallacious Syllogifm^ of lio due Form : For ' this lleafon. That whereas both Subjed and Predicate of the Conclufion ought ' to be fomewheie in the Premifes, here neither Subject of the Conclufion {viz.. to 'enjoin Minifters 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-'mifesj lb that here are not only quatuor, but quinque termini. \

Oppon. Tou have both jubjtct and Predicate in the Fremifes as to the Senfe. If J'tf* will have each Syllable, take it thus.

If to en jam Minifiers to deny the Communion to Men for no greater Fault than heinj^ weak in t he Faith, and refufing things lawful as unlawful, be to enjoin them to deny the Communion to Jucb as the Holy Ghoji hath required us to receive to the Communion, then to tnjom Mimfhrs to deny the Communion to all, &C.

But to tnjom Minijhrs to deny 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 thtm t« reteive to the Communion.

Ergo, To f77;o;w, 6cc. (as in the Minov.) ■ ^ ■ ^-'-wv. \

Y y 3 * Rel^,

' Rejp. We diftinguifli to that Term [things Lawful] : for both Things law ful,

* and by no lawful Power commanded to be done are called Juch : And alfo

* things lawful, and by a lawful Power alfo commanded to be done, are called *fuch.

* If you take tbingt lawful in the former Senle, we deny your Major. If you

* take things lawful in the later Senfe, we deny your Mmor.

Oppon. h Rom. 14. I, 2, ;. and ij. i. The Apoftk by the Holy Ghofi fpeaking of things lawful and not commanded, yet being him/elf a Chtircb'Governor, commandeth them not, but requiretb even Church-Governors as well as others to receive the DiJJenters and forbear them, and not to make thefe the matter of Cenfure or Contempt. Ergo, thi Minor (or Confeijuence) u good.

* Reff. we anfwer four things: i. We deny the Confequence of the Enthy-

* meme»

' 2. Our Difcourfe proceeding wholly about things lawful and commanded by a ' lawful Power, they profels to proceed only upon things lawful and not com-' manded by a lawful Power (in which Senfe only of things lawful, and not ' commanded alfo, we denied yonr Major ): For they that prove the Major, which

* was not denied by us but in (uch a Senfe, profefs to proceed in that Senfe.

* ;. Rom. 14. 1,2, 3. fpeaks of things lawful and not commanded by your Ac-

* knowledgment: And we all along have profefled to debate about things lawful ' and alfo commanded. So that the Text brought by you, is manifeftly not to the f purpole 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 Reafon again that Text makes f nothing to prove for their receiving to the holy Communion.

§ 221. When this Anfwer was given in, it was almolt Night, and the Company brake up: And becaufe I perceived that it was hard (efpecially among fuch Diftur-bances) to reduce all in a moral Subjeft (that muft 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-fblved to imitate them in their laft Anfwer, and to take the Liberty of more (explicatory) Words.

§ 222. The next day I brought in our Reply to their Anfwer at large, as here followeth.

Oppon. 7he Syllogifms neceffarily growing fo lung, as that the Farts denied cannot be f«t verbatim into the Conclufions, -without offence to thoje that are loath to read that which u pedantick and objcure, we mufi contrail the Senfe, and divide our Proofs.

Tit Stnje of your Anfwer to the hypothetical Syllogifm was. That if we jpeak of things lawful and not commanded, then you deny [that tbofethat we mujl deny Communion to are fucb as the Holy Ghofi commandeth us to receive, though thofe were fuch that are dejcribed in the Antecedent \. But tf we mean Juch lawful things as are commanded by lawful Tower, then you [^deny that thefe are fuch as the Holy Gho/l ricjuireth m to receive.

-To take away this Anfwer- If your Vifiintlion be frivolous or fallacious, as applied by you m your Anfwer, and one Branch of it, but a begging of the Quefiton, Then your Anjwer is vam, and our Argument fiandeth good. But the Antecedent u true: Ergo, fo u the Confequence.

I. It is frivolous and oblcure, and rather making than removing ambiguity, and ergo ufelels. I. 7f M obfcure : For we know not whether you mean [commanded Jimply Tinth-out any Penalty'] or [commanded with the enforcement of a Penalty]: [ tf the latter^ ■whether you mean tt of [a Command with Juch a Penalty at we fpeak agamfi'] or [fame other Penalty]. And whether you mean [commanded by fucb as have a Lawful Power ad hoc3 or [only ad aliud.J Tour dijltntlion mufi necejjarily be dijhngutjlied of before it can be pertinent, and applied to our Cafe : Ergo, tt ts frivolous through ob-fcurity.

If you fpeak of a Command without Penalty, or with no other Penalty than fucb as is «»/ii/?«»c i/zifA [Receiving, not delpifing, not Judging, and all the indulgence mentioned ia the Text then your very DifimUtan granteth us the Caufe. But if you fpeak cf [a Command with fuch Penalty as is tnconfijhnt with the (aid Receiving and other Indulgences j thtn this Branch of your Dijfinction as applied by you Refp. 2. u but the begging of the Quefiton, tt being luch Commanding that we are proving to be forbidden

hy the Text —■ If there be no Power that may command juch things any farther

than ?nay fiand with the Rueption and other Indulgences of the Te:<t, then mufi you not fuppofe that any Power may otherwtje command them. But the Antecedent ts true: Ergo

go fo it tie emjequmt. -For the Minor, if Paul and the repdtnt Pift-ors of the

Church of Rome had no Ptwer to commend juch things^ furihtr than may Jiand with the /aid Reception and Indulgences, then no others have fuch Tower, But Paul and the Re-fidcnt Vafiors of the Church of Rome had no fuch Power : Ergo, there are no others that have fuch. And fo your DifitnUion being frivolous and fallacious, the Argument fiands good.

7hc Senfe of our Entbymeme vat, that [thefe things being tbetefore hot commanded, iecanfe they ought not to be commanded any farther than may ftand -with the faid Reception and Indalgences in the Text, God having there forbidden Men any othcrwife to command them ; therefore the Confe<juence fiands good, your Difiinitton being either tmper-tinent, ar granting us the Poftulaturii, or begging the Quejlion,

And fo we have reflied to your fri} Anjiver.

Ad 2". Again if you fpeak of a ftmple Command, enforcing no farther than conpfieth with the forefaid Reception and Forbearance ; i. Tuu grant the thing tn ejueflion: Or thus 2. If there be no juch Difparity of the Cajes as may warrant your Dtfparity of Penalty agamfi your Brethren, then our Argument ^iH fiands good. But there u no fuch Difph-rity of the Cafes a$ may warrant your Dijfartty of Penalty againfi your Brethen: Ergo ' -' ■•'<'* f.

For the Minor : If thofe that Paul /peaks of that mufl be received and forborn, did Jin agatnit the Command of God, in the weaknejs of their Faith, and their erroneom re^ fufal of things asfinful that were not fa to be refujed, then there is no fuch Difparity in the Cafes as, See. For you fuppofe thoje that refuje to kneel, to break the Command of Man^ and thofe that Paul jpah of brake the Command of God^ and yet were to he received and forborn.

But if you here alfo fpeak of \_a Command enforced by Penalties inconfifient with the faid receiving and Forbearance^ ; we reply,

if our prefent PFork be to prove that God hath forbidden all fuch Commands, then our proceeding (in proving it) u regular, and our Jupps/mg the things not fo commanded (having proved it) j and your Difcourfe wholly proceeding of things (o 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. 3". If Rom. 14. i, z, 3. and 1 ^. 1. See. /peak of things Lawful and no further commanded than may confifi with [receiving and forbearing^ j forbidding any other commanding of /ucb things, then the Text is moH pertinent to prove that there ought to be no /uch Commands, and that they are ftnful. But the Antecedent m true* • -Bf-

go

Ad Refp. 4™. [^Immediately^ was no Term in our Quedion. But that Rom, 14. r, fpeaketh of receiving to the Holy Communion we prove: If the Holy Ghofi command the receiving of Men to that Church-Communion in whole or m general without Exception,^ whereo/ the Communion in the Holy Sacrament is a mofi eminent party then he thereby cammandesb the receiving them to the Holy Communion in the Sacrament, as a principal Part: But the Antecedent is true : Ergo, fo is the Confecjuent,

The Summ of our Reply is. That when we are proving from Rom. 14, and I f; that God hath forbidden Men to command (uch things indifferent on pain of Exclu/ion from Communion ; for you now [ to di/linguijl) of things commanded by Authority, and things not commanded'^ and then to jay [that if they be not lb commanded, then we grant that they fliould not be jo commanded J but if they be fo commanded, then God hath not forbid^ den jo to command them^ this it to make the Faft of Man antecedent to the Law of God^ or the Law to forbid the Fail, in Cafe no Man will do it, but not to forbid it if it be done: As tf you had jatd [God forbad David to commit Adultery in cafe tt be not commmitted by him, but not in caje it be committed.

§ 223. When this Reply was read, Dr.Gunning (pake a few Words againft the length of it; and defired a Copy of it, that he might take it home with himp to bring in an Anfwer the next Day. In the mean time I urged Dr, Picrfon to perform his Promiie, in taking the Opponents part, and making good their Impofiti-ons ; and lo at laft they came to it. Their Dilputacions, to avoid the ReadersColi> fufion, fliall come laft after our next Reply,

§ 224. The next day Dr. Gunning brought in a large Difcourfe, in anfwer to Oilf lafl Reply. His Anfwer it lelf was tull of infulting Words, Specially becaufe I ufed the Words [begging the Quellton'] (though (ufficiently explained) as applied to cheni rhat were Reipondencs. I told them that I confeffed it was not an uliial Speech, but I thought it not untie i and that when the Refpohdent wiii needs have the thing

qaefticai!^

queftioned to be put into the SuhjeB as-paft-dilputeji-wiHGh Ihould be in the Prf<^t-iat'e, and To would foreftall the Opponents'proof, it !s;ndt unfitly CAWid a begging of the quefiion: But for this I was indiffereni c. They fhonld have it other Terms if they pleafed, it being a Matter that our Gaufe is not concerned in. I took Dr. Gumivgs Pip&v Home,attd brought them an Anfever the next day we met;and though I took not a Copy of his Paper, for want of lime (and he would not lend it m^ after) yet you^wray lee the Sum and Sence trf all his Aniwer in the following Re-gly, (whiciv «5 the former, my Brethren read over and approved of ).

■.>.;;j,io yi.. V 1-^ ,-. .:.\t; -_,-.\: .... . , - . '- . ,., /-V.

The REPLY to the Bijhops Difintants , rphich voa$ not

ViV, ■y .-.^r, V. ,. ■

WHettier.it fee our Arguing or your Anfwering that is laxe\ SklSmatory, pc </««lfcA4as you call'it), and-whether your confident infulting arile froni your advantages or infirmity of Mind, and want of Matter for more pertinent Ati-iwers, aire Qpeftions that we Aall leave to impartial Judges : And we 'fhall crave pardon if werather feeni to n^gledl your words^than to follow you in thele ftrange jfagaries any further than meerNeceffity forfavingytmr Readers frotti~the Errouc jynto which they ar6 fitted to miflead them doth require.

v., To prove the ConfequencQ of an Hypothetical Argument, by an Enthymeme, hath not been ufed to be accounted culpable. The Proof you fhall not want. 'i-<v.That we removed your Anfwer by flic wing your Diftindion frivolous, deferved not to be called, A popular Inpnuation, SuperfluoiHy &c. We had two things here to do : The firft was, if we had been at hand with you, to have called on you for the neceffary Explanation of your Diftinftion, Whether by \_commanded by lawful Totver] you mean [commanded under no penalty] or [eotnhianded under a penalty, con-fftent with the Receiving and Forbearing mentioned in the Tixt^ or [comm.mdtng under a penalty inconfifient with this Receiving and Forbearance^ And whether you mean by {^Lawful Power] that which is indeed [ Lavfful Power ad l^t] or only [ ad aliud] ? As far as we can find in thefeyour Papers, you ftill forbear to explain your Diftin-aion. But this we muftyet infift uponjanddefireof you, notwithftanding all your Exclamations. -^i •■■■ •>«*^vv

And then our next work muft be to fliew you,that indeed your Diftin(ftion is ufe-lels as to the fhaking of our Argument. The latter branch of your Diftindion [ // wi Jpeak of things lawful and commanded'] you apply to the denial of our Antecedent, or Minor, which we prove ftands good, notwithftanding this your Anfwer. ^ndeed we fpeak of [/y&/«^i lawful as fuch] abftra6ling from command: But weipeak of.things which materially were partly not commanded, and partly commanded: It was 7jot commanded to eat or not eat the Meats in queftion, to keep the Days or not keep them: In thefe they went againft no Law : But to be weak in the Faith, and erroneoufly 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 againlf the Commands of God. Now the Scope of our Argument was to (hew , that if you f^Dcak of [a command upon the penalty of the quefiion] your Diftindtion helps you not to /bake our Argument, becaufe as it is true that the Text fpeaketh not of things <b commanded, (6 the thing that we are proving is, that it is the fence of the Text to forbid alljucb commands. If it be the fence of the Text to forbid fttcb commandsf then your i3iftin(5tion is frivolous, and the ufe of it here prevented, and our Argument ftands good : But it is the fence of the Text to forbid all fucb commands:

Ergo The Minor we are to prove hereafter, when we are further called to it

by your Anlwers. But if by [command] you mean any other comma^id without penalty, 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 Diftindion is frivolous, and our Argument ftands good : But it is all one to our Cafe, whether it be fo commanded or not: Ergo This was the Sum of our Rejedion of your Anfwer, which we cannot profecute till you will be perfwaded, as we have required, to explain yourDi-itinttion; and then we fhall know what to fpeak to.

But

**- — ^———~—« ~—, ,. -—__,^—,p-__.„^

But perhaps you take your very RefiifaLto explain it, to be an Explanation; and your words may feem to allow us to undSt-fhnd you of any command -with thu pe^ natty or tvithout, where you fay [That Text which Jptaks of things under no contmand at ai is brought nothing to the purpofe, of the things ■which ive debate of; being under fume command of lawful Authority.'] But (till, that Text which forbiddeth any juch command,it\A lb taketh away the Authority of fo commandir^,is (omething to the purpole, as proving that no Humane Authority fhould fo command : But this Text forbid-detb any juch command, and (b takeih away the Authority of fo commanding— Ergo--And as it is a command confident with [ifemx;;'w^,For^wnw^,&c.jthat you may be un-derftood to fpeak of, i.If you Ipeak defaclo & de /«re,and fuppofe that there be and ought to be no other command,then you grant us the Caufe,that there fiiould beno command.upon psnaity of htmg''^Not-receizied,Not-forborn,&:c.2 2.Ifyour Suppofi-tion hedefailo only,tlien That commanding whichconfifteth with God's command \^ to Recei've and Forbear, ^c.'] altereth not the Cafe : But (uch is the commanding that now you arefuppofed to fpeak of—£r^o— So flill your diftinguilhing touch-eth not our Argument: no more than if you had diftinguilhed of the Inftrucled and Vninftrucled, and faid Paul fpcaketh of thofe that were uninftru6ted only, Ergo he is not alledged to the purpole.

Whereas you fay [That thu penalty, that the Mtnifier be enjoyned not to adminifter the Communion to thofe that difobey fuch command,is no ways inconfiftent with the Recei'vtng, and aU the Indulgences of that Truth] We fliall prove the contrary anon in due place.

For appellation to indifferent perfons. We alio are willing fuch Ihall judge , whether if your Diftind:ion fpeak of wo commanding but fuch as is confiftenc with this [ Receiving, Forbearing, &c. ] it leave us not in pofleffion of the force of our Argument ? and if ic Ipeak dejwe, that there Jlwuld be no other , whether it yield not up the Caufe ?

It feems our very phrafe of hegging the Que^ion being mifunderftood by you, hath been taken as your greateft occafionof infulting : But if we ufed an unufual Phrafe, if that occafioned your miltake, we can beg your pardon, and explain it^, with ieis wrong to our Caufe or our felves, than you can make fuch ufe of it, 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 undertaker) to be proved: we know this is not incident to the RefpT)ndenr, nor to be imputed to him : we charged you with no luch thing: though we confefs our Phrale was liable to your mifmtcrpretation : But we crave your willingneisto un-derftand, that we were proving tbit Juch things may not be by Rulers enjoyned or commanded undtr the penalty of Exclufion from Communion! and that the latter Branch of your Diltindtion hath the nature of a Realon of your denial of fhe Propofition de-l\\ed,viz,. bccaufethe things are commanded; and that by our telling you of begging the ^efiion,ws mean but this much ; r.That you give us a Reafon implied in a DilHn-«ition, which is but equal to a hmple Negation, and is not ('we lay not the giving a fufficient Reafon, but) the giving of a Realon indeed at all. 2. That it is buc equal to an unlavouty Denial of the meet Concludon. 5, Yea, that it is a pre-pollerousReduftion of the Rule to the Adion; and ofthe former tothe latter. Suppole we had thus phrafed our Propofition.

Rulers themfelves are here forbidden to enjoyn or command tlie rejeding of fuchasare only weak in the Faith, c^-c. ] And you Ihould diftinguifh and lay (^Either Kulers have commanded the rejeiitng them for [uch things, or not : If they have, then we deny the Prcpcfrtton ] that is, [;/ they have done it, thty may do it, and the Text that forbids It is to be under flood of fuch Rulers an have not already forbidden it ]; Tell us how vou will call fuch difHoguilhing yourlelves, and youm^y underlfand our meaning. It is all one if you put your Exception into the defcription of the Fault: and when we lay [God here forbiddeth Governours themfelves to make anf Commands or InjunBions for rejeiling [uch as are only "weak in the Faith, and miftake about indifferent things ~\ ; and vou diftinguilh thus, [ethter the weak offend agamjl fuch Commands, or not : If they do fm agatnfi juch Commands, then the Text forbiddeth not the making of fuch Commands'}^ Give this kind of dillinguilhing and anfwering a proper Name your lelves. Or if to our Propofitiop you (ay, [The indifferent things are commanded by the Governours, or not : If they be, then God forbiddeth not the Governour to command the rejeiiion of theper-fons from Communion] that is, [Though God forbid Governours to make Laws for re-jeE^ing fuch as err about indifferent things only j yet that is on fuppofittan that the faid Go-'"vernows do not fir{f command thofe indifferent things : for if once they command thetn^ they may then command the rejeBion of thoje that break them]. But on thecontrary,He that forbiddeth the rejection of luch limply and antecedently to the Laws of Men,

for-

forbiddeth the rejeding of them mediaMiy or immediately, and forbiddeth the framing of fuch Commands as ihall be means of the prohibited Rejedion : But God in the Text forbiddeth the Rejedion of fuch.fimply and antecedently to the Laws of Men : Er^o he forbiddeth the Rejeding of them mediately or immediately, and forbiddeth the framing of fuch Commands as fhall be means of the prohibited Re-jeftion.

Though we have thus taken off your Anfwer, we fhall give you fuller proof in the end of what you can realbnably exped.

You next Anfwer this Argument of ours \jf there be no fower that may command fuch things any further then may fiand ■with the Reception and other Indulgences of the Text, then muft^ you not juppofe that any Po-wer may oiherivtje command them: But the Antecedent is true : Ergo ——] Here you deny the Minor; which I 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 Indulgences 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 rejidint Taftors of the Church 0^Rome had no power to command fuch things farther than may ftand -with the faid Reception and Indulgence, then no others have fuch power : But

Paul and the refident Vaftorsof the Church of Rome had no fuch power Ergo there are

no others that have fuch']. Here you deny the Afiumption. Which is proved by the . foregoing Medium. If Paul and the refident Paftors of the Church ot 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 jefident Pailors 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 I the proving of its objcure Confetjuence by the more objcure Confequence of another j and hereupon inlult: but wc fhall take leave to leave you to your humour in fuch things. If it offend youj 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 Enthymeme, you have our fence in this Argument.

If the things fpoken of by the Apolfle were not only not commanded, but forbidden to be commanded any further than may Ibnd with the Reception and Indulgence of the Text, then there is no fuch difparity in the Cafes as may fliake our Conlequence, though with us fuch things are commanded : But the Antecedent is true ; Ergo fo is the Conlequent.

To your fccond An(wer,we firff again endeavoured to bring you to explain your Diftindion, wbat Commanding you mean : but have no Return to that but Silence ; which we take to be tergiverfation.

Then we argued thus, [ If there be no fuch dtjfarity of the Cafes as may warrant your dtjparity of penalty agamfi your Brethren, then our Argument fliU flands good: but there ti no jucb diffarity of the Cafes as may warrant your dijfarity of penalty againft your Brethren : El go

Ycudcny the Minor : which we proved thus If thofe that Paul fjseaksof

that mull be received and forborn did fin againft the command of God, in the weaknefs of theirPaith and their Erroneous refufing of things as finfulthat were not to be fo letufedthen there is no fuch defparity in the Cafes iiS,&c. But,e^c. Ergo — Here ^du deny theCnntequence ; which we prove thus: If the Sin of thofe that dare not kneel be no greater than theirs that were weak in the Faith , and refufed Things lawful as unlawful, and took Things indifferent as neceffary, and hereby gratihed the Jews and other Enemies of the Church, andtrefpaffed on the Churches Liberties purchaled by Chrift, and yet became the Ceniiirers of the ftrong j and if the Scruple of Kneeling have as fair Excufes as the other, then the Con-lequence is good, and there is no (iich difparity in the Cafes as may warrant your penalty : Bat the Antecedent is trne \ Ergo (b is the Conlequent. Wc Ihall profecute the Comparifon further anon.

We added here this Realbn in brief [ For you fippofe thofe that refufe to kneel to break the command of Man, and thoft that Vin\Jjwke of broke the command of God, and yet were to be received and forborn j Ergo there is no fiich difpa'ity as may warrant your penalty. Here you add to our woids \thecomm.wd of Man] the word \ot>ly\ and lay, that elle we do but trifle. We reply ; that by adding your own words, and then perfwading us to own them left we trillo , you do worii than trifle^ and

your

your grofs injuftice hath no fair pretence, being againft the Light of our Conclusion and Undertaiiing; we were but to prove that there was no fich difpaiity/i. e. that thi fault of thole that kneel notj was not gieater,and io mu;!i greater as rArghc warrant your penalty: Therefore as you will acknowledge kneeling at the Sacrament to be immediately but the command of Mm, and -weakm'^ of Faith, Errour, Cetifurmg, &c. to be immediately againft a command of God, fwhich yet we fp)ke* ot but tor juft denomination, and not to prove a difpai ity to our advantage), i\) if we prove nodifparity againft us, wc do what we imdertake: And that a Sin againft the command of God immediately, is as well worthy of Punilhmenc as a Sia a-gainft the command of Man immediately caterts fanbus is true, and all that we affirmed, and all that we were bound to prove.

Yet you importune us to antweryou a Queftion, [^Whether is not the Erroneous re-, fufing of lawful things commanded by lawful Authority, as finful, the refufing of things as Jinful that were not to he fo refufcd?] We Anfwer you , i. But with them and you it is the Thing in Controverlis, Whether they are lawful Things, or not ? 2.1f they be, What then ? Why you fay, [if fit then even according to your own reafor.irg, :f you reafon at aU, thefe Refufcrs to kneel Jin agatnfi God, and the Rule your fhcs lay doun thereof, ai weli, as thofe Rom. 14.] And what then ? Is there the'relbre a D'Jpanty be-caufe they do alike ? Are fuch as thefe the occafions of your infulting ? VVe /hill thenfiif'ped you have fome grofs Milfake, whenever we fitid you thus infulting. But you fay [That E' go we didfallacioujly injinuate the one to break the Comma7}d uf God, and the other to break the Command of Men^. But really, is it not fb ? If you allow not theDifHndion inter Leges Divinat df Humanas, you know how fingularyoa are, and what Confequences will follow: If you do, why may we not uf^ iach Denominations ? But yt u fay of thefinfulnels [ft is mo[i e-videmly common to the former with the latter7\ I. If the Controverfiebeyielded you it is 16. 2. And what then ? becaule it is common. Ergo there is fuch a Dijparity as may warrant your grievous penalty. We only prove no fuch Difparity , and we are notably confuted, by your proof that the Sinfulnefs^ is common, that is, by yielding what we prove.

Next in many words you tell us of a Disparity, i. Becaufe in our Caje kneeling is commanded. 2. Becaufe the things are antecedently helps to piety. To which we have before anfwered : i.God h^xh forbidden all Commands of fuch things, inconfiftenc with the Reception and Forbearance in queftion. 2. Their Sia of Weaknels in Faith, and Errour, were alfo againft Commands. 3. We ihall fhew greater Rea-Ibns of Delparity on the other fide. 4. The thing in queftion (Kneelingj hath nothing 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, [ If Rom. 14. & i f. Jpeak of things lawful ^ and no further commanded than may confijt with \_ Receiving and Forbearing"], forbidding finy other commanding of fuch things, then the Text is mojl 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 advantageoM Eijuivocation, or elie 3. groSIg' noratie Elencht in the Conclufion ; words eafie to be utceied by you. But if you will (_ profefi all along, as you fiy, to proceed or debate only of things lawful and commanded hy lawful power"] that \s, lawfully, when our very Queftion is, IVhtther fuch things can be fo commanded? and we are proving that they cannot, and you will call it an ignora-tioElenchi, il we will not grant you all in queftion, but will endeavour to prove the contrai^ to what you would have granted, this is that which we before called even the Refpondents begging of the Queftion, when he accufeth the Opponent for proving what he dcnieth, and would put that into the Subjeil 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 cailed to difpute the Parity or Dtjpanty of the Offences : Ergo by iJuch things ] we mean l Juch things ] as are mentioned Rom. 14,& i y. And our Conclullon there goeth no further ; that Matter being further to be carried on in its proper place.

To your fourth Anfwer we rep'.yed. That ^immediately "] was no Term in our Qieftion : You fay you may diftinguilh: True j but you cannot bind us to prove that the Men that we prove are to be received to Communion, niuft bj immediately received j wlu-n we never affirmed it; as long as you teil us not whether you fpeak Je immediatio'ietemports, vel conditienis, velflatus, or what you mean by immediately : Ifi regard of Time, no Man in the Church is itnmediacely to be received to the Sasrameat, till the very time come.

Z z 2. W«

2. We Argued, \jfthe Holy Ghofi command the receiving of Men to that Church Com. munion in general without exception, whereof the Commanion in ike Holy SacrarKent is a nio[t eminent fart, then he thereby commandeth the receiving them to the Communion m the Sacrament. But, &c. Ergo, Scc. Your Anlwer fignitiech chac ic is a receiving firlt to InHruBion, and not to the Sacrament, till (bme Change be made, you tell us not what, or that it isluch a Receiving as may confilt with denying them the Communion. We Ihall now therefore prove in order thefe two Propofuions^ which are to be next proved.

1. That the Reception that P^a/fpeaketh of, is fuch as is not confiflent with denial 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 {hall prove, i. From the Text before us; 2. By other Scriptures; 3. By Teftimony of Expofiters, efpecially thofe of your own way in other Things.

1. So to receive one another as Chrifl received us to the Glory of God the Fa-ther,and this not to doubtful Difputation, (or not to judge their doubtful ThoughtsJ and not to defpile 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 diflinguifii the Points that we differ about from thole in which God's Kingdom doth confiil:, in which whofoever ferveth Chrilt is acceptable to God, and fliould be approved of Men, and fo as to follow the things that edifie and make for Peace, and not Ijy a (tumbling block or occalion of falling in our Brother's way, or deflroy him by the uncharitable ufe of cur Liberty , knowing it is Sin to him that efleemeth it Sin ; but to forbear our felves to ule thole things in Controverfie whereby our Brother (tumblcth or is offended , becaufe he is damned if he ufe them doubtingly; and therefore to have the belief of their lawfulnels to our felves before God, and to bear with the Infirmities of the Weak, and pleafe them to their Eificatlon, and not to pleafe our felves, that lb being like-minded one towards another, that with one mind and one mouth we may glorifie God : We fay. Thus to receive is not confiflent with the denial of Communion in the Sacrament for thofe Faults, But fuch was the Rcceivi:;g required by the Apoftle Rom. 14. &i). — Ergo

He that can ferioufly ponder all thefe Expreffions, and the Scope of the Holy Ghoft, and yet can believe that all this Receiving is but fuch as confifteth with fo!bidding them Communion in the Lord's Supper, which then was lb great a part of the daily Communion of the Church, and alio may confiif with the further Procefs againfl People and Minifters to Excommunication, and Prohibition to preach the Gofpel, which is now pleaded for in our Cale, is of fo llrange a temperature of Underllantiing, as that we can have little hope by any Scripture-Evidence to convince him.

2. When the Holy Ghoft requireth Men in general to receive others as Church-Members into Church-Communion, with the AfTeftion 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 ordinay Church-Communion.

But in Rom. 14. & 1 y. the Holy Ghoft requireth Men in general to receive o-tbSrs as Church-Members in;o Church-Communion with the Affedion and Tendernefs here expreffed, and doth not except any ordinary part of Church Commu-nipiiv

Ergo it is not lawful fir us to interpret it of fuch a Receiving as excludeth the principal part of Ordinary Communion.

The Reafbn of the Major is, Becaufe as the whole containeth all the parts, (b 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 ic is laid ^Honour the Ktng'] and Ln tvery Soul he fubjeil to the Higher Powers^ and [not refill] d^c. if Men inay take libeity by interpreting, to except the very principal part cf Honour, and the principal perfbns from Subje-<Sion, and the principal Cafe from [Refill notj, it will l,e no juft interpretation. If thefe fame Perlbns had a Command in general, to [worship God'\ or [_hold Com-?rtiinion with the Church^ if they themlelves Ihould interpret it fo as to exclude wor-ihipping God in the Sacrament of the Eucharilt j or liolding Communion with

the

the Church therein, we doubt not but they would be judged unjulJ diitinguift-ers.

The Minor is granted us by our Reverend Brethren, who here openly confefs that the Text fpeaketh of Church-Members, and of Receiving them to Church-Communion, though they unwarrantably interpret it of (iich a Communion as extendeth not to the Sacrament of the Eucharift.

3. If the Text Rom. 14. d^ ly. forbid not one part to put away others from Conimunion in the Sacrament of the Eucharift, then it forbiddeth not the dthefr Party to lep^rate from their Brethren in the Sacrament of the Eucharilh

But the Confequent is falfe ; Ergo Co is the Antecedent.

The Re^ilon of the Conlequence of the Major is, becaufe if it fpeak not of that part of Communion to one Party, it cannot fpeak of it to the other,it being plainly the fime Communion that it Ipeaketh of to both.

The Minor is ordinarily granted us by the DilTenters, when they apply this Text againft Separatifts, that upon the Account of Ceremonies and Things indifferent, condemn the Church, and judge their Brethren, and feparate from their Communion in the Eucharift.

II. From other Scriptures. If in all the Word of God there be no mention af fuch a Receiving into Church-Communion, ( much lefs with all thefe Prohibitions of Judging, De(f)ifing, Offending, &c.) asconfifteth with Rejefting from Commu-niofi in the Eucharift, of any Perlon naturally capable , then the word Receiving is not to be lo expounded here.

But in all the Word of God there is no mention of fiich a Receiving into Church-Communion ( much lefi with all thele Prohibitions, c^cj as confilteth with Re-jedingfrom Communion in the Eucharift, of any Perfon naturally capable.

Ergo the word Receiving is not to be (b expounded here.

The Reafbn of the Conlequence 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 Sciipture: And if without any fujh ground we ihould allow our felves a (Ingular Interpretation, wc fiiould opert a way to Men to nuke what they pleafe of Scripture.

The Minor being to be proved by an Indudlionof all particular Texts, it will he the briefer w.iy for the Refpondent to inftance in any one which he thinks hath luch a ience, and then we (hall be ready to prove the contrary.

in. For the fence of Expofitors; We fhall begin with the Learned Dr. Ham-f/ionJ y who expoundech the Text of Church-Communion, and (lach Communion as cannot confift with Excommunicating from the Sacrament of the Eucharift , cr the other heavy Penalties upon Minitters and People which we now plead a-gainft, as may be feenin thele his plain Expreffions. T. i. [ And for the prefer-' vjng of that Chriftian Charity among all mentioned Solemnly Ch. 13. 8,9,10. (w^.

* Uc.) I Ihall enlarge to give thele Rules. The Jewilh Believer—'^ on the other

' fide the Gentile Believers feeing the Jewifh ftand upon luch things are apt to

* feparate ^and fo betwixt one and other the Communion is like to be broken.

* The Scrupulous or Erroneous Judaizer-———do the Gentiles not reject, but

' receive to your Communion : Yet not lb that he thereby thinks himlelf encoura-

* ged or authorized to quarrel with other Mens Relblutions and to condemn o-

* thers //'. 3, The Scrupulous Judaizer mult not reject and caft out of hisCom-

' munlon the Gentile Chriftian for God hath admitted him into his Church

^ (without laying that yoke upon him) as a Servant into his Family, and he is not ' to be excluded by the Judaizer for liich things as thefe--'—• F. 4. What Commif-' fion haft thou, O Jewilh Chriftian, to judge God's Servant, received and owned ' by him, to exclude him out of the Church. God is able to clear him,if he

* pleale, and he certainly will, having by receiving him into his Family given him

* this liberty ^ V. j. In fuch things every Man muft a6t by his own, and not

' by another Man's Judgment or Confcience, what he is verily perfwaded he ought

* to do ; and therefore Unity and Charity ought not to be broken by you for fuch

* things y. 6, 7. and this fure is well done on both fides. For no Man of us

^ is to do what he himfelf likes beft, but what he thinks is moft acceptable to God. T-V-S- And all the Fruit of Chrift'sDeath and Suffering and Refurtedion , which ' accrues to him, is only this, that he may have Power and Dominion over us all, 'to command or give what liberty he plealeth. r. 10. But why doft thou J-wifh 'condemn the Gentile Chriftian, or exclude him from thy Communion, becaufe

Xzi 'he

^ ' he ufethhis Chriftian Liberty, &c. Or thou Gentile Chriftian, why doft thou

* think it a piece of lenQefs Stupidity in the Jew to abftain, and thereupon delpiie

* and vilifie him, which alfo is a kind of judging him : Whereas indeed neither oi'

* you is to be the Judge of the other J but Chrift of you both F. 15. Do not

' any longer cenfure and (eparate from one anothers Communion for inch Things

' as thefe F. 14.—The perfwafion of its being forbidden him is, as long as he is

' io perfwaded, fufRcient to make it to him unlawful to ule that liberty lee

' V. i^, 16.—r.iy.ForChridianity confifts not in fuch 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 mofl:

' zealoufly attend to thole things, which may thus preferve Peace among all forts ' of Chriltians, though of different perfwafions—— V. 2c. Do not thou forfo in-' confiderable a Matter as Eating is, or becaufe another will not or dares not make

* ufe of that Chriftian Liberty diflurb that Peace, that Unity which God hath

* wrought F. 21. It is not charitable to make ufe of any part of Chriftian Li-

* berty, when by this fo doing any other Man is kept from receiving the Faith——.

* or any way wounded or hurt, i.e. brought to any kind of lin— F. 25. And

' indeed for the Scrupulous Jew, there is little reafon he {hould be (b ill uied for his 'daring to eat, when he thinks himlelf otherwife obliged: for it were a damning ' Sin for which his own Confcience already condemns him, fhould he eat or do a-

* ny indifferent thing, as long as he thinks in Confcience that it is not fo- .

* Ckap. 15. F. 5-, 6, 7. And that God for whom we ought to luffer, give you

' the Grace of Unity and Charity, fuch as Chrift commanded and expeds from ' you, that ye may joyn unanimoufly Jews and Gentiles into one, and afTembling

* together, Worlhip and Serve the Lord in all Unity of Affeiftions and Form

* ot Words. Wherefore in all Humility of Condefcenfion and Kindnefi, embrace ' and fuccour one another, help them up when they are fall'n, inftead of deijaifing ' and driving them from your Communion after the Example of Chrift's ulage ro-' 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 rejeding from all Communion in the Eucharift, and afterwards Excommunicating, Sufpending, Silencing, Imprifoning, &c. we underftandnot Englifb.

_„2. In like manner Grottos in loc. cap. 14. i. [ Contra vocati a Gent thus ^ confcii data per Chri(ium Ubertatis, Juilaos JttcJaice viventes ^ faa Communione 'valebant excludere 11,

18, 2r. ttndc fecuturum erat Schifina -Hiitc malo tit occurrat Paulus, mediam in-

jiitit -viam, &" Judaos qui in Cbrifittm crediderant, momt ita fuam [equantur opinionem, at a damnandk crimine impietatis qui aliter Jentiebant, abfiineant : Ex gentibas vere 'vacates, ne illorurn quamvis Jtidaice 'viventium cemmunionem defugiant , d^ ut imperitos

Jftrnant •[_wiy8-^st//f*V££&5] Societate Ecclefix, ficut qui hojpitio ahquem exctfiunt,

dicunts4r eum'BpT>~:tiJi.Cclmv, A.&S 1S.26. Sc zS. 2. Ecclefia enim Domini comparatur [u-

pra 11. 2 J. Jumitur hac admonitio ex iis qua deCbrifio qitaditia Matth. 12. 20.

2 ToUrandi junt ij qui ab omnibus animatis ahflinenilum putant, quod quidam facie-

bant Religione qi'.adam' ■ ■ Cap. i j. 6, 7. "iva o^'i-jj/.a/ov c» hi <^iml 77 Jh^di^ifli t dsJc] id ejiyUt cum Deum laudatis^ eique preces Junditis, facialis id nett tantum eodem verborum jam — fed & animo plena mutuadekBionis, fine contemptu , fine odio. Habes have vocem cfM^fju/jfov, Ad. 11. 46. ubi forma efi Ecclefia perfeitijfima. Adde adejtts 'vocis expHca-tianem id quod efi Ad. 4. 32. Call which includeth Communion in the Eucharift ) ■ i ^,.,, 'V.J. Nalite oh res tales, alii alios kjraternitate abjci?:dere

§ 225-. This Paper was given in the very laft day of our Commiffion and Di-Ipute : And Dr. Gunning read another which he had prepared for an Iniultation at our Diliniffion, which Paper had fome Miftakes in it, and the Citation of many WitnelTes, who ( as he would have perfwaded us) took the word [Recd'ving'] Rom. 14. Sc I J. as not meaning or including, Receiving to the Holy Communion in the Sacrament.

§ 226. In the beginning he affirmed that we had refufed roDifputo, till theyh-.d promiled to take their turn, and prove the lawfulneli of their Impofitions. To this I anfwercd. That it was contrary to our open and frequent Proteffion, that we would do our part whether they would do theirs or not ; only I faid, that if they refufed it, we fhould take it for a deferting of their Caufe. This he a while denied:

i

Part II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. ' ^^^

I appealed to the Auditors of bis; Party j and th«y giv^, im Aijlyy^r i Dfr S'^es -"""'^ witneffed it, Dr. Jacomb offered his Oath of ir. He told thein that they -.iMfeje Parties. By this timel law mine Error, in giving way for their Dodiorsto crowd in to applgud them and witnefs for them, wheo we had none (or next taaone) of ours there, fuppofing by the Agreemwt thre^.cply muft have itayed.

§ 227. When Dr, Gunnmg had read his jnfulting Anfwer the day before, and made a great matter of my telling the Relpondent of \J>iggt?ig tht Queftion} diey put Dr. Sanderjon, Bilhop of Lincoln, imo the Chiir,that his Learning and Gravity might put a Reputation upon his Sentence (he being a very worthy Man, but for that great Pievilhnefi, which Injuries, Partiality, Temperature and Age had caai-' —,,ij tj^ led in him) : The Bilhop in a few angry Words pronounced that Dr. Gm»w;w^ had 'i l*>n^<i the better, and that the Refponden: could not beg the Quellion, and that I was a ;'•■'(

Man of Contention if 1 offered to Reply.] I told him, that though we revaieu ■^"'

ced much his Lordlbip's Age and ieirning, yet.he w,as huca Party, and no Judge : which yet if he were, it wasfo ftrange to us that a Man Ihould be prohibited to reply, and a Cenliire antidated paffed on that Reply before it was heard, Tind on the Replyers for it, jhat we craved his Lordfliip's Pardon if we dilbheyed liini, and gave in our Reply, which might bjive more in it tiian he could forefee. And the next Day when 1 gave in the Reply (before inferted) there was no luch Infulcing as before.

§ 228. When Dr. Cummg had read his Citauons of Teftimonies of the Senfe of Rom. 14, and ij. Bilhop Coftns called to all the Bifhops and Dodors in the Room for their Votes, IJS yen that think that Dr.Guning hath proved that Rom.14. fpeaketb, not of recei'viKg to the Sacrament, fay, /.] And lb they all cryed, I. I told hiro that we knew their Opinion before j and if this were the ufe that he made of our Con-ceffion, that they Ihould be all prefent while ours were all abfent (fave two or three Scholars, and two or three Gentlemen tiut ftood behind to hear) it Ihewed that their Caufe was wery needy of Defence, when their own Voices mult go in-Head of Argument : But if they would go on upon fuch lamentable Realbning as they had ufed, to call out the faithful Paftors and the People, and divide the Church, and affliiit their Brethren, the Day was coming when their own Votes Ihoald not abfolve them-

§ 229. Hereupon we fell again upon the point of Charity and Compafflon to ths Churcli, and their fiullrating the King's Commirtion, and the Kingdoms Hopes. And when they profelTed their Dclues of the Churches Peace, I told them they would not abate the iinalleft Thing, nor corredt their groffeft Errors for it: And hereupon I read over to them the Preface (drawn up by Mr. C«/a3>7) before our Reply to their Anfwcr to our Exceptions againil the Liturgy, which reciting their Corruptions, and lliewed their CJnpcaceablenels, offended but filencsd them.

§ 2;o. By this time the Evening of our Lait Day was far gone ; and I defired to know of them, whether we Ihould continue our Difpute any further, as Private Men Voluntarily among our lelves ; for I had many more Arguments, which I delired b;fore to have read all at once, but could not be permitted : Or whether they would receive my Arguments, and the Reply which I hft read. Dr. Pierfoft refolved that he would meddle no more after that Night. Bifhop Morley (aid, he thought it unfit when tihe King's Commiffion was expired tb^t we ihould meddle in it any farther. But Dr. Gunning and I had fo much mind to it, (for I knew that almoll all my Arguments were yet behind, and it was a Caufe that might eafiiy 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 Ihould fend him in all my Arguments, with the lalt Reply (which he had not anfwered) the next Day.

§251. Lafilf, 1 defired Bifhop Morley to refblve us what Account we were jointly to give his Majeily of our Proceedings, that we might not wrong each other ; And fc^ his and tlieir Confent it was agreed on, that we give nothing in our Account 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 M^jefty's Happi-nefi and Contentment, but after all our Debates, were dilagreed of the means. And this was the End of that Afferobly and Commiffion.

§ 232AS foon as we were gone,I delivered my Papers to aScribe to be tranlcrib'd : And about Eight a Clock or Nine, juft as I was entring theDcor of roy Lodging, Dr. Gunning's MelTenger comes to me, to tell me, that upon further Confideiation, he Ihould receive no more Papers from me after that Day, and fo our farther trouble was prevented.

§ 23;. In thelaft ptace, it's time that I give-yoff d Copy oi tbar Vifputauon j and this which folJoweth \sexai}, and aU. ' *n'0 h/I ; - .-jCi ♦• h

[Oppon. (Dr. Tierfon, Dr. Gunning, Dr. Sparrow and Dr. P/erc?) *^ My Aflertion » Here we * is. Nothing contained in the Liturgy is finful*.

hadagrcat ' This general Aflertion I am ready to make good in all Particulars, in which Debate < our Brethren Ihall chink fit to charge the Liturgy with Sinfulnefs. J|^'^>,, ' And becaufe our Brethren have as yet by way of Difputation, charged no a-

havepro- ' ^^^^^ P^''^ o* ^^ ^'^*^ ^^^ Imputation of Sinfulnefs, but that which concerneth ved their ' kneeling at the Communion, therefore my firft AfTertion as to that particular is

penal Im- < this. ! : ( fi

Po^^'°" 'The Command contained in the Liturgy concerning kneeling at the Commu-I could get * nJon is not Sinful. This Truth I am ready to prove by feveral Arguments. them to no ' Firfi, This only Command [The Minifter fljall deliver the Communion to the more. ' People in their Hands kneeling] is not finful.

' The command contained in the Liturgy concerning kneeling at the Communir

* on, is this only Command [The Minifter, &c^

* Ergo, The Command contained in the Liturgy, concerning kneeling at the ' Communion, is not fmful.

Refp. Negatur Major.

* Oppon. ?rob. Major. That Command which commandeth only an AA in it felf ' lawtul, is not finful.

* This only Command [The Minifter fhall deliver the Communion to the Peo-' pie in their Hands kneeling] commandeth only an Ad in it lelf lawful '

* Ergo, this only command [The Minifter fhall deliver the Communion to the ' People in their Hands kneeling] is not finful.

Rej^. Nfgantur Major, & Minor.

'Oppon. Preb. Major —That Command which commandeth an AA in it felf law-' ful, and no other Ad or Circumftance unlawful, is not finful.

' That Command which commandeth only an Act in it felf lawful, commands ' an Ad in it felf lawful, and no other Ad or Circumftance unlawful •

' Ergo —That Command which commandeth only an Ad in it felf lawful, is not ' finful.

Refp. Wc deny the Major^ and (for brevity) give a double Reafon of our Denial. One is, becaufs that may be a Sin per accidens, which is not lb in it (elf, 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 Almor for both the fame Realbns.

' Oppo7>. Trcb. Minor. The delivery of the Communion to Perfons kneeling, is ' An Ad in ic felf lawful.

' This only Command [The Minifter fhall deliver the Communion to the Peo-' pic in their Hands kneeling] commandeth only the delivery of the Communion ' to Perfons kneeling.

' Ergo, This only Command [The Minifter, &€."] commandeth only an Ad in ' it letf lawful.

Rejp. We diftinguifh of [delivering to Perfons kneeling] it fignifieth either ex-clufiveiy [to thole and no other] ; or not exclufively as to others ; In the firft Senle we deny the Major j in the lecond Senle we deny the Minor.

' Oppon. You deny both our Propofitions for two Realbns, both the fame : We *makegood both our Propofitions, notwithftanding both your Realbns.

' The Major firft.

' 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 accidem any Sin is confequent, which the Commander ought to provide ' againft is not finful.

' That Command which commandeth an Ad in it lelf 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-' redly or per acctdens any Sin is conlequent, which the Commander ought to pro-

* vide againft

* Ergo, Tiut Command which commandeth an Ad in it felf lawful, and no ' other Ad or Circumftance unlawful, is not finful.

Re^.

P A R T 11. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 35^

Refp. I. The Propofnion denied is not in the Conclufion *. * This was

2. The Major is denied; becaufe the firH Aii commanded may be fer Accidem a m|ftjke unlawful^ and be commanded by an unjuft Penalty, though no other Ad or Cir-^"^^'^^^^j. cumftance be fuch. . i\xe Scribci

' OppoH. The Minor next.

< That Command which commandeth an Ad in it felf lawful, ahd no other ' Ad whereby any unjuft Penalty is enjoincdj nor any Circumftance whence di-' redly or fer Acddens any Sin is conlequent, which the Commander ought tb

* provide againft, commands an Ad in it lelf lawful, and no other Ad or Circum-' Itance unlawful.

* That Command which commands only an Ad in it felf lawful, commandeth

* an Ad in it felf Lawful, and no other Ad whereby any unjuft Penalty is enjoined,

* nor any Circumftance, whence diredly and fer accidetis any Sin is conlequent, ' 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 notwithftanding your Realbn alledged.

* That Command which hath in it all things requifite to the lawfalnefi of a

* Command, and particularly cannot be guilty of commanding an Ad per accident

* unlawful, nor of commanding an Ad under an unjuft Penalty, is not linful, not-' withrtanding 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-

* redly or per acctdens any Sin is confequent, which the Commander ought to pro-

* vide againft, hath in it all things requifite to the lawfulncis of a Command, and

* particularly cannot be guilty of commanding an Ad per acctdens unlawful; nor of

* commanding an Ad under an unjuft Penalty——

* Ergo, That Command which commandeth an Ad in it felf lawful, and no

* other Ad whereby any unjuft Penalty is enjoined, nor any Circumftance whence

* diredly or per acctdens any Sin is confequent, which the Commander ought to

* provide againft, is not finful notwithftanding your Reafons alledged.

Kejp. The Minor is denied upon the fame Reafons j 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 JB be commanded whereby an unjult Penalty is enjoined, yet ftill the firfi AB may be commanded fub Toena injujta ; And though no other Ad or Circumftance be commanded that is a Sin per acctdens, yet the firji it /f/f commanded, may be a Sin per acctdens.

' Oppon. Either our Minor is true notwithftanding your Realbn, or elie the firft

* Ad may be a Command commanding an unjuft Punifhment, and be an Ad'lawful j

* or the firft Ad it felf being lawful in it felf and all Circumftances, may yet be a

* Sin per Acctdens, againft: which the Commander ought to provide.

* Pojtcrtus tttrumtjtie falfum ; both the later Members are falf&rs-ft-r- Ergo, trim

* verum —Therefore the firft is true.

Refj>. I. Neg. Major. Becaufe i. TheSubjed is changed : You were to havcfpo-ken of the firfi Act commanded, and you fpeak of the fvrsi AB commanding, in the firii Member. You rtiould have faid, [Elfe the firft k&. may be commanded Jub Pet-nn injujta, and yet be in it felf lawful ] which is true.

2. becaule in the fecond Member where you fliould have fpoken only of the commanded Ctrcumfianees oi the Ad, you now fpeak of all its Circumftances whether commanded or not.

3. We undertook not to give you ai/our Reafons: The Minor may be faUeupon many other Reafons.

■' And were your Major reduced in the Points excepted againft, we fhould deny

the Minor, as to both Members. And we ftiould add our Reafons.

- I. That Command which commandeth an Ad in it felf lawful, and only fuch,

may yet-be finful prtvdti-vely, by omijfion of feme thing necelTary, fome Mode or

Circutnlfaiice.

2. k may finfnlly reftrain, though it finfuUy command not.

;. Ic niay hz finful in Alodis commanding that univerfal!/, or indefenitely, orparti-eufarlj, or jingxlarly, that Ihould be otherwifs; though in the Circumftances (properly fo called) of the Ad, nothing were Commanded that is finful.

4. It may through culpable Ignorance be applied to undue Subjeils who are not Ctrcumfiances ; as if a People that have the Plague be commanded to keep Affemblies for Worfhip ; the Lawgiver being culpably ignorant that they had the Plague. Many more Reafbns may be given.

' Ofpon. We make good our Major by (hewing that the Subjed is not changed, ' thus.

' If whenfoever the firft K&. 5s commanded fub Pcena inju[ia, and no other Ad: is ' commanded whereby any unjult Penalty is enjoined (which were your Words)

* the firft kSt commanding muft command an unjuft Puniiliment (which were ' ours) then we have not changed the Subjed

' But the Antecedent is true; therefore the Confequent.

§ 234. Thus, Reader, thou haft every Word that was brought by them in this Dilputation, to prove the juftnels of all thofe Impofitions on pain of Excommunication (which infers Imprilbnment, &c.) which have divided this mi(erable bleeding Church, and will admit of no Remedy, nor patiently endure him that fhall propose 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 thefe Arguments were but propofed thus briefly, and not followed up, becauie it was expeded that they ihould 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 Interruption of our Difputation. And concerning the foregoing Reply to Dr. Gunning about the Senfe of Rom. 14. Note, that as 1 was purpofing to have added a multi-' tude of Teflimonies more, to thofe of Dr. Hammond and Grotim.^ the ending of our Difputation did prevent me, and ever fince then I caft by all fuch Thoughts as thefe, foreieeing 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, fb far as the Unity and Peace of the Church required it, and the matters impofed were not finfbl to the Doers, though they might be finful to the Impofers. I knew that henceforth I fhould be as much exercifcd in moderating thofe for whom I had now pleaded, and muft bear fbme ccnfure alfo from many of them.

Qatft. Jihs ther it be jufl (or lawful) to enjoin aU Minijlers to deny Communion t» all that dure not kaeelinthe Reception of the Sacrament on the Lord's Dajs? Neg.

Becaufe you will needs caft all the Opponent's Work on us, by arguing that we have brought no fufficient Reafons for the contrary (appealing to all Men acquainted with the ju(f Method of Difputation, whether you that have the affirmative, do not hereby fly all juft and equal Difpute, and fhew a Diffidence, of your Caufe) we that have the negative fhall more jufHy by the fame method, caft back your proper Work upon you.

If it be juft (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 Days, then fome cogent Argument may be drawn from the Nature of the thing, or fupernatural Revelation, to juftify it.

But no Argument can be drawn (for ouglit that ever was yet by the Right Reverend Fathers, or Reverend Brethren produced or manifefted to us, or we can tell whereto find, or how to invent) fioni the Nature of the thing, or from fuper-uatural 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 firff Argument drawn from general Councils, and the Pradice of the Univerfd 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 purpofc-ly and largely decided, that things of fuch Moment miiftnot be made the matter of Cenlures Rejedions, or Contempt.

III. To inpols on the Church things antecedently unnecefTary upon lb great a Penalty as Exclufion from Communion, is a linful thing.

But to enjoin all Minifters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Jleception cf the Sacrament (for Fear of Idolatry or Scandal) is to impole on the

Church

Church things antecedently unneeeif4ry,upon fo great a Penalty as Exclufion fixarxi the Communion. ; :> ^ -,! ,53n>l wn :. ;! • ;: !;x; > jflin

Ergo to enjoyn all Minifters to deny Comraiunion to all that dare not kpeoliri the Reception of the Sacrament is a finful thing.

The Major is proved thus: Thai which is contrary to the exprefs Determination of the Holy Ghoft, JHs i j. is a finful thing.

But to Impofe onthe Church'Things antecedently unneceffary, upon To great a Penahy as Exclufion from Communion, is contrary to the expreft Dejoermiiiarian oftbeHoly Ghoft^ uiils, 15. 28. ]^^or u feemed gooJ to the Holy Gbofi andt^itUi^4o lay upon you no greater burden than thefe necejjizry things'] : Ergo ic isa^linful thing;: ;li)

IM. To croft thjt^peat RBkioCffllarity [^LuiiS-luve -Mriy uud mt 'fiacr^jee^is'-a. Sin. - - ' -.--i ..-'.iJ oj "i;! w .^isi.n ciu'oJ'- ■!! *^«.,<"i • .-.'•..> ^bimi

Bu^&3 enjoyn all Miriifters to deny Communion to all that dare pot kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament, is to^qrols that great Rule of Cliarityj &c. Ergoit is a. Sin. u iii'l Lnx. s.'o';. :o i.dii'L'n :iOi.'^;.'. . ijjkl;:; xI

iL The Major is certain, Chrift. himftlf urging it twice upontheCeremcMiiou^ihy-pocritical Eharifees, Aforf^.9.i;.C^ 12.7. ' "•'- »

The Minor is thus proved. To prefer Sacrifice before Mercy (yea, an u»nicef-iar.y Ceremony before Sacrificeand Mercy) is aciofftng of ^that Rule. ; But to enjoyn all Minifters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel ih the Reoeipinion of the Sacrament isto prefer Sacrifice before Mercy, fyea, an unricGbSa-.Ty Ceremony before Sacrifice and- Mercy :) tEr^o it is a croffing of thit •Aule." ^ - - . ' ■ '-.■-■-

The Major I fuppole will not be denied : The Minor is thus proved 1 Y.'"- •'

1. To prefer this genuflexion in the Reception of the Sacrament, before ouf>Bt'^-threns Communion with Chrift and his Church in the Sacrament, and befone-their corroboration and confolation thereby,and before the preaching of the Gofjiel by all thole Minifters that wi^lbe berowpdjB (*i4 by^evea ^vfeenmany Thoulands among us are in grols ignorance for wane of means, and confequently before the Salvation of very many, and the'Worflilp bf God by the Excluded, is to prefer Sacrifice'be-£ais Mercy, yea, an unaeceirary Ceremony before Sacrifice and Mercy.

But to enjoyn all Minilters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of theSacrament, is to 'pefer this Genuflexion before all thefe things: £rg^ It-is to prefer 6aoi;ifice before Mercy J yea, an wnneceffary Ceremony ^before Sacd/ice and Mercy. ....]/. v : i ft'\\-i:ll be. .; iJ i?J.t, r. J.'.^ig

2. If the forbidding of D<fW(/and his Company to eat the Shew-bread, and the frie^fsiinthe Temple to break the Sabbath, and the Difciplesto rub out theCorn, would have been tliepr6ferring of Sacrilice before Mercy, ( as here prohibited ), ithen ^hjoyning all Minilters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament, is to prefer Sacrifice before Mercy ( in the forbidden ienjsj)j- i:^ ■ 'bjcrb lir-o; r m:i:;.

iiut the'Antecedent is ^^tle; Maitllf. 12. i, 2, 5, 4,^, 6, 7- Ergo fo is theCon-fequent. i'U\u:\J sr.'j'lo ne.iiVjiiisG en'-! o'» lO/ o'l r.i.'.' L,iu oi <:; .•.>"t5 ■ ■'■ ''vi.taj .,

V. To ufe the Power tbT)eftru>ftion which isi^vehi'tote ufcd to; Edification,4s ■unjuJh ■' ■' • '■ .'. cLt, :.; ■.' ..'

JButto enjoyn all Minilters to deny thejCommunion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament, is to ufe the Power to Deftrudtion which is given to be ufed to Edification. ■ -' ■ i^ ' =''■ ' ^-. > ■ '

Ergo, To enjoyn all Minifters to deny the Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament,, is upjuft. : '.

The Major is proved 2 Cor. 10. 8. c^ 13.10. Rom. 1J.2. i Cor. 14. 26. Ro«»..i4. try, 20. :.'•'.vj : .,' i ■ •.:, . « • i k 'li '.>''.

For the Minor Ifyil prove if," r/fts of the Deftrudion of thePeplbn,* 2, Of manyiochers; ;. Of the Church itfelC .i: n;o[-\'j .

I. To ufe this Powerito deprive many Thoulands of their Communion with Chrift and hieChurch in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood, and confequently of alfl the Benefits thereof, is to ufe it to the Deltrudion of thole Mens Souls. '

But to enjoyn all Minifters to dereyiCommunion t» all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament, is to u(e this Power to deprive many Thoulands •of their Communion with Chrift and his Church, in the Sacrament of his Body

A a a and

and Blood, and conlequently of all the Benefits thereof: Ergo to enjoyn all Mi-nifters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel in the Reception of the Sacrament, is to ufe this Power to the Deftrudiion of thole Souls.

2. To the Deftrudion 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 theDeftru-dion 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 Thoufand, &c. ■ Ergo it is to'ule this Power to their Deftrudion.

It being fuppofed that it is not any Injunftion tngmtre, but theEnglifh Injundi-dn injpecie that is Ipoken of. The Minor is proved thus:

If Tiich an Injundion 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, e^c.—^

But the Antecedent is certain: Ergo, &c.

Two notorious Evidences in Matter of Fad do fully prove the Antecedent : I. That there are a great number of able, faithful Minifters, whole Confciences 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 Injundion doth Silence fand Imprifon 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-fands 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 Deftrudion of the Church.

III. I. To ule this Power to deprive the Church of a great number of her pious and exemplary Members, that are meet for her Communion, is to ule it to the Churches Deftrudion.

But to enjoyn all Minifters to deny Communion to all that dare not kneel at the Reception oi the Sacrament, is to ufe this Power to Deprive the Church of a great number of her Pious and Exemplary Members, that are meet for her Communion.

" 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 Deftrudion.

2. To ufe this Power to the certain and lamentable Divifion of the Church, is to ufe it to the Deftrudion 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 ule this Power, to the certain and lamenta-bfe Divifion of the Church ;

Ergo, To enjoyn all, &c. is to ufe this Power to the Deftrudion of the Church : The Major is undeniable: The Minor I prove thus

1. To divide by force (or conftraint) fo many Thoulands as dare not kneel in Receiving the Lord's Supper, from the reft, is to ufe this Power to the adual 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-Vi/ion of the Church. .-..■j i .w\'A

2. To maintain and exercife by this Power a Principle of Church Divifion, is to • ufe 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 oi Church Divifion, (that is,luch as is of its own nature fitted to divide it, and will effed it).

Ergo, To enjoyn all Minifters to deny Communion to all that dare not Receive 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

T>

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter, 3 5

To mainrain and exercife this Principle; That [ Things as unneceflary, (mall and doubtful, as kneeling jn the Reception of the Sacrament of the Lord's SuppsPj are to be made neceffary to the Communion of the Church] is to mair\jain and exercife a Princrple of Church Divifion.

But to enjoyn all Minifters to deny Communion to all that dare not Receit^e kneeling, is to maintain and exercife this Principle, that [Things as unnecefiaryj fmall and doubtful, as kneeling in the Reception of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, ate to be madeneceflary to the Communion of the Church].

Ergo, To en joyn all, d^c. is to maintain and exercile a Principle of Church-Divilion.

The Major fwhich only needs proofs is thus proved.

To maintain and exercife fuch a Principle as, i. Never yet was exercifed, but it did divide the Churi^i; z.anB by which its Divifions have been cauled or cherilhed ever fmce the Roman Ufuipation begun ; 3.and which cannot pcffibly ccnfiftwitli Unity whilft Chriliiansareof fuch different i. Educations, 2. and degrees of ISJ^a-tural Underftanding, 5. and degrees of Grace, is to maintain an4 exercife a Principle of Church Divifion.

But to maintain and exercife this Principle [That Things as unneceffary, fmall and doubtful as kneeling in the Recaption of the Sacrament, are. to be made ne-ceflary tcthe Communion of the Church] is to maintain and exercife fuch a Principle, as I. never yet was exercifed but it did divide, c^c. Ergo •

And thus our Difpute at the Savoy ended, and with it our Endeavours for Reconciliation upon the Warrant of the King's Commiflion.

§236. Were it n§t a thing in which an Hiflorian fb much concerned in the bufmels is apt to be fufpecl:ed of partiality, I would here annex a Charadcr of each one that managed this bufinefs as they (hewed themfelves. But becaufe ic hath that inconvenience, I will omit it, only telling you what fart each one of them adcd in all this Work. ••

The Biftop of £o»^tf« (fince Archbifhop of C<jwfer^«7) only appeared the firfl day of each Cot^ference (which, befides that before the King, was but pwice in ali as I rememberj and medled not at all in any Difputations : But all Men fuppo-led that he and Bifhop Morky fand next Biihop Hinchman) were the doeis and di-fpofers of all liich Affairs. The Archbifhop of Tork * (jjake no- more than I have '*' Ffcmn> told you, and cime but once or twice in all. Bithop Morky was oft there, but not conftantiy, and with free and fluent words, with much earneffnefs, was the chief Speaker of all the Bilhops, and the greateft Interxupter of us j vehemently going on with what bethought ferviceabl^ljp his end, and bearing down Anfwers by the faid fervour and interruptions. Bifhop Co/Joj was there conftantly, 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 faid. But two Vertues he fhewed (though none took him for a Magician ) : One was, that he was excellently well verfed in Canons, CouKcils, and Fathers, which he reraembred, when by citing of any Paffages we tried him. The other was, that.as he was of a.Ruflick Wit and Carriage, fo he would endure more freedom of cur Difoourfe with him, and was more affable and familiar than the reff. Bifhop Hinchman (llnce Biihop of London ) was of the moft grave, comely, revere||d Afpe(ft,of any of them ; and of a good infight in the Fath^s and Councils, Ccjins znd he and Dr. Gunning being all chat fliewed any of that skill among us'confiderable: in which they arc all three of very laudable un-dcrflandings, and better than any other of either of the Parties that I met with: And Biihop Hinchman fjjake calmly and flowly, and not very oft: But was as high in his Principles and Refolutions as any of them.

Biihop Sanderjon of Lincoln was fbme time there, but never fpake that 1 know of hut what I have told you before : But his great Learning and Worth are known by

his Labours *, and his aged Peevifhnefs not unknown. * Since, at

his death, he made it

hi; rc(jueft that the ejefted Minifters miglit be ufed again: but his requefl -was rejefted by them that had overwit-

icd hun, as being too late.

Bifhop Gauden w>is our mofl conflant helper ; He and Bifhop Cofms feldom were ablent. And how bitter fbevor his Pen be, he was the only Moderator of .all the Bi-iiiops (except our Biihop Re^WJ^) : He iliewed no Logick , nor medled in any Dllpute, or foint of Learning j but a calm, fluent. Rhetorical Tongue : And if

A a a 2 all

m ■ ■ ■ —- — - ■ — - ■ — — ■ —-—^ . _

all had been of his mind, we had been reconciled : But when by many days Conference in the beginning, we had got feme moderating Conceflions from him (and from Bilhop Co^m by his means) the reft came in the end and brake them all.

Bifliop Luck of St. Davids, fpake once or twice a few words calmly, and fo did Bifhop Nicholfm of Glocefier, and Biihop Griffiths of Jfapb (though no Commiffion-ers); and did no more.

Bimop King of Chichefitr I never faw there : Bifhop Warner of Rocbefler was there once or twice, but medlednot that I heard. Biihop 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 Ipake but what is before recited, that 1 know of

Biihop Sterne oi Carlijle, fince Archbifhop of Tori, was of a.mofl (bber, honeft, mortified Afped, but (pake nothing that I know of , but that weak uncharitable wqrd before mentioneti: fo that I was never more deceived by a Man's Face.

Bi/hop ReignolJtCpakQ much the firft day for bringing them to Abatements and Moderation : And afterwards he late with them, and fpake now and then a word for Moderation. He was a folid honeft Man , but through mildnefs and excels of timerous reverence to great Men, altogether unfit to contend with them.

Mr.Thorndtke fpake once a few impertinent paflionate 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. Earle, Dr. Heylin, and Dr. Barwtck never came. Dr. Hacket ( flnce Biihop of Coventry and Litchfield ) faid nothing to make us know any thing of him. Dr. Sparrow faid but little; but that little was with a Spirit enough for the impofing dividing Caule.

Dr. Pterfon and Dr. Gunning did all their Work (befide Bifhop Marky's Dilcour-fss) but with great difference in the manner. Dr. Pter/on was their true Logician and Difputant, without whom, as far as I could difcern, we Ihould have had nothing from them,but Dr. Gunning's paflionate Invedives mixt \fith Ibme Argumentations: He difputed acurately, ibberly and calmly (being but once in anypafli-on)breeding in us agreatrelpeA for himjand a perfwafion that if l\e had been independent, 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 Difputant; a Man of greater Study and fnduftry than any of them, well read in Fathers and. Councils j and of a ready Tongue ; (and I hear and ijelieve of a very temperate Life, as to all Carnal ExcelTes whatfoever ) : but lb vehement for his high impofing Prineiples, 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 Judgment, and I am fure they made him lamentably overrun hirafelf in his Dif-courfes. Of Dr. Pierce I will fay no more, becaufe he hath faid fo much of me. On our part, Dr. Bates (pake very folidly, judicioufly and pertinendy when he fpjkc : And for my felf, the reafon why I fpakefo much, was becaufe it was the dcfire of my Brethren, and I was loth to expole them to tliq^iatred of the Bifhops , but was wiliinger to take it all upon my felt,they themfelves having fo much w'lt as to be therein more fparing and cautelous than I; and I thought that the Da^ and Cauj'e commanded me thofe two things, which then were objeded .igainft me as my Crimes, viz.. fpeakmg too boldly, and too long. And I thought it a Caufe that I could comfortably fuffer for j and fhould as willingly be a Martyr for Charity as for Faith.

§ 2^7. When this Work was over, the refl of our Brethren met again, and re-folved to draw up an Account of our Endeavours, and prefent it to his Majefty, "Referring ^^"'^ °"'' Ps""^" for his promifed help yet for thofe Alterations and Abatements to ibmc- which wc could not procure ol" the Bilhops : And that firft we fhould acquaint the thinji that Lord Chancellour withal, and cnnfult with him about it. Which we did ; and as pjft be- fggf, 35 ^Q came to him, accprding to my expedation, I found him moft ofFend-fV^waml ^ ^' '^^' ^"'^ ^^^^ ' ^^^ t-<^tn off the diftafte and blame from all the reft. At me about our firft entrance he merily told us. [That tf 1 -were but as fat as Dr. Manton , -we inyicjn- jlwuhl all do well *'\. I told him, if his Lordlhip could teach me the Art of growing '^^h,i^c. far^ he Ihould find me not unwilling to learn,by any good means. He gtew more

lerious,

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 3^5

—— , —— —— i

ferious, and faid, That I was fevere and ftrift, like a Melancholy Man, and made thole things Sin which others did not : And I perceived he had been poflelTed with difplcafure towards me upon that account, that I charged the Church and Liturgy with Sin j and had not (iippofed that the worft was but imxfediency. I told him

that I had Ipoken nothing but what I thought, and had given my Reafons for

After other fuch DifcoutlCj we craved his Favour to procure the King's Declaration yet to be pad into an A6t, and his Advice what we had further to do. He confented that we Ihould draw up an Addrcls to his Majefty, rendering him an account of all; but defired that we would firft fltew ic him: which we promi-fed. ^

§ 238. When we fhewedour Paper to the Lord Chancellour C^ich the Brethren had defired me to draw up, and had conlented to without ai^RUeration) he was not pleafed with fome Paltages in it, which he thought too pungent or pref-fing : 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 it to him alio, and he was carneft with us to blot out fome Paffages as too vehement, and fiich' as would not well be born. I was very loth to leave them out, but Sir Gilbert Ger^ rard ('an ancient godly Man) being with him, and of the feme mind, I yielded (having no remedy, and being unmeet to oppofe their Wifdoms any further); And fo what they Scored under we left out, and prefented the reft to his Majefly afterwards. But when we came to prefent it, the Earl of Manchejter (ecretly told the reft,' that if Dr. ReignoUs, Dr. Bates, and Dr. Manton would deliver it, it 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 ir, I took my leave of him, and was going away : But he ^nd they came after me to the Stairs, and importuned me to retnrn,and I went with them to take ray Farewel of this Service. But I refolved that I would not be the Deliverer of any of our Papers (though I had got them tranfcribed 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 C which was required of us for the King). And when Bifiiop ReignoUs had fpoken a few words. Dr. Manton delivered them to the King j who received them and the Petition, but did not bid us read it at all. At laft, 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 ftiort . Speech which I made to inform his Majefty how far we were agreed with the Bi-^^-^"^'*" Ihops, and wherein the difference did not lye, as in the Points of Loyalty, Obe- moft of dience, Church-Order, &c. This Dr. Manton alfo fpake; And the King put the this timp Queltion, [ But v/hojhall be Judge ?^ And I anfwered him. That Judgtmsnt isfick,or either puhlick or fri-vate: Pr/wrf Judgment called Dz/crfriowsr, which is but the u^e hj^j'^vvhieh of my Reaibn to conduct my Aftions, belongeth to every private rational Man : he had re-Vublick Judgment is Ecclefiaftical or Civil, and belongeth accordingly to the Eccle- cdved. fsafiical Governours (or Paftors) and the Civil j and not to any private Man. And this was the end of thefe Affairs.

§ 2;9. 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 ; a.Becaule it is but fuppofing the under-fcored Lines to be blotted out, and you have it ^s it was prefented without any Alteration. Fov.thoic under Jcored Lines were all the words that were left out.

To

To the King's moft Excellent Majefty:

The due Account and humble Petition-of us Minijiers of the Gojpel lately Cemmiffioned for the Kevierv and Alteration of the Liturgy,

May it fkafejour Majefiy ;

WHen tbffdiftenipered Nation, wearied wich its own Contentions and Di-vifionP^did groan for Unity and Peace, the wondeiful 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 Godjthe Center of their Concord, and taught by Affliction to break the Bonds of the Afflicted , and by fixpe-'rience of the fad Effeds of Mens Uncharitablenefs and Paffiohs, to reftrain all from Violence and Extremities, and keeping Moderation and Mediocrity, the Oyl of Charity and Peace. And when thele your Subjeds Defires were accom-plifiisd in youi* Majefty's peaceable pofTeffion of your Throne, it was the Joy and Encouragement of the Sober and Religious, that you began the Exercile of your Government with a Proclamation full of Chriftian Zeal againft Debauchery and Prophaneneli, declaring alfo your diflike of \J thofe who under pretence of affedi-

* on to your Majefty and your Service, aflume to themfelves the liberty of Revi-' ling, Threatning, and Reproaching others, to prevent that Reconciliation and

* Union of Hearts and Affedions, which can only with God*s Bleffing make us re-' Joyce in each other]. Onr Comforts alio were carried on by your Majefty's early

"and ready Entertainment of Motions for Accommodation in thele Points of Difci-plJne and Worfliip in which we were difagread, and your profefled Reloiutions to draw us together by Mutual Approaches, and publifhing your Healing Declaration, which was received with the Thanks of your Hoafe of Commons, and the Applaufe of the People, and the fpecial Joy of thofe that longed tor Concord and Tranquility in the Church : In w^hich your Majefty declareth (b much Satisfadiion in the Foundations of Agreement already laid, as that you [ 'Ihould think your ' fjlf very unfortunate, and iuljjed: that vou are defediive in the Adminiftration of ' Government, if any Superftrudtures Itiould fhake thefe Foundations, and contract

• *or leflen the blefled Gift of Charity, which is a Vital part of Chriftian Religi-. ''on.'J And as in the faid gracious Declaration, your Majefty refolved to [ * ap-

* point an equal numbe^of Learned Divine's of both Perf^afions to review the Li-

* turg^ and to make fuch Alterations as (hall be thought moft neceftary, and fome

* additional Forms ( in the Scripture Phrale as near as may be ) fuired unto the ' nature of thefeveral parts of Worfliip; and that it be left to the Minifter's

* choice, to ufe one or other at his Difcreticn ] ; (b in Accomplifliment thereof, your Majefty among others, direfted your CommiHion unto us for the review of

. ' [the feveral DireAions, Rules, and Fornis of Prayer, and things in the faid Book

* of Common Prayer contained ] ; and [ ' if occafion be, to make fuch realona-' ble and neceft"ary Alterations, Corrections and Amendments therein , as by and

* between us fnall be agreed lipon to be needftd or expedient for the giving of Sa-

* tisfaclion to tender Conlciences, and the jeftoring and continuance of Peace and

* Unity in the Churches under your Protedion and Government J and what

we [ ' agree upon as needful or expedient to he done, for the altering, diminifh-' ing or enlarging the faid Book of Common Prayer, or any part thereof, forthwith ' to certifie and pielentit in Writing] to yoUr Majedy. •

In Oledicnce to this your Majefty's Commiffion, we met with the Right Reve-

• rend Bilhops who required of us, that before any Perfonal Debates , we fhould ' [bring in Writing, all'our Exceptions againft the Book of Common Prayer,

* and all tlie Additional Forms which we'defired ] : Both which we performed i and received from them an Anlwer to tlie tirft, and rcrurnt:d them cur full Reply : The laft Week of our time, being deiigned to Perl^al Conference, was at the Will of the Rfght^ Reverend Bifhops fj^ent in a particular Difpute by three of each parr, about the finfulnefs o\ one of the Injunftions, from which we defired to be free ; and in (bme other Confeience on the by. And though the Account whicli we are forced to give your Majeily of the Ilfue ofour Conlultations, is that, Ko Agreements are Sublcribed by us, to be offered your Majefty, according to your Expedaiion j- and though it be i;ono of ou intent to call the leaft unmeet Re- -

fledions

fledions upon the Righc Reverend Bifhops and Learned Brethren who think not meet to yield to any confiderable Alterations to the Ends expreffed in )Our Maje-fty's Commiflion, yet wc muft fay^that it is feme quiet to our Minils thac we have not been guilty of your Majefty's and your Subje<fi:s difappointments, and that we account not your Majefty's gracious Commiflion, nor our Labour, loft, having Peace of Confcience in the dilcharge of our Duties to God and you : that we havs 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 hazard of our own, or of the Peoples Jouls ; and that we have in jeafon born -r-i , our tefiimony againjl thofe Extreams, which at laji will appear to thofe that do not now dtf- derlined cernit, to have proceeded from uncharitable mifiake, and tended to the divt/ion and trouble Pailiges of the Church : that whatever jl]aU become of Charity, Unity and Concord, our Life, our ^^'^''^ '^^ Beauty, and our Bands,our Conjctences tell us we have not deferted them, nor left any probable °"!/-'° Y^^ -means uvattempted, which we coulddtjcem within our power^. And we humbly be-to tlie leech your Majefty to believe, that we own no Principles of Fadiion or Difobedi- King. cnce, nor Patronize the Errours or Obftinacy of any : It is granted us by all, that nothing (hould be commanded us by Man, which is contrary to the Word of God r that if it be, and we know it, we are bound not to perform it; God being the AbfoluteUniverfal Soveraign ; that we muft ufe all juft means to dilcern the Will of God, and whether the Commands of Man be contrary to it: that if the Command be finful, and any through the negleftof fufficient fearch, ftiai! judge it lawful, his culpable Errour excufeth not his doing of it from being fin: and therefore as a reafonable Creature muft needs have a Judgment of dilcerning, that he may rationally obey, (b is he with the greateft care and diligence to exercife it in the greateft things, even the obeying of God and the (aving of our Souls j and that where a ftrong probability of great fin and danger lyeth before us, we mult not rafiily run on without learch ; 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-vernoursmuftbe obeyed: that if they command what God forbids, we muft patiently 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 Perlbns, and not to any private Man : that no Man muft be caufelefly and pragmatically inquifitive into the Reafbns of his Superioury Commands ; nor by Pride and Self-conceitednefs exalt his own Underftanding a-bove its worth and office ; but all to be modeftly and humbly ielf-fufJDicious: that none muft 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 fufpedeth his Su-periours Commands to be againft God's Laws, muft ule all means for full Information, before he fettle in a courle of dilbbeying them : and that he who indeed dilcovereth any thing commanded to be fin, though he muft not do it, muft manage his Opinion with very great tendernefs and care of the Publick Peace, and the Honour of his Governours. Thele are our Principles: If we are otherwile repre-lented to your Majefty we are mifreprefented : If we are accufed of contradidting 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 Interefts to the utmoft, for the promoting of Holin»fs, Charity, Unity, and Obedience to Rulers in all lawful Things: But if W'£ iKmld T^•^ againft God, becaufe we are commanded, who lli.ill anlwer for us, o: i Vve us'rom hisjuftice? And we humbly crave, that it may be no unjuft grievancj'-y jf our )ifl!ent, that thereby we fuppole Superiours to err j feeing it is but fuppofii7g fhem'/rbe Men,not vet in Heaven ; and this may be imputed to every one that diiiercrli in Opinion from another. And we befeech your Majefty to believe, that as we fcek 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 pradiie of the Primitive pureft Church.fb we hope it is not through pufiUanimity and overmuch tendernefs of Suffering that we have pleaded fb much ior the avoiding of Suffering to our Selves or others: Miy none of our Sufferings hinder the Prolperity of the Church, and the good of Souls \_of Men! May not our dread Soveraign, the Breath of our Noflrils, be tempted by mifrefrefentattons to diflajl Juch h r^ed'^" as are faithful, and unawares to wrong the interejl of Chrijl, a^d put forth his hand to af- paffagcs fiiil thofe that Chrifi would have himcherifh, left their Head fiiould be provoked to jealoufie were left and offence ! May not the Land of our Nativity languij!) in Divijions, nor be filled with the °"^ '° ^^^^ Groans of thofe that arejliut out of the holy Ajfembltes, and thofe that want the necefjary P''"^"^^* breaking of the Bread of Life ! Nor be di/appomted of its expelled Peace and Joy I Let j^g^

not thefe things hefaU w] and we have enough. And wa liippofe thofe that think the Perfons inconfiderable in number and., quality for.jwhom we plead, will not themfelves believe that we have done tl-us jfor Popular Applaufe : This were nac fo much to feek the Reward of Hypocrites,- as to play the Game of FiooU j feeing the Applaufe of inconfiderable Men canbe>buc inconfiderable ; and weikaow our felves that we are like thus too-flfend thofe that are not inconfiderable. Tifae Lord that fearcheth hearts, doth know that it is not fo muchthi avoiding olfSuSering to our felves or any particular Perfons^that is the end of our Endcavoursi (though th^s were no ambitious endj as the Peace and iWelFare of the Church aod JKuingdoms under your Majefty's Governinent: We know that,(uppofing them thaiaie.for the Ceremonies to be as pious and charitable as the reit, it cannot io much offeaid tham that another Man forbsareth «hiem, as i^? n^uft-ofFend that other to be forcdd to ufe them: and vvb know that cohfciencious Men will no: confent to the'pr^xStice of ; t-hings in their Judgments urria^ful, when thofe may yield tliat count the 'Mair ,-:;}ltersbut indiiferent.'^'' ^t' ^T^iqionn^i on nwo aw .,. ; iv'j luc^ (iosat

: And for the managemeiitofMhisTreiaitiy^dlt) being agreed at our fii-ft meeting, tliat nodiing be rq)orted as-the^Words orSenc^of either Part, but wliat istiy them delivered in writing, we hiimblv Crave that your Majefty receive no raxire as ours^ and that where is (charged I on any particular-Perlon, he may be anJworahle for himfelf: And though the/Revermd BiJhop&iluve not had time to corifidec'of our Additions to the Liturgy, amJldftoiir Replyt, that yet chey may be confidered be-f©i£ a Determirwtioo bei«ade.' riAnd thougli we feem -to have laboured in vain, we lljall yet lay chisr Work^if Reconciliation and Peace, at the feet of your Maje-fty, befcechiog y^ii to prpteaite fucii a Weffcd Refolution till it attain. Ciccels. We mud needsiKlitve, th^twhea.your Majefty took our Confent to a Liturgy, to,be a Foundation that would.ihfer our Coocwwid, you meant not that we fiiould have no Concord, but by contenting to this Liturgy without any confiderable Alteration. And whan youadmibrted us with your Reiolution to draw us together, by^yielding on both fid<;sin What iwe could, you meant not that we Ihould be the Boat, and they the B.ink that nwlf not liir.- And when your Majeity commanded ys by your Letters Patents to treat about fiich Alteratiop?■ asare [' needful or ex-Vpedient for giving SatisfadiriohtlD tender Confidences, and the reftoring and con-'linuanceof l*eaceand Un,ity]:.werdl'affuced that it was-not your lence , that tliofe tender Coufciences were to be forced to pra^tile all wluch they judged unlawful, ^ and not lo much as a Ceceraony abated them ; Or that our Treaty was only to.convert either port to the Opinion of the otlier ; and that all our Hopes of Concord or I..iberty confided only in Difputing the Bilhops into Nonconformity, or c-omlng in every Cereniony to ciieirminds; ; -..ia ^\ .

Finally, as your Majefty under God, is the Proteftion whereto your People flie, aittl as the fame Neceffitieslfill rsmain, which drew forth your gracious Declaration, we moli humbly and earnelily befeech your Majefty , that the Benefits of the.iiid Declaratinn may be continiied to your People, and in particular [ That; 'none be piinidied or troubled fof not ufing the Common Prayer, till it be efFe-'^ctiull'y reformed] and the Additions made as there exprefled.

We crave your Majefty's pardon for the tedioufnels of this Addrefs, and fhall waitin hope, that fo great a Calamity of your People, as would follow the lofs of fcLniAny able faithful Minifters as rigorous Impofitions would caft out, fhall never be.Recorded in the Hidory of your Reign : but that-/le/e .btnpediments of Con-c^id- being forborn , your Kingdoms may flourilbifl Pieyi. and Peace, and this ipay be the fignal Honour of your happy Governmflf, andvitour Joy in the Day of y-oiai" Accounts. Which is the Prayer of •-' ■' '

Your Majefty's "."! Faithful and Obedient

Subjeds—«—-

§ 240.

§ 240. And in the Conclufion of this Bufinefs, feeing we could prevail with thefe Prelates and Prelatical Men, (after lb many Calamities by Divifions,and when they pretended Defires of Unity), to make no confiderable Alterations at all ; the Reafon of it feeming unfcarchable to fome, was by others confidently conjedurcd to be thele:

1. They extreamly prejudic'd thePerlbns that fought this Peace, and therefore were glad of means to call: them out and ruin them.

2. The EfTeds 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 Adv^erfaries had realbnably defired, or had procured a Reformation.

4. Some confidendy thought that a fecret Refolution to unite with the Papids (at leaft as high as the old Defign which Heylin ownech in Lauds, Life ) was the greateft caufe of all: And that they would never have loft fo great a Party, as they did but to gain a greater (at home and abroad together^

§ 241. And here, becaufe they would abate us nothing at all confiderable, but made things far harder and heavier than before , I will annex the Conceflions of Archbilhop JJjiiery Archbiftiop WiUiams, Bifhop Morton , Bifhop HoUfwortb, and many others in a Committee at IVeflminjier (before nientionedj 1641.

A Copy of the Froceedings of fome Worthy and Learned Divines touching Inno'vations in the Do&rine and Difcipline of the Church o/* England : Together with Confiderations upon the Common Prayer Bjo\.

Innovations in DoBrine.

1 .^^rf. T"T"7Hether in the Twentieth Article thefe Words are not inferted, VV Habet Ucclefm authoritatem in Contro'verfiisfidei.

2. It appears by Stetfords. and the approbation of the Licenlers, that (bme do teach and preach, That Good Works are concaufes with faith tn the aii of Juftifcation j Dr. Dove alio hath given Scandal in that point.

3. Some have preached the Works of Penance are fatisfadtory before God.

4. Some have preached that private Confeflton by particular Enumeration of Sins, is neceffary to Salvation, neceffltate medii ; both thofe Errours have been que-ftioned at the Confiftory at Cambridge.

y. Some have maintained that the Ablblution which the Prieft pronounceth, is more than Declaratory.

6. Some have publillied. That there is a proper Sacrifice in the Lord's Supper, to exhibit Chrift's Death in the VoJlfaSl, as there was a Sacrifice to prefigure in the Old Law in the AntefaB,3.nA therefore that we have a true Altar, and therefore not only metaphorically (b called, fb Dr. Heyltn and others in the laft Summers Convocation, where alfo fome defended, that the Oblation of the Elements might hold the Nature of the true Sacrifice, others the Confumption of the Elements.

7. Some have introduced Pr<j7e>-/or f/je Dead, as Mr. Brown in his printed Sermon, and fome have coloured thcule of it with QuelHons in Cambridge, and difpu-ted, that Frecespro Defim6iif nonfupponunt Purgatonum.

8. Divers have oppugned the certitude of Salvation.

9. Some have maintained the \!iwfu\neiso( MonafiicalFows.

lo.Some have maintained that the Lord's Day is kept meerly by Ecclefiaftical Gon-ftitution, and that the Day is changeable.

1 1. Some have taught as new and dangerous Doftrine, that the Subjects are to pay any Sums of Money impofed upon them, though without Law , nay contrary to the Laws of the Realm, as Dr. Sybtborp, and Dr. Manwartng Bifhop of St. Da-vids, in their printed Sermons, whom many have followed of late years.

B b b 12. Some

12. Some have put Scorns upon the two Books of Homilies, calling them either Popular Difcourfes, or a Dodrine ufeful for thofe Times wherein tliey were lie forth.

13. Some have defended the whole grofs Suhjlance o^ Arminianifm, that Eleilio efi txfide pr<«w/«,That the Ad 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 Eled, and have proceeded ujejue adfalutem Ethnicorum, which the Church of England hath Anathematized.

I J. Some have abfolutely denied Original Sin, and fo evacuated the CroJ^of Chriff^ as in a Difputation at Oxon.

\6. Some have given exceffive Caufe of Scandal to the Church : as being fu-fpeded of Socimantjm.

17, Some have defended that Concupifcence is no fin, either in the habit, or firft motion.

18. Some have broacht out of Socinm a moft uncomfortable and defperate Do-drine, That late Repentance, that is, upon the laft Bed of Sicknels, « unfi-uitful, ac lead to reconcile the Penitent to God.

Add unto thefe^ fame dangerom and Moji repro<veable Books.

1. The Reconciliation oiSanEia Clara, to knit the Romifh and Proteftant in one; Memorand. That he be caufed to produce Biftiop Watforii Book of the like Reconciliation which he (peaks of.

2. A Book called Brevis Dif<^mfitio, printed (as it is thought) in Londen, and vulgarly to bs had, which impugneth the Dodrine of the Holy Trinity, and the verity of Chrift's Body Cwhich he took of the BlefTed VirginJ in Heaven, and the verity of our Refurredion.

5 A Book called Timothem Philalethes dePace Ecclejia, which holds that every Religion will lave a Man, if he holds the Covenant.

Inno'vations in Difcipline.

1. Tlie 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 recefs in the Church.

5. Advancing Candlefiicks in many Churches upon the Altar fo called.

4. In making Canopies over the Altar fo called, with Traverles and Curtains on each fide , and before it.

J. In compelling all Communicants to come up before the Rails, and there to Receive.

6. In advancing Crucifixes and Images upon the Tarajront , or Altar-cloth , fo

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 Injundions and Advertifements of Queen Eliz^abeth, 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 offering of Bread and Wine by the hand of the Churchwardens or others, before the Confecration of the Elements.

12. By having a Cre^e»(w, or Side-Table, biMis the Lord's Table, for divers ufes in the Lord's Supper. « r l •

I;. By introducing an Offertory before the Communion, diftant from the giving of Alms to the Poor.

14 By

P A R T II. Kevmnd Mr. Richard Baxter. 371

14. By prohibiting ttie Minifters to expound the Catechifm at large to their pa-rifhioners.

I J. By fuppreffingof Le(9:iires, partly on Sundays in the Afternoon, partly on Week-days, performed as well by Combination, as feme one M^n. . 16. By prohibiting a direft Prayer before Sermon, and bidding of Prayer.

17. By Tinging the Je Deum in Profe after a Cathedral Church way, in divers Parochial Churches, where the People have no skill in fuch Mufick,

18. By introducing Latin-Service in the Communion of late in Oxford, and into fome Colledges in Cambridge, at Morning and Evening Prayer , fo that feme young Students, and the Servants of the Colledge do not underftand their Prayers.

19. By (landing up at the Hymns in the Church , and always at Gloria Vatri.

20. By carrying Children from theBaptifm to the Altar fo called, there to offer them up to God.

2r. By taking down Galleries in Churches, or reftraining the Building of fuch Galleries where thePari/hes are very populous.

Memorandum:

1. That in all the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches two Sermons be preached every Sunday by the Dean and Prebendaries, or by their procurement, and like-wife every Holy-day, and one Ledure at the leaft 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 lels Curiofity, that it may be more edifying and more intelligible, and that no Hymns or Anthems be uled 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.

5. That the Reading-Desk be placed in the Church where Divine Service may belt be heard of all the People.

Confiderations upon the Boo\ of Common Prayer.

1. Whether the Names of Ibme departed Saints and others rtiould not be quite expunged in the Kalender.

2. Whether the reading of Pp/w/, Sentences of Scripture, concurring in divers places in the Hymns, Epilfles and Gofpels,fiiould not be let out in the New Tranjla' tion.

3. Whether the Rubrick ftould not be mended, where all Veftments in them of Divine Service are now commanded, which were ufed, 2 Ediv. 6.

4. Whether Leffons of Canonical Scripture fhould be put into the Kalender in-ftead of Apocrypha.

y. That the Doxology fhould be always printed at the End of the Lord's Prayer, and be always faid by the Minifter.

6. Whether the Rubrick Ihould not be mended , where it is, ( that the Leffons fhould be fung in a plain tune) why not read with a diftin<9: voice .-*)

7. Whether GloriaFatri fhould be repeated at the end of every Pfalm.

8. Whether according to that End of the Preface before the Common Prayer, the Curate fiiould be bound to read Morning and Evening Prayers every day in the Church, if he be at home, and not realbnably letted, and why not only on JVed-nefday and Friday Moining, 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 "ivorketh great marvels.

11. In the Rubrick for the Adminiftration of the Lords Supper, whether an alteration be not to be made in this, Ihat fuch as intend to Communicate fijall fignifie their Names to the Curate o'ver 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.

B b b 2 i^.Whe-

13. Whether the Rubrick is not to be mended, where the Churchwardens are ftri<ftly 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 Confeffion upon his knees, before the Communion, thac ic fhouid be faid only by the Minider, and then at every Claufe repeated to the People.

I f. Thefe words in the Form of the Confecration, Thit is my Body , This is my Blood of the AVw; Jefiament, 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 ths Mini-fter makes when he delivers the Elements.

17. Whether Cathedral 2nd Collegiate Churches fhall be ftridly 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, ^nd every Par/jJ)ioficr fljall alfo receive the Sacrament.

19. Whether in the firft Prayer at the Baptifm, thele words, Didjl fanthfie the Flood of Jordan, and all other Waters, ftiould be thus changed, Didjt fanthfie the Element of Water.

2c. Whether it be not fit to have fome difcreet Rubrick made to take away al! fcandalfrom figningtheSignof the Crofs upon the Infants after Baptilm ; or if it ihall fcem more expedient to be quite difufed, whether this Reafon Ihould be pub-liflied, That in ancient Liturgies no Croli was confined upon the Party, biit where Oyl alio was ufed ; and therefore Oyl being now omitted, lb may alio that which vja concomitant with it, the Sign of the Crpfs.

21. In Private Bapdfm, the Rubrick mentions that which mufl: not be done, that the Minifler 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 u?jdotibtedl^ faved.

25. Whether the Catechifm may not receive a little more Enlargement.

24. Wiiether the Times prohibited for Marriage are quite to be taken a-way.

25". Whether none hereafter flaall have Licenfes to marry , nor be asked their Banns of Matrimony, that Hiall not bring with them a Certificate from their Mini-Itersthat they are inflrufted in their Catechifm.

26. Whether thefe Words in Matrimony, With my Body 1 thee worfliip, fliall not be thus altered, / give thee power over my body.

27. Whether the laft Rubrick of Marriage fliould not be mended, that new married Perlbns fhould receive the Communion the fame day of their marriage, may not well be ( or upon the Sunday following ) when the Communion is celebrated.

28. In the Abfolution of the Sick, were it not plain to fay, I pronounce thee Ah-folved.

29. The Pfalm of Thankfgiving of Women after Child-birth, were it not fit to be com poled out of proper Verficles taken from divers Pfalms.

3 o. 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 Perfbns, 'tis faid, We commit ha Body to the Ground, in fure and certain hope of Refurreclion to Eternal Lfe j Why not thus > Knowing affuredlf that the Deadjiiall rife again.

;;. In the Colle<a next unto the Colleft againft the Peftilence, the Claulc perhaps to be mended : For the honour ofjefus Chrifi's fake.

54. In the Litany, inftead of Fornication and all other deadly 5i«,would it notfatisfie thus ? From Fornication and all other grievous Sins.

jf. It is very fit that the ImperfeAions of the Metre in the finging Plalms fhonld be mended, and then Lawful Authority added unto them, to have them publickly (ling before and after Sermons, and fbmetimes inflead of the Hymns of Morning and Evening Prayer.

§ 242.

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richg.Td Baxter. |3 7 3

§ 242. And now our Calamities began to be much greater than before : We vyeic called all by the Name oi Fresb/terUtis ( the odioi^s Name ): though we neyerj put up one Petition for Presbytery, but pleaded for Pfiiuitive Epifcppacy. VVe.v.-ere reprefented in the common talk of thofe whu thought.it their Int^refi to be our Ad-verfaries, as the moft Seditious People, unworthy to be ufed like Men, or to eB;9y our common Liberty among them. We could not go abroad but we met .vyith daily Reproaches and falle Stories of us: Either we were feigned to be Plotting, or to be Difaffeding the People, &c. And no S;rmnn that I preached, Icirce efcaped the Cenlure of being Seditious, though 1 preached only for Repent^qce and Faith, and Morality and Common Vertue, yea, if it were againft Difobedience and Se-didon, all was one as to my Eftimation wirh thofe Men. And the great Increa:*;! of ail this was, that there were a multitude of Students chat ftudjed for Preferrn^tit, and many Gendemen that aimed at their Rifing ip.the World, who fqund out quickly what was moft pleafing to thofe whole Fa.vqur they muft rili by, and (o let themfelves induftriouQy to Reviling, Calumiii4ti<ig and Cruelty, againft all rhofe whom they perceived to be odious I And h^^^^t can but gofivince,a, worldly Generation of any thing that's the ready way to the;ir Prefecrpent, fliall be fure to have it clolely followed, and t4iroughly done with al|^ their rpjghf.

§ 24^ Before and aboutthis time many Book? ( iffp they may be called ) were written againft me. One by Mr. Naufm ( foremencioned ) a Juftice of Peace in Worcefterjhtre, who being a great Friend of the Papifts, had fpoken againft me on the Bench at the SeflLons behind my back, as the Author of a Petition againft Popery heretofore : and was angry with me for evincing to him, his miftake, temerity and injuftice : And when he law his time, he had nothing ei(e,to be the fewel of his Revenge, hut that very Book which 1 wrpte againft the Papi.'is; and tliere-in againlf the killing of the King, whiph I aggravated againft the Army and the Popifh Inftigators and Adors: But becaufe in AnfAer to the Papifts, I made their Dodrine and Praclile of King killing to be worfe than, thefe Sedaiies were guilty of, and thereupon recited what the Sedaries faiid for ijhemfelves, vvhich the Jifuites have not to lay ; he ^ook up all theieReafons of the Sedaries, 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 coir me my Life, when the Genrleman that thus would have proved me a Traytor, did himfelf ad under the Ulurpers, and took their Impofitions, which we abhoned and refufed.

§ 244. And here I lh,alHnlert a Paffage not contemptible co;icerning chepapift^, becaule I am fall'n into the m.ention of them. In Cromwclh days, when 1 was writing that very Book, and my Holy Co7nmomveidth, and was ciiarging their Tre^-fons and Rebellions on the Army, one Mr. James Stansfidd, a Reverend Minifter of G/oc?y?fr/i/re, called on me, and tod me a Story; which afterwards he Tent n^e under his Hand, and warranted me to publilh it; which was this.

One Mv. Atkins of Glocefierjhire, Brother to Judge Jtkins,hs'mg 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 Coiiedges in Flanders: They agreed, not to meddle with each other about Religion, and lb continued their Friendlhip long. A little after the King was beheaded, Mr, Atkhis met this Prieft in London, and going into a Tavern with him, laid to him in his familiar way^, [ fVbat bujinejs have you here? I warrant you come about fame Roguery or other j. Whereupon the Prieft told it him as a great lecrer, [That there tverc Thirty of them here in London, -who by InfiruBiens fi-om Cardinal M^ZiTine, did take care of fich Affairs, and had fate in Council, and debated the Quefiion, Whether the King [liould be put t» death or not ? and that it was carried in the Aj]irmati've,and there were but two Voices for the Negative-, which was hu own and anothers: And that for his part he could not concur with them , as forefceing what mifery this would bring upon his Country]. That Mr. Atkins ftood 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 jhould 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 Maz.annc's Defigns already, I let it alone. But about this time I met with Dr.ThomasGoad, and occafionally mentioning fuch a thing,he told me that he was familiarly acquainted with Mr. ^r^/«/, and would know tlie certainty of him, whether it were true : And not long after meeting him again, he told me that hefpoke with Mr. Atkins, and that he afiured him that it was true :

bat

but he was loth to meddle in the publication of it. Nor did I think it p. udeace my felf to do it, as knowing the Malice and Power of the Papifts.

Since this, Dr- Peter Moulin hath in his Anfwer to Philanax AngUc/ts, declared that he is ready to prove, when Authority will call him to it, that the King's Death and the Change of the Government, was firft propoled both to the Scrbome, and to the Pope with his Conclave, and confented to and concluded for by both. ■ '•-' ■ ^' I'- tj ; .

§245. Another Book wrote againff me was f as was thought) by ont Tompkins, a young Man of All-Souh, Son to Mr. Tompkins oi lVorcelhr,anA a School-boy chcre * Since when I lived in that County * : He called it The Rebels flea ; being a Confutation ^^f^P^' of fuch PafTages in my Holy Commonwealth, as he lead underftood and could make Archbi- ^°^ odious. All thele Men made me think, what one advifed tlie Papilts to do fliop's foi" 'he effoftual Confutation of the Proteftants; mz,. Not to difpute or talk with Chaplain, them at all, but to preach every day againfl them in the Pulpits j for there they may fpeak without any Contradidion, and need not fear an Anfwer.

§ 246. Shortly after our Difjjutation at the Savoy, I went to Rtckmerfwonb in Hart for d^nre, and preached there but once, upon Matth. 22. 12. [And he -was fpeech-leji~]: 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 Ihewing [that wicked men, and the refufers of grace, however they may now have many things to [ay to excuje their fin, will at lisi he J^eechleS, and dare not fiand to their wickedneji before God.'] Yet did the Bi-fhop of Worce[tcr tell me, when he filenced me, that the Biftiopof LoWow had ftiew-ed him Letters from one of the Hearers, afluring him that I preached (editioufly : fo little Security was any Man's Innocency ( that difpleafed the BilTiops) to his Reputation with that Party, who had but one Auditor that defired to get favour by acculing him. So that a multitude of fuch Experiences made me perceive, when I was filenced, that there wasfome Mercy in it, in the midft of Judgnsent : 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-cule as guilty of fome heinous Crime : And as Seneca laith, He that hath an Ulcer crieth Oil, ;/ he do but think you touched him.

§ 247. Shortly after my return to London, I went into TVorcefierfliire , to try whether it were poffible to have any honefl: 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 : 1 offered him to take my Ledure, which he was bound to allow me ( under a Bond of yoo /. ) ; but he refuted it: I next offered him to be his Curate, and he refuled it: I next offered him to preach for nothing, and he refuled it : And laftly, I defired leave but once to Adminifter the Sacrament to the People, and preach my Farewel Sermon to them; but he would not confent. At laft I underftood that he was direded by his Superiours to do what he did : But Mr. Baldwin (an able Preacher whom Heft there) was yet permitted.

§ 248. At that time, my aged Father lying in great pain of the Stone and Strangury , I went to vifit him ("Twenty miles further): And while I was there , Mr. Baldwin cnme to me, and told me that he alfo was forbidden to preach. We returned both to Kidderminfier,znd having a Ledure at Sheffnel in the way, I preached there, and ftayed not to hear the Evening Sermon, becaufe I would make hafte to the Bifhop. It fell out that my turn at another Ledure was on the fame day with that at Sheffnal.('viz. at Cleibury in Shropflme aUb) : And many were there met in expedation to hear me : But a Company of Soldiers were there ( as the Country thought, to have apprehended me^; who fhut the Doors againft the Minifters that would have preached in my ffead (bringing a Command to the Churchwarden to hinder any one thathad 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 Bilhop 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-fiiry, then Dean of Worcester, 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 offered him to preach only on the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer and Ten Commandments, Catechiftical Piinciples, and only to fiich as had no preaching. But the Difcourfs between him and me at that time, I have had occafion fince particularly

larly to recite inmy Anfwer to him, according as I noted it down when 1 ciime home J and therefore I fhall herepafsitby. And fince then I never preached in his Diocels.

§ 2J0. When he Silenced me, he told me that he marvelled that I fhould . think my own preaching fo neceflary, 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 befl, there would be many Places unfupplyed ; and asked him, Whether he thought that (uch an one as I were not better than none I He told me. That he thought not meanly of my Abilities; but till I was better affeded , he thought they were better that had none. 1 urged him to tell me what he thought was the Errour of my Mind or Affedions, and what he would have me do towards the Cure? My Errours he would not tell me ( fave the ridiculous recital of that Sentence at the Sazuj, of Sin per accidens, which I have fpoken of in my Answer to him at large) ; but for my Cure ( of I know not whatj he would have me read Btljon and Hooker. I told him that was not now to do : But when, at his parfwafion, I revifcd them, I admired at their Infatuation , that ever they fuffered fuch Books as Hookers Eighth Book, and Biihop Bilfon of Obedience, to fee the Light : When Hooker goeth (6 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, (Lik i.) And that the King is fingulis Majcr,fiJ Univerfis Minor, and receiveth his Power from the People , with many more Antimonarchical Principles, which I have confuted in the Fourth Part of my Chnfiian DtreBory particularly, as judging them unfound. And Bilfon, in that excellent Book of ChrifiianOkdience, hath this paffage, which methinks Hiould make them burn it , and not commend it to us lor our Cure, [ Pag. "^lo. If a Prince JlwuU go about tp [uhject hit Kingdom to a Forreign Realm^or change the Form of the Common-wealth, or negleSl the Laws e/lahlified by common Confent of Prince and People, to exeeute his own pleafure : In thefe, and other Cafes which might be named, if the Nobles and the Commons joyn together to defend their ancient and accufiowed Liberty, Regiment

and Laws, they may not well be counted Rebels^} '^Inever denyd that the People might

preferve the Foundation, Freedom and Form of their Commonwealth^which they fore-priZiJ

when they firfi confented to have a King -^/^^j '^^ Law of God giveth no Matt

leave to refift his Prince : but I never (aid, that Kingdoms and Commonwealths might not proportion their States at they thought hefi, by their publick Laws'^ which afterwards the Princes themjelves may not violate. By [ Superiour Powers ordained of God j 7jje under-Jland, not only Princes, but all Politick States and Regiments : fumewhere the People, fume-where the Nobles, having the Jame hiterejt to the Sword that Princes have m their Kingdoms. And in Kingdoms where Princes bear rule, by \X\\Q SwordJ, we do not mean the Princes private IVill, againfi his Laws j but his Precept derived from his Laws, and a-greeing with bis Laws: which though it be wicked, yet may it not be refilled by any Sub-jeS with armed violence. Marry, when Princes offer their SubjeHs, not Juftice, but Force, and defpife all Laws to prailife their Lufls, not every nor any private Man, may take the Sword and redrefi the Prince j but if the Laws of the Land appoint the Nobles, as next the King, to ajjifi him in doing right, and withhold him from doing wrong, thin be they licenfed by Mans Law, and Jo not prohibited by God s, to interpofe them/elves for the Jafety of Equity and Innocency, and by all lawful and needful means, to procure the Prince to he reformed, but in no cafe deprived, where the Scepter is inherited J. So far Biihop Bilfon to whom I was lent.

§ 2 jr. To return to Biihop Monley; He told me when he Silenced me, that he would take care that the People (hould be no lofers, but ftiould be taught as well as they were by me. And when I was gone, he got awhile a few Icandalous Men, with fome that were more civil, to keep up the Ledure, till the paucity of their Auditors gave them a pretence to put it down. And became himlelf one day and preached to them, a long Invedive againft them and me, as Presbyterians, and I know not what j fo that the People wondered that ever a Man would venture to come up into a Pulpit, and Ipeak fo confidently to a People,that he knew not, the things which they commonly knew to be untrue. And this Sermon was fo far from winning any of them to the eftimation of their New Biihop, 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 Bifiiop looked at Kiddermwjler as a Fadious, Schifmatical, Presbyterian People, that mult 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 Fadious nor

Schif-

Shifmatical, nor Seditious; but a People that quietly followed their hard Labour, and learned the Holy Scriptures, and lived a holy, blamelefsLife, in Humility and Peace with all Men, and never had any Se<a or feparated Party among them, but abhorred all Fadion and Sidings in Religion, and lived in Love and Chriftian U-nity. Yet when the Bifhop was gone, the Dean came and preached about thred hours or near, to cure them of the Admiration of my Perfon ; 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 (peak things lb far from truth of Men whom they never knew, and that to their own fjces. Many have gons about by backbiting to make People believe a falfe report of others : but few v/iil think to perfwade any to believe it of themlclves, who know themfelvesniuch better than the Reprover doth. Yet befides all tliis, their Le<5lurers were to go on in the fame (Irain, and one Mr. Tin (who lived in Sir John Packwgtons Houfe, with Dr. Hammond) was often at this work (being of the Judgment and Spirit of Dr. Gunning and Dv. Tierce) calling them Presbyterians , Rebellious, Serpents, and Generation of Vipers, unlikely to Icape the Damnation of Hell, yet knowing not his Acculation to be true of one Man of them ( For there was but one, if one Presbyterian in die Town, but plain honeft People, that minded nothing but Piety, Unity, Charity, and their Callings j. This dealing (inftead of winnmg them to the Preacher) drove them from the Lefture, and then ( as I faid) they accufed the People as deferting it, and put it down.

§ 2 j2.Forthis ordinary Preacher they fet up one of the beft parts they could get f ^r?^ ^* ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^"^ what his Patrons fpake him to bejwho wasquickly a weary and went Perfon.°"^ away 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 fince they have taken another Cour(e,and fet up a young Man fthe beft they can get) who taketh the contrary way to the firlf, 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 Ibme Charity. And thus the Eifhop hath ufed that Flock, who fay that till then they never knew lo well what a Bifiiop was, nor were before lb guilty of that diflike of Epiicopacy, of which they were fb frequently and viihemently accufed, I hear not of one perfon among them, who is won to the Love of Prelacy or Formality fince my removal.

§ 25-3. Having parted with my dear Flock (I need not fay, with mutual fenle and tears) I [eft Mr. BalJwin to live privately among them, and overfee them in my Head, and vilit them from Houfe to Houfe j advifing them, notwithlfanding all the Injuries they had received, and all the Failings of the Minifters that pieach-cd to them, and the Defcif^s of the prefent Way o\ Worfliip, that yet they fliould 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-felves J I. When the Minifter was one that was utterly infufficienr, 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 Herefie, or Dodtrine which was diredly contrary to any Article of the Faith, or necellary part of Godlinefs. 3. When in the Application he (et himfelf gainft the Ends of his Office, to make a holy Life (eem odious, and to keep Men from it, and to promote the Intereff of Satan : Yet not to take every bitter Refle(3:ion upon themfelves or others, occafioned by difference of Opinion or Interelt, to be a fufficient Caufe to fay that the Minifter preacheth againft Godlinefs, or to withdraw themfelves.

§ 25^4. When I was gone from them, I wrote not a Letter to them paft once in a year, left it fiiould bring Suffering upon them (the Caufe alfo why I removed my Dwelling from them was, becaule they apprehended themfelves that my pretence would have been their ruine, as to Liberty and Eftaces) : For had they but received a Letter from me, any difpleafing thing that thej- had done, would have been imputed to that. As for inftance, not long after, there came out the Aft 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 J ; Hereupon all the Thirteen Capital Burgefl'es, Bailiff, Juftice, and all, fave one that had been an Officer in the King's Army, were turned out (though I ilippofe never any more than two or three of them took the Oath and Covenant themfelves) j and almoft all the 2f inferiour Burgeffes were turned out with them. Whereupon

it

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 377

it was charged upon them that I had perfwaded them to rcfufe this Deckraiion; till ic was manifeft that I had never once Ijwke a word to them ah-out ic, nor written ons Line to them about that or any thing elfe, tjf a long time : At fuch a Ui-itance were we forced to remain.

§ 259. Afteraihort time the Lord IVtndfur, \iho was Lord Lieutenant of the County (and Governour of Jamaica\ bought a Houle in tlie Town, and lived among them ; { as moft thought,to watch over them as a dangerous People) which turned to their great Relief: For before his coming, they were many of them iiu-prifoned, and hardly ufed; but when he lived among them, and law their honeliy and innocency, they have had Three years of as great quietnels and liberty, as any place I know in the Land. When he rtrit came thiiher I was there, and went to wait upon him, and told him (truly j that I was glad of his coming for my Neighbour's lakes: for an innocent People aie never lb life as under their Gover-nour's Eye ; leeing Slmders have theii- power molt on ttrangers that are unacquainted with the perlons or the things.

§ 2j6. Juli: at the time that the Bilhop was Silencing me, it was famed at London that I was in the North, in the Head of a Rebellion 1 And at KiMtrm'mfier I was accufed, becaule there was a Meeting of many Minifters at my Houfej which was no more than they knew had been their conftant Cuftom many a )'ear, 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 lb Imall, that we knew not of it till afterwards: Yet becaule I had preached the Morning before ( which as I remember was my lail: Sermon there) upon Chrilt's words on the Crols {Father for-give them ; for they know not -what they do'] I was acculed 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 1 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 maintaining 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 thole that did it j which iheretore they ihould with double care maintain. This was the true fcop^ of that Sermon which delcrved Death or Baniibment, as all my Paciticatory Endeavours had done.

§ 2^7- When I came back to London, my Book called [The Mifchiefs of Self-ignorance and Benefits of Self acquaintance^ was coming out of the Prels : And my af-fedion to my People of Ktdderminfier caufed me, by a fhort Epillle to direft it to cheni, and becaufe I could never after tell them publickly (being Silenced) I told them here the occalion of my removal from chem, and my filencing; for brevity fummin^ up the principal things in my Charge. And becaule I laid [Thu wot the Cauje] the Bilhop took advantage, as if 1 had laid, This iv-u the whole Caufe ] when the Conference between him and me was half an hour long, and not fit to be wholly inlerted in a fliort Epiftle, where I intended nothing but the liim. But the Bilhop 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 tlie Savoy ; where he gathered up a fcrap of an Affercion which he did not duly underltand, and made it little lels than Herefie ; and this he publifhed in a Book called A Letter ; which I truly profels, is the fulleft of palpable Untruths in Matter of Faft, that ever 1 law Paper, to my remembrance in all my Life. The words which he would render me fo abhorred lor, are our denial of Dr. Fierjon's and Dr. (junni7>g'i, 6cc. Propofitions, about the innocency of Laws which command Things evil by Accident only : where the Bilhop never difcerned (unlels he dilTemble it) the Realbns of our Denial, nor the Propofition denied : The very words of the Dilpute being printed before, and 1 having fully opened the Bilhops Miitakes, in an AnlWer to him, 1 iliall not here Ifop the Reader with it again.

§ 25-8. But this vehement Invediveof the Bilhop'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 lame rates as he had done, and to fpeak of me as he had fpoken, and thofe that thought more was necelTary to their hopes, prelented the Service of their Pens. Dr. Boreman of Trinity CoUedge wrote a Book, without his Name, and had no other defign in it than to make me odious j nor any better occafion for his writing than this: There had many years before palt divers Papers

C c c between

between Dr. Ihomas Hill, then Mafter oF Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, and me, &-bout the Point of \ Irhj/ical efficient Predetcrmmation as necejjary to e'very Action natural and free ]: I had written brgsly and earneitly againft Predetermination, and he a little tor it: In the end ol'it, the Calanufies ot the Sa^ftarian times, and fome Sickneffesamong my Friends, had occalioned me to vent my moan to hini as my Friend ; and therein to (peak of the doubtiiilneis of the Caufe of the former War, and what reafon there was to be diligent in (earch and prayer about ir. When Dr. Hd was dead, Dr.Boreman came to fee thele Papers : Both the Subjedh he mud needs know were iuch, as tended rather to my Elteeni, than to my Difparage-ment with the Men of theie Times. Certainly the Armmians will, be angry with no Man for being againft Predetermination ; and 1 think they will pardon him for queflioning the Parliaments Wars: Yet did this difingenious Dr. make a Book on this occalion, tofeekPreferment by reproaching me, for he knew not what: But to make up the matter, he writeth that it is reported, That / kdld a Man in cold blcod -with my own hands m the Wars: Whereas God knoweth, that I never hurt 3 Man in iny Life, no never gave a Man a ftroke (lave one Man, when I was a Boy, whoie Legg I broke with wreftlinj; in jell ; which almoit broke my heart with grief, though he was quickly cured). But the Dr. knowing that this might be loon dilproved , cautioufly gave me (ome Lenitives to perfwade me to bear ic patiently, telling me that if it be not true, 1 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 (aw that Men did but laugh at it, and thole that knew the Man delpifed it, and diffwaded me from anfwering fuch a one, i laid it by.

§ 2^9- When tJie Bifliop's Invedive was read, many Men were of many minds, aboot the anlwering of it: Thole at a diftance all cried out upon me to aniwer it; Thole at lumd did all dilTwade mti, and told me that it would be Lnprilbnment at leait to me, if I did it with the greatelt truth and mildnels pollible. Both Gentlemen and all the City Minilters told me, that it would no: do half fo much good, as my Suffering would do hurt : and that none believed it but the engaged Party, and that to others an Anfvver was not necelTary, and to them it was unprofitable, for they would never read ir. And 1 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 Commonwealth, which vvere not to be fpokc to) and kept it by nie , that I might ufe it as there was occafion. At that time Mr. JoJK-ph Glanvdc lent me the offer of his Service to write in my Defence, (He that wrote the Vanttf of .Dogmatizing, and a Wreatife for the Fraextjfence of Souls, he,'mg 2. Pi at onifi, of free Judgment, and of admired Parts, and now one of the Royal Society of Philoiophers, and one that had a too excellive eftimation of me, as far above my defert, as the malicious Party erred on the other lide J : But I diffwaded him irom bringing himlelf into Suffering, and making himlelf unleiviceable for lb low an end : Only 1 gave him ( and no Man elf«) my own AnlWer to perule, which he returned with iiis Approbation of it.

§260, But Mr. Edward Bagfliaiv ( Son to \{r,iBagjJiaw the .Lawyer, that wrote Mr. Holtons Life), wuhout my knowledge wrote a Book in Aniwer to the Bilhops: 1 could have wilht he had let it alone : For the Mm hath no great dilputing Faculty, but only a florid Epiftolary Scile, and was wholly a Stranger to me, snd to the Matters of Fad , and therefore could fay nothing to them: But only being of a Bold and Roman Spirit, he thought that no Suffering fliould deter a Man from the Imalleft Duty, or caufe him to filence any uleful Truths And 1 had formerly ieen a Latin Dilcourleof his againft Monarchy, which no whit pleafed me, being a weak Argumentation for a bad Caufe. So that I defired no iuch Champion : Ihortly after he went over vvith the E.of Anglejey, whole Houlhold Chaplain he was, iii;o/rc/rt»<y,3nd having preached there fome times, and returning back, was apprehended, and lent Friloner to the Tower: where he continued long till his Means was all Ipent, and how he hath fince procured Bread I know nor. Wlien he had been Prifoner about a year, itleemshe was acquainted with Mr. Da'vu, who was alCi a Prilbner in the lower : This Mr. Daz/is having been very lerviceable in the Reftoration of the King, and having laid out much of his Eltate for his Service, thought he might b- the bolder with his Tongue and Pen,1 and being of a Spirit wiiich Ibme called »7K/jtt«/fc/, biit others,/wriowj, or indifcreetat bd\, did give an unmannerly liberty to his Tongue, to accufe the Court of fuch Crimes, with fuch Aggravations, as being a Subject, 1 think it not meet to name, Atlaft, he talkt fo

freely

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 37^

freely in the Tower alio, that he was ihipt away Prifoner to Tangier in Africa.- Mr.

Bagjhaw being furprized by L'Efirange,und his Chamber fearched, there was found

with him a Paper called Mr. Dwvts's Cafe: Whereupon he was brought out tolpeak

with the King, who examined him of whom he had that Paper, and he denied to

confefs, and fpake fo boldly to the King as much offended him ; whereupon he

was lent back to the Tower, and laid in a deep^ dark, dreadful Dungeon : When he

had Iain 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 lave his

Life: for the pain was lb vehement, that it kept him in a Iweat, which cart out

the Infedion of the Damp. At hit, by the Iblicitation of his Brother (who was ^^UrlJat-

a Conformifl', and dearly loved him) he was taken up, and after that was fent away, lyui^uir,

to Soutbfea-Cafile, an unwholefomeplace in theSahy Portfmouth, where (if he be

alive) he remaineth clofe Prifoner to this day, with Vauajor Voivel ( a Preicherof

North-Wales) and others i fpeeding worle than Mr. Crofron, who was at lalt re-

lealed.

§ 261. While I was in Shropjhire and Wercejterflnre, it fell Out that Ibme one printed one of our Papers given into the Billiops : 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 luppofed to be my doing. Indeed, when Dr. Gunning had asked me. Whether we would keep ours from the Prels, if they would do the fame by theirs, I would not promile him ; but told him, though I luppofed that none of us intended to be lb prelumptuous as to publifh them without Authority, yet I could pro-mile nothing for all them that were ablent; nor could any one promile it, when lb many Scriveners were intrufted to Tranfcribe them,that the King and Bilhops might have Copies: and whether any of thofe Scriveners might keep a Copy for them-ielves I knew not. And after this moft of die other Papers were printed, by I know not whom, to this day : But I conjeftured that a poor Man that I paid for writing me a Copy ( Dr. Reignoldss Curate) was likeliefl: to do it, to get fome-what to lupply his very great wants ; but I am utterly uncertain : But 1 had intelligence that thelecond Papers were in the Prefs, and that Malice might impuee it to me no more, I went to Secretary Morrice, and acquainted him with it, that he might lend a Meffenger to lurprize them : But he told me, that if I could affure him that the BiHiops had not given conlent, I (hould have a warrant to itivzh for them. I told him that I knew not what the Bilhops had done, but he might eafi-ly conjcdure : Nor would I leatch for them j but having toJd him, left him to do what he thought meet.

§ 262. And here I mud give notice,That whereas there are then printed, [i.Our firlt Propolals for Concord in Dilcipline. 2. Our Papers upon the fight of the firll Draught of the King's Declaration. 3. Our Petition and Realbns to the Bilhops, for Peace. 4. Our Reformed Liturgy, y. Our E^fceptions againft the Faults of the Common Prayer Book. 6. Our Reply to the Bilhops Anfwer to thele Exceptions, with the Anfwer it lelf verbatim inlerted. 7. Our laft Account and Petition to the King. 8, A Copy of all their Deputation for the Liturgy , with our An-livers ] ; all thele being furreptitioufly printed ( fave the firll piece ) by Ibme poor Men for gain, without our Knowledge and Corredion, are io faljly printed, that our wrong by it is very great: Whole Lines are left out; the molt lignificant words are perverted by Alterations; and this lb frequently, that Ibme parts of the Papers (efpecially our large Reply ^ And cmr la ft Account to the King) are made Nonlence, and not intelligible. But the laft Paper (Dr. Pierfins and Dr. Gunning's Difputati-on) Iconfels was not printed without my knowledge: For Bifhop Morky's mifre-ports with lb great confidence uttered had made it of Ibme neccffity : But I added not one Syllable by way of Commentary, the words themlelves being fulficient for his Confutation. If I remember, I will give you in the end of this Book the Errata of them all, that they that have the printed Copies may know how to correcS them.

§ 26;. The coming forth of thele Papers had various effeds: It increaled the burning indignation which beto e was kindled againlt me on one fide, and itlbme-what mitigated the Cenlures that were taken up againtf me on the other iide. 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 Preibyterian Divines ; all whom we lb far paffed by as not to invite them to our Councils, f though they were as free as we to have done the liKe) becaule we knew that it would be but a hinderance to us, partly becaule their Perfons were, uniccep-uWe, and partly becaule it might have delayed the Work; And moll: of the InUe-

Ccc 2" pendents.

pendents, and foaie few Presbyterians, raifed it as a common Cenfure againlt us, that if we had not been ib forward to meat the Bifhops with the offers of to much at firlt, and to enter a Treaty with them without jult cau(e, we had all had better Termsy and Handing off would have done more good : fothat, though my ?erjon and Intentiom had a more favourable Cenfure from them than forae others, yet tor the Ailicn, I was commonly cenfured by them, as one that had granted them too much, and wronged my Brethren by entring into this Treaty, out of too earned a deftre of Concord wiih them. Thus were iVhn on both extreams offended with me; and I found what Enmicy, Chanty and Piace are like to meet with in the World. But when thefe Papers were printed, the Independents confeffsd that we had dealt faithfully, and fatisfaftorily: And indifferent men faid that Reaibn had overwhelmed the Caufe of the Diocefans, and that we had offered them id mu^h as left them utterly withouc Excule: And the moderate Epifcopal Men faid the lame : But the engaged Prelatiif were vehemently difpleafed,that thefe Papers Ihould thus come abroad. (Though many of them here publilhed were never before.priatr ed, becaufe none had Copies of them but my felt ). v T;,r ■

§ 264. Bilhop Morley told me when he Silenced me, that our Papers would b« anfwered e're long : But no Man to this day ( that ever we could hear ot) hath anlvvered them which were unanfwered ; Either our Reafons for Peace, or our Liturgy, or our large Reply, or our Anlwers to Dr. Pierjons Argument, &c. only Roger L'Eflrange the writer of the Ncas Book, hath railed out a great many words againft fome of them : And a namelefs Author (thought to be Dr. Wommock) hath anfwered one part of one Subjed in our Reply, which is about excluding all Prayers from the Pulpit, befides Common Prayer ; a.nd in very plaufible Language, lie faith as much as can be faid for fo bad a Caufc, wz.. for the prohibiting all Extemporary Prayer in the Church. And when he cometh to the chief ftrength of our Reafons, he paifeth it by, and faith, that in anfwering Ibmuch as he did, tiie An-fwer to the red may be gathered. And to all the refl of the Subjeds he faith nothing : much lefs to all our other Papers.

§ 2<5 J. Alio another namelefs Author (commonly faid to be Sir Henry Tdverton) v/rote a Book for Biihop Morley ag.iinrt me: But neither he, nor Bvreman, nor Wommock ever faw me, for ought 1 know j and I am fiire he is as ftrange to the Caufe as to me : For he taketh it out of Bilhop Morley i Book, and fuppoling what he hath written to be true, he findeth fome words of Cenfbrious Application, to make a Book of.

§ x66. And about the fame time Sir Robert Holt a Knight of W^arwickpiire near Bremxham, (pake in the Parliament Houfe againft Mr. Calamy and me by name, as preaching or praying leditioufly ; but not one fyllable named that we laid : And another time he named me for my Holy Commomvealth.

§ Z67. And about that time. Bilhop Morley having preferred a young Mm, na«, 'l'^ ."-'. med Mr. S^^^(Orator of the Univerfity of Oxford, a ffuenf wit-

About this time Mr. h'teld, ty Satyrift, and one that was fbmetimc motioned to me to be my a godly Minincr, died in I'ri- Curate at Kitldtrmmficr) J this Man being Houjhold Chaplain to

fon and ='>^""'''"'^.V J^'"^'■"- the Lord Chancellour, was appointed to preach before the King; prifoned upon malicious Accu , ^ iiii-iV^ n • c r u r

rations of fome of their igno- where the Crowd had high txpedations ot lome venement Sa-rant Hearers. tyr: But when he had preached a quarter of an hour, he was ut-

terly at a lofs, and fo unable to recolleft himfelf, that he could go no further; b^it cryed [The Lord be merciful to our Infirmities^ and fb came down.

But about a Month after, they wererefolved yet that Mr. S fhould preach the

lame Sermon before the King, and not lofe his expeAed Applaufe; And preach it he did ( lictle more 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 deftred 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 laid firft, and one of the next PafT.igcs which he was to have delivered, was againft me for my Holy Common-a/ealth.

§ 268. And fo vehement was the Endeavour in Court, City, and Country to make me conttfmpcible and odious, as if the Authours had thought that the Safety either of Church or State did lye upon it, and ail would have been lafe if I were but vilified and hated. Infbmuch that D««^ the French Minifter that turned to them, and wrote for them,had a fenfelcfs Inarch at me in his Book j and Mr.Stoope the Paftor of the Frc»c/b Church was banifhed (or forbidden this Land J as Fame faid, for carrying over our Debates into Fr/iice. So that any Stranger that bad but heard and f^-en all this^ would have asked. What Monlter of Villany is this Man ?

and

and what is the Wicketlnefs that he is guilty of? Yet was I never queftioned to this day before a Magiftrate. Nor do my Adverfaries charge me. with, any pergonal wrong to them ; nor did they ever Accule me of any Herefie, nor much contemn my Judgment, nor ever accufe my Life ( but for preaching where anorh^ had been sequeltrcd that was an iniufficient Reader, and for preaching to the Soldiers ot the Parliament, though none of them knew my Bufmels rherOj nor the S,Jf-* vice that 1 did them ):■ Thele are all the Crimes, belides my Writings, that f evet knew they charged my Life with. But Envy and Carnal Intereft was io delHtutft of a Ma5k, that they every where openly confelled the Caufe for which they c'ntl^.t-vouced ray Defamation and Deftrudtion; elpeciiiliy the Bifhops tliat let all on work : i. As one Caule was their oWn over-valuing of my Parts, which they taoidi account I'would employ againft them,' 2. Another was that they thon'gl?t*che Re^ putation of my blamelefs Life, would'add to my ability to deferve them. 3. Ano'-ther was, that" they thought my Incereifih the Pef>pli to be far greater than irideed it was; 4 Bat the principal of all was^ my Conference before the King and At the Savoy ; in both which it fell out that Bifhcp' Morley and I were the btrfieft Talkers (except Dr. Gtifttnvg), and that it was my lot to contradidt him, who vvas not fo able either to beat, or fecm t6 beat it,as i thought at lead hisI4V)nour would have inftmAcd him to be. f. An4 rcy'refufing a Bifaoprick increaietJ the indignai tion : And Colonel fi*rf/5i that firftcama to offer it m^, told me, that they would ruine us, if'we reiuiod it: Yet did I parpofely f(i.''bear €ver mentioning it, on all occafions. 6. And it was not the leiift-Caufe, that my being for Primitive Epif-copacy, and not for Presbytery v., ^ftd being not fo fat from them in fome oth^r Points o£-Docarine and WcrJhip, a^' rtiany Nonconformifts are, they thought I vVal the abler to undermine them. 7. And another Caule was, that they judged of the reft of my Talk and Life, by my Conference ac the Savoy, not knowing that I took that to be my prefent Duty, which Fidelity to the King and Church com-' manded me, faithluily to do, whoever was dilplealed by it : and that when that time was ever, I toOkft to be my Duty, to live as peaceably as any Subjedl in rlie Land, and not to ule m/Tongue or Pen againft the Government which the King was'pleafed to appoint, however I difallowed it. Thus have ! found the old faying-true, That Reconcilers u(e to be hated on both fidss, and to put their hand in the Cl'ifc, which cloferh upori them and finiilieth them.

§ 269. The next-time, i won: to the Lord Chanceilour ( about the New-England C!x)rporation) after the Bi&op of/fWjy/cr's Anger and Inv'e6Hve Book he entertained me with his ufiial CondelcijRlion and Courrefw, but wich Ibme chiding Language that I would meddle vvith Dv. Morley to provoke him: which when! had bricrty fpoke to, he followed on his Reprehenfion thus, \_Wai it a hdudfome thing of Air. Baxter, tnjj'takjotoju mild a Mjk as Dr. Earles, Clerk of the Kings Clofet, as when be offered you a Tippet when you preached before the King, to turn away infcorn, and fay, Vie none of your Toyet ? Would not a fairer Jnfwer have been better ?] 1 replyed to him. That 1 ftill perceived more "and more the truth of v/hat I told the Bilhops, what Conlequents would follow the Continuance of unhealed Faftions: and what u(age wcTnuft expe^ however werliVed-, and how little Innocency would do to our vindication I 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 fcrupled to wear a Tip-pec than to lit on a Cufhion: Bat I thanked his Lord/hip, that by the benefit of his free Reprehenfion 1 came to underftand how much I had been wronged by this Report to his Majefty, above a year before I heard of it; and might never have heard of it but by him ; and told him that it was ju(f thus in other Matters: And I truly told him, that I was unfeignedly thankful to his Lordlhip, that would liiprovc me fur that to my fice, which others only whifpered behind my back, where 1 had opportunity to defend my (elf.

§ 270. Hereupon I wrote this following Letter to Dr. Earles ( a mild and quiet Man > who was fince Bifhop of Worcefier , and afterwards Bifhop of Sal'tf-kwyt

Reveretid

Reverend Sir I

B^

' T the great Favour of my Lord Chancellour's Reprehetifion, I came to understand how long a time I have fuffered ;« my Reputation ■with my Superiours by jour mifunder-fiandtng me, and mi/informing others, as if when I "was to freach before the Kwg, 1 had fcornfuUy refufed 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 fo ignorant in thofe matters, as to think that a * k%\t\i\nTjppet bad been theprtper Infign of a Dr.of Divinity * ; and 1 vertly thought that you of-the Uni- fered it me as Juch : And I had fo much pride as to he fomervhat a(hamed when you offered ver/ity. ^^^ ^^^^ j ^^ff tell you my want of fuch Degrees, and therefore gave you no Anjwer to your fir ft offer j but to your ficond was forced to Jay [^ It belongeth not to me, Sir j. And 1 faidnot to you any more ; nor had any other thought in my heart, than with fome ^}ame to teUyou that I had no Degrees j imagining I jhould have offended others, and made my felf the laughter or fcorn of many ; if I Jhould have ufed that which did not belong to me. For I mufi prafefi that I no more fcruple to wear a Tippet than a Gown, or any comely Garment. Sir, Though this he one of thejmallefi of all the Mtfiakes which nf late have turned to my wrong, and I mufi confefi that my ignorance gave yeu the occafion, and I am far from imputing It to any ill will in you, having frequently heard that m Charity, and gentlenejS and peaceablenejS of Mind you are very eminent ; yet becaufe I muff not contemn my E[H-matton with my Superiours, I humbly crave that favour and juftice of you ( which I am confident you will readily grant me) as to acquaint thofe with the truth of this bufinefi,whom ttpon mifiake you have miftnformed; whereby m relieving the Innocency of your Erother, you will do a ivorkof Charity and Jufiice, and therefore not diff leafing unto God, and will much oblige,

June 20. 1662. S IRj

; Your humble Servant,

Richard Baxter,

I have the more need of your yufiice in this Cafe, becaufe my difiance denieth me acceJS to thofe that have received thefe mijreports, and becaufe any publick Vindication of my felf, whatever is faid of me, is taken as an unfufferable Crime, and therefore I am utterly unca-pable of vindicating my Innocency or remedying their Mijiafles.

To the Reverend and much Honoured Dr. Earles Dean of Wefiminfier, &c.

Theie.

To this the Dr. returned this Civil peaceable Anfwer.

Hampton-Court, June 23.

SIR,

I Received your Letter, which I would have anfwered fooner if the Mejjenger that brought it held returned. I muft confefi I wm a little furprized with the beginning of it, as I Was with your Name: but when I read further I ciajed to be fo. Sir, I jhould be heartily '^ O tlijt Jorry and ajhamed to be guilty of any thing like Malignity * or UncharitablenefS, ejpecially to ^'\\{ h'^'^'^^"^ of your Condition ; with whom though I concur not perhaps in point of Judgment in " ' fome particul.irs, yet I cannot but cftecm for your pcrfonal worth and abilities: And indeed your Exprejjions in your Letter are fo civil and ifiginuous, that \ am obliged thereby the more to give you all the fatisfaBion lean. As I remember then when you came to me to the Clofct, and I told you I would furnifii you with a Tippet ; you anfwered me fomethmg to that purpofe as you write'^ but whether the fame Numerical words, or but once, I cannot po-* Thefc fitively fay from my own Memory, and therefore I believe yours : Only this I am fure of, that h«u-/not If^'^ toyLU a; my fecond Jfeakmg, That ' fome others of your Perfwafion had not fcrupled being in ^ at it, which mizht fuppofe ( if yon had not affirmed the contrary ) that you had made me a palTjgc former refujal: Of which giving me then no other reafon, than [ that it belonged not to Irom liiin. *p« J

yoH \ 1 concluded you -were more firupulous than others were : and perhaps the mavner of your refujing it ( as it appeared to me ) might make me think you were not 'very well plea f fed with the motion: And this it ts likely I might fay, either to my Lord Chaneellottr^titi-thers y though fcrioufly I do not remember that IJpake to my Lord Chancetlour at all concerifi ingtt. But Sir, fnee you give me flow that modeH reafon for it ( which'b^ the way, is no juH reajon in it [elf, for a Tippet may be worn without a Degree , though a Hood cannot y and It ts no jhame at all to want the/e Formalities, for him that ivawteth not the Subjtance ), but, Sir, I fay ftnce you give that reafm for your refufal, 1 belis'ue you, and (hall corretl that Mtfiake ifi my felf, and endeavour to rediifie it in others, if any upon this occafion, have mijunderfhodyou. In the mean time I pall defireyotir charitable Opinion of my felf, which I jhall bewilltngto deferveupon any Opportunity that is offered me to do you Service, beings

SI R,

Yoiir very humble Servant

Jo.Earles. -

To my honoured Friend Mr. Richard Baxter, Thefe.

rrT7> .1 ::

§ 271. Before this, in ]Slovember,m!Lhy worthy Minifters and others were impri'-foned in many Counties; and among others, diversof my old Neighbours in fVor-cefierjliire: And that you may lee what Crimes were the occafion, I will tell ybn' the Itory of if. One Mr- Ambrofe Sparry, ( a fober, learned Minifter,that had never owned the Parliament's Cauieor Wars, and was in hisjudgm:nt formoderatd 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, direftedto Mr. Sparry, [That he and Captain Tarrington, ftould be ready with Money arjd Arms. at the time appointed, and that they fhould acquaint Mr. Oafland and Mr. Baxter with it ] : This Letter he pretended that a Man left behind him under a Hedge, who late down and pull'd out many Letters, and put them all up again lave tins, 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 followedfuch work;) Ti.o^**'^'^'

who lent Mr. Sparry, Mr. O.^Jlaiul, and Captain Tarrington to Prilon! ( This Mr. Oajland was Minilter in BfW/f/, a fervent laborious Preacher, who had done abundance of good in converting ignorant ungodly People). And he had offended Sir Ralph Clare in being againft his Ele<5tion as Burgefs in Parliament for that Town). But who that Mr. Baxter Was that thfc Letter named, they could not refolve i there being another of the name nearer, and I being in London: But the Men, elpecially Mr. Sparry, lay long in Prifon, and when the Forgery and Injury was detedsd, h6 had much ado to get out.

§ 272. Mr. flenry Jackfon alfo our Phyfician at Kiddirmifif-&, aEnd many of my Neighbours were impriloned, and were never told for \*hac to this day ; But Mr; yackfon was io merry a Man, and they were all fo cheeiful there, that 1 think they were relealed the fooner, becaule it appeared lo fmall a Suffering to them.

§ 273. Though no one acculed rne of any thing, tior fpake a word to me of ir, ( being thty 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 andfent to Prifon, in other Counties, it was faid to be for Baxter's Plot ; ib eafie Was it, and fo neceflary a thing it ieemed then, to calf luch filth upon my Name. - '

§ 274. And though through the great Mercy of God, 1 had long been learning not to overvalue the thoughts of Men^ no not fo much as the Reputation nf Ho-nefiy or Innocency, yet 1 was Ibmewhat wearied with this kind of Life, to be e-very day cplumniated, and hear new Slanders raifed of me, and Court and Country ring of that, which no Man ever mentioned to my face; and I was oft thinking to go beyond Sea, that I might find fome place in retired privacy to live and end my days in quietnels, out of rhenoife of a Peace-hating Generation : But my Acquaintance thought 1 might be more Jerviceable here, though there I might live more in quietnels ; and having not the Vulgar Languageof any Country, to enable .

ble me to pteach to them, or converfe with them, and being fo infirm as no: to be like to bear the Voyage and change of Air : Thele, with other Impeduiieuts which God hid in my way, hindred me from putting my Thoughts in Exeicy-tion. • '

§ 275. About this time alfo it was famed at the Court that 1 was married, which went as the matter of a moft heinous Crime, which 1 never heard charged by thern on any Man but on ma. Bilhdp Morley divulged it with all the Odium he couid pofllbly put upon it : telling them chat one in Conference wich him, I laid that Minillers marriage is [lawful, and but lawful-] as if I were now contradicting my lelf And it every where rung about, partly as a Wonder , and partly as a Cririie, whiift they cried, \_This is the Man of Charity']: little knowing, what they talkc of; Infbmuch that at laft the Lord Chancellour told me, Fie heard 1 was marrieti, and wondered at it, when I told him it was not true: For they had affirmed it near a year before it came to pals. And I think the King's Marriage wasfcarce more talked of than mine.

§ 276. All this while Mr. Calamy and Ibme other Minilfers had been endeavouring with thofe that they had Interert in, and to try if the Parliament would pafs the King's Declaration into a Law ,• and Ibmetimesthey had fome hope from the Loid Chancellour and others: but when it came to the trial,their hopes all failed them ; and the Conformity impoled was made ten times more burdenlbme 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 Aft of Uniformity , with a new Form of Subfcription, and a new Declaration to be made againit the Obligation of the Covenant j 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 dilappointed, but a weight more grievous thanaThoulaxid Ceremonies 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 call out : And as far as I could perceive, it was by fome de-ligned that it might be fo. Many a time did we beleech them that they would have to much regard to the Souls of Men, and to the Honour o( England, and of the Protellant Religion, as that without any necelfity at all, they would not impofe feared Perjury upon them, nor that which Confcience, and Common Efteem, and Popilh Adverfaries would all call Perjury; that Papiiis might not have this to caft in pur Teeth, and call the Proteftants a Peijured People, nor England or Scotland Pviijiired Lands, Oft have we proved to them that their Caufe and Intereft requi-, . ^ red no lu.h thing : But all was but calling Oyl upon the Flames, and forcing us to ■ think of thatMonOer oi Millan, that made his Enemy renounce God to fave his Life, before he Ibbb'd him, that he might murder Soul and Body at a ftroke. \t Isemed to he accounted the one thing necelfary, which no Reafon mull be heard again/}, that the Presbyterians mull be forced to do that which they accounted Publick Perjury, or to be call out of Trull and Office, in Church and Common-wealtii. 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 Adors,

§ 27S. When the Ad: of Uniformity was pafled, 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 cad out: (This fatal Day called to remembrance the ^ Or J^ycnch Maflacre, when on the lame Day * 50000 or 40000 Protellants perilhed by iooooo,as Religious Roman Zeal and CharityJ. I had no place,butonly that I preached twice Fet.Moutin a Week by Kequeil in other Men's Congregations fat Mtlhjtreet and Blackfrtars ), witliin'a'' ^"*^ the la(l Sermon that ever I preached in Publick was on May 2j, The Rea-few weeks.'^^ why I gave over Ibpner than moll others was, i, Becaule Lawyers did interpret a doubtful Claule in the Ad, as ending the Liberty of Led:urers at that time. 2. Btcaule I would let Authority foon know, that I intended to obey them in all that was lawlul. ;. Becaule I would let all Minifters in England underlland io time, whether I intended to Conform or not: For had I ftayed to the laft" day, lome would have Contormed the Iboner, upon a Suppofition that I intended it. Thcle, with otiier Realons, moved me to ceafe three Months before Bar-fbolomew-dtty^ which many cenlured me for a while, but after, better law the Reasons of it,

§ 279,

Part II. R^'ufreWAfr. Richard Baxter. 385

§ 279. When Bartholomew-day camQ, about One thoufand eight hundred or Two thoufind Miniflcrs were Silenced and Call out: And the Affedions of molt Men thereupon were fiich as made me fear it was a Prognoflick of our further SulTer-ings: For when Paftors and People fliould have been humbled for their Sins^ and lamented their lormer Negligence and Unfruitfulnels, moft of chem were filled with Difd-iin and Indignation againit the Ptelates^and were ready with Confidence to (ay, [ God will not long fufFer lb wicked and cruel a Generation of Men : Ic will be but a little while till God will pull them down ] : And thus Men were puft up by other Mens finfulnels, and kept from a kindly humbling of (henifelves.

§ 280. And now came in the great Inundation of Calamities, which in many Streams overwhelmed Thouiands of godly Chriltians, together with their Pallors. As for Example, i. Hundreds of able MiniHers, with their Wives and Children, had neither Houfe nor Bread : For their former Maintenance liived them but fot the time, and itw of them laid up any thing for the future : For many of them had not pad ;o or 40 /. per Annum apiece, and mofl: but about 60 or 80 /. fer Annum, and very izvj above 100/. and few had any confiderableEftatesof their own. 2. The Peoples Poverty was fo great, that they were not able much to relieve their Miniffers. ;. The Jealoufie of the State, and the Malice of their Eiistnies were lb great, that People that were willing tlurft not be known to gi7e to their ejected Pallors, leaff it fliould be faid that they maintained SchiHii, or were making Collodions for fome Plot or Infurredion. 4. The Hearts of the People were grieved for the lots of their Pallors, j. Many places had luch fee over them in their lleads^as they could not with Confcience or Comfort commit the ConduA of their Souls to. And they were forced to own all thele, and all others that were thrult upon them againlf their Wills, and to own alio the undilciplined Churches, by receiving the Sacrament in their feveral Parilhes whether they would or not. 6ThoIe that did not this were to be Excommunicated, and then to have a Writ lUed oac againft them de Excommunicat 10 capiendo, to lay them in the Jail, and leizc on their Elfates. 7. The People were hereupon unavoidably divided among themlelves:' For fome would have nothing to do with thefeimpofed Paftors, but would i;i private attend their former Pallors only : Others would do both, and take all that they thought good of both: Some would only hear the Publick Sermons: Others would alio go to Common Prayer where the Minilfer was tolerable : Some would joyn in the Sacrament with them, where the Minifler was honeft, and others would nor. And tliis Divilion they long forelaw, but could not poffibly prevent. 8. And the MiniHers themlelvcs were thus alio divided, who belore leemed all one ; for Ibme would go to Churchjto Common Prayer,fo Sacrament5,and others would not:Som3 of them thought that it was their DiKy 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 b.'.nillisd : Others thought that a continued Endeavour to benefit their People priv.uely, would be more ferviceable to the Church, than one or two Sermons and a Jail, at luch a time, when the Multitudes of Sufferers, and the odious Titles put upon them oblcured and clogd the benefit of Suffering?. And (ome thought that the Covenant bound all to feparate from Common Prayer, and Prelates, and Parilh Communion : And others thought that it rather bound ihem to this Communion and Worlhip in cafe they could have no bitter: and that to teach from Houf^e to Houfe in private, and bring the People to attend in publick, was the molt righteous and edifying way, where the impofed Minilfer was tolerable. 9. Hereupon thole Minilters that would noii ceale preaching weie thrult into Prifons, and Cenfured (fomeof them ) the relt that did not do as they. 10. The relt that preached only fecretly to a few, were lookt on as dilcontented and dilafTetSted to the Government, and on every rumour of a new Plot or Coa-fpiracy, taken up, and many of them laid in Prilon. ri. The Prelatilts and they were hereby let at a further diltance, and Charity more deltroyed, and Reconciliation made more hopelels, and almoft any thine believed that was laid againft a Nonconformilt. 12. The Conforming Part of the Old Miniftry , was alio divided from the reft, and Cenfures let them further at adiftance: (But yet where lerious Godlinels appeared, it kept up Ibms Charity and Refpeft, and united them in the mainj. All thefe Calamities brought another j i;. That the People were tempted to murmur at their Sii[>eriours, and call them cruel Perfecutors, and le-cretly rejoyce if any hurt befel them , and many forgot that they are to Honour their Governours, even when they fulTer by them, and not only to forbear evi! Thoughts and Words againit them, but to endeavour to keep up their Honour with their Subjeds. 14, By all thele Sins, thefe Murmurings and thele Violations.

D d d 6f

of the IntereO of the thurch and Caufe of Ghrift^the Latid was prepared for that further Inundation of Calamities (by War and Plague and Scarcity; which hath iince brought it near to Defoljtion.

§28r. It fell'out ens day in Mr. C4/<jwys Church at Aldertnanhnry, that the Preacher fiilsd, and the People delired Mr. CaUmyio preach: Which he did up-. oh confidence, that the A(5t did not extend to {iich an Occafional Sermon ( fome pdfoned'" ^-^^y^''^ had told him foj*. But for this he was fent to l^e-w^ate]z\\, where he ccn-Jan.i,. tinued in the Keeper's Lodgings, many daily flocking to vific him , till the Lord J^(52. and Bridgman (as is laidj had given it as his Judgment, That hv Sermon ivas not ■withm rclealed ^^^^ Penalty of the AB. And O what infulting there was by that Party, in the News-jM.ii,. JjqqJ^^ 21^ j — jj^gjj. £)ifcou;les, 7hat Calamy that-would not he a Btflwp wcu tn Jail! And when his Sermon was printed, an Invedive againft him cams cut, in Language like an Inquifitor, that fhewed a vehement thirlt for Blood. But frecmts in the ftgbt of the Lord, « the Blood cf hu 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. Albam, Mr. Partrtdge the ejeded Minifter, being defired to preach a Funeral Sermon, a Captain or Lieutenant came in with his Piftol charged, and /hot one of the hearers dead , and the Preacher was fent to Prilbn.

§ 283. There were many Citizens of io»(/ow, who had then a great Com pa flion on the Minilfers, 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 (houVJ help the Miniflers of that County : But they durft not do it, lefl it were judged a Gonfpiracy : Wherefore I went for thim to the Lord Chancel-lour, and cold him plainly of it, that Compaffion moved them, but the Sufpicions of thefe Diftempered Times deterred them, and I defired-to have his Lordfhip's Judgment, Whether they might venture to be lb charitable without mifinterpreta-tionor danger? And he anfvvered, [_Aje. God ferhtd but Men jljouldgfve their own according as their Charity kads them]. And fo having his preconfent, 1 gave it thera for Encouragement. But they would not believe that it was Cordial, and would be anv Security to them, and fo they never durft venture upon fuch a Method which might have nude their Charity effedual; 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 Conformifts and Nonconformifis in England at this time.

I. The Conformifls were of three forts:

1. Some of the old Minifters called Tresbyterims formerly, that Conformed at Bartholomew Tide, or after, who had been in poffeffion before the King came in : Thefe were alfo of fcveral forts: fbme of them were very able worthy Men , who Conformed and Subfcribed upon this Inducement, thit the Bifhop bid them [ Do it in their own Jincel: And fo they Subfcribed to the Parliament's words, and put their own fence upon them only by word of mouth, or in fome by-p^per. Some of them read Mr. Fullwood'i :inA Stilemans Books, and could net anf*er tiiem, and therefore Conformed : For no Man ventured to put forth a. full and (atiifadory

"Anfwer to them for fear of ruinc (Though Ibmewhat was written before by Mr. Crofton , and after by Mr Cawdry and others): Some were young raw Men that were never ver.fed in fuch kind of Controverfies : Some were perfwaded 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 fmall. Some had Wives and Children and Poverty, which were great Temptations to them: And moft that I knew, when once they inclined to Conformity, did avoid theCompany of their Brethren, and never askt them'what their Reafons were againft Conformity.

2. A (econd fort of Conformifts were thole called Latitudtnarians, who were moftiy Ca;hhridgc-mtn, Tlatonifs or Cartc/ians, and many of them Armmans with fome Additions, having more charitable Thoughts than others of the Salvation of Heathens and Infidels, and fome of them holding the Opinions oiOngen, about the Prsexinence of Snuls, &c. Thefe were ingenious Men and Scholars, and of Uni-yerfal Principles, and free ; abhorring at firft the Impo/ittono( thefe little things,but tViinking them not great enough to ftick at when Impoled. Of thefe, fome (with pr A/ooret^eir'Ltfadcr') lived privately in Colledges, and loughc not any Preferment in'the'World : and others fet themfclves to rife.

Thefe

Thefe two forementioned Parties were laudable Preachers, and weic the honour ot' (he Conformilts, though not heartily theirs, and their profitable Preaching if uled by God's Providence, to keep up the Publick Interelt of Reh'gion, and retrelTj the diicerning ibrt of Auditors.

5. The third (brt of Conformifis, was oithoCe thu wcte heartil/fuch throughout: And thele were alio of three forts ; i. Thole that were zealous tor the Diocefan Party and the Caufe,and defirous to extirpate or deftroy che Noiiconforniif{s: And thele were fuppofed to be the high and fwaying Party. 2. Thole that were zealous for the Party and the Cau/e materially ; but yet were more moderate ( in their private wirties) tothe Nonconformills, and did profels themlelves that they could not Subfcribe and Declare, if they did not put a more favourable fence on che words than that which the Nonconformills fuppofed to be che plain fence. j.Thofs that were raw, or ignorant Readers, or unlearned Men , or fenfual, fcandalous Ones, who would be hot for any thing by which they might rife or be maintained. . ,

This Compoficion made up the Body of the Conformifis in this Land, and all this Difference there was among them.

II. (§ 28 J.) The Nonconformifts alfo were of divers forts. i.There were fomd few ( ot my Acquaintance ) who were for the old Conformity; for Bilhops, Common Prayer Book, Ceremonies, and the old Sublcription, a^fl againft the impofing and taking of the Covenant, ("which they never took) and againil the Parliaments Wars: But they could not Subfcribe that they Jffevt and Cunjint to all things now impoled j nor could they Abfolve all others in the three Kingdoms from being obliged by the Vow and Covenant to endeavour Church Reformacionjthough they would not have had them take the Vow.

2. A greater Number of the Nonconformifts, or Reconcilers, of no Se<fl or Party, but abhorring the very Name of Parties j who like Ignatius'^ Epifcopacy , but not the Engltjh Diocefan Frame : and like what is good in Epilcopal, Presbyterians, or Independents; but rejed: fomewhat as evil in them all; being of the Judgment which I have delcribed my feh to be in the beginning of this Book : that can endure a Liturgy, and like not the Impofidon of the Covenant; but cannot Affent and Conlcnt to all things required in the Ad, nor Abfolve three Kingdoms trom all Obligation by their Vows, to endeavour in their Places the alteration of the Em^ A]?; Diocefan Form of Government: Though they doubt not but Sedition and Rebellion Ihould be abhorred of all, whether tor Reformation or any other Pretence.

5. A third fort oF Nonconformifts are the Presl/yteriatis,whoie Judgment is fore-delcribed, and manifefted in their Writings to all the World. Of thefe two lall forts f if 1 be not taken for a partial Witnels j are the fobereft, and moft judicious, unanimous, peaceable, faithful, able, conftant Miniiters in this Land, or thac I have heard or read of, in the Chriftian World 1 Which I am able to fay, I Ipeak without refpedt of Perfons, in Obedience to my Conlcience, upon my long Experience.

4. The fourth fort are the Independents, who are for the moft part a ferious godly People, fome of them moderate, going with Mr. Norton and the Ne-w-EnglanJ bynod, and little differing from the moderate Presbyterians, and as well ordered as any Party that I know : But others of them, more raw, and (elf-conceited, and addicted to Separations and Divjfions, their Zeal being greater than their Knowledge ; who have opened the Door to Anabaftijh tirll, and then to all the other Sefts.

Thefe Sects are numerous, Ibme tolerable, and fbme intolerable, arid being never incorporated with the reft, are nor to be reckoned with them. Many of them ( the Behmenifls, Ftfth-Monarchy-men, Quakers, and fbme Anabapttfis) are proper Fa-haticks, looking too much to Revelations within, inftead of the Holy Scriptures. And thus 1 have truly told you of all the Sorts among us, except the Papifis, who are llifficiencly known, and arc no more of us chan che other Seds are. Tho Atheifts and Inlidels I name not, becaufe as juch, they have no Paftor?.

§286. Next it will not be amils if I biietiy give you the Sum of their feverat Caules, and the Rcafons of their leveral Ways.

I. The Ccnformifts go feveral Ways, according to their forementioned Diffe-

fcnces-

D d d 2 I. Tho^

1. Thofe that are high Prelatifts (ay, r. For Epifcopacy, it is of Divine Inftituti-on, and perpetual Ufage in the Church, and neceiTary to Order among the Clergy and People, and of experienced Benefit to this Land,and moft congruous to Civil Monarchy ; and therefore not to be altered by any ; no not by the King and Parliament, if they Ihould fwear it: Therefore the Oath called the Et catera Oath was formed before the War, to Swear all Men to be true to this Prelacy, and not to Change ir,

2. Thofe that are called Conforming Presbyterians, and Latitudinarians, both fay that our Prelacy is lawful., though not neceflary j and that Mr. Ediv.nd Sttl-lingfieet's Iremcon 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 ibr the Prelacy.

§287. And therefore as to the Covenant, they all lay, 1. That the End of it was Evil, i;ix,. To Change the Government of the Church, without Law, which was fitled by Law, 2. That the Efficient Caufe was Evil or Null, 'viz,. That the Impofers had no Authority to do it. ;. That the Matter was Evil, viz^. to extirpate, and change the Government of the Church by Rebellion and Combination a-gainft the King. 4. That the Swearers Act in taking it was finful, for the forefaid Realbns. j. That the King's Prohibition and difowning it did nuUitie all the Sub-jads Obligations'^ if any were upon them, by virtue of Numb. 30. 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 another. 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 Coronation Oath. I o. That to caft fo many Men as the Bifhops out of all their Honours and Poffeflions, is Injuftice, which none can be obliged to do. 11. 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 againlt it. Thefe are Mr. Fulwood's and Mr. Stilemani 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 foUoweth : i. That the Declaration includeth not the Kmg , when it (aith, {There ts no obligation on me or any other person ]: which they prove, becaufe that I,aws are made only for Subjeds, and therefore are to be interpreted asipeak-ing only of Subje<Ss. 2. Becaufe the King is meant in the Counterpart,or Objeft, •ly;;::.. 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"]. 5. They fay that by £ any Alteration'] is meant only [ any Ejjemial 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 effenrially a League, between two Nations upon a certain occafion^which therefore (if ever it did bind ) is now like an Almanack out of date, Et cejjat obligatio ceffantibm perfunis, materui & fine. j. They principally argue that all Mens words are to b: taken chantative, in the moft honelf and favourable fence that they will bear : much more the King's and Parliament's: The.'-efore Charity permitteth us not to jidge them fo inhuman, irrational, irreligious, and cruel , as to command Men to be perjured, and to change the conflituted Government, by prohibiting King, Parliament, or People, to do anv thing which belonged to them in their places. Thefe are the Realbns for the lawfulnefs of declaring againlt the Obligation of the Covenant.

§ 289. 5. In the fame Declaration it is profcfTed, That [if is not lawful, on any pretence whatfofver, to take up Arms agamjl the King, or any Cotnmtffienated by him J &c. Coaccrning this, they are alio divided among themfelves. One Party lay, That this is tnie univerfally in the proper fence of the words. The other lay, That it is to be undsrftood of fuch as are legally Commtfftoned by hia> only j and that if he ihould Commiflion two or three Men, or more, to kill the Parliament, orburnthe City, or to difpolfels Men of their Freeholds, it were lawful forcibly to refilt. Or if the Sheriff be to raife the ?oj]e Comitatm in obedience to a Decree of a Court of Juflice, to piit a Man into pofTeffion of his I loufe, he m.iy do it forcibly, though the Defendant be Commiflioned by the King to keep it. Becaufe they lay that the Law is to be taken fano Jenfu,Ani.\ not as may lay the Law-givers under fo heavy an Accufa-tion, as the literal unlimited Icncs would do.

§290.

, § 29c. 4. The fourth Matter of Difference, htingiht O.nh of Canonical Obcdimce, they here alio differ among themfelves. i. Some ot them think that as the NeceP fity of Monarchy and our Relation to the King, doth make the Oath of AHegi--ance neceflary, or very meet, fo the Neceffity of Prelacy and our Relation to the Prelates, doth make the Oath of Obedience to them I'uftinable and meet: For that which mufi be done, may be promiled and fworn. 2. Others of them (ay. That it is only to the Bilhops as Magiftrates, or Officers of the King, that we I'wear to them. 3. And others fay, That as we may be fubjeft to any Man, in huniili-ty, (b we may promife or fwear it to any Man. And it being but in licitu & bone-fits, that what we may lawfully do, we may fwear to dc.

§ 291. f. The fifth Controverfie is about Re-ordinatton of fuch as were not Ordained by Diocefans, but by the Presbyteries which then were (at home or abroad) And here they are alfoof two minds among themfeives. The one fort fiy, That Ordination without Diocefans is a Nullity, and thof^ that are lb Ordained, are no Miniffers but Laymen ; and therefore their Churches, no true Churches { m fenju folttico ) ; And therefore that fuch muff needs be Re-ordained. The other fort fay. That their Ordination was valid before m foro Jpiritmh ; but not mforo cmili^ and that the repeating ofic, is but an afcertaining or a conhrming Ad, as publick Marrying again would be, afrer one is privately married, in cafe the Law would ba-ftardizs or dillnherit his Children elfe, "? "o

§ 292. 6. The fixth Controverfie is about the lawfulpefs of the ^Jfent and Conr fent to be declared, which is to all contained in the Book of Articles, the Book oi Ordination, and the Book of Common Prayer. Thefe comprehend abundance of Particulars; Ibme Dodrinal, fbme about the Offices and Difcipline of the Church, and Ibme about the Matter, the Order and Manner, and Ceremonies of Worihip. Here they are alfo divided among themfeives: fome few of them taka the words plainly and properly, ( viz„ the willing Conformifts) and think that indeed there is nothing in thefe Books which is not to be affented and confented to ; And indeed all the Convocation muft needs be of that mind (or the Major part ) and alfb the Parliament) ; becaufe they had the Books before them to b; perufed, and did examine the Liturgy and Book of Ordination, and make great Alterations in them, and therefore if rliey 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 numerous, that I could yet never fpeak with any of them, but went that way,-z;;t,. with the Latitudinarians to expound the v/ords [ all things contained in the Booki'] which they affent and confi:nt to \_All things which they are to tije ] ; and their [ Jj/ent and Confent '\ they limit only to the uje: q. d. [1 do affent, that there is nothing m thefe Books which tnny not lav^fuHf he ujed, and I do confent to the uje of [0 much as belongeth to we] : Though yet they think ( or will not deny but) that there may be fbme-ihing that may be ill framed and ill impoftd : The reafon of this Expofition they fetch from the word [«/<;] which is founcl after in the Ad of Uniformity, though it be not in the words ot the Delaration. knd for the Books, they fay. It is lawful 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 ufsd, and therefore to declare lb much.

§293. More particularly, i. Concerning the Kalendar impofing the ufe of lb m^ny Apocryphal Leffons, they fay that they are read but upon Week-days, and that not as Scripture, but as edifying Leffons, as the Homilies are j and as many Churches have long ufed thetn. And that the Church fufhciently avoideth the Scandal by calling them Apocrypha.

$ 194. And 2. for the parcelling and ordering of the Prayers and Relponles as they are, fome of them fay that it is the beff Form and Order, and it's only Fancy and Errour which mifliketh them : Others fay that they are diforderly indeed , but that is not the Sin of the JJfers ( when they are impofed ) but of the Framers and Impofcrs.

§29^. And 3 as for the Dodrine of the Salvation of Baptized Infants in the Kubrick of Baptifin, and all the reft in that Book, and in the Nine and thirty Articles, fome of them lay that they are all fbund {tJiz,. the willing Conformilfs) but the unwilling Conformifts fay that thefe are not things to h^ufedhy them,and therefoie not within the Compafs of the declared Jjjent or Confent in the Ad.

§ 296. And 4. as to the Charitable Applications excepted againft in Baptifin, ConfiiTnation, the Lord's Supper, Abfolution of the Sick and Burial, they iay they are but (uch as according to the Judgment of Charity we may ulc : And if there be any fault, it is not in the Common Prayer Book, which u(eth but fuch words as are fit to be u(ed by the Members of (he Church : but it is in the Canons and Difcipline of the Church, which I'uffereth untie Perlons to be Chuich-Menibers.

§ 297. And J. as for the Ceremonies, they fay, i. That Kneeling is freed from all fufpicion of Idolatry, by the annexing of the Rubrick out of King Edward the Sixth's Common Prayer Book : which though the Convocation refufed, yet the Parliament annexed ; and they are the Impolers, and it is their fence that we muil ftand to. And as it is lawful to Kneel in accepting a fealed Pardon from the King, by his MefTenger, lb is it in accepting a fealed Pardon from God, with the Inve-ftiture of our Priviledges.

§ 298. And 2. they fay that the Surplice is as lawful as a Gown, it being not impofed primarily becaulb fignificant, but becaule decent, and lecondarily as Jigni-ficant ( lay (bme ) : Or as others (ay, It is the better and fitter to be impoled, be-caufe it is fignificant: and that God hath no where forbidden fuch Ceremonies.

§ 259. And ;. for the Crols in Baptifm, they fay that it is no part of the Sacra• ment of Baptifm, but an appendant Ceremony : that it is the better for being fignificant : that it is but a tranfient Image, and not & fixed, much lels a graven Image ; and is not adored : that it is but a frofefmgfign, as words are, or as Handing up, or holding up the hand ; and not any Seal of God's part of the Covenant j and though it be called in the Canons a Dedicating Sign, it is but as it fignifieth the A-d:ion of the Perfin or the Church, and not as it fignifieth the Adion of God receiving the dedicated Perfon: And (bme fay. That it cannot be de denied but that according to the old and common ufe of the word [Sacrament] as a Military Engagement, 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 Chrtji himfelf] : And though Man may not invent New Sacraments, as God's lealing or invelHng Signs, and (b pretend that to be Divino which is not; yet man may invent New Human Sacraments, which go no further than the fignifying of their own Minds and Adions.And they fay,That if fuch my-ftical Signs as thele had been unlawful, it is a thing incredible that the Univerlal Church Ihould ufe fuch, as far as can be found, from the Apoflles days; even the Milk and Honey and Chrylin and White Garment at Eaptilm, and the Station on the Lord's Days, and the oft ufe of the Crofs j and tliat Chrilt fiiould have no one Wimefs that would ever Icrupleor contradiift them, either among the Orthodox, or the Hereticks, as far as any Records of Antiquity do make known.

§ 300. 7. The feventh Controverfie is about their own practice in Adminiftrati-onsand Church Difcipline. And i. that they mud Minilierially deny the Sacrament of Baptifm, to all Children, whofe Parents will not have them ule the Crols, they lay that it is che 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 tliat it is better to Adminiller the Sacraments to fome, than to none at all ! which they mud do if they refule not them that kneel not. 5 And for the giving of the Sacraments of Baptifm and the Lord's Supper to the unworthy ffor ail are forced to ule them) they fiy, that the Infants of all in the Church have right to Baptifm, at leaft for their Anceltor's lake, and for the Godfathers and Godmothers, or the Churches lake: 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 Conformifls fay for themfelves (as faithfully as will Ifand with brevity) before I proceed, I think it beff to let down here the words, I. Of the Covenant; 2. Of the Subfcription and Declaration; 3. Of the Oaihof Canonical Obedience, before your Eyes ; that while the Subjeft of the Co:itroverrie is before you, the Controverfie it fcif maybe the better underftpod. And I fuppofe the Reader to have all the Books before him to which we are required to Alfenr.

The

P A d T II. Kev(:Kemi Mr^ S^iqha^rd Baxter. ^^,i

The Soleain League and Covehant;."''

We Boblemcn, 15310110, r%m5i)t0, <Sentlemen,'Citijens,'T;ut:= nieiTc0, J9tniaEt0 of tjje ^ofpci, ana Commons ot aU im^ m tljC aAtmXUoms of Scotland England, anD lid.^i d, tiP tijC j^^p.-

Dinence of *J5on \m\\\s uuncv one iunff> ana Ociiigiof one Eituraico ja«--ligion, (jaumg t>cfo?c oucCpeis tIjc ^Io?pof <JDO"o,anli tIjc ^iQiianceiuntt of tf)? i^tnauom of our 1o?d anu isniijiouc Jcfus €.\)M, mmnmt am jpjippincf? of tlje t^fnr^ ^aicttP, anD Ijijs i^oaa-m>,anotfjniiteip/u&' lick libEctP, SiafctP, ann \^zuz of tIjc l^insnams, vuijcmu tUiv^msi p?tijate Condition \% incluocn: Sno caUing to minotljc titacO-TDugauD ftloocvl^ioto, Coufpiracics, attcusptis ann ii)?aftifc0 of tijt' eneiM^js of c^oBagauift x\)z trueEeiigion auB v^?ofciro?Q t5ef0ofin"plac£0-,£fp^« ciallp in tOcfc tOJceJl%inpom0 tMtx, fincc t&ei^efo^matia|i iif Eicagij^n, antJ boto mucf) tDeir Eap. li^oiucr, anti l^Kfumption arc of late, attH at t{)t0 time increafcn anti ececcifcD, iujjcieof tljs ncplo^afcie ^sttate of t^e Cturclj antJjKingQom of iieiand, tljc Dtfticficrj caatc of t&e ctjurrtj and fiimgtiom of England, ann tOe Danpcous effatc of tljg COurcij aim JiiingBoui of Scotland, atc p^cfcttt anD pulUick Ccttimoimst (lOg tiate itoU) at lafl (aftet otijcc rnean^ of Supplication, Ecmoit&raiitCj j^io-tellation0 ann ©uffctmjy^) foi iDe p?cfcruattou of oiic fclUes anu our IBleltffion ftom utterEuineannDcftrurtion, acco^tiniatfltljccoinmeir-tiaWc p^1rticE of tljefe i^iniyDome in former times , anu tlje Ciampte of »©o5'0 li)eople in otljer Bationg.after mature Deiitieration, ccfoluen anu nctermineri to enter into a $?5utual ann solemn Leairuc ann couc--nant: tOOereinioe ail^ulifcriUe, anneacij one of u0 fo^ ijimfclt, uiitfj our ipanns liften up to tfjcmoft ijiglj *©on, no fiuear:

I. -Ytf^iW^y^WiiwtzttW, reaUD ann conttantf)?, t{j?au5i) tfje <Qinu i of »iDon, enncauaur \\\ our feneral teiaces ann CaliuuTS, tlje p2e--fcrliation of tije 3R?fo?men Eeligjon in tljc Cljtticlj of s^riand, m'u5Q-ctrine, ano^fljip, Difcipiine ann eol'crnment, aQauift our Common >&--neuues: Ci)e Eefo?mat!on of EcliiTion in tlje iaini\nom3 of En-^Und ann Ireland, inDortrine, £Oo?n)ip, Difcipiincann<i?onErnmcnt acco^n= im to tl)e ©Lloin of 0on, ann tlje example of tOe iiefr E£fu^menct}ac-' cl)e0. ann fftallennea^our to Wm tl)e CfjurcJjgg of (Son in tlje tl^icz fi^iugnoms, to tlje neareff CcnMuiftton ann vHnifo^uiitp m Ecligtcnj Confeffion ofiFaitO, jfoim of Cfjurclj (So^crnment, "Ditiam fc? ©Ilo^ftjip ann Catcclji^ing, Ctnt toe ann our li)oKcrit)> after us, mat?, as 'Bicto^en, line in jfaitij ann iioite, t&e lojn map ntiigljt to nuicil ui tijeminiiofus ....' :■ . , if,ij

2. ciiat toe fijall in like wanner, luitljout refpcit of perfons, ennca-Uouc tije ertirpattcn ot pcpci-p,?3?clacp (tbatis.Cijutxij'C'OiJtrnment ijp 2rc!jbifijops,'B'fl3ops, t()eir CljraiceKois ann Commiflancf,s£)ians, Deans ann Cljaptcrs, arcl)=ncacons, aunrm otijcr Ccciefiaftteal Dffi--cers nepenniniy on tljat ipigtatcl);)) @)upcrrfitii:in, sijerefic, S)C!3iun, ^i^^c= pl)anenefs, anntuljatfoci^n-njaiitcfoimnto 'oc cohtraci' to founn Do-ttrine ann tljc potucr of ©oniiuffs, Icir >ye partake ut ati)er mens im0> ann tljetebp be in nanger to vecei'oe ot tljeir plareues: Sinn tljat tljc Loan

•;niap be one, ann Ijis Ji^ame one in tlje tfj^eemfnExnoms.

^- ?. eae fljiill tuit!) tbe fame fmceritp, rcniitP aim cdnifar»cp in our ft' tjcral eiocdtions,'cnneatiour toitb our cnates an.n JLities, mutuai()> to p^cfecliEtljciaiotts ann Pntiilenges af tljc^'i)aillaments, ann iiur hh Ijrrttes of tlje iaiuffDoms, ann to preferue annncfenntljc i.\inn;'s^a/e= ftics-l^erfou ann QutljoJitP, in tf)e picferuation ann Defence of tljctcuc Eetigton ann JLiberticsof t^e l^inffOoma t Cijat tije. wojin map bear iDltncfs tuitl) our ConfcicnceS of our Lopaltp, ann tljat lue fjabe no tljousljts 02 intention0 to niminiflj ijis ^ajcftics nitt poUJer ann (Jpieat-

^nef0

Si

392 ----- 1 he L I F E oj the Lib.],

4. mz fljall nffo toiti) nil faitljfuliicfs cntcniiottt tlic Dtfcouerp of all fuel) 30 Ijnue liecn, o? fljail be jnccnniaricjs, a^aliiTuantjj, o^. £\)il 3,niTiu* tiientG, lip!3inH2in0tljc Eefomiatiou of Eclujioii, tiiDiniiifl; tije £^tnc; ftom ijis l?£oplc, 0? one of tl)cli\inijtionijQ from anotijci-j o? making a--np jfaition, oz l^autics, nnionga tljc l3eople canti:ai]> to tiifsj JLeaguc anD CoDcnaiit, Cljat tljev nuip ht b^oiicljt to pubitck <£ria!, ano te-celUc Consign ll?iin(fl3Utcnt, a^ tljc Degree ofti^elc OfTencess fljall re= quire o?tieferoe,oui)c^up2cam3utiicatoJic0 of botij C^ingnoms rcfpe-aiuel)), 0? otDerjs Ijauing pbiuer troin tfjem fo^ tfjat cffciT, ft)rtll juugc comjenicnt.

s. $lnu U)ftcrca0 tljc Ijappiwefs of a bleflcD Peace betlweeu tfjefe Jl^mg-Uoms, Dcnico in former times to our progenitors, is 1)P tbe gooU p?0' Dioence of oDoti grantcnunto us, antiftatljbecn latlelj' concUitJen, auD fetleD bp botl) parliaments, mt fljall caclj one of us, atcormng to out place auD intereft, cnoeaDour tljat tlje)) map remain conjo^jneH in a firm peace ann Onion to all pofteriti' ; an'D tljat juftice map be Done upon tOe trniful ©ppofer^s tljereof, in manner expreffcD in tlje prcccDent ai* tide.

6. mt fljall alfo nccorntug to our places anU Callings,in tlji'^ cotn^ mon caufeef Ecligion, jLibcrtP, anti peace of tljc Unigooms, alfitt ann tefenn all djofc tljat enter iiito tljis League ann Covenant, in tljc maintaining ann purfuing tljereof i 9nti fljall not fuffer our fclljes Hi= reitlp 0? inotrectli', bp uiijatfocber Combination^pctfuinfion orcecrour, to bcDibineti anb luitljBraiun frumtljis blefieD Onion ann Connmttion, tbljctljcr to maUe nefcition to tlje contrarj> part, 02 to giUe our felbejs to a neteffablc innifferencp, o?neutralitpintljis Catifc, uiijiclj 10 muclj concernctlj tljc qpIo?p of *55on,tlje >©oon of tlje laingnoms, ann iponour of tljc £\ingi 03ut fljall all tljenaps of our LiUes ?ealouflp ann coii-ftantlp continue tljercin, againft all fDppofition, ann promote tlje fame acco2tiing to our poU)er,againfl all lets ann jmpcnimcnrs luljatfoeier; gnn tljat luearc not able our fclDcs to fupp2cfs or oDcrccme, xm fljall rebeai ann make knoicn, tljat it map be timeip prtbenten or remoijen x m toljicb Use fljall no as in tljc figljt of «5pon.

3nnbfcaufetljcfc lf\ini\noms are auiltpofmaup %\m ann Proboca* tions againft »iDon, ann Ijis ^011 licfus Cljrift, as is too mamfeft bp our P2cfcnt Dtflreflcs ann Dangers, tlje fruits tljereof, Cclle profefjS ann ncciarc before v^&on ann tfje iao2in, our unftignen nifuc to ht ljum= blenforout oiun ^insannfo2tljc ^ms of tijefe LAingnoms, efpecialip tljat U)c Ijabc not, as lue ougljt, balucn tljc incfiimablc benefit of tljc <^olpel, tljat U)c Ijabc not labourcn for tljc puritp ann pouier tljereof, ann tljat uic ijabc not enncabouren to reccibc cLbrift in our Ijearts, no? to umlk luortbP of Ijim in our libcs,Uiljiclj are tlje Caufes of otljet ^inss ann tEranfirrelTions fo mucb abounning amongft us, Cinn our true ann unfcigncn purpofc, ncfirc, ann enncaoour for our fclbcs, ann all orljerjs unncr'our poluer anncljarge,botlj in publick ann in pribate,in all DutiesJ toe owe to ©on ann i?9an, to amenn our lines, ann eadj one to go be* f02e nnotljcr in tljc erampic of a real Reformation v ^ijar tljc Lorn map turn aiuap bis 2:Uratlj,ann ijeabP Jnnignation,ann eftabliflj tljcfe crijur= cbcs ann lAingnoms in Crutb ann Peace, ann tljis Cobenant toe make in t!)e pjcfrncc of aimlgljtp t&on,tljc ^earcljer of all ljearts,toitlj a true intention to perform tbe fame, as idc fljali anfiuer at tljat great Dap toljen tljc secrets of all Ijcarts fljall be nifclofeOi ^' ft ijumblp befeecft-' ing tl)c Loin to ftrcngtljcn us bp bis Ipoip g)Uirit for tins cnti, ann ta Wefs ^W": Dcftrrs ann procccningsuutb fucb «£^ucccfs, as map be Deli-l3cruncc ann giafctp to bis people, ann cncomagement to otijer Cljri-ftian eijurcljcs irroaning unner, or in nangcr of tbe Poke of anticijri--ftian CPrannP to io>'n in tlje fame, or like afl"ociation ann Cobenant, to tlje V53102P of c5in,tlje jniargemcnt 01 tbc £>ingnom of Jefus Cljrift, aim tbe peace ann crannuilitp of CbriftianlUngnomsi ann Commoii-lucaltijss.

The

The Oath and Declaration impofed upon the Lay-Conformijis in the Corporation AB^ the Vejlry AB, &:c. are as followeth :

The Oath to be taken.

IA. B. ^0 declare and believe, That it is not lawful upon any pretence "whatfoever, to take up Arms agamsi the Ktngy and that I do abhor that Traiterous Fofitton of taking ■ Arms by hts Authority again fl hts Ferfon, or against thofe that are CommiJJioned by him. So •'help me God.

The Declaration to be Subfcribed.

I A. B. do declare, That 1 h(dd there lyes no Obligation upon me.^ or any ct her Terfon , from the Oath commonly culled. The Solemn League and Covenant ; and that the fame was in it felf an unlawful Oath, and impojed upon the Subjeils iff 'this Realm agattsH the known Laws and Liberties of thii Kingdom.

All Veftry Men to make and Subfcribe the Declaration

following.

I A. B. do declare. That it k not lawful upon any pretence whatfocver, to take Arms againjt tbt King j and that I do abhor that Trait trous P oft ton of taking Arms by ha Auth:rity agatnii hu Ferfon, or againfl thoje that are Commiffioned by him ': And that I will Confirm to the Liturgy of the Church o/" England, as it is now by Law eftahlified^ And I do declare, That 1 do hold there lyes no Obligation upon me, or any other Per/on, from the Oath commonly called. The So\ mn IxA^aQzndCjOWtimnt, to indeavourany Change or Alteration of Government either in Chircb or State ; and that the fame was i» it felf an unlawfn' Oath, and tmpC Jed upon the Subjeils of this Realm againH the known Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom.

The Decoration: thus Prefaced in the Ad: of Uniformity ; \^ Every Minifler after fuch reading thereof (liall openly and publickly before the Congregation there af-

fembled, declare his unfeigned Ajjent and Confent to the ufe of all things in thefaid Book contained and preferibcd, in thefe words and no other.

IA. B. do here declare my unfeigned Affent and Confent to all and every thing contained and prefcribed in and by the Book, Intituled, The Book of Common Prayer and Admini-(hatton of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the ufe of the Church of England ; together with the Pfalter or Ffalms of David ; pointed as they are tobefung or faid in Churches^ and the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Confecrattng of Bifliops, Priefis 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-gainfl the King ; and that I do abhor that Traiterous Pojition of taking Arms by his Authority againil his Perfcii, or againft thoje that are Commijfionatcd by him ; and that I wilt Conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England as it is now by LavJ efiablifi)ed: And I do declare that I do hold there lyes ?;o Obligation upon me, or any other Perjon, from the Oath commonly called. The Solemn League and Covenant, to endeavour any Change or Alteration of Government, cither in Church or State ; and that the fame was tn It jdf an tmlairful Oath, and impojed upon the SubjeHsof this Realm, agamfl the known Laws and Libert its vf this Kingdom.

E e e The

1 he LIFE of the' '' -Lib.].

E

The Oath of Canonical Obedience.

Go A. B. Juro quod pra^abo Veram & Cano7ticam Obedicjitiam Epifcop Londinenfi ejufque Succejforibus in omntbus licitis, &,hovefiis.

■ ■ 7 3 .■.An oV. .U ^ - .

•''''* § 302. II. The Nonconformifls, who take not this Declaration, ba'th, Subfcrip-tion, &c. are of divers forts, fome being further diftant from Conformity than o-thers; fome thinking that (ome of the forementioned things are lawful, and fome that none of them are lawful; and all have not the fame Reafbns for their diffenr. But all are agreed that it is not lawful to do all that is required, and therefore they are all call out of the Exercife of the Sacred Miniftry, and forbidden to preach the Word of God.

§503. The Reafons commonly given by them are either, i. Againft the Impo-fing of the things forementioned ; or, 2. Againft the Ufmg of them being impofed. Thofe of the former fort were given into the King aod BiOiops before the Faffing of the Aft of Uniformity, and are laid down in the beginning of this Book ; and the Opportunity being now paft, the Nonconformifls now meddle not with that part of the Caufe, it having feemed good to their Superiours to go againft thetr Reafons. But this is worthy the noting by the way, that all that 1 can fpeak with of the Conforming Party, do now juftifie only the Vfing and Obeying, and not the Impofmg o'lthoiQ things with the Penalty by which they arelmpcled: From whence it is evident, that moft of their own Party do now juftifie our Caufe which we maintained at the Savoy, which was againft this Impofition ( whilft it might have been prevented), and for which fuch an intemperate Fury hath puriued me to this very day. 2. But it istheRealbns againft our full Obedience to the Impofition of this Conformity, which I am now to rehearfe : but I muft defirethe Reader to remember, that my bare Recital is no fign of my Approbation of all that I recite^though I be one of thofe that dare not Conform.

§ 504. And firft there are divers genera! Reafons which keep fome of them more than others from Conformity, and drive them further, even from joyning with them in Liturgy or Sacrament.

I. Some of them look upon the Principles and Lives of many of thofe who fall in with the eftablilTit Church, as furnilliing them with a lufficient Plea againft Conformity : For, fay they, it's eafie to obfervc how the Prophane and Vitious and Dcbaucht 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^f. and for oppreffing thofe who differ in their Sentiments from them about thele Matters.Now how (ay they, can we fafely joyn in with that Body of Men, that harbours fo many open Enemies to all Religion, as the prophane part of the Nation comprehends .' But fome who are moreconfiderate, reply. That this is no other than what is the ufual Attendant of a National Effablifimient; it being a common thing for all thole in a State, who are really of no Religion, in appearance to fall in with that Mode of Religion that is tavour'd by the Law , and moft encouraged by the Prince.

§ 505'. 2. The fame Perfons fiy. That by Conforming they fiiall o-wn and flrengtb-cn UJurpcn ; 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 themlelves 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 ielf

But the moderater Nonconformifts are not for thisRealbn; beoaufe,(ay they, it is hnt Counjd as it comech from the Con'vocation ; and ir is the King and Parliament that make a Law of it, whom we muft obey in lawful things. And they fay further, That we muft not forbear a Duty-, lor fear of Encouraging Men's Ufurpa-

tions.

§ 306. They fay alio, 3That thcfe Impofitions aiedoneby the Prelates in meer defign to root out godly Minidcrs and Chriftians : And that when they feared that tliC old Conformity would not Icrve turn, they have added fuch new Materials of fet purpole, which keep out a Thouland at leaft that would hare yielded to

the

P A R T II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter. '^^

the Old Conformicy ; And what chey aim at fuittier. wheri-fhefyJb|ve tbusdHven out all the able, faithful Miniders, God knoweth. But if we ktin^wiih t^em^aed life the very meins which they have fabiicated for tliis-vcry end, mj rfeittoy tbeIn-tereft of Godlinels, though the Act commandedjwei-eindiiTer^rv.vye are made guilty of their Sin. . .. ' : •'. . , .

But the moderate Nonconformi'fts fay. That fuch Re^fons astMfo'4re gaadjSe-conds where the Matter is firit proved evil : but i.Thac Mens De/z^K^ are lateht^n their hearts, and the ftronged CoRJsitStui'es will not lerv^ ihftead bt iProof. a. If that it were known to any one of us, not by the EvLdfyice of the thin§.but by.ibnpe other Difcovery, that a lavvful thing is Commanded, with a pernicious defign,. that -will not excuse us from our Obedience, unlefsitjx probable that: the Church, is like to be iaved from ruine, by our forbearance X0 ©bey : And we sTiay do the thing commanded without any participation of ihe Guilt of Mens private, maiici-ous Intentions. -; nib - ■ - - r''!:

§ 507. 4. Alfo they fay. That we have Covenanted to endeavour a Reformation, and hacl begun it, and therefore fhall be Covenant-breaiiers and fiickflidfirs, ii-we yield to any thing which was to be reformed. -; fiif! •' .i •• -inIi st.,;!'ialf.^

But here the more moderate have niAny Diftindions, between things unlawful and things only jaconvenient, and between thofe that have opportunity to do better, and thofe tliat have not, and between feldom Communion, and moil ordinary. And they fay that things unlawful muflnot be done, whetiier we have cijve-nanted againll them, or not: But for things only inexpedient 01 evil by a.fuperaWe iVecident, they become osr Duties, and no Covenant dilbbligeth us from our Duty : 9nd that the Covenant never was intended to oblige us to prefer no IVor^nf before that which is Acfeai've, but only to prefer t!ut wiiich is better before it; And f;hatit fnay be a duty to Cormnunicate fometime with a very faulty Church, in order to our Cathoiick Communion with the whole, fo be ir our ordinary partiailar (liommunion be in the purelt Church and Order (catens panhi/s) thar we can have. § ;o8. 5-. And another Reafon given is. That the Aggravation of the Sin of thefe Impolers is very great, that they have been Perfecutors heretofore, and feen antj felt God's Judgments for it, and have been convinced and intreated to return to Charity, and yet they have, with renewed Malice , let themfelves to the. debauching of the Confciences of the Kingdom, and to the exrirpition' of Natural Honefty, .ind have brandt^d all their Party with the Mark of Perjury, Perfidiuajne^, and Perfecutton, while they brand the Conlciencious with the Name of Pitrifans^ And therefore they are a Gineration ready for purJitim, and certainly ne.ir fome heavy Curie : And for us to joyn with them that are in the way to Wrath , ig the way to be partakers oj their Plagues. ; ,u.' , : ..■ :■■.'■.

But the moderate fay td.this, i. That the Extemtation as well as Che Aggra'oafion of their Sin mull be confidered : And that it mull be remsmbred, that among the Nonconformifls there is a Party of Sectaries, that Rebelled againfl all the Gover-nourstiiat were over them, and cut bfl the King's Head,when they had conquered thofe that are now againft them, in the Field, and lequeflred th$ir Eflates: And that fuch great Provocation may not only fublimate Malice where it findeth it, but greatly exalperate even temperate Men. 2. That it's true that we mult partake with no Men in their Sins,as ever we would elcape their Plagues : but when that which is the Impofers Sin, is become ihtSubjech Duty, God will not plague us with them for doing our Duties. ;. That it is dangerous toprefume toforetel on whom Got! will bring his Judgments in this Life, and toprefume that wearefafe, and they are near perdition; while all things come alike to all, and tlie differencing Day of Judgment is not yet come. Therefore it is dangerous on liich Propheiles, or Pre-fumptions, or l-ears to go out of the way of any Duty , or to avoid any lawful Communion with the Church.

§ 509. 6. Again it is laid, That thefe I>vpo/itwnsbs\ng the Engines of Divifion in the Church ( as Mr. i/^/cj himlelf affirmeth), we Ihall be partakers of the Schifms if we ufe them.

But the moderate fjy, That indeed if we partake in the Imfofition, we pjrtake in the Guilt of the Divi.fion caufed by it : But wlien they are Impofed, we may do thatwhich in it feU is lawful, without any confent to the Inipolition at alt: Yea, and that which as impofedtendeth to Divifion, may, upon luppotition thit it will be, and is impoledj be praftiled fbmetimes as the way to Unity, and toa-void Divifion.

T

§ ;io. 7. Laftly it is faid. That the NeceJJlty which is pretended for this Conformity, is none at all: For,i. As to a Neceffity of Communion with the Church Catholick, it requirech not Perfbnal, Local Communion with each particular Congregation ; but that at a diflance we own them fo far as they are to be owned. 2. And for the Efcapingof Punilhment from Men, there is no neceffity of ir, nor yet of our Perfonal Liberty to preach the GofjDeljWhen we cannot do it upon lawful Terms.

But to this the moderate Nonconformifts fay. That i our Catholick Comma-nion requireth that we in Judgment or Praftice feparate from no Church of Chrill which forceth us not to fin, but hold Communion with them as we have a Call and Opportunity. And that we muft not Icparate from one, upon a Caufe that [ is common to almoft all. 2. That though there be no Neceffity of our efcaping Perfecution, nor any abfolute Neceffity of our Perfonal Preaching, yet there is of tills laft an ordinate Hypothetical Neceffity laid upon us by God himfelf j and wo to us if we preach not when we may. So that you fee that thele general Reafons which fome Nonconformifts extend to all, the moderate allow only as Seconds a-gainfl thofe things which firft are proved unlawful.

§ 511. I. For the particular Controverfie about Diocefans : i. Some of the Nonconformifts are againft all Bifhops, as diftind: from Presbyters, by any other than a Temporary Prefidency or Moderatorfhip. But the molt of them of my Acquaintance are for the lawfulnels of Ibme ftated Epifcopacy j that is, that there be fixed Trefidtnts or BiJJwps in every particular Church they take to be lawful, as of Humane Conftitution and Eccleliallical Cuftom,contrary to no Law of God. 2.That there be more general Overieers of many of thele Biihops and Churches, as the A-poftleswere ('though without their extraordinary Call and Priviledges) they thiak alfb lawful, if not in fome fort of Divine Inftitution : i. Becaufe Church-Government being an ordinary (landing work, in that the Apoftles were to have Succef-fors. 2. BecAule they think it incredible if the Apoilles had been againlt particular Primitive Epifcopacy, that no Church or Perfon would have been found on Record to have born witnefs againft it, till it had been fb univerlally received by all the Churches

But they are all agreed that the Englijli Diocefan Frame of Government, and fo the Popifli Prelacy, is unlawful, and of dangerous tendency in the Churches. And that this Controverfie may be underltood, the Enghjli Frame muft: here be opened.

§ 512. There are in England two Archbifhops, and under one of them four Bi- "^ /hops, and under the other One and twenty Biihops: In all Five and twenty Biihops, with Two Archbifhops. Every Bilhop hath a Cathedral Church which is no Pai ifli Church, nor hath any People appropriated to it as Parilhioners: But a Dean with a Chapter of Prebends or Canons, ate the Preachers to. it, and Govcr-noursof--— Iknownot whom. In (bme Bilhopricks are Three hundred, fome I our liundred, (bme Five hundred, (bme One thoufand, ibme Twelve hundred Pari llies, and fame more. In the greateil Parilhes of Z.c«*/o» are about Thieefcore thouland Souls (^a Martyns, Stepney, Giles Cripplegate) : in others about Thirty thoafand ( as Giles's in the Fields, Sepulchres ) : in others about Twenty thouland; and in the leffer Parishes fewer. Ufually the greater Country Parifhes in Mai ket Towns have about Four thouland, or Thres thoufand, or Two thou-find Souls : and the ordinary Rural Parilhes about One thoufand in the bigger fort, and Two hundred or Three hundred in the leffer; fome more, and fome leis. In thele Parifhes the Minifters who have watched over them, ( and of late times in-llruded and catechifed every Family and Perlon, young and old, apart in many placts) do find that the number of thofe that are ignorant of the Perlon and Office ofChiift, and the ElTentiais ofChriftianity, and of all Religion, and of thofe that are ordinary Drunkards, Whoremongers, Prophane Swearers, Curlers, Raiiers, or otherwifc nntoiioufly Scandalous or Ungodly, is not Gnall. For the Government of thele ( befidcs preaching to them, and exhorting thmi, and giving them the Sacraments), the Parifli Minitter hath no power: He hath no power of judging whofe Children he fliall baptize ; but muft rcfiife none, though the Parents be pro-fefied Heathens or Infidels, it Godfathers and Godmothers bring them to be baptized (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 Perfons of their Parifh fhall be confirmed, or admitted into the number of Adult Communicants : forhat all their Flocks arc im-poled on them. They have no more power than any private Man, to admonilb the Scandalous before Witnefi, or to admonifh them befoje the CI urch, or pray for

iheir

their Repentance by Name, or to judge who is to be caft out of the Communioft of the Ghurch, or to he Abfblved, nor to deny the Sacrament to any, unlefs for a particular time, when he is juft going to Adminifter it, he lee any there thatar^ notorioufly guilty, and he take chem thenafide, and they will not (b much as fay'. We will do better : And it is uncertain whether he may Sulpend any of thefe, but the Maliciozfi tha.t will not be reconciled: So that tlie Minilteis may read Pi-ayer's and Preach,and miy read an Excommunication or Ablblution when ir is lent thenr, and may, if they pleafe, joyn with the Churchwarden as Informer?, to prefent (bme Men to the Bifhops Court, but C/&?/rc/!)-Gawr«»7e«ns denied them.

The Government then of all the(e Churches, and Exercife of Holy Dilciplme, belongeth to the Biftiops in Title ; but tlie Bilhops do and muft Exercifeit in their Courts or Confiftories. In every Diocefs there is one of thefe Courts, where the

'Ordinary Judge is the Billiop's Chancellour, a Lav-man, and a Civil Lawyer ( though in many Cales the Bifliop may fit himfelf if he pleale): The Court hath aUo a Regifter,and Prodorsto plead Mens Caules, as Counlellers in Civil Courts: And they have fome Fellows called Apparators, who are their Meffengers for Citation, befides the Churchwardens Prelencments, who bring them in Cuftom. This Court is to hear all confiderable Caufes, and determine them by Excommunication^ or Abfolutions, and to fend their Excommunications or Ablblutions written to the Parifli Priert, who is to read them. Buzpro forwa when the Lay-Chancellour hath relblved who Ihall be Excommunicated, they have a Clergy-Presbyter prefent to fpeak the Sentence in the Courr, who yet hath no pnwer, but of meer Pronunciation, 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 Bifiiop may exercife it when a Bilhop bids him, then is it n.)t a thing appro-priatetothe Bilhop's Office. Befides thele there are Arch Deacons, who by them-ielve*, or their Officials, hold (bme kind of hifetiour Court, which dealeth in lef-(er Matters: Some DiocelTes have one Arch-Deacon, (bme two, fome few three or four. The Bifhops fhould go vifitoncea year, and the Arch-Deacon oftner : When they vifit they go to (bme chief Town in the County , and c.iH all the Mi-ni(ters to meet them, where they hear a Sermon,and Dine together ufually. They yearly compile a Book of Articles which Churchwardens arefworn to enquire after, and to preletit the Names of liie Offenders accordingly to the BiOiop'sCourt. In brief, this is the Fi-ame of our Diocslan Government. To which I only addj That Fees and Money tor Commutation of Penance are much rf their Officers Maintenance; and that fuch as they Excommunicate in moft Cafes, are by a Writ De Excomrr.tmicato Cafimdo to be laid in the Jail, till upon their Repentance they have made their Peace, and are abfblved.

§ 31;. Having told you what our Government is, let me tell you what, the Execution of it is. The Books ot Articles are fitted (omewhat to the Canons , by thofe Blfhops that are moff moderate and cautelous, and therefore by the Englipj

I Canons they may be known : (bme of them ufually are againit Drunkards and Fornicators ; but the main bent of them is againff thofe that wear not the Surplice, that Baptize without the Crofs, that omit the Common Prayer, that refufe to Baptize any Infant ,• or that deliV'er the Lord's Supper ro any that kneel not in receiving it ; or that (b receive it without kneeling ; that (fand not up at the Gof-pel, that bow not at the Name Jef»s, ( though they may fit when the fame words are read in the Chapter, and are not required to bow at the Name [^ Chrijl, God'] &c ) Alfo about the Repair of the Church, the Surplice, the Books; that none pifs up to the Church-wall, c$"c. with many fuch things. It is a rare thing for the Churchwardens to prelentany, except Nonconforinifts, that ufe not Ceremonies, &c. Swearers, Drunkards, and Whoremongers are feldom prefented, left Neighbours bedifplealed : but Puritans have fome one or other that is more eager in looking after them. When any Scandalous Perlbn is prefented, he hath no other Spiritual Convidion 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 Commutation Money, he comes home: But when Confcientious Nonconformiftsare before them, whole Conlcienccs will not let them fay that they are Sorrf ( 'vizSot praying or exhorting others in their Houfes, for giving the Sacrament to them that Itand or lit, &c) they arc ufually Excommunicated. I have been in moff parts of England, and in Fifty years time I never (aw one do Penance, or confefs his Sin in publick, for any Scandalous Crime ; nor ever heard but of two in the Country where I lived ( that Ifood in a White-lheet for AdulteryJ (except in the Ijjace when Bilhops were doivn, and then I have heard many that have penitently con-

felfed

•398 ■ Thf UlF-A^^the '^ y^k

feffed their SiOjand begged the Prayers of the CongregaiioHjand 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 thi^n fuch Terreur is fit to do it. And note here. That the Difcipline of the Church is i\qt to be judged of by the King's Declaration concerning Eccleliaftical Aftairs,whiQh was never executed before it was void, in thefe refpects : Nor yet by Iqme ef our Reformers or Chroniclers, who tell you how it was exercikd quickly after the Information in K}ng Edward's or Quean ElizabetiVi days: As Holliwgjhead, e. £. w^p telleth you of many Suffragans, and of the Piety and Diligence of their Courts, and of Exerciies called Prophefying held up at the Arch-Deacons V^ifit^tions ( a-gajnft the Subverters of which he thunderech) : But as it is in England ^t this d^y, and hath been this Sixty or Seventy years bypaft.

§ 514. Now concerning this Dioceian Frame (if Government, the Non-S-ithfir-ib^fs (called Puntanshy many ) do judge that it is frnful and contrary to the Worfl of God, both in the Conftttution and in the Admintftratisn of it. And they lay upon ic thefe heavy Charges, the leaft of which it proved, is of intolerable weight.

§ 51 J. I. They fay, Th^t quantum m fe it dedroyeth (hcFafloral Office, which is of Divine Inflitution, and was known in the Primitive Church : for ic doth deprive the Presbyters of the third elTential paitof their Office : for it is clear in Scripture, that Chrifl appointed no Presbyters, that were not iabfervi^nt fo him in all the three parts of his Office, as Prophet, Prieft and King, to ffand betvyeerj the People and him iu Teaching, Worfbippingand Governing: And though the ^3u-al Exercije of any one part, may be Sufjpended without the Deftruftion pf the Office, yet to the Office it (elf ( which is nothing but Power and Obligation to exercjle ) one part is as effential as the other : fo then they fay, that [That which deftroyech an elfentinl part of the Paftors or Presbyters Office, defiroyeth the Office as ifllli-tutcd by Chriff J. But theDiocefan ffateof Government deffroyeth,; i^f^.——rr^

Ergo

. The Major will not be denied : The Minor hath two parts; i. That governing Power and Obligation (over the Flock ) is efTential to the Offi?g of a Paflor or Presbyter as inltituted by Chrift. Which they prove thus • i. The very Nama of Presbyter and Paltor denoteth the Governing Power, and was then vifed in that fence (as * Dr. Hammondhsih well proved ). 2.Thereis nofuch thing found in all the New Tefbment as a Presbyter that had not the Power of Governing his Flpclj Dr. Ham- as well as Teaching it. Me that can find it, let him : Dr. H.immond hath gpne o-mond.An- ver all the Texts in proving it. 3, The Church long after Ijnew no fuch Presby-" Cor "'^ ^^^^ *^ ^"^^ "'^^ '^^ Spiritual Government of the Flock. 4. The Papilfs confijfs that 28.Lit"g7 t'^^y h"*^- the Power of the Keys iw/ow intenori to this day; which is the Spiritual Gpyernmcnt.

, 2. The fecond part of the Minor, That the Diocefan jForm deriifith \}^\f, Qq-verning Power to the Presbyters, appearcth i. By their own Confeflions ; .2. By tiie Aiilual Conlfitution, djf^ibling them, and placing che Power elfewlwei: 3. By I the infiance of the forementioned Particulars, and many more : They Ivay? no| " the power of judging who fliall be taken into their Churphes as Members by Bap-ti(m, or Confirmed, or who fhall Communicate, orwhoistobe publickly A^hiot nifhed, Cenfured, Excommunicated, Abfolvpd j buried as a Brotlier dying in Chrift, &c. no nor what Chapter to read in the Church, nor what Garment to wear, nor whjt words of Prayer to put up to God : jn all which they are in^fif E^cutioners of other Mens Judgments, as a Cryep.<?r iDch other Meiffn-t ger. ■...■„,

j ji/j. 2.TliefecQndCha,rg(eagainfl this Diocefan Prelacy is. That it introd'^, CCih a Nt-w Humane Speciesqt Preihyters or Spiritual Oliiq^rs, inlieacj of Ciirift'^, which it dedioyeth : that is, a fort of mcer SuS>jetl Presb-ftcrs^ that have no powec of Government but meerly to Teach and Worlhip. That this is a diftin<5t Species^ i^ proved in that i. It wantcth an effential part which the other Sputei h^th, 2.From the Bifhop's own profeffion,who in the bcginningof the Book of Ordination (Subfciibed to ) do declare it plainly determined in Scripture, "-j;?.., 'f'^^at Bilhopsj Prielfs, and Deacons are three dilfind: Orders : which word. Orders is th^ common term to lignihea Species of Church Officers diffind tVotij ftj^iefS/^fgrje i/itlis fani^ Order OV Sfecies. . v I, 1' .-i'^

Thnt this Office is New, is proved i. In that Scripture of Anuquity ncv^r knew if. 2. Dr. Hammond Annot.in yict. 11. and in his f.atin Book ag.^inlf Blondell (Dff jertflt.) profeffeth that it cannot be proved that the word Bi\liop, Pral/ytir^ or Pcfior, figni'ieth in all the Scripture 3ny other than apioper Bjlliopj orth^t jhqrs yv^^.iny

tiich

fuch as we now call Presbyters in Scripture times. And in hi^ Aqfvyer. to tti^ Lcmlon Miniflers, he faith. That for ought he knoweth, all his' 'Brethr'eri.-bt' thi Church of £wg/dwJ 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 cam6 in before Ignatiuis time, yet i. He faith not that this lort had no Government of the Flock, but that they were under the Bidiop in Government; fo that yet they are not the Ibrt that we are Ipeaking of. 2. And he doth not prove, any

§ ;i7. ;. A third Charge which they bring again(l obr Prela'^y is, That it* de-ftroyeth the Species or Form of particular Churches inftituted by Chrift : The Churches which Chrift inftituted are [Holy Societies ajfociated for Ferfonal holy Corti-munion under their farticular Vafton ]; But all fiich Societies are deftroyed by the Did-cefan Frame r-^— Ergo it is deltrudive of the Form of particular Churches inftituted by Chrift. . ^

They diflinguiih between [Perfonal Local Communion of Saints, !?y Paftors and their Flocks] and Communion of hearts only j and Communion by Delegation or Deputies: i. 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, 5. But [a holy'Communion df Souls or individual Perfon?, as Members of the fame particular Church, for publick Worihip and a holy Life] is fpecifically diftinA from both the former, as is apparent, i.By the diftinft end J 2. The diftinft manner of Commurtion, 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 F'artorsjand a Flock governed by them in Perfonal holy Communion,every Church having its proper Paftor, or Paftors]. But fuch Churches as are thus conftituted are deftroyed by our Frame of Prelacy : Ergo ' ' ''

The Major is confefled de faBo by Dr. Hammond (ttbi fiipra) as to Scripture'ttriifes^-and fuificiently cleared in my Treatife of Epifcopacy. Ignatius his Teftimony along might fuffice, who faith, That \'to every Church there was one Altar, and one Bijfiop, with the Preslyters and Deacons hu Fellow Ser'vants\. A Church of one Altar, and of a thouland Altars; A Church that is for Perfonal Communion, and a Church that hath no Perfonal Communion with her Paftor 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 diftinc5t; for indee:! the Name is but equivocally applied to them as diftind: Natures or Societies. Every Church (univocally fo called in fenfu politico^ as a governed Society) hath its pars gubcrnans and parsgubernata to conititute it: But fo have not our Pa-rifh Churches as fuch : indeed, as Oratories and Schools (as inftruded and wor-jhipping Societies) they have their Parochial Heads; but as governed Societies they have no Heads proper to themlelves, nor any at all as Churches, but as parts of a Church: For the Diocelan is Head of the Dioceian Church as (uch , and not of a Parocliial Church as fuch, but only as a part of the Dioce!an Church. And as it is no Kingdom which hath no King, fo it is no Political Church wfiich hath no Govcrnour or Paftor. So that Diocelans deftroy particular Churches, as much is in them lyeth. Unlefi any will lay, th.it as one King, as he is perfona naturals, fnay be three, or twenty Kings, as perfona civdis, as related to fsveral Kingdoms; and fo cneBKhop, ^i perfona naturalts, may yet be a thoufandEcclefiaftical Perfons, as Paftor of fo many Churches: But this being ridiculous, and 3 et faidby none that I have heard oi', I fhall not itand to confute it. ',''""."' ' "~\" "\ •

But were ic fo, yet a Paftor that never fieth or'fp'ealseth'to-'his'Peoplej iidf hath any perfonal Communion in Worihip with them, and this according to the Con-ftitution it fcU, is nor of the fame fort with a Scripture Paftor,' i Thefj. y. 12, 1;. Hebr. 15> 17, dfc. which labour among thsm, and preach to them the IVord of God, and watch fir their Souls.Scc. And conifeqir^ntlythe Churches conftituted by them are not of the fame Species. It is one Office pafna'iy to Teach, Overfee, Rule and Worihip with them ; and another to do none of thele to one of a thoufand, but to fend the Churchwardens a Book of Articles. •'

§ 518. 4. A fourth Charge iSjThat it (ettech n;i .1 New Church-Form which is unlawful, mftcadof that of Chrift's infHtution ; t.'iac is, a Dioceian Church coniifting of m.iny hundred Parifhes (wb\ch nons ci them nvQChurches according to thd'Dioce-fan Frame, but parts of one Church ) : It hath been fhewed that- this -Dio'cdSh Church is of another Species than the Parochial, one being for perjond Communroii,

which

~^ The LI F E of the L i B. 1.

which the other isuncapable of j the far greateft part of the Members never feeing their Paftor, nor knowing one another any more than if they lived in feveral 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 BiJIwp or Governour, either in Scripture time, or two hundred years after, excepting only that in Akxmdria and Rome, fome fhew of more Affemblies than one under one Bilhop, appeared a little fboner.)

Here note, That it is not an ArMi^wp'i ChurcJi that we are (peaking of, who isbut theGewfr^/ Pafior or Bipop, having other Bi^,cfs and Churches under him; but it is a Church hfima Speciei, commonly called a parttcidar Church, which hath no other Churches or BtJIjops under it. And that none liich was in Scripture times. Dr. Hammond hath manifeded ( there being then no fresbyters diftincft from Bifhops, as he faith on Act. 11.) And that there was none fuch of long time after, is abundantly proved in myTreatifeof Epifcopacy.

§ 319. J. The fifth Charge againft the Diocefan Form is. That it e.Ktirpateth r.ht 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 is one Altar and one Bijliop with the Fresbyters, and the Deacons my Fellow Servants. There was then no Bilhop infima Speciei as diftin<9: from an Archbifr.op, that liad more than one Altar and Church : But now all thele Bifhops of parcicular Churches are put down, and no Church of one Altar hath a Bilhop of its own, but only a Church confiding of many hundred Wor-ftipping Churches. In the ancient times every City that had a Congregation of ChrilHans had a Bifhop ; But now every Bilhop hath many Cities under him,vvhich have all but one Bifhop. For all our Corporations, called Opp'ida, Towns, or Bur. roughs, were then fuch as the word ota/j />gnifted, though we have appropriated the Englilh word [C;ry ] to fome few, that have that Title as honorary in favour from the Prince.

§ 320. 6. The fixth Charge is. That inftead of the ancient Bij!iops, a later fort of Bilhops is introduced, of a diftincfl 5pea«from all the ancient Billiops: for then there were none but meer Bifhops of particular Churches, and the Archbifhops, Metropolitans, and Patriarchs that had the general overfight of thefe. But ours are of neither of thefe forts: They are not Bilhops of particular worfhipping C^iurches that have one Altar ; but have hundreds of fuch : Nor are they Arch-hijliops ; for they have no Bilhops under them : But thsy are )uft fuch as the Arch-I'lpops or Metropolitans in thofe days would have been, if they had put down all the Bilhops that were under them, and taken all the Charge of Government on them-felves, leaving only Teaching Priefls with the People : Even as the Papifls feign Gregory to have meant, when he fo vehemently denied the Title of Umverfal Bi-fljop, as putting down the Inferiour Bifhops: Now any Man thatthinketh the Species of Epif.op.icy defcribcd by Ignatius, and u(ed in the I'rimitive times, to be of Divine, or Apollolical Inftitution, mufl: needs think that a Species which having depofed them all, doth ftand up in their ftcad, is utterly unlawful. And therefore this Argument againft Diocefans is not managed by the Presbyterians as fuch, but by thofe that are for the Piimitive Epifcopacy.

§321. 7. The feventh Charge againft the Diocefan Form, (and that which flicketh more than all the reftj is, That it m.iketh the Church Goverment or Dtfci-pline which Chrift hath commanded, and all the ancient Churches pradifed, to be a thing tmpoffible to be done, and fb excludeth it j and therefore is unlawful: For to i.\\[pi}ic IVho jliall be the Govcrnours of theCharch, vn hen the meaning is. Whether there j]]j!l be any Government at all (of that fort which Chrift commandethj is the prefent piadiff. For the clearing of this, thefe Queftions are to be debated. Quell r. Whether Chrifi hath snftituted any Church-Dtfcifltne ? 2- H'hat that Difciplme ts which he hath tnfiituted ?

3. Hi/w many Partfiies there be tnaDiocef, and Perfons in a PariJI), who are t» be the Objeils of this Difctphne ?

4. fyho they be that in England are to exercife this DiJcipHne ?

§ 522. I. Andfor thefirlt Q^ieftion, It is agreed on by all Proteftants that I know of, except lorae of thofe that are called Erajltans ; I fay, fome of them : for I,thli)^thereare very few even of the £r>;y?irf»j that deny it. Dr. Hammond hath \yritten a Treatif? for it. Entitled, Of the Power of the Keys: yea the Papifts differ not from the Proteftants in this point. It will therefore be labour in vain to prove

§ 32 ^. 2. And as to the lecond Queftion, \^Wb(it thu Difiiplme u ?] Ix. Is confide-rable, i. As to x^na Matter ; 2. As to the Virions ; 5. As to the Vlace j 4. As to the Manner ; and f. As to the End.

I. As to the Matter ; We are agreed that it confifteth in receiving Per-Ibns into the Church ; in prelerving and healing thole that are in the Church , and in calling out thole from the Communion of the Church which are unfit for it, and in Abfolving and Refloring the Excommunicate when they are penitent. And therefore it is called, The Vower and Exerci/e of the Keys: By thefe Keys, the Door is firit opened to Believers and their Seed, and the Bi-Jhops judge who are Ht to be let in by Baptifm. When -my are lapled into fcan-dalous fin, they are to be proc;;eded with as Chrift hach directed, Matth. i8.i5-,i6, 17. We niuft firft tell men privately of their private Faults,and if they hear us nor, we mufl: 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 mufhbeto us as Heathens and Publicans. And whatfoever is thus bound on Earth Ihail be bound in Heaven, and whatfoever is loofed on Earth Ihall be looled in Heaven, verj. 18. The Church is the Body of ChrilV, his Spoule, his Family, hisGaiden; It is a Communion of Saints which is to be held in it : It is commanded to put away wicked Perfbns from among them, and not to keep company, ;/' any that n called a Brother be a. fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a ratltr, or a drunkard, Of an extorti-ener, vnth juch a one no not to eat, i Cor, j. 11, 13. And we are to withdraw our (elves from every Brother that -walketh dijorderly, and to note them, and to have no company -with them, that they may be ajhar»ed, 2 ThelT 5. 6, 14. If any come to us, and bring not lound Doftrine, we mufi not receive htm into our haufa, nor bid him good jfted, leji we be partakers of hit evil deeds, 2 John 10. ii. A Man that is an Here-tick, muft, after the firlt and lecond Admonition, be avoided, as Self condemned, Tft. ;. 10, II. And the penitent mull be relfored and re-admitted. All this is a-greed on.

§ ;24. 2. And as to the Perfom who are Parties in this Tranla£l:ion,we are agreed

1. That it is fuch Perlons 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 call out, &c. Co that it is to b^ exerciled on Perlbns, fo f,u- as they are to have Communion with us, and not on thole that are uncapable of that Communion. 2* That lententially it muft be done by the Paftor or Governour of that particular Church, which the Perlbn is to be admitted into, or caft out of: And by the judgment of the Paftors of other neighbour Churches, when they alio, as Neighbours, are to refufe Communion with him. 3. Th it 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 refullng Communion or Company with Men according as they are judged by the Church. I think there is no Controverfie among us about thefe.

§ 525-. 3. And therefore the fVork will refolveus of the place ; viz,. That the Execution muft be in that place where he had or defired Communion, or was capable of it: And therefore that the Judgment Ihould be by thole that being upon the place, have fulleft opportunity to know the Perlbns and the Cale : Even by thole Paftors vho labour amongft the People that are over them in the Lord^ 1 ThelT. j. 12, 13. who have the luk over them, and preach 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 Caule and pals the Sentence, and execute it by Corporal Penalties and Mulcts: But, I. 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 lerioufnels, and light, and weight of Scripture Argument, convincing the Erroneous, terrifying the Secure with the ter-rours of the Lord, reproving and admonilhing and perfwading the penitent Offender, and all this with Love and Compaffion and due Patience; and reftoring the Penitent wirh Tendernefs and Conlblation and ncceftary Caution. From all which it is evident, That one (ingle Perfon thus dealt with in cale of Herefie, may hold the Paftor or Bifhop many days time, and one grofs Sinner may hold him many hours time, before this Work can be done as the Nature and Ends of it do reqaire.

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 Gale and Confcience of the Sinner, and not by outward Force or Penalties.

Fff §327

§ 327. 5. And all this is apparent in the Ends of it; which is, i. That Church-Communion may be a Communion of Saints, 2, That the Sinner may be laved, and converted to that end j ;. Or however, that others may be warned by his lid Example. 4. And that the unbelieving and ungodly World, may lee the Excellency of Chiiftian Religion, and not be hardened in their Infidelity and Impiety. y. Andfo that Chrilt, and the Father by him, may be honoured in his holinelsa-mong the Sons of Men : Thefe are the Ends of Church-Dilcipline.

§ 528. 5. Andasyou fee what the Difcipline is that is to be Exercifed, fo the Number of Perlbns on whom it isto beexercifed, may be gathered from what is faid in the beginning : where is Ihewed, i. How many hundred Pariflies are in a Diocefi. 2. How many hundred or thoufand Souls in a Parifh : (unlels the very fmalleft^. 5. And how many Hereticks, Atheifts, Papifts, Infidels, or Swearers, Curlers, Railers, Drunkards, Fornicators, and other fcandalous Sinners there are proportionably in moft Pariilies, I leave to the judgment of every faithful Pallor that ever tried it by a particular knowledge of his Flock.

§ 329. 4. And lartly, who they be that are to Exercife all this Difcipline, I havd ftiewed before; even one Court or Confiftory in a whole Diocefi, with the incon-fiderable fublerviency of the Arch-Deacon's Court : ( For the Rural Deans do nothing in it, and are themfelves fcarce known : and the Pallor and Churchwardens do nothing but prelent Men to the Courts, and execute part of their Sentences.)

§ ; JO. All this being laid together, the impoflibility of Chrifl's Difcipline in our Churches is undeniable: r. Becaule by this Computation there mull ftand at once before the Court many thoufand Perfons to be at once examined, convinced, reproved, exhorted, or a great Multitude at leaft: whtnas they can fpeak but to one at once. 2. Becaule the fecond Admonition which Ihould be before two or three, is there before an open Judicature; which is not fiiited to the appointed End : fo that really our Controverlie with the Diocefans is the fame in efFe<ft,as if it were controverted, whether a thoufand or fix hundred Schools Ihall have as many governing School-mailers; or whether one only fhall govern all thefe Schools, and the reft of the School-mailers have only power to teach, and not to govern .'' (wqxq it only whether one fhould have a general Infpeftion 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 theMagiftrate, yet if the Work were but doneby any, we fhould judge it more tolerable, j Or the Controverfie is as if it were queftioned, whether all the Dio-cels fhould have any more than one Phyfician, that fhould have any power to pre-Icribe any Government to the Patients, and all the reft fhould only read general Le-ftures of Phyfick to them, and be his Apothecaries, to carry them his Prefcripts and Medicines; which were to queftion, whether moft fhall have any Phyfician or none ? and whether the People fhal! have their Lives facrificed to the mad Ambition of fome one Man that would be their only Phyfician. Shifting may deceive the unexperienced, but let any Minifter in England be but (b 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 C when I had liberty ) in one Country Parifh, upononeof 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 countenance and prefence of three Juftices of the Peace; and yet I found the burden too great for me, and that one half ef that Partfj would have been enough. It is in this, as in Military Difcipline, or Navigation i The Judgment of that Man that »«x;fr frW 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.

§ 351. And the Nonconformillsfurther prove, that our Prelacy raaketh thisDif cipline morally impoflible, thus: Were it not morally impoflible, fome one godly Bifhop in England would have executed it, as Chrift appointeth: But no one godly

Bilhop in England doth, or ever did, fo execute it: Ergo

The Major will not be denied, of a Moral ImpofTibility, or at leaft of a difficulty next it: That which no one Man, no not the wifeft or the beft ever did, may well be called morally impolfible, or neer it. And that England hath had fome liich Bifhops, we are nut fo uncharitable as to queftion, when we remember Hooper, Farrar, Latimer, Cranmer, Ridley, Jewel, Crindall, Hall, and many more. And I never met with the Man that would alTert. or did believe, tliat the foredefcribed Difcipline was ever exercifed by any Man of them throughout his Diocefsj no nor

in

in any three Parifhes in it, if in one : Bilhop Edward Kei^mldi of Norwich w.,9 one that went along with us to the laft in our Define, and Treaties for Dilciplina and Reformation : And who hearethofany fuch Difcipline exerciled by him? who doubtlefs would do it if he could. Nay, I am contidenc that he will fjy himfelfi that he hath not exerciled it on a tenth part that are the due Objects otit, in any two Parifhes in his Diocefs : Nay, in his Diocel's there are as many hundreds of godly People Excommunicated or troubled (by Sentence at lea(t) for Nongonfor-mity, as in any Diocels that I hear of in England ; and the poor Bilhop looks on, and cannot hinder it. Could it be done, lome one would do it : But none doth

it. Ergo—

§ 552. 8. The eighth Charge againft our Prelacy is,That having caftoutChriftV Church-Difcipline, prefcribed in the Gofpel, ir fetteth up, inlkad of it, an unlawful kind of Church-Difcipline: And the unlawfulnels they (hew in thefe Particulars.

§;;;. i. In that the Judges of the Courts, as well as the relf, are meer Laymen (the Bidiops Chancellors ) who ordinarily Admonifli, Excommunicate and Ab-folve : For though the King's Declaration concerning Ecclefiaftical Affiiirs, did Ipeak againft this, yet that was d^ad before it took place, and ihe old Courfe is now taken in all their Courts : And what the Tongue of Man can rationally fay, for Lay-mens exerciling the Power of the Keys, moit effential to the Sacred Padorai Office, it is beyond my reach to know. The common Anlwer is, that Lay-Elders are as bad : As if one Man's fin would juftifie anothers, and warrant all MencoSub-fcribe to ic. But yet they know,i.That Church-Elders are not accounted Lay-men, but Sacred Officers, by thofe that are for them. 2. That they meddle but with one Parifh, and that but as Ailiitants to the Paltors j whereas the Chancellors meddle with many hundred Pariflies, and that as the fole Judges in the Court (when the Bilhop is not there, which is the ordinary Caie). Indeed, I hear that fro forma they uie to get (bme Prielt or other, to pais the Sentence in Court, when the Lay-Chancellor hath determined it. But thisa meer jugling mockery : And if the/ were ferious, it would confute themlelves; who fay. That a Presbyter hach not the power of Excommunicacion j And they juftifie the Caafs of the Presbyterians who claim it (as is aforefaid). ^

§ 3^4. 2. As to the Matter of the Engli^i Difcipline, it confiReth not in the fore-delcribed Convi(5tions, Reproofs, Exhortations to Repentance, praying for the Sinner's R' pentance, telling him before two or three, or telling the Church; buc in a Citation, and fuch a Courfe of Procefs as is in Civil Secular Courts.

§ 3 3 J. 3. And for the ALmner-, ic is not with holy Scriouihefs and Patience as inay tend to the melung of a Sinner's, heart into true Contrition, nor as may tend to awake him from his becuiity with the Terrouis of the Lord, nor is it at all ht-ted to w^ork upon the Confcience: (who can exped that Laymen, and fuch Men, in a Publick Couit, and fuch a Court, fhould do it) : Nor do I believe that any Sublcribing conlcionable Miniiter will lay that he ever heard a Chancellor convert a Sinner, or (ay that wliich was like or apt to bring him to true Repentance. But on the contrary, they work on them by Terrour of Corporal Penalties and Mu!(5ts, and harden them into a hatred of thofe that tlius vex them : (b that a Pa-ftor that ever hopeth to do good on his Pariihioncrs, will rr.ke heed how he prefen-teth them to one of thele Courts, led by (b much he feem to be their Enemy, and they never regard his Doctrine more : whereas Chrid's Difcipline is Paternal, by Love and convincing Rea(on, and to the very lad extremity, is to be done with io much Fatherly Kindncls and Compaffion, as tendech to melt and win the Sinner.

§ 536. 4. And for the JJjiinth; your Difcipline of Excommunication is all enforced with Imprilbnment and the utter ruine of the Excommunicate, upon a Writ de Excomrfiunicato capiendo : If you fay that it is the Magidrate's Adlion, and noc ours, I anlwer, i. You are the Judges, and make the Magidrate your Executioners, 2. You tAkQ the very Life of your Diicipline to lye in it I How ordinarily do you fay. That were ic 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 Truth which the Churches welfare liech on, That no Man is fit for the Communion of the Church , that (o far defpifeth it, as noc 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 ths Churches Communion proftrate^or at the Church'

F f f 2 Door,-

Door, before they were re-admitted : And now if Ten thoufand Men fcorn the Churches Communion, and will ftand out a bare Excomunicacion, you will drive them into the Church, and to a feigned Repentance by the fear of a Jail : And ib all Men ihall be Members of your Churches, that do but ib fir lovc; their Skins, as rather to endure the Church than the Prifon: ( of this alfo the Sects Presbytery hath been guilty in part ): And what Churches thefeare, it is eafie to judge. And you cannot fay that this is only Male-adminiftration j for it is the very Conftituti-on of your Government.

§ 3 37. 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 knoweth of the Matter, nor perhaps the Minifter that ftould be his Governour, but only they receive a Paper from the Court, containing the Sentence j which the Parfon mult read, and then in defpight of him muft admit the vileft to the Churches Communion, and read his Ab(olu:ion if the Court require it, let him never fo well know the Sinner to be impenitent.

$ ^;8. 6. Laftly, Let any Man of Charity, free from Vndlon, judge by the Canons, Whether the Difcipline of Excommunication be not exerciled upon many godly upright Perfons ('for fafting,and praying together,and fuch like) who are unfit for fuch Severity. And let him that readeth both Liturgy and Canons,judge,Whether the Communion of the Sacrament be not denied to holy Perfons, if they do but fear Idolatry in kneeling before the Bread ; who are not worthy of lb great a Penalty. So that in a word, a kind of Secular Courts are let up inftead of the Dif clpline of Chrift, and the edge of their Severity is turned againft thofe conlcien-tious People, that be not of their Opinions in Ceremonies, or fuch things. If it be faid that the Magiftrate may fet up Civil Courts who may judge Circa Sacra : I anlwer, but i. Thefe judge de Sacra, and Excommunicate and Abfolve. 2. They do it under the Name of Church-Difcipline, and the Power of the Keys. 3. And infteadofChrift's depofed Difcipline.

§ 559. 9. The ninth Charge againft our Prelacy is confequential, That it bring-eth on us a multitude of grievous Calamities, and ill Confequences, by this abolition of true Difcipline, and the aforelaid Corruptions. As for inftance

I. That it giveth up dur Caule to the Browni/h, quantum in fe, who lay that our Churches are no true Churches , and our Miniftry is no true Miniftry : For if we have true Churches and Minirters, it is either the Parochial, the Diocelan, or the National. But i. for the Parochial, they (ay that they are no true Churches or MiniRers: for a x.t\xz Ch.\xvc\\, in fenju fdittco, is conftituted of the Governing part and the Governed part : But a Paiifh Church hath no Governing part ( as fuch ): For the Diocefm is not the Head of it as a Parifh Church, but as a part of his Diocefan Church. ( Otherwife one Man fhould be a Thoaland Heads and Political perfonsj. And the Parlbn or Vicar, though perhaps called Reftor, is only the Teacher and Priell', and denied all Government : Ergo he is no Pafior, as wanting an elTential 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 of that Parifh-Church mufl be judged of by God's defcription, and not by the Bilhop's: which I doubt not is a true and fatisfadtory Anfwer.

And for a Diocefan Church, the Brownifii lay that it is not only no Church of Chrifl's inflitution, but contrary to it: and therefore not to be acknowledged.

And for the National Church, unlefs you Ijieak equivocally, they know no fuch thing: for what is it that is the Conftitutive Head of it? The King is the Civil Head : Buc the Confiituti-ve Head of a Church muft be an Ecclefiaftical Head, or a Clergy-man, or Society of Ms!i : It cannot be an Archbi.'hop, for neither of the Archbi'hops pretendeth to it, having but a priority of place, and not any Government over one another {Canterbury over York) or in each others Province?. And the Convocation it cannot be, becauie the Canon Anathematizeth them that take it not ibr the Reprefentatizie Church of England : And if it be but the Refre[entati've,\t cannot be the Conjhtuttve Head: For either it reprelenteth the Governing part of the Church, which is indeed the Head, or the Governed part, which is the Body: If it reprefent the/.^rrfr only, then ^/«cA it can have no Governing power at all I For as Repreftntative it can have no more power than thole that are reprefented : But the Governed party as fiich have no Governing power: Ergo neither have their Reprefenters as fuch. If they reprelent any higher power, What is it? It muft be either in a. Jingle Perfin, or a CoUedive Body, which is one Political Perfon : But the former is not at all pretended, nor can be: If it be faid that they repre-fent all the Pafiors of England, I anfwer, no doubt that is the meaning of the Canon:

P A R T IJ. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 405

non : and yet no Man affirmeth that the real Body of all thole Paftofs in conjunifti-on i5 one Colledive Political Head of this Church; For Parilh-Minifters are only Heads of their feveral Pariihes ( if fo much ) but not of all ihe relt of the Parifh-es in the Nation, any otherwilc than of thofe in other Lane's: Wherefore it is molt evident that there is no luch thing as a Church of Ergland in a Political For« mal fence, as it hath one Conftitutive and Ecclefiaftical Head : but only in an im-propef larger fence, either as the Paftors of many Churches, mot in a Synod, do make binding Agreements by way of voluntary Concord and Confent ( as many Kings may do in a volimtary Meeting, which doth not conftitute a Political So-cietyj : Or elfe as they have one accidental Civil Head ( the King : who is Head of all Religious Societies in his Dominions, Vapijis, Anahaj>tifis,&cc.) But thsfe are none of them Denominations a forma. But hence it may be noted, i. That as Bi-ftop Ujher faid. Synods are not properly a Superiour Governing power over the particular Biihops, but only for voluntary Concord. 2, That the Bilhops mujf, againft their wills, grant that all Parilh-Minifters are Je jure Church Governours: or e\k how corns theiv Reprefentatives to be part of ths Governing-Church, even in Canon-making for common Government (as they judge). As for the Deaio-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 Convocation, though thofe reprelented have no Governing power themfelves, it is to palpably Self contradiding, that I need not confute it.

§^40. 2. Afecond evilConfequence is, thatbynegled of Difcipline (or excluding itj the Vicious want that remedy which God hath provided to bring them to Repentance and Salvation: That God hath appointed Difcipline, is proved from Lev. 19. 17. Matth. 18. ij, 16, 17,18. i Cor. f. Ttt. i. 13. & i. 15-. d^ 5. 10. i Tim, 5. 5, i^& f. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24. 2 Tim. 3. f. c^ 4. 2. 2 Thef. 3. 6, 14. And as negled of Preaching, io negled of Difcipline teadeth to the hardening of Sinners in their ftns. And when in the Application of Baptifm, Confirmation, the Lords Supper, Abfolution, and all Church Confolations to them, they are all ujed by the Church AS pardoned Sinners, and judged to he fuch (how v'icions ioivsr) thay will tha eafilier believe they are fuch ind3ed, and rejeft all palTages in Sermons that would convince them, and all that would pcrfwade them of the Neceffity of a Change, So that no doubt but many Thoufands are hindered from Converfion and Salvation for want of Difcipline.

§ 341. 3. And it tendeth to propagate the Sin, as Impunity from Magiftrates or Parents woald do : which made the Apoftle fay , i Cor. j. A little leaven kavenetb the -whole lump: many will be encouraged to do that which undergoeth no more cenfure.

§ 342. 4. I: keepeth up the Credit of Sin it felf, and gratifieth Satan, while ths Church is deprived of the Publick Means appointed by God, for putting Sin to o. pen (hams,and bruifing the Serpent's Head^by a folemn Condemnation of his Works of Darknels.

§ 343. J. It depriveth HolinefAnd Obedience oi the honour which God hath appointed for if, by this publick differencing Judgment of the Church, which being, as Ttriullian calleth it, prajudiciitmfttturijudicij, doth reprefent the Jultihcationand Condemnation of that Day ; and wonderfully tend to the publick honour of God-linefs and Hone(}y,and confequently to the Converfion and Eftablilhment of Mens Souls.

§ 344. 6. It greatly tendeth to the dilhonour of the Church by its pollution : when^s Chriftian Societies (hall be confporcatcd with thofe Vices which are the fhame of Infidels and Heathens; and thofe of our Communion are in their Lives no better than the Unbelieving World I All Men will think that that is the beft Society which hath the beft People, and will judge rather by Mens Lives than their Opinions.

§ 345'. 7. And hereby it greatly diflionoureth Chriflianity it felf^ and when the Church is as full of Vices as the Mahomitan Societies are, or the Heathen, it is a publick perfwading ths World that our Religion is as filfj or bad as theirs.

§ 346. 8. And liereby God himlelf and our blelTed Redeemer are greatly di/ho-noured in the World : As his Saints are his honour, fo when the Communion of Atheilhand Prnphane Perfons, and Oppreflbrs and Deceivers, and Fornicators and Drunkards, is called by us, The Communion of Saints, ic tendeth to make theChurch a Scorn, and to the great dilhonour of the Head of fuch a Body, and the Author of the Chriftian Faith.

§ 547. 9- And it lamentably conduceth to the hardening of the Heathens and Infidels ot the World, and hindering their Converfion to the ChrilHan Faith : It 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 ftill Heathens, Mihometans and Infidels, and that the wicked Lives of Chriftians ( with Fopperies, Ignorance and Divifions ) is thegrsat Impediment to their Converfion 1 io read and hear Travellers and Merchants tell, that the Banians and other Heathens in Indoftan , Cam-haiay and many other Lands, and the Mahometans adjoyning to the Greeks, and the Abafmes, &c. do commonly fly from Chriftianity, as the Separatilts among us do from Prelacy, and fay, God will not lave us if we be ChrilHans; for ChrilHansare Drunkards, and proud, and Deceivers, &c. And that the Mahomctavs, and many Heathens have more, both of Devotion and Honefiy, than the common foit of Chriftiahs have that live among them I O wretched Chriftians I that are not content to damn themfelves, but thus lay Rumbling blocks before the World 1 It were better for thefe men that they had never been born 1 But if all thefe notorious ones were dilbvvned by the Churches, it would quit our Prcfeffion much from the dil-honour, and Jhew poor Infidels that our Religion is good, though their Lives be bad.

§ ^48. 10. Laftly, it galleth the Confciences of the Minifiers 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 filleth the Heads of poor Chriftians with Scruples, and their Hearts with Fears; and is the great caule of unavoidable Separations among us, and conlequently of all the Cenfureson one fide, and wrathful Penalties on the other,and uncharitablcnefs on both fides,which follow thereupon. If the Paftors will not ditfer between the precious and the vile, by neceffary regular Diiciplinc; tender Chriftians will be tempted to difference by irregular Separations ; and to think, us Cyprian filth, Thit it belongelh to the People to forfake a fmful Fajior: They will leparate further than they ought ; and will take our Churches as Sinks of Pollution, and fly from the noifomne(s of them ; and come out from among us, for fear of partaking in our Plagues, as men run out of a ruinous Houle left it fall upon their Heads. And then they will fall into Sefts a-mong themlelves, and fall under the hot difplealiire of the Biihops, and then they will be reproached and vexed as Schifinaticks, 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, SeAs, Perfe-cutions, Malice and Ruins in theChriftian WoiU : And it will never be cured, till (ome tolerable Difcipline cure the Churches.

§ ;49. 10. The tenth and hft Charge againft ourFr-imeof Prelacy is, That by iis ule of Civil or Coercive Power, it at once breaketh the Command of Chrift, and grearly injureth the Civil Government. Both which are thus proved by the Noncontormiifs.

§ 5 jc. I It violateth all thefe Laws ofChrift : Luke iz. 24, z^-. And there -wot a ftrife among them which of them jlmuld be accounted the greatefi : And he [aid unto them, the Kings of the Gentiles exerci/e LordJJjip over them, and tbef that exerctje Authority upon theffj, are caSed Benefatiors : but ye jhall not be jo ; but he that is greateji among you, Itt him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he that doth ferve. That is, it is a Mini-Iterial Dignity, and not a Magiftratical, which you are called to : that which is allowed to Kings here, is denied to Minifters, even Apoftles: But it is not Tyranny or Abule of Power, but Secular Magiliratical Power it lelf, which is all owed to Kings: Ergo it is this which ii forbidden Minifters. This is the very fence of the Text whicu ii given by Proteftant Epilcopal Divines themlelves, when they rejetS: the Preshyteiians fence, who fay that it forbiddeth Ecclefiaftical Superiority and Powei 01 rni Minifter over another, as well as Coercive. Therefore the old Rhymer laid againft the Prelates,

Chriftus dixit quodam loco \_f^os nonfic~\ nee dixit joco : Dixit [uts: Ergo ijh Cujm/unt? non cert'o Chrifii.

5i0 I Pet.^. 1,2, 3. Feed the Flock of God which is among you, taking the overfight thereof, not by conftraint but wiUingly ; tiot for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: Neither as being Lords ever God's heritage, but being enjamples to the Flock. But our Bifhops take the overiight of thofe that are wer among them, and whom they feid not j and they

rule

Part II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 407

fule them by conjtraint and not as -voluntary Subjedis, not by Enfample ( for one of an hundred never leech or knoweth them ) but as Lords by Secular Force. Dr. Hammond taketh the word [Confiramt'\ here Adively, not Pafflvely ; not as forbidding them to be Bifhops againft their own Wills, but to Rule the Teofle by confiramt againft the Teofks wills.

It would be tedious to recite all thole Texts, which command the People to imitate the ApoOles as they imitated Chrift, ( whenever ufed Magiftratical tbrce j nor did any oi his Apoftles) and fay that the Weapons of owr -warfare are not carnal ; and that he that warrethentangleth not himfelf with the Affairs of this Life, and that the Servant of the Lord muft not ftiive, but be gentle, &c.

§ jji. 2. And that this Coercive Church Government is an heinous Injury to Chriftian Magillraces, even where it feenieth to be fubordinate to them, appeareth thuf.

1. Though they do moftly confefs that they can exercifeno Power of Coercion of themfelves, but by the Magiftrates confent, yet do they take it to be the Magi-ftrates duty to confent to it, as if he were not elfe a tender Nurfing Father to the Church : and fo they lay his Conlcience in Prifon,till he truft them with his Sword, or ferve them by ir.

2. They call their Magiftratical Government by the Name of Sptrttttal and Ec clefiaftical Government; And fo by the Name, they (educe Mens minds , to think that this is indeed the u(e of the Keys, which God hath put into the Churches Handf.

3. Hereby they greatly encourage the Ulurpation 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 dWetily the Church hath no forcing Power): And this they call the Churches Tower, and Spiritual Go--vernment, and Ecclefiafiical Jurifdiilion^ and (ay that it belongeth not to Kings, and that no King can in Confcience reltrain them of it; but muft protect them in it: And Co they (et up Imperium in Imperio, and, as Bilhop Bedk faid of Ireland, The Pope hath a Kingdom there in the Kingdom, greater than the Kings : (Again(f which Ludo-u. Molinaiis hath written at large, in two or three Treati(es ) : So that when the Papa! Power in £wg/<aw^ was caft down, and their Courts fubjeded to the King, and the Oath of Supremacy formed, it was under the Name of Ecckfiaftical and Spiritual Tower that it was acknowledged to be in the King (who yet claimeth no proper Spiritual or Ecckfiajlical Tower ) : fo greatly were the(e Terms abufed ; and lb are they ftill as applied to ourBilhops Courts: fo that the King is faid by us to be Chief Governour in all CaulesEccleliaftical, becau(e Coercive Power in Church Matters (which is proper to the MagiftrateJ was poffefTed and claimed by the Clergy. And in all l^opilh Kingdoms, the Kings are but half Kings , through thefe IJfurpations of the Clergy. And for us to Exercife the lame kind of Power, mixc with the Exercile of the Keys, and that by the fame Name, is greatly to countenance the Ufurpers.

■ § 35:2. If it be faid. That the Church claimeth no Coercive Power, but as granted them by the King, or that it is the Magiftrate that annexeth Mulcts and Penalties, and not the Church : I anfwer, i. They perfwade the Magiltrate that he ought to do fo. 2. Force is not a meer Accident, but confelTed 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 ; fo that it is part of the very Conftitution of their Government: And as to Fees and Commutation s of Penance, Pecuniary Mulfts are thus impofed by themfelves. 3. Their very Courts and Officers are of a Secular Form. 4. The Magiftrate is but the Executioner of their Sentence : He mult grant out a Writ, and imprifon a Man cjuatema excommunicate, without fitting in Judgment upon the Caufe himfelf, and trying the Perlbn according to his Accufation. And what a didionour do the(e Men put on Magiftrates, that make them their Executioners, to imprifon thofe whom they condemn, inaudita caufa, at a venture, be it right or wrong.

So much of the Nonconformifts Charges againft the Engli(h Prelacy,

§ 5 j;. By this you may lee what they Anfwer to the Reafons of the Conformifts. As,

r. To the willing Conformifts, who plead a Jus Di-vinum, they fay, That if all that Gerfom, Bucer, Dtdoclavius, Blondell, Salmafius, Tarker, Baines, 5cc. have laid a-gainft Epifcopacy it lelf were certainly confuted, yet it is quite anothei thing that is called Epifcopacy, by them that plead it Jure Divmo : If r. Bilhops of iingle

Churches

Churches with a Presbytery under them, 2. and General Bifliops over thele Biftiops, were both proved Jure Dtvmo, yet our Diocefans are proved to be contra jus Divi-num,

2. To the Latitudinarians and involuntary Conformids, who plead that no Church-Government, as to the form, is of Divine InOitution, they anlwer ; i. This is to condemn themfelves, and fay, [Becanfe no Form is of God's InftitutioHj therefore I will declare that the Epifcopal Form is of Divine InlHtution]: for this is part of their Subfcription, or Declaration^ when they Profefs, AlTent, and Confent 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) [ 7f m evident to all Men, diligently reading holy Scripture, and ancient/iutbors, thatfi-omthe Apoftles time there have been thefe Orders of Mmtfters in Chri(t's Church, Bijhops, Friefts, and Deacons: ivhich Offices were evermore had tn fuch reverend efl-imatton, ficc. j So that here chey declare that Bifhops and Prielts are nor only diflind Degrees, but diftind Orders and Offices, and that lince the Apoftles time, as evident by Scripture, &c. ( when yet many of the very Papifts Schoolmen do deny if). And the Colled in the Ordering of Priefts runs thus, [Almighty God, giver vf all good things, "who by thy holy Spirit hath appointed divers Orders of Mmi(iers in the Church]. So that in plain Engtifli they declare, That [Epifcopacy even as a difiinEi Order, Office, and Funtlion (for all thefe words are there) is appointed by the Spirit of God ; becauje they believe that no Form is jo appointed.

%. That which Mr. Sttllingfeet calleth [ A Form'\ is none of the Subftance of the Government it felf, nor the Offices in the Church : He granteth that i. Worihip-ping AlTemblies are of Divine appointment ; 2 That every one of thefe muft have one or more Pallors who have power in their Older to teach them, and go before them in Worlhip,and fpiritually guide or govern them. But i. Whether a Church Ihall have one Paftor or more ; 2. Whether one of them Ihall be in fome things fubjed to another; ;. Whether conftant Synodi ftall be held for concord of AfTo-ciated Churches; 4 Whether in thefe Synods one ihall be Moderator ? and how long ? and with what Authority ? ( not unreafonable ), theje he thinks are left undetermined : And I am of his mind ; liippofing General Rules to guide them by as he doth. But the Matter {3X\^ Manner) of Church-Dilcipline being of God's appointment, and the Nature and Ends o{ i particular Church, and the Office of Tajlors (as well as the Form of the Church UniverlaU, it is pait doubt that nothing which fubverteth any of thele is lawful. And indeed, if properly no Form of Government be indituted by God, then no Form of a Church neither : for the Form of Government is the Form of a Church ( confidered m Jenfu politico , and not as a meer Community). And then the Church of England is not of .God's making: ^ot/. Who then made it ? Hither another Church made this Church ( and then, what was that Church, and who made its Form, and lb ad Originem) or no Church made it : If no Church made the Church of England, quo jure ? or what is its Authority and Honour ? If the King made it, was he a Member of a Church or not ? If yea, i.Theie was then .1 Church-Form before the Church of England j And who m.idethac Church uftjue adOngtnem ? If the King that made it was no Member of a Church, then he that is no Member of a Church, may inllitute a Church-Form j but tjuo jure ? and with what Honour to that Church .* But it is certain that a particular Congregation witli its proper Bilhop or Paftors is a Church-Form of Chrilt's Inliitution.

§ ;f4. II. The Second Controverfie is about the Obligation of the National Vow or Covenant : And here there is a Law made. That every Man Ihall forfeit all his Eftate, and be perpetually imprifoned, who affirmeth, [ That there is any Obligation on him, or any other, from this Vow, to endeavour any alteration of Government m the Church] So that thofe that think there is liich an Obligation dare not affirm it : And therefore almoin all that write or fpeak on the other (ide againft the Obligation, remain unanfwered ( lave what Mr. Crofton , Mr. Cawdry , and Ibme others lightly have done ), becaufe they muft be anfwered at fbdear a rate. H'uppolethe Reader will not take my words as Ajjertory, but as H(/?or;ca/herein, acquainti/ig you what it is that (ticks with the Nonconformifts, and maketh them that they dare not lay this Oath htndeth none, for fear of God, as they will not fay that it bindetlt any for fear of Confiication andlniprifonmenr.

§ 5^ J. And here firft they premile thele General Suppofitions.which Ihould make all iVIen exceeding tender of venturing further than they are fure the ground is hrm.

P ART IL Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 040^

§ 5^6. I. That Perjury is confeflediy bhe of «lje moft helncAjs .(im that crtftjb'J committed by Man : and if this Sublet iption (hould prove perj«riO!i?_,or ftjuiljfyin-? ot Perjury, it would bring upon thcni the Guilt and Milery JoJIpwi/jgi. -,;, j rri-irlj

1. it is an AtheilHcal Denial ot theOmnilcienceorJufticeol G|Qti^>0ti)l4cf4iiit)g of his Name in vain, and making him the Favourer ot" a Lie. .> .: r| ,f| , ,

2. It is a treacherous Breach of Promife to him. . , ,3^;; , ;;. .j^'v. 3 It is a Sin that deeply woundcth an awakened Confcience ,^'9i}i^,reay:^5(ve jt

to defpair. ihbn b::::i<\:i-/'rj

4. It overthroweth Humane Societies, and m.iketli a Man ntiCu for Himnajie Converte. For mutual Trufi is the Found »tion or Bond of Societies: .And heyvjaoie Oath is not to be trufted, is not at all to be trufted 4ny further ,th^o his liit§*^t commandeth it. ,11 v,;;. ' ,• ij,u\

J. It expoleth Kings to the Fury of all that dare venture to d<j,,t|.i?n3k,Jiui;t:;jii{>r if once SubjeAs be taught that Oaths oblige not, what is there tCk k^iQp thsm ifotti Treafons and Rebellions, but their Carnal Interefls I And if thi;){! ^a once t^augln that Princes take not chemfelvesto be obliged by their Oaths and Covenants, ](tivTi Teachers tempt them to think that they are bound no more to thsii'j^pineS', as being unc^.pable of Truft. So that the Dot^rine of Perjury , that di/obligeth hdcn from under Vows and Covenants, is clitmolt traiterous pernicious D<!^riae. .>n

J. It expoleth the Kingdom, Church and Religion, which is gajjty.r^of it tiOjcft-proach ; yeaj the greateft reproach of ail its Adverfaries ; making then) vyprie than many Heathens. 1 n^j

6. h bringeth the Judgments of God on a Nation : Fur God wi'l not hold therp guiltlef that taketh hts Name in vam. Saals Polterity inuft be hanged bctbre tiie Famine could be ftayed, becaufe Saul had broken the Vow made to the GiheoMites by Ja^ua, -zSam. zr. And this heavy JudgmeRt on Ew^/^W at this cKiy, which fal-leth on London and many Corporations, terrifying many that rea^ the Corporatir on Aft, which catleth all out of Truftand Power, who dilciaim not abfblucely aU ffhligation of ths Vow or Covenant as on themfelves or any other,

7/ And how can one that enterethinto the Minifiry by publick owning Perjury arid Falilioisd, ever look for any acceptance of his Miniltry by Men,; oi- bietlingon it ( or himfelf in it at leaft ) from God ? Hath God need of Lies and Perjury to his Sewicei Shall we offer fuch a Sacrifice to him that is moft Holyy^nd this under pretence ohat we defied to ferve him by the preaching of his Gbljiel?, Witlv ;\viiat face oan we preach againitany. Sin to the People, when our DeclarationSjSubfcripi tions, andPuWick Ad ions have tirft told them rhatjPferjury it felf may be eonj-mkccd ?- liay, if this ihouid prove to be perjurious^ the Covenant bsing obligatory, then would fhcie terj-ibleConfequents follow.

§ 397. 2. And then thsy fay, That fuch enonmousi Crimes as thete ihould be ^-voided with much more/e^jr than lefler tins: as a Man will left venture upon thi danger of the i^laguey than of thfr Meafles; or:i}poji a defperate Precipice th;n an ea^ie Fall; and will avoid moroit wound at the Heart, than a prick of the Finger : And therefore.no Rational N4ah can expe^jthat here they thould be v^i^pr rous.. ., . :s ;''■' ■■;,,.. •:■■

§ 35-8., ju-'And they addi. That %iog Affirmatives-bind not ddfempcr , and Po/ir live Duties are not Duties at all timaj,:therefore to a Man that i? rationally feai^jui and in doubt of io great a tin as Perjiir^, the preaching of the Golpei can Ije no Duty,.,tiH thofe Doubts be fufficiehtly removed : And therefore! t|)^y, wonder to pcrceivis that abundance are brought to Conformity by this Argument, [I am fure it IS a Duty.to preach the Gofpel: but hum-not jure that it is a fin tp conform : therefore Uncertainties muft gi've place to Certainties^. For it is not a Duty to one of many hundreds to.preach the Gofpel 1 but only of Minifters,: Nor is it any more a Mini-Ifer's Duty that cannot do it wichout finful Conditions, than it is a Womans Duty, nTherefofeib fir as any Man doubtetih whether thCiTerms bs lawful, he mart: needs doubt whether it be his Duty (yea, or lawful^ for him to preach : No Man Can be turer'that it is his Duty to preach, than heisiure that the Conditions of his preaching ard lawful. But on the other*.tide, a Man may for feme time well judge that preaching is no Duty to him, thoaghhebe not liirethat the Condition is fmful, if he hiv&but rational caule of dotihiin'g: eljaecially wheti it is no lc(i than Perjury that he feareth. uablxo ion b/.r v

j. 3fp. 4. Liut they fay,! If ■ it fhduld prove that the Covenant is obligatory, it Would proveljcha.lin 33 ishdrdtobimaichedi i. For a Miniiterof ^it; Gojpel to be to guilty: 2. And this upon pretence of Serving God : g; And this upon deliberation. 4. And to declare, the juftifioation of .three Kingdoms from lb greu a

G g g guile,

guilt, even from the higheft to the lowed : and fo to hinder them all fiom repenting ; and to Sublcribe to it, that their Vows oblige them nor, and the violation of them is no fin. And if Perjury be a damning fin, hereby to endeavour the damnation of fo many thoufands, and all the Plagues and Mileries on the Land that Perjury may bring, y And to declare againft lb needful a Reformation, that it is no Duty at all for Rulers or Subjeds to endeavour it; no not if they have fvorn to do it. 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 toir. All this is exceeding terrible, if this Vow prove obligatory.

§ 560. y. In this Cale they fuppofe that it is dangerous for Men to go againft the concurrent Judgments of Cafuifts, yea, of their own Cafuifts, in the Cafe of Vows: And they know not how to fave Subfcription, from the enmity of the determinations of Dr. Sanderfvny and all other ordinary Cafuifts. And thele aie the general Reafons of their fear.

§ 561. But I fliall hear tell you what they grant about the obligation of the Covenant.

1. They aflert that it can bind no Man to any thing that is finful.

2. No nor to any thing that may hereafter be finful, nor from any thing that may be a Duty, when it cometh tobe fuch: though it were neither Sin nor Duty at the making of the Vow.

;. That it bindeth no Man therefore againft Obedience to the King, though the thing be in it felf 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 cannot 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 it, contrary to the Covenant.

4. That we take our felves bound by the Covenant to nothing , hut 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 Vo-w included and intended nothing meerly indifferent : For it is the Judgment of Proteftants, and fo both of the Fratmrs and the Takers of it, that the ufe of a Vow is not to make new Duties to our felves which God never made, but to bind us to that which God had made our Out/ before. Elfe 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 Adtion material!y,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 fo, if the Covenant had never had a being.

f. 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 Parliament is not in being, the War and Difference of Parties is ended ; Ceffante mate-rut ctjjat cbhgatiu, & cejjantibus perfoMU & rerun* jlatu : It is now paft doubt that we are bound to obey the King, and that there is none to ftand in competition for oUr Obedience: lb that as a League with thofe perjons it cealeth with the perfons. ' 6. Thar ir we liad been allowed but to Sublcribe, Th^t [^there is no Obligation-"—-to endeavour ur.liwfuliy'] or \_by any unlawful means'] We had not Icrupled lodKclaim-ing any Obligation, as on our felves or any other Subjects. Thus far there is no Controverfie among us about the Covenant. .

§ 562. I come now to the Non-Subfcribsrs particular Scruples, which are fuch as thele.

r. They lay, That ail Men confiflingthat an Oath or Vow u obligatory, they muft fee good proof that this particular Vow is «o//» before they can exempt it from the common force of Vows: But fuch proof they have never leen , from Mr. Fuliwood^ Mr, Sttleman, Dr. Gauden, or any that hath attempted it, and on whom it is in-« umhent : but rather admire that Men of fo great Judgment and Tendernefs of Conlcience ihouldever be fatisfied with fuch halting Argunicnts ; 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 Certainties, ceteris paribus: But tiisy are certain in geneial that Vows are obligatory, if materially lawful : and they arc uncertain tliat this Vow it materially unlawful, and lo not obligatory: Ergo tbcy darC not lay that no Man is obliged by it.

§J6}.

'■ ■■'■ ■■ —" ■■■ — r , -., ■ , ■ - ■ ■

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 411

§ ;6}. 2. They fay, That all the World confeffeth that a Vow obligfch mrene-cejjaria, to that which is antecedently a Duty : but they propound it to coiifiJera-tion, whether all thefe things following, which are in the Covenant are certainly no Duties antecedently.

1. [To endeavour m our feveral Places and Callittgs, the prefervalion of the Reformed Religion^

2. [The Reformation of fVorflsipyDifciplineyand Church-Government according totheWord of God, in Ens;land].

3. [To bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearefi conjunQion and uniformity in Religion^

4. [To endeavour the extirpation of (not Epifcopacy, but^ Prelacy, that is, Church-Government by Archhifiiofs, Eifliops, their Chancellours, Commifjaries, &c. i that is the fore delcribed 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/}ition[\

7. And [0/ Herefie]

8. And [of ProphaneneJS]

9. And of [whatfoever fhall be found contrary to found DoBrine and the Power of God-linejS2

10. [To endeavour ■with our Eflates and Lives to defend the King's Majefty''s Perfon and Authority, in the prefervation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms ?] and [not to diminijii his MajeflfsjuH Tower and GreatnefSf]

11. [To be humbled for our own fins and the fms of the Kingdoms,^

12. I^To amend our Lives, and each one to go before another m the Example of a real Reformation^ .

If all thele be not Duties, let the queflion be, Whether any one of them be a Duty ? And then. Whether that which is antecedently a Duty by Divine Obligation, be not further lb 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 Ad. But it is only [ the Alteration of Church Government'] which the prefent Controverfie is about : And if all that was faid againft our Prelacy onthefirft Controverfie prove it a Duty to endeavour an alteration of the Church-Government, then the Controverfie is at an end.

§ ;64. 5. They fay. That all Men confefs that an Oath and Vow is obligatory in a lawful master, though it were not antecedently neceffary: But whether [ in their Places and Callings'] to endeavour an alteration of the Church-Government be not lawful, is the queftion. Here i. let it be obferved, what the matter of the Vow is: 2. Who be the Perlbns whofe Obligations are in queftion. 1. The matter of the Vow was not to extirpate Epifcopacy in general, nor the Primitive Epifcopacy in particular, but only the foredefcribed Ew^/z/J; Diocefan Prelacy , in Specie: which ] prove beyond all denial: i.Becaufe that which was not in being in England could not be extirpated out of England: But it was not the Primitive Epifcopacy, or any other fort, but the prelent Diocelan Prelacy which was in being in England : Ergo no other could be extirpated. 2. Bscaule when the Covenant was debated firft in the Synod at V/eflminfler, abundance of Divines who Subfcribed the Covenant, did openly profefs that they were not againft Epifcopacy ; and would not confent to it in any liich fence. 5. BecaufSthe faid Divines upon that profeffion, cauled the Defcription of the word [Prelacy] tobeexpred in a Parenthefes, which is only the Delcripcionof our Diocefan Frame: which is to be (een in the words of the Covenant. 4. Becaufe when the Houfe of Lords ( who impoled \t) did conjundily and folemnly take the Covenant, Mr. Tho. Coleman who preached and gave it them, did openly declare at the giving and taking of it, that it was not all Epifcoj>acy that they renounced or vowed hv this Covenant to extirpate, but only the Diocelan Prelacy there defcribed. All this, with the words themfelves, I think is fuffi-cient Evidence of the matter of that Claufe.

§365-. 2. And for the Per/ow/, here are efpecially three forts in queftion : i. The King, 2. The Parliament, ;. The People. The firft queftion is. Whether the People (in the number allowed by the Ad) may not by humble petition endeavour a reforming Alteration of the Prelacy ? 2. Whether Parliament Men may not lawfully fpeak and vote for ir ? 3. Whether King and Parliament may not alter it, by altering the Laws? If all thele Adions be the endeavouring of a Duty, or of a lawful Thing in their ftveral ?laces and Callings, and that be the very thing which the Vow obligeth them to^ then the queftion is,Whether hereto it do not bind them.-'

G g g 2 § 366.

§ ■^66. i.To fay that the People may not lb much as fetition 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, profelTed to maintain, but al(o fuch Liberty as Lawyers lay is woven into the Conltitution of the Kingdom by the Fundamental Laws, and cannot be taken from them but bv changing the Conftitution, yea, and reducing them to a ftate below that of a Subjedt.

§ %6-j. 2, To fay that a Parliament Man may not Jpeak or 'vote for (uch an alteration, feemeth to be againff the old unqueftioned Priviledge of Parliaments, which was never denied by the King who oppofed them in other things. And this Opinion alfo by fuch an Alteration of Parliaments, would alter the ConiHtuted Government of the Land.

§ ;68. J. To fay that the King and Parliament may not alter Prelacy by altering the Law, doth leem to be the higheft Injury toSoveraignty, by denying the Legit-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 becaufe 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 eflablilhed the E»ilijli 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. ;. 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 afoiefaid, 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 feemeth a thing that may be done ; and a Vow turneth a may be into a w?«/ be, where it is of force. And thus far they think that there is no great difficulty in the Con-tro"erfie.

§370. Before I tell you their Anfwers to the contrary Reafons, I may tell you that not only Dr. Sander[on granteth, but all Conformifts that ever 1 talkt with hereabout, do agree with us in thefe following Points.

1. That we niuft here diftinguiOi between the Actum Imperantis,the ABum Juran-tisy and the Materiam Juramenti: the Ad of the Parliament impoling it; the A6t of the Perfbns 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.

5. 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 Aciffs Jurandt 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 difoblige the Swearer from the lawful part: Otherwife an unlawful Claule put in, may free a Man from a Vow for the inoft neceflary Duties.

5. That if a Nation take a Vow, it is a ferfonal Vow to every individual Perlbn in thar Nation who took it,

6. That if there be in it a mixture of a Vow to God, and a League, Covenant or Promile to Men, the Obligation of the Vow to God may remain , when as 3 League or Covenant with Man ceafech : unlefs when the Vow is not co-ordinate, but lubordinate to the League or Covenant, as being only a Vow or Oath that it fhall befaitht'ully performed.

7. That if a Vow be impofcd in lawful proper Terms, it is not any unexprefted Opinion oT the Impofers, that maketh the Matter unlawful to the Taker.

8. That if thelmpofsrs be many Perfbns naturally making one coUedive Body, no fence of theirs is to be taken asCKplicatory, 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 underlland it j yet a M,in that taketh an Oath from a Robber to hve his Life,is not alway bound to take it in the Impofers fence,ifhe take knot againft the proper fence of the words.

10. That though a Subjed Ihould do his beft to underftand the Impofers fence, for the right taking of it, yet as to the keepngoiit, he is bound much to the lencs in which he himlelf took it, though poffibly he mifunderftoud the Impofers.

§ ?7i

§ ;7J. Now to their Anfwer to theReafonsof the Conformifts. Object. I. The End was evil ; to change the Government of Church and State witk^ out Law, which was jet led by Law : The BijJiops were a part of the Houfe of Lords, ani therefore could not he cafi out but by their own confent, and the whole 'Parliament''s With the King.

Anfw. I. It is not the ill ends of the Perfons impofing that can difoblige the Taker, unlels it had been the finis proximui ipfius Juramenti efTential to the Vow it felf, and infeparable from it. The Ends of Parliaments may be manifold and unknown, which the People cannot know,nor arebouad tofearchafter.The words of the Vow k felf are [«« our [everal Places and Callings we jiiaU endeavour^ : And this Was the ex^ . prefled work and end;And this was not doing any thing againft Law.lfa difcontented Perfbn now Ihould fay, that the Parliamenis End in the Ad: of Uniformity, and that againft Conventicles, was Perfecution and the Suppreflion of Religion , and therefore they are not to be obeyed, how would this hold, while 'Uniformity and, Teace are the publijiied 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 touched by it felf. They thought fuch a Change of Church-Government was a gooj End : And for doing it agamft Law they put not that into the Swearers part, in this CUufe ; and profeffed the contrary themlelves. But if they did themfelves purpofc to do that againjt Law, which others fwear to do [?« their Places and Calling "] that is, according to Law, are thole others therefore not obliged to do what they vowed to do according to Law, becaule the Impofers intended to do their part againft Law ?

;. I fuppofe all the King's Party who took the Oath at their Compoftion , had no ili end in it, and are they not then to interpret it by their own Ends, as it is their Per-lonal 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 Coww««</id»(^ LfJifj materially good : And then every Subjed will take himlclf to be difobliged, who is but confident that Perfecution, Op-preJfion,^c. 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 ail this ; Doth not my Vow oblige me, becaule he had evil Ends that drove me to ic ? Nay, if I had my [elf vowed to do all thele for fonie evil end, though ic iscert.iin that I mull not do it to that end, yet whether the change of my End, does difoblige me alio from my Vow,Ai to the Matter, is a difficult queftion, which. I think Caluifts commonly lefolve 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, tlie Cafe is much plainer.

^. Who can fay that the King had an tU End in taking it i Or that his Place and Calling did not impower him to do that which in a Subjedl would have been illegalj and that he may not lawfully endeavour accordingly ?

And whereas it is faid, That the very War it felf expounded tkir meaning who im-fojed It, they being then in Arms againfi the King ;] It is anlwered by the Non-Subferi-bers, I. That they openly profeffed to take up Arms 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 '\tinmy Place and Calling, I am not obliged to expound this to be \_out of my Place and CaSmg^ becaufe they go cue of their Place and Calling.

And whereas it is faid, That {_the Bijliops were part of the Parliament, and fo of the Civil Government^'^ It is anfwered,

r. That the Parliament declared that they were no Conftitutive, EfTential, Unchangeable Part, without whom the Ads of both Houfes were invalid :They were but part of the Lords Houfe, where they might be over-voted.

2. The Scruple of the Non-Sublcribers is not at all, whether they are obliged to endeavour to difpoffels 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-. tentled both the Ejedion of them from their Church Power, and their Places iir Parliamentjit foUoweth not that it obligeth not,to the lawful «^ ; becaufe itobligeth not to ihi unlawful!

g. Nor can it eafily be proved unlawful for the King and Parliament, either to make a fepjration of thefe Powers, or to take both from them , and ^o fet up the Primitive fort ofBilhops, either with or without any Civil Authority: Abbots had once alfo a place in ParKament, and yet they are now taken down, it is fup-pofed not unlawfully. Ths King himfelf doth lawfully make Members of borh Houfes, by making Earls and Barons, and by giving Corporations power to choofe BurgelTes, who before had none. And as the new making of theie, ta the excluding of fbme Members, may be without any change in the Form of Civil Go-vernment: Certainly many Fathers and Canons are againft the Civil Government of the Clergy.

§ 372. 2. The fecond objection is [That the Authority of the Impofers was null as to that Atf].

Anfiv. That is a diftinft Controverfie, which here I Ihall pafs by : But granting it to be (b, no more will follow but that the Veo^le were not bound by any Command of theirs to take it : But a Vow that is taken in my Clolet, without any Man's impofition 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 j which will not infer the nullity of the Obligation 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 moll nearly toucheth the Controverfie) is. That ihs A^atter vowed (to extirpate Prclacj) wm unlawful, both as againji the Laws of God and of the Land.

Anfw. If this be proved, no doubt but the Obligation is void, and of no effeft. But, I. 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 Subjsds modeflly to petition, or Parliament Men tofpeak, or the King and Parliament to change ; which are the Adions which belong to their Places and Callings. And if it had been exprefly part of the matter of that Vow [ro do this by unlawful means] the queftion is, Whether this can difoblige the Swearer from the lawful part adjoyning, which is [to do it in their Places and Callings ] ? Whatever 0-iher matter is, this matter- is not yet proved to be unlawful.

§ 374. Objed. But Epijcopacy IS ]nxzYih\t\0, and the Co-venant mentioneth the ex-tjrpation of Prelacy, which is of the fame Species with the other Epifcopacy: And therefore it is to be underjlood as to the extirpation of all Epifcopacy, and fo not obligatory. Anfw. I. It is before proved that our Prelacy is not of Divine Right.but againft if. 2. And that it differeth even Jpecifically from the Primitive Epifcopacy. 3. But that's nothing to the Covenant: For whether it differjf^eaV, velgradu, vcl acctdenti-bus, it is proved that the Covenant talketh not of the CKtii p.ition of any other E-pifcopacy but it alone. 4. But if it did, it followeth not that the Obligation a-gaind the unlawful Prelacy is null, becaule theconjund Vow againft ail Epifcopacy is null: If a Man Vow at once to do two things, of which one is la\Aful, and the other unlawful, he may be bound to the lawful part, when he is not bound to the unlawful. But it's plainly proved, that it was our Prelacy exifiait. as fuch, dcfcri-bed exprefly, (yea, the inclufion of Epifcopacy openly dilclaimecl; which was the thing covenanted againft.

§ 375'. Objeft. The finis proximus is part of the matter of the Vow : for the feveral Acts are vowed only as means to that end: And therefore the obligation to the end ceafrng, the obligation to the means as fuch doth ceafe: Now the end was the maintaining a fVar againfi the King, and the illegal taking down of Prelacy : And every Clau/e in the Covenant receiving tts fence fi-om this unlawful End, is it felf unlawful.

Anfw. Though I hear none ufc this Realbn, yet it being the ftrongeft that I could devife, and all that can feem of any weight being comprized in it, 1 will not pafi it by; (though it be for Subftance the fame with that firft anfwer-ed^. And,

I. It is plain that the finis proximus of altering Pr Jacy, can be neither of thele mentioned: Neither the ^^<jr, nor the illegality o^ the Change: The finis proximus muft be the cejjation of Prelacy : The next End was a ( real or fuppolcd) eaje to the Nation by it; and a ('real or luppoled) Reformation of the Church by it : And fo far are the two aforefaid things from being the nearcfl Ends, that they would be wo Ends. For, i. The nature of the thing iheweth it : It may much fidier be faid that the fVar was for the taking down of Prelacy (as is commonly laid by the Prelatifts) than that the taking down of Prelacy was for the Wan Antl ihe War was long before Prelacy was taken down: And it is contrary to fence to

fay,

ay. That {jbe taking down of Prelacy'} was \_for the illegal manner uf doing ;f], bur li-ker that [jbe illegal manner of doing it} ( if it were illegal) was [_for thi: taking down of Vrelacy^j: The 7w«««er was for the work as its end, and not the work tor die manner. 2. And there is no liich end exprelTed intheCovenant,buc contrarily a!i along, Reformation is the profefled end. And it is not fecnt cnds^ but the ends ex-prefTed 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 r/jc finis materia, theEnd of extirpatingVrelacfX. I anlwer, If that were proved^ it is nothing to the Point; for it will only prove the Impofing to be unlawful.

If it be faid. That it was alfo [ the End of Mem taking it ]. I anfwer, i. He that faith it was the intended End of the Takers, muit know all their hearts, and know that all their Ends were the fame; which is impoflible. 2, If ic be only j the. 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 expreffed in the Covenant. 2. If it had been commanded, that was the fin of the Comma?}ders, but proveth not that the Covenanters all took it to the commanded ends : And it bindeth according to the Takersiknce. 3. If it had been certainly taken to a wrong end by every Man that took it (which is not proveable), this would only prove the Ailum Jurandi to be a fin, but not the Materiam Juratam to be evil ; which is the heart of all the Controverfie. There is great difference between the finis jurandi and the finis ret jurata'■) ths st\d oi fweartng, and the end of the thing fworn. If the finis jurandi only be evil, it will only prove the a^um jurandi to be a fin : but ic will not prove the materia juramenti to be unlawful: and then the Oath may be obligatory ( as fhallbe further fhewed). 4. Nay, go to the higheft, and if it had been the end of the matter fworn, (viz,, of the extirpation of Prelacy ) that was evil, yet (as I have (aid j moft Cafuifts, I think, will determine that the matter is feparable in moft Cales from the end, (unlefs ic be a meer relative Ad which the finis froximus is elTential toj. If a Man fwear Allegiance to the King to a wrong end, is he not therefore obliged to Allegiance by his Oath ? If a Man fwear to do many things in themfelves indifferent, upon a miftaken fuppofition that they are Duties, and fo for the pleafing of God j when it is difcovered to that Man, that they were media tnepta, or no means at all to that end (oi pleafing God) but things indifferent, I luppole he is not therefore difbbliged, though he vowed them only ful> ratione mediorum : becaufe the keeping of a Vow about things lawful, is pleafing 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 Supert-onrs, becaufe they have wrong Ends in all , or moil things which they do. But this laft part of the Anlwer is needlefs^ becaufe the former are of undoubted cef-tainty. ' _ ^'.j

§ 571^. 4. The fourth Reafon againft the Covenant is, That it wasfmfuUy talt^,

Anfw. I. It may be finfully taken of one (that had no iufficient Motives,or had evil onesj and not of another: This Objedion chargeth fin on the King and all the Lords^ and Knights and Gentlemen'6f his part, who rook it unwillingly ; v^hen none of them have been heard Ipeak for themfelves, nor have produced the R.eaf:)ns that moved them to take it. 'o^:;; /Vi fjji

2. If this were all granted of King and Kingdoms (that they (inned in taking it) it proveth no more, bm the a^m jurandi was a fin, and not the materia juramenti evil • which is no proof of the nullity of the Obligation.. Many a Man op Woman that finned in marrying ( for wrong ends, or without juft eaufe, &c>) is yet bound by the Marriage Covenants. Many things ixejinful that are not nullities. A rafh, or ignorant, or cauflefs V^ow is iinful ^uoad acliitm, and yet obligatory if it bi lawful efuoad materiam, and be no nullity. When it is either really wo Fow, or thething vowed be forbidden of God., then it is not to be judged obligatory.

§ 377. The fifth Realbn againit the Obligation is, from Numb. jo. That it was nulled by the King's declared dijjent. To which it is anfwered by theNon-Subfcribsrs, I. That the Text is nothing to the Point, or ait leaft, no Man can be fure it is. For, I. it (peaketh only de materia non necefi'aria ; but the Covenant is liippoled by the Non-Sahicnbirs to fyc^k de materia necejjaria. 2. The Text exprefly limiteth tlie indulgence to a daughter in the family, or a wife, and doth not extepd ic to the ffronger Sex. ^. It limiteth it to Families, where the Ruler is ftill at hand, and extendeth it not 10 Kingdoms. 4. It doth not prove the Obligation null from the beginning, but only dilTolved afcerward by the Father's or Husband's difpenfation ( 35 many Verfcs exprefs). 5. Therefore to pretend a parity of reajon, for a King's

difpenfing^

difpenfing with his Subjefts Vo»ws, js a bare pietence, and unproved , and difpro-ved. 6. If it would hold, thtn it is in the power ot Kings to fave all their Sub-jecbs from the guile of Perjury, by dilpenfing with ail thi-ir Vows. 7. This Law if* Nnmbers is no farther in force than it appearecii to belong to the Law of Nature, or of Chrift : For as Mofesh Law, jt 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 Latid and Scoihmd never knew of the. King's Declaration againfi: the Covenant ? How then could that difpenfe with their Vows, which they never knew of, nor portiWy could know of, being in the Parliamenrs Garrilbns or Quarters ? 9.Whafs this to all thofe that took it when clu King was dead, and therefore could not di-fpehfe with their Oaths ? lO. What is this to the King hiinfelf, who took it long after his Father's Death, over whom no man had a difpenling Power? 11. What's this toall thole that took it after the prelent K'ftg ^'^^ taken it, and publilhed a Declaration for it ? Did not this then confirm {h& Obligation? (Though for my part I am one of thofe that think that the Scots did tli, immannerlj , dijobediently , unlaii/fully, inhumanly, foohjJUy, in forcing theKmgto take tbeCo'venant again ft his will, and to fub-Ifjh fohiirfl) a DecUration againfi h/s Father s A£iiens, contrary to ha own jfudgment). Yet ir h hisopeii Declarations, iand not his (e.crct Unwillingnels, which hisdiftant Subjects-coil Id take notice of So th.u this realon feemeth Ihotigly to make againit the pleaders ol it, becaule of the King's confiPmrtig, A<i>,';,.: o; .

§ ^78. 6. The fiKch Reafon is, L That the Feofle cf.nnot lawfully endeavour the cbavge of Chttreb Go'vernment without the .Ki/^T Anfit:(.'\c> l^.mnoc the Suhjeih jutttion, 4nd tha'Pi^rliament Jpeak and vote wkho\iL him ,.mx^ petition hii>i alio ? 2. Cannot a Bi^ep lawfully advile the King; do doit, jJl^jie^King ask his. Advice ? , 3.Cannot the Subjeds endt:avour it if theKingcommaud';tJ\tm? Are tjiey all boutid-tp dif-nbey the King i( he Ihould command tlieir S«fvi^« for the Change of Prelacy in-t6 the Primitive EpifcopacyrXheirP/'^ce and Galling is to do it when the K^g com-fej^rkkth-tliem : And lo many ai them underitood as^d took it: And iti^e^tjieth coo near a kin to Rebellion, to faycbait no.Sub)e<a: mufl obey the King in lii^h a ftjatpgr, -though hs fvear it. if yo«ji:iay,This is never like to be: I anfwer, IJJq S^n fcnovJreth what Change the Mind ot Kings, ^s well as other Men, niajf sdipifi: And they that read the King's i^claration \{\lScotland, thought they had a -vifible proof of it. 4. And what's allichis tO(the'King's own Ad:, who took ife^iiflifeif j Whow we muff alfo by our Subfcqption difoblige? ,inaiaft-" ■'

§ ;74. 7. Ttiefcvenrh Reafon anfvvereth.this, [That the KJug took no(.^ktffame Co^>^nV-ment^cru>d''in'4he Act of Uniformity, but another']. Anfw. This is ib thiii a ftift, that th&jK'in'ghimlelf doth not own if.,, hut faith, That his Enemies ,drove fif>i* to it agaitifl his will, ki\i..{irj!itatts mnTandu]A\\i various Names and , Cales oi- Pe^^lons- mi'ae an O.ith or Qovdnant not ito be the fatne I Bccaule it's laid in the toiSi'l''ing {}^^ Noble mtn, Knights, &c. and not [^^f the King and Nobles f\ they fup-rtt^liftoitiet: Noffie or Per/«7tinMi«tkit fpeciftcally another Covenant. Or -becauie woh\vrfii\ioi jirbTt&itig tl>e King's Petfoii, b-iioaged not ;Cp,hi!t» to.taka''i ,^ ;. !i£§'x8«; Jf.- .Acother Reafon is,i .^.That ih^iXi^g li'as forced to nj, Anfwf^ The more ttyAj^'t4<^itied!a(retbey that did ir,then : Wirt ali-tho World acknowledgech f hat the Wiifs/'Man' canhoc be forc«diab(olutely :. and.t-iiat a voluntary -hA, though eau-ltd by nvCcllity or tcrrour, is moral ; and that a Promif; made tp Man ;(,much n!JtoFb-*'Vow:co iGod) in rndterja lictta, thouRb forc^ by-a.Rt)l^t¥r that would uke aw<»y wies Life,' niff)' yac be Otiiigatory. A M^n that maj' Criwie whether he will Vh-»^^ die, is bihundiby his Towjif he chooieit, before i^e^lx: .Though yet the ehiofihg it hV4'^ pQlHbly be hb la). . i j .. .. .. 1,

-iijn^ JJf ;■ ^ My; TuUwood^ igp^tiJRiCafon is, That the Ki?>g v^as pre-engagedtOxtaki the I£i^t0rion OathiM Heir.ofthe.Gro')Au,.and confefjiuntlj engaged toEpifcopacy^ iifid^ confer ^ktiiUy be wxu Dot obliged e^gam^ it b^ the Cozitnapt. , . , ^,] -

Anfwiyi-'U he'iwire not-obliged to tike' the Crov^n, he w^s not obliged W^titke-'ftiar Q.iHv If hs> wtre obliged uhder the; Pi^vU of a Sin .60- take ihe Crown, theii-CAWti the Bifth, and othcf Princes th4t,Uave laidiiown Crowns, or refuted them^'tiavefiivied i.x'unlelsfomepcctiijair Reaibp bu.here brought), fiat tKis^isnot rtffirnretitbyjnfyvThata Prince may not lawfull); ,fefu(l«, aCroyvn, .un-" lefs when'»CJWouiilhji>.idixTieJ;Iappine£of theKingdomr ". ; .i.j . .-.oi-^-. !'

i.'jBe miightliAve jidcen the Crown with an alteration of that Oath :, Who ever <flid, That tt»e Kiiigand Parlian.cnt have not po\4^r to elMnge that Oath, wtw? iC^n change rlxf|,RVU<!''J''^l'^' v Ij i </C'»■' ^rr■>d^o^■i-l . 'ii/I < »o': •«! ih'ihn^Jy '

e'-iadn-' : .rrtUx^- ■

■ ■(■ , -<^« bn-- ,. c'..,.; ^ . / (itsMhOj

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

;. Who can prove that it is any violation of that Oath, or wrong to [ the li-hertks of the Church'] which the Kingfweareth to preferve,to change the Preucy into the Primitive Epifcopacy? b> taking down Lay-Chancellors, and reftoring Pa-ftoral Power, &c. any more ihan it was co take down Abtpots, and to cart out the Pope, and to lubjeft the Clergy to the Magiilrate, who before were much exempt; All thefe feem to be much more againfl the Liberties of that which was called the Church when this Oath was formed, than the Ihewing Mercy to Prelates and thd whole Land, by reducing them toi a lawful rank, can be.

4. Do any Cafuilfsin riie World teacli fuch Dodrine, That a former Oath is null, beciufe 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 con'equently to fwear to do ir, tlie queftion is, Wherher the Obligiti-on to fwear the upholding of them, or the Obligation not 10 fwear it, were the greater ?

§ ;82. 10. Mr FuUwood's further Reafon is. That [it U injuftke to caB out fo many Men from their pojj'ejjed Dignities and Efiates j and therefore nu Vow can oblige any to

Anfw. I. If indeed ;: were fo, then the Vow extending but to our Places andCal-lings, cannot bind us to it : But is it any Injuftice to make a Law againft Pi-elacy in Specie, and to let their Places and Honours die -with them? The Government may be (b altered without putting out any Man, if none be put in toliicceed them when they die.

2. And what if the King continue them as Church-Magiftrates ( only to do what his own Officers may do, to keep the Churches Peace as Juftices) and continue 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 Eale, and therewith left them, durante vita, their Eftates and Honours ? Would this have been any inj iry to them?

4. If Prelacy be as finful as the Non-Subfcribers foregoing Arguments would prove, can it be injufticc to fave a Man from Sin and Hell? and to fave all the Churches from fuch Calamity, for fome fleflily abatements that follow to a fevsr Perlbns ?

5-. 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 iuffer by it ?

6. Efpecially 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 an 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 lofi ? For my part, I never accufed them for cafting out lb 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 ihould rather juftifie it.

§ 38;. II. The laft and not the weakeft Realbn againft the Obligation of the Covenant is. That [^ tf tt were lawful before for fubje£is to petition, and Parliament Men to jpeak and vote againft Prelacy, yet now tt is not j becaufe by thisA5i the Parliament hath made it unlawful.

Anfw. I. The Parliament doth only declare their fenfe of a thing paft [ that no Man ts bound] and not enaii by a Law that no Man jl)all henceforth be bound.

2. If it had been otherwile, all Proteftants contcfs that neither Pope , nor any Earthly Power can dilpenfe with Oaths and Vows.

:}. They do not fo much as prohibit all Men to endeavour an alteration of Government in the Church, but only forbid them to fay, That they are bound to it by the Covenant.

4. They have allowed Subjeds 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 Liberties and of Parliaments Priviledges, and of the Conftitution of the Kingdom, as to forbid Subjeds peritioning, and all Parliament Men fpeaking, and to difable the King and Parliament from changing a Law when they (ee caufe: If they ihould doanyof thi?, the Charges now brought againft the Long Parliament, would teach and allow us to fuppofe all to be null,

H h h ^ If

6. If the Laws of God bs againft Prelacy, thofe oblige above all Humane Laws. And he that fhoiild forbid another to fave him or his Neighbour when he is drowning , doth not by that prohibition make the faving of them unlawful before God.

§ ;84. Now to the Latitudinarians addition of Reafons ^e modo & fenfu. i.They fay that the A£t extendeth not to the King at all, when it biddeth us fubfcnhe, th at [^there is no Obligation on me, or any other perfon ]; for Laws being made for Subje^s, are to be interpreted only of SubjeBs, unleJS when the King is named.

To this it iseafily anfwered. That they diftinguifh not between the King as the SubjeB of a Law, and the King as the ObjeB of my Afjertion or Belief. It's true, that the Law fpeaketh of SubjeBs only whenever it fpeaketh of the Duty of Subjeds; and the King is no Subjeft : 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 J and as the ObjeB of the Subjeds Ads of Loyalty. The queftion is not here. Who is commanded by this AB ? but who is obliged by the Covenant or Vow ? And if I be commanded to fay, that [no perjonis obliged^ without any limitation, I can with no realbn except the King, whom the Law excepteth not: Princes may be obliged by Vows as well as others, and their Obligations may be the Subjed of our Aflertions and Belief

§ 385'. 2. The (econd Reafon is, Becaufe the King's Government is part of that whofe elteration is deslared agamfi, therefore he can be none oftbe[^any other perfens^j.

Anfw. I. So the Prelates are the Perfons whofe Government is here mentioned, and yet no doubt they are included in the [any other perfons^'y as their Chancellors, CommiiTaries, Deans, &c.

2. Tf the King may he included, when it is faid, That no Man mufi extirpate Monarchy 'yXio not the Kingj much more when it is iaid,That no Man may extirpate Prelacy ; for there the reafon of the Objedion faileth.

§ 386. 15. Thev further fiy, That ^the AB meaneth only that no Man it bound by the Vaw to endeavour againjt Law, as by Rebellion, Sedition, Treafon, &c. and not that SubjeBs may not petition, Parliament Menjpeak, or King and Parliament alter the Law: which they prove, becaufe it WiS taking up Arms and illegal AB tons only that the old Parliament was blamed for.

Anfw.Th'is one pretence hath drawn abundance of laudable Perfons to Subfcribe: but how unfatisfadory it is, may thus appear : i. Why then could it never he pro-cured to have the word [unlawfullyJi put into the Ad ? when it was know that in that lence none of us would have fcrupled it.

2. All Cafoifls agree that Univerfal Terms in or about Oaths and Vows, muft not be imderftood any otherwife than UniverJaHy, without apparent cogent Realbn : On luch Terms as thefe elfe a Man may take any Oath in the World, or dilclaim any : The Parliament hathexadly tyed Subfcribers to the particular words, and they long deliberated to exprels their own fence: And they fay \_neither I nor any other perjonj^ and now cometh an Expofitor, and faith. The King is not the (^ any ether per/on^ What I Is he no Perfon ? or is lie not another Perfon ? So they fay [no Obligation Itetb on us to endeavour'], and the Latitudinarian faith, That I may endeavour it, and that they mean no Endeavour but unlawful. This contradidory Exception and Expofition is againll all common Ufe and Juftice, and fuch as will allow a Man to cheat the State, by faying or unlaying any thing in the World.

3. We have many a time told fome Latitudinarians how this matter may befbon decided if they will : The Parliament hath paft another Ad with the felf fame words in it, making it Conffcatton for any Man to fay, That ^^^he or any other perfon is obliged by the Covenant to endeavour any Alteration of Church-Government 3 • Let them vviicc or lay openly [Men are obliged by the Covenant to endeavour it by lawful meansj hut not by unlawful J : and let them give leave to another to accufe them in a Court of JuRice 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 Acculer fhall lofe his Coffs, and no danger can befal them. If they be not in the right, they will be puniflied by Conftlcation: And is not the hazard of fuch a Law Suit cheap enough for a Man to fave himiilfand others from (b great a Guilt, as the Jufiification of three Kingdoms in the Sin of Perjury ( if it lb prove )? And yet I could never hear of the Man that would .mzard his ElUte thus on the confidence df his Expofition of the Law J but multiiudes venture their Souls upon it.

4, The

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 al| out of doubt: For in the Corporation Adt all Men are put out of Power and Trufl, who will not declare, that (abfolutely, without any limitation) [ There is na Obligation upon me or any other ferjon, from the Oath called, &c. ] lb that all Obligation to any thing at all by that Vow, is in this nioft important Ad denied, and the profemon of this denial thus impoled. By which it is palt doubt that the Lawmakers fence is againft all Obligation abfolutely.

f. And that it is fo, is well know to thofe that know what was faidin the Parliament, when among the Commons this Reafbn carried it j fix.. Tliat if any Obligation at all be acknowledge it, even to things lawful, every Jedittous ferfon -will be left to think that he is bound to all which he conceiveth lawful, which withfome will be to refist the King or commit Treafon: Therefore all Obligation abfolutely mull be dented. 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 ( for they will think Parliaments cannot difpenle 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 lelt they take the unlawful to be ilawful: As it is to teach Men to take nothing which God commandeth, to ba their Duty, for fear lead the/ ihould take ther Stn to be their Duty.

§ 387. Objsd. Bui what if the Bfjhop give me liberty to put in the word [unlawfully^ or to Subfcrtbe only in that fence • may J net then lawfully do tt ?

Anfw. This was the only Expedient to draw in Nonconformifts heretofore, and lb it hath proved of late again. But I diftinguidi, i. There is much difference be-\ tween Subfcribing the very words of the Ad, with the verbal or by-addition ol your own Explication, and the putting in of your Explicatory words into the Sentence which you Sublcribe. 2, Between Subfcribirtg this as the impofed Declaration in the Ad, and Subfcribing it only as another thing. 5. Between t\\Q fecret and the o/>f» Explication of your Mind. For my part, if the word [ unlawfully 1 had been joyned to [endeavour'^ by the Law-makers, I would not have Icrupled to Sub-fcribe that part of the Declaration. But i. 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 bufinels ( who may expound it in order to the decilion of a particular CaufeJ; but only a Wttnef that you Subfcribe. 2. If )ou only Subfcribe the very words of the Declaration, and Jpeak your Explication, or write it in a by-paper, you do then provide an infufficient Plaifler for the Sore : you do that which is evil in it felf, and would ciire it by an unefTedual accidental Medicine : You harden both the Impofers and Subfcribers by your Scandal, while you are faid to Subfcribe the very thing impofed, whofi fence is fo plain, that your Ex-pofition is but an apparent ludicrous diflortion. As if I were commanded to Subfcribe this Sentence [ God hath no knowledge ncr no love ] ; The Impofer under-ftandeth it vulgarly and blafphemoufly : The words in the inoft llrid aad 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* venter, 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 the Glafs and Image by which we know him : yet would I not Subfcribe this impofed Proppfition, while the Impofer meaneth it blafphemoufly j becaufe it is a heinous Scandal to be faid to Subfcribe and own fuch Villany, and ia to encourage others to it; no though I might exprefs my fence. 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 expounded by the Law-makers themfelves) but as another, and may make this as publick and nbtoiions as your Subfcription it felf is, then I havelefs to fay againft it. Therq are no woids ucterable which a Man may not put a good fence on if hepleafe: And yet I durff 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.y though I had liberty to fay, I mean it in this or that fence Which is true and warrantable.

§ ?88. 4. Another Motive of the Latitudinarians to Subfcribe is, That by [_to endeavour anj Change or Alteration of Government tn the Church^ is meant only [any cbangi of the Species of our Church-Government, and noc any Reformation of integral or acch Cental Defeds, or Depravations,

H h h ? Anfw,i,

jinfw. I. And yet thele very Men do profefi to believe, with Mv.Sttllwgfltet^hit no Form of Church-Government is of Divine Aff ointment or Impofition : And if lb, why is it not lawful for the King and Parliamenc to change that which God hath not made neceflary ? Or for Subjeds to endeavour it by Petition ?

2. It is agreed on by Caluifts ( and their Bilhop of Lincoln Dr. Sandtrfon , with the reft) That Oaths are to be taken jenfu [iniHore, and fo are Laws, and thofe elpecially which determine of the Obligation of Oaths : But it is an unwarrantable audacious liberty for any Subjed unnecefTarily thus to turn an Umverjal Enunciation into a Definite and Particular; and when the Law faith [ any alteration of Governmental to fay that {^fome alteration^ is not included. Their reafon is becaufe it is faid [o/] and not [Jn] Government. Anfiv. There is no Language ("much lels the Engltfli) that alloweth you fuch a fence of thefe two Prepofitions, as if [o/] muft needs mean the Species, and [in] may mean only the Integrity or Acadentt. We dare not be lb bold as to feign fuch a Difference and Latitude of fence , to be in the Prepofition [of] unlefi we could prove it.

3. • Will it not be taken for Treafbn if you make the fame *Andthe lame [of] is annex- Expofition of the other Claufe of the Declaration, and fay that ed to both [the Government of ^^e King and Parliament meant no more, than to fiy that no Church or State). Therefore if »..ljli/ j m-i

it be treafonable to expound it Man is bound by the Covenant to endeavour an tpntial or Sfe-in your fence, of the One, it is cifick Change of State-Government '^ or no greater Change than fure unlawfij fo to expound it as what may leave it flill in the Sfecies of a Monarchy. Or do you to the Other. believe that they meant no mart ? 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 Specifie 3 Government , and what but to integrate it ; and juft how far a Change may go before it may be called a Clwnge of the Species.

y. But fuppofe all this were nothing : It is clearly proved that it is not the Genus of Eplfcopacy, but the Species of Engltjh Prelacy ( defcribedj which the Covenant meansch. And I have proved already that a £>ecifick alteration of this Prelacy is lawiul; and whether alfo not-neceffary let the impartial Reader judge. I have asked the mod Learned of the Diocefan Party that I could meet with, this Queftion, Whether ic be not lawful for the King and Parliament to take down Chancellors, and all Lay-Judges in Spiritual Courts, and Deans, Arch-deacons, CommifTaries, 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 adjacent Villages, yea, or in every great Parifh, to govern with his Presbyters, as it wns'm Ignatimhhdiys ( arid 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 this a Change of Government dejpeck , or according to the fence of the Ad; ? And they all confeft it: C For if they did nor, the Ad and Declaration would herein do them no good f, but t I pray ask the Law-givers, Jeave private Men to endeavour (uch an Alteration, which they "Src^, this oatht Z •^"0^ i^ ^" the Alteration that ever we defired of them ; and for mill-, if you endeavour to extir- which they have called US Vresbyterians ) I ha"e asked them fur-pate the Englijh Prelacy, but not ther, Whether a Vow turn not a licet into an oportet ? And they to root out all Epifcopacy. ngygr 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 Epilcopacy in genere which the Covenant

11 o for a Mind prepared and meant, and conlequently the Ad meaneth (I. Which I have pro-

.vilhng to know tlu: Truth. ^^j ^^ ^^^ ^^j^ evidently untrue ; there being no other Epi/copacy

but our Prelacy then exilicnt, nor Epifcopacy ever named in the Covemnt in genere, but this Prelacy, being exadly delcribed, and this purpofely for the deciding of this very Duubt, by the means of Mr. Gar a/lfr. Dr. Surges, and many more in the Aflemblies who renounced the extirpation of all Epilcopacy, and the Lords having taken the Covenant in that openly declared fence : But iup-pofe all this had not been (b: Doth not a renunciation of the Gf»«f contain the Species i And if any Man voweth againft theG>»w, miffaking it to be all Cm(\A, will not his Vow bind him againft that 5;>«/ej which indeed is finful, though not a-gainft the others ? As fuppofe that a Man (hould think that All fwearing and Accu-ling others were a fin, and foto fave himfelf from thefiid lias, fhould Vow to God againft them all: If afteiward this Man dilcovcr that Ibme /wearing before a Magi-fhate is a duty, and feme accufwg of another, is he not for all that flill bound againft

prophaxi

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

prophane and rajl) /wearing ? and malicious or mjujt accajing, which indeed are fins ? for therein he was not mjftakcn. So if Men had (as they did not ) upon milUke make a Vow againft all Epifcopacy or Prelacy as a fin , and afterward difcover fhat one fort is a Duty, and the other a Sin, do they not remain obliged againlt that wherein they were not miftaken ?

6. Laftly, Let it be noted, That though it be faid in the Declaration [ o/] Go-vernment, yet it is added [»'« the Church'] and not [of the Church] : which is as much againft them as the other is for them, (eeming to intimate, that it is not the Fornl enly Confiitutive of the Church, which they here intend.

§ J 89. y. Some leading Independents lay, That it -was ejjintial to this Voii^to bt al-fo a League : and as a League it u eeafeJ, by the cejfation of Perfans and Occapons. ThiJ ihift they were put upon firft themfelves (being the firft that nullified thele Bonds^ that they might do what they did againft the Covenant, and niaite it as an Almanack out of date.

Anfv/.i. Though as A Political hfirumevt, it be called by one NatHe, A SolMti League and Covenant, and fo all the parts of it do make one Inftrliment, yat 1. The formality of it as a League, and as a Vow, are different. 2.And as a Vow to Godj and a Moral Aft of Man, there are in it as many diftindt Vowi as there aA Matters vowed. The League is not the «!</of the f'ow/, but Reformation was the profcffed end of both, to which they were taken as co-ordmate means. And therefore if as a League it were ceafed, it followeth not that as a Vow it is (b : For Men are the parties in the League, but God\s one of the Parties in the Vow, and eiiery individual Per-fan is the other Party : And if one VoW or Article fhould ceafe, it followeth noc that all the reft do to.

2. It is not proved that it ceafeth as a League: Though it oblige iis not to war, Circo any thing againft the King or State j and though many of the Perfons be dead that took it. For, i. War was not mentioned in the Covenant j much lefs as the Duty of all the Covenanters; fure it was never intended that all the Women mult fight, 2. If it had, that was but one of the means there mentioned : and e-vcry Man bound himfelf [fo endeavour in his Place and Calling"] ; and that was not to' fight, for all.

;. Therefore though the particular Occafions ceafe, the general Caufe continuetlg (the need of Reformation ) ; and though no Man be bound to any unlawful means, it folbwech 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 expref Terms they bound themfelves [»<// the days of their lives zeakttf-Ij and conjtantly to continue therein ]; and therefore intended no fuch ceffation.

§ 590. 6. Laftly, TheLatitudinarians fay th.it the general Rule is. That all Say-ings are to be interpreted in the befi fence that the words will bear. Ergo

Anfw. In the beit fence which hath Evidence of Truth, Charity requirethusto take all the words of others: But the queftion is firff, Which is the true fence? and not which is the be/l: And if it can be proved that another is cither certainly or probably the true meaning of any words, we muft not feign a better Jence , becaule it is better. In the Cafe in hand, the Law-makers have plainly declared their own lence,by their Speeches, and Votes, and deliberate plain Expreffions, and by another Ad: (for Corporations,) If 1 might take all Oaths and Statutes in the beft fence which pofli-b!y thofe words may be ufed to exprefi, than I could take almoin any Oath in the' World, and difobey any Law in the World under pretence of obeying it; and tell nny Lie under the pretence of telling Truth, and Jefuitical Equivocation would be but the common Duty of the Charitable. Buc Charity is not blind, nor will it prove a fit Cover for a Lie. He that knowcth the Parliament, and is but willing to know their ience, may know the miftakes of this pretended Charity. And efpecially Laws and Oaths are to be taken in the Ience which is plaineft in the words.

§ ;9r. Befides al! that is already faid, 1 fhA end this Subieft with this qileftion on the Non-fubfcribers part, Whether an Oath doth not bind Men m the fence of tht Takers ? (though they be bound to take it m the fence of the Impofers if they know it.} As if I had been commanded to (wear Allegiance to the King; and he that commandeth it fhould mean CroOTM;<i!f, orfbme Ul'urper, and I thought he had meant my rightful King , Am I not bound hereby to the King indeed ? And if ib, CJuery further. Whether any Man lb well know the Ience of every Man and Woman in England, Scotland and Ireland, as to be able to (ay that it was lb bad, that they are not obliged to it ? And in what Age it was that all Minifters were foi^bidden to Preach the Gofpel of Chrift, till they knew the Hearts of aU the Peo-

pie in three Kingdoms, fo far as to juftifie them before God from the Obligations of fuch Vows and Oaths ?

§ 392. And though I heartily wifii that the Prelates would have been intreated to have chofen another courle of proceeding with their Brethren, and not have sempted any to Repinings or Complaints ( for endeavouring which I loft their love), yet I would admonifh all my Brethren to take heed ot aggravating this Difference fo far, as to bring the prefent Miniftry into Contempt , and hinder the Efficacy 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 ic might have been upon fome lower Points, than the Obligation of Oaths and Vows I It bad been betrer for the Prelates that the Non-fubfcribers had feemed to be fcru-pulous Perfons that refufed only fome tolerable Ceremonies , than that the fear of fo great a Crime as juftifying three Kingdoms from the Bond of an Oath, and the guile of Perjury, Hiould be the occafion of their Ejedion, and the Matter of this Publick Controverfie : But leeing 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 (ad when the Names oi Formaltfls and Puritans, and afterwards of Malignantt and Rebels, and Cavaliers and Roundheads, diltinguillied the divided Parties: But it

is now grown worfe, when they are called ?ER-^jured >and PURITANS : For

Lfecutors j the moft odious Names do moft potently tend to the extinguilhing of Charity, and the increafe of the Difference between them.

§ 593. III. The next Controverfie is Political: That [it^not U-wful on any fre-tence wbatfoever to take up Arms againji the King ; or as is after fatd, agaiT>{l any Com-mtffionated by him]. In this the Lawyers are divided, yea and Parliament them-felves; one Parliament faying one thing, and another another thing. And thfe poor ejeded Minirters of England are commonly fo little ftudied in the Law, that in thefe Controverfies they muft lay as they are bidden, or fay nothing : And they think it hard that when Lawyers and Parliaments cannot agree, every poor ignorant Preacher muft be forced to decide the Controverfie, and fay and lubicribe 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 Controverfie between Navigators, or Pope Zachary and Boniface's Cafe about the Antipodes, or elfe be filenced. We are ready to Sublcribe [That King Charles the Second is our lawful King, and that ive owe him Obedience in all his lawful Commands,and that we are bound to defnd his Per/on, Dignity, Authority and Honour with cur Lives and Elates againft all his Enemies, and that neither Parliamtnts nor any other at home or abroad, have any power to judge or hurt his Perfon, or depoje him, or dimini^i any of his Power ; and that it IS not lawful on any pretence whatfoever to conjfire agamji htm, or tfiir up the People to Sedition, or to take up Arms again/i^ either his Authority or his Perjon , or againfi rt;?j lawfully Commiffioned by htm j or any at all CommiJJioned by htm, except he btmjelf by a contrary Commiffion, or by his Law do enable us, or not forbid us, 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 fubfciibers is as followeth.

The words [on any pretence whatfoeverj ftudioufly put into a Form of Declaration by a Parliament, are fo 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 rcfifted by Arms, they are not certain that his I'f^dl may not in any Cafe be refifted.

2. Though none Authonz^ed, that is Legally Commtjfioned by him may be refilled, yet they are not certain that all that are Commiffioned by him are Authorized or Legally Commiffioned.

5. Either this Declaration requireth us to fiippofe that the King never will Commiffion any illegally ; or elfe that though he do, yet fuch may on no pretence what-Ihever be refifted by Arms, If the former be the fence, then either it is becaule no King will do it, or only becaulo no King 0/England will do ic. 'The former, all Hiftorians, 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 fhould have conlcnted [that on fuppofidtji the King commiffion Men legally, they art not to be

refifledy

reJijledX But this no Man will fay is to be (uppofed, as an Event certainly and u-niverfally future. But if the worll that is poffible might be fuppofed poffibiej then in thefe (everal Cafes they are doubtful.

1. In Ca(e that a Man pretend to have the King's Commiflion, but doth not Ihew it me, what am I then to do ?

2. In Cafe he fhewit me under the Privy Seal, and another Ihew the Broad Seal to aCominiffion to refift him.

5. 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 Commiffion to defend and command a Ship or Fort, or Country, and another Jhew a Commiffion of the fame date to command and defend the fame Ship, Fort, or Country, and to refifl: any that oppofe him ; Is it unlawful for both of them here to obey the King's Command ?

y. In caic that -:ny fhall fiiew or pretend a Commiffion for any illegal AB, as to take Mens Piirfes by the High-way, to break into their Houfes, and take their Money and Goods, and leize their Efbtes, or kill their Families: Or to lay a Tax upon the Country without the Confent of Parliament; or to ravifh Mens Wives, or Daughters, or to burn the City, or if two or three ftiould ihew a Commiffion to come into the Houle of Lords or Commons, and kill them all in the piace,c$-c. 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 isi CiW^AthQ Taking up of Arms, as that is not to be underffood by the words which have no fuch relfridion, f j no Man knoweth ho-w many it mufl be that by concurrence muft make the Ad to be a Taking up of Arms. We have put fome of thefe Ca(es 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 Houfes mean, we know not, hut by the words: And no words can be more exclufive of any Exception, than thefe, That [jt is not lawful on any pretence ■whatfoever']. AUb, what if Saul gives Commiffion to his Armour-bearer to kill him ? Might not a Subjed by Arms defend the King, and refcue his Life, againft his Will and Commif fion ? And what if a Court of Juitice decree a Subjed the PofTeffion of his Houle and Land , and require the Sheriff of the County to put him in polfeffion, and to raife the PoJJe Comttatus to do it, if there be refiitance; And what if the Perfbn to ba ejeded ihew a Commiffion from the King to keep poffeffion, contrary to this Judgment; is it unlawful for the Sheriff to obey the Court ? ( And the Tojje Comttatus ot Torkjinre hath been a confiderable Army J.

§ 394. The Things which increafe the Doubt of the Non-fubfcribers in this Cafe, are thefe :

I. Becaufe if, as it isfaid by fome, the Laws are the Kings Laws, and the Ads of his fFi//, as well as his Commiffions are : Then if his Law and his Commijfion be conrradidory, I mult need difbbey the King which fbever I difbbey, and reliffthe King's Will which loever I refift. We have no Laws but what are Ads of the King's Will; and till they are repealed, they ftill exprefs his Will.

2.Becaufe th.it the Laws are made purpofely to be the Subjeds Rule of Obedience, being alfb the Rule of Judgment in all Courts ; and being that Ad of the King's Will which the Subjeds 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 Con>mi(fion may poffibly be counterfeit, or the Subjed can have no luch certifying notice of it.

5. And they know that the King is not himfelf every where prefent, to tell his doubtful Subjeds, which fignification of his Will he owneth, and which they fhould prefer ; and chat he governeth his Kingdom by his Courts and Officers ; they fit and (end forth their Orders in his Name: And a known publick Court of Juftice, feemeth to be a more credible declarer of the King's Will,than a Stranger or particular Perfbn, who faith that he hath his Commiffion. It is the Form of the Law, to be the Ad 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 Subjeds; But a priva!b Commiffion wanreth thtfe Advantages.

4. Becaufe they think that the Law of Nature, and the Confiitution of the Kingdom mufb elfe lubmit to this Declaration : For if two or three, or more, ihew a Commiffion to kill all the Parliament, and fire the City, Nature feemeth to allow thena Self defence ; and Parlia?/yents Cwhich are part of the Conjtitution ) are Vain if they have no better S;curitv for their Lives.

f. They

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 contradift it, the Judge ftiall go on, as if it lignified nothing : And the Sheriff's forcible Affiftance, may bepart ofhis Judgment_,orthe legal Confequent.

6. Elfe no SubjeAfeemeth to have any Security for his Eftate or Life, lior the

Subjed any Liberties: For if their Eftates or Purfes be taken a-And we fear left by this we way,or their Lives affaulted by pretended Commiflions, or Taxes put it in the power of the Lord impofed contrary to Law, what remedy have they ? To fay they Keeper or ChanceUor to Depofe piay queflion the Inftruments at Law, is vain and worfe, as long as Lrc^^monfto an^7fehe that Law, whatever it decreeth,mu{t fubmit to a Commiffion,and onall his Fort5,Garrifons,Navies, niuft never refifl it,nor ufe any force ofArms,though againft a fin-Treafurcs, Guards, ^c. gle Man for its own Execution.Who will begin a Sui-^ at Law, a-

gainft the King's Will atall,if he firflf^now that his Will muft not be refifled,and that the End will but be his greater ruinc ?

7. They faid, King James afTerting in his Writings (for Monarchy^ that a King may not make War againfl his whole Kingdom : In cafe then that he fhouLd do it, they are uncertain that the whole Kingdom might not at all refill hiscommiflioned Officers,

8. They find the late King Charles the Firft, in his Anfwer to the Nineteen Pro-pofitionsof the Parliament, alTerting aProteding Power in the Lords, and-fetting 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 Commifltons ; 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 greatefl Defenders of Monarchy of all Forreign Lawyers, even Barclay and Grottus, have inflanced in many Cafes in wtrich it is, as they fay, lawful by Arms to relifl a King I And we pretend not to more skill in Laws than they.

12. They find that even thegreateft Epifcopal Divines, approved by our Princes, and moft Learned Defenders of Monarchy and Obedience, do yet let up the Laws above the King,and write more in this Cafe than we can confent to. Mr. The. Haoker fwhom King Charles the Firft commended to his Children to be readj fpeak-cth fo very high, not only in his whole Eighth Book ( dedicated by Bifliop 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 Jin^tdis major and univerfis TKinor, with much of tlie like : And therefore I have wrote a full Confutation of him in t!ie Fourth Tome of my Chri(lian DtreBory. And yet he is one of themoft magnified Authours with the Birtiops. And Ibis Bifhop Bilfony who in his Treatife for Chnjlian Subjeilion, dedicated to Queen Eliz,abeth, hath that terrible pafTlige for rcfifiing Kings before-recited §2^'

13. And they find that not only Poltttcians fpeak more in this Cafe than we allow, ^nd the Roman, Greek, and other Hiftorians; butthe Hiftorians and Chroniclers of this Land. For inftance, HoUtngjliead Ltb. i. in his Chapter of Parliaments, laith, [This Hoiifc hath themojl high and abfolute Voiver of the Realm : For thereby Kings and rntghty Princes have from time to ttme been defojed from their Thrones'^ Laws either enailed or abrrgated, Offenders of all jorts fum^ied , and corrupted Religion cither dtfan-nuUed or rtfcrt»ed' which commonly is divided into fwo Houfes or Parts, 6ic. ] Here is mcie fhenl .ilfent to, or tnink to be juflifiable. Now when all ihcle fay fo much more for Refilhince than we judge found, it feemeth hard to us to go fo fur contrary to them all (in Matters of other Mens Profeffion ) as to Subfcribe, Thac on no fretcnce whatfoever no one Cominijfmiatcd by the King, may be re/ifitd by taking up Arms.

14. An'y we read how Dr. Main-wairing, and other Divines, have been condemned by Parliament for Matters of this Nature. And whatever any Latitudinarian may l,iy, we are fure that \on ?m pretence v-'hatfoe-ver] are words that excluc^e all thefe for"-mentioned Pretences from being lawful. And if ic ytt be faid , That it is dif-loyal to fiippofe that any fuch illegal Con^miflion w. ill be granted , we do not fup-pofvj that it will bs fo, but if it be not pojfible to be fo, 'n this Age or another, then wc are contented to Subfcribe this Claule; For Parliarutncs will not differ about Im-poflibUitiei. jpf.

P A R T II. Renjerend Mr. Richard Baxter. 425

§ 59 J. Incident to this Controverfie are other Claufes of the Declara<ion,as that the Covenant was in itlelfan unlawful Oath, and inipofed againft the knowa Laws, &c. which thougli they contradift nor, yet many that were Children then, and know neither Matter of Law or Faft, no not fo much as the Fundamental Laws and Conftitution of the Kingdom, do think themlelves very lincapable of determining.

■§ ;96. And ior the TraytetomVofition of taking Arms by his Authority againfi his Terfon,or again]} thofe that are CommiJJionated by him: We fee nopofition here recited z and therefore muft annex this Claule to the former ( as before ) fuppoling that the meaning is, that it is a Trayteroas Pojiiion to fay. That it is lawful by the King's Authority, to take up Arms on any pretence whatfoever, againft, &c.^ And we all confefs that it is a C.ontradi(5lory and Tray terous PoJicion for any man to fdy,that he may take up Arras by the King's Authority .againft his Authority, or Dignity,, or Honour, or Perfbn : But all the Doubt is as aforefaid, Whether the King's Laws have not his Authority ? and whether his Laws and his Commiffion -may not be contrary? or one Commiffion contrary to another? And in that cafe, whether it be Trayterous to fay that one fide hath iiis Authority againft the other ? As if his Law allow Men to defend their Lives and Purfes againft AlTauIts, and an AlTail-ant produce a Commiffion, whether the King's Authority in his Laws and Courts enable not a Man by Arms to iave his Purls or Life againft fuch a pretended Com-miffioner: (And how lliall any SubjeA, at the time of the Aftault, be fure whether the Commiffion be true or fpurious ?) If as Jonb and Abner fent the young Men to play ( mad play) before them, and thQ Romani auikd their Gladiators to fight to make them fporr, foif the King to try the Valour of Ibme Subjeds, would Commiffion 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 Commiffionated by him ? If it be laid. That this is not the meaning of the Aft: we anfwer, That where Forms are fuppofed to be deliberately worded by a Parliament, if we muft not underftand Univerfals univerfally, but may pur in Limitations 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. Sanderjon relblvech it. That when Oaths ( and confequently fubfcribed Forms) are ambigu-oudy worded, and the Impofers will not explain them, it is not fit at all to take tlwm.

Some Lawyers tell me, that if it came before the Judges they would judge an unlawful Commiffion to be no Commiffion i and that the Judges are the Expofi-tors of the Law. I anfwer, i. We have no alTurance that the Judges would fb judge ; much lefs unanimoufly : nor that they have fo done. 2. Lately Mr. Jo-Jeph 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 j 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. 5. The Law-makers only can expound a Law as antecedently Obligatory to all the Subjects: The Judges can only expound it conlequently 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.

§ 597. IV. The Fourth Controverfie is about the O^Lth of Canonical Obedience : And the Reafons why this is Icrupled by the Non-Conformifts are thefe: Becaule 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 fu/earmg Obedience to them, left they i. 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 Ulurpation in Chrifts Kingdom, to the wrong of his Crown and Dig-nicy, and contract the guilt of Treafon or Didoyalty againft hini. 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 thef-two things the Non-conformifts are contented readily to do: I. To obey the Difhops Chancellors, &c. by meer Submijfon, without an Oath, in all things lawful. To appear at their Courts, and anfwer them with due reverence. For they chink that Subje^ton and Submijfm towards Ufurpers greatly differ: and

that as in the late Crom-welltan Ufurpation in England , many ftibmnted, as they would have done to a Robber, whom they could not refift ; who yet would nor fwear Subjection, nor do any thing which feemed to jultifie his Ufurpation or Title : So here, though they dare not itate themfelves by an Oath, in the relation of Subjects to the Prelates, yet they can obey them materiaUy in lawful things. z.And they are willing to fwtar Obedience to them as they are the Kings Officers j commil'-fioned by him to exerciiefuch Coercive Power as belongeth to the Magiftrate a-bout Church Matters: But not as they exerciftthe Power of the Keys, in Ablbl-ving, Excommunicating, &c.

§ 399. Object, r. It « but in Ileitis 8c honeflis that you fwear to obey them : And whs il>i!l refufe things lawful and hoiiejt.

Arfw. I. But it is in the relation of our lawful Ordinaries that v/e are required to jwear this Obedience to them. It may be lawful and honelt to do the things commanded, when it is neither lawful nor honeft to (iibjed; my lelf to the Commander as his Subject-; The mod juft Authority that is can command us nothing but Iscita & honeft a. And \i Cromwell or the Engaging piece of the Parliament had required me to fwear Obedience to them m Ileitis & homfiis, I think to have done it had been a fubjefting my (elf to them as my Governours, which had neither been //«-turn nor honeftum. If a Rebel now fhould ufuip Authority againft the King's will, for the Government of Ireland or Scotlund, he that would go (wear. Obedience to him in licitis & honeflis I think would be didoyaL

2. And it is Obedience according to the C««o«,which is their Jn licitis.df homflis']: And this is to Lay-Chancellors Exercife of the Keys, and many other things whicb are fuppoled licita & honefla, but not yet proved to be fb.

§400. Obje<Sb. 2. What a Man may do ^ he may fwear to do: But Viciu 8c honefta a Man may do: Ergo——— Anjw. i. I 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 word before you fpeak it, and to do every trivi.:! Adi-on that you do. 2. Some time the Oath reacheth further than the A6t to be done, even to the Relation in which it is done, and the reafon for which ; and this is the Cafe here: So that here is a feigning of a falfe ftate of the QuelHon ; which is not, Whether we r.iay fwear to do licita & honelfa ? but whether we may fwear to obey them as cur lawful Ordinaries in licitis ^ honeflis ? ;. The Conclufion therefore might be granted without any Decifion of the Contro-verfie : For the Qiieftion is not. Whether we may fwear to do fucb thing} ? but whether we may fvjear to cbey thofe Men in that rel.itwn, and to do thrfe things fiib formali ratione obtdientia; ? Which their Loyalty to Chrid their King, they think prohibiteth. What if you lived in a Popifh Country, would you (wear to obey the Pope m licitfs & honeflfs ? If not, you may fee our Reafons, while you give your own.

§401. Objc£l. ;. The Scripture commandeth all Men to fuhjeB themfelves one ta another. Anfw. There is an Equivocation in the word \_fubject'\. The Text fpeak-eth only of private fubmiflion and yielding to others,voluntarily carrying our felves with that lowlinefs as Subjefts do to their Rulers: But this is nothing to pubtick rela^. five fated fubjeBion, of which the Controverfie is. He would be but an ill Subje(5i to the King, or an ill Member of the Church, who wruld make every man his King or his Paflor, on this precence that we muft all fubjed our felves to each o-ther.

§ 402. ObjeiS". 4. Tou are to fwear Obedience to them only as Church-Magiflrates appointed b-j the King. yfr/u.'.That cannot be true : becanfe it is as our Ordinaries-, who ■ have the power of 0>v//n^fzo«, Excommunication arid Ab/olution, and. in the exercife of this power: But the power of the Keys is not Magiftratical.

§40;. V. The fifth Controverfie is about Re-ordination. Now in this the Non-conformids are the more Hue, i. Becaule in our mod Publick Meetings b.fore the King and the Lords and the Bifhops, fomeofthem (as Dr. GH»»i»^ oft ) have o-penly de;Iared that tlie Ordination whicli hath been in England without Bifiops is null,jnd thole that were fb Ordained without them are no Miniders, tut Lay-men. And his Majedy himfelf hath fignified openly his own Judgment accordingly, that he would no more take the Sacrament from iuch then from Lay men. So that ic being thus openly declared to be their fence, and no one of their Bifliops or Do-(ftois contradiding it, we have reafon to think that by fubmitting to h~ Re-ordained. Men do interpreratively confefs the nullity of their former Ordination. 2.And it is a new thing, contrary to the Judgment and Pradice of all the Reformed

Churches.

Churches. 3. And there is a Canon among thole called the Apoftles which is ex-prefi againft it, commanding the Depoficion of the Ordaineisand Ordained. 4. I have fully proved in my Dijputation of Church Government, That the faid Ordination without Diocefans is valid, and better than the Prelaces, and was performed by liich Bifhops as were in Ignatius's days; w:j:..City-Paflors who had Presbyters under them : And no Man hath attempted to anfvi/er what I have there faid. y. And at baft to be Re-ordained, leemeth but a taking of God's Name in vain, and a (blemn praying 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 fomewhat hard.

§ 404. VI. The fixth Controverfie is about the firft Declaration, [ 7 </o here declare my unfeigned Afjent and Confent to all and every thing contained and frejcribed in and by the Bock entttuled, Scc.'\ * Here the Non-conformills have to do with two forts; the willing and the unwitltng Conformilts. '^ There is a Direaioii to he

The firft fay that this Declaration may be lawfully made in its f^"^^'^ [^' *° find out £„/?„•-

f. ■' . ^ . •n-'r ruAr day,whicli every Almanack wil

proper fence. The Non-conformifts refer you for the Anfwer tell you is a Hat fainiood : and

of this, to all their foregoing Exceptions againfl: the Book, be it's contrary to anothpr there gi-

fides what they have fiid againft our Order of Diocefans, and fo '''^"^

againft the Book of Ordination, which aflerteth three Orders as

of Divine Inftitution ! And befides all their Exceptions againft This is more fully opened ia

the New Common Prayer Book, in the Points wherein it is much ° ^^' ^P^"^"'

worle than the old.

§ 405-. 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 Ad (aith Note, That this Declaration

t they (liall declare their Jffent and Confent to the ufe of all thing-s, SccJ )uflifieth even the Impofition of

They do not fubfcribe their Confent to the thing in it felt,but to f^''^^}^ '^fj !?y .^''^^"'^"^'^

^J . . L r ;l u J /^ r i l l -n impoled .• becaule impofuig is

much as is to be ujedhy them, and 10 tar only as that they will thew/iof thofe Kubricks. ufe it. But this is fo grols, that the Non-conformifts cannot And it is not the words of the Itretch fo far. For, i. What Man can doubt whether all things Declaration, which is </e wfyw, in the Bookwere intended for fome«/e or other; though not each ^'u^SrifSch^a^ part to the lame ule ? Did the Convocation and Parliament con- dejmc. The means are made trive and impole things, which they themfelves did judge to be larger for fecuring the end. And of no ufe ? Is not the Kalcndar and Diredion for reading Scrip- *''« '■''°'^^ [ApprobMhn of all Or-ture, of ufe to tell you what Days to keep and what Chapters ^7'.?,^; '^^Jj^^/^f fuJ-to read ? Is not the Riibnck pf ul.: to diredt you in the laveral fcribe to the ufe of tlie Decre-Offices ? Is not the DoArinal Determinationabout the Saving of tals inthefevvords,and no other; Baptized Infants (and other fuch like) of ufe to tell us its [i do Artent and Confent to all Dodrineis taken tobe true? Doubtlefs every part hath its iti- JSbSlr.^'emYtldTve tended ufefulnef. 2. The words are as exprels to exclude luch uy, it is but fo far as i muft ufe ftretching as could well bedevifed : For, i. It is y^£ent as well as them, and not others? Confent, which is declared : 2. It is to all and every thing, which includeth every word : 5. It is to every thing contained in it, as well as to everything frefcrtbed by it: And the Dodlrinals fas of three Orders Jure Divino^ 8cc.) are contained in it. 3. To put all out of doubt, fince this Ad the Parliament made another Ad ; to which while Provifb's were offered, the whole Houfe of Lords lent it back to the Commons with this Piovifo, That thofe that declared Jffent and Confent to all and every thing, 8CC. fliould be obliged to underfiand it only as to the ufe of -what was required of them, and not as to the things in themfelves confidered. The Commons refufed this Provifb: and the Houfes had a meeting about it; in which the Commons delivered their Reafons againft that Expofition of the Declaration: And in the end the Lords did acquiefce in their Realons, and confented to caft out the Provi-fo: fb 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 otherwile, is the ufe of all things contained there lawful? T. To what they fay about the Apocrypha, it is anfwered. 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-Ibnsj with the holy Scripture, with no fuller diftindion; When r. Experience telleth us. That many of the People (who underftand not the Greek vword Apocrypha) are thereby drawn to take them for Canonical Scripture, (being alfo bound up with it in the Books.) j. And when To^/^, Sufanna, Bell andthe Dragon, Judith,

I i i 2 are

are ordinarily by Proteftants taken tor Fables or Untruths, and therefore not ia much as pious Inftruftions.

§407. 2. hndioTthedtJoreJeranddefeBs oi the Common Praysr, before proveJ, they feem but ill matter for fuch an unfeigned AlTent and Confent.

§ 408. :;. And for the new Claufe of the Salvation of Baptized Infants as certaint

by the Word of God, the Scruple were the lefs, if it were confined to the Infants

of true Believers: But our Church admitteth of all Infants, even of Infidels and

Heathens without diftinftion, 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 Bifhops, I inftanced in one of my Pariihioners that

was a profefled Infidel, and yet faid he would come and make the common Pro-

fedion for his Child for Cuftom fake; even Dr. SanJerfon the Bi-

* And none of the Biniops f^ 0^ Lincoln anfwered me ^ That if there were Godfathers it

conded Wm '"'' '^^^^ fufficient Title ; which Bifiio? Morhy and others of them

confirmed. Now thefe Godfathers being not Adopters nor Owners, we cannot fee it certain in God's Word, That all thof^j are faved whom they prefent to Baptilm ; no nor whom ungodly and hypocritical Chriftians prefent: for how can the Covenant fave the Child, as the Child of a Fkliever, which faveth not the Parent as a Believer himfslf : So that while unmeet Subjects arc Baptized, we cannot SubfcribetothisAflfertion.

§ 409. And it isftrange, that when Infant-Baptifm itfelf, and commonly laid 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 I

§ 410. But fome fiy, That it is certain that all Infants ( fo dying ) are raved,and therefore all Baptized Infants. But i.They never (hewed us any Word of God,from whence that certainty may appear to us I nor have they anfwered what is faid a-gainft it. 2. And what jcfting with holy Things is this, to fpeak that of the Baptized qply which they mean of all 1 As if they would perfwade People that it is fome efFed: of B^ptifm, and priviledgeof the Children of the Church, which they think belongeth to all the Children of Heathens.

§ 411. Some fay that the word ^JH] Children is not in, and of fome its trup. 'At'M- The Indefinite here, according to common Speech, is equivalent to an Uni-verfal : [Children baftix^ed^ dj'wg before aBual fin\ is equal to all Children baptiz^ed: your Confciences muft tell you, that if you limit it to fome only, you crols the ience 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 Pradice of Baptizing all Children that can have Godfathers, and oi'Copfrming, Adminijlring the Lord's Supper, Abfd'vtng, Burying, S^c. with un-juft Application to Perfons unfit forthe'Sacraments or Titles given them, we know not how to Jffent and Confent to the Impofition or Form of, as long as we know that the fame Church which conimandeth ustoufe thole words, doth command us to apply them to unworthy Perlbn;: And how it may harden the Wicked to Perdition, is eafily conjedured.

§ 41 ?. y. And for the Ceremonies they are fo largely written about on both fides, that 1 need not llay 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 adjoya fuch a Human Sacrament as the Crof in Baptilm, to God's Sacrament, I am not fatisfied in: And cannot AlTent or Confent to it, tlut fuch a folor.n dedicating. Sign, (hould be ftatcd in God's Publick Worfhip by Man : i. It is a ( tranjimt ) 1-triage, ukd ai a. means of fVor(l)ip : Therefore unlawful by the Second Commandment. 2. It \s A fated Human Ordinance, in God's Worfhip j an inftituteJ, fixed Sacramental, dedicating Sign. 5. It is no lefs than the Covenant of Grace which it fignificth, yea fbmewhat of God's part as well as ours, and a^led by the Minifbtr, and not by the Parents, as a profetltng Sign. It fignifieth the Crofs and Sufferings of Chriff, the Ground and Seal of the Covenant on his part. And if God would have had fuch Sacraments uf.;d, he could as well have inftituted them as he did the reff.

VII. § 4i4.The 7th ControverJle is about JBual Admini(lrations according to the Comftion Prayer and Canons, i. We dare not when we give the Sacrament to ethers, refufe it to all thofe faithful Perlbns, who fear to take it kneeling Icll it be Idolatry. Though I can lb take it my lelf, I cannot execute fo unjaf^ an Impofition, as to caft out Chrift's Members upon that account, no more than to cafi out

Children,

f- ■■ ■ — - ■■ ■■ . ■■- - ■

Part II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 42^

Children fcr crying, or for being Children! And I think it batter for me not to meddle with the Sacrament at all,- than to be guilty of fuch Opprefficn, Unchari-tableneli, Injuflice and Divifion, and to do fuch adual 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 rr^cwen/fe, without exception, that can but have Godfathers. Nor dare I (while I receive all thefe) rej^^a: all the Children of godly Parents, who dare not bring them to be Baptized with the Sacrament of the Crop. To fay that others forbid me,i% nothing, while I muft be the Executioner of their Decrees.

§ 416. 3. And I dare not, if I undertake a Pafloral Charge, give the Sacrament to the notorioufly unworthy,though the Chancellor abfolve him (or never queffion him J nor utterly negle<ft all that part of Difcipline, which belongeth to my Office, though Men forbid it, nor be guilty of all that corruption and confufion, v\hich the negleA of Difcipline bringeth into the Church.

4^ Nor dare I abfbliuely pronounce a wicked Man forgiven, if in his ficknefs, he fuperficially fay, I repent.

y. Nor dare 1 at the Burial of every notorious wicked Man, that is not Unbap. tized, Excommunicate, nor a Self murderer, folemnly proiiounce, Th^.t[God ha;h taken to himfelfthe Soul of this our dear Brother,dcc.'] left 1 harden the wicked in their damnable Prefumption. U the Child of the holieft Parent die unbaptized j we muft not fay thele words for it, that is, in their Language, we muft not bury it by the Office of the Church with Chriftian Burial j but fuch are numbred with the Excommunicate and Self murderers. But if a hundred Thieves, Adulterers, Drun-Jiards die ; or Murderers or Traytors be hanged for ther fin; though they never fo much as fay, I repent, but juftifie themfelves to the laft breath , yet muft we bury them all with thefi words, [God hath taken to himftif the Soul of this eur dear Brother'] to teach the People to give him the lie, who giveth himfelfthe lie by preaching that the Impenitent and Wicked are not faved: And to teach all the moft ungodly to look to fpeed as well as others: Purgatory is a better Dodrine than this; for it leaveth the Wicked under fome awe. Yet all this we muft yijjent and Ccnfent to, andufe, if we will have leave to preach in the Piiblick Churches. Nor do the little poor Evafions ufed for thefe things, leem worth the anfweiing. It tendeth to the vitiating alfb of the Commonwealth, to pronounce thus the Salvation of every Traytor, Thief, Murderer, as well as of Drunkards, Whoremongers and Atheifls, who never fn much as faid. We recent. How can we preach the Mifery of Sinners, or the Neceflity of Renovation and Sanftification, without contradifting our ielves, when we mult tell a Man in the Pulpit, [That except he repent he Jhall jjcripi; and tf he live after theflejli he fliall die ; and without holinefi he JJiall not fee God ] : And yet if he die without one Penitent word, we muft fay, [God hath taken to htmjelf the Soul of this our dear Brother'].

So much of the Controverfie between the prefent Conformifts and Non-confor-mlfts.

§417. Having thus interpofed the State of the Controverfie, and Caufe of the Eje<5ted Minifters of E«^/<;w^/, an<i Co hc\ng^ot pad Bartholomew-day, 1 proceed in the Hiftory of the confcquent Calamities. When I was abfent Crefolving to meddle in fuch BufinefTes there no more) Mr. Calatny and the other Miniflers 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 before the Aft was paft, it might be provided, That the King fhould have power to difpenfe with fuch as defervcd well of him in his Refloration, 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 Cafes, as '^ if i fliould at length rc-hedid with the Dutch and French Churches: Ane fome kind of cite the Story of this Eufinefs, r»..,Ti r^ r-NUj w u ^nd what peremptory Proinifes

Petition (IhavcnotaCopyof It) they drew up to offer the they had , .ml hovv all was

King : But when they had done it, they were lb far from pro- turned to tht*r Re6uke and curing their Defnes, that there fled abroad grievous Threatnings Scorn, it would more inaeafe againft them, that they fhould incur a Premunirelor fuch a bold ^''^ ^^^'^"' anonifl-.meiir. attempt : when they were drawn to it at firft, they did it with much hcfitancy (through former Experience) and thev worded it k cauteoufly, that it extended not to the Papifts. Some of the Independents prefumed to lay. That the Reafon why all our Addreflesfor Liberty had noc fucceeded, was becaule we did not extend it to the Papifts, and chat for their parts, they faw no reaf in

why

why the Papifts fhould not have Libsrcy of Worfhip as well as others ; and that it was better for them to have it, tiian for all us to go without it. But the Presbyterians ftill anfwered to that motion, That the King might hirnfelf do what he plea-fed: and if his Wifdom thought meet to give Liberty to the Papifls , let the Pa-pifts petition for it, as they did for theirs : But if it be expected by any that it (hail be forced upon them, to become Petitioners for Liberty for Popery, they fhoulci never do it, whatever bo the iiVue : Nor (hall it be faid to be their work.

§ 418. On the 26th of Decemb. (i6<52.) the King fent ibrth a Declaration, ex-

preffing his purpofe to grant fome Indulgaice or Liberty in Religion

* I. The Declaration for Li- ( with other matters) not excluding the Papifts, many of whom

berty at BmU vv^s for them. ^^^^ deferved lo well of him *. When this came out tlie ejeded

2. Next the Claufe offered to x,. ■;■, , ... r, ,, cr _t i 1

be added to the Declaration of Mmilters began to thmk more conhdently oi ume Indulgence Ecclerufucal Affairs gave them to themfelves : Mr. Nye alfo, and (onie others of the ludepen-the free Exercife of tlieir Reli- dents, were encouraged to go to the King, and when they came

^"°"'-r. r rv. .. . . back, told us. That he was now refolved to give them Liberty.

5. Theforefaid Motion next r^ , c t cc^ \a ^i ^» l

attempted it. O" ^''6 Second 01 January Mr.Nye came to me,to treat about our

4. This Dedaration Dec. 26. owning the King's Declaration, by returning him Thanks for it;

Td52.expre;iv promifed it them, and I perceived that it wasdefigned that we muft be the Defi-

f I'u^Z "^f'^J /^" ^!f T rers or Procurers of it: But I told him my Refolutions to meddle

foot by tlie Lord Keeper Brid^ ■ r i v t i • • iijr il

w^«,would have offered it them. "« Ti^''^ '" '"'^h Matters, havmg mcurred aheady lo much ha-And by breaking all thefe offers, tred and difplealure by endeavouring Unity : And the red of the we arc our felves in our prefent Minifters alfb had enough of it, and relblved that they would not afflifted ilate. meddle : Co that Mr. Nye and his Brethren, thought it partly

long of U3 that they mift of their intended Liberty. But all were aveifc to have any thing to do with the Indulgence or Toleration of the Papilts, thinking it at leal! unlit for them.

§419. The Independent Brethren alfo told me. That the Lord Chancellor had told them that tlieir 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 [ fpake (before recited) they had no more to fay: But now they grew greatly afkded to the E. o_f^(a Papirf) thinking that the King's Declaration v"as procured by him, and that he and the Papids muft be the means (for their ownends)to procure our Liberty : But the Declaration took not at all with the Parliament or Peoplej and the E. of B. fetting himlelf againft the Lord Chancellor faccufing him by Articles of High Treafon in the Lord's Houre),was caftofFby the King as an Incendiary, and iorc'd to hide his head.

§ 420. Good old Mr. Simeon Jf) was buried the very Even of Bartholomew-Jay, and went leafon.sbly to Heaven at the very time when he was to be caft out of the Church. He was one of our oldcli Non-conformifts ( of the old Strain ; for now Conforming is quite another thing than before the Wars) : He was a Chriftian of thePrimitiveSimplicity : not made for Controverfie, nor inclined to difputes, 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 holy and edifying : Being confined much to his Hoale 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 profule Laughter or Liberty, or vain Words: never troubled with doubtings of his Intereft in Chrift, but tailing the continual Love of God, was much difpofed to the Communicating of it to others, and Comfortingdejefted Souls: His eminent Sincerity made him exceedingly loved and honoured ; inlbmuch as Mr. Gatakcr, Mr. Whtttaker, and o-ther the moft excellent Divines oi London, when they went to God, defired him 10 preach their Funeral Sermons: He was zealous in bringing in the King j having been Chaplain to the Earl ni Manchsfier'm the Wars, he fell under the obloquy of the CromweUians for eroding their Defigns: He wrote to Col. Sanders, CoJ. Barton, and others in the Army when G. Monk came in, to engage them for the King. Having preached his Lefture in CornbiU, being heated, he took cold in the Veltry, and thinking it would have proved hut one of his old fits of the Gout, he went to Hi^bgatc ; but it turned to a Fever : He died as he lived , in gieat Conlb-lation, and cheerful Exercife of Faith, molefted with no Fears or Doubts dilcein-able : exceeding glad of the Company of his Friends: and greatly encouraging a'l about him, with his joyful Expreffions in refjjecfl of Death, and his approaching Change; fo that no Man could feem to be more fearlefs of it. When he had at laft lain fpecchtefs for Ibme time, as foon asl came to him, gladnefs fo excited . his Spirits, that he Ipakc joyfully and freely of his going to God to thofe about

him:

^^

him : I flayed with him his laft Evening, till we had long expeded his Change ('being fpeechlefs all thac day J, and in the night he departed.

§ 421. On the ^riA o? Jatiuary following was buried good Mr. Jama Nalton, a-nother Minifter of the Primitive Sincerity: A go:jd Linguift j a zealous excellent Preacher, commonly called. The ■weeping Prophet, becaule his Sefiouffiefs oft expreft it felf by Tears: of a moft holy blamelcfs Lite : Though Learned, yet greatly a-verfe to Controverfie and Difputes: In almoft all things like Mr. /ijh, except his natural temper, and the influence it had upon his Soul: both of them lb. compolcd of Humility, Piety, and Innocence, that no Enemy of Godlinefs that knew them, had a word (of fenced tof>.y againit them ! They were (corned as Puritans as their Brethren, butefcaped all the particular Exceptions and Obloquy which many o-thers underwent: But as one was cheerful. To the other was fro:n his Youth fur- . prized with violent Fits of Melancholy once in a few years, wbich though it di-ilraded him not, yet kept him,* till it was over, in a molt delpondent Caie, and next unto Defjjair: And in his health he was over humble, and had too mean Thoughts of himlelf and all that was his own, and never put out himlelf among his Brethren into any Imployment which had the leaft ftew of Oflentation. Lels then a year before he died, he fell into a grievous fit of Melancholy, in which he was fo conljdent of his Gracelefhefs, that he ufualiy cried out, [O n»t one Jpark of Grace, not one good Dcfire or Thought ! I can no more pray than a poft ! If an Angel fi-om Heaven -would tell i/ie that I have true Grace, 1 would not believe hitrf]. And yet at that time did he pray very well; and I could demonflrate his fincerity fb much to him in his Defiresand Life, that he had not a word to fay againd it; But yet was harping flill on the fame firing, and woul4 hardly bz perfwaded that he was Melancholy. It pleafed God to recover him from this fir, and fhortly after he told me, That now he confelTed that what I faid was true, and his Deipair was all but the effedl of Melancholy, and rejoyced much in God's deliverance: But fhortly after came cut the Bartholomew kSc, which call him out of his Place and Miniftry, and his heart being troubled with the lad Calb of the Church, and the multitude of Miniffers ca(t out and filenced, and at his own unferyiceablenefs, it revived his Melancholy (which began to woi k alfo with iomc fears of Want, and his Family's Diftrefs), and this caft him fo low, that the violence of it wore him away like a true Marafmffs., fo that without any other Diieafe, but meer Melancholy, hi con-fumed to Death,continuing ftill his lad Defpondency^ and Self-cond-'mning Means. By which it appeareth how little Judgment is to be made of a Man's Condition by his Melancholy Apprehenlions, ortheladnefs of his Mind at Death : and in what a different manner iMen of the fame Eminency in Ilolineis and Sincerity may go to God I Which I have the rather fiiewed by the inftance of thole two Saints, than whom this Age hath fcarce produced and fet up a pair more pious, humble, julf, 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 I Only the htereft of the piece of the Long Parliament ( which ejeded the reft-, and was called The Rump, and cheridied QromweU till he pulfd them down alfo) did caufe them to perfecute Mr. Naltcn, with many other London Miniflers, at the time when Mr. Love was beheaded by them, for being true to the Covenant in endeavouring to reffore the prefent King : And then when good old }Av.Jackfont Dr. Drake, ( a very holy man) Mr. Jenkins, and ma.ny more of them were in the Tower Prifbners, Mr. Ndton and Mr. Cawton were gladi^to fly into Holland , where the latter died, and the former lived to fee himlelf, and every one of thole impri-loned Miniffers, with the reft of their Brethren, all caft out, and forbidden upon piin of Imprilonment and Banifliment to preach the Gofpsl in the Kings Dominions.

§ 422. And as we were forbidden to preach, fo we nere vigilantly watcht in private, that we might not exhort one another or pray together; and ( as 1 foretold them oft, they would u(e us when they had filenced us) every Meeting for Prayer was called a dangerous Meeting for Sedition, of a Conventicle at leaft. I will now give but one inftance of their kindnefs to my fe!f. One Mr. Beak in Ilit-ro»>G,jrr/e» having a Son (his only Child, and very towardly and hopeful) who had been long fick of a dangerous Fever, ( as I remember a Quartan ). and by relapie brought lb low that the Phyficians thought he would die, defired a few Friends, of whom I was one, to meet at his Floufe to pray for him : and becaufe it pleafed God to hear our Prayers, and that very night to reftore him, his Mother fhortly after falling fick of a Fever, we were defired to meet to pray tor her Recovery fthe iafl day wtien flie was near to Death ^ : Among thofe that were to be there, it fell

OEt,

out, through fome other occafions, that Dr. Bates and I did fail thenj, and couW not come : But it was known at fFeftmmfier that we were appointed to be there! Whereupon two Juftices of Peace were procured from the diftant parts of the Town, one from Weftminjter, and one from Clerkcmvell, to came with the Parliaments Serjeant at Arms, to Apprehend us I They came in the Evening, when part of the Company were gone, ( theie were only a few of their Kindred there, be-fides two or three Miniiters to pray ) : They c.ime upon them into the Room where the Gendewoman lay ready to die, and drew the Curtains, and took fome of their Names, but miffing of their Prey , returned dilhppointed I What a joy would it have been to them that reproached us as Presbyterian leditious Schilma-ticks, to have found but fiich an occifion as fraying -with a dying Wummi., to have laid us up in Prifon! Yet that dime Week, there was publilhed a witty malicious Inveftive againft the filenced Minifters, in which it was affirmed , that Dr. BaUi and I were at Mr. Beal\ Houlefuch a day keeping a Conventicle ! But theLyar had fo much extraordinary modefty, as within a day or two to print a fecond Edition, in which thofe words (foeafily to be difproved ) werelefc out. Such Eyes were every where then upon us. *

§ 42;. 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 vvhich had no Miniilers : (f'^i' fo many were calt

out, that all their Places could not prefently be liipplyed ). In Cbejliire Mr. Cook of

Chefier was imprifoned, who not long before had lain long a Prilbner in Soutbwark

(by Lambert's Vd&ion) for Delivering up Ci6e/?<;r to Sir George Booth for the Refto-

ring of the King. In Somerfetjliire were imprifoned Mr. Norman oi Brjilgwater,

- Mr. Allen of Taunton, and others : In DorfetjJiire were imprKoned Mr. Francts Bamf-

fielcl, Mr. Veter Ince, f taken at a private Meeting in Shafubury) Mr. Sacbevertll,

and divers others: In Dorchefitr 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

Prifbns to hear. The reft at laft were releafed upon fome Bonds given for their

.jt'f good Behaviour, but Mr. F ranci^ B ani^ield abode in the Common Jail fevcral years,

although he was all along igainlt tHeParliaments War. His 'Qiot\\ZT,Mr.J.Bampfidd,

was a Member of m.iny Parliaments, and Speaker of the Parliament in Richard Crom-

Tvclh time, which the Army broke : He was Recorder of Exeter ; and though he

ftqueftred Recorder, had Satisfaction from the City for his Place, yet he (,fucceetl-

inghimin time of C»ow5Z'e//'sUfurpa,tionj reftored to the Poor of the City all that

he had received in that place, and perfwaded Minifters to re-

"<■ Eutfincc, akf, Fr.wcU iu- ftore * all that they received from Sequeftrations irrtime of the

vingfall'n into the Opinion for Ufurpation, becaufe it Was not Law that gave it them ( Though

the Saturdi'y Sihhith,(Mc. their , r.ii.n j u-i 1 ij i-'i' lj

Affiifters thinkriiemfelvcs jufli- '"^Y "'^^ °ut their Bread while they preached , which was hard-ficd foratflifting them. ly reftored). He was chofen by the Gentlemen of the Well: to

carry their Remonftrance to encourage General Monk when he. came in ^ He isa Manof moft exernplary Sincerity and Confcientioufnels: He never 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 perlwadc him ro, lb fearful was he of Oaths, or any thing that was doubtiul and like to fin : ^t hith this piudent holy Man been laid in Jail as well as his Brother, becaule (having a woriiiy Minifter, Mr. Fhilips, in his Houfc) he would let open his Doors, and meet freely for preaching and prayer in his Houle, forbidding none : But though he and his Brother were the likeft Men I knew io England fuccelsfuUy to have perfwaded thofe that are contrary minded, that it is unlawful for a Parliament to take up Arms to defend themfelves, or punilh Manu-fadures, 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 againil their wills.

§ 424. It is worthy the mentioning how God's ftrange Judgments about thii time, were turned by the Devil to his own advantage. Moft certainly abundance of real Prodigies and marvellous V/orks of God were done, which lurely he did not caufe in vain ! But the over-fervent fpirits of fome Fanaticks(Eifth-Monarchy-men) caufcd them prelently to take them up boldly with the Commentary oftheir •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 leffcr Matters magnified, and fome tilings

vvhidft

P A R. T II. Reverend Mr, Richard Baxter, ' 433

which proved falfe I And though upon fkidleft Examination both I and all Men are convinced that very many of the Things were true C as the drying up of the Rivsr Derwent in Darbyjlitrc, upon no known Caufe, in Winter, the Earth opening and fwallowing a Woman near ^Jlihurn in the fame County, upon her own Impre-cation.the Appearance ot an Army to many near Montgomery,in<i abundance moiej; yet were Fallhoods thruft in through their iieady Temerity and Creduhty; whereby it cametopafs, that thele Wonders were ib far from moving Men to Repentance, or the fear of God's Judgments, that they greatly hardened them, and made them lay, [Thefe Fanattcks are the odious lying Deceivers of the World, that to cheat the poor Feople into a fedttious Humour, care not to hely tven God himfelf]. And what the Fa-naticks had been guilty of was imputed to the ejeded Minillers and their Followers, by tliem who thought it their intereft to dolb. So that the poor obdurate E-neraies of Godlinefs did not only lo(e the benefits of God's ftrange and dreadful Warnings, but were much hardened by them, to the increale of their Enmity.

§425". In the beginning of June i66^. the old peaceable Archbilhop of Canter^ hury, Dr. Juxtcn^ died, and t)r. Gilbert Sheldon, Bifhop oi London , lucceeded in his room.

§426. About thefe Times the talk of Liberty to the filenced Minifters (for what ends I know not) was revived again, and we were blamed by many that we had never once petitioned the Parliament ( for which wa had fufficient Rea-lbns)j and it was taikt about that they were relblved to grant us either an Indulgence ( by way of Difpenfacion) or a Comprehenjion by fome additional Aft, taking in all that could Conform in ibme particular Points. Hereupon there was great talk upon the Queftion, Whether the way of Indulgence, or the way of Comprehenjion were more defirable ? And it was debated as (erioudy, as if indeed fuch a thing as one of them had beenexpefted. And Parliament Men themfelves perfwaded them that it would be done. The Sedarians fas they then called all that were for Liberty of Seds, and for leparated Churches) were for the way of Indulgence, that the A(ft might not enlarge the Terms of the Publick Miniftry, but give Liberty for gathering private Churches to all : Elle they thought that when the nioft con-iiderableof the Miniftry were embodied with theConformifls ; their own Exclusion and Suppreffion would be unavoidable : The moft of the Independents yet were refolved againit Petitioning for the PapiRs Liberty as well as the Presbyterians. But fome of the Politick Leaders of them faid, lou are blind if yati Jee not that this 'very Act of Uniformity was made fo rigorous, and the ■weight of Conformity fo much increajed, that fo the Nu?/>ber of the ejeBed Miniflers might be fo great, as to force them to be glad of a general Toleration, which tnight take in the Papijts: And if you ibmh. to ^and it out, the) -will yet bring you to it m defpight of you : They will increafe your Burdens, and lay you aU m Prijons, till you are glad to petition for fuch a Toleration : and [land it out as long as you can, you Jliall be forced to procure the Tapifts Liberty j and the odium of ttfiallnot Ije on the Bijhops, but on you that are fo much agamfi it: The Ri-. (iiops jhaUjpeak ogainfi it j and they will force you to beg for it who are agamfi it : And if you will not do it now, you do but fiay till the Market rife, and your Sufferings be made greater, and you jh.ill be glad to do it at dearer rates. On the Other fide, the Presbyte-ri^ns laid, It is ag.unfi our Covenatit to promote Popery and Schtfm, and whatever we fuffer, we will ncvtr do it : nor will we contrail that odium with the People, nor contribute fo much to betray them by deceiving them! And if wt (hould do it, we are affured we Jbatl be never the better for it: for the Toleration Jtiall be clogged with the Renunciation of all Obligations fi-om the Covenant, or fome one other particular Condition, which pall fee/n no matter-of Religion, which they know we will not conform to, and the Vapifis wiU^ and jo when we have petitioned for a Common Liberty, we jliali have the odium, and they only the Libertyi And thus they late ftill, and medled not with that Bufmefs.

S 427. For my own part, I medled but little with any fiich Bulinels fince thefail-rng of that which incurred fo much difplealure ; and the rather becaufe, though the Brethren Commiffioncd withmelluck to me as to ths 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 Perfonwas earneft with me, to give him my Judgment, Whether the way of 7«(/«/(^e«;c or Co»>pre^e»//ow was more defirable , that he might difcern which way to go in Parliament himlelf j I gave him my Thoughts in the following Paper , though 1 thought it was ;o little purpofe.

kkJ? SIR,'

SIR,

YOur firft Qieflion is, Whether the way of Comprebenjion or Indulgence be more dejl-rable?

Anfiv. If the Comprehenfion were truly CW/rai/? and Catholkk, upon the Terrrs of the Piimitive Simplicity in Dodrine, Difcipline and Worlhip, extending to al! that the Apoftolick Churches in their times received j it vvould end all our Diife-rences and Mileries, except what in this imperfefl: ftate of the Church Militant muft be ftill expected: and it would prevent the fin and everlafting v\oe of multitudes of Souls. But becaufe there is no hope of this, by reafon of the ignorance, impiety, uncharitablenefs, malice and faftioufnefs of the Times; rebus fie ftantibus, it is moft evident that no Friend of the Church Ihould be for Comprebenjion without Indulgence ; nor for Indulgence without the Enlargement of the kGt of Uniformity to a greater Cowprf^CT/zo«; but for the Conjun^wn of both: which v;ill'attain the ends of both, and avoid the chief Inconveniencies of either alone.

1. The way of Comprchefj/ion alone is not fufficicnt (on Terms not Catholick, which muft be expeded ): r. liccauie fuch Comprehenfion will ftill leave cut many worthy Perfbns, whole Gifts God would have cxercilcd for his Churches Service. And he that lightly valueth the preaching of theGofpel, and the faving of Souls, would rather choofe to have a Milftone hangd about his Neck, and be caft into the Sea, than unneceflarily to filence any faithful Minifters of Chrift. . 2. Becaufe even the Culpable fiiould be punilhed 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, ihould be Correfted for thole Faults, with fuch perlbnal gentle Chaftiftment, 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 forbiJden to preach lor the Saving of the People. See i 7'/&f//'. 2. 14, i j', 16. 3. Efpecially confidering that the lofs by filencing them redoundeth to the Souls of others, efpecially the ignorant and prophane : and why fhould other Mm be denied the Means of their Salvation, and lb perilh, becaufe a Minifter differeth from the State in fome lelfer 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-.-jLle, and abate Penalties, asinhis Wifdom he Ihall lee moft conducible to the Vcaceof Church and State, and not to be too much tied up by an indilpenlable Efta-blifhiTient. Thtfs Realbns ( and many more ) are confiderable for the way of Indulgence.

2. 1'he way of Indulgence alcne is not fufficient; but firft-, the Law fhould be n\\i\c mc^xQ Co;nprehenfi-ve: i. E'^caufe indeed the prefent Impofitions and Reftri-dions of the Law (confidering alio the direful Penalty) are fuch (efpecially the Declaration and Subfcription required), as the Age that is further from the heels of Truth, will fo defcribe and denominate, as will make our Pofteiity wifh too late that the good of Souls, the welfare of tlie Church, and the Honour of our Nation had been better provided for. 2. I'ecaule it is exceeding defirable that as much firengtb and unity as may be, may be found in the eftabliliied Body of the Clergy : which will be the g'ory of the Church, the advantage of the Gofpel, the prevention of many fina ol Uncharitablencls, and the great lafety and eafe ot his M;ijefty and the Realm: When as meer Indulgence, (iffruftrated by Reftiiclions, will be unfatif. la(3ory,and nnt attain its ends; but if any thing large and full) will drain almoftall theeftabli'hed Churches, of a more confiderable part of the People than I will now mention; and will keep much dilimion among the Minifters. ;. If there be no way but that of Indulgence^ it will load his Majefty with too much of the offence and murpiur of the People. If he indulge but few, thole that expedcd it will lay all the blame on him : If he indulge all or moft that arc meet for it, he will much offend the Parliament .ind Prelates, who will think tlie Law is vain : But a power of indulging a fmall Number, when the moft are embodied by a Comprehenfion, will be leiviccable toGodand the King, and the Common Peace, and juftly of-finf've unto none. 4. The Indulgence will be hardly attained by fb many as neeci it, and ate meet for it; moft being diftant, many friendlefs and moneylefs, and too many mifreprefented by their Adverfariis as unworthy, y. If the Indulgence b; for private Meetings only, it will occafion fuch Jealoufies that they preach Sedition,

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 firrt a Comprehenfion of as many fit Perfons as may be taken in by Law; and then a power in his Majefty to indulge the Remnant fo far as condueeth to the Peace and Benefit of Church and State.

Your (econd Qi^ieftion is, What abatement it 4efirable for Cemprehenfion ?

I anfwer ; Suppofe there is no hope of the Terms of Primitiz/e Simplicity and Ca-tbolicijm, but that we fpeak only of what might now be hoped for.

I. It is moft needful that the old and new Subfcriptionsand Profeffionsof Affent and Content to all things in the Book of Ordination, Liturgy, and the two Articles concerning them be abated,

1. That the Declaration be abated ; efpecially as to the difobliging all other Perfons 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 Tefl of Mens fubjedion.

;. That the Minifter be not bound to u(e the Crofs and Surplice, and read the Liturgy himfelf, if another ( by whomfoever ) be procured to do it: So be it he preach not againft them.

4. That ( according to P^)pe Leo III. determination in fuch a Cafe) the Bilhops do by a general Confirmation ( in which each Man approveable to have liis part, upon due trial) confirm the Ordination formerly made by lawful Paftors without Diocefans, without reordaining them.

y. That what the Courts will do about Kneeling at the Receivinfl; of the Lord's Supper may be done by others, and not the Minifter forced to rffufe Men meerly on that account.

6. It is very defirable that Oaths of Obedience to the Diocefan be forbo'-n, as long as Men may be punilhed for Difobedience.

7. It is exceeding defirable that Reformation of Church-Government (by Suffragans, and the Rural Deanries. &c.) be made according to his Majelty's Willexpref^ fed in his Declaration concerning Ecclefiaftical Affairs.

To your third queftion. Of the Extent and Terms of the Indulgence^ it being to be Jeft to his Majefty's Wifdom, I fliall not prefume to give you my Anfwer.

§ 428. Inftead of Indulgincc and CoTKprehenfov, on the laft day of June i66^, the AA againft Private Meetings for Religious Exercifes paft the Houfe of Commons, and ihortly alter was made a Law. The Sum of it was, That [every Perfon above fixteen years old, ivh^ is prefent at avy Meeting under colour or pretence of any Ex-erctje of Religion, in other manner than is alhwed by the Liturgy sr Vraclice of the Church of England, where there ure five Perfons more than that HoujJjold, jhtll for the firfi Of. feme by a Jufiice of Peace be Recorded, and fcnt 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 convtihd by a Jury, fliall be banijhed to fime of ;^e(American) Plantations, excepting N&W'Eng\a.nd or Mnginh. The Calamity of the Ad, befides the main Matter was, I. That it was made lb ambiguous, that no man that ever I met with, could tell what was a violation of it, and what not; not knowing what was [ allowed by the Liturgy or Pradife of the Church of England in Families}, becaufe the Liturgy medleth not with Families, and among the diverfity of Family Pra-dice, no man knoweth what to call the Pradice of the Church, z. Becaule lb much Power was given to the JulHccs of Peace, to record a man an Offender .without a Jury, and if he did it caufelelly, we are without any remedy, feeing he was made a Judge : According to the plain words of the A<ft, if a man did but preach and pray, or read (bme licenled Book and fing Pfalms,he might have more than four prefent, becaule thafe are allowed bv the pradice of the Church in the Church ; and the Ad feenieth to grant an Indulgence for place and number, fo be it the quality of the Eserciie be allowed by the Church ; which muftbe meant [pub-lickly] liecaufe it medleth withno private Exercife. E'Jt when it cometh to the tiial, thefe Pleas with the Juftices are vain : and if men do hut pray, it is taken for grantedjthat k is an Exerciie not allowed by the Church oi England,ind to Jail they go.

KRk 2 §429^

§429. And now came in the Peoples Trial, as well as the Miniflers: 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 Prilbn: But when it came to be their own Cafe^they were as venturous till they were once Surprized and Imprifoned ; 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 Gotjd: Efpecially the Rich were as cautelous as the Minifters. But yet their Meetings were lb ordinary, and fo well known, that it greatly tended to the Jailor's Commodity.

§ 4JO. It was a great Strait that People were in, efpecially that dwell near any bufie Officer, or malicious Enemy (as who doth not ?) Many durfl 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, Mellengerf, or one fort or other, to be moft or many days at Dinner with them : and then many durft not go to Prayer, and Ibme durlt 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 faid, It is all one if they be but in the lame Houfe, though out of hearing, when it comcth to the Judgment of thejuftices. 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 laid , It is all in vain whilft the Juftice is Judge whether it was a Afee/iw^ or no. Great Lawyers faid. If you come on a vifit or bufinefs, though you be prefent at Prayer or Sermon, it is no breach of the Law, becaufe you met not [o« pretence of a Religious Exerafi ] : But thofe that tried them faid, Such Words are but Wind when the Juftices come to judge you.

§ 4; r. And here the Fanaticks called Quakers did greatly relieve the Ibber People for a time: for they were fo refblute, and gloried in their Conflancy and Sufferings, that they affembled openly ( at the BuU and Mouth near AUerfgate ) 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 Prifon, and yet they continued their AfTcm-blies flill I 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-flion, Whether this Silence was a Religious Exercife not allowed by the Liturgy, &c. And once upon fome fuch Realbns as thefe, when they were tried at the SeHtons in order to a Banifhment, 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 fo employed Sir R. B. and the other Searchers and Prolecutors, that they had the lefs leifure to look after the Meetings of Soberer men ; which was much to their prefent eafe.

§ 432. And now theDivifions, or rather the Cenfuresof the Nor^conforming People againfl their Miniflers 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 th6 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. 5af«, becaufe we went to the Publick AfTemblies, and alfo to the Common Prayer, even to the beginning of it: Not that they thought worle of us than of others; but that they thought that our Example would do more harm: For I rauft bear them witnefs, that in the midft of all their Cenfures of-my Judgment and AAions, they never Cenfured my AfFeftions and Intentions, nor abated their Charitable Eftimation of me in the main. And of the leading Prelates I had fo much favour in their hotteft Indignation , that they thought what I did againfl their In-terefl 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, againfl all Fa-ftions, fhall have his Honefiy acknowledged by the feveral FaAions, whilft his Anions, as crofs to their Intereft, are detefted : Whereas he that joyneth with one of the FaBioHs, fljall have both his Perfon and Anions condemned by the other, though his Par-ty may applaud both.

> §433.

§ 4?;. My Judgment was for the holding of Communion with AiTemblies of both Parties j and ordinarily I went to feme Pari/h Church, where I heard a Learned Minifter that had not obtruded himfelf upon the People, but was cholen by them, and preached well, ( as Dr. Wilkins, Dr. TtUotfm, Mr. Nefl, &c.) and t joyncd alfo in the Common Prayers of the Church : And as oft elfe as I had fi: opportunity, I privately preached and prayed my felf, either with Independents or Presbyterians that defired me! And I profefled to all upon all occafions, that 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 pubiick or private; fo be it they preached not for Herefie, nor againft a holy and peaceable Life^ nor turned not their Strein to Sedition or uncharitable Reviling one another : E-ven as I would hold occasional Communion with a Church of Lutherans, or Greekig or j^bulfines, if I pafled through their Countreys. Though cattru fanbus I preferred Publick Afjembltes, which have the Magiitrates Countenance, before Private;; yet I more preferred thole that have pure Worfhip and Difcipline and powerful Preaching, before the fcandalous, undifciplined, ignorant Churches, of ignoranc and formal lifelefs Minifters. And fofar as I had my choice, my moft ufual Communion Ihould be with thofs AiTemblies that I thought the belt; yet would I have occafional Communion with others, as Members of the Catholick Church, to fhew my Catholick Communion with all the Body of Chrift. Yea, and my ordinary Communion Ihould be with a Church that ufed the Common Prayer, rather thani with none, or with a worfe: And the Lord's Day I would fpend in Church Communion (it being principally appointed to that end ), and not in any meer Family Wor/hip, or Meetings with a few Chriilians 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 not lb good ): Many Books came out againft hearing Common Prayer, and againft hearing any of the prelent Parifti Minifters: One faid to be by Mr.Jobxi Godwin,3.nd another by one Mr. Brown oi PVorcefierJhire (a fervent, injudicious, honeft Fifth-Monarchy-man) and many more that made the Common Prayer to be no lels tl.an Idolatry. Becaufe it was not prelcribed by the Scripture, they laid it is falfe Worfhip; and falfe Worfhip they faid was one Species of Idolatry j by which arguing they would have made every fault in any of our Prayers or other Worfhip to be Idolatry ; For Scripture prelcribeth not any diforder or other fault in Prayer, but forbiddeth it: and fo they may on the fame account call it falfe Worfhip and Idolatry : But many honefl People were led to depart too far from the Parilh AC femblies, and from Charity and Unity it lelf, by fuch weak realbnings as thele. Yea, many turned Quakers, becaufe theQiiakers kept their Meetings openly, and went to Prifbn for it cheerfully ; and becaufe they would not joyn with the late impofed Miniftry and Worfhip, which was fo bad in their efteem, that their hearts role againft any Debate in which we would but quelfion it.

When I hear men cry out againfl us as dangerous Schifmaticks, even when we deny not Communion with the conformable'Parifh Minifters, meerly becaufe we ceafs not preaching when the Magiftrates and Prelates command us fo to do, not-withftanding the notorious necefSty of the People; it bringeth to my thoughts two remarkable Paffages there met with.

The firft of the Eafiem Churches (Aley.andria,Antioch,C^farea, 8cc.) which ftuck to their old Paftors in private Meetings, and refuled the new obtruded Bi-Ihops fufpeded of Arrianifm, notwithftanding the Emperour Valeni his Prohibition, and his contrary Commands, and his perfbnal violent Impedition. The like was done in Conftantius'i time.

The fecond is of many Bifhops in Africa who by Genfericm were forbid to preach, and when they obeyed him not, their Tongues were cut out: And God by a Mi- -^ ^^Ky ^ racle juftified their Difbbedience 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 profels that they law and heard the men Ipeak themlelves, after the cutting out of their Tongues; One is Vi^(n Vtieinfis^ and as 1 remember the other is ^naat Gez,iMt,

$1^4^

§ 434- I confelsfome of thofe that were for Separation from the Pari(h Churches (pake To plaufibly, that it was no wonder that moll of the Religious fort followed them. They (aid that

1. We have but lately fworn in the Covenant agalnft Superftition, and for a Reformation : and IliaU we all fo foon return to Liturgies and Ceremonies, &c. at the Will of Man?

2. As Conformity, fo Separation, is now another thing than it was when the old Non-conformifts wrote againrt the Bro-wnifis, the Churches being far more polluted.

g. We are commanded to avoid them that walk diforderly, and not to bid them goodjpeed that bring faUe Dodtrine, and not to eat with them,&c. And Cyfnan faith^ That it belongeth to the People to avoid a bad Paftor, and that if they do it not, they mufV 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 fo Iblemnly, and in fuch dreadful Expreffions, 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 difiionour our Nation before all the World, and teach them to name it hfuU Perfidorum, the Perjured IJland: To declare openly for the ablbiute Slavery of the Kingdoms, whofe Liberty their Anceftors preferred before their Lives J declaring that it is not lawful by Arms to fave my Purfe or Throat froai Thieves, if they (ay they have the King's Commiflion for it I or (hew it: To Af-lent and Confent unfeignedly to all the Corruptions impofed on them I To make all this a Mini((crial Sin, by Publilhingor Reading it before all the Congregation : To turn to all this unfaithfully, without ever Debating the Cafe with tlie able(t that differed from them ; or elfe going on when they were Silenced in Conference , and had nothing to fay 1 Are thele men for us to hold Communion with ?

4. God will be worfhipped with the beftjand curleth them that offer him the blmd and lame, when they have better in their Flocks.

y. The Churches are not only undifciplined, but the Paflors by Subfcription juftifie if, and compel by cruel Perfecution all Men to Communicate with them thrice a year, both the Good againfl their Confciences, and the Bad againfl the Word of God. to their Condemnation : And (hall we Communicate with fuch >

§ 4J 5". To thefe fad and heavy Accufations we anfvvered,

1. The Covenant bound us to our beff to reform: but did not bind us to fin, that is, to forfake all Chriftian Churches among us, and all Publick Worfhip, when we cannot reform as vve defirc. As I am bound to amend all the Difbrders and Faults of my own Praj'crs, but not to give over praying till lean amend them. Kay, tl-.e Covenant hincisth us to come to the AfTemblies, in that it bindeth us agsinft Schilm, Prophanenefs, and whatf^evtr is againfl (bund Dodriae and Godli-nefs.

2. I confefs that Conformity is not the fimc thing as it was in the Broivnijis time : But yet rhe Difference is not (o great as to make Separation lawful now , which was unlawful then. In one great I^oint the Ca(e 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 Qaeen and Parliament, were far more ignorant than now they arc i when the Golpel hath made the People much more under-ftanding and reformed ; infomuch that in fome f few ) great Towns and Pa-rifhes, a confiderable part of the People, are zealous Profelfors of Religion that daily worfhip God in their Familief.

;. 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 jleformjtion, and a particular Perfbn's avoiding vi-hokC^urchis, and that before the Neighbouring Churches have in any Synod declaied them unfit for our Communion : The former may be found, but any Command for the latter you will hardly find in Scripture; but contrarily it was the prafticeof Schii'maticks and Hereticks : For how jcan you proceed in Chrifl's method of Admonition with (uch whole Churches ? At leaft, till they are notorioufly Ilerccical, or intolerably corrupt and obflinate

therein

P A R T II. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 439

therein you cannot avoid them. The Churches of Corinth , Galatia, Epheftts, Sar-Ju, LaoJtcea, Tbtatyra, &c. had foul Corruptions, and are commanded to execute Dilcipline on the Members j but no Members commanded to forfake riie Churches, but the contrary. As to Cyprians words, its true, that a People that care for their Souls mufl depart from an Heretical or utterly intolerable Miniflerj as they that Jove their Lives will do from a Phyfician that would kill them : But there is a great deal of difference between Verjonal Faults^ and Minift'erialFaults, (as between a Drunkard and an Herettck)., and between a tolerable minijhrial Fault ( as all imperfeft Men are guilty of in their feveral meafiiresj and an intclcrabk ons : and between the Defertion of a whole Congregation, and of the leffer partj when the reft will not forfake the Minifler. I deny not but you are bound to forbear committing the care and guidance of your Souh to a Man whole Alimfitrial Faults are intolerable. And fuch are, i. The utterly Ignorant and InfiifTicient; 2. The Preachers of Herelie, or Doftrinecontrary to the necefTary Points of Religion; ;. And thofe that fet themlelves to preach down Godlinefs, or preach for a wicked Life, ( if any fuch there be ) : But you muft remember how in their Fadious Zeal, all Parties or Sedl:s of Tate among us, were wont to preach againlf one another, and yet that was not taken for preaching ag.iinfi Godlineis, though the Perfbns were never lb godly that they preached againft. And as you recount all that may aggravate their fin, fo you muft in jufiice remember all that may extenuate it: Remember therefore, i. Tliat 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. Frefion, Dr. SMs, Dr.Tajr-lor, Dr. Staughtott, Mr. Gattaker^ and molt C by far ) .of the late Synod at Wefi^ mincer: And for the reft of the Conformity, remember the Matter and the Ttrnp-tation: Vov t\\Q Matter, it is much about Political Things, where it is no wonder if Divines on either Mt are ignorant or erroneous : and if they be unacquainted with the Power of Kings and Parliaments, when Lawyers and Parliaments them-felves arc dif^igreed about them. And for the Temptation, remember that fuch horrid Mifcarriages, as the the Rebellious pulling down of King and Parliament, killing the one, and cafling out and imprifoning the Members of the other, and the attempting the taking clown of all the Miniltry, and the ruining of all Order by armed Seftaries, with the multitude of Sefts that fwarm'd among us, I fiy thefe Effetfts, with the Kings 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 therefore 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 moflly 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, fb you will but remember,that Love and Concord and honourable Solemnity are con-Jiderable 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 occaflonal-ly, becaufe you cannot worfhip him publickly as you would j and that that may be the kff which you have liberty to perform, which is not the beft which you could do if you had liberty.

J-. And though the Churches be too much undilciplined, and all Communicate, fb are the Reformed Churches of Helvetia , which are numbered with the beft, where Difcipline never was let up. In Conclufion, He that feparateth from one Church, for a Caufe common to almoft all the Churches in tlie World ,^ doth go too near a Separating from all the Churches in the World : But fo it is here i For almoft all the Churches in the World have worle Minifters and worfe Members, and as bad a form or way of Worfhip as thefe in England : And it is a terrible thing to think of Separating from all or moftof the Univerlal Church of Chrift on Earti).

§ 4;6. But the Ejeded Presbyterian Minifters that would not come to Common prayer in Publick, went more moderately to work, and faid,

1. We do not feparatc from every Congregation that we joyn not with in Per-Ibn: Elfe every Man doth feparate every day from all the Congregations in the World fave one : If they are not Separatifis 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 mult not Countenance.

2. We were lawfully called by Chrift to feed our particular Flecks: And if thefe Men cad us out of the Temples and Maintenance , and get into our Places, and the more ungodly half of the Parifhes, for fear of Man , conform to them, it doth not follow that we are ablblved from our Office and Duty for the reft, or mufl bring them to the dilbrderly way of Worfhip which they violently impofed onus.

§ 437. To thele I anfwered,

1. That it's true, that meer Abjence is ho Separation : But when a Party call and invite you to joyn with them, and you publickly accule 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 (bme degree of Separation ; to avoid them as a Company unmeet to ba joyned with.

2. Though you Offices to your People ceale not, yet you have your power to Edification and nor to De(lru(Stion: And if a tolerable Minifter be put into your Places, its confiderable whether it ht not moft to your Peoples Edification, Unity, Charity and Peace, to take them with you to the Publick Aflemblies, and help them neverthelefs at other times your (elves 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 Imprifbnment and Banifliment, 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 Compliance; the meek Spirit of Chriftianity, when it fifteth thefe reaibnings, will find in them too much of Self and Paffion when Unity, Charity and the Churches Edification is on the other fide.

§ 4j8. And whereas fome Men are much taken with this Reafon, That thefe times have more Light than the old Non-conformiftsever had, and therefore that is not exculible in us which was lb in them, I muft confefs I have great reafon to believe the clean contrary, if by Light they mean Knowledge, that the old Non-conformifts had much more infight into thefe Controverfies than Profeflbrs have of late: For,

1. We know that when the Parliament had caftout Bifliops, Liturgy and Ceremonies, the generality both of Minifters and People, took it for granted that they Were all bad, and (b liad more Light than their Forefathers had, before tiiey ever ftudied the Controvcrfies : 1 have askeJ many of them that have boafted of this Light, whether ever they read what Cart-wright, BraJjhaw, Anns, Parka; Baynesy Gerfonie, Rucer, Didoclavius, Salmajiui^ BlonJell, Beza, df'c. have (aid on one fide j and whit Saraz-ia, Bilfon, I-Vhtrgift, CcveH , Dowtiham, Burges, Hocker, Taybody, Hammond, Sic. have faid on the other fide ; and they have conleli they never throughly ftudied any one of them.

2. And we fee it by experience, that one of thole Men have written more on thefe Subjeds, tlianany of thole can lay or underftand, who boaft that they have greater Light. How weakly do they talk againft Bilhop?, Liturgy, and Ceremonies in comparilbn of thefe ancient Non-conformifts I 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 iiave more Knowledge, bring it forth and try it by d-.e Law and Teftimnny, Ifa. 8. 2c.

§ 4;9. Having lived tiirce yeais and more in London, and finding it neither a-gree with my health or ftudi^Js, ( the one being brought very low, and the other interrupted) and all Publick Service being at an end, I betook my leifto live in the Country ( at Ailon) that 1 might let my felf to writing, and do what Service I could for Pofteiity, and live as much as poflibly 1 could out of the World. Thither I came 16^5. July 14. where I followed my Studies privately in quiet-fiefs, and went every Lord's Day to the Publick Aflembly , when there was any

Preach-

Preaching or Catechizing, and Iprnc the leit of the Day with my Family ( an J a few poor Neighbours that came in ) j Ipendii-g now and then a day in London, and die next year 1664. I had the Company ot" divers godly faithful Friends that Tabled wich nie in Summer, with whom I iblaced my lelf with much content. Having almolJ finiihed a large Treatife, called , A Chnfiian Dtrtthry, or Sum if FraUical Dtvtntty , that 1 might know whether it would be Licenfed for the Prefs, I tried them with a fmall Trcatifeof The Characters of a Som.l Clyri/iian, as differenced from the IFeak Chrtfttan and the Hvpocrite : I offered it Mr. Grig the Bi-fliopof LowJews Chaplain, who had betn a Non conform id, and profeli an extraordinary refps<ft for me : But he durlt not Licence it. Yet after, when tha Plague began 1 knc three fingle Sheets to the Archbilhop of Canurbarfs Chaplain ( without any Name that they might have pall: unknown, but accidentally they knew them to be mine) and they were Licenled: The one was Directions for the Sick: The lecond was D;>f^/;i)Wi/^r the Cenx'ir/icn of the UngoJj^ and the third was InfiruBions for a Holy Life: for the ufe of poor Families that cannot buy greater Books, or will not read them.

§ 440, March 26. being the Lord's Day l6C^). as I was pleaching in a Private Houle, where we received the Lords Supper, a Bullet came in at the Window a-mong us, and part by me, and narrowly milt (he Head of a Siiterin lavi of mine that was there, and hurt none of us; and we could never diliover whence it came.

§ 441. In yttweJbllowing an ancient Gentlewoman vyith her Sons and Daughter, came four Miles in her Coach to hear me Preach in my Family, as tut of Ipecial Refped to me: It fell out that ( contrary to our cuftom ) we let her knock long at the Door, and did not open it; and fj a ficond time when fhe had gone away and came again j and the third time /he came when we had ended : Ihe was (o earneft to know when flie might come again to hear me, that I appointed her a time : But before Ihe came, 1 had lecrct intelligence from one that was nigh her, that Jhe came with a heart exceeding full of Malice, relblving, if poffible, to do me what Mifchief Ihe could by Acculation: and To that Danger was avoided.

§ 442. Before this, divers Forreign Divines had written to me , and cxpedted fuch Correfpondence as Literate Perlbns have v;ith. one another : But I knew lb well what eyes were upon me,and how others had beenuled in Ibme fuch accounts, that I durft not write one Letter to any beyond the Sejs: By which fome were offended, as little knowing our Condition here : Among others, Air.yraldns fent one upon the occafion of a word of honelt Luda. Mohn<em, a Dr. of Phyfick, who had faid that he had heard that Amyrald had faid fbmewhat as flighting the Non-con form ills in England, and me in particular, which with what vehemency and great refped he dilbwneih , his Letter following will Ihew. Another was from a Minifter in Helvetia, who would have had my Advice about (etting up the Work of Minifterial Inftrudion of the Families and Perfons of their Charge particularly, which I will alfo add : but I fent him an Anfwer by his Friend by word of mouth only. And fo I refafed the answering of all others.

L 11 Literse

Liters D. Jmjraldi,

Ad Reverendum Virum Dom. Dominum "Baxterum, Fidelem Evangelis Jefu Chrifti Minifterium, Londinum,

VIrtutum tuarttm fama, FirReverende, ad attres me as ante aliquot annos pervenit, nee omtiino me latuerat quam hofwrifice de me ^ privatam/en-tioi & puhlice loquaris. Verum quia (s audio fcripji/li Anglice tantum modoy cognitio autem lingua vefir£ quam ante quadragmta Annos qualemcunque Lon-dini adeptm eram, e memoria mea defuetudine ohliterata ejt, parum commercii mihi eft cum Vtlris veftris, r.ec ha^enus contigit ut quidqnam quod a te prodixe-rit oculis ufurpaverim. Eo de caufa, quamvis nonnunquam ceperit me impetus aliquis ad te fcrihendi, ut honorent quo te profequor tejtificarer, ^ ut fignificarem quod me pihlice laudafti,ingrato non accidtjfe; {Etfi enim tenmtatem meam ag' nofco, nor: di^imulaho tamen, non effe mihi jibram adto corneam, quin laudari a• men^ a te potijjimum laudato Viro ••} Attamen quotiujcunque id in Animum i»-duxi vel occafio literas ad te mittendi fuppeditata non eft, vel me reprejfit aliquis met us nequid de me fufpicaveris : At quod hucujque difluleram, Vir Reve-rende, expreftit a me indignatio concept a ex ledione literal urn Domini Simonii ad me, in quibuj vidi nejcio quern male feriatum hominem (etenim eum ne de nomine quidcm novi} fcripfrjfe ad Molinsum, Aniyraldum de te, deque Scriptis tuos loqui valde contemptem ; adeo ut fiver urn ejjit quod ille quiftjuis eft dicit, jufliftimam caufam haheres cur graviftime mihi juccenferes, me que judical es in-dignum iis laudihiis, iijque henevoientia tua ftgntficationihus, quihus me profe-qui ac decor are voluifti. lllico igitur calamum arripui^^ nulla interpofita mora, fcrip^i ad D. Simonium Gadice qucevelima te legi at que intelligi pojfe, ut qualis fit animus crga te metu liquido cognnfceres. Tihi vera. Fir Reverende, banc E-piftohm deftino, in qua quanta poftum bona fide tv luculentis verlii tejlor at que' pror.untio, falfa ilia omnia ejfe, ^ emendacti officina profetla, qucc vel audivifli vel legifli quafi ditla de te a me Jecus quam oportutt. ■ Non enirA te novi nifi dejama, qua de tua pietate atque eruditione ^f) eloquent ia egregie loquitur; nee aliter ergs te fum a§'e£lus quam ut decet erga virum mult is laudihus orna-turn, ^ praterea de meoptime merititm, & cui eo nomine multum dcbeo. Noli ergo qu£fo, Fir Reverende, quidquam iftiufmodi credere ; (s ubicunque id vel cccafjo jeret, vel neceftitai poftulabit, offende bajce literas me a manu, & ex Ani-mi met Scntentia conjcriptas, ut pojl hocce teftimonium quid de te judicem nemo dubitare qi-.eat. Fale, Fir Reverende, & communis ille no(ler Dotlor atque Do-mi>:iLS, qui nos redemit /anguine fuo, cum Ecclefia Anglicana turn tui peculiarem curam jujcipere dignetur. Quid de rebus vejlris exiftimem, Jcire potes ex Epi-ftola qua Paraphrafmi meam in Pjalmos fereniftimo veftro Regi dicavi. Itaque nihil hie add^m nifii quod qui ad te fcribit, ejl tibi,

Vir Reverende,

Ad omne obfcquium paratifTlmus

A MT RAL DV S.

\

To

To the Re<verend and moji Learned Mr. Richard Baxter, a Xealom MiniJieroftheGoJpelofChriJi, his moji worthy and moji ho-nonred Brother in Chriji, at Kidderminfter.

Recommended to the care of Mr. Dorvile.

The Grace of our Lord Jefm\and the Peace of GodJ?e increafed among m.

Mofi worthy and mofi honoured Sir,

TH E Occafion of two Cofins of mine going for London, invites me to tak^ the liberty to write this Letter to you ( moft honoured Sir, ) and hope you will excule my boldnefi in (b doing ; being unknown to you J Ihould have lorborn troubling you in your weighty Affairs, which befides the great zeal and care for your Pariihioners, yea for the whole Church of God, are made known : 13ut I could not pafi by fo good an Opportunity, to acquaint you, how much your Name and your Perfon, Cakhough with your-Rody (b far from us,) is elleemed by me, an unworthy Servant of Jelus Chrilt, and by many other faithful Brethren in the Lord in this our Town, and alfb in our Neighbour Proteftanc Confederate Cities oi Zurjc and Schaffhoufin ; inlbmuch that we often remember one another the great caufe we have to pray the Lord joyntly and conliantly with your beloved Parifhi-ouers, yea with whole England, for your health and long life , that you may further continue to us all your edifring Dodrines and Admonitions, I dare not write ro you, moft godly Sir, in what fame you are among us, that you rnay not(iifpec1 me of flattery, which doubtlefs you defpife as a great vanity : But I pray. Sir, to believe me confidently, that after Providence had led me (ome years agone into England^ but time would not permit to ftay long there, but as fpeedily as poffible to learn the £»^////j Tongue, and am heartily forry I did not vifityou, moft worthy Sir, at Ktdderminfter that time, for to take upon feveral Points your godly Advice: being in ten Months time, as long as I flayed in London, Oxford., and Cam-hrtdge, I did learn (God be thanked) fo much Engit^7 that I could underlhnd reading and preaching. And by t!;e Advice of the molt zealous and worthy Men , Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. Cranford, Mr. hialton ( of whom I received great Cour-tefie and Friendlhip, though a Stranger) I bought a good number of Englijli Divinity Books of your nioft lolid and Icledled Divines j and au-.ong others your E' wrlafiing Refi, h&m Gildas Salvtanifs, or Reforfxed Paficr, Item Tr;<e Chri(tiamty, Item A Sermon of Jttdg7mnt, 6cc. biing at that time recalled to my dwn Country, 1 had no time to perule thole heavenly Meditations; but fines have made ic my chief work, and cannot expreli the great Advantage I received by them: io that I commended the very lame Books to others of our Brethren who have endeavoured without delay to get them, by means of Ibme of our Merchants here j and alfo the remainder of your Vr'^orks, that we could bring to our notice, -viz,. The Un-reajonablmef of Infidelity, your Confejfioa of Faith, The right Method for afetled ?eacz of^ Confcience, The fafe Religion, Key for Catholicks, The Crucifying of the IForld , Item of Self-denial, Item A Treatife of Convcr/ion,CalI totheUnconvertU, your apology againfi^ Mr. Blake, 8cc. Item your Holy Commonwealth, The Catholick Unity, your Ireatije of Death: For which Works we thank God with one accord , for the great and heavenly Gifts he hath f) largely beftowcd upon you, for the common good of his Church i and wifh that by this occafion we might alio be partakers of what we want of your Works that are extant ; Sermons or other Treatifes: Particularly I muft acquaint you with the high eiteem we make of thole two Chief Pieces, the Everlafiing Re[i and Reformed Pafior : in which litter you ftrike home to the very heart many Minifters: and we muft needs confcfs that living among a rude ai^d unlearned People, ignorant and felf-conceited, that according to your Advice in the Reformed Pajlor, it is moft neceftary to take in h3nd,wich all fpeed and care.the private Inllruftion and Catechizing: But we can find no way to obtain it : And being your Admonitions and Perfwafions to the Praaice thereof, aic rery home

L 11 2 and

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

and clofe upon all Minifters, that they muft make it their chief Bufinefs, and neg-lea nothing until they have perfwaded and brought their Fleck to )t; I pray you, moft worthy Sir, to refolve this Enquiry to me and others of my Neighbours and fellow Brethren, who in reading your Reformd Pafior , made the (anie Scruple ot Confcience, -viz,. Whether a Minifier that heartily (invcsforthe honour of God and the Echfication of his Church, doth vot difcharge his Duty, when according to your wholjome and true Doifrine, he hath conferred and made known hts mind and -wtlhngnejS to the ftr-formance of it, to his Fellow-Brethren that joyntly with him are Shef herds of the fame Flock^ jea,perfwadedthemofthe neccffity andu'efulnefiof it,yet can get m JJJlfiance by Mimjim

nor Magiflratei. i •• -n c u

We long alfoheartily to know, being you have perfwailed the Mmiltersot t!ie County of Worcejler to that moft neceflary and ufcful Catechizing and Private In-ftrudion. Whether by the frefent great Change in England, both m Churches and Gowrn-ment, and chiefly, being that we hear that Epifcopacy prevaileth, the Prelatical Dignity u not feme way retrenched'^ and whether they bear [till that irreconcileable hatred agamft good and godly Fresbyteriam, that they may not be ftiffered to exercife their Charge and Duty ? Or if they are wholly deprived of the power and authority to fcrve their Parijlies, oi to our great Scandal we are informed. I had many things more to write to you, but dare not trouble you, moft worthy Sir, any further, fearing to keep you from your weighty Cufinefi. Only I crave very humbly your Anfwer, and as much Information of the true preicnt Eftate, as opportunity will give you leave , Whether we have fo much cauje to fear the Introduction of Fopery in England, as feme , by the News amongfl 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 Peribn for the General Good and Edification of his whole Catholick Church, that your great Light may fliine more and more; and fo I remain.

Reverend and moft worthy Sir, _>

Saivgall in Helvetia

Reformata,i6 A Your humble and moft

fril 1663.

Affecaionatc Servant

John SoUicoffer, 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 again ft Literate Perfons Correfpondencies beyond Seas, nor have any Divines been hindered from it, yet ) it was like to have proved my ruine, if I had but been known to anfwer one of thele Letters, though the Matter had been never fo much beyond Exceptions. So that I neither anfwered this nor any other,ftve only by word of mouth to the Meflehger ; and that but in fmall part ; for much of this (in the latter part) was Matter not to be touched. Otir Silencing and Ejedion he would quickly know by other means, and how much the Judgments of the Englipi Bifhops did differ from theirs about the Labours and Perlbns of fuch as we.

§ 443. About this time I thought meet to debate the Cafe with fome Learned and Moderate Ejected Minifters of Z,oWo» , about Communicating fbmetimes in the Parifh Churches in the Sacraments: ( For they that came to Common Prayer •nnd Sermon, came not yet to Sacrainents). They defired me to bring in myjudg-ment and Realons in writing : which being debated, they were all of my mind in the main, That it 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 Pari In Churches, the Sufferings of the Independents and thofe Presbyterians that cculd not Conimunicate there, would certainly be very much increaled, which

now

P A R T il. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 4.45

now were fomewhat moderated by concurrence with them. I thought the Cafe very hard on both fides, That we that were fo much cenfured by tl.em for going fomewhat Further than they, muft yet omit that which elfe muft be our Duty, meerly to abate their Sufferings that cenfiire us: But I refolved with them to forbear a while, rather than any Chriflian fliould fuffer by occafion of an aftion of mine, feeing God will have Mercy and tiot Sacrifice, and no Duty is a Duty at all times.

§ 444. In July 1665. the Lord Jflihy font a Letter to Sir John Trevor, That a worthy Friend of his, in whofe Cale the King did greatly concern himfelf, had all his Fortunes caft upon my Refolution of the enclofed Cafe, which was, V/hetber a Vrotefiant Lady, of firtB Education, might marry a Paptfi, in hope of his Converfion, he fromifin^ not to diflurb her in her Religion. It came at Six a Clock Afternoon, and knowing it was a Cafe that mud becauteloufly relblvcd at the Court, I took time till the next Morning, that I might give my Anfwer in Writing. The next day the Lord Jfljley wrote again, with miny words to incline me to the Affirmative ; for the Lady told them (he would not confent unlefs I fatisfied her that it was law-jul. (Who the Lord and Lady were I know not at all, but have an uncertain Con-jedure) : So I fent the following Refolution.

The Cafe was thm cxprejfed.

Whether one that was bred a ftrift Proteftsnt, and in the moft fevere ways of that Profeffion , lived many years without giving offence to any; well known in her own Country to be fiich ; may without offence to God, or Man, marry a profeft Roman Catholick, inhopesof taking him off the Errour of his ways, he engaging never to dilturb her ?

My Lord's Letter was as follows.

SI R.

THere is a very good Friend of mine, and one his Majefly 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 j this has been the way by which the Romantfis have gained very much upon tis: they are more powerful in perfwafion than our Sex j ■

befides, the putting this Cafe Jliews fame inclination to'the Perfon, though not to the Religion. Sir, if Mr. Baxter he with you, pray let me have his Opinion to this Cafe in writing under it, ff herein you may oblige more than you think for.

Tour very affe^ionate Friend

to ferve youf

ASHLEY.

For his much honoured Friend Sir John Trevor, at ABon

To this Cafe I drew up the following Anfiver , and fent it to Sir John Trevor, to be by him coni/eyed to my Lord Afliley.

SIR,

' -If Hough I cannot be infenfible how inconvenient to my felf the Anfwer of this ' i Cafe may poffibly prove, by difpleafing thofe who arc concerned in it, and

* medling about a Cale of Perfons utterly unknown to me, yet becau(e I take ic

* CO be a thing which Fidelity to the Truth , and Charity to a Chriftian Soul re-

* quiretb, I Jhall fpeak my Judgment whatever be the Conlequents. But I muft

* crave

' crave the pardon of ch^t Noble Lord, who defired my Anfwer might be Sublcri-' bed to the Cafe, becaule Necedity requiieth more words than that Paper will well ' contain.

' The Queftion about the Marriage, is not AnfaSlum vakat ? bat ^n fieri deheat ?

* There is no affirming or denying without thefe neceflary Dift!n<Sions. i.Betweeo

* a Cafe of Necedity and of noNeceffity. z- Between a Cale where the Motives

* are from the Publick Commodity of Church or State, and where they are only

* Perfonal or Private. :j.Between one who is othervvUe fober,ingenuous and pious,

* and a faithful Lover of the Lady^ and one that either befides his Opinion is of an

* ungodly Life, or feeketh her only to ferve hinifelf upon her Eltate. 4.Between a ' Lady well grounded and fixed in Truth and Godlineis, and one that is weak and ' but of ordinary letlednels. Hereupon I anfwer,

Eflheri ' Prop. i. In general. It cannot be faid to be fimply and in all Cafes unlawful ^^^- ' to marry an Infidel or Heathen i much lefs a Papirt.

.* 2. In particular, It is lawful in thele following Cafes:

I Cor. 7

I cor.7. * I- ^'^ C^^ °f ^'^^^ Neceffity : when all jiift means have been ufed, and yet 29. ' the Party hath a necedity of Marriage,and ca» have no better. If you a*k. Who is

* better? I anfwer, A i'uitablenefs in things of greatell moment to the Party's good

* determineth that: An impious hypocritical Proteflant is worfethan a fober godly ' Papift (for luch I doubt not but Ibme be j : But he that is Ibund both in Judg.

* ment and in Life is better than either.

p(lh 2;i7. '2- In cafe it be very likely to prove fome great Commodity to Church or ' State. For fo I doubt not but' a Proteffant Lady might marry a Papift Prince or ' other Perlbn, on whom the Publick Good doth eminently depend j fb be it ' i.That fhe be dablc and of good Underflanding her frlf: 2. And like to keep fuch

* Intereit in him as may conduce to his own and the Publick Good : 5. 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 lb great, that the ' Perfon (I think) may trufi God to make up PerfonalIncommodities, and pre-' ferve the Soul who aimeth at his Glory, and keepeth in his way. But linall in-

* confiderable Probabilities are not enough to move one to hazard their Soul in fb

* perillous a way.

' 3. Befides thefe two Cafes (of real Necedity and Publick Utility ) I remember ' no Cife at the prefcnt, in which it is lawful fir fuch a Protellant Lady to marry ' a Papid: At lead in the ordinary Cafe of Perfbns in this Land, I take it to be ' undoubtedly finful, what hopes foever may be imagined of his Converfion : My ' Reafons are thefe,

Gen •'.18 ' '• ^ Husband isefpecially to be a Meet-helper in Matters of the greated mo-20. ' •'' ment: And this help is to be daily given, in counfjiling in the things that concern I Cor. 14. ' Salvation, indrufting in the Scriptures, exciting Grace, fubduing Sin, and help-^^'i ' '"§ ^'^^ ^\it in the condant couife of a Holy Life, and in her preparation for

^P^'j^i^''^ Death and the Life to come I And a humble Soul that is conf;ious of its own ic),'20,2^,' weaknefs, will find the need of all this Help 1 which how it can be expeded from 25,27. to ' one who only promileth not to didurb her in her Religion, I cannot underdand I ^M ^,"''4 ' ^ fhould as foon advife her to take a Ph)fician in her Sicknefs, who only promi-Hebr'-'ij ' '"'^^^f'^ not to meddle with her Health, as a Husband who only promifeth not to iCor.V.io.' meddle with her in Matters of Religion.

f cm. 1 $.6- ' 2. A Husband, who is no helper in Religion , mud needs be a hinderer I For ' t\\Q very Diverfions of the Mind from holy Things, by condant talk of other 'Matters, will be a very great Impediment I And as not to go forward is to go

* backward, fo not to help is to hinder, in one of io near relation. How hard it ' is to keep up the Love of God, and a Delight in HolLnefs, and heavenly Defires,

* and a fruitful Life, even under the greated Helps in the VVorld, much more a-' mong Hinderances, and efpecially fuch as are in our Bofom, and continually ' with us, I need not tell a humble and felf knowing Chridian. And of what Im-' portance thefe things arc, I dull not declare till I am Ipeaking to an Infidel or ' Impious Perfon.

;. And

P A a T 11. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 44.7

' 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 ftndj: Preach-' ing, orCont'erence with j-adicious PerfonSjare the means of fuch 2 Cor.6. 14,15. Unequal yo-

* Converfion 1 And if it b J a hopeful thing, it may be triad and king with others, asweJlusUn-

* accomplifhed firll: There are enow of us wiio are ready to meet believers, by parity of reafon, is ,,; t-in I J • .!-• --^ri prnportionably evil: Righteouf-

* any Man ot the Papal way, and to evince the Errours of their ncfs withUnri^hteoufnefs.Liglit ' Seit (by the allowance oF Authority) : If Realbn,or Scripture, with Dmknefs hath no Com-

* or the Church,or Senle itfeU" may be believed, we fhall quickly munioi;. 'lay that before them that hacii evidence enough to convince them:

* But if none of this can do it before hand,how can a Wife hope to do it? flic ought, 'not to think a Husband (ofond and weak,as in the Matters of his Salvation to be

* led by his Affeftions to a Woman, againit his Reafon, his Party and his Educati-

* on. Or if fhe can do nioiethaii a Learned Man can do, let her do it hrlt, and ' marry him after. I had rather give my Money or my Houfe and Land in Charity,

* than to give my (elf in Charity, mcerly in hnpa to do good to another. It is a

* Love of F.-^icnddiip and Complacence,and not a love of meer Benevolence, which

* belongcth to this Relation. More)verjErfnur 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 andtherefore to marry.if it were a vicious ungodly Proteftant,nieerly ' in hope to change him,is a Courie which I think not meet heiC to n,:me or aggra-' vateas it defsrveth.

* 4. Yea,{he may juQly fear rather to be changed by him : For he hath the ad-

* vantage in Authority, Parts and Intereft. And we are naturally niore prone to E-

* vil than to Good. It's ealler to inted twenty Men than to cure one. And if he 'fpCak not to her againfJ her Religion,enow more will.

' y. Or if fte be lb happy as to elcape Perverfion,there is little hope of herefca-' pi.ng a fad calamitous Life :Partly by guilt, and partly by hsr grief for a Masband's

* Soul,and partly by Family-diforders and fins, and aUo by daily temptations, dif-

* appointments, antl want of thole helps and comforts in the way to Heaven,wluch ■ Ht V/eaknefs needeth,and her Relation ftiould afford. So that if her Soul icape, "" ihe mult look thn her great Affliction (hould be the means: And yet we cannot fo

* confidently exped from God,that he fandifie to us afelt-chofen Afflidion as ano-

* ther,

' 6.Suppofing him to be one that loveth her Perfbn truly,and not only her Eflate '(for eUe Ihemufl expe<ft to fland by as a contemned thing) yet his Religion will ' not allow him otherwife to love her,than as a Child of the Dcvil,in a ftate of Dam-' nation may be loved. For their Religion teacheth them,That none can befived

* but the Subjefts of the Pope.

' If it be objected [ It feemeth it u nojinjn that you can allow it in a Cafe of Necejfitj^ ' or for the notable benefit of the Church or State]. 1 anf^'Cr, It is no fin in thole C.iles:

* but cut of them it is: It is no fin,but my duty,to lay down my Life for my King 'orCountiy; but it foUoweth not that I may therefore do it without fulficienc ' Caufe : So itis in this Cafe.

' Having plainly given you my judgment in the propofed Cafe, I leave it to that ' Noble Lo:d who lent for it, to ufe it, or conceal it, or burn it, as he plsale For

* it being not the Lady that lent to defire my Refolution, but 1 e, my Anfwer is not

* hers, but his that lent tor it. But I humbly crave, that il" fne be at all acquainted

* with my Anfwer, (or any one elle; it may not be by repurt, but by fliewing it ' her entire, as I have written it. And as 1 doubt not but his Honour will find it lelf ' engaged to preferve me fiom the difpleafure of fuch as he acqiiaineth with it ( it

* being but the anfwer of his defire, and not an Employment which I Ibught for) (o

* it mult be remembred i.That 1 have purpolely avoided the medlingwith the par-' ticular Errours of the Romanilh Religion. 2. That I fpeak not a word againft ' any Chriftian Love to PapiQs, or amicable Correfpondence with them as our ' Neighbours: much lefs am I pafling any Sentence on their Souls, or Countenan-' cing thofe who run from them into any contrary Extreme. But a H»iband and a ' bojome Friend, are Relations which require fuch a fpccial fuitablenels, as is not to ' be found in all whom we mult love. %. And what I fay of the Papift, I fay alfo ' of any debaucht ungodly Protellant: For it is not Names and Fartier that make

* Men good, or lave their Souls. A Papiit 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 (tare as to himfelf; though I think that the Heart and Lfe ' of the one, and the Jmhrnent of the other, do make them both unfuitable toliich a

'Lady

' Lady as the Cafs defcribeth. And choug^i God may poffibly couyert and make ' liiitable, and do wonders hereafter, yet iy being thmgi likely, and not things onlj ' f)offil/le w'hich reafon mult exped, I mull lay that theC'-nlequents of fucli anunlui-' table Match, are like to be bitterer to her, than one that is indifferent and regard-' lefs of the Concefnmenis of a Soul can underAand. 4. Change but the Tables, ' and put the Cafe to a judicious PapifV, and he will rd-Ave it as I have done; and •"tell you that a Difpenfationmay be given but in fuch Cafes, y. If the Cale had ' been, Whether fuch a Lady might give all her Eftate to a Papilt without her Per-' Ion, I Ihould not think Ihe had half lb much reafjn to be willing.

^<5o«, July 21.

166 f. ^'- Baxter.

Bills,

' § 44 J. And now after all the Breaches on the Churches, the Ejeftion of the Mi-' nilters, and Impenitency under all. Wars and Plague and danger of Famine be-' gan all at once on us. War with the Hollanders, which yet continueth : And the ' di iell: Winter, Spring and Summer that ever Man alive knew, or our Forefathers ' mention of late Ages: fo that the Grounds were burnt like the High-ways,where ' the Cattle Ihould have fed I The Meadow Grounds where I li-About 10000 a Week died, ' ved bare but four Loads of Hay, which before bare forty : The accounting the Quakers, Ana- c Plague hath feized on the tamoufelt and molt excellent City of nofL"umb?ed1n the w^^^ ' Chriftendom; and at this time 8000 and near ;oo die of all "°^ """" Dileafes in a Week: It hath (cattered and confumed the Inha-

bitants : Multitudes being dead and fled: The Calamities and Cries of the difeafed and impoverillied are not to be conceived by thole that are abfent from them ! Every M.jn is a terrourto his Neighbour and himlelf: for God foi our Sins is aTerrour tous all. O how is L««io», the place which God hath honoured with his Gofpel above all Places of the Earth , laid low in Horrours, anJ waited almofl to UefoUtion, by the Wrath of God, whom £a^/dW(/hath contemned J and a God-hating Generation are confumed in their Sins, and the Righteous ate alio taken away as from greater Evil yet to come. Strange Comets (which filled th>'i Thoughts and Writings of Allronomers)did in the Winter andSpring along time appear before thefe Calamities. Yet under all thefe Delolations the Wicked are/j.W<;»«^/, and caft all on the Fanaticks: and the true dividing Fanaticks and Sectaries arc not yet humbled for former Mifcarriages, but caft all on the Prelates and Impofers : And the ignorant Vulgar are Itupid, and know not what ule to make of any thing they feel : But thoulands of the fober, prudent, faithful Servants of the Lord, are mourning in lecret, and waiting for his Salvation; in Humility and Flope they are itaying thcmlelveson God, and expecting what he will do with them. From Z,o»</fl» it is Ipread through many CountieS; eipecialiy next London^ where few places, efpecially Corporations, are free : which makes me oft groan and wilh. That LONDON AND ALL THE CORPORATIONS O F E NG-LAND WOULD REVIEW THE CORPORATION ACT AND THEIR OWN ACTS, AND SPEEDILY REPENT. Leaving molt of my Family at Jclon compaffed 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 Houfeof my dearly beloved and honoured Friend Mr. Richard Hampden of Hampden in Buckifigbarjipiire, the true heir of his famous Father's Sincerity, Piety and De-votcdiiefs to God; whole Perfon and Family the Lord preferve, and honour them that honour him, and be their Everlafting Relt and Portion.

JIampden, Septemb. 28. 166)-,

THE

THE

LIFE

Of the Reverend

Mr: Richard Baxter.

The Third Part.

Novemb. i6. 1670. I began to add the Memorials following.

§ i.^^Eing God hath been plcafed to add thefe few Years more to my Pilgri-^1^ mage, 1 will add feme Account of His Providences towards me, and his vj People in this Land, in thefe additional Years. When I ended my lafb Narrative, the dreadful Plague was laying waite, efpecially the City of London • and thence fpread into the neighbouring Parts, and into many dlftant Cities and Corporations of the Land. Yet did we hear of no publick Repentance profelled by 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 Tnift therein, declared, That there n>cvs no Obligation from the Forv called the Solemn League and Covenant on any Perfon ^ no not from their Vow againfl 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 fliarply puniflied, when fuch a Scourge as this had no better effefts?

§ 2. The Number that died in London (bcfides all the reft of the Land) was about an Hundred Tlioufand, 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 firltlbfew 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 fell alike. Yet not many pious Miniftei-s were taken away ^ I remember but Three, who were all of my own Ac(}uaintance. i. Mr. Grunman^ a G.rm.m^ a very humble, holy, able Minifter^ but \>z\n% a Silenced Non-conformift, was fo poor, that he was not able to remove .

his Family. 2. Mr. Crofs^ a worthy Miniiler, that had long ago lived with the J' ^['^^ famous Religious Ladv Scudamore :, and being Silenced, was entertained by Richard then.buc I Hambdot^ Efq* in his Hoafe at London -^ and flying from the Plague into the Country, think not died with his Wife, and ibme Children, as foon as he came thither, inthcHoufe of "^ the

■ A a a a that P'^"^'

The L IFE o] the_ _ Part. Ill

that Leai-ned and Worthy Man, Mr. Skm?, another Silcnc'd Miuifter, and his Brother in Law ;, who being fhiic up, gave God Thanks for liis Deliverance, in a very Learned and Profitable Treatifc, which he Publifhed theveiipcn. And lince being-found (not only very Learned, but) moderate, and holding Communion in tlie Publick Aflemblies, and a peaceable Man, hath got connivance to Teach a Publick School, a great favour in thefe Times. 3. Mr. Eoherts^ a Godly Wdjh Minifter, who alfo tiying from the Plague, fell Sick, as far off, as hQX.wc(in Sb'trvshiiry and Ofrveftry^ and died on a little Straw, while none durft entertain him.

§ 4. It is fcarce pofiible for People that live in a time of Health and Security, to apprehend the dreadfulncfs of that Peftilence ! How fearful People were, thirty or forty, if not an hundred Miles from London^ of any thing that they bought from any Mercer's, or Draper's Shop;, or of any GootU that were brought tothera^ or of any Perfon that came to their Houfes. How they would lliut 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! O how finfuily unthankful are we for our quiet Societies, Habitations and Health !

§ s. Not far from the place where 1 fojourncd, at I\Irs. Fleetwood's,^ tliree Minsters of extraordinary worth were together in 'one Houfe, Mr. Ckarkfon^ Mr. Sat^. Crcdock^. 2nd Mr. Terry^ Men offingular Judgment, Piety, and Moderation; a'nd'the Plagrie came into the Houfe where they were, one Perfon dying of it, which caufedmany (that they knew not of) earneftly to pi'ay for their Deliverance ^ and it pleafed God that no other Perfon dyed.

§ 6. But one great Pjcnefit the Plague brought to the City, that is, it occafioi^-ed the Silcnc'd Minifters more openly and laborioudy to Preach the Gofpel, to the exceeding comfort and profit of the People;, infomuch, that to this Day the freedom of Preaching, which this occafioned, cannot, by the daily Guards of Soldiers, nor by the Imprifonments of Multitudes, be rcftrained. The Miniltei-s that were Silenced for Nonconformity, had evcrlince 1662. done their Work very privately, Itw.-istheand to a few (not fo much through their timoroufnefs, as their loathnefs to offend Pl:.gue the King, and in hope ftill that their forbearance might procure them fome Liberty ; that ^ and tln-oiigh fome timoroufnefs of the People that (hould hear them.) And when brcugiit the Plague grew hot, moil of the Conformable Miniftcrs ficd, and left their Flocks, the:n out -^^ ^,^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ j.|.^-j. £xtrcmity: whereupon divers Non-conformiffs pitying the dy-fccret^'^ ing and diftrcffcd People, that had none to call the impenitent to Repentance, nor narrow ^^ 'I'^'P ^'^^i'' ^o prepare for another World j nor to comfort them in their Terrors, Meetings when about Ten Thonfand dyed in a Week, refolved that no obedience to the Laws imo puD-of any mortal Men who foe vcr, could juffifie them for neglcc'ting of Men's Souls and Jick. Bodies in fuch extremities ^ no more than they can juftifie Parents for faniilhing their Children to death : And that when Chrift flvill fay, Inafmuch as ye did it not to one of thefe, ye did it not to mc. It will be a poor excufe to fay, j^Lord I was forbidden by the L-.m.J Tliereforc they refilved to Itay with the People, and to go in to the forfakcn Pulpits, though prohibited, and to preach to the poor People before they dyed^ andalfotovilit the Sick, and get what relief they could for the Poor, cfpcci-ally thofe that were (luit up. Thofe that fet upon this work, were Mr, TIjomas Fincent^ late Minider in Milk-ftrect-^ with fome Strangers that came thither, fmcc they were Silenced, as Mr. Chcfler^ Mr. ";ianeway^ Mr. Turner^ Mr. Grimes^ iNlr. Franklin^ and fome others. Thofe heard them one Day oft, that were lick the next, and qnichly dyed. The Face of Death didfo awaken both the Preachers, and the Hearers, that Preachers exceeded thcmfelves 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 Bleffmg of God, abundance were converted from their Cirelcfncrs, Impenirency, and youthfiil Lulls and Vanities^ and Religion took that liold on the Peoples Hearts, as could never afterward be loofed.

§ 7. And at the fimc time, whilft God was confnmmg the People by thefe 1|udgnients, and the Nonconformills were labouring to fave Men's Souls, the Parliament ( wliich fate at Oxford^ whither the King removed from the danger of the plague) was bufie ir. making an Aft of Confinement, to make the Silcnc'd Miniflcrs Cafe incomparably hardei- than it was before, by putting upon them a certain Oath, which if they rcfufcd, they mull not come (except the Road) within five Miles of ' any City, or of aay Corporation, or any place that fcndethliurgeffes to theParlia- * ment-, or of any place where-ever they had been Miniffers, or had preached fince the Act of Oblivion. So little did the Senfc of God's terrible Judgments, or of the neccflities of many hundred thoufand ignorant Souls, or the Groans of the poor

People '

Part III. %everend Mr. Richard Baxter.

People, for the Teaching which tlicy liad loft, or the fear of the great and final Reckoning, affed the Hearts of the Prelatilts, or ftop them in their way. The chief Promoters of this among the Clergy, were faid to be the Arch-bilhop of Canterbury ^v^nd^Dv. Seth-Ward^ the Bifhop of Sa/wi'Kr^ : And oneof the great eft Ad-verfarics of it in the Lord's Hoiife, was the very Honourable Earl of Southampton^ Lord Treafiirer of England -^ a Man that had over adhered to the King, but undcr-ftood the intereft of his Country, and of Humanity. It is without Contradiftion Reported, that he faid, No homft A</an would take that Oath. The Lord Chancellor f-Jide alio, and the reft of the Lenders of that mind and way, promoted it, and eafily procured it to paft the Houic^, notwithftanding all that was faid againft it.

§ 8. By this Aft the Cafe of the Miniftcrs was made fo hard, that many thought thcmfelves necefTitated to break it, not only by the ncceflity of their office, but by a natural impofllbil^y of keeping it, unlcfsthey fhould murder themfelves and their Families.

1. As to a moral Neceffity, as they durft not be fo Sacrilegioiis as to defert the Sacred Office wholly, to wliich they were confecratcd (which would be worfe than ylnanicii and Sapphira's Alienating their devoted Money ) fo they could hardly e\-ercife any part of their Office, if they did obey this Aft. For,

T. The Cities and Corporations are the moll confidcrable part of tlie Kingdom, and alfo had, for the molt part, the greateft need of help • partly, bccaufe of the mmieroufnefs of the People: For in many Parifhes in London^ the fourth part (nay in feme the tenth part) cannot be contained in the publick Temples, if they aime fo as to hear what is faid. Partly alfo, becaufe moft Corporations having fmaller Maintenance than the R\n-al Pariffies, are worfe provided for by the Conformifts : And every where the private Work or Over-light, and Minifterial Help, is through their Numbers, greater than many Miniftcrs can perform-, and it is a vv'ork that I never yet knew one Prelatift well perform, to my remembrance; 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 obligation 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-meetforfucha chargeot Souls: And it mult be more than the Will of Man, that muft warrant them to fly

•and forfake their Flocks, to which they had a lawful Call, and to leave their Souls to thofe 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 with thofe that know him, and are known of him, and have formerly profited by him, and will afford him Entertainment ?

4. If it be lawful to defert riie Souls of all Cities arid Corporations, and all other Pariffies vvhere-ever we preach'd, it will follovv that it is lawful to defert all the reft, and fo facrilegioufly to defert our office.

5. Chrift faith. When they perfecute 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 Miniftcrs, 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 fufier Imprifonmcnt and Death, than to defert them any further, than by flying from one to another.

§ 9. 2. But natural neceffity alfo conftraincd many : For many had Wives, and many Children to maintain, and had not one Penny of yearly Revenue, nor any thing but 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-ir:Gv.\l of their Goods far off, and the Charges of a new Settlement ^ and thereto dwell among Strangers, far from thofe whofc Charity relieved them, was but to turn their Families to famiffi, which is more inhumane,, than to fee a Brother have need, and to (hut up the Bowels of our conlpafllon 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 Ibme place where we had

A a a a 2 Preached

The LI B E of the PartllL

Preached before ( for fome Minifters preached in a great number of Parifhes at feveral times:) And if fuch a place were found, was it like that there would be Houfes enough found untenanted, to receive fo many MinlRevs? Or, if there were, perhaps the Landlords would be fo much for Prelacy, as to refnfe fuch Tenants, or fo timorous as to be afraid, left by receiving fuch, they fhould bring them-felves under Sufpicion of favouring Non-conformifts, andfo be mined j or fo covetous, as knowing their advantage, to ask more for their Houfes, tlian poor Minifters that had hardly any thing left to fubfift on, could be able to give. Befidesthar, al-moft all Country Houfes arc annexed to tlic Farms or Land belonging to thei|j, A nd Minifters are ill Farmers, efpecially v> hen they have no Money to Stock tiieir Land.

§11. Yea, they allowed them not to be kept as common Beggars, on the Alms of the Parilh;, 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 niuft come, within five Miles of the Parilh where he ever exercifed his Miniftry •, nor any that were born in Cities and Corporations, muft come within five Miles of them for felief.

§ 12. In this ftrait, thofe Minifters that had any Maintenance of their own, did find out fome Dwellings in obfcurc Villages, or in fome few Market-Towns, which were na Corporations: And thofe that had nothing, did leave their Wivesand Children, and hid themfelves abroad, and fometimes came fecrctly to them by night. 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, becaufe they were then in the way of their CalUng,in which they could fuffer with the greater peace j and partly, becaufe they might fo do fome good before they fulFered ;, and partly, becaufe the People much defired it, 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 Gofpcl, both they, and their Wives and Children, were like to find more pity and relief, thanif they Ihoiild forfake their People, and their Work. Seeing therefore the Qiicftion came to this, Wliether Beggary and Famine to themfelves and Families, with the deferting of their Callings, and the People's Souls, was to be chofen, or the faithful performance of their Work, with a Prifon after, and the People's Compainon ? They thought the latter, the more eligible.

§ 1 3. And yet when they had fo chofen, their Straits were great, for the Country was fo impoveriflicd, that thofe of the People who were willing to relieve the Minifters, were not able: 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 Houfe-Rent, and maintain a Family. Thofe Minifters that were unmarryed, did eafilier bear their Poverty;, but itpicrcetha Man's Heart to have Children crying, and Sicknefs come upon them for want of wholfom Food, or by drinking Water, and to have nothing to relieve them. And Women are ufiially lefs patient of Suffering than Men ^ and their Imp.uicnce would be more to a Husband than his own wants. I heard but lately, ofa good Man, that was fain to Spinas 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. Another ( Mr. Ch.ulwkk in Somcrfct ) for a long time had little but brown Rye Bread and Water for himfelf, his Wife, and many Children, and when his \Vife 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 perifhed, or were expofcd to fordid unfeemly Beggary: But fome few were tempted againft their fumier judgments to Conform,

§ 14, The Oath impofed on them was this.

/ A B, DoSwar, 7hit it if not Imful^ upon any pretence whatjoever^ lot.iie Anns aiainjl the Kinjr: Md th.it I do abhor th.it Traytoroiu Pofition^ of taking Arms by his ^Autho/nvy againfl hi<i Ferfun^ o- aga'mji thofe that are Comwjfionated by Him^ mpwfu-Alice of fuch Comm'ljion: And that I mil not at any time endeavour any alteration of O'0Vernmeni. either in Church or State.

The

Parr 111 %e'verend iWr. Richard Baxter.

The Reafons of Mea's refufal to take this Oath, were fuchas thefe following.

1. Becaufe they that were no Lawyers muft Swear, not only that they think it is unlawful, but that it is fo indeed.

2. Becaufe they think that this fetteth aCommiffion above an Aft of Parliament. And that if one by a Lawbe inadeGcneral or Adir.iral, during Life, another by a Comminion may call him out: And though the Law fay. He (hall be guilty of Trea-fon, if he give up his Truft to any upon pretence of a Commiflion: Yet by this Oath he is a Traytor, if he refill any one that hath a CommifFion.

3. Becaufe they fear they are to Swear to a contradiftion, vii^ to fet the King's bare Commiflion above a Law, which is the Aft of King and Parliament ^ and yet not to endeavour t\\t ^/fe>'i^rioK of Government, which they fearle.aft they endeavour by taking this Oath.

4. Becaufe they think that by this means the Subjeft Ihall never come to any certain 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 CommilTion, and whatnot^ and whether an illegal CommilTion be no Commiflion (as the Lawyers, fome of them, tell us) and v.hat Commiflion is illegal, and what notj and whether it mufl: have the broad Seal, or only the little Seal, or none. 2. Nor can we know when a Commiflion is counterfeit. The King's Commanders in the Wars, never fliewed their Commiflions to them that they fought againll, at leafl; ordinarily. , „ ,, There was a * CoUonel of the King's, fmce his coming in, that brought a Com- rS" million. Sealed with the broad Seal, to fcize on all the Goods of a Gentleman in *'"""'• Btjhoffgate-ftrcet^ 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, maybe gone before they can try his Com.miflTion, if

they may not vefifli'him. But the Parliament, and Courts of Juftice, are the Legal, publick Kotifiers of the King's mind; and by them theSubjefts can have a regular certain notice of it. So that if the Parliament were concluded to have no part m the Lcgillative Power, but th.e King's meer wiU to be our Law;, yet if the Parliament and Comtsof Juftice, be ereftcd as the publick Declarers of his wiU to thePeoi)le, theyfecm 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, ov Lord-Keeper, power at hispleafure, to depofe him from his Crown, and difpoflefs liiin of liis Kingdoms. For if the King ( by Law or Commiflion ) fliall fettle any Tnifly Subjeft m the Government, of Navy, or Militia, or Foits, and command them to refifl: all that would difpoflefs them •, yet if the Lord ChanceUor have a de-fign to depofe the King, and Ihall Seal a Commiflion to any of his own Creatures or Confidents, to take"])oflefllon of the faid Forts, Garifons, Militia and Navy, none, upon pain of Death, muft reflft them, but be taken for Traytors, if they will not be Traytors : yea, though it v.'crc but whilfl: they fend to the King to know his Will. And when Traytors have once got poflcflion of afl the Strengths, the de-tefting of their fraud will be too late, and to Sue them at Law wiU be in vain. And ]ie tliat rcmembreth. That our Lord Ciianccllor is now baniflied, who lately was the chief Minifter of State, wifl think that this is no needlefs fear.

6. And they think that it is quite againfl: the Law of God in Nature,which obligeth us to quench a Fire, or favc the Life of one that is alfaulted ( much more of our fclvcs) againfl: one that would kill him:, and that clfe we fliafl be guilty of Murder. And according to the proper Senfe of this Oath, If two Foot-boys get from the Lord ChanceUor a Commiflion to kill all the Lords and Commons in Parliament, or to fet the City and afl the Country on Fire, no Man may by Force of Arms refifl; them; lx)rds and Commons may not fave their Lives by force, nor the City their Houfes: And by this way no Man ftiall dwell or travel in fafety; while any Enemy or Thief rnav takeaway his Life, or Purfe, or Goods, by a pretended Cbmmiflion; and if we defend our felves, bi:t while we fend to try them, we are Traytors: and tew have the means of fnch a Tryal.

n. They think by' this mean<;, no Sherifl* may by the Pojfe Conntatm execute tlie Decrees of any Coiirt of Jufl:!ce, if any cm but get a CommilTion for the contrary,

8. Thcf

C6 1- The L I F E of the Part III.

8. They think that Taxes and Subfidies may be raifcd thus vvithont Parliaments-, and th^t all Men's Eltates and Lives are at the meer will of'the King, or the Lord Chancellor: For if any be Commiflloned to take them away, we have no remedy: For to fay that we have our Aftions againll them in the Courts of juftice, is but to fay, that wlien all is taken away, we may cad: 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-miffion againft 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 of the Churcli-Government, as once by this Coinmidlon to fome of us, he did, alrnit the Liturgy.

10. And they think that it is a ferviug the Ambition of the Prelates, and an altering of the Government, to Swear never to endeavour any alteration of Church-Government ; yea, and to put the Church-Government before the State-Government, and lb 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 tiie King and Parliament from ever endeavouring any alteration of it. For if the Subjeds 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 (bouldbe themoft tender avoidcrs of Perjury, and all Sin, fliall lead the way in taking fuch an Oath, who can expeft that any others afiier them fhould fcruple it ? And it was endeavoured to have been put upon the Parliament.

11. And tl'.ey think that there is a great deal in the ErtgliO} Dioccfian 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 th:it the Bifliop of the lowefb degree, inftead of ruling one Church with the Presbyters, ruleth many hundred Churches, by Lay-Chancellors, who ufe the Keys of Excommunication and Abfo-lution, 6Y.y And they take it for an Aft of Rebellion againft God, if they ihould Swear never to do the Duty which he commandeth ^ and fo great a l3uty as Chui'ch-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.

, .12. This Oath ieemcth to be the fame in Sence, with the Et ca^tera Oath, in the Canons of 1640. That we mil never confmt to an alteration of the Govtrnment^ iy ylrch-Bifljoj-'s^ F-iJhops^ Dcjus^ &c. And one Parliament voted down that^ and laid a heavy charge upon it ^ which no Parliament fmce hath taken off. . ■ 13. 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 cxclulion of Prelacy; and fo c.\'c!udeth all thole learned worthy Men from our Union, who cannot con lent to that E.scluiion ^ fo the laying of the Kingdoms and Cliurches Union upon the F.nglifl) Prelacy, and Church-Government, lb as to exclude all that cannot confcnt to it, doth fcem as fure an Engine of Divilion. We think that if our Union be centered but inChriftthe King of all, and in the King, as his Ojfficcr, and our Sovcraign under him, it may be eafic and fure; But if we mull: all unite in the Englifli Frame of Prelacy, we muft never Unite.

§ 15. Thofc that take the Oath, do (as thofe that Subfcribe) rcfolvc that they will underftind it in a lawful Senfe (be it true or falfe ) and fo to take it in tiiat Senfe : To which end they fay that nullum ini([i'.um tft in Le^e f cffumendum^ and that all publick Impolltions muft be taken in the beft Senfe that the Words will bear. And by force and ftrctcliing, what words may not be well interpreted? But the Nonconformifts go on other grounds, and think that about Oaths Men muft deal plainly and lincerely, and neither ftretch their Conftiences, nor the Words; nor mtcrpret univerfd- Terms partiailary, but according to the true meaning of tlie Law-givers, as far as they can underftand it; and whore they cannot, according to the proper .and ufual ligni'ication of the Words. And the Parliament themfelves tell us, Thatxhis is the true Rule of interpreting their Words, Beyond which thei-efore vve.darc not fti'ctcli thcui.

- § .\6. And therefore, 14, Tiiey dare not take the Oath, becaufe if it be not to betaken in tlie proper or ordi'.vuy Senfe of the Words, then they are fure that they cannot undedland it (for it doth not plcafe the Parliament to expound it.) And Oaths muft be t.tken-in Truth, judgment, and Rightcoufnefs, and not ignorantly, when wi" Isiiow that vvc underftand the:n not.

> § 17-The

Part ill. Reverend Mr. K'ldutd Baxter.

§ 17. The Lawyers ( even the honefteft) are commonly for a more ftretchidg Expofition. And thefe that fpeak out, fay, Tliat an illegal Comniifllon is none at all. But we cur felves go further than this would loads vs^ for we judge That even an illegally commillioned Perfon, is not to be refifted by Arms, except in fuch Cafes as the Law of Nature, or the King himfelf, by his Laws, or by a contrary Comminion, alloweth us to refill him. But if Commiflions Ihould be contra-didrory to each other, or to the Law, we know not what to Swear in fuch a cafe.

§ 18. But, becaufe much of the Cafe maybefeenin thefe following Qiieftions which upon the coming out of that Aft, I put to an able, worthy, and fincere Friend, with his Anfvvers to them. I will here Infert them, (w^^. Serjeant /"omm-tain.J

Queries upon the Oxford Oath

We prcfuppofe it commonly refolved by Cafuifts in Theology, from the Law of Nature,ahd Scripture,

1. That Perjury vs a Sin^ and fo gnat a Sin^ cii tendeth 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^ T^^'^fl-, '"' Convtrfe^ till it he repented of.

2. That he that Sioeareth contrary to h'v5. judgment^ vs Perjured^ though the thing trove true.

3. That Tve mujl tale an Oath in the Impoler's Senfe, as near as we can know it if he be our Lawju! Govcrrour.

4. That an Oath is to he taken fenfu ftriftiore, and in the Senfe of the Rulers Im-pfingtt^ if that be known-^ 'f^^f, h ^^^ Words interpreted according to tfx common ufe of A^en of t\\3X. Profeflion, about that fubjed : u^nd VTiiverfals are not to be interpreted as Particulars^ nor muft we limit them^ and diflmguifh^ without very good proof.

5. That wljere the Senfe is doubtful^ we arefirfi to ask which vs the probable Senfe he-fore we ask^ which is the bell and charitablefl Senfe ; and muft not take them in the befi Senfe^ when another is more probable to be the true Senfe. Becaufe it is the Truth and not the Gocdnefs, which the "Underftandmg frft conftdereth. Otherwife^ any Oa.h almofi imaginable mtght be taken-^ there being few Words fo bad^ which are not fo ambiguous as to bear a good Senfe^ by a forced Interpretation. ylndSubjeOs muft not cheat their Rulers by feenvng to do what they do not.

. 6. Put when both Senfes are equally doVhtful^ we ought in Charity to take the heft.

7. If after all A'leans faithfully ufed to know our Rulers Senji^ our own Vnderftand-ings much more tncline to think one to be, their meaning^ than the other^ we muft not ^0 againft our Vnderftandings.

8. That we are to fuffofe our Rulers fallible^ and that it's pojfib'.etkir decrees maybe contrary to tlx Law of Cod j but not to fufpeB them without plain caufe.

Thefe things fuppofed, v;e humbly crave the Refolution of thefe Queftions, about the prcfcnt Oath, and the Law.

Qu. I. Whether {upon any pretence wbatfoever'} refer not to \l_any Commifftonated by lAin} as well as {totlx King~\ himfelf?

2. Whether {not lawfuTl extcndcth only to the Law of the Land ^ or alfo to the Law of Gcd in Nature ?

3. Whether {_I Swear that it vs not lawful] do not exprefs my peremptory certain DetciTninatioo, and be not nwre than C ^ Swear that in my Opinion it is not lawful rj

4. What is the ITraytorous Pofnion~\ here meant ^ (for here is only a Subjeft without a Pr^dicite, which is no Pofttion at all, and is capable of various Predicates ? )

5. If the King, by Aft of Parliament, commit the Trufl of his Navy, Garrifon, or Militia, to one durante vita^ and fliould Commifllonate another, by force, to ejeft liim, whether both have not the King's Authority? or which ?

6. If the Sheriff raifc the Pojfc Conmntatus to fupprefs a Riot, or to execute the Decrees of the Courts of Jufticc, and fight with any Cowwi;^'^'"''^ to refift liim, and ihall keep up that Power, while the Commijftoned Perfons keep up theirs, which of them is to be judged by the Subjefts to have the King's Authority ?

Z^^Jhe LIF E of the Part 111.

7. If a Parliament, or a Court of Juftice, declare. That the King by his Laws coi^iirianti^tlrM'to afllfl: the Sheriffs and juftices,' nouvithftanding any Goitlmiflion to the •CoMraty'under the great or little Seal ^ And one fiiewus a Cormniflion to the deh^ary V which mull we take for the King's Authority?

ri 9.-Whether this extendeth to the Cafe ofKingJo/j^, who delivered the Kingdom to the JPOpe? Or, to tliofe Inllances of Bilfon\ Barcky ^ Grotins^ &:c. of changing the Government, putting by the true Heir, to whom we are Sworn in the Oat^ of Aiifeg^iance, &c. if Subjefts pretend Commiffion for fuch Adls ? t"''5»; \/Vhether Parliament, Judges in Court, or privatcMen, may, by the King's Authority in'his Laws, defend their Lives ;!gainit any that, by a pretendedCom-miflioriinvadcth them, or their Purfts, Houfcs^ or Companions ?

10. Whether we muft take every Affirme-^ to have a CommifTion, if helhewit not ? Or every fnewn Comminion to be current^ and not furreptitious, though contrary to Law? ■ •

11. Whether he violateth not this Oath, who (hould endeavour to alter fomuch of tlic Legillavive Power as is in the parliament, or the Executive, in the Eftabliihed Couks of Jull'ice? Or, is it meant only of Monarchy as fuch?

'. 12. Doth he not break tl,iis Oath, who fhould endeavour to change the Fer/t>M Go-'zft'M;7?>, as well as he .that would change the Form of Government ?' "'''^'I's/ If'fo,^cforh it not alfotye us to thePeiTons of Church-Governours; i<i.tmg they-are equally here twjlted, and Church-Government prepofed ? ^''^14. Is it the King's C6ei-cive Goverumeui; of the Church, by the Sword, which is here nieapt, according to. the Oath of Supremacy ? Or Spiritual Government by ^hekcys? Orboth"?- "-•■•*■•' <' ■;■:■:'■■■.

15. is ijt n(j)_t the.£M^///^ Forjn of Ch.tirch-Gpvernment byttocefansthat is here ijieant ^ aM'.notTcmc otli^r fort qf Epifcopacy which is not.here? And doth he n^t"''breaTvi:h'ist)'ath, who iaflead of a'Bifhopover 500, or 1000 Churches (without any infeiidur Bilhop) Ihould endeavoiir to fet up a Bilhop in every great Chinxh, or, M;^rket-X6^Vn, or as raajiy as' the Work requireth ?

'" '.i(fl Seeing Excommunication and Abfolution are the notable parts of Spiritual Governmjent, and it is not only the Anions^ buttlie AHors^ or Governours, that. \)-^Weiir hot td^lter j apd Lay-Chancellors are the common Aftors or Governours-^ whether ah eiideaVoiirtb" alter Lay-Chancellors Government, (asfome did that prb-"cuired his Majbft:;y's D^ciattHlion, concerning Ecclefiaftical Affairs) be not contrary to this Oath, arid cxcliid'ed'ny :\jmy alteration ? ]

17. 'Whether petitioning,, or other peaceable means, before allowed by Law, be not ^ai^y cnckavA'^} ?ind'k Violation of tbis Oath ?

^"\^\ ^Mt^y^f'XKotittany'inhe^ 'lye.'] tyc us not to difobey the King, ifheOiould commandV.^,'by Gonfultation or Confei-cnce, to endeavour it? Or, iftlieLawbe changed, doph not tliis Oafh Itill bind us ?

" "^3/^/)', Whelh^i-"'tliis following Senfe, in \vhich we could take it, be the tnic fenfe of the bath?

/ A B do Sxvejr^ That (a) it Is not Lawful iqon any pretence rvha^foever (b) to tah up /irnis agai,ift the King: (c) y<nd that J do abhor that Traytor/MS Pofition^ of taking J4rms by his 4iithority ag.iinfthi^ Ferfon^ or againjl thofe that are Com>nJ]ionatcd by him^ (d) ^hi'ptfjiiimc'eyo} fuch Conimijfjon. And that 1 will not at anytime endeavour afiy alteration.of Goz'e:'-nment, either in Church or State. Ce)

%;%'iifydpiftWn. ^^^ ■

(I)) For)!''-'^'Hieftsofhis Majefty's Dominions.

(') ]"•■' \iithority, brhis Pcrfon, the Law forbidding both.

(d) WlcLiici it b6 his Parliament, Courts of Juilice, Legal Officers, or any other Perfon- p.'Iioti .il by his publick Laws, or his Commifllon : fuppofing that no con-thj\c iiid Commimons (by over-light, or otherwife) do Arm the Sub-jedsagamii CuCii otl^er.

(e) ljii\\ Hot endeavour any alteration of State-Government at all, cither as to the Pei^Tort'dfthc KinS, Of the Species of Government, either as to the Legiflative, or.Ex'ecmive Power, as in the King himfclf, or his Parliament, or Eftabliihed Courts (ji'f Jufridti.' An'cT therefore I declare. That I take all the rcR: of this Oath, only in a^cule tonliftfiht v,'ith this Claiifc, implying no alteration in the Government. And r'X\ lH'ondoavb'nr no alteration of tlic Coercive Government of the Church, as it is

. in the King, according to the Oath of Supremacy: Nor any alienation of the Spiritual

Powers

Part 111. Reverend Mr. Kichivd Baxter.

Power of the Keys from the Lawful Bifhops and Pallors of the Church: Nor will X endeavour to reftore the Ancient Difcipline (by removing the Spiritual Government by the Keys, out of the Hands of Lay-Chancellors, into the Hands of fo many able Paltors, as the number of Churches, and neceflity of the work requireth) nor any other Reformation of the Church, by any Rebellious, Schifmatical, or other unlawful means vvhatfoever j ( nor do I believe that any Vow or Covenant obligeth me thereto-) declaring, notwithftanding, that it's none of my meaning to bind my felf from any Lawful Means of fuch Reformation^ nor to difobcy the King, if at aay time He command me, to endeavour the Alteration of any thing jultly alterable.

The General Anfxver wm as foUowetk

UPon Serious Confideration of the Aft of Parliament, Entitled, u4n Afi for Re-firainmg of Nonconformifls 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 Commiffion^ or for a private Perfon to endeavour the Alteration of the Monarchical Government in the State, or the Government by Bifhops in the Church: And that any Perfon (notwithftanding the taking of fuch Oath) if he apprehend that the Lay-Judges in Bilhop's Courts (as to Sentence of Excommunication 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 fuch Petition or other Lawful Endeavour, doth not tend to the Alteration of the Government, but to the amendment of what fhall be found amifs in the Government, and Reformed by Lawful Authority, and thereby the Government better Eltablifhed. 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 Oatk and Aft of Parliament ; for it is a RvJle, nullum iniquum eft m 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 Subjefts ought not to take up Arms againft their Lawful King, or fuch as are lawfully Commiffionated by him -and for private Perfons to be unquiet in the place wherein they live, to the dillur' bance of the Government in Church or State.

'John Fountain^ Feb. 6. iddj,

'the Particular Anfvper was as foUovoeth.

NO T at prefent to difpute the things prcfuppofed (although I may not grant all in tlie Fourth, and fome other of the Pofitions, to be warranted by the Law of Nature or Scripture) I add as necelTary to the Refolving of the Queltions upon the Aft of Parliament, That in the Expofition of Afts of Parliament, if there may be a fair and rcafonable 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, whicli tends to make it fenficfs, 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 Jil of Parliamenti I hereupon lay afide any Anfwcr to the Fourth and Eighth Qiicftions, whidi may, peradventure bethought nicer Cavils againft the Aft, though I knowing the Temper of the Pro-pounder, have a more charitable Opinion of him. But I do apprehend, thattho' there may want a Word to make a Logical Polition, concerning the Traytcrom Po-Jition mentioned in the Oath, yet there is a plain Senfe in the Oath, wc(. That itis unlawful to take up Arras againft the King ^ and that if any would nrake a diftin-ftion, and afRrm, That though the unlawfulnefs were admitted to take up Arms againft him, yet by his Juthortty, they might take up Arms againft lus Perfon, or againft thofe that are Commijfumed by him, in purfuancc of fuch CommilTion, fuch ao Affirmation and Pofition as this, is Traytorous, and to be abhorred} aaid there is

B b b b facfl

fuch a plaia Senfe in it, as every one that hath common Reafon underftands it fo^ and thei'tfoix Qiwdmccjfariofubmtelligitur nondsejl. And I do not believe, that any who propound the Quellions to be refolved, dothemfelves imagine, that the Parliament had any thought of vvliat is mentioned in the Eighth Queftion, for nullum iniqy.um in Lege prafumendum.

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 influence upon the King's Subjefts, if not rightly principled, w:5\ Minifters oi-Preachers, School-Maftcrs, and fuch as did Table and Boai'd Children, and therefore did provide to reftrain them from doing hurt to the Kingdom, in keeping the Minifters out of the populous Places of t!i3 Kingdom, or where they were beft known, and mo-t likely to prevail, and that no Ciiildren might be poifoned with Principles deftruftivc to Government.

The Principles which they feared were thefe.

1. That in fome Cafes it might be lawfiil to take up Arras againfl the Supreme Magiftratc, at leaft by a diltindion unwarrantable, in taking up Arms againfl: his Authority, againll his Perfon, or fuch as he did Commifnonate.

2. That private Perfons might endeavour to alter the Government in the Church or State where they lived.

For the difcovery of fuch as were of thefe dangerous Principles, I conceive the Oath is framed,^ which is Eftablifhed by this Aft, and any who,holdeth thefe Principles may not faiely take it j but if he hold not thefe Principles he may.

jind 05 to the Queflions.

T. That the Words {_u^on any pretence whatfoever~\ intheOathrefer only to tlic King himfelf. •

2. That \lLarvful'] 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 Comtnijfwn is the only Perfon that hath Authority by the King's Commiflion.

6. I conceive the Sheriff!

7. That Commiflion wliich is according to Law.

9. I conceive they may.

10. I conceive a Commiflion muft be fhewn, if required-, and that a furrcptitious and void Commiflion, contrary to Law, is no Commiflion at all.

11. I underftand not the Latitude of thisQiieftion ^ but 1 conceive the Senfe of the Oath is not to endeavour the Alteration of Monarchical Government in the State.

12. Though I conceive it utterly unlawful to endeavour to change the Perfon of the Govcrnour, yet, that being fufficiently provided againfl; by the former Laws, 1 do not conceive that it was intended by the Makers of the Law in this part of the Oath, to intend more than the Alteration of the Government.

13. Anfvvered 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 under him in the Church, for they in;iy be juflily removed in Cafe of Crime, &c.

14. I conceive both.

15. I conceive its the Englijh rorm of Church-Government; and yet that is no breach of the Oath to endeavour, in a lawful way, to make more Bifliops, and Iclfer Bifliopricks.

16. 1 do not think the Oathbindeth not to endeavour to alter the Aftors or Governours in the Church, fo it be done by lawful means; and that it is lawful, noc-withfl:anding the Oath, to endeavour to alter Lay-Qiancellors in a lawful way.

17. I conceive it is not.

18. 1 conceive it doth not.

There are fo many things put in the lafl: Queftion, of the Senfe of the Oath, as wlD require more difcufllon, than the prcfent Opportunity admits.

John Fountain^ Feb. 13, 166^.

Sir

Sir John Maymrd alfo told me, Tliat an illegal Comminioii is no Commiffion (though privately, being the King's Serjeant.) '

»

§ 1 9. But that all thefe Anfwers Ihould rather refolve me not to take this Oath than any way fatisfie me to take it, may thus appear.

1. He confcfleth, that the Principle feared was. That infomc Cafes it is lawful to take up Arms againll the Supreme Magiftrate, or by his Authority againft thofe Com-raiffioned by him. And yet implicitly granteth it in the Cafes intimated in the Eighth Qiieftion.

2. He confedeth that another feared Principle was. That private Ferfons may endeavour to alter the Government of the Church: And he coafefleth. That by lawful 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 what-foever J refer to the King only : whereas in my Confcience, I think that the Authors of the Oath meant it alfo [^as to any Commijfwned by him ^ ] otherwife there is nothing in all this Oath againit taking Arms againft any Commiffioned by the King, fb 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, ashcing fingulii Afajor^ & univerfi^ Mmor^ ( as iyooicr fpeaks, Ecckf. 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 Impofers Intention by the Oath, to provide againft any of thefe Opinions ? If really it were not, then a Man that taketh this Oath may, notwithftanding it, believe. That though it be not lawful to take Arms againft the King, nor againft his Armies, by pretence of his Authority, yet upon four other grounds it is lawful to take up Arms againft his Army. i. Becaufeas Wtliiui., and other Politicians fay, the Majcftas realvs is in the People. 2. Becaufe fome Lawyers fay, That the People of England have, as Hooker and Btlfon calls them, fore-pri-:(cd Liberties^ which they may defend, and the Parliament hath part of the Le-giflative Power, by the Conftitution of the Kingdom. 3. Becaufe the Law of Nature 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 hatli left all thefe Pleas or Evafions for Fighting againft the King's Armies, do make it utterly ufelefs to the ends for which it was intended, and make the Authors to have been ftrangely blinded.

2. Note, That he takes the Word ULawfuO to extend to all I.«wj, of Nature, Scripture, or whatever: And,

3. That he takes thefe Words {_Itvsmt Lawful~\ to mean no more than {_I]udge., or think it is not LavrfuW} As if all our Parliament Men, with the Learned Bifhops, had not had Wit enough to have faid fo,if they had meant fo ^ but faid one thing, and meant another.

4.1 confcfs, I ftick not much on the Fourth Quaere ^ but its plain, that the Subjecl named is capable of various Predicates, yea, of contrary; and [_of taking Arms'^ may be applied to an oportct., a licet.^ a faBum efi^ yea, or a non Itcet:, though the licet I doubt not is their Scnfc.

5. Note., That the Anfwer to the Fifth., is a meer/'K^m^ o^the Anfwer: For the Qiieftion is. Whether the Aft of Parliament, or the private Commilfion be more Authoritative ? And he anfwereth, That which is Lawful j which implieth, that he was not willing to fpeak out.

6. iVo^c, that he plainly concludeth, that a Sheriff hath the King's Authority, to refill by the PoJJc Comit.itiis the King's Commiffioned 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 cither it is lawfiil by the King's Authority given to the SheritFby the Uiw, &c. for him by Arms to refift the King's Comminioners? Orelfe, that they be rcfifted, as not Commijftoned., becaufe their Commiflion is unlawful ? And what did the Parliament's Army delire more? If a Sheriff", by the Sentence of an inferiour Court, may raife Arms againft the King's Army, as not Comminioned, you will teach the Parliament to fay. That their Judgment is greater than an inferiour Court's.

7. And itispoftible, That Commilfions may be contrary ( of the fame date) who then can know which is the Traytor ?

B b b b 2 8. The

8. ThsSevcnthis ;i putting ofFtlie Anfwcr, like the f//t/?.

9. Note efpecially that of the Eighth Quitre, which implyeth divers Inftances of: Cafes, in which Grotius^ Barclay^ Bilfon^ &c. fay, That it is Lawful to take Arms againll the King, he feemeth wholly to grant it, and maketh it but like a Cavil, to fuppofe that thi>fi: Cafes ever came into the Parliament's Thoughts. And I am much in that of the good Man's Mind. But if they will Swear me to an Univerfal, while they forget particular Exceptions, that will not make the Oath Lawful to me. Tor, I. It is not certain to me, That they would have excepted thofe things if they had remembred them. 2. Much lefs can I tell which, and iiow many things they would have excepted, 3. And how could the wit of Man devife Words more exclufive of all Exceptions, than to fay [_lt vs not Lanfui on any pretence whatfoever ? ~\ Arc thofe in the Eighth Quaere [_no pretences vchatfoejtr ^'] 1 dare not thusllretch ray Con-fcience about an Oath, when 1 know that tlic Authors were Learned, Crafty, willing to extend it far enough, and Men that underftood Lnghjh^ and fpake in a m.at-ter of their own Concernment and Employment. Therefore by [jiny pretence what-foever 3 1 cannot think that they meant to exclude fo many Pretences, as the Eighth Cafe fpeaks of.

1 o. Note alfo. That he alloweth Parliaments, Judges, or private Men, even by the King's Authority in his Laws, to defend their Lives, their Houfes, Ellates, Purfes, and Companions, againft fuch as are Commiflioned to Surprize them.Wluch is becaufe hetaketh fuch to be really no Commillions. And fo the Pailiaraent, and their Army,\vould fay in a Word, That the King's CnmniilTions to his Armies were no Commiilions. But this (which the Lawyers wholly reft on) I think in my Coa-fcience was fo contrary to the Impofcrs Senfe, that if it had been then mentioned, they would have exprefly put in feme Words againft it. And if an illegal Com-milfion be no CommiflTion, then there are not two forts of Commillions, one legal^ and the other illegal (unlefs fpcaking Equivocally.) And this comes up to what Richard Hooker^ and the long Parliament Hiid, viz.. That the King can do no wrong -becaufe if it be wrong., it is not to be taken for the King's ^{I.

11. Note alfo. That a Commifiion muft be Ihewn, if required, and an illegal one is null. And which of the Parliament's Souldiers ever faw the CommilTions of thofe whom they Fought againft? Not one of many Thoufands. And was this, think you, the meaning of the Impofers of the Oath, that it fhould be left to Men's Liberty to take an illegal Commiflion for none? If this were declared, who of all the Parliament's Army would not take this partoftheOatli?

.12. To the Eleventh he anfvvereth, That the Oath is againft altering Monarchy, (which none doubts of:) But whether the Power of Parliaments, or Courts of Juftice be included, the good Mqn thought it not beft to underftaud.

13. He thinks that by \^C'o7/ernmcnt^ is meant only the 5pec;w (Monarchy) and npt the Pcrfon of the Kiug ( as being fufficiently fecured elfewhere) whereas there is no fuch limitation in the Words :, but that he is to be efteeoied a Changer of the Government, who would dcpofe the King, and fet up an Ufurper.

14. But if it do fecure tlic Kin^s Pcrfon (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 i. 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 .Qjieftion is. Whether this Oath be not contrary to thofe former Laws, and do not fettle the Bifhops and Chancellors as fal^ as the King ? As to the plain Senfe of the Words, I find no difference : And as to the meaning of the Law-makers, it is "hard othcrwifc to know it, feeing they arc of fo many minds, and various degrees of Capacity among themfelves.

15. And ii is here confeiled. That the Clergy-Government is included; yea, and that tlic Oath meancth tlic EngUfh Species ^ and yet he thinketh that it prohibiteth not lawful Endeavours, to make more Bifhops, and to take down Lay-Chancellors.-whereas, i. Chancellors arc the Governours, for the greateft part. 2. And as a Congregational Church doth fpecifically differ from a Diocefs of 1000, or 6oq Churches:, the former dc finc^ being for Perfonal Communion in God's Worfhip, and not the latter ■., fo therefore the Bifhop of a Congregation muft needs differ f];)eci-I'.cally, from the Bifhop of futh a Diocefs. Therefore fo to change, were to change tlie Species of the Government, as I am confident the Bilhops themfelves would fay, if tlie QiiclHon were put to ihcm.

16. By

16. By C Endeavouring ~\ here he underflandeth only Q unlawful endeavouring ~\ and not Petitioning, or other lawful means: whereas the Word in the Oath, is abfo-lute and unlimited •, And I cannot be fo bold as to Swear [jiot to endeavour'^ and fe-cretly mean H exceiit it he by petitioning^ or other lawful means'] for no fober Maa will think, that we may do it by unlawful means, if he know them to be fo: And the old £t cetera Oath, in 1640. (the AnteceiTor of this) had {_mt confenting'y which could not be fo limited.

And further, it feems plain, that this cannot be their Senfe, becaufe it is equally applyed to both Governments in the Oath (fave that the Church-Government is put firft: ) And who dare fay, that this is the meaning, as to the Government of the State [^ I will not endeavour the dcpo/ing ofthe King^ ox xhz change o'i Monarchy^ unlefs it be by l.twful means.] Wherais the Oath fecmeth to me, that it is never to be done at all -^ and no means is lawful for fuch an Aid : And therefore we muft fo under-ftand it, as to the Diocefanes too ^ if we will not Swear abfolutely, or univerfally^ and mean limitedly^ and particularly., yea, and limit., and not limit the fime Word, as refpeding the feveral Governments, without any colour fi-om the Terms.

17. Laftly, When the Oath Sweareth us [_not 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 KingfJiall command me the coYitra-y^ or the Lawfhall change., &c.]

Now when fo much violence mull be ufed with the Words of fuch an Oath, and when the Impofers will not (after many Years knowledge of our Doubts and Difficulties) make them any plainer •, and fo when they are at the bell to us fo unintelligible, and no Lawyer, nor Parliament, that we can fpeak with, can refolve us ^ bat all the Anfwer we can get from the Parliament Men,is QYou mull underftand it,in the proper, ufual Senfe of the Words: ] And from the Lawyers, Q An unlawful Commijfion is none, and lawful Endeavours are not forbidden ] who can take fuch an Oath in judgment arid Uprightnefs of Heart, that is fatisfied in the Points fore-mentioned?

§ 20. The Aft which Impofeth this Oath, openly accufeth the Nonconforraable Miniilers ( or fome of them) of Seditious Doftrine ^ and fuch hainous Crimes: wherefore when it firfl came out, I thought that at fuch an Accufation no Innocent Pcrfons fliould be filent^ efpecially when Papifls, Strangers, and Pofterity may think, Tiiat a Recorded Statute is a fufficient Hiftory to prove us guilty ^ and the Concernments of the Gofpel, and our Callings, and Men's Souls, are herein touched: Therefore I drew up a ProfefTion of our Judgment, about the Cafe of Loyalty and Obedience to Kings and Governours ■., and the Reafons why we refufed the Oath. But reading it to Dr. Seaman^ and fome others wifer than my felf, they advifed me to call it by, and to bear all in fileut Patience^ becaufe it was not poffible to doit fo fully and fincerely, but that the malice of our Adverfaries would make an ill ufe of it, and turn it all againft 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 cxafperate them the more.

§ 21, After this, the MiuiHers finding the prelliire of this Aft fo great, and the lofs li.ke to be fo great to Cities and Corporations, fome of them (tudied how to take the Oath lawfolly: And Dr. IVill. Bates., being much in feeming Favour with the ]_,ord-Kecper Bridgeman., confultcd with him, who promifcd to be at the next Seflion, and thereon the Bench to declare openly. That by \_ Endeavour] to change the Church-Government was mcAnt.[_only lawfulEndeavour\]vi\iich. fatisfying him,he thereby fatisfied others,who to avoid the Imputation of Seditious Doftrine, were willing to go as far as they durfl: And fo Twenty Miniilers came in at the Seffions, and took the Oxrli, uix.. E>r. Pates., Mr. Sam. Clarke., Mr. Sheffield., Mr. Hall^ or Mr. Churchy Mr. Mattk Pool., Mr. Lood., Mr. Stancliffe., Mr. Roles., Mr. Ltrrt?, Mr. Smith., Mr. Arthur , Mr. B.ijlwick , Mr. Brooks^ Mr. Overton., Mr. Batchelcr., Mr. C?ry, Mr. Butler., Mr. Wildiore., Mr, Hooker. And not long after. Dr. Jacomb took it, and Mv. Mayo.^ and Mr. Newton o{Taunton in Somerfetfhire., being then in ioW(r/o«: Mr. John Howe in Devonfhire ■., and in Somtrfcifhire., Mr. William Thomai., Mr. Cooper oi Soutbwa>-k (then there: ) And in Northamptonfl)iye, Dr. Conant (late Regius ProfefTor of Divinity, and V ice-Chancellor in Oxford) and about Twelve more with him: I heai-d of no inoi e Noncoufnrmifts that took it.

§ 22. Dr.

§ 22. Dr. Bates wrote me prefently the following Letter, which becaufe it fhewcth the Tnith 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 \j)y!ly.'] And Judge Keeling openly told them. That he was glad that fo many of them renounced the Covenant^ with more fuch like j which made Mr. Clarke openly tell him, That tliey 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 fome of them.

Dr. Bates's Letter of their Cafe about the Oath.

Dear Sir,

1 Judge it due to our Friend/hip^ and neceffary for my Fame^ to give you an account of what paji amongfi us in Reference to the Oath. In feveral Afeetings of the Aiinijlers^ the fpecial Enquiry was about the meaning of the Word Endeavour, Whether to he un-derfiood in the univtrfal Extent^ fo as to exclude all Regular^ or only tumultuous andftdi-tious y^dtngs. The Reafons nhich perfuaded us to underJland it in a qualified Senfe^ wtrs 1. The Preface to the yiB, which declares^ the occafton and the end of the Oath^ was to prevent the dijlilling the Poifon ofSchifm and Rebellion j now it vs a b:own Rule^ ratio juris eft jus j from whence it appears.^ That only Schifmatical and Rebellious Endeavours are excluded.^ to avoid which^ there was an anttcedtnt Obligation. 2. It vs ncctffary to interpret this Oath in congruity with former Laws ^ in particular.^ with that which concerns tumultuous Petitions^ wherein this Parliament declares it to be the privikdge oftheSubjeii to complain.^ rcmonjirate Petition to King or Parliament., or to advife with any Alefnber of Parliament .^ for the altering of any thing amifs in the Government of Church or State., Efta-Uifhed by Law. If Endeavour be taken in its Latitude., it is a perfet} contradiOion to this Law. 3. The Tefiimmics of fever al Members of both Boufes^ who ajfuredus that in the Debate., 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 rejpeii to our Judgments concerning the Government J that we would not dijlurb the Peace., and that it was impofed at tins Scafon., m regard of our Wars with France and Holland. He added., it wojs « telfera of our Loyalty., and thofe who refufed it., would be looked on as Perfons referving themfelvcs fir an Opportunity. My Lord Chamberlain faid., the Bifhops 0/Canterbury and Winchefter declared., it only excluded Seditious Endeavours ■., and upon his urging that it might be exprejfed., the Arch Bi/hop 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 Houfc of Commons.,and returned up again within that time. The Bi/hop of Exeter told Dr.Tillotfon, That the firfi Draught of this Oath was in Terms a Renunciation of the Covenant-^ but it was anfvered., they have fujfercd for that already., and that the Mini/lers would not recede., it was therefore reafonablc to require fecurity in fuch Words., as might not touch the Covenant. 4. The concurrent Opinion of the Judges., who are the jiuthori^ied 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 Senje. Some of the Mini/lers were not fatvsfied., becaufe the Opinion of a Judge m his Chamber was no Judicial AU ^ hut if it were declared upon the Bench^ it would much rcfolve their Doubts. I addrejfedmy Self to my Lord Bridgman, and urged him., th.it fime it was a A'fatter ofConfcicnce., and the Oaths were to be taken in thegreate/l /hnplicity^ he would finccrely give me his Opinion about it. He profejfed to tne., that the Senfe of the Oath was., only to exclude feditious and tumultuous Endeavours, and faid, he would go to the Se/finns., and declare it in the Court. He wrote down the Words he intended to fpcak., and upon my declaring., that if he did not exprefs that Qonly feditious Endeavours] were meant., I could not take the Oath: he put in the Paper (before me) that word, and told mc, that Judge KceWng was of his Mind, and would be there, and be kind tons. The Mini/lers e/lecmed thvs the tno/l publick Satisfiilion for Confcicnce and Fame, and feveral of them agreed to go totheSt/ftons, and take the Oath, that hereby, ifpojfiblc,

they

they might vindicate Religion from the J mentation offailion and Rebellion and make n evident that Confliences only htndt^eth their Conformity. Sone of the mofi unfatvsfied were refolved to t:tke it. \i'e came ;;f the afternoon on Friday to the Court , where feven Altnt-fias bad taken it in the Aiorni.ig: At our appearance , the Lord Bridgniaa addrejl him-felfto uf in th:fe Words: Gentlemen, I perceive you are corae to take the Oath I am glad of it: The intent of it is to diiiinguilh between the King's good Subjects and thofe who are mentioned in the Act, and to prevent Seditious and Tumultuous Endca vours to alter the Govei nment: Mr. Clark fiid , in thk Scnfe we take it. Tl^e Lord Kcdingfpake withfome quicknefs , Will you take the Oath as the Parliament hath appointed it. I replytd , A:y Lord , We a-re come hither to attcft our Loyalty , and to declare rue wi'l not feditio'ifly endeavour to alter the Government. He ivaijilent and we took the

'■ Oath , being i 3 in number. After thv; the Lord Keeling told m , 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 fticks between the Teeth of lb many. And he hoped , That o/s here was one King , and one Faith , fo there ■would be one Government: And sfwe did not Conform , it would be judged we did this to fave aftakc. Thefe Word' being uttered, after by hhs Silence he had approved what my Lord B. had fpoke of the S nfe of the Aii , and our exprefs Declaration , that in that Senfe

' we took it:, you m.y imagine hor fw^ridng thty were to us: It ipjs not pojfihle for us to

' recoiled our fclves from the Confufton which this caufed., fo as to make any rep'y. We retired with l.idmf , and what the confquences will be , you may eafily fore-fee. Some will reflet upon in with feverity ^ ji^Jgi>^g of the nature of the Ailion bythh check of Providence,

. Others who were nfolved to take the Oath , recoil from it ; their jealouftes being increafed.

, Ifliall trouble you ao longer , but affureyou , That notwithfianding this accident doth not invalidate the Reafons for the lawfulnefs of it , in our apprehenfions ^ yet thefore-hght of this would have caufed us tofufpend ou-- proceedings. The good Lordfanffifie this Providence tous .^ and teach us to commit our dear eft Concernments unto bim , in the performance of our Duty , to whofe Froteihon I commend you , and remain

London , Feb. ii. Yours intirely,

William Bates,

After my Lord Keeling^ Speech, Sir John Babor enquired of Lord Bridgman

whilll he was on the Bench , Whether the Minifters had renounced the Covenant? Heanfwer'd, the Covenant was not concerned in it. Mr. Cilamy.^ Watfon ., Gouge and many others, had taken the Oath this Week, but for this unhappy Accident* My Lord Brid^^m.m , came to the Seflions, and declared the Senfe of the Oath with my Lord Chancellor's allowance. '

But all the Reafons contain'd in this Letter, feem'd not to me to enervate the force of the fore-going Objections, or folve the Difficulties.

§ 24. A little before this, I?. B^ and Sir^^^S. committed fuch horrid wicked- x^afri>^ ■ iiefs in their Drinking (ading the part of Preachers, in their Shirts, in a Balcony, with Words and Aftions not to be named,) that one ( or both ) of them was openly . 1 fa cenfured for it in Wvlminjlcr-Hall , by one of the Courts of Juftice. ( You will fay ' ■'"^' Sure it was a (hauicfiil Crime indeed.) And (hortly 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 fniali pieces, that the people that came to fee the place, put the Scraps, with the Letters on, into their Pockets, to ftiew as a Wonder and more wonderful than the confumption of the reft by fire. *

§ 25. In this time the Haunting of Mr./I-/ow])e//c;>i's Houfein Wiltjhire, with ftrangc Noifes and Motions, for very many Months together, was the Common Talk • Of which Mr. Jof. Glanvil having wrote the Story , I fay no more. '

<^ 16. The Number of Minifters all this while, either imprifoned, fined, or other-wife afflifted for preaching Chrift's Gofpcl, when they were forbidden, was fo great that I forbear to mention them particularly.

§ 27. The War began with the Dutch whom the French adifted.

§ 28. The Plague which began at Aaon , July 29. 1665. being ceafed on March i, 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 (ijear the Church-yard;

nninfedted

uninfefted, 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. Chrijlofhers , and feme other of cur -Plantations in the Wejl Indies , and the Dutch took our Plantation of Siranam. And the Wars prcceedijig nearer home , in the end of Jtme 1 666. in the which many were kill'd on both fides, and the D. oiTork fo near the danger, as that he ventured himfelf in fight no more. Among others, the E. of M.irlhorou^h being [lain there was found about him a Letter written to Sir Hugh Vollird , Comptroller of the King's Houihold •, in which ( being awaken'd by Sea-dangers ) he difclaim'd Sadducifm , and pleaded for the Soul's Immortality^ which was Printed, becatife being inti'mate Friends, they were both before fuppofed to be Infidels and Sudducces , that believed no Life after this.

§ 30. On July 2$. was the 2d great Sea-fight, in which the EngUJh had the better: And ia Augufl we feemed to prevail yet more ^ infomuch that Monk was faid to proceed fo far as to enter their Harbour, ahd burn 120 Ships in tlie River, and to burn a Thoufand Houfes on the Land, and give the Seamen the Plunder^ for Which in the end of Auguji the King appointed a Day of Thankfgiving to be kept in ; onion 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 lead: that his providence difp'ofeth of fuch things, woiild give God folemn Thanks for an unprofitable burning of the Houfes of innocent Protejiants. 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 Hamhorough fliips firll, and then by a lofs of many of our men, in an Attempt upon their Merchaiy; fhips in the Sound at Denmark ; but efpecially by the firing of the City of London.

§ 31. On Septemb. 2. after midnight, London was fet on fire ^ and on Sept. 3. tlie Exchange was burst ^ and in Three Days almofl: all the City within the Walls and much without them. The fcafon had been exceeding dry before, and the Wind ia the r.«/}, where the Fire began. The people having none to condud them aright could do nothing to refill: it, but ftand and fee their Houfes burn without Remedy' the Engines being prefently out of Order, and ufcleis. The ftreets were crowded with People and Carts, to carry away what Goods they could get out: And they that were moll: aftive, and befriended (by their Wealth) got Carts, and i-i ved 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 Intereft of Piety and Learning : Almoft all the Bookfellers in St. Patdh Church-Yard brought their Books into Vaults under St. Pauh Church, where it was thought almoft impof-fiblc 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-Colkd'/e was burnt, and moft of the Libraries of Minifters, Confovma!)le 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 die half burnt Leaves of Books near my Dwelling at J(hn fix miles from London •, but others found them near W'mdfor , almoft twenty miles diftant. At laft , fome Seamen taught them to blow upfom'c of the next Houfes with Gunpowder, which ftopt the Fire. And in fomc places it ftopt as wonderfully as it had proceeded, without any known Caufe. It ftopt at fJolborn-Bridge., and near St. DunjlanhOnwrch in Fleet-Jl'reet., and at Fefulch-eh Cfiurch(when the Church was burnt,) and at C/jr//^'s Church (when the Church whs burnt,) and near Alderfgate and Cripplegate , and other places at the Wdl , and in Juf^in Friars (the Dutch Church ftopt it, and efcaped,) and in Bi/hopfgatcfireet and Leadenhull-jlreet , and Fenchurch-ftrcet , in the midft of the Streets, and fhort of the ToiPfr, and all beyond the River {Southvoarl^ cfcaped. Thits was the bcft, and one of the faireft Cities in the world turn'd into AOics and Ruines in Three Days fpacc, with many fcore Churches , and the Wealth and Ncceilaries of the Inhabitants. The Number of Houfes arc recorded by others

§32.

§ 32. It was a fight that might have juvea any Man a lively fenfe of the Vanity of fliis World, and all the Wealth and Glory of it, and of the fdciire conflagration of al) the World. To fee the Flames mount up towards Heaven, and proceed fo fnriouf-ly without rcftraint: To fee the ftreers filled with people altonifhed, that had fcarce fenfe left them to lainent their own calamity. To fee the fields filled with heaps of Good^,and fumptnous Buildings, curious Rooms, coftly Furniture and Houfliold-Stulf: Yea, VVarehoufes and furnifhcd Shops and Libraries, &c. all on a flame, and none durft come near to receive any thing. To fee the King and Nobles ride aboiii tiie ftreets, beholding all thcfc Defolations, and none could aiford the leafc Relief. To fee the Air, as far as could be beheld, fo filled with the fmoak, that the Sun fhiiied through it, with a colour like Blood;, yea even when it was fetting in the IVeJl, it fo appeared to them that dwelt on the Weft fide of the City. But the dolefiillefl fight of all was afterwards, to fee what a ruinous confiifcd place the City w?5, by Chimneys and Steeples only ftanding in the midft of Cellars and heaps of Rubbifn ^ fo that it was hard to know where the ftreets had been, and dangerous, of a long time to pafs through the Ruines, becaufe of Vaults, and fire in them. No man that feeth not fuch a thing, can have a right apprehenfion of the dreadfulnefs of it.

§ 33. The Extent of the Fire fconfuining the City within the Walls) calleth to my remembrance, that a Fortnight before, one Mr. Caril^ a Gentleman of a great Ellate in Suffex^ and faid to be one of the mofl underftanding and fober fort of Pa-pifts, firflfent, and then come to havevifited me, as earneftly defiring my Acquaintance ., and then fent me a Paper to anfwer, being Exceptions agaiuft the Preface to my book, called, The afe Religion ; written by one that profelfed great Refped; to ine, andadefire to debatethofeControverfies with me-, fand it proved to be CreJJy^ the Champion that at that time was moft forward and fuccefsful in Difputes.) And in that Paper, fpeaking of the Pope's Licenfing Whore-houfesat Home ^ he faith, that it is vvorfe in Z.oM^o«, where are whole ftreets that have not fomuch as the Rebuke of any Penalty, but when they die, the Churchmen bury them as the reft, with confidence, that God in mercy hath taken to himfdf the Souls of thofe dear Brethren and Sifters departed. I anfwered his Paper, and to that pafTage faid. That I was not acquainted in the Suburbs ('towards the Court j : but I never heard of any fuch thing ;, and if he knew it, he would do well to tell the Magiftrates (who know it not) what 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 fuc^ 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 Tliird terrible Judgment which London fuffered, fince the King's Return. Firft, many fcore of their Faithful Teachers were filenced, and calt out, and afterwards banilhed, 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 Houfes dnd their fubftance. And it is not hard for the Reader here to imagine how ^, many Thoufands this muft needs caft into utter Want and Beggary : And how many Thoufands of the formerly Rich were difabled from relieving them. And how doleful the Cafe then mult needs be, when good people, that were wont to relieve others, were caft into fuch diftrefs, and few able to help them And at the fame time fo many Hundred Families of filenced Minifters to be relieved, that looked to London mofl for Help. And after the Five the Charitable were difabled ^ and alfo were in no fmall ftraitswhen they had a little to give, between the Minifters and the diftrefi^ed Citizens, whom to give it to : fuch are eafilier heard of than felt. And it was not the leaft part of the Calamity, that when people faw the Number of the indigent to be fo great, that when they had done their beft, it feemed as if they had done nothing-, and alfo that on this pretence, other lying Beggars pretended themfelves to be Londoners^ it difcouraged many from doing what they could and ought.

§3«;. Among others, the Famoufeft Perfon in the City, who purpofely addifted himfelf to works of Mercy, was my very dear Friend, Mr. Henry j-'fhurft^ a Draper fa man of the Primitive fort of Chriftians for Humility, Love, Blamelefsnefs, Meeknefs, doing good to all as he was able, efpecially needy filenced Minifters (to whom, in Lancashire alone, he allowed loo /, perJnn. and in London was moft famous for their fuccour), and doing hurt to none. His care now was to fblicit the Rich a-broad, for the relief of the ]yoov honcit Londoners : And Mr. Thomas Gouge fthe filenced Minifter of Sepulchres Parifh, Son to Dr. IVill. Couge^ and fuch another man,

Cccc _ wktf

who made Works of Charity a great part of thcbufinefsof his Life,) was made the Treafurcr: And once a Fortnight they called a great Number of the needy together to receive their Alms. I went once with Mr. ^'^JJmrft to his Meeting, to give them aa Exhortation and Counfel, as he gave them A'nis, and faw more caufc, than I was fcnii -ble of before, to be thankful to God, that I never much needed relief from o-thers.

§ 36. It was not the leafl: obfervable thing in the time of the Fire, and after, con-fidering the late Wars, and the multitudes of disbanded Soldiers, and the great grief and dilcoatent of the J.ondomrs^ for the Silencing and Banifhing of their Paftors that yet there were heard in the time of their Calamity, no paflionate Words of" difcontent or di/honour againfl; their Governours, even when their Enemies had fo oft acCT.fed them of feditious Inclinations, and when Extremity might poffibly have made them defperate.

§ 37. But yet alas! the Effeft of all thefe dreadful Judgments was not fuch as

might have been hoped for, but ftill one Party cafl: all the Giufeujxm another, and

the two Extreams did look more at each other's Faults than at their own. There was

no confefiing the Sin of Ferfccution, or lilencing Chrill'sMiniiters by the one lide

but they jnfiificd 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 fiicceeded them that were put out, be-

caufe they feared an Oath. There was no lamenting former Scandals, Rebellions,

or Divifions, by the other Extreme ^ but the Dividers cryed out, its long of the Per-

feaitors, and the perfecuters cryed out, its long of the Schifmatkks^ and it is God's juft

Judgment on the City, that hath been fo much againft the King and the Bifhops ; and

God would not pardon them tho the King did: So that while each fide called the other

to r°p?ntance, they did both fly from repentance more and more : And if there were

not between them a fober party, that lamented fm mofb but were guilty of lealt. We

ihould fee no Pragnofticks of any thing but utter defblation.

§ 38. The greit talk at this time was, Who were the burners of the Gty ? And the-e came in fo many Teilimonies to prove that it was the plotted weapon of the ■ a"^ Papifis^ as caufed the Parliament themlelves to appoint a Committee to enquire after '' it, and receive information : Whereupon a Fr-eM.^fe'w.^jj.f proved a Pafift at laft, tho

»^_ the prodigal Son of a ycnch Protellant) confeft openly and conftantly to the laft, that *^^^^ he began the fire,hired to it by another French Papi/i(A debauch'd fellow)that was gone: The Man was fent through all the mines, 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 Confeflicn was condemned and hanged. Sir Fobert ^roob being Chairman of the Committee, abun-dan-'.p of "Tcdimonics were received ; that in many parts of the City men were fcert to cafb fire balls into the houfes •, and fome ftrangers taken vith fiery materials in their pockets; and fome that were taken firing houfes were brought to the Guard of Soldi-» diers, and to the Dnke of Tork^ and never heard of afterward : With more fiach matter out of theCountrey where Divers Papifis foretold the fire; And the Teilimonies were fhortly after Printed, which is the reaP">n why I give them to yon -no more par-cularly. And many ftories go about with very credible and nndenied Reports, that be not in the Printed papers: As that of Sir Francis Peter (a Jefuited Papift) who had Lodgings in FMhorn^ next to a houfe that had flood empty (incc theplugue : Where a llnoak breaking out, caufed the Lord CravanznAthc Lord yljlley to {cck to quench the fire ; bs^tthcy tvere fain to.breakopen Sir Fruncis /'rttr's Doors, bccaufe he would not let them in: And afterward he defended liis flayers with his fword, and wounded oneM^in before they could apprehend him : And they found between the two houfes upontheGnttcrs, a fire kindled with bed-mats and fuch like things, which they put ont; But the matter was filenccd and no more faid of it. In Shroppvre a Papifi came toSirThom.xsll^olrich^ and took his Oath that one of the PendriCshrethven that had hid the King after Worcejlrr flight, had told him before, that London would be fnortly burnt. Many other fuch teflimonics were given in -^ but it came to nothing ; and Sir I^ohert Brooks the Chairman of the Committece, went fhortly after into France^ and as iie was ferrycd over a River was drowned (with his Kinfman) and^^he bufincfs medled V. ith no more. So that the difcontcnted Citizens feared not to accufc the Courtiers, as the fautors of the PMifl^ in the plot •, the rather bcc.wfe that fome cryed out re-joycingly. Now the Rebellious City is ruined, the King is abfijlute, and was never King indeed till now. But of the reft I refer you to the Printed papers.

^ § 39-

_^___^_^_,,,.,._^,^^.,^__^^^^_.^,.^^^.......^.^ -♦—- ^_ —•— ■

§ 39. Br.t fome good rofc out of all thefe Evils : The Churches being burnt, and he Farifti MJnifters gone (tor want of places and maintenance) the Nonconfonnifti were now more rcfolved than ever, to preach till they were imprifoned : Dr. Manton had his rooms full in Cowwt-C.'ifiifM-, Mr. Thomas Fincent^ Mx. Thomas Doolittk^Dr. Stimuli Anncflcy^ Mr. Wadsworth^ Mr. lamxvay at Rotherfrith^ Mr. Chefter^ Mr. Franklin^ I^lr. Turner^ Mr. Grimes^ Mr. Nathaniel rincent^ Dr. Jaco?nb^ (in the Countefs oi Exc-ter'i,-h'otift') and Mi\ Thomas IVatjon^ &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 ncceflTity was unqncftioaable: l-or they had none other to hear, faving a few Churches that could hold njiconliderable part of the people; So that to forbid them now to hear the Nonconjortnips^ was all one as to forbid them all publick worfliiping of God, and to Command them to forfake Religion and to live like Jthafts: And thus to forbid them t.0 fcek for Heaven when they had loll: almoft all that they had on Earth, and to take from therathciv 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 lh:ime refti ained them trom imprifonjng thePreachdrs fo hotly and forwardly as before. The Independents alfo fet up their Meetings more openly than before ;, efpecially JSir.Criffiths^Mr. Brooks^Mr. Caryi^I',lv. Barker^Sic. And Dr. Owen fwho had before kept far off") and Mr. Philip Nie^ and Dr. Thomas Goodrvin^ who were their Leaders, came to the City. So that many of the Citizens went to thofe Meetings called private, more, than went to the publick Parifh Churches.

§ ^.o. Yet at the fame time it happily alfo fell out that the Parifh Churches, that were left ftanding, had the befl and ablelt of the Conformifts in them ^ efpecially Dr.^'-'tillijnfieet, Vv.Tillofon^ Mr. M^hite^ Dr. Outram Dr. Patrick^ Mr. Gifford, Dr. Whitclxot^ Dr. Norton^ Mr. Neft^ &c. So that the moderate fort of the Citizens,heard either fort, in publick and private indifferently j Whilft thofe on the one extreme repropched 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 Sacraments.

§ 41, Mr. PW«pNye before this (feeing the Independents like to fall under the greater fuffei ings, if they refiifed to hear in publickj had written a Manufcript to prove it lawful to hear Conformable Parifh Miniflers (but not medling with Common Prayer or Sacraments). (For before the Wars in 1639 or 1640 he and Mr. Tho-mu< Goodwin^ had fall'n off from hearing or joyning in Common Prayer and Sacraments with the Parifhes, and my Lord Say and Mr. Pirn and fome others had got them to a difpute with Mr. John Balt^ the Nonconformift who as fame faith, utterly baffled them). But when Mr. Nye\ Manufcript came out, one Mr. Stoneham of their own party confuted it, maintaining that to hear the Conformable Miniffers was a fin. And before that a Pamphlet came out in Mr. JofcM Goodwin''s- name before his death, to prove Prelatical Preachers to be no Teachers or Miniflers of Chrift, and the Common Prayer to be Idolatry: And a fharper than that to the fame purpofe came out from a young hot fifth Monarchy Preacher of Worcefter/hire called Mr. Brown. Which Mr. "ohn Tombes the Anabaptifl aufwered, proving Parifh Communion lawful. To which Brown largely replyed, and Mr. Tombes made fome fhort defence.

§ 42. About this time they renewed the talk of liberty of Confcience ffor their ordinarv ends, to keep people in hopes): Whereupon many wrote for it (efpecially fAiw 'ohn Humfrees and Sir CharlesWrd/ley\ and many wrote againft it, as Dr. Perin-ch /, and others niofbly without Names ^ for the Conformifts were now grown fo hardened as not only to do all themfclvcs that was required of chem, but alfo to th' nk then-.fel ves fafticient for the whole Miniftcrial work through the Land, and not b liy to confent to their filencing of their brethren, but alfo to oppofe their reftituti-01, and write molt vehemently againft it, and againft any toleration of them : So little do men know when they once enter into an Evil way, where they fhall ftop. Not that it was fo with all, but with too many, efpecially with moft of the young men, that were of pregnant wits, and ambitious minds, and had fet themfelves to feek preferments.

§ 43. On which accounts a great part of thofe that were called LatttudinarianshZ' gan to change their temper, and to contraft fome malignity againft thofe that were much more Religious than tlK-infelves. At firft they were only Cambridfe Armini-

C c c c ? ans.

(JMJ, and fome of them not fo rrnich; and were mucli for new and free Philofophy,and efpecially for Cartes ; and not at all for any thing Ceremonious: But being not fo Itrift in their Theology or way of piety as fome others, they thought that Conformity was too fmall a matter to kjeep them out of the r\linifi:ry. Biitaft rwards* many of them grew into fuch a diilafte of the Weaknefs of many feripus Chrillians, who would have fome harfh pbrafes in Prayer, Preach ing and difcourfe, that thence theyfeem-ed to be out of Love with their very. Doftrines, and their manner of worftiip-ing God: Of which more anon.

§ 44. li\ Jme 1657. the Dutch came up the River of Thames^ apd Sir Edward ■ Sprag^ a Papift, that was Governour of our Fort at Sheermfs had not fortityed it, and deferted it ; And fo they came up to Chatham^ and burnt fome of our grcatefb Ships, and took away fome, while we partly lookt on, and partly refifted to no great purpofe. And had they but come up to London^ they might have done much more. This cafl: us into a great confternation..

§ 45. At this time the King came in perfon among the Citizens, to pcrfwade them not to defert him, and made a Speech to them at Tower-Hill fnot here to be recited) : And he had now great Experience of the Loyalty of the Citizens, who after fuch fufferings, and under fuch prefluresin matters of Confcience, and of worldly Interelt, even in fuch extremity, were.neither proved to do or fay any thing that was contrary to their fidelity to the King. •

§ 45. The firing of London (which was raofl commonly fuppos'd to be done by the Papifts, and the Wars with the French^ did raife greater Jealoufies of the Papifti'than had appeared before • fo that weekly News came to XoM^fow from many Counties, that the Papifts were gathering Horfe and Arms, and that fome of them had got Troops, under pretence of the Militia or Fohmteers to be ready for our defence. The Parliament hereupon declared themfelves more againfl: them than was expected ; wfiich greatly troubled the Papifts. The Royalifts hi many Countries vyere almbft ready to difarm them ^ efpecially the E. of Derby in LancaP^ire, was wholly true to the Prote-ftant Intereft. Whereupon the Papifts thought it policy to live more privately, and to ceafe their oftentation, and to obfcure their Arms and Strength, and to do their work, in a more fecret way. And fome of them Printed an Addrefs to the Royalifts, to plead kindnefs and affinity of difpofitions with them, telling them that they hoped that they, that had fought,and fuffercd in one canfe for the King, againft the Puritans^ Ihould have continued in the fame Union and Kindnefs, and that they would not have been fo much againft them : This was anfwered folidly by Dr. Loid. And dbubtlefs the Papifts had never fo great a deieftion and difappoint-ment fmce the King came in. For they feemed to think that the Parliament and Royalifts had been fo diftrafted with malice and revenge, againft 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 againft themfelves, their Countrcy, their Religion and Pofterity, fo it had but favoured of that revenge. But it proved otherwifc.

§ 47. Whileft that all thefe Calamities, efpecially our lofs and difgrace by th. Dutch^ muft be laid on fome or other, the Parliament at laft laid all upon the Lord Chancellor Hide ^ And the King was content it Ihould be fo. Whereupon many Speeches were made againft him, and an Impeachment or Charge brought in againft him, and vehemently urged •, and among other things, that he counfelled the King to Rule by an Army (which many thought, as bad as he was, he was the chief means of hindering.) And, to be fhort, when they had firft fought his Life, at laft it was concluded that his banifhnient ftiould fatisfy for all : And fo he was baniihcd by an Acl, during his Life. The fale of Dunkirk to the Fench^ and a great comely Houfc which he had new built, increafed the difpleafure that was againft him: But there were greater Caufts which ' muft not Name.

§ 48. And it was a notable providence of God, that this Man that-had been'the grand Inftnnrient of State, and done almoft all, and had dealt fo cruelly with the Nonconformifts (houldthusby his own friends he ca.ftout and baniftiCd, while thofc that he had perfecuted were the moft moderate in his Caufe, and many for him. And it was a great eafc that befell good people throughout the Land by his de-jcftion. For bis way was to decoy men into Confpiracics, or to pretend plots, and when upon tlie rumour of a plot the innocent people, of many Countries were laid inprifon, fotliat no man knew when he was fafe. Whereas fmce then, the Laws have been made more and more feverc, yet a Man knowetha little better what to expeft, when it is by a Law, tliat he is to be trycd. And it is

jiota-

notable, that he, that-did fo much to make the Oxford Law forbaniniing Minifters from Corporations that took not that Oath, doth in his Letter from France fince his banilhment fay, that he never was in favour fmce the Parliament Sat at Oxford. § 49. Before this the Duke of ^wd/jjf/^iiw, being the head of his Adverfaries, had 1. been ovcrtopt by him, and was fain to hide himfelf, till the Datcfc put us in fear and then he appeared and rendered himfelf, and went prifoner to the Tovoer •, but with fo ; reat Acclamations of the People in the Streets as was a great Difcouragement to I'le Chayict-llor : And the D. of Buckingham was quickly fet at liberty. Whereupon .;s the Chancellor had made himfelf the head of the Prelatical party, who were all for fctting up themfclves by force, and fuftcring none that were againft them j fo Buckingham 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 luftful j And ct of greater wit and parts, and founder Principles as to the intereft of Humanity and the Common good, than moft Lords in the Court. Wherefore he Countenanced Fanaticks and Sedaries among others,xwithout any great fufpicion, becaufe he was , known to be fo far from them himfelf " Tliougli he marryed the Daughter and only Child of the Lord Fairfax^ late General of the Parliament's Army, and is his heir Tiereby, yet far enough from his mind j but y6t a defender of the Priviledges of Hu- * ''^-' manity. § 50. Before this alfothe Earl of 5rr/?o/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 j And being a Papft , he hath lain latent or quiet ever fmce as unfit to appear in publick bufinelFes - And Buckinpham performed the . Work.

§ 51. In October following the Parliament gave thanks to the King for removing the Lord Chancellor: But they were vehement in feeking an account of tlie Moneys . wliich have been granted for the publick fervice, 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 ^ but they that were faulty had friends enow to procure their fecurity • And tho the Parliament grudged at it, and fometimes talkt high, yet tliis made no alteration in oin- Affiurs. § 52. One notable diladvantage which we had by the Djitc/? attempt was, that it ^ drew down<:iur new raifed hi-land ^ouldlers into A>«t towards Shernefs^ where the un-heakhfiil Air c?.ft fuch abundance of them into ficknefs, and kili'd fo many, as greatly weakened many -^ Divers of the moft forward Gentlemen of the Countrey there loft tlicir Lives ^ And thus we have taught an Enemy how to undoe us, if he can but force us to keep our 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 mortalleft of our Foreign plantations.

§ 53. Bat'the great ftir of thefe Timei was about Money -. The Parliament faid,that never had the like fumms been laid on the fubjcfts of this Land^ and that the old way of payments by five or lix fublidies afa time, was fuch a trifle in Comparifon of this, as that it would be fcarce obfervable: After ijiany vaft fums granted by way of Land-Taxes, Royal Aid, Poll-money, ^c. there was fetled, for continuance, the .'Chimney-money, and feveral Excifcs, and the Cuftoms, and the Wine-Ta-K for a limited Time, ire. But all was fo much too little, that more was ftill needed and demanded. 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, // we have any metre Land-Taxes.^ roe are undone. What the People faid of the Parliament, and what of the Court, and what of the Bilhops, and what of the Women, I (hall not write.: But Lofers and fufferers will-take leave to talk. But the Parliament grew more urgent to have an account of the moneys,'as not believingthat it was poITiblc fairly to expend fo much. The Perfons that were made a Committee for examining Accounts, were ver^ eminent for Ability, and Impciitiality, and fmcerity :, (Mr. iVilliam Fier-point., the Lord Brucrton^ Co\^ Thompfon^ and abundance more) They laid the great blame on Sir Geo. Cartsyct, Treafurcr for the Navy -. He "was acaifed deeply in the Houfe of Commons : Heexcufcd himfelf by laying much on the King's Privy-feals: The Parliament faid, that thofe Moneys v/cre not to have been laid out on private Ufes. After long time, the King and Council called the Lord Bruerton., Col. Thom-fo4^ and fome others, aiid^ftiarply rebuked them, as injuriou'^ Perfons, and fuch as

fought

fought to difcontent the Parliament, and make DifFereaces, &c. And His Majerty undertook the Decifion of the Bullncfs, and acquitted Sir Gedr£e Carttret-^ and the Parliament grudged, but acquiefced.

§ 54. When the Chancellour was banifhed, Sir OrUndo Bridgman was made Lord Keeper i a Man that by his feeming moderation to the Nonconformills, (though a . zealous Patron of Prelacy) got himfelf a good Name for a time ;, and at firft, whilfl' ' the D. of Buckingham kept up the Cry for Liberty of Confcience, he feemed to comply with that Defign, to the great difpleafure of the Ruling Prelates. But when he faw, that that Game would not go on, he turned as zealous the other way -, and now wholly ferveth the Prelatical lutereft, but is not much valued by cither lidc •, but taken for an uncertain, timerous man. High Places, great Bufmelfes and Difficulties, do fo try Mens Abilities and their Morals, that many who in a low or middlc^ltation, obtained and kept up a great Name, do quickly lofe it, and grow defpifed and reproached Perfons, when Exaltation and Trial bath made them known. Befides that, as in profperous times the Chief State Minillers are praifed, fo in evil and fuffering times, they bear the blame of what is amifs. ^ yurj^'i^

§ ^5. Aboutthis^time, the E. of S^ (a Papilt) having a very fair Wife (Daughter /-r to the E. of C^'fapTll alfo (with whom lived Mr. Johnfon^ alias Tmet^ the Difpu-«^ '^ 7 ting Champion for Popery) -^ (he liked other men fo much better than her Husband, that fhe forfook him, and kept her fclf fecret from his knowlcdg : But he believing that the Duke of Buckingham kept her fecretly, was not content to lofe his Wife, but he would alfo lofe his Life. And fending the Duke of Buckingham a Challenge, they met and fought the Duke having Capt. Nohms and Jenkins with him, and the Earl of Shrervsbwy^ Bernond^ Hovoard^ and another : Where Howard kill'd Jmkim^ and the DukewoundedtheEarl, of which wounds he dyed •, And the King paixloned^the Duke ^ but ftriclly prohibited Duels for the fiiture. The Duke alfo and the Marquefs of Donefier had a skuffle at boxing in an open Committee of Parliament.

§ 56. When the D. of 5«ci/;»2^/A7w came firft into this high favour, he was looked on as the chief Minifter of ftate inftead of the Chancellor:;, and fliewed himfelf openly for Toleration or Liberty for all parties in matters of God's worfhip: And then others alfo feemed to look that way, as thinking that the King was for it. Whereupon thofe that were moft againfl: it grew into feeming difcontent. The Bp. ;• of Winchcfier Aiorky^ was put out of his place of Dean of the Chappcl, and Bp. Crofts of Hereford (who feemed then to be for moderation) was put into the place : But it was not long till Crofts was either difcouragcd, or as fome faid upon the Death of a Daughter, for grief did leave his place and the Court ^ And * Di-. the Bp. of 0-v/bj'(i* was brought into his place, and Dv.Crevo (the fon of that wife mndj'orL and pious Man the Lord Crew) was made Clerk of the Clofet.

§ 57. At the fame time the Minifters of London who had ventured to keep open Meetings in their houfes, and preached to great Numbers contrary to the Law, were by the King's favour connived at ^ So that the people went openly to hear them without fear : Some imputed this to the King's own inclination to liberty of Confcience ^ fome to the D. of Buckingham'-<, prevalency :, fome to the Papifis Intereft, who werefor liberty of Confcience tor their own Interelt: But others thouglit that the '•' Papijis were really againft Liberty of Confcience, and did rather defirc and de-

iign that utmoft feveritics might mine the Puritans^and caufc Difcontents and Divi-fions among cur felves, till we had liroken one another all into pieces, and turned all into fuch Confufions, as might advantage them to play a more fuccefsful Game, than . ever Toleration was like to be.. But whatever elfe was the fecret caufc, it is evident that the great viliblc caufewasthe burning ot London^ and the want of Churches for the people to meet in; It being at the hrfl: athingtoo grofs, to forbid an undone people all publick worfliiping of God, with too great rigour-, And if they had • been fo forbidden, poverty had left them fo little to lofe as would have made them dcfpcrately go on. Therefore fome thought all this was, to make Neccffitji feem a favour.

§ 58. But v.'hatever the caufe of the Connivance v/as, it is certain that the Coun-trey Minitlcrs were fo much encouraged by the boldnefs and liberty of thofe at Lon- , don, that they did the like in mofl: parts of I-jii'Jand^ and Crowds of the mofl: Rcligi-oully inclined people v^cre their hearers ^ And fome few got,ina travelling way, into Pulpits where they were not known and the next day went av/ay to another place.,. And this, efpecially with the great dif:ontents of the people for their manifold payments, aitd of Cities and Corporations for the great decay of Trade, and the

breaking

breaking arid impoverifhing of many Thoufands by the bu!;ning of the City, together with tiie lamentable weaknefs and badnefs of great Numbers of the Minifrers that were put into the Nonconformifl's places, did turn the hearts of the moft of the Common people in all parts againft the Bps. and their ways, and enclined them to the Nonconformilts, tho fear reftrained men from fpealcing what they thought , c-fpccially the richer fort.

§ 59. Here F.i'.ph Wallis a Cobler of Ghcejier publiflied a book containing the Names and particular hiftories of a great Number of Conformable Minifters, in fc-veral Pariflies of England, that had been notorioufly fcandalous, and named their -fcandals, to the great diipleafure of the Clergy ^ And I fear to the great temptation of many of the Nonconformifts, to be glad of other Mens fin, as that which by accident might diminiih the interell; of the Prelatifts..

§ 60. The Lord Mohune^ a young man, gave out fome words, which canfed a Common ^candal in Court and City againlt the Bp. of Rochefter^ as guilty of molt obfcure Aftions with the faid Lord j the reproach whereof was long the talk of many forts of peirfons, who then took liberty to fpeak freely of the Bilhops.

§ 6\. About this time (Jm. i668.) the news came of the Change in Portugal^ where by no means of the Queen, the King who was a debanched perfon (and Charged by her of infufficiency or frigidity) was put out of his Government (tho not his Title, and his brother by the confent of Nobles, was made Regent, and marryed the Queen, (after a Declaration of Nullity or a divorce) and the King was fcnt as a Prifoncr into an I/li-md^ where he yet remaineth: Which News had but an ill found in England^ as things went at that time. .

§.62. InJ-2«. 1668. I received a Letter from Dr. Afanton^ that Si r .Vo'j« Barle y t-Z^^jt-^U told nim that it was the Lord Keeper's deilre to fpeak with him and me, about a Com ^

nrehenfion and Toleration: Whereupon coming to London Sir "john Barber told me, that the Lord keeper fpake to him, to bring us to hii^ K)r the aforefaid end, and that he had certain propofals to offer us ; and that many great Courtiers were our friends in the bufinefs, but that to fpeak plainly, if we would carry it, we muft make ufe of fuch as were for a Toleration of^the Papijls alfo : And he demanded how we w^ouldanfwer the Common QiieHrion, What will fatvsfie you ? I anfwered him. That other Mens Judgments and Aftions about the Toleration of Papifts, we had nothing to do with at this time: though it was no work for us to meddle in. But to this queftion, we were not fo ignorant whom we had to do with, as to exped fiiU fatisfadion of our defires, as to Church-Affairs : But the Anfwer mull be fuited to theSenfeof his QiiclHon: And if we knew their Ends, what degree of fatisfadion they were minded to grant, we would tell them what means are neceflary to attain them. There arc degrees of fatisfadion, as to the Number of Perfons to be fatisfi-ed • and there are divers dogrees of fatisfying the fame Perfon. 1. If they will take in all Orthodox^ Peiceabk^ Worthy Mmifters^ the Terms mnft be the larger. 2. If they ■will take in but the greater part, fomewhat lefs and harder Terms may do it. 3. If but a few, yet lefs may ferve: for we are not fo vain as to pretend that all Nonconformifts are in every particular of one niind.

And as to the Ireshyterians now fo called, whofe Cafe alone we were called to conll-der t. If they would liitisfie the far greateft part of them in an high degree, fo as they Ihould think the Churches fctled in a good condition ; the granting of what was defircd by them in 1660. would do it, which is the fetling of Church-Government according to that of A. Bp. "JfljcrH Model, and the granting of the Indulgences mentioned in his Majeftie's Declaration, about JEff/t/! Affairs. 2. But if they would not give fo high fatisfadion, the Alterations granted in his Majeftie's Declaration alone, would fo far fatisfie them, as to make tliem very thankful to his Majcfty ^ and not only to exercifc their Office with Chearfiilnefs, but alfo to rejoice in the Kingdom's hap-pincfs, whofe Union would by this be. much promoted. 3. But if this naay not be granted, at Icall the tukihg off all fuch impofitions, which make us uncapable of Ex-erciling our Miniftry, would be a mercy, for which we hope we fhould not be unthankful to God or the King.

§ 63. When we Qame to the Lord Keeper, we refolved to tell him. That Sir 'john larher told us,his Lordlhip defired to fpeak with us, left it (hould be after fliid, that we intruded, or were the movers of it, or left it had been Sir John BarberH Forward-nefs, that had been the Caufe. He told us why he fcnt for us, to think of a way of our Reftoration -^ to which end he had fome Propofals to offer to us, which were for a ComrTehenfion for the Presbyterians, and an Indulgence for the Independents and

the

tl'.erelt: Wc askt him, .Whether it was iiis Lordlhip's plcaiure that we fl^oiild offer him our Opinion of the means, or only receive what he offered to us He to!d '^"s That he had fomewhat to offer to us ■ but we might alfo offer cur cwn'to l^m I toM ' hun, Tiiat I did think we could offer fuch Terms, no wav injurious to the wrlhie of any, which might take in both Presbyterians and Independents and all found Chnlhans, into the Publick Eftablifhed Miniftry. He anfwered. That that was a thing that lie would not have • but only'a Toleration for the refl Whi-h bein-^ none of our bufinefs to debate, we defired him to confult fuch perfons about it -^l were concerned in it. And fo it was agreed, that we ihould meddle witli the. Com-prehenliou only. And a few Days after he fent us his Propofals.

§ 64. Wlien we faw the Propofals, we perceived that the bufinefs of the Lo-d Keeper, and his way, would make it unfit for us to debate fuch Cafes with himfelf^ And therefore we wrote to him, requefting, th.it he would nominate Two Learn* €d peaceable Divines to treat with us^ till we agreed on the fittelt Terms • and that Dr. Bates might be added to us. He nominated Dr. WHhns (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' fome Alterations which we delired in their Propofals (for they prefently rejeaed ours and would hear no more of them • fo that we were fain to treat upon theirs alone ) '

§ 65. The Copy of what we offered them is as followeth.

I. that ffceCredenda and Agenda m ReUgion^ being diftinguijhed, no Profc/fjon of JC-[em he required^ but only to the Holy., Canonical Scriptures ingeneral^ and to the Creeds and 36 yirticks m particular. And no Oath., Fromife or Ccnfmt he required fave only the re-nevptng of the Covenant which in Baptifm rve made to God., and appomife If Fidelity in our Mimflry^ and the Oaths of Mcgiance and Supremacy to the King. u4nd for all leffer matters., let It fuffice., that the Lam may refrain us from preaching agatnft any Eftablihud Do-fir me ^ or a^amji Epifcopacy. Liturgy or Ceremonies^ and from all Male-M,niniflrations or Church-Tyranny^ or Jnjuftice about the Sacraments; and that we be punifhable acccrrdin? tl the quality of the Offence. *

^ „^\ ^^' ^'/' ^''f'H """^ '^H^^^ ^ Neceffity of many more publick Jffemhltes for God's Hoy/hip^ beftdesthofe m theyetftanding Parijh-Churches, ve humbly conceive that it would much conduce to fhe re-edifying of the Churches and City., and the contenting of ,nany and thcdramngoff the people from more private Meetings-., if a competent Nnmber of the Aum d Cnurches be allowed to fuch fober Prot eft ants., as will repair them, with the fame liberty and Security for pojfcjfon, as the French and Dutch in London have their Churches ■ the people chuftng their Paftors^ and maintaining them : Or if hhs Majeftfs Bounty allow them any Stipend, that none have that Stipend whom Im Alajefty approveth not And that the Paflors be not fffercd to introdncc there any Herefie or Idolatry ■ but /hall treich the Do-Orine of the facred Scriptures not oppofing the Doffrines or Orders of the Church and /Jjall wo-^jip God according to the Liturgy, or the Afembl/s Diredory, or the Reformed Liturgy offered by the Conwiifioners \66o. as they defire.

■ \\\. 1 hat all fuch be capable of Bern fees, who fubfcribe and fwear as is aforefiid and hemg of Competent Abilities, fjall he lawfully Ordained; or if already ordained are confirmed by the late Aa, or jhall be confirmed by any Commijfioncdby his A/ajefty • Wy being obliged fome time to read the Liturgy, and fnnetimes to adn.imfter the Sacramn''according to It (abating the Ceremonies), /nd to be often pre fent when it iy read ■ which fliall be ordinarily or conftantly done • and the Sacrament admimftrcd as oft as is required by Law byhimftlfor fjme other allowed Minifttr. And that thofc who will only fuhfcrihe and /wear 06 w ahovefmi, being ordained alfo as aforefad, but cannot fo far conform to the .liturgy may be allowed to preach and Catechize publieily, ai Lctiurers, cr Am.mts to fome others ; .md to have fuch further Liberty about the Sacraments, as by tuft Regulations fliall he tnade fife to Religion and the publick peace.

There is another way which would fatufie almoft all • by allowing each party fuch a Mini-fiey whofe Ordination and Miniftration they do make no fcruple at; which would prevent all private Chnrches, and perhaps .ill Face of Schifm among m ; which is if in every Pa-ri[h where any party di/ffnteth fro:n the Lftabli/hcd way, the Diffentcrs be left at liberty either to communicate with any Neighbour-l-anfh, or to chtife an AJ/iftant for the Incumbent whirlAjjiftantfhall be mamtaimd by themfelvesfunlcfs the Incumbent will voluntarily contri^

bute 3

~- I '■ . ., ^ t . ■■ I. ■ I-

bu.tt)\ /nd/:,_■•] oftici,! e one hdf of the Day^ as the Incumbent doth the other., having karje iod:< It. ■;:::■.UJTT to the foref/td DWeUory^ or tha Additional Liturgy offered 1660. (or at k.-,(i to h ve the ufe of the Clwch at fuch I Jours m the hicitmknt dutb not there off-ci.:te] I'he 1: ,hk receiving the Comimmion from each^ according to their five^-al Judj/-nients. .■■ y^ fogrear a Rul>tme^3 ours is^ e.mno't'he cured without fume inconver.i-

encef^ whico m..,' l- here ob]efled^ yet fi^h Lans may be made for the Regulation of this Liberty^ .isr,:ay rcftrain all t udion^ Contention^ and A/utual Contempt^ or Injuries ande-ven the Naming ihemfclves Members of difiinit Chunhes^ m might.befhewed.

§ 66. The Copy of the Lord Keeper's^ 'or Dr. WilkinsV Propfals. ■

In order to Comprehenlion, it is Humbly Offered,

1. That fuch perfons^ o/s in the late times of difrder have been ordained by Presbyters /hill be admitted to the Exerctfe of the Minifttrial I'undlion^ by the Impofition of the Hands of the Bi/hoP^ rvith thus, or the like Form of Words : [Take than Authority to PreacH the Word of God, and to Minillcr the Sacraments in any Congregation of theChui'tho £«^/.2«£^ where thou (halt be lawfiilly appointed thereunto ] An Expedient much of thvs Nature iPds praflifed and allowed of in the Cafe of the Gatharifts and Melcfians Vid Stb C.mon Concil. Nic. & ynodical Epijlleof the fame to the Churches of Egypt Gelalius' Cyzicemis, ;/. Com, A'^ic. 2d part. ' '

2. That all [>erfons to be admitted to any Ecclefiafiical FuncHion^ or Dignity or the Employment of a Sch^nl-mafter (after the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy) /hall (inflead 'of all former Subfcriptions') be required to fubfcribe this^ or the like Form of Words VI A B do hereby profefs and declare. That I do approve theDoftrines, Worfliipand Go-verAment Eftabliflied in the Church of England ^ as containing all things neceflary to Salvation ; and that Iwill not endeavour, byrayfelf, or any other, diredly or indirectly, to bring in any Doftrine contrary to that which is fo Eftablifhed.- And I do hereby promife. That I will continue in the Communion of the Church of Enplmd and will not do any thing to difturb'the Peace thereof. '

3. That theGeJlure of Kneeling at the Sacrament^ and the ufe of the Crofs in Baptifm and bowmg at the Na-ne of Jtfut^ may be left indifferent^ or may be taken away as fhall be thought ?noft expedient.

4. That in Cafe it be ^-ovght fit to revicro and alter the Liturgy and Canons^ for the fat'vs-

andfiiall promife^ Th a it/hall be conftantly ufedat the time and place accufiomed.

In order to Indulgence of fuch Protectants as cannot be comprehended under the publick EUablilhment, it is Humbly offered,

1. That fuch Protcjiants may have liberty for the Exerctfe of thetr Religion in publick and at their ovm Charges to build or procure j laces far their publick Worjhip^ either mthin or near Towns^ as /hall be thought mo/l Expedient. •

2. That the Names of all fuch per fans who are to have this Liberty he Regi/lred^ together with the Cmgregations to which they belongs and the Names of their Teachers.

3. Thatjvery one admitted to this liberty^ be difabled to bear any pfiblici Office^ (but/hall fine for Officers of Burden.

4. r^nd that upon /hewing a Certificate of their being lifted amoifg thofe who arc indulged, they flull be freed from fuch legal penalties, as are to be infliQed on thofe who do not frequent theif Parifh-Churches. ^

5. ylnd fuch perfons fo indulged /hall not for their meeting in Conventicles be puni/hed by Confifcatnn of E/lates.

6. Provided that they be obliged to pay all publick Duties to the Pari/h where they inhabit under penalty.

7. This Iridulgence to Continue for three years.

Dddd That

Theft the Liturgy may be altered by omitting,- f^v.

BY urtttj^ the na<j^mg Pfalms i« the New Tranjlittion. By apj)o'mtmg fvnmother Lefjbjjis cut of the Canonical ycriptue infteah of thofc taken out af the Apocrypha. By not en'ioyning God-fathers and God-mothers^ when either of the parents are rejdy to anfwcr for the C!}.ld, By omitting that cluufe in the J'ruyer at Baptifn {_By fpiritual regeneration "i By changing that Qutflwn^ wilt thou he baprlfed^ into^ WUt thou have tJjis Child baptifejl By omitting thofe words In the J hankjglving after pubitck and private baptifn [To regenerate this Infant by thy holy Spirit^ and to receive him for thy Child by adoption, ynd the ftrft Rubrlch after haptlfm^ It is certain by God's word^ &c. By changing thofe words In the Exhortation after baptifm \^Regenerate and Graffed Into the body~\ Into \_ReceJved Into the Church of Ch'lji.'] By not requiring reltera'tion of any part of the fervicc about baptifn In publick when it is evident that the Child hath been lawfully haptir^ed tn private. By omitting that Clauft In the Colled after, I :pofition of hands in confirmation \_Jfter the Example of thy holy Jpofiles^ and to certify them by this fign^ of thy favour., and gracious goodnefs towards the/n.^ And by changing that otlxr pajjage in the prayer before Confirmation [who hafi vouchfafedto regenerate., Scq.'} into [who hafl vouchfifed'to receive thefe thy ftrvants into thy Church by baptifn']. By omitting that claufe in the Office of Matrimony [with my body / thee ivorjhlpj. And that in the ColieB [who hafi confer atedy^c.'} By allowinj Alini-fiers fome liberty in the vtfttation of the' d, to ufe fitch other prayers as they fhall iudge expedient. ,By changing that claufe in the prayer at burial [For as much as it hath plea^d Almighty God of his great mercy to take to himfelf &c.] Into [Forafmuch as it kith pleafed Almighty Cod to take out of this World the Soul^ &C.3 And that claufe [In afure and certain hope., &:c.3 into [in a full affurance of the refurredlon by our Lord jefus Chrlft who is able to eh.mgeour vile., &c.] By omitting that Claufe.^ IVegive thee hearty thanks for th it it hath pleafed thee to dehver this our brother out of the jniferies of this fmful World.] And that other [As our hopes is that our brother doth]. By changing that Claufe in the Common fervice., [our finful bodies n^aybe made clean by his body., &.c.] into [oUr finful Souls and Bodies 7nay be cleanfed by his precious body.and blood]. By not enjoynlng the reading of the Commination. That the Liturgy may be abbreviated as to tife length of it: Efpecially as ti mornmg'fervice - By omitting all the Refponfal prayers from [O Lord open thoii our., &c."l to the Litany, and the Litany aw^ all ihe prayers from [ on of God we befiech thee., &C.3 to [wehumbly befeech thee O Father, dec] By not enjoynlng the ufe of the Lord's Prayer above once, viz. Immediately after the ahfolutlon., except after the Allnlflcr's Prayer before .'ermon. By ufing the Gloria Patri only once, viz. after the.Readlng Pfalms. By omhtlm the ve-qite exultemus, unlef's it be thought ft to put any or all of thefirfi fevcn amon^ the ftnten-ces at the beginning. By omitting the Communion fervice., fuch times «? are not Communion Days-., excepting the 10 Commandments., which may be read after the Creed : Andln-joynlng the prayer., Lord have mercy upon us.^ and Incline our hearts to keep thefe Laws only once at the End. By omitting the Collefts, Epiftlcs and Gofpels, except only on particular holidays. By infertlng the prayers for the Parliament Into the Litany Inimediateb afte-- thepr'aycr for the Roy.il Family., in this or-the like form [That it inay pleafe thee to direil andprofper all the Confutations of the High Court of Parliament., to the idvanta-e of thy Glory., the good of the Church., thefafety, honour and welfare of our Sovereign and his Kingdoms.] By onvttlng the two hymns in the Confecration of Bifhops and tlje (rrdlna-tlon of Prlcfls: That after the firfi Ouefiion in the Catechlfin, [What is your 'Name .?n This may follow [When i^at this Name gimn you?] And after that [What was pornifd for you in Baptifm i"] Anjwer [Three things were promlfed for me., ^c] In the Ouefiion before thcCommandments it may be altered [Toufitd It w.is promlfed for you &c.3 To the 14 Qu. [Howmany SdcrUment^ hath Cb'ifi ordained?] The Anfwer may be [Two only : Baptifm^ and the Lord's i'upper.

§ 67. Upon Confiiltation wc altered their paper in fome things, and addal fome more Cfor.\^c were held to thofc propofalsj only leaving the point for Toleration to be dcbat::d with our Brethren of the Congregational way : And i pri/atciv acquainted Dr. OiPc« with the fubllance of the bufinefs, and confiilted him, that they might not fay, we ne;/,lcc>cd them. And wc offered them the following form which was not what we defircd, but more x.\\2n'Dr..Wtiktns (zkcx_h\\ o{ Ciicfler) would grant vfeVfHllprofeffing himfelf willing of more, but that more woidd not pals with the

Par-

^.!.

T-

Part Hi. lievereml Mr. Richard Baxter. ~~ ^'c

; 22:-

Parliamcnt, and ib would tniltratc all our Attempts J § 68. Tiie paper offered by us.

1. Thofe who Bave been ordained only-by mccr Presbyters, or the Frcfidrnts o' their Sy^ nods /hall he mftituted, and authorized to excrcife their'A.inijlry(and admitted to Benefices) therein m fiich manner and by fuch perfom ashy his ." ajefly'/hill be thereto ap'^ointed by this form and words alone ITake^ &c.l Provided that thofe who defire it, have leave to give in their poftjfions that they renounce not their Ordination, nor take it fir a muity and that they take this, as the Jiiagtfraies Licenfe and Confirmation, and that they he not conjirained to ufe any wordi thmfelves which are not confiftem with this profejfion

2. Jll ptrfon^ to be admitted by Ordination, Inftttution, Licenfe, or otherxvifc, into any Eccleftafiical iun^ion and dimity, or to any preferment in either Vnivefity, or to the Employment of a Schoolmafier, fhallJi-Jl take the Oaths of yUlegiance and Supremacy, and inftead of all other Oath', Siufcriptions and Declarations (except the ylncient Vniverfity Oath) /hall be required only to fubferibe to this form of Words :

J. A. B. Do hereby profefs and Declare >ry unfeigned afent to the truth of all the holy Canonical: criptures, and to the ylrticles of the Creed [and to the Doflrine of the Church of England contained in the 36 Articles'] or \jo the DoiJrinal part of the 39 y.rticles of the Church o/Eng'and3! or \_excepting only the 3 Jrticles of Ceremonies and Prelacyr\ And I do hold that theDoBrine,Wurjh!p aridCovernment there eftaUifhed doth containall things abfolutely neceffary to fulvation -• And I will not knoivm^ly by my felf or any other, endeavour to bring in any Dottrine contrary to this aforcfaidfi eftablifhed. And it is my true Fefolution to hold Communion with the Churches of England, and faithfully to preferve the peace and happincfs thereof.

r nd ad thofe who are qualified with abilities according to the Law, and take the Oaths and Declarations abovefaid, fhall be allowed to preach Leffures and Occafional Urmons and to Catechize and to be prefented and admitted to any Benefice, or to any Eccleftafiical, or Academical promotions, or to the teaching of Schools.

3. Every perfon admitted to any Benefice with cure of Souls, fhall be obliged himfelf, on fome Lord's day^ within a time pre .xed to read the Liturgy appointed for that day (when it isfatisfa^orily altered), and the greatefi part of it in the mean time, and to be often prefent at the reading of it andfometimes to adminifter the , acra : ent of the Lord's Supper, according to tbe /aid Liturgies ; And it fhall by himfelf or fome other allowed Mintfter he con-fimtly ufed in his Chusch, and the Sacraments frequently adminifired as is required by the Law,

4. The 4tfc tvas againft the Ceremonies without alteration, in their own words Jave about bowing at the Name i'efus, as after.

5. No Bifhop, Chancellor, or ether Ecclcfiafiical Ofiicers fhall have power to filence any allowed Afintfler, or fufpend him ab officio vel beaencio, arbitrarily, or for any caufe without a known Lam: And in cafe of any juch arbitrary or injurious Jilencing and fufpenfion there fhall he allowed an appeal to fome of his A/ajcfiie's Courts of Juftice, fo as it may he profecuted in a competent time, and at a tolerable expence, being both Bifiiops and Presbyters and all Eccleftafiical perfons are under the Government of the King, and punifhable by him, for grofs and injurious male-adminifirations.

6. Though wey.idge it the Duty of Miuifiers toCatechizx, infiruli, exhort, dircff and comfort the people per finally as well aspublickly uponjuft occafion, yet lefi A pretended-necefjity of Examinations before the Sacrament of tbe Lord's Supper, or an unwarrantable firidnefs fhould introduce Church-Tyranny, and rvrong the faithful by keeping them from the Communion, let all thofe he admitted to the Communion who fince their Infant baptifm ha-ve at years of difcretion manifefied to the Bifhop, or the Minifters of the Pari/h Church where they live^ a tolerable underfianding of the Ejfential points of Faith and Godlinefs, that is, of the Bap-tifmal Covenant, and of' the nature and ufe of the Lord's Supper, and have per finally owned before them or the Church, the Covenant which by others they made in Baptifm, profcjfing their /fefolution to keep the fame, in a Faithful, Godly, Righteous, Charitable and Temporal Life, and are not fince this profejfion revolted to Atheifin, Infidelity, or Herefy, (that is the denying of fome Effential Article of faith) and live not impenitently in any grofs and fcandalous fin ; And therefore in the Regifier of each Parifh let all their Names be written, who have either before their Confirmation or at any other time thus underftandingly owned their Baptifinal Covenant, and a Certificate thereof from the jUinifier of the place fhall ferve without any further examination, fur their admiffwn to C6mmunion in that or any other Parifh Cljurch vhere they fhall after live, till by the aforefaid revolts they have merited their fufpenfion.

'^^ The L I F E cf tie Partiii-

7. Becaufe in many families there arc none who can read or j'r«?>', or cMl'to ren':embrance vhat thiy have heard to edify themfdves and f^md the Lords djy tn holy txcnifes^ and many of tkfe live fo ftr from the Churchy that they go nwre fildo;n than thv rtji^ and thtrefore have great need of the ajfifiunce of their Neighbours^ it is not to be tshtn for a Conventicle or unlawful meeting when Neighboursfhall peaceablyjoyn t-getber in reading the Scri'^^ture or any good books^ or repeatingpublick Sermcns^ and prayings and '■ngir.g If-.Uns to Cod^ nhitfi tky do it under the inf^eliion of the A inifltr^ and not in of^pofition to the p'blick ^ifft.jnbltts. Nor yet that meeting where the A'tnifler fhall privately Catechise hi; Neighbours^ or pray with them^ when they are in pckncfs^ danger^ or diflrefs^ tho per fins of fever al Famtiies J hall be pTtftnt.

8. Whereas the Caxion. and Riibrick forbid the ad'iijfion of notorious fcandalous finners to the Lords table^ be it enabled that thofe who are proved to dtridt! or fcorn at Chrifiianity^ or the holy Scriptures^ or the Life of Feward and Funijhnent^ or the ferious pradice of a Codly Ltfe^ and flriB obedience to Cods Commands^ fhall be numbered with the Scandalous finners mentioned in the Canon and Kubrick, and not admitted, before repentance^ to the holy Communion.

§ 69. The following paper wiU give you the reafons of all our alterations of their form of Words; But I muft add this, that we tliought not the form of Subfcrip-ticnfufHclent to keep out a Papift from the eftablifhed Miniftery [much lefs from a Toleration, which we medled not withj. 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 1 will here tell Pofterity this Tnth as a Myftery fyet only to the blindj which muft not now be fpokcn, that I believe that I have been guilty of hindering our own Liberties in ah Treaties that ever 1 was employ'd in: For I remember not one iu vviuuh there was not fomc crevice, or contrivance, or terms oft'ered, for iuch a Toleration, as would have let in the moderate Papifis with us: And if we would but have opened the Door to let the Paptfis in, that their Toleration might have been charged upon us^ as being for our fakes, and by our requeft or procurement, we might in aii likelihood have had.our part. But though, for my own part, I -"m not for Cruelty againft Papifts, any more than others, even when they are mcft cir.el to us, but could allow, them a certain degree of liberty, on Terms that fhall fecurt the common Peace^ and the People's Souls ^ yet I fhall never be one of them that by any renewed pref-fures or feverities, fhall be forced to petition for the Papifis liberty :;, it they muf' have it, let them Petition for it themfelves: Ho crzh oi jefuits or Prelates^ fhal! thunder me, cudgel me, or cheat me into the Opinion, that it is now necelTary for our own Miniftry, Liberty, or Lives, that we, I fay, we Nonconformifis, be the fam.ed Introducers of the Papifis Toleration ^ that fo neither Papifts, nor Pielatifts may bear the odium of it, but may lay it all on us. God do what he will with us, his way is beft, but I think that this is not his 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^our Propofals.

I. T Put in [^Prefidents3 &c. to avoid Difpute^ whether fuch were meer Presbyters^ or 1 (as fome think) Bifhops. 2. I leave out [^ times of diforder, 3 becatife it will elfe exclude all that were Ordained by Presbyters fince the King came in. 3. I put in [^ Inflitu-ted and Authorized] to intimate that it is not an Ordination to the Minifi^y inge>:e'-al^ but a deftgnaticH to a particular Charge, and a legal Licenfe, &c. 4. C By fr.ch as by his [yiaiefty,"^^.]] becaufc it is not for us to offer our [elves to a Diocefans Jn;pofitwn of Hands ftt that manne -, hit if you put it in other Words, wc cannot help it. 5. There 0-e three things which the Nonconformifis here fcruple. i. Renouncing their Ordina'^ion ; 2. Rcordi-iiation (which is like Rebaptization.) 3. Owning the iftocefan Species cf Prelacy; (for the Presbyterians are againfi all PreLicy, and the Epifcopal Nonconformifis are againfi the Englifn Frjme, as cmitrary to that in the time 0/Cyprian, he.) Thtrefore bccaufe th'efe Words fo much fcern to exprefs a Re-ordination by Diocefans, 1. by thefign of Impofition of Hands. -2. By the /uthorifing Words, 3. md put in of pur^ofe to fatvsfe them that think

the

Parr 111- %everend Mi. Richard Baxter.

the Preshyte^-ium no Afinijim. 4. In a time vphen this hath been fo ptblickly declared ■, they cannot fiibmit to all this xcitbout either a Declaration to the contrary in the Law or a Liberty by the Luvd-o-.ven them tu frofefs their own Henfe^ in the three particulars queflioned^ .that they renounce not their Ordination^ nor t ike this ui Re-ordination ^ nor o.vn the Diocefan Prelacy^ M iifiinafrom the old Epifiopacy (though tky willfuhmit \o it.) 6. As hy Clnftitu-ted ~] we intend ad'nittance to a Pajloral Charge^ or Authority to adminiflcr Sacraments vpe defire that may he plainly mferted ; feeing he that only preacheth (oi Pruhatione-rs may do] hith no need of this, nor do any fcruple to hear him. Or ifthty do, while he bath no charge tky • • ty turn their back on him j while a ALm is a LeGurer only to meer rolunteers, there is no ufe for this.

II. I. We mention the Vniverftty, hecaufe many were turned out of their Fellow/hips the^e for non-fuhfcrihing, &c. 2. We would have the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy ma^.': necefary. 3. The profcjfed belief of the Scriptures and Creed, we take to be needful to Adrnttance: That which was the only ancient Catholick VrokSioii/hould not be left out of our^. 4. The profejfed Ajftnt to the Doihme of the Church o/England, (and not only to approve it in tantimij fe.mcth needful tofatiffie the Sufpicioiis, and to/hut out Papifts and Hereti:ks fom the comprchenfion. 5. Tet the word [approve] as related to the IVorJhip and Covernmnt (though reJlriiUvely) will on--any Ac.ountsbefcrupled; and that is need-lefs. 6. 5o Cabfolutely] as pyned to [necellary] is needful to avoid Ambiguity andjufi tcriifle. 7. The word [promife] recjuireth fuller certainty than Qrefolve] "doth; and it binflcth us, not to alter our judgments, which if not in our power in fuch a cafe. 8. Tfce Word Qcontinue] is a ncedkfs\md entangling Word, and will deprive m of the ufe of tht Indulgence, ifwejhould ever changeour minds. But if (as fomefay) it be only the Communion of Faith and Love, fuch as we owe to Neighbour-Churches, and not Subjection, nor local prefence in Worfhtp, let that be but txyrejfed, and every fober Perfon will promife/f. 9. To prowfc to [preferve the Peace and Happinefs of the Church] is a fuller Word than C to do nothing to dilturb the peace j] and yet more dear, and plainly relateth to the whole Church,

III. We put Cbowing at the Name of 7e/itf, rather than, &c,'2 to avoid the imputa-tim of Impiety, left we be thought to be againft bowing at that Name fimply, when it is but as comparatively and exclufively to others.

IV. \. \_\ncz^t tilths Xhoxi^^^t, ^c.'\ We muft fuppofe it thought fit. 2. This whole Vndertahng v: proper only to them that take a Cure, and not for an occafional or fet Leiiurcr. 3. It will anfner our Senfe if you put it thus; C Shall read the Liturgy, when fatisfaftorily altered, and fome confiderable part 'till then, if it be delayed. ] 4. The profejfion of the Lawfulnefs, is but a needlefs temptation, as to him that vs bound actually to ufe it. 5. And the promife that itfljalkbe conftantly ufedmay be hindered by Jicknefs, or Jo many Cafualtics, that its much fafer to bind them only by a Law. 6. And

tkwtthe Event] only muft be cxpreffed [that it be ufed] by whofe procurementfoever, fo It be done. I may think it unlawful to procure another to do that, wUch I cannot do my felf and yet fome other may procure it.

In the Second Article I forgot to tell you. That voe annex the grant of the defired liberty, tfter the Subfcription, left elfe our hopes befi-ujhate, when we have done all.

The Reafons of the added Articles arc apparent in themfelves.

The Sum of all our Reafons w. It is confeffed that our Pfjrafe will ferve the Ends of our Super iours; and we are certain that they willfitisfie a far greater number than the other will do, and to their greater e.jfc and tpuiet ofConfcience, that they may not feel themfelves ftill pinched anduneafte, and kept under defires of further changes: And we arefure that we are much letter able our felves, to plead down Afen's ObjeRions, if n be thus worded, than a/i the other way. And we would fain have this no patch or palliate Cure, but fuch as may caufe the now drooping Dijfen'ers-, to rejoyce under the Government, and to perceive it to be their Intereft to defend it againft all Attempters of a Change.

§ -71. But becaufe the grand flop in our Treaty was about Re-ordination, and Dr. Wilkins ftill infilled on'tliis. That thofe Confciences muft be accommodated who took thcra for no Minifters vrhn were ordained without Bilhops, and fome Wordi

were

vvciepiit into their Propcials, which feemed to fi^nifie a Reordination j though he denied inch a lignincation, we were put to give ia this,following Paper.

The Eeajons why we cannot confent to RecrdinatiGn.

-■ W7^ ^'^^'^ '^"^ caufdejly confent to the up: of fuch IVoYds as imply an untruth, viz. \/y -j-iiaj- £-,ch as were Ordained by Lawful Palters, and the Prcfideats of their Synods, are not lawful Minifters of Chrift, in an Eccleliafti al Senie.

II. Vt^e dare not confent to the taking of God's Name in vain^ by ufing holy Exprejfions^ and a Divine Ordinance^ either as a Scenical Form, or to confirm an Error.

III. IVe dart,not caufdefly go againjl the Judgment of the VniverfA Church of all Jges, who have condemned Heordinatwn^ a'i they did Fcbaptiz.:!t!on. The Canons, called the yipofiies^ depofing both the Ordaintrs^ and the Ordained.

IV. We dare not fo jar wrong the Proteftant-Churches, a$ to do that which importeth, That their Miniflry h null, and confequently all their Churches null (politically taken.)

V. We dare not fo far vrrong all the People of England, and all other Proteftant-Churches, nho have lived under the Minifiry oj rneer Presbytrrs, or fuch Bif:ops as rvere

• Ordained only by Presbyters, as to tempt them to think, that all the Sacraments were nullities -which they received j and fo that they are all unchrijlened or unbaptii.ed: even Denmark and thofc parts of Germany, which kive fomi kind of Bfbops, had their firft Ordination of them by Pomeranus, and others, that were no-Bifiiops. Jlnd mofi Froteflants hold That Baptifm is null, which is not per lor ■■ed ';y a Mmifier of Clmfi. Becav.fe no one elfe is y^uthoriz^d to deliver God's part of the Caven.mt, or to receive the Covenanter^ or inveft him in the Chriftian State and Privi.eges.

VI. We dare not fo far ftrenghthen the caufe of the Anabaptills, as to dtclare thus far. That all the People .of England, and all Pr' tefrant-Cluirches, as were Baptized by fuch as had not Ordination by Diocefans, are to be Fe-b Uud.

VII. We dare not fo fir harden the Papijls, and honour their caufe, nor tc-r.pt the People to Popery, as to feeni to confent, that their Churches, AUni/try and Baptifm is true and the Protejl.int Afmifiry, Churches and Baptifn is falfe : Nor dare we teach them, if ( which God forbid} they-fhould ^et the .owe^ of governing us, to call us all again to be Ke ordained and I\e'baptiz.ed: Our Liturgy bidding iis to take private Baptifm as valid., C if the Child was Baptized by any Lawful Minifter ] intim.iting that ' elfc it is invalid: and fo that feemcth th. jtid^mtnt of the Church 0/ England.

VIII. We dare not tempt atiy other Se^s, or Vfur per s to expert, that as oft as they can pet the upper kind, we mufi be Re-ordained and Fe-baptiz.ed at their plcafure.

IX. We dare not make a Scbifrn in our Congregations, by tempting the Fafiors *o rejeB moil of the- People from the Communion, 06 unbaptiz^d Ferfons.

^. Wc dare not d'fhonour t'oe I'mg and Parliament fo fir as to en^^,.; age them, to confirm tkfe Errors by an AB of Parliament; Enabling (rea.'y) Re-ordin.ition.

And I R. 13. ihuft p'fofcfs. That having eight Tears ago, written a Treatifc purpnfdy to prove the validity of the late Ordi-nation, by the Synods of Presbyteries in England (though I never praclifed any my felf) and having openly called for fo'ueCuufutation of it ■ I -never cotdd procure a-ny to this day: And therefore am the more exci'fibJe if I err. (Though I was my felf Ord.iined by a Bifhop.)

Note, That by Ordination, we mean the Solemn Scpar.itim of a Perfun from the number of the Laity, to the Sacred Ahniftry in general; and not the defignation^ appointment, or determination of him to this or that particular Flock or Church; nor yet a tJieer Eccle-jiuflical Confirmation of his former Ordination, in a doubted Cafe: Nor yet the ,". agi-llrate's Liccnfe to exercife the Sacred Admiflry in his 1 ominions; All whn h we believe on juft Occafion, may be frequently given and received : yJnd we thcrehy profefs to confcit to no more.

§ 72. Befides the forefaid Alterations of their Propofals, we offered them this following Emendation of the Liturgy, containing in fome Points Icfs, and in feme Points more, than their own Propofals ('for in this Dr. WHkins was not ftreightj

The

Part ill. /{ ever end M>\ R ichard Baxter.

99

The moft'necejfary Alterations of Alterations very defirable ■ the Lituro^y. alio.

nrHat the old Prd€^cc be rcllored inflead ■^ of the new one.

The Order for all Prielts, Deacons, and CurateSj to read the Liuirgy once or twice every Dny, to be put out.

The Riibrick for the old Ornaments, which were in ufc in the fecond Year of Edrv. VI. pvx out.

The Lord's Prayer to be ufcd intirely with the Doxologies.

Add to the Rubiick before the Communion thus: Nor fliall any be admitted to the Commiinion, who is grofly ig. noranr of the Eflcntials of Chrillianity ^ or of that Sacrament; or who is an Atheift, Infidel, or Heretick, ( that is, denyeth any Ellential part ot Religion ) nor liny that derideth Chrillianity, or tlie Holy Scriptures ^ or the ftrict obeying of God's Commands.

Read the Fourth Commandment as it is in tlie Text, 'yiz.. God hkjfed the Sabbath Day.

Add to the Communion Rubrick^ C None fhall be forced to Communicate -becaufe it is a high Privilege, which the Unwilling are unworthy of ^ and fo are thofe who are confcious that they live impcnitently in any «recret or open hai-nous fin : And becaufe many confciona-blc Perfons, throrgh Melancholy, or too hard thoughts of themfclves, have fo great fears of unworthy receiving, that it were like to drive them to defpair, or diftraftion, if they are forced to it before they are fatisfied. Therefore let Popery and Prophanenefs be expreiled, by fome fitter meaiis than this.

In the Prayer before the Confecration Prayer, ]^iit out C That ou^linfnl Bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our Souls wadied by his precious Blood, ] and pr.t it thus : That our fufful Souk and Bodies may be clcanf;cl by his Sacrificed Eo.ly and Blood.

"j^Hf Lord's Prayer^ and Gtoria Patri.^ fddomer t'.fid.

Begin -with the Prayer for the ftcond Sun-(fjiy in Advent, for Divine yijjiftance ■ dy iyme other. '

Let none he fm-ced to hear the Decalogue hteeling ; becaufe the J^nor.mt.,\vho tale them

for ?\^^ti-i^ are fandjlizjed and hardened by

it.

Let none be forced to ufc Godfathers at their Childrens JSjptifn^ who can (cither Fa-rent) be there to perform their Duty. Or a leaft^ let the Godfathers be Jmt as the ancient Smfors; whofe Office m^, i. To atteft the Patents Fidelity^ 2. ^nd topromife to bring up the Child in Chriftian nurture.^ if the Parents dye^ or prove deferters.

Becaufe Minifiers fubfcribe to the 25th. ^■rticle .of the Church's Dodrine, rvhicly faith [ Thofe Five^ commonly called Sacraments.^ that is Confirmation, dr. an not to be connted for "^acraments oftheGofpel being fuch as have grown partly of the corl

rupt following of the Apofiles. I-or they

kive not any vtjible fign or ceremony ordained of God.'] Therefore in the Coiled for Confirmation, ;>«? o«r[;ilpon whom after the Example of the Holy Apoltles, we have now laid our Hands, to certifie them by this fign, of thy favour and gracious goodnefs toward them. *

Holidays left indifferent., five rni^y that all be retrained from open labour.^ and contempt of them. Ffpecially [ Holy Innocents Day, St. Michael'^ Day, and All-Saints] becaufe there is no certainty that they were Holy Innocents., yind its har/J) to k(ep.a Holiday for one yingel. And all true Chriflians being Saints^ we .keep Holidays for our filves.

The Book of Ordination^ reftored as it waf. * »

1 et there be liberty to nfe Chrifl's own Form of Delivery, recited by St. Paul I Cor. 1 1. changmg only the Perfnn, ^Take, Eat, this is Chrift's Body, which &c.'2

Lct'Chriftian I'arents be permitted to ofl~cr their own Children to God in'Bap-tifm, and enter ti'cm into the Holy Covenant, by ufing thofe Words that are now impofcd on the Godfathers.

That where any Minifl-er dare not in Confcicncc Baptize the Child of proved Athcifts, Infidel?,^ grofs Hereticks, Fornicators, or other fuch notorious Sinners as the Canon forbiddeth us to receive to the Communion (both Parents bein<^ fuch' and the Child in their power and polTcfllon,) that Mmifter fliall not be forced to do it; bat the Parent; (hall procure fome other ro do it.

For

l^he LI F E of the _^^ Part I II

for \j.vilt thou be Baptifed^ put [jrih thou have this " hild B.ipt'^^cd.'] The Crofs and t^e Siirplice left at liberty, and kneeling at tiie Ad of Recei\^-ina;, and bowing at the Name [je/ii/] rather than LJ^rifi^ Gnd^ &c.']

"After Baptifm put C Seing this Child is Sacramcntally Regenerated.^ And in the Prayer following put it, QThat it hath plcafedThes Sacramentally to Regenerate and Adopt this Infant, and to incorporate him into thy Holy Church.]

Inllead of the new Rnbrick Qit is certain by God's Word, drr.] put CTrueChri-ftian Parents have no canfe to doubt of the Salvation of their Children, dedicated to God in Baptifm, and dying before they commit any aftual fin.]

In the Exhortation put it thus, L Doubt not therefore, but earncllly believe. That if this Infant be fincerely dedicated to God, by thofe who have that power andtrnfl-, God will likev^ifc favourably'receive him, &c.

Let- hot Baptifm be privately adminiftred, but by a lawful Minifter, and before 'fufHcieat WitneflTes .• and when it is evident that any was fo Baptized, let no part of the Adminiftrationbe reiterated.

A:^'j to the Rubrick of Confirmation (or the Preface) CAnd the tolerable Un--':-■■-;'jj.iT>g of the fame Points, which are neceflary to Confirmation, with this owi;mg of their baptifmal Covenant, fhall be alfo required of thofe that are not .:ov>^^rmed before their admiffion to the holy Communion.

it be lawftil for the. Mijiifter to put other Qiiefl-ions befides thofe in the Ca-■ f'lp fhe Learners to uncierftand j and alfo to tell them the meaning lo as he goeth along. . ' ■:. '■ .•

Alterations in the Catechifm ( or atiother allowed.)

Q\XJ Hat is your Name ? VV y-. N. Q. M^en was this Name given you ? yJ. In my Baptifm.*

Q. What was done for you in your Baptifm ?

A. I was devoted to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft,* and cntred into his Holy Covenant, and engaged to take him for my only God, my reconciled Father, my Savipur, and my Sandifier: And to believe the Aiticles of the Chriftian Faith, and keep God's Commandments fincerely all the Days of my Life j Renouncing the Devil, and all his works, the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World, and all the fmful Lufts of the Flelh.

Q. What A ercy did you receive from God in this Covenant of Baftifm ? A. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoflr, as my reconciled Father, my Saviour and my Sanftifier, did. forgive my Original Sin, and receive me as a Member of Chrift, and of his Church, ^d as his Adopted Child, and Heir of Heaven.

Q^ Do you think that you arc now hound to keep this Covenant^ and to believe and live according to it ? ■ • • «

J. Yes, Verily, &c.

Q. Rehcarfe^ &c. ,

J. I Believe, ire. Kii. What^ ^c. A. Firft, &c.

Q. What be the Commandments of God^ whichyou have Covenanted to obferve ? A. The Ten Commandments written by God in Stone, befides Chrift's Precepts in the Gofpel. Q. Which be the Ten Commandments ? '

After the Anfwer to \^What is thy Duty towards Godi'2 add, QAnd to keep holy the Day which he feparateth for his Worihip.] la the next, let C ^^ i''^^' no ntaJice, &c3 be put before t to be true and ']ujt.~\

^''\n the Anfw. to the Qiiefl:. after the Lord's Prayer, after [_ all People'} put {_ that \vc may Honour and Love him, as our God j That his Kingdom of Grace may be fct up in our Souls, and throughout the World, and his Kingdom of Glory may comc.^ and that God's Law, and not Men's finfol Lufh and Wills r.ay be obeyed, and Kartli may be liker unto Heaven. And I Pray, i/c.'} Q. How

ex HoiP m.wy Sacraments of the Covenant of Grace, hath Chrift Ordamcd in his

'a. Two only, Baptifm, and the Supper of the Lord.

o'What me.incfi thou. &:c. • .,.," ^ a

A I mean that Solemn Covenant! ng with God, wherein there is an outward viable fisn of om- giving np our felves to Him, and of his givmg his Grace m Chriltto'us-. bcin^ ordained by Chrift himfelf, as a means whereby we receive that Grace, and a pledge to allure us of it.

To O What is the inrvard Spiritual Grace ? . ^ .,' . a

:■ i° Tlie pardon of our Sins by the Blood of Chrift, whofe Members we are made, and a death unto lin, &c.

^ SLft/hfrSe'XJ Children of the Faithful, to whom^God's Promifes are mi; and are bVthem devoted unto God, to be entered into Covenant vvithHim, E^hL^wnappoLtment, which when they come to Age, themfel.es are bound to

^^Afta'the next Anfwer add, L And for our Communion with Him, and with his Church.H , -n c 0

5rThf «r,e«fpS:i&t Si„s, a„<l our Communion wW,Chrift, and his

rhiirrh bv Faith and Love, and the Itrengthening, 6^c.

into %tatZ of the SicL kt the A4mfier have leave to va^-y hvs Prayer, ^ Occafions JlVrJr And It the Abf.lution he conditional, Uf thou truly belreve m God the Fa-tht sT/and my Ghoji, and truly repentcji of thy fins, I pronounce thee ahfdved, through

""'^ft^fs ^^'k:^ft!St;Lnion,f. Jtheifn^ I^Mty, Herefieor Mpe-Jf any ^'^^VJ fhall inficknefs defire y-jbfolution, or the Communion : y.nd tf any Aw SSS/i S^ ^^^^^^ ^"i^---^ noFo^f^^y^^- of^rue Repentance,

Me^lted^c not nl conference abfolve hm,ongtve him the Sacrament, f h^profan, G^JsOrtJ^I and hard J the rvicjid :« prefumptwn and impenitency let not that Mtm^ fiefL}^cc7to\^^^^ ''■' ''' the fickchufeforn. other, as he

^^'"^Andat the Burial of any who :vere lat^fully hpt from the O>:mumon for the fame r IJltlrnLd letth" Afm'fier be at libmy to change the words thuf_ IForaJmuch r(''LrfpS»^ '^dt^L out of th. irld thejoul of this deceajed perfon, r.c 45 n ^^'f i'f7\r!'X'/rIL • a K^fn-rtiiionofthemft and wt]uft Jorne to joy, mdfometo cmmt ^^^^^^^^'^^tm^,;%J^ii.ve theehmty thanks for that it hath TST'^^c ^ft^^t^TUcr oJof\he Jifcriesfof this finfi4 ..rld^: And m-W TJt\Mdt fouls of tne^uc\ed torn and miftry- We bcfeech thee to conva-t ficad of It put If''^^''' "Jr'j, reoentaace • And teach us to fiend this little time m an us all from fin,y true 2ii'±ltfmtybe ah^ays prepared or Death and Judgment .» "t^^^'tdT^^^^'^o leJlt \ .. L hope IS th..our brother

£^:^rf5S}^^s?o>S;;:it^SseU^^^^ .«..e«..a^.«

^"^it'the Pfalms in the Parifi^OMnhes be read m the laft Tranfiation , ^ , ,

f k L^ icier he Lreviated, by leaving out the fl^ort rerficles and Rejponfes -, Oreifi kt, thT^fnifter have leroe to omit them: and in times of cold or hafte, to omit fome

^ tSS:^ ^e^-:£not rra,, let the Mnifi^ read all the Pfalms h^felf: le-

'-^f:^t^^fil tr;^^r:i^:t'^y^^0.mmfjion.^^^^^^ be

*^'Ail things in the Cmon cmr..y to any thing in this Ait to be void and null. And all things repeated in any fmna Law, that is contrary to thts Aff.

R ., We infected fhefe Rubtiicks and Orde.s, becaufe they gave us more hope

, ^ ■ u^" Air.Iii;ns of the Liturgy would be granted, than the reft : And there-

^ w^^houS" Si t gS Z dy as mu.h I we could. And yet we uUifted moft

t e e e

on the other part, becaufe therein it was dcfired, that till the Liturgy wiis Otisfafto-ni/ reformed, we (hould not be conftrained to read it, but only innietimes the j;'e.j-tu jw/'i of it: Which words 1 offered my felt, kit elfe the whole fhould have been frullrate- and becaufe the very words of the Scripture (the Ffulms, Sentences, Hymns, Chapters, Epiftles, Gofpels, &c.) are the far £n--:ter prt of the Liturgy •, fo that by this we fliould not have been forced to ufe any more, or any thing fa'u-

■p!ed.

§ 74. Before we concluded any thing, it was defired, that feeing the Earl of Mim-c-fct/fer^Lord Chamberlain, had been our clofeft Friend, we fliould not conclude with-oi.t his notice: And fo at a Meeting at his Houfe, thefe Two more Articles, or Fro-pofals, were agreed to be added: Fiz..

" l.lfljereas the Sentence of Excommunicatioy: may be fajfedupon very light Occafions^it " is Jmmbly defired^ that no Mimfier jhull be cor.plkd to pronoume fiah fentence againfi " hts confciencejntt that fume other be thereunto appointed by the Bifhop^ or the Court.

" II. That no perfonfhall be punfhedfor not repairing to his omi Farifh-church^whogoeth . " to any other ParifJj-church xir Chappcl within the Diocefs.

(Vox by the Bifliop's Doftrine it is the Diocefan Church that is the lowelt Political Church, and the Parifhes arebutp^wrj of a Church: For there is no Bifliop below the Diocefan. Therefore we go not from our own Church, if we go not out of the Diocefs J

§ 75. When thefe Propofals were offered to Dr. Wdkim^ and the Reafons of them : 1. Fie would not confbnt to" the claufe in the firfl: Propof. [^Provided that thofe rvho de-ftre it have leave to give in their Profejfton^ that they renounce not their Ordination, &c.3 Where was our greatelt ftop and difagreement.

2. He would not have had fubfcription to the Scriptures put in, becaufe the lame is in the Articles to which we iiibf-ribe ^ I anfwer'd , that we fubfcribed 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 Orcier-fake, and for the right defcriptionof our Religion, that we fubfcribe to the Scriptures firft : And to this of. 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 bo endured.

4. The two next (the6th andj/th) he was not forwai'd to, but at laft agreed to them, leaving out the'Claufe in the (5th for Regiftring Names.

5. The two laft added Atticles alfo were excepted againft. But in the end it was agreed (as they faid, by the the Lord keeper's Confent) that Sir Matthexv Hale Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer fhould draw up what we agreed' An into the form of an Aft to be offered to tfie Parliament. And therefore Dr. Wdkins and I were to bring our Papers to him, and to advife farther with him, for the wordingof it, becaufe of his eminent Wifdora and Sincerity.

§ 76. Accordingly we went to him, and on Ccnfultation with him, our propofals 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 [lake thou Legal j-.uthority to preach the Word ojciod^ and adminijler ihe Holy Sacraments in any Congregation of England, where t}x)U fhalt be lawfully appointed thereuntof] That fo the word Legal might Ihew that it was only a general Licenfe from the King that we received, by w hat Miiufter foever he pleaicd to deliver it: And if it were by a Bilhop, we declared that \^c (hould take it from him but as from the King's Miniitcr. For the Paper which I gave in againft Re-ordination, convinced Judge Halcs^ and Dr. Wilkim^ that the renunciation of former Ordination in England was by ho mc.ms to be exaftcd or done.

2. Our Form of Subfcription remained unaltered.

3. The Claufe of Appeals, we left out.

4. The lourth, tifthj and Seventh palled, leaving out the Chufc of Regiftring Nanies.

2. The

5. Ihs firit of the added Articles tl'cy thought-'reafonable ^ but put it out only, lefi by overdoing we (hould clog the rell, and fiuftrate all, wLh thofe that we ■were to deal with.

6. The other added Article th.cy laid by, for the fame rcafon, and alfo, left it Ihould be a Ihelt'^r to Reoifant Papilb. And thus it was agreed. That tiie Papers fhould be all delivered to the L,orcl Chief Baron, to draw them up into an Adt. And becaufe I lived near him, he was pleafed to Ihew mc the Copy of his Draught, which was done according to all cur Senfe j but fecretly, left the noife of a prepared A A (hould be difplcaling to the Paryament. But it was never more called for, and fo I believe he burnt it.

§77. Becaufe they objcfted. That by the laft Article we (hould befriend the Papifts, and cfpcciailv by a Claufe that we oflercd to be infertcd in the Rubrick of the Liturgy, C ^^■^^ ■-'^'^ S.;cra:nent is to begivsn to none that are unvci ling at ;>, 3 and 1 ftood very much upon tliat with them,"that we muil not corrupt Chrift's Sacrament, and all our Churclies, 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 ufsd againft ihem. Upon their Enquiry what means might be fubftituted, I told them, that belidcs fome others, a fubfcription for all the Tolerated Congregations or Minifters, diftinct from that of the Eftabliihed Mi-niftry, as followeth, might difcovcr them.

§ 78. The Subfcription of the Eftabliihed Miniftry.

" / do hereby profefs and declare rny unfeigned belitf of the Holy Canonical Scriptures^ " tn the infallible^ intr':.^ and perfect-Rule of Divine Faith^ and Holy Livings fup-" pofing the Laws of Nature; and alfo my belief of all the Articles of the Creed^ ** and of the 36 Articles of the DoCtrim und Sacraments of the Church o/England.

Or elfe the Subfcription before agreed on (though this be much better j) fuppofmg the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy alio be taken.-

The Subfcription of all that have Toleration,

I A. B. do hereby profefs and declare^ mthont equivccnicn and deceit^ That I believe Jeftis Chrifi to be the only Go7/t:rnii'i^ Head of the Vniverfal Church ^ and the *' Holy Canonical Scriptures to be the infallible^ intire^ and perfeB Rule of Divine " Fatth^ and Holy Livings fi'-ppofiyig the Laws of Nature -^ and thit I believe all "• the Jlrticks of the y'ncient Creeds^ called the Apoftlc's and the Nicene -, And " that I xrill not knowingly oppofe any fticle of the [aid Holy Canonical Scriptures^ " or Creeds ^ not of the Creed called Athanalius'^ .• Nor will I publick'y^ feditiou/ly^ " or unpeaceabiy deprave^ or cty down the Doifrines^ Government^ and Worfhip '■'■ EJiMi/hed hy the Laws.-]

%'his doth exclude the Effentials of Popery, and yet is fuch as ail fober, peaceable Perfons that need a Toleration, m;ly 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 olfthe Teft and Force of the Law, compelling all to the Sacrament. Some muft have a Subfcription that muft name Purgatory and Images.^ and praying to Saints J and '^ujlificaiion 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 Edentials of Popery, which are only to make up fuch a general Teft for their E.v'cluiion.

§ 80. But I ruppoil* the Ac^i'.^tr will more feelingly think, when he findcth upon what terms we ftrive (and all in vain) for a little liberty to preach Chrift's Golpcl, even upon the hardeft Terms that will but conlift with a good Confcience, and the fafety of our own Souls ^ he will think, I fay, what a cafe fuch Minifters and fuch Cirjiches now are in ? And how ftrange (or rather fad than llrange) is it. That

E c e c 2 Chriftian

Ctu-ifiian Bifliaps, that call themfelvcs the Pafrovs arid Fathers of the Church, fhould [>ut vs ou fiich Terms as thefc, wlien A^s aS. ult. Tumi preached in his owa Houie to as many as came to him, none forbidding him, avcn under Heathens, &c. And if the I^cader be fo happy, as to live in Days of the Chiirclies Peace, and Liberty^ and-Rcfoimation, he will be apt to ceiifure us for yielding to fuch hard Terms as here v,c do: Wlio if he had been in the time and place with us, and fean that we coiild have the Gofpel upon no other Terms, he would pity rather than cenfure the Churches and us.

, § 8i. Nay, how joyfully would (I believe 1400 of) the Nonconformable Mi-nifters of England (at Icaft ) have yielded to Fhefe Terms, if they could have got them. But, alas! all this labour was in vain : For the aftivc Prelates and Prclatifts fo far prevailed, that as foon as ever the Parliament met, without any delay, they took notice, That there was a rumour abroad of fomc Motions or Ad: to be offered for Comprehenllon or Indulgence -, and voted, That no Man (hould bring in fuch an Ad into the Houfe ; and fo they prevented all talk or motion of fuchathing j and the Lord Keeper that had called us, and fet us on work, himfelf turned that way, and talk'd ^fter, as if he underftood us not.

if dx. %zu ^ ^^' ^" ^t^'K I <568. Dr. Cre'ighton^ Dean of WtJh^ the mofl famous, loquacious,

1^ ready-tongu'd Preacher of the Court, who was ufed to preach Calvin to Hell, and

tlie Calvinijls to_the Gallows^ and by his fcomful reviling,s and jells, to fet the

Conrt on a Laughter, was fuddenly, in the Pulpit, (without any licknefs) furprized

with Aftonifliment, worfethan Dr . Souths the Ox/or^-Orator, had been before himj

'^•J'-" 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 wondei-ful than almoft any other Man's, being not only a fluent, cxtemporatc Speaker, but one that was never known to want w-ords, efjpecially to c.xprefs his Satyrical or bloody Thoughts.

§ 83. In July Mr. Taverner, late Minifter of ZJxhridge^ was fentenc'd to A/eip-gate-Goa\^ for Teaching a few Children at Brainford ^ but paying his Fine prevented it: And Mr. Button of Brainford, (a mofl humble, worthy, godly Man, that never was in Orders, or a Preacher, but had been Canon of Chrifl'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 Rofs a Juftice (a Scot, that was Library-Keeper at Wefiminfter ) and fome other Jujiices : And many of his Neighbours of Brainford were fent to the fame Prifon, for worfhipping God, in private, together;, where they all lay many Months (iix as I remember.) And I namethefe, becaufe they were my Neighbours ; but many Countries had the iike ufagc. Yea, Bifhop Cro/»,that had pretended great Mdderation,fent Mr.Woodward,a. worthy filen-' ccd Minifter of Hereford-fhire, to Goal for fix Months. So lie were imprifoned upon . the Oxford-J{1, and fomc on the Aft againfl Conventicles.

§ 84. In September, Col. PhiUtps ( a Courtier of the Bcd-cbamkr, 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 nearelt the Court, and of great Name among the Presbyterians, and being heard by many of great Qiiality)- was told by Sir John Babor, That the King was much inclined to favour the Non-cMfor-mifs, and that an Addrcfs now would be accepted, and that the Addrefs muft 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 invitecl to joyn in the prelenting of it (hut not in the Penning j for I had marr'd their Matter oft enough :) But 1 was both fick and unwilling, having been oft enough imployed in vain : But I told them only of my fickncfs. And lb Dr. A fanion. Dr. Bates, Dr. jacombe, and Mr. Ennis, prcfcnted it: what acceptance it had with the King, and what he faid to them, this Letter of Dr. Afa7iton's will tell you. But the Copy of the Acknowledgment I cannot give you,. for 1 never favv it, nor fought to fee it, that 1 remember, for I perceived what it aimed at.

Dr.

Part 11 { Reverend Mr. R ichard Baxt

er.

Dr. Manton's Letter to me at A&on.

s I R

T Udi under rejlraint till mm^ and could not fend you m accomit of our reception with A tae King. It was virry gracious-^ He tom pleaftd once a)td again tofigmfie how m-cept.ibk our Mdrefs was^ and how much he wm perfuadcd of our Peaccalkmfs ■ Pyintr that he had knorcn us to be fo ever f,nee his return ■ promt fed m^ tb»t he would do hvsutmU to get us comprehended within the Publick Eflahhfhment^ and would remove all Bins for he could wijhthat there had been no Bounds nor Bars at all, but that all had been'sea tijat we might have had liberty enough-^ but fomething mujl be done for publick Peace*-^owever we could not he ignorant^ that this was a work o/difficiilty and time, torn it fully enetXcd for our Jffurance: Jnd therefm-e we mufi wait till Bufinefes could be ripened In the mean time he wiflid m to ufe our Liberty temperately, and not withfuch open Offeitce and Scandal to the Government: Htfaidour Afcetings were too numerous, andfo (beftdes that they were agamft Law^ gave occafton to many clamorous People to come with complaints: tohim^ as if our deftgn was wholly to undermine the Church ■ and to fay Sir Thefe are they that you protect againft the Laws. He injlanccd in the folly of Farrinsdon'^r Vreachngmthe Play-Houfe : We told him wc all dtfliked the Mion, and that he had been Jorely rebuUd for affronting the Government under which we live, with fo much peace (but J forgot to difclam him.- ) He inflamed m one more, {hut with a Preface, that he had a great refpea for the Perfon, and hus Worth and Learnin?^ who draweth in aU the Couwrey round about to him,:; this PetfonisMr. Baxter of A&on ; he inflamed in him becaufeof a late Complaint jrom a Juftice of Peace, who had a mind to be nibling at him ' bnt feared ttwould he with the offence qf his Majefiy, we imagine Rofs to be the perfon.' I replyed That you went to the publick, did it in the interval, between Morning and Evening Service* beginning at Twelve. Tljat tbefirfl Intendment was for the benefit of your own Fanih-^at this great Company vas not invited by you, but intruded upon you; that it was hard to exclude thofe, who m Charity might be fuppofcd to come with a thirfi after the meam of Edification. I aliedged the general necejjity, and that Nonconformifls were not all of a piece, and if people of unfober principles in Religion wo'e permitted to preach, a neceffity lay npon us, to take the like liberty, that thofe who have invincible fcruplcs againft the publick way, may not be left as a prey to thofe who might leave bad imprcfjions upon them which would neither be fo fafe for Religion, nor the publick peace. To which His Maiefly reply d. That the riffle raffie of the people were not offuch Confideration, they being apt to run after every new Teacher; but people of Quality might be intreatcd to forbear to meet or at leafl not m f-.ch multitudes, left the publick Scandal t.iken thereby, mipht obftruCl h'is Intentions and Dcfigns for, our good : He feemed to be well enough plea fed whm I fu^r. gefled that our Sobriety of Doctrine, and tnedling only with weighty thi}igs\nd remembrance of I Am m our prayers, with refpea, ^reftrved an efteem of hvs Perfon and Govern-tnent m the Hearts of his people, and that poffibly people of another humour might feafon toemwith worfe InfuUons: Then Arlington pluck'd him by the Coat, as deCmng him to note It. Finally, I told him. That you would have waited upon him with us if you had not been under the Confinement of a Difeafe: Thvs vs the Sum, exprefs words I have not bound ny fc.f mto, only kept as near as I can remember: Since this our Addrefs hath been confM by the Cabinet Council, and .,p,phved; the Bufmefs was debated, whether itfkould be made publick, mofi were f,rr that Opinion, but the final refultwas, that we jhoitld be left at liberty to fpeak of it withfuch Rejlnaions as our Wifdom fhuld fumd Wc mti him privately in 7ny Lord Arlington'. Lodgings. I am now m very greathafle I muft abruptly take leave of you, with the profeffion that I am.

Sir, Yonr Faithful Brother and Servant. Some other things, when they come to mind, I will acquaint you mth. CoveHt-Cardtn, ttiis ; riday Morning.

37

§ S6. But

§S6. But the Minifter that offered this acknowledgment did neither publifh it, nov give out any Copies of it, I fuppofe left they ilioiild be tlionght to be thePerfons that were opening; the Door to a Toleration which fhoidd take in the Papifts : For ever fince the King himfclf publifhed a Declaration of his purpofe to give fuch a Liberty as they alfo fhould have their part iu, and by the Ob-fervationx)f all that palled before and fince, by-ftanders made this Eptome of their Evpeclions.

1. The Pj pills niiifl: have the Liberty of exerciling their Religion,

2. The State mull: notbe reproached by it, as intending PojTery.

3. TheBilliops miift have no hand in it, left they be taken to intend the fame, whidi fome of the People are already too apt to believe, efpecially fince they refu-fed Concord with the Minifteis, and are for their lilencing, and fo great feveri-ties againft them.

4. ThePapills muft not be feen in it themfelves, till they can be fure to carry it, left itftir up the Parliament and People againft them.

5. Therefore it muft be done by the Noncoiifornuits.

6. The Presbyterians are four and will nor.

7. The Independent Leaders are for the doing it, but they dare not fay fo, for fear of becoming odious with the Presbyterims, Parliament and People: (And they intend no good to the Papiftsby ic when they have done,but to ftrengtheii themfelves) Therefore they dare not appear in ji till the Presbyterians join with them.

8. When the fmart of the Presbyterians is greater, it-may be their Stomachs will come down : Who knoweth whether Extreiiiity Inay nT force them, rather todefirc apart in a common Liberty, th^n to fee others lave it while they lie in Goals.

9. At leaft when they wait and '..- : i.,. .,....= ... ■: - ;.ty, that which is givea to all others, will feem to be given chiefly in compaflion to them tl'.-.t were the sufferers^ aniibeir iSIecel'nries wi;i make it faid, that they were the Caufes.

10. And when it is granted, it is ealie to diftinguirn, &c. And the Presbyterians are the backwarder on thefetwo accounts,' i. When they are known to be . the moft adverfe to Popery, and to have made their Covenant, and oppcfed the • Biihops, &c. on that account, and Uifpect the Bifhops to deUgn again fuch a Confederacy as h'cylm defendeth and confeffeth, and to have promoted their fi-lencing to this end •, after all this to force thefe Sufferers to take on them the task and odium of procnrin? the Papift's Liberty, while they that would have it, cry out againft it, feeemeth to them fo intolerable an Injnry, that they cannot willingly fubmit to. 2. Becaufe if they had a part in a common Toler-.tion tliey believe it is very eafie to turn them out of it quickly, and leave the Papi.ls in, by fome Oath \\hichilrall bedigeftible by a Papift, and not by them (fuch as, the Oxford Oath, or fome others)

11. But cither they are miftaken in fome of thefc Conclulions, or elfe the Pa-pifts defire to have two Strings to their Bow, For Heylin (in Lmfs Life) and 7Wjf^;4? (m three late Books) do plainly tell the World, that one Bulinefs to be done is, to open the Door of the Church of Enghnd fo wide, by reconciling means, that the Papifts might be the eafilicr brought in to us, and may find-nothing to hinder the moderate fort from coming to our AlRmblies (!iy the Pope's confent) and foaii notes of piftinftion may fofarceafc. But one part of the Papifti themfelves are as hipjito.the Rifliops, as the Bi(hops to us j nothing but all will fcrve their turns: Whether they will have Wit enough to take lefs at the firlc, 1 hope yet the Wifdom of the Siipcriours will keep us from knowing by experience.

- ' But after all this, we were as before, and the talk of Liberty did but occafioa The writing many bitter Pamphlets againft Toleration : And among others, they have gathered out of mine , and other Mens Books all tiiat we had tiien faid a;ainlc Liberty for Popery, and for .Qiiakers railing againft the Minillers in the open Congregations, and this they applied now, as againlt a Toleration of. or.r felves-, becaufe the bare name of Toleration did ftem inthe People's Earsto ferve their turn, by fignifying the fame thing. And becaufe we had faid, that ■ Men Ibould not be tolerated to preach againft Jefiis Chrilt and the Scriptures,. thev would thence juftitic themfelves for not tolerating us to preach for Jefus Clirift, unlefs we would be dcliheracc Liars, and ufe all their Inventions. And

thofe

thofe fame Men, who when Commiflloned with us, to make fuch , iterations tnthe Liturgy as were necelfary tofithfie tender Coy!faence5~\dAdi maintain thaC«o alteration was neceff.iry to fjtisfie them , and did moreover contrary to all our importujiity, make fo man y new burdens of their own to be anew impofed on us , had no\v little to fay, but that they raufl: be obeyed, becaufe they are impofcd. Before the irapoling Laws were made, they could by no means be kept from mqking them, that when they were made, they might plead Law againit thofe that denied to ufe their Impofitions . Before the Law was made, they pleaded the Ceremonies and Formalities will be all duties when their is a Law made for them, Lrgo. a Law (hall be made not only for them, but for fwearing, unfwearing, fubfcribing, declaring all things impofcd to be fo true, and fo good, thatwealfcnt and confent to all: And when the Laws are made, then, O what Rebels are thefe that will not obey the Law ! Then they try out. If every Man fhall be Judge what is Lawftil, and fhall prefer his own Wit above tlie Law, what is become of Order and Government : • How inconfdtent are thefe Rebellious Principles with a Commonwealth, or any Rule or Peace. ] As if they knew not, that the fame words may be faid for obedience to the Laws about Religion under Lutherans Calvintfts^ Arrians^ Papifis^ Turks^ &c. And if Hobb''s Leviathan be not fet up a Magiflrate, that mufi: be Mafter of our Religion, what fignifieth 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 reaiba of all their Adions and violence, is like the Spider in the Fable, to make Webs with great Induftry to catch the Flies, and hang them in their way, and then to rccufe them of a mortal Crime for coming into their Webs: Or to make Nets to catch the Fiih, 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 Commiffioners before-mentioned, and their after Praftices.

§ 88. About this time, or before, came out a Book called J friendly debate between a Conformifi^ and Nonconformifl^ written (as was doubted) by Dr. Simon Fa-tricky which made much talk ^ and a fecond part after that- and a third pait, with an Appendix after that. He had before written a Book called the Pilgrim^ which with many laudable things, had fharply pleaded that Obedience muft enter the definition of Juftifying faith -^ and had cenfurcd tartly thofe that taught otherwife: And by this he incurred as 6arpa cenfure by many of the Nonconformifts : Some thought that this exafperated him j 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 w-ell e-nough eftccmed. But this Book was fo dif-ingenuous and virulent as caufed- mofl Religious People to abhor it for the ftrain and tendency, and probable Effefts. It cannot be denied, but that many godly, zealous Minifters are guilty of weaknefs of Judgment and expreffion, and that many miftakcs are 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 ferioufly Religious and Confcionable, are yet much weaker in Judgment and Language than the Minifters: (For if fudden Converfion and Repentance as foon as it hatli changed a Man's mind, and will, and life, in the matters which his Salvation lieth on, did alfo poffefs hi^ with all the exaclnefs of Notions and Langi'.age which Academicks attain to in many years Iludy, to what purpofe were Academies, and thofe Studies? And then it would be as miraculous a work as the firfl gift of Tongues.). This Learned Man having met with the". . weak paflages 9f fome Minifters (efpecially Mr. Bridge^znA feme of the then Inde- / pendent Party, who in an exceflTive oppofitionto ^c Arrrunians 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 unmeet ExprefTions of many well-meaning Women and unlearned private Men, e-fpecially that are inclined mofl: to Sclf-conceitedncfs, and unwarrantable fingularities and reparation, he bundleth up thefe, and bringeth them all forth in away of Dialogue between a Conformilt and a Nonconformift, in which he maketh the Noncon-formift fpeak as foolifhly as he had a mind to reprefent him,and only fuch filly things as he knew he could ealily Ihame. 'And while he pretendeth but to humble the Nonconformifts for over-valuing rhemfelves, and cenfuring others as ungodly and erroneous, and to Oiew them wh.it erroui-s and weakncfles arc among thcmfelves,

he

he fpeaketh to the Noncontbrmifts in general ( though acknowkclging f^>me faber Perfons to be among them) that whLh is nothing to the caufe ot Non-conformity- and laboureth to prove that the Religion of the Non-coufovmifts is fooHjh^ ridiculous, &c. As if be fhould have fought to prove the Religion of Chnjtians^ or Proteftants foolilh, becaufe there are ignorant perfons among them. And in-ftancing in .things that concern not Non-conformity, but Prayer, and Preaching, and Difcourfe of Religion, the Book did exceedingly fit the humours not only of the haters of the Non-conformifts, but alfo of allthe prophane defpil'eis and de-riders of ferious Godliuefs : So that it was greedily read by all that deiired matter of Contempt and Scorn againll both Non-conformity and Picry, aijd was greatly fitted to exafperate them to further Perfecutions, and to harden them in impenitency, who had already made fuch doleful havock in the Church. It was as fit an Engine to. dellroy Chriftian'Love on both fides, and to engage Men in thofc ways which Itiil more deftroy it, as any thing of long time hath been pub-lifhed. It is true, that in many things they were real weaknefTes which he detefted, and that he knew more himfelf than moft of thofe whomhe expofedto-fcorn : And it is true, that many of them by their ccnforioufnefs of the Couformifts, did too much iniligate fuch Men: But it is as true, that while Chrift's Flock coniiilech of weak "ones in their Earthly State of Imperfedtioa, and while his Church is an Hof-pital, and he the Phyfician of Souls, it ill becometh a Preacher of the Gofpel to teach the Enemies of Chrilt and Holinefs, to call all the reproach of the Difea-fcs upon the nature of Health, or on the Phyfician, or. to expofc Chrift's Family to fcorn for that weaknefs which he pittieth them for, and is about to cure • if he hadfirlt told us where we we might hnd a better fort of Men than thefe'faulty Chriltians," 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 weaknefTes, than his way of reprehending them. For my part I fpeak not out of partiality •, for he was pleafed to fingle me out for his Commendations, and to exempt me from the Accufations. But it made my Heart to grieve to perceive hov/ the Devil only was the gainer, whilft Trurh and Godliriefs was not only pretended by both parties, but really

intended. ,

§ 89. Yea it would have grieved the heart ot any fober Chriftian to ob-fcrve how dangeroully each party ofthe Extremes didiempt the other to impeni-tenitency and furtiier Sin i Even when the Land was all on a Flame, and we-were all in apparent danger of our ruin by ovV Sins and Enmities, the unhappy prelates began the Game, and cruelly caft out 1800 Minifters: and the people thereupon efteciiing them Wolves, and malignant profecutors, fled tiom them as the Sheep will do from Wolves, not conhdering, tliat notwith-ftanding their Perfonal Sin, they ftill (outwardly) profefled the fame Prote-ftant Religion; and when any Prclatift told the Sectaries (rf their former Sin (Rebellions or Divifions) they heard it as the woi ds of an Enemy, and were mere hardened in it againft P..epentar]cc 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 ^cpent: And on the other- Ijde, when the Prelatifts faw what Crim.es the Army-party of the ,Sedaries had before committed, which they aggravated from their, own Intereft, they noted alfo al the weaknellcs of judgment and Exprcfllon in Prayer, which they met with, not only in the weaker fort of Minifters, but of the very Women, and pnlearned People'alfo, and turned all this not only- to the reproocii of all the Seftaries, but (as their Pafli-on, Intereft, and Faftion led them) of all thii Non-conformifts alfo, of whom the far greateft part were much more innocent than themfclves.

§ 9c. And fo fubtil is Sat.n in ufing his Inftruments that by their wicked folly cryinaout inalicioully for repentance^ he hindered almoit all open Confeflion and Pro-feflion of repentance, on both fides. For thcfe ielf Exalters did make their own -Intcieil: and Opinions to pafs with them for the fure Expofitor of the Law of God and Man: And they that never truly underftood the old Difference between the Kin^and /'arliamcnt, did ftate the Crime according to their own Ihallow paffionate conceits, and then in every book cryed out. Repent^ Repent* Repent of dWyour Rebellions from firfl to laft •, you Fresbytcrjjns he^an the IVar^ and brought the Kin£s head to the block tko the Independents cut tt off: And as they put in Lies among fume truths, r . ' ' fo

Part iil. Kevcrend Mr. Kidurd Baxter.' ^t

fo the people thought they put in their Duties among their fins, when they called them to repent ^ And if a man had profelfed repentance fol- the one without the other, and had not meniioned all that they expected, and made his Confeflions according to their prefa-ipts, they would have cryed out, Ti-aytors, Traytors, and have pvclTed every word to be the Proclamation of another War ^ So that all their calling for repentance was but an ylmhufcade and Snare, and moft effeftually prohibited all open repentance, becaufe it would have been 1 reafon if it had not come up to their mofb unjuft meafnres ^ And all mm thought lilencc fafer with fuch men, than Confeflion of fm -. (And the icftaries were the more perfuaded that their fin was no fm) : And this occafioned the gr-eater obduration of their Enemies, who cryed nut None of them all repenteth, and therefore they arc ready to do the fame again •' And fothey juftifyed themfelvcs in all the Silencings, Coniinings, Imprifonments' &c. Which they intlifted on them, and all the odious reprefentations of them. § 91. But that great Lie that the Freshytcnans in the Englifh Parliament began the ■ War, is fuch as doth as much tempt men that know it, to qucftion all the Hifbory that ever was written in the World, as any thing that ever I heard fpoken : Reader, I will tell it thee to thy admiration. When the War was firit raifcd, there was but one Prafcyfernm known in all the Parliament j There was not one Presbyterian known among all the Lord Lieutonants whom the Parliameu*: Committed the /, Jli-tia to: There was not one Presbyterian known among all the General Officers of the Earl of Ejfex Army j nor one among all the Englifl] Colonels, Majors or Captains, that ever I could hear of fThere were two or three Iwearing "-'cots^ of whom Vrrey turned to the King : Wkat their opinion was I know not, nor is it confiderable). The truth is. Presbytery was not then known in England^ except among a few ftrdi-ous Scholars, nor well by them. But it was the moderate Ccnformifts and Epifco-pal Proteftants,' who had been long in Parliaments crying out of Innovation-, A) mi-nianifm, Popery, but fpecially of Monopolies^ illegal taxes, and the danger of Arbitrary Government, who now raifed the War againft the reft whom they took to be guilty of all thefe things : And a few Independents were among them, bv:t n^^ confi-derable Number. And yet thefe Conformifts never cry out [_Repent ye / pifcopal Con'ormifts-^ for it was you that began the War.~\ Much lefs [^Repentye . rmintan Croti-an^ innovcling prelates^ who ircre reducing us fo near Rome as Heylin in the Life ot Laud deferiheth •, for it was you that kindled the Fire^ and that fet your own party tJous agamji yoUj and made them wifh for an Epifcopacy doubly reformed 1 with better Bifhops 2 with lefs fecular power^ and fmaller Diocefles. J

§' 92. Some moderate worthy men did excellently well anAver this Book of Dr. Patrick?. •, 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. Fowles late Minifter at Thiflenorih printed an Anfwer, which fufficiently opened the faul-tinefs of what he wrote againft •, but wanting the Mafculine ftrength, and caute-loufnefs which was neceflary to deal with fuch an Adverfary, he was quickly anfwer-ed (by faftening on the weakeft parts) with new reproach and triumph ^ And the Author was doubly expofcd to futFering : For whereas he was fo neer Conformity as that he had taken the Oxford Oath, and read fome Common prayer, and thereiore by connivance was permitted to preach in SoMj/>Pj/ijri to an Hofpital, where he had 40/. per . nn. and was now in expectation of Liberty at a better place in Bridewell^ he was now deprived of that:, And yet had little relief fromjche Nonconformilts, becaufe he Conformed fo far as he did * : And having a numerous family was in great- * ^^ ^ftcr want. Contorm-

§ 93. The next year came out a far more virulent book called, Ecc'ejiaflical Fohcy^ written by Sa?n. Parker a young Man of pregnant parts, who had been brought up am.cng the Scftaries, aad feeing fome weaknedes among them, and being of an e:ii';cr 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 amongfr, and being now made Arch-Bifhop Sheldon's, houf-hold Chaplain, where fuch work was to be done, he writeth the moft fcornfally, and rafhly, and prophanely, and cruelly, againft the Nonconformifts, of any man that ever yet alfaulted them (that I have heard of:) And in a fluent fervent ingenious ftyleof Natural Rhetoric-k, poureth out floods of Odious reproaches, and (with in- , cautelous Extremities) faith as much to make them hated, and to ftir up the Parliament to deftroy them as he could well fpeald'' And all this was to play the old gamCj at once to pleafc the Devil, the Prelates and theprophane, and fo to cwift all three

4: " The L i F E of the Fart ill

into one party ^ than which if prelacy be of God, a grenter injury could not be done to it •, being the fureft tryed way to engage all the RtUgim^^ if not the Sober al-fo of the Laud againft it.

§ 93. Soon after, Dr. 7o/jM On-e;t firft tryed to have engaged me to anfwerit, by tehing me and others that I was the fittelt Man in England for that work (on what .'ccov.nt I now enquire not). But I had above all men been oft enough fearched in the malignant fire, and contended with tlicin with fo little thanks from the Independents (tho they could fay little againft it) thiit 1 refolved not to meddle with them any more, without a clearer call than this: And befides Patrick and that Party by excepting m.e from thofe whom they reproached (inrefpeft of Dodrine, difpo-fition and pradice) made me the unfitteft perfon to rife up againit them : Which if 1 had done, they that applauded me before, would foon have made me feem as odious almoftastlierefb : For they had fome at hand,that, in evil fpeaking, were fuch Mailers of Language, that they never wanted Matter^ nor Words^ but could fay what they lifted as voluminoufly as they defired.

§ 94. Whereupon Dr. Oxren anfwered it himfelf,felecl:ing the moft odious Dodri-iial Allertions, (with fome others) of Parkcfs book •, and laid them fo naked in the Judgment of all Readers that ever I met with, that they concluded Pi-jr^er could never a'nfwer it: Efpeclallybecaufe the Anfwer was delayed about a year. By which Dr. Owen\ efteem was much advanced with the Nonconformifts.

§ 95. But Parker covX-xWA to have his Anfwer ready againft the Seffions of the Parliament (inO^ot. 1670.) And ftiortly after it came cut: In which he doth with the moft voluminous torrent of naturall and malicious Rhetorick fpeak over the fame things which might have been Comprized in a few Sentences ^ viz.. The Nonconformifts^ Calvinifts^ Presbyterians.^ Hugonots.^ are the moft villanous unfufierable fort of fanft ified Fools, Knavesj 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 •, for the Conquering of the reft. But yet he putteth more Exceptions here of the Soberer, honell, peaceable fort (whom he loveth but pittyeth for the unhappinefs of their Education) and in particular fpeaketh kindly of me) than he had done before. For when he had before perfuaded men to fall upon the Minifters, and faid [\Vhat are an hundred men to be valued., in Comparifon of the fafety of the whole.'] When Dr. Owen and others commonly underftood him as meaning that there was but a 100 Nonconformable Minifters (when 1800 were filenced)he found out thisftiiftto abate both the Charge of malignant Cruelty, and Untruth, and (aith 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 frequently lay on the Nonconformifts (by that name.)

But the fecond part of the Matter of his book, was managed with more advantage ^ becaufe of all the Men in England Dr. Ov'cn was the Chief that had Headed the Independents in the Army with the grcateft height, and Confidence, and Ap-plaufe, and afterward had been the greater perfi^ader of Fkctwood^ Daborough end the reft of the Officers of the Army who were his (gathered Church., to Compel Aich. '7/'owwe//todinblvehisParliam.ent-, which being done, befell wi:h 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 Wcftern Kings, and telleth them that their work was to take down Civil and Eccleliaftical Tyranny, with fncli like, that the Dr. being neither able ro repent (hitherto) or to juftify all this muft be filent, or only plead the Art of Oblivion : And fo I fear his unfitnefsfor this Work was a general injury to the Nonconformifts. 4 § 96. And here I think I ought to give Pofterity notice, that by the Prelatift's malice, end unveafonable implacable Violence, Independency and Separation got greater advantages, againft Presbytery, and all fctled accidental cxtrinlick order and merns of Concoid, than ever it had in thcfe Kingdomsfincc the World began. For powerful and Godly Preachers (though now moft filenced) had in twenty years libc; ty brought fuch numbers to fciious Godlinefs, that it was vain for the Devil or his Servants to hope that fullering could make the moft forfake it. And to the Prclatifts . they would never turn, while they faw them for the fake of their own Wealth and lordlhips, and a few Forms and Cercmonic% filcnce fo many hundred worthy felf-denying Minifters, that had been Inftmments of their Good, and to become the Sou of the prophane malignant Enmity to the far greatcft part of the moft feiious Re^

Par'r 111| %everend Mi, Richard Baxter.

45

ligioiis People m Three Kingdoms. • And Presbyterians were forced to forbear all Exercife of their way ; tbey durff not meet together , Syncdically ) milefs in a Goail They could not rordinarily be the Pallors of Paiifh-Churches, no not for the p-iraie pait 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 moft part of them) obey, they were Ui\ to live privately as Ihll flying from a Goal, and to preach t» none but thofe that fought to them and thruft in upon then?. So that their Congregations were, throngh neceffity jufb oflndependent and Separating Shape, and outward Praftice, tliough not upon the fame Principles. And the common People (though pious) ixc fo apt to be led by outward palpable Appearances, that they forgot both former Principles and f'-d EtFefts and Prafxices (though fuch as one would think Ihould never have been forgotten, at leafl: by them who fuffered all thefe Confufions and Calamities as the Fruits •.; yea, more than fo, i. the Senfc of our common F;iultinefs • 2 and the neceffity of our prefent Concord- 3. and the hardineis of grating upon fiiftering Perfons: 4. and the reconciling nature of our common Sufferings: made us think It unfeafonable and finhd (though after ten Yeaj-s) to tell one another never fo gently ot our former Fauks, or to touch upon our dift^rcnt Principles ■ but 'twas thought belt to bury all.m filence, whilft the Fruits of them fpread more and leavened 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-mgtyed by Covenants, ftuck clofe to them, and the Presbyterians Affemblies (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 Biihops, Liturgies, Ceremonies, and Parifh-Communion, they agreed much better with the difpofition and paffions of moll of the Religious fufFermg People And thofcof us that were of another mind, and refiifed 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 Pottaee though we would not cat the Flefh. And a few fuch Words behind our backs* wrought more on the Minds of many, efpecially of the meaner and weaker fort ot' People, than many Volumes of Learned Argument: This weaknefs we cannot denv to their Accufers. ^

§ 99- But whoever be the Secl-Malters, it is notorious. That the Prelates (tho' not they only ) are the 5ed-niakers, by driving the poor People by violence and the vicioufnefs of too many of their Inftrumcnts, into thefe alienations and extreams • (though I confers that Men's guilt, in the Days of Liberty of Confcien-e mull lilencc both Mafters and Difciples from juftifyiug thcmfclves.) When I think of our Cafe, and thmk of Chriil's way of ullng Parables, I am inclined' to intcnx>fc a few. ^

§ 100. In the WcJl-IndieT^ the Natives make Bread of a Root wMch is noifon . till correfted, and tl^.cn it is tolerable Bread: The Europeans had a Controverfie with the Indians^ and another among themfelves: The Indiam faid That their Roots were the better, becaufe our Wheat confiftedof fo many fmall incoherent Grains, and was divilible even unto Atoms: To prove whiclv they did grind it to Flower on thcMiH, and then triumphing crycd, lee what Dull your Corn is come ^toj Ihe ChrtjiiMv faKi, that their Wheat was better than the/w^/Ws Roots as being more agre>r.blc to the Nature of Man • and that all thofe Atoms misht be'ce-menred by a skilful hand, and fermented into a wholfora Mafs, and baked into better Bread than theirs. On the other fide, in a Place and Year where Fmlifh Corn was W feme of the C/;r;yh-.^.did eat of the /«^/.« Bread ^ butthe reft maintained that It was unlawftil, becaufe the Root had poifoninit- and therefore thev would r,u..or live without. The other anfwered them, That the Poifon was eafilv fepa-' able from tnc reft, and a wholfome Bread made of it, though not fo good as ours

he Contention increafed, and the Rcfufcrs called the other Murderers as ner-^i.aamg Men to cat Poifon : And the other called them ignoran". »;Hf-Murderers who would famun themfelves and their Families. When the reviling and cenfure V.^.\ continued a while, the Famine grew^«> hot, that one half of the Refiifcredved an;! r>K le.t by pinching hunger and dear-bought Experience, were grft induced to

F f f f 2 try

try, and after to feed on the Indian Bread, to the prefervation of their Lives. But e'er long, the Enghjh Wheat profpered again ^ and then the Europeans fell into three Parties among themfelves. One Party joyned with the Induns^ and faid the Indian Bread is beft^ for that faved our Lives when the fw^/j/Zj failed us: Therefore it fhall be made Banifhment or Imprifonment to low or fpeak for the EngUjh (or European) Grain or Bread.

Another Party reviled thofe that drew their Fathers to ea't Indian Bread, and laid, fhall we be befooled, and go againft our Nature, and our common Senfes, our Tafte, our experience of Strength and Vivacity ? Do we not fee that the Englijh is beft ? 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 belt, which we never denyed j 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 Praftice. And we will do the like in the like cafe of necefTity. Yea, though it grieveth us to be put to it by our own Countrey-men, we will rather eat now the Ind.an Bread, than be familhcd by Banifhment, or in a Prifon. How this Cohtroverfie will end, time will fhew : But every fide harh fo learned Men, that it's never like to end by Dif-puting^ for every one can fhame his Adverfary's 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.

§ loi. The like Controveriic fell cut in the /ni-x whether v^^f ot Horfa were to be preferred, as fittefl for Man's nfe. The Jn'tms faid j4(fes^ becaufe it had been their Countreys ufe ^ and tiorfcs were fo "uruly, ihat trey would run away with the Rider, and caft their Burdens, to the c;iager of Men's Lives. The Europeans laid, the ho^fcs might be fo ufed, as to be more tame, and fo made far more ufeful than the ^res ^ and fome little inconveniencles and perils mull be endured for a greater good. At laft, all the £;(»'ope.m - wyei dyed ^ and then the £n^^/<y7j fell into Difference, whether it were lawful to ride on ^^es: Some faid no, and aggravated their bafencfs: Some faid yea, when we can have no better. But when the Land was again llored with lurote.m Horfes^ the En^ ifhkW into juft fuch a Difference as before. Some would have all the Enghpo Horfcs kill'd, and thofe banifhed or im-prifrned that would ufe them: And they faid. Do we not fee by^ long experience, that Colts cannot be tamed, nor made traftable, 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 fell by them, were on this fide. Others faid, it was not lawfiil to ufe an Afs, but yet they would have none denyed liberty herein, fave only that the Boys that fee him, fhould have leave to hoot. The third fort prefeiTcd Horfes, but yet would have every Man have liberty to ufe a Horfc or an Afs as he pleafed, and none to have liberty to hoot at them, or openly deride them on either fide. The Matter came . before the Judges. The firll fort confeffcd, that Horfci made a fairer fhew, but that was their Hypocrilie j and that they went fvviflier, but it was to the Rider's overthrow,: And faid, what need you more than all our Experience ^ when all we have been call by them, tcrthc hazard of our Lives: And we only are the King's belt Subje(^s, and tiierefore by calling us you would dcpofe the King, and whatever you pretend, you are Traytors, and this lyeth at the bottom. For no Sub-jeds, ho King •, and if we mull ride on Horfes, we fhall be no Subjects long. And to have fome ufe Horfes and fome Alfcs, will breed Fadlions and endlefs Divifions amongll us; and what a ridiculous Monfter will it make the Kingdom? They that ufe Horfes will Itiil be deriding them that ride on Affcs, circ. The other anfwered them I, That the main caufe of their misfortunes came from their own unskilful-nef^, and difiifc, who had nor Patience to learn to vide, nor Humility to confefs their an'^'-ilfulnefs. And that it were better for the Kingdom, that thofe that have more skill to tame Coirs, and ride Hoi fes, were fufi-l-rcd to furnilh the King and Kingdom with that nobler Breed, than to diilionour it, and wrong fo inai:y, to fervei I he ignorance or fluggifiinefs of fome.

The', i

.1

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 all our paft Experience warn you ? Will you yet be guilty of thofe Men's Blood''II The judge anfwered. It will be but the Rider's, and none of yours: Why pretend you to be more careful of their Lives, than they arc of their own •, even when you would have them Imprifoned or Banifhed ? So it came to the Tryal , but the Accufers would needs clioofe the Horfes j and they chofe none for the Tryal but unbroken Colts. The other only defired, that either they might have time to break thcfe Colts firft, at their own peril, or elfe might be tryedwithfuch as they themfelves had broken. But the other crycd 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 fatisfie them, if you granted their Ddires. 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 futFered in a peaceable Conimon-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 Itrangely 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 thofc that came too near them, and Itrove a httle againft the Bit.

This Experience had like to have carried it for Horfes; for the Judge faid, I fee nov' it is but the Accufers fault, that they have fped worfe. And the Defendents faid, Wc confefs, my Lord, that Colts are Colts, and muft have labour, and alfo that fome Horfes are too hot mettled, and we arc contented that you lay by thofe few, if they prove untameable j but not to banilh all Horfes, and their Riders for their fakes.

This Motion feemed reafcnable to fome, and 1 am perfuaded it had prevailed, but for two unhappy Arguments at the laft. i. Said the Accufers, my Lord, you fee that thefe Horfes, even the beflr ridden of them all, areFaftious: They make a difference between the King's Subjefts^ they will be jailed indeed, but it is only by thefe Fellows that are ufed to them ^ they would quickly caft Vs off, if we fhould 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 skilfiil Riders, as any are in the World, that have been call by Horfes. And moreover, it appeareth. That Nature never made them for Man's ufe -^ for they have not their Gentlenefs as the yljfes have by nature^ but only by much force and ufe: And who knoweth not forced things will quickly return like an unftringed Bow, to their natural ftate, which here is nothing but unruly fiercenefs. Andbefides, when in all Ages, it muft 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 banilh them not, you are not C.tfitf'i 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 Defendent's Mouths. For though they whifpered among themfelves, i. That the main fault was in the Riders, that Ihould have better tamed that Horfe for the Emperor. 2. And • that a Man in v,-hite was fecn 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/r//%-Men frighted him with Guns and Fire-balls, 'till he was not himfelf. 4. That it v/as an extraordinary fierce natur'd Horfe. 5. The Accufers themfelves were the _< unskilful Riders who firft fpoiled them. 6. That irt hath been revenged already by the Blood of many, who had the laft Hand iy fpoiling the Horfe. 7, That they abhor the Thoughts of the Action, as well as the Accufers-, and arc content, that as fti'i<ft Laws be made as may be, for skilful Riders, and tor a carefiil choice for . the King's own Saddle] with more fuch like ^ yet this was fo tender a Point, that very few of th.e Defendents durft fpeak out j and fo

And

«

And here alio the defendents lift into differences ainon;; rhemfeives ^ whcii the point of necelTity, fomc that Tiad pleaded moil for Hovfes, would make vile of Aires rather than none : And otliers for it.^ called them Turn-Caats , and the Servants of Tyranny. But how the Contioverlie is like to end, I toldyott before. 'J

1 h^ve but one word to fay, for expounding my Parable, that by H6rfi$ ■ 1 do not mean Non-conformilts, (anlefs as any of them fall under another Genu;. It is ferious. Religious Pcrfons that I mean, who are fcorned as Puritans, Zealots, and Precilians, becaufe they fet not as light by Heaven as others, and will go further in Religion than dead Formality, and Imagery.

§ I02. But I mull return and fay fjmething of my own affairs: Whilll I lived at JHon^ as long as the Acl againll Conventicles was in force, thougb 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 fuffering themfelves, but e-' fpccially becaufe they were an ignorant poor People, and had no Appetite to Hich* things. But when the Aft was expired, there came fo many that \ wanted! room;-and when once they had come and heard, they afterward came conllant-l)f. Infomuch that in a little time there was a great number of them that feemed very ferinudy affefted with the things they heard, and almoll all the Town and Parifh, befides abundance from. Brainford^ and the Neighbour Parifhes came : And And I know not .of three in the Parilh that were Advcrfaries to us or our Endeavours, or wilhtus III.

§ 103. Experience here convinced me that the Independent feparating rigour is not the way to do the People good. After Dr. Feat:y, Mr. Nj/e^ and Mr. Elford, two abte Independents ted been the ferled Minifters at y^ Bon ^ and when I was there, there remained but two Women in all the Town, and Parifh, whom they had admitted to the Sacrament (wheixof 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 rell.) This rigour made the People think hardly of them-, and I found that the uncharitable conceit, that the Pa* rilhes are worfe than they are, doth tend to make thefn as bad as they are thought. I am fure there were many that fpake to me like ferious Chriftjans, of the poorer fort, and few that were fcandalous, and many I could comfortably have Comm.unicated with. And when Threatnings increafed, they continued flill to hear with diligence, fo that my Rooms would not contain them. And had I continued there longer, I fhculd have hoped by thofe beginnings, that experience might convince Men, that Parilh-Churches may confift of capable niaterials.

§104. The Parfon of the Parifh was Dr. Rtvc^ Dean of If V«^or,'Dean of IVi'lverhampton^ Parfon of K//t'/t>', and of y?(f?o«,Chaplain in ordinary to the King,-&c. His Curate was a weak, dull young Man, that fpent moll of his time in Ale-houfcs, and read a few dry Sentences to th"? People, but once a day. But yet becaufe he preached true Dodtrine, and I had no better to hear, I con-llantly heard him when he preached, and went to the beginning of the Common Prayer; and my Houfc .fatcing the Church-Door, within hearing of it,' thofe that heard me before, went with me to the Church-, fcarce three that I. know of in the Parifh rcfufing, and when I preached after thcpublickExercife, they went out of the Church into my Houfe. It pleafcd the Dr. and Parfon that 1 came to Church, ^nnd brought othei-s with me: But h.c 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 wc lived in feeming Love and Peace fwhile he was there) yet he could not long endure it. And wlien 1 had brought the People to Church to hear him, he would fall upon them with groundlcfs Reproache:-., as if he had done '- ■ r.rpcfcly to diivc them away, and yet thought that my preaching to them, ' » >- aifcitwas in a Houfc, did all the mifchief, though he never acciifed nic of a-• iiy thing that I fpake.' For I •preacticd nothing but Chriflianitv and SubmifTion to or.r Sujjcriours; Faith Repentance, Hope, Love, Humility, Self-dtnial, ISlesk-iicfs. Patience, and Obcdicncfh, ■

§:io5. But he was tlic .more offended l)ccaufe I came not to the Sacrament vvith him. Though I communicatedTn the other parifh-Churches at Jiondon^ .nnd el few here.; 1 was loth to offend him by giving him the Reafon ; which was iiwl he being ccmmoilly reputed a Swearer, a Curfe^ a RaiJcr, &c. in thofe

tender

i

tender times it would have been fo great an offence to the Congregational Brethren if 1 had Communicated with him (and perhaps have haftened their fufferings who durft not do the fame) tliat I thought it would- do more harm than good.

§ 106. The laftyearof my abode at .3<7o«, I had the happincfs of a Neighbour whom I cannot eatily praife above his worth: Which was Sir Mat. Hale Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer^ whom all the Judges and Lawyers of £Mg-/.TO<^ admired for his skill in Law, and for his julHce, and Scholars honoured for his Learning, and I highly valued for his fincerity, mortification, fclf-dcnyal, humility, conlcientioufnefs and his clofe fidelity in friendlhip. When he came firlt to Town, 1 came not near' him left being a filcnced and fuipedled pcrfon (with his Superiors) I fliould draw him alfo under fufpicion, and do him wrong: Till I had notice round about of his deilve of my Acquaintance ^ And I fcarce ever converfed fo profitably with any other pei--fon in my Life. * * i have

§ 107. He was a Man of no quick utterance, but often hefitant; but fpake with fmce wric-great reafon. He was mofl: preciicly jult •, infomiich as I believe he would have loft ^^'^ "^5f all that he had in the World rather than do an unjuft Ad : Patient in hearing the ^[^"j'-,,^; ^* tedioufeft fpcech which any Man had to make for himfclf! The pillar of Juftice, the ° Reftige of the fubject who feared Oppreflion, and one of the greateft Honours of his Majeftie's Government: For with fome more upright Judges, he upheld the honour of the Enghfh Nation, that it fell not into the reproach of Arbitrarinefs, Cruelty and utter Confufion. Every Man that had a jnft caufe was almolt palt fear, if they could but brmg it to the Court or Aflize where he was Judge (for the other Judges feldom contradicted him.) He was the great Inltrument for rebuilding London: For when an Aft was made for deciding all Controverfies that hindered it ; it was he that was the conftant Judge, who, for nothing followed the work, and by his Fnidence and Juftice removed a multitude of great Impediments. His great advantage for in-nocency was that he was no Lover of Riches or of Grandeur, His Garb was too plain ^ He ftudiouQy avoided all unnecelFary familiarity with great perfons, and all that manner of Living which fignifyeth Wealth and Greatnefs. He kept no greater a family, than my felf. I lived in a fmall houfe, which for a pleafant back-fide he had a mind of : But caafed a ftranger (that he might not be fafpefted to be the Man) to know of me whether I were willing to part with it, before he would meddle with it; In that houfe he livcth contentedly, without any pomp, and without coftly or trou-blefome retinue or vifitors ^ but not without Charity to the poor : He continueth the ftudy of Phyficks and Mathematicks Hill as his great delight: Me hath himfelf written four Volumes in Folio (three of which I have read) againft Atheifm, Saddu-ceifm and Infidelity, to prove firlt the Deity and then the immortality of Man's Soul, and then the truth of Chriftianity and the holy Scripture, anfwering the Infidels Objeclions againft Scripture ; It is ftrong and mafculinc, only toO tedious for impatient Readers: He faith, he wrote it only at vacant hours in his Circuits to regulate his mcditiitions, finding that while he wrote down what lie thought on, his thoughts were the cafilyer kept clofe to work, and kept in 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 publifhing it.

The Conference which I had frequently with him, (moftly about the immortality of the Soul, and other Foundation points, andPhilofophical) wasfo edifying, that his very Qiieftions and Objections did help me to more hght than other mens foluti-ons. Thofe that take no Men for Religious who frequent not private Meetings, &c. took him for an Excellently righteous moral Man: But t that have heard and read his ferious Expreffions of the Concernments of Eternity, and feen his Love to all good Men, and the blamlefsnefs of his Life, &c. thought better of his Piety than of mine own. When the People crowded in and but of my Houfe to hear, he openly fhewed mc fo great rcfpeft before them at the Door, and never fpake a word againft it, as was no fraall encouragement to the Common People to go on-, though the other fort muttered that a Judge Ihould feem fo far to countenance that which they took to be againft the Law. He was a great Lamenter of the Extremities of the Times; and the violence and foolifhnefs of the predominant Clergy, and a great defirer of fuch abatements as might reftore us all to fervice-ablencfs and Unity. He had got but a very fmall Eftate ( though he had long the greatefl: Prafticc •, ) becaufe he would take but little Money, and undertake no morebufinefs than he could wcil difpatch. He often offered to the Lord Chancellor to refign his place, when he was blamed for doing that wlucli he fuppofed w'as

Juftice.

JbeLiFtolWe Paitlil

juilice. He had beeathe Learned Seldenh intimate friend, and one of his Executors: And becaiife the Hohb'ums and other Infidels would have perluaded the World that Sel-den was of their mind ^ 1 defn-ed him to tell me truth therein : And he afTured me that SeldcH was an earnell ProfelTor of the Chriltian Faith, and lb angry an Adverfa-ry to Hobbs that he hath rated him out of the Room.

§ 1 oS.This year 1669 theLord Mayof of Londonvi-a Sivlf^IliamTurner^a. Man Conformable, and fuppofed to be for Prelacy -^ but in his Government, he never dilturbed the Nonconformable Preachers, nor troubled men for their Religion •, And he fo much denyed his own gain, and fought the Common good and punifhed vice, and promoted the rebuilding of the City, that I never heard nor read of any Lord Mayor who was fo much honoured and beloved of the City : Infomr.ch that at the End of his year, theychofe him again and would have heai'd of no other, but that he abfolutely refufed it, partly as being an ufual thing, and partly (as was faidj be-caufe of a Mellage from his fuperiours : For the Bifhops and Courtiers who took hira for their own, were mofl difpleafed with him.

§ 109. The liberty which was tukeu by the Nonconformifts in London^ by reafon of the plague, the fire, the connivance of the King, and the refolved quietnels of the Lord Mayor, did fet fo many Preachers through the Land (as is faidj on the fame work, that in Likelyhood many thoufand Souis are the better for it ^ And the predominant Prelates murmured and feared : For they had obferved that when fcri-ous Godlinefs goeth up, they go down. So that they beltirred themfelves diligently to fave themfelves and the Church of England from this dreaded danger.

§ 110. At this time our Parfon Dean Rive got this following advantage againlt me ('As I had it from his own mouth j. At Wolverhampton in Staffordjhirc where he was Dean, were abundant of Papifts, and Violent Formalifts : Amongft whom was one Brif/irdle an Apothecary, who in Conference with Mr. Reignolds fan able Preacher there filenced and turned out j by his bitter words tempted him into lb much in:iifcretionas to fay that Qthe Nonconformifts were not fo contemptible for Number and Qiiality as he made them, that molt of the people were of their mind, that Cromircl tho an Ufuvper had kept up England againfl the Dutch, &c. And that he marvelled that he would be fo hot again ft private Meetings, when ac >-'<7o« the Dean fuiFcred them at the next door.] With this advantage BrafgWdk writeth all this greatly aggravated to the Dean. The Dean haftens away with it to the King as if it were the difcovery of a Trcafon. Mr. Reignolds is queftioned, but the Ju-flicesof the Country to whom it was refencd, upon hearing of the bufinefs,found meer imprudeiice heightened to a Crime, and fo '-elealed liim : Br.t before this could be done, the King exafperatcd by the name of Crommll and other unadvifed words, as the Dean told me, bid him go to the Bilhop of London from him, and him fo to the fupprelTion of my Meeting (which was reprefented to him aifo as much greater than it wasj whereupon two Jultices were chofen for their turn to do it : One Rofs^ of Brainford^ a 5cot„ before-named, and one Phillips^ a Steward of the A. Bilhop of Canterbury.

§ 111 Hereupon ^o/iand Thilips fend a Warrant to the Conftableto appreliend inc a;:J bring me before them to Frainford. WMien I came, they Ihut out all perfons from the Room, and would "not give leave for any one perfon, no not their own Clerk or Servant, or the Conftable to hear a Word that was laid between us. Then told mc that 1 was convift of keeping Conventicles contrary to Law, and fo they would tender mc the Oxford Oath. I defired my Accufers might come Face to Face, and that 1 might fee and fpeak with the Witneiles that trflified that 1 kept Conventicles contrary to the Law ^ which I denied, as far as I underftood Law •, but they would not grant it. I prelfcd that I might fpeak in fhe hearing of fome Witncflcs, and not in fccrcr ^ for I fuppofed that they were my Judges, and that their prefence and bufinefs made the place a place of Judicature, where none Iliould be excluded, or at lea.t fome Ihould be admitted. But I could not previil: Had Irefolv^edon filencc, they were refolved to proceed, and 1 tlionght a Clniftian Ihould rather fubmit to violence, and give place to Injuries, tlian ftand upon his right, when it will give others occaiion to account him obfti-nate. I asked them vVhether I might freely fpeak for my felf, and they faid yea, but when V bc?antu fpeak, ftill 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/"oyi told me what he had fuffered by the War, (who, it's fiid was but a poor Boy, and after a Schoolmafter) and I'hiUips having but one

Leg,

Fair lU. %everend Mr. Richard Baxter. ' ^'^

Leg, told me he had loft his Leg by the Wars • and I thought then there was no remedy, but Preachers mull be lilenced, and live in Goals'. But with niuch importunity 1 got them once to hear me, while I told them why I took not aiy 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 thcAcl: But all theAnfwer I could get, was, Tkn tbty were fxthjicd of rrhat they did.And whcn,am.ong other rea-ibningsagainft their courfe, I told them 1 thought Chrift's Minifters had in many Ages been Men eiteemed, and ufed as we how arc, and their Affliclers have in-fulted over them, the Providence of God hath ftill fo ordered it, that the Names and Memory of their Silencers and AOliders have been left to Pofterity for a Reproach, infomuchthat I wondered that they that fear not God, and care not for their own, or the People's Souls, fliould yet be fo careleft of their fame when Honour feemeth fo great a matter with them. To which/?o/} anfweicd, that he defired no greater Honour to his Name, than that it fliould be rcmembred of him that he did this againfi; me,and fuch as I, which he <vas doing. Then they asked me whether 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 I would take it. I told them it muft be taken with uuder-ftauding, and I did not underftand 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 [_! rvtU not at any time endeavour any alteration cfGojernment in the ClMtch'} was not Ipfany 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; i^o/ifirft faid, that before it was fettled it was But

better bethinking hinifelf, faid. Yea : 1 told him the King once gave me a Com-miflion 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 Ihould 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 Hofs only laught and derided me, as fpeaking a ridiculous fup-pofition, aad faid, that could not be the Sence. I told him, that then he mull confefs the Error of his Rule, and that the Oath is not to be underftood, according to the proper meaning and ufc of thofe Words. And I bad them take notice that 1 had not refiifed their Oath, but defired an explication of it, which they refufed to give, (though I had reafon enough to refolve me not to take it, however they that were not the makers of the Law, (hould have expounded it.) And fo Phillips prefently wrote my Mittimus^ as foUoweth^

§ 112, To the Keeper of his Majefty's Goal commonly called the Nexo-Trifon in

Cl&rkenrvell.

Middlefex. "XTXjHoreas it hath been proved unto us, upon Oath, that Richard V V Baxter, Clerh^hath taken upon him to Preach in an unlawful Af-femby. Conventicle, o • Meeting, under colour or pretence of Exercife of Religion, contrary to the Lams and Statutes of this Kingdom, at Afton, where he now liveth (in the faid County) not having taken and fubfcribed the Oath by ji[i of Parliament, in that cafe appointed to be betaken. Jnd whereas we having tender'd to him the Oath and Declaration appointed to be taken by fuch as fhall offend againft the faid Ail, which he hattj refufed to take, we therefore find you herewith the Body of the faid Richard Baxter ftraitly charging and comtnanding you in his Majejly's Name to receive him the faid Richard Baxter into his Afajcjlfs fiid Prifon, and him there fafely to keep 'for fix Months without Bail or M'ainpriz.c. And hereof you are not to fail at your Peril. Given at Brentford the Eleventh of June, m the one and twentieth year of tht Reign of our Sovereign

Lord Charles tht Second^.'

J. Philips. Tho.Rofs.

Gggg s x^r

^.§o \, Ihe L I FE.ojibe Part III -~>i-j— . — ' — —

■.~ §113- Heie it is to be,,noted that the Att agaiail Coaveiiticles w.ii long ago

expired^ that I was never Convict of a Cojiventicle while that Law was in" force, nor fince: that the Oxford Att fappofeth.; jbc Convift of a Conventicle ^ and doth not enable them to Convicf me, without another Law; That really they had none but iJo/i's Man to witnefs that 1 preached, who crept in but the Lord's Day before, and heard me only preach on this Text. Mat. 5. £lejfedare the meek^ for they /hall inhtrit the Earth'} prelfeth efpecially Quietnefs and Patience towards our Governours, and denying all turbulent, unpeaceable, and feditious difpofiti-ons and nraftices.

§ 114. They would have given me leave to ftay till A4onday before I went to Goal, if I would promife them not to preach the next Lord's Day, which I denied to promife, and lb went away the next Morning.

§ 115: This was made a heinous Crime againfi: me at the Court, and alfo it was faid by the — 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 : So that the difference was made by the people, and not by me. If they come more at lafl than at firit, before they had ever- heard me, that fignified no change in me. But thus mull v/e be judged of, where we are abfent, and our Adverfa-ries prefentj and there are many to fpeak againft us what they pleafe, and we are banifhed from City and Corporations, and cannot fpeak tor our felves.

S iid. The whole Town of A&onvitrt greatly exafperated againft the Dean, when I was going to Prifon^ infomuch as ever fince they abhor h-m as a felfifh Perfe-aitor : Nor could he devife to do more to hinder thefuccefsof Lib(reldom) Preaching there: But it was his own choice. Let them hate mc, fo they fear me: And fo I finally left that Place, being grieved moft that Satan had i>revailed to ftop the poor People in fuch hopeful beginnings of a common Reformation, and that ! 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 Warrant for my appearance.

§ 117.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. And fo I vvent 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 being treafonable, he was fain to acquaint the King writh it: And when he fav/ 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 Bifhop of London to fee it fuppreft. I told him that I came not now to expoftulate or exprcfs any Ofi'ence , but to endeavour that we might part in Love. And that I had taken that way for his afllftancc, and his People'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 fiiew. 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 dcfired nothing of him, but to do his People good, and to guide them faithfully, as might tendtotheir Salvation, and his ov.n, and fo wc parted.

§118, As I went to Prifon I called of Serjeant fountain^ my fpccial Friend, to take His Advice (for I would not be fo injurious to Judge ^/(t/c) And he perufed my Jl.ittimus^ and in fliort advifcd me to leek for a Jzfjbeas Corpus^ yet not in the vfiial Court (the King's-Bench ) for rcafons known to all that know the Judges, nor yet in the Exchequer, left his Kindncfs to mc ihould be an Injury to Judge/v'-j/c, andfo to the Kingdom (and tlie Power of that Court therein is que-ftioncd) but at the Common-Pleas, which he faid might grant it, though it be not

ufual.

§119. But my grcateft doubt was whether the King would not take it ill, that I rather fought to the Law than unto him i^ or if 1 fought any releafe rather than continued in Prifon. My Imprifonmcnt v;as at pre fent no great Suffering to me, for I had an honeft Jay lor, who fhevved me all the Kindncfs he could:, I had a large room, and the liberty of walking in a fair Garden ^ and my Wife was never fo chearful a Companion to me as in Prifon, and was very much againft my fccking to be releafcd, and (lie had brought fo many Neceffaries, that we kept

Houfe

Houie as contciuedl> and comfortably as at home, though in a narrower room,

aad I had the lip,ht of more of my Friends in a day, than ^ I had at home in half

a Year : And r knew that if I got out againfl: their Will, my fufFerings would ■

be never the nearer to an cud. But yet on the other fide, i. It was in the e.Ktream-

eit heat of Summer, when io«a'p« was wont to have Epidemical difcafes: And the

hope of myniying inPrifonI have reafon to think, was one great iriaucement to

fome of the Inn:ruments,to move to what they did.2. AnS my Chamber being over the

Gate, which was knockt and opened with noife of Prifoners jufl: under me alniolt

every Night, I had little hope of flceping but by day, which would have been

likely to have quickly broken my ftrength, which was fo little, as that I did but

live. 3. And the number of Vifiters 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 Confiderations, the advice of fome was, that I (hoiild Petition the King, but to that I was averfe, i. Becaufe I was indifferent almoft wiiether I came out or not •, and I was loth either to feem more afflifted or impatient than 1 was or to beg for nothing. 2. I had avoided the Court, and the Converfe of all' great Men fo m:iny years on purpofe, that I was loth to creep to them now for nothing. 3. And I expefted but to be put upon fome promifc Which I could not make, or to be rejecied. 4. I had fo many great Men at Court who had profell extraordinai7 Kindnefs to me, (tho' 1 was never beholden to one Man of them all for more tlian Words) that I knew if it were to be done, they w«uld do it without myfeeking.- And my Coiinfellor, Serjeant Fo««to"M,advifed menot to feck to them, nor yet refufc their Favour if they offered it, but to be wholly padive as to the Court: but to fcek my Freedom by Law, becaufe of my great weak-ncfs, and the probability of future Peril to my Life. And this Counfel I followed.

§ 120. The Earl of Orery I heard, did earnefty and fpecdily fpeak to the King how much my Imprifonment was to his dis-fervice. The Earl of Manche-fier could do little,but by the Lord Jrlingtdn^who with the Duke oiBuckingham fcerh" ed much concerned in it: But the Earl of Lauderdale^ fwho would have been for-wardeft had he known the King's tpind to be otherwifej 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 offenfled, and faid, 1 was chofen out defignedly to make them all odious to the People. But ^/jjt/ ^^ Sir lohn Bahor often vifiting me, alTured me. That he had fpokento the King about -/i

It anJ^w^cn all had done their bell) he was not willing to be feen to relaxe the i,aw and difcouragc Juftices in executing it, ^c. but he would not be offended if I fought my Remedy at Law fwhich moll thought would come to nothing.)

§ 121.' Whilll I was thus unrefolved vvnich way to take, Sir John Babcr de-ftriu' a Narrative of my Cafe, I gave him one, which he fhewed the Lord Arlington; which I will here infert, and I will joyn with it two other Scripts, one which I gave as Reafons to prove. That the Aft againfl Conventicles forbad not my Preaching: Another which I gave all my Counfellors when they were to plead my Caufe about the Error of the 5WJtr«>wHf.

§ 122. The Naruthc of my Cafe.

t

The Oath cannot be impofed on me by the Act.

Firfi^ Becaufe I never kept any Conventicle of Unlawful AQembly proved.

1. By'Convcnticles and Unlawful AITemblics for Religious Exercifes, the Laws do . mean only the Meetings of Recufaats, Separatifts, or fuch as Communicate not with the Church of England^ or fuch AflTemblies as arc held in oppofition to the Ghurch-Alfemblies, and not fuch as are held only by the Conformable Members of the Church, in meer Subordination to the Church-AiTemblics, to promote them But all Meetings whidi 1 have held arc only of this latter fort,

G g g g i Ta;

The former Propofition is thus proved.

1. The Canons give the Senfeof the Word C Conventicles^ (for it is a Chnrch-Term, about Churthr Matters.) But the Canons mention but two forts of Conventicles, one of Presbyters, when they meet to make Orders or Canons for Church-Difcipline •, the other of People who meet under the Profeffion of bdng a Churclj' diliind froM the Church of'£wg/^«^i f and neither of thefe is my Cafe, j ;

2, The Statute of the 35 oi El'n. expoundeth it accordingly^ charging none of Unlawfhl Afl'embling, 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 Minifters to keep many Religious' AITcmblies, which are not in the Church, being but Subordinate,as i. At the Vifi-tation of the Sick, where no numbers of Neighbours are prohibited to be prefent: Sermons at the Sftttk^ Sturbridge-fair, &c.

2. At private Baptifms,

3. At private Communions, where any Family hath an impotent Perfon thatcaa-not Communicate at Church.

4. At the Rogation Perambulations, where it was ufual to Fcaft at Houfes in their way, and there for the Miniftcr to inflruc\; the People, and to Pray, and ling Plalms.

5. The Laborious fort of Conformable Minifters, have many of them ufed to repeat their Sei mons to all that would Aflemble at their Houfes: Which Repeating was as truly Preaching, as if they had Preached the fame Sermon in feveral Pulpits.Thcre-fore all Meetings, bcfides Churcb-Mectings, are not Conventicles, nor thofcthat are in Subordination to them.

5. Even the late Expired Aft againfl Conventicles, forblddeth no Religious Excr-cifes, but {i.ich as arc otherwife than the Liturgy or Praftice of the Church ^ and di-{tinguifliing exprefly between the Exercifes and the Numbers^ doth forbid no number, whcH the Exercifes are not otherwife, as aforefaid, tolerating even unlawful Exercifes to the number of Four, but not to more.

The Second Propofition C That my Meeting§.were never Unlawfiil Conventicles] is proved.

i\ I do conftantly joyn with the Church in Common Prayer^ and go at tiic beginning. 2. I Communicate in the Lord's Supper with the Chutch of England. 3. I am no Nonconformift in the Senfe of the Law, becaufe I Conform as far as the Law requircth me (having been in no Eeclcfiaftical Promotion, May i. 1662. tht Law rcquirctli me not to uibfcribe, declare, drc. till 1 take a Cure or Lcfture, &c.

4. I fomctimcs repeat, to the Hearers, the Sermon v.'hich I heard in the Church.

5. 1 exhort tlic People to Church-Communion, and urge tlicm with fufficicnt Arguments, and Preach ordinarily againft Separation, and Schifm, and Sedition, and Difloyalty. 6. I have commanded my Servant to keep my Doors (hut at the time of Publick Worfhip, that none may be in my Houfe that while. 7, 1 go into the Church from my Houfe, in the Peoples figlit, that my Example, as well as my Doftrinc, may pcrfuade them. 8. In all this, I fo far prevail, that the l*3eighbours who hear me, do commonly go to Clnirch, even to the Common-rr.iyir :, and 1 know not three, or two of all the Parifh, that ufe to come to me, who rcfufc it:, which fucccfs doth (hew, what it is 1 do. 9. 1 have long offered the Paftor of the Parifh (the Dean of W^/W/or) that if he would but tell me, that it is his judgment, that I hinder his Succcfs, or the People's Good, rather than help it, 1 will remove out of the Parifh, which he never yet hath done. 10. I liave the Now-Arch-Bifhop's Licenfc ( not rcverfcd, nor difabled) to Breach in the Diocefs of London^ which I may do by Law if I h;id a Church. And 1 offered the I")can to give over my Meetings in my Houfe, if he would permit me ro Preach (without Hire) fomctimcs occafionally in his Church, which I am not dilabltd to do. By all this it appCarcth, that any Meetings are not Unlawful Convenricles. 11. And riotous they arc not, for my Houfe being ;uft before the Church Door^he Fame Perfous go out of the Qiurcl) ijuo my Houfe, and out of my Houfe into the

Church:

Church- fo that if one be riotous, both muftbe fo. And I perform iTO Exercife at all, contrary to the DQctrine or thePniftice of the Churchy but when the Curate readeth only in the Evenin^^ and doth not Preach or Catechize, when he hath done One part, 1 do the other which he oinittcth.

2. The Oath cannot be impofcd on mc, bccaufc I am none of the three forts of OlFenders there mentioned. Thefirft fort in the Act.lre4iich as have not Subfcri-hed. Declared, and Conformed, accordiui^ to the Act of Uniformity, and <Jther -Ads, I am noneof tiiem, becanfc thot Laws require it nor of me Tbeiug, asatbre-iuid, in no Church Promotion on yl/^* i. 1662.) The fee oad fo).t, aie other Per-fonsnot Ordained according to ihc Order of the Chun.ii, but 1 am fo Ordained. The third fort is School-Tcachcjs, which is not ray CaH:- (thou^ii I have alfo a Li-ceiifc to Teach School.) And that the two Defcriptions of the Conventicles in the Preamble, are to be the Expofitions of the following prnhibitous Partb of the Acl is plain by the anfwerable diitinftion of them. And alfo, i. IJcc nife the very Titl* and plain delign of this Aft, is only to reftraiu Nonconformifts. z. Bccaufe the exprefs end and builneft of it, istopreferve People from Seditious and PoUbnous Dodrine. But the Clergy which are not Nonconformifts, are not to be fuppofed to be defamed, or fufpe^ted by the Laws, of Preaching poifonousfeiditiousDoftrine nor can it be imagined, that they mpan to drive them nve Miles from all their Pari-Ihes in En^hmd^ if they fhould once be at a private Meeting, or put the 40 /. Fine on them, if they preach one Sermon after fuch Meeting, to their Pariilies, before they have taken the Oath, though no Man offer it them, which would follow if it extea-dcd to them. And i am exempted fr"om the Sufpicion of that Preaching.

1. By being chofen and Sworn His Majefty's Chaplain in ordinary, and Preafiiiing before Him, and Publifliing my Sermons by His Special Commands, and never llnce acciifed of ill Dodrine, but the Iharpeft Debates wrixten againft Nonconfbrmifts do quarrel with them, for quarrelling with my Doctrine.

2. Some think the words [_have itepQ in the Aft, refer to the time palt before the Aftj and then'tis nothing to me,

3. Should I not havc'beerl Convift in my prefence of fome one unlawful Conventicle, and of not departing after five Miles from the place: for how Ihould 1 be bound to fordike my Dwelling, as an Offender, before I knew of my Offence?

Lajlly^ I told the Juftices, That 1 did not refufe the Oath, but profelfed, that I underftood it not, and delired time to learn to underfland it, if I could ^ which they denyed me ^ and would neither tell me who were my Acaifers, or Witnefles nor fhew mc the Words of the Accufation or Depofitions, nor fuffer 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 fhall never take Oaths which I cannot pof-fibly undcriTand, nor in a Scnfe which is contrary to the plain .importance of the Wtirds, till they arc fo expounded, nor fhall ever nuriiber deliberate Lying; or Perjury, with things intflfferent ; yet I fo far defic any Accnfer, who will queftion my Loyalty, that fas I have taken the Oaths of Supremacy and of Allegiance, and a fpccial Oath of Fidelity, when 1 was Sworn (I know not why) as His Majefty's Servant, fo j 1 am rsady to give a much fuller lignification of my Loyalty than that Oath, if 1 had taken it, would be: And to own all that is faid, for the Power of Kings, and of the Subjc^ft's Obedience and Non-refiflance, by any (or all), the Councils and Confclfiogs of any Chriftian Churches upon Earth, whether Greeks or Rmnans^ Reforrrted^ Epifcopal^ Presbyterian^ or any that are fit to be owned as Chri-'ftians (that ever came to my notice) befides what is contained in the Laws of om-own Land. And if this will not fcrve, I fliall patiently wait in my Appeal, to the lln-erring llniverfal Judgment.

»

§ 123. 2. \_Iii othertnamur than K^allomd by the Liturgy or Praffice 0''the Church

of England y't which Cim/cntick\ Meetings or Jffanbly^ there flmild be

Five PcrfunSj or more^ Jffetnbkd over .md above thofe of the Hou/hold.

Pof. I. To Preach or Teach in a Houfe not 'Confecrated for a Teniple, is not toirtrary to the Liturgy and Prafticc of the Church oi f>iij^Und.

t

J,£. I. .

yirg. T. That which the Scripture exprefly alloweth, is not contrary to the Liturgy and Praiftice of the Church of yngl.md. But to Preach and Teach /even Multitudes) in Houfes (and other places) not fo Confccratcd, the Scripture exprefly alloweth : Ergo ——.

The Major is proved, i. Becafife the Book of Ordination requireth, that all that are Ordained, fhall promife to Cli^ftruft the People out of the Holy Scripture, being pcrfuaded that they contain fufficiently aU Doftrine required of NecelTity to Salvation -^ and to teach no other : And with all Faithful Diligence to banifli all Do-ftrines contrary to God's Word : And to ufe both publick and private Monitions' and Exhortations, as well to the Sick as to the whole, as need fhall require, andoc-cafion fhall be given.

2. The fame Sufficiency of the Scripture is afTerted in the 6th. Article of the Church. And Jrtick 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. ^\. more.

3. The faid Scriptures are appointed by the Kubrick to be read as the Word of God hinifelf.

4. The Law of the Land declareth, That nothing fhall be taken-for Law which is contrary to the Word of God.

5. The Firfi and Second Homily fhew the fufFxiency of it, and necdTity to all

Men.

The Minor is proved i. from Ads 10. 20. 7, 8, & 28. lafr, & 8. 4, 25, 35. & 10, 34. & 12. 12. 2 Tim. 4. 1,2. Mat. 5. i, 2. A-Iark i. 13. & 10. i. Luke 5. 3. & 13. 25.

2. From thofe Texts which command Chriflr's Minifters to Preach, and not forbear: Therefore if they be forbidden to Preach in the Temples, they mufb do itelfewhcre. Johmi. 15, 15, 17. i Cor. 9. 16. Aits ^. 18, 19,20.2 Tim, 4. I, 2. Luke 9. 62. »

3. From the Expofitory Praftiee of the llniverfal Church in all Ages.

4. From the Expofitory Praftice of the Church of England, who Breached in Houfes in the time of their late Rcftraint by Cromwel.

/rg. 2. The Church of Englmd bindeth Minifters to Teach both publickly and privately, in their Oi'ttination, as afore recited.

2. In the Liturgy for the Fifitatinn and Communion of the Sick, it allowrth private Exhortation, Prayer, and Sacraments.

3. The 13 CjnoH requireth that the Lord's Day, and other Holy-Days, be fpeat in publick and private Prayers. And the very Cmon 71. which mofl reftraintth us from Preaching, and Adminiftring the Sacrament in private Houfes, doth exprefly except Times of nccefftty, when any is fo impotent as he cannot go to Chuixh, or danger-

oujly fJci, &c.

4. The inflruftirig of our Families, and Praying with them, is not difaflowed by the Church. And 1 my fclf have a Family, and Perfons impotent therein (who cannot go to Church) to Teach.

y^rg. 3. The-:(5 C./w. condcnlncth every Minifter, who voluntarily reliuvquiflieth his Miniflry, and liveth as a Lay^Man : Ergo, We muft forbear no more of the Mi-nifterial Work than is forbidden us.

Fvf 2. The number of Perfons prefcnt above Four, cannot be meant by this Aft, ,is that which niakcth the Religious Excrcife to be [in other manner than allowed by the Liturgy or FraU'fc of the Church.'] . *

Jrg. T. Becaufe tlic m.mncr of the Fxercife, and the number of Perfons are nioji

rx^rcfly dijlinguijhed: And the rcftraint of the number is exptefly affixed only to

them who fhall ufe fiich unallowed manner of Religious Exercifes; not medlingat all

v.'irh other?. The Words [at winch Conventicle^ &c. J do fhew the Meeting to be

• before-

Part 111. Reaver end Mr. Richard Baxter.

55

before defcribed by the m-rr.yier of'Excrcife'. ' Otherwife the Words would be worfe than Non-fcnfe.

2. Becaufe if tlie Words be not fo interpreted, then they muft ccndemn all our Church Mefitinjis {orhavinj, .'Aave four. As if they had laid [_ where Fivj aye met it is contrary to the Litur^ of the Church~\ which caniiit be.

If it be faid, That for above Four to mett in a Houfe \s not allowed by the Chureh.^ t Anfwer;,

, I. That is a Matter which this Aft mcddleth not with, as is proved by the forcfaid diltingnifhing thz manner (fExcrafe^ from the number of Perfons.

2. Nor doth the Aft fpeak of private Houfes, or put any difference between them and Churches, but equally rcltraineth Meetings in Churches, which are for dtfjllovced Excrcifes 0] Religion.

3. Nor is it true in it felf, that the Chmxh difalloweth the number of Five in private Houfes, as is proved before. But it contrarily requireth, that at private Communions there fliall be ^Neighbours got to Communicate] and not fewer than three or two. 3 And at private Baptifms, and other occafions, the number is not limited by the Church at all.

3. Becaufe the Aft is direfted only againll feditious Seftaries, and their Conventicles.

4. Becaufe the Words of the Aft fiiew, that the Law-makers concur with the fence of the Church of England , which is no v/here fo ftrift againffc Nonconformity as in the Cmons: And in thefe Canons, w^.. 73, and 11. A Conventicle ispurpofely and plainly defcibed to be fuch pother Meetings, Allem-blies or Congregations, than are by the Laws held and allowed, which challenge to themfelves the Name of true and lawful Churches Q Or elfe fecret Meetings of Prieltsor Minifters to confult 'upon any matter, or courfe to be taken by them, or upon their motion or direftion by any other, which may any way-tend to the impeachment, or depriving of the Doftrine of the Church of England^ov the book of Common-Prayer,or of any pait of the Government and Difcipline] of the Church. So that where there is no fuch Confultation of M'lnifiers^nor no Ajfem-hlies that challenge to themfelves the Name of true and Lawful Churches^ diftinft from the allowed Aflemblies, there are no Conventicles in the fence of the Canons of the Church of England., which this Aft profeileth to adhere to.

The fame Sence is exprell alfo in Can. i o.which defcribeth Schifraaticks : CWho-foever (hall affirm that fuch Minifters as refiife to fubfcribe to the Form and manner of God's Worfhipin the Church of England., "pi'c^nhed in the Communion-Book, and their Adherents may truly take unto them the Name of another Church, not eftablilhed by Law;, and dare prefume to publifh, that this pretended Church hath long groaned under, &c. —3

And in the 9th Ginon, where the Authors of Schifm are thus dcfcribed^ fWhofoever fhall feparatc themfelves from the Communion of Saints, as it is approved by the Apoftle's Rules in the Church of England., 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 Chiiftian Profef-fion.--]

Pro. 3. If our manner of Religious Exercifes did differ in fome meer degrees or Circumltanccs from' tlut which is allov/ed by the Liturgy, and Praftice of the Church, it ouglit not no be taken to be the thing condemned in this Aft.

Arg. I. Otherwife the Juflicc? tiiemfelv.es, and almoft all his Majefty'sSubjefts, cither are already obnoxious to the Mulfts, Imprifonments, and Baniihments, or may be they know not how foon.

.'^rg. 2. And otherwife no Subjeft muft d?.re to goto Church, for fear of incur-ring Irnprifonment or Banilhmenr.

The reafon of both is vifible. i. Alrapft all conformable Minifters do either by fomconjiflions of Prayers, or oiher pmts of the Liturgy, or by fome alierati-

ons, many times do that which is diflbnant from the Liturgy, and pradlife, or Canons of the Church. I have feldom been prefent where fomewhat was not contrary to them. 2, Becaufe moft conformable Minifters do now Preach without Licenfes -which is contrary to the exprefs Canons of the Church. 3. Becaufe few of the King's Subjeds, or none can tell when they go to Church, but they may hear one that hath no Licenfc, or that will do fomcwliat diflbnant from the manner of the Church.

Pro. 4. Preaching without Licenfe bringeth me hot Within the Penalty of the Ail.

y,rg. I. Becaufe 1 have the Archbifliop's Licenfe.

Arg. 2. Becaufe a Licenfe is not ncceflary for Family Inftrudion.

-^g- 3- Becaufe elfe mod of the Conformifts would be as much obnoxious, which is nor. fo judged by the Bifhops themfclves.

§ 124. (3.)T^ff Errors of the Mimmas^ with the explication of the Oxford J{f.

fHis Act containeth, I. The end and Occajlm y that is, the preferving of Church and Kingdom, from the Danger of jDoifonous Principles,

IL The Defcription of the dangerous Perfoni. i. in the Preamble : Where they are i. Nonconfurmifts^ or fuch as have not fubfaibcd and declared according to the Act of Uniformity, and other fubfequent Afts. 2. They, or fome of them, and other Perfons not ordained, according to the Form of the Church of England, who have fince the Aft of Oblivion preached in Unlawful Aflemblies, and liave fettled themfelves in Corporations.

2. in the Body of the Aft, where are two parts anlwering the two aforefaid in the Preamble, i. The firfl: Subjeft defcribed is, Non-fuhfcrtbers, and Non-declarers^ according to the Aft of Uniformity, ire. That is, Non-conformifts ; who alfo have not taken the Oath, (which is here prefcribed as a preventing Remedy. 2. The fc-cond Subjeft is CAH fuch PedbnsasyZ;^//Preach in unlawful Meetings, contrary to Laws, which muft needs refer to the fecond branch of the Preamble, and mean only Cf"ch Nrmccyiformifls, and umrdained Perfons as flhttt fo Preach-^ the Word {_fh.tll'\ fignifying that it muft be after the paffidg of xXvvi Jd.

ITT. The Offence prohibited h being, or coming after March 24. 1665. within five A'j'iles of my Corporation, or of any place, where Jince the A^ of Obli'vion, they have been Farfons, Vicars, I edurers, &c. Or have preached in an nnlawful Jffctnhly, contrary to the Lares, before they have in open Sejfwns taken the Oath. That is, who have done this iince the Aft of Oblivion before this Aft (it being the purpofc of this Aft to put all thofe who rtiall again after this Aft preach in Conventicles, in the lame Cafe with them, who fince the ylil of Oblivion were Parfons, Vicars, (s'c. That is, that none of them fliall come within five miles of any place where they were twhzv Incumbents, or Convent icier s, btfore this j4ii fince the uB of Oblivion,

IV. The Penalty is, i. 40 I. for what is pajl, (which the after taking of the Oath will not favc them from. ) 2. And fix tnonths Jmprifonment alfo for fuch of them as fhall not Swear, and fubfcribe the Oath and Declaration offered them.

So that in this Aft the Offence it felf prohibited is Coming within five miles, &c. But the qualification of the fubject offtnding^ is abfolutcly necejjary to it.

So ih-dt the Mittimus for an offence againft this Aft, muft fignifie. That A''. N. liaving not fubfcribed and declared, according to the Afts of Uniformity, and o-ther fubfequent Afts , pr b«ing uot ordaiacd atcordijig to the Form ot the Cliurch of

E>tgknd

England, and having Unce the Aft of Oblivion preached- in an unlawful AHem-bly: and alto hath fo preached fince this Aft •, and hath not taken.the-''Oath here required, is proved by Oath to us to have been, or come fince Mai-. 24. 1665. Within five Miles of a Corporation, or a place where he was aa incumbent, or preached in a Conventicle^ before this Aft fince the Act of Oblivion j and alfo'hath refufed before'us tofwear and fubfcribe the'faid'Oath, &c.

Now iii this Mittimus, i. Here is no mention that R. B. h.itb not fubfcrihcd and ■declared already according to the ^ct of Uniformity -^ or is ^. Non-conformijt-''nor ■yet that he is not ordained- accordirtg to the Form of the Church of •Eyi<^-land. ■'''•■■'■■ - :';-.../'r' .;. .! ;:;,);.; .:■'■.. • •-■'"• ■

2. Nor is there any mention that he hath preached in an unlawful Afletribly fnce the A:tof Oblivion ;' mitdi lefs , /i«ce thisj4ct. fwhich muft be faid)--^- •-

3. Nor that ever they had proof of his not takmg the'Oath before ,fet-ihat 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, wx..C64tffig or being within five Miles, &c. But another thing, w';^. his Preaching in an iin-iawful Meeting, is faid to be proved by Oath, which this Act doth not'enafcle them to take fuch proof of

As for the Word in the Aiittimus, \_ wherS ' he ' now dwelkth 3^ it cannot be underftood as a part of Depofition. i. Becaufe it js exprefled but' as the Juftice's Aflertion, and not fo much as an \iand~\ or Conjunftion'put before it to fhew that they had Oath made of it, as well as of Preaching., ^ ••

2. Becaufe the Word [now dwellethj muft be takcn/r/c^/)''or/^rjc/y ; \i ftrictly it referreth but to the time of the Writing of the Mittitmis , which was twf'o days after the Conftable's Warrant ^ and no Accufer, Witnefs, or other Perfbn was fufFeredto be prefent ; and therefore it muft needs be biit the Juftice's own' Words, or Aflertion, without proof. Or if Q novo dvcelleth~\ 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 Preacheth ; and'if he go av/ay the next hour, it muft be confidered in what time he can go five Miles; But if [norp'} be taken for the Wit-nelTes Words, here is no intimation of the leaft diftance. And none can unagine that the Law meaneth that the Preacher Ihall be five Miles off the next Minute, or Hour. And indeed, feeing no Man can tell how many hours muft be allowed it is plain that the Aft meaneth that the Pcrfon muft be firft Ic^^ally Convict of Preaching in an unlawful Aflembly fand alfo of not having conformed or taken the Oath) before the Oath is made of his not removing five Miles,

3. This Ac^, not at all enabling the Juftices to take Oath about the Conventicles ; but only about Qnot coming within five Miles] and there being but one Depofition mentioned [where he now dwellech] being a very part of that one Tefti-mony, if it be not the Juftice's own Words ^ it foUoweth that this Oath muft be made before the Aft againft Conventicles was expired; becaufe no other Aft cuableth them to take fuch an Oath : And then the [mm dwelkth'} will fignifie long ago, without any notified diftance from his Preaching. '"■:"■:,/' ' ' ,

4. If [where he now dwelletif] be part of the Depofition, then fo muff the following \Notds [not having take}i andfitbfcribed the Oath,) which Charity forbiddcth 11^ to believe that they fvvore, feeing I was never accufed of it, and it's not pof-fible that they, or any Man living Ihould know that 1 have not taken it heretofore!

5. Here is no Oath that Richard Baxter Preached in a Conventicle bdFore this Aft, whicli 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 as (hall take on them to Preach} be not to be taken as expounded in the Preamble limited to Non-conformifts, and the ttn-ordained, as aforc&id. And it's plain, tWk it's not to be extended to Conformifts. i. Becaufe the Law doth not difhonour them fo far as to fufpeft them of poifonous Principles. 2. Elfe what ruin would it make in the Church, when every Paftor muft no more come within five Miles of his Charge f no not the dignified Clergy) if any Enemy ftiall fecretly fwcar that tkeyoncc preached in an unlawful Aflembly. 3. All the Conformable Clergy,

Hhhh jw<*

Part III.

and their Council are of this mind: For none of them take this Oath at the Sefllons ; and therefore none of them think they arc bound to take it. Note it is to be taken tmoffcred % and that on the Pcnalt y of 40 /. if they come within nvc Miles of their Charge, though they were never fo willing to take it after.

Objeilion i. The Conformifts need it not, becaufe they keep no Conventicles,

^nfw. J. They are commanded many private Meetings, as private Vifitations of the Sick, Baptifms, Communions, Perambulations in the Roj^ation-W'eek ( whea they ufe in Houies by the way to fpend the time in Pious Inftruftions, Prayers, &c.') And many of them repeat their Sermons in their Houfes, which is as much Preaching as any thing 1 have ever done.

2. And there aie few publick Aflerablics, where fome-what is not done contrary to the Liturgy, by OmilTions, &c.

3. And every Man hath fome Enemy, who may Swear that thefe are unlawful Af-femblies.

'Ofij. 2. The Conformifts have already Subfcribed.

u^nfw. I. That proveth that this Acl intendcth thera not, (and therefore not mf, who Conform as far as any Law rcquireth me.)

2. It is one tiling to [_py I am of Opinion'} and another thing to H Swear that fo

it ur\

3. I may fay that [^the Covenant hindeth me not to endeavour any yiltcrationof Church-Government'^ ealilier than Swear [^Tbat I will never at any time tndtavour »>] \vhen we once already fo far endeavoured it by Command, 1660. as J-fa Alajejly's Gracious Declaration about Ecclef Jjfairs exprejjeth-^ even while contrary Laws were in force.

§ 12.5. While I flayed in Prifon, I faw fome-what to blame my felf for, and fcme-wliat to wonder at others for, and fome-what to advife my Vifitors about.

1. 1 blamed my Self that I was no more fenjibk of the Spiritual part of my Af-flidtion, fuch as was the interruption 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 worlhipping in the AlTcmbliesof his Servants.

2. 1 marvelled at fome who fuffered no more,than I, (as Mr. Rutherford^ whea he was confmcd to Aberdeen) that their Sufferings occafioned them fo great Joys as they cxprcfs! which fure was from the Free Grace of God, to encourage others by their Exranples, and not that their own Impatience made them need it much more than at other times. For furely fo fmall a Suffering necdeth not a quarter of the Patience, as many poor Nonconformable Minifters (and Thoufands others) need, that arc at liberty ^ whofc own Houfes, through Poverty, are made far worfe to them, than my Prifon was to mc.

3. To my Vilitors I found Rcafon, i. To intreat my ^^OK-Neigliboun, not to let their Palhon 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 forne who aggravated my Sufferings, and to tell them. That I had no mind to fancy my felf hurt before 1 felt it: I cfcd at home to confine my felf voluntarily almofl as much .• I had ten-fold more publick a Life here, and converfe with my Friends, than I had at home: If 1 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 fhould as foon have taken this which I was put into, as moft in Town (fave only for the Interruption of my lleep: ) That it fhcweth great wcakncfs to magnifie a fmall Suffering, and much worfcto magnificour fclves and our own Patience, for bearing fo fmall a thing ^ (tlwn which moll ix)or Men ia ^tmland bear more every Day.)

I found Caufc to dcfire my Brethren, that when they fuffered, they would remember that the dcfica of S-.itnn v.as more againft their Souls than their Bodies: and that it was not the Icafl of his hopes to dcitroy their Love, which wcs due to thcfe by whom they fuffered, and todifhonour Superiours, and by aggravating our Sufferings, to render them odious to the People: A$ alfQ to make us take fuch a poor

Suffeiujg

Suffering as t!,i;, for a figu of true Grace, inftead of Faitli, Hope, Love, Mortification, and a Heavenly Mind ^ and that tire lofs of one Grain of Lave, was worfe tlnan a'long Imprifonment: And that it much more concerned us, to be f>n-e iha.p we deferved not Suffering, than that we be delivered from it, and to fee that we wronged not our Superiours, than that they wrong not us ; feeing wc 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-{hip than I had done. To whom 1 anfwercd, That I wondred that they ihould think that a Prifon fhould change my Judgment: I rather thought now it was my Duty to fct a If rider watch upon my Paffions, left they fhould pervert my Judgment, and carry me into Extreams, in oppofition to my Atfiiclors. (And not paft a Year and half after, two Gentlemen turned Quakers in Prifon.) If PalTion made me lofe my Love, or my Religion, the lofs would be my own. And Truth did not change, bccaufq I v,'as in a Goal.The temper of my Vifitors called me much to

this kind of talk. , ^ ,, ^ ■ ,

§ 126. When 1 was in Prifon, the Lord Chief Baron, at the Table at Serjeant i Inn^ before the reft of the Judges, gave fuch a Charaaerofme openly, without fear of any Man's difpleaflire, as is not fit for me to own, or recite, v^'ho wasfo much reverenced by the reft ( who were- every one Strangers to me fave by hearty) that 1 believe it much fettled their Reiblutions. The Lord Chief Juftice Faughan was no Friend to Nonconformity, or Puritans, but lie had been one oiSel-den\ Excaitors, and lb Judge H.ik'''. old Acquaintance: Judge Tyrell was a wcll-afFec^ed foberMan, and Serjeant FoKKt^m's Brother-in-Law by Marriage, and fomc-time his Fellow-CommifFioner for keeping the Great Seal and Chancery: Judge Archer was one that privately favoured Religious People: And Judge Wtld^ though greatly for the Prelates way, yet (was noted for ; a Righteous Man. And thefe were the Four Judges of the Court.

§ 127. My Habeas Corpus 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-AQ:^ when Judge IffW hadfirftfaid [l hope you vail not ufc to trouble this Couf t with fuch Caufes,3 asked whether the King's Council had been acquainted with the Cafe, and feentheOrder 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 v.nufual refpccl-) and they fent me not to the F/fcf, asisufual, but to the fame Prifon, which was a greater favour.

• § 128. When 1 came next, the Lord Chief Juftice coming towards Wejltninftei HaJl^ went into White-Hall by the way, which caufed much talk among the People. When he came, Judge Wild began, and having fhewed tliat he was no Friend to" Conventicles, opened the Act, and then opened many defauUs n\X\\t Aiittimm^ for which he pronounced it invalid •, but in Civility to the Juftices faid, that the Aft was fo Penned, that it w^as a very hard thing to draw up a Mittimm by it (wfiich was no Co'npliment to the Parliament.) Judge Archer next fpake largely againft the Afittitnuf, 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 r^j^km concluded iti the famcmahnejr, but with thefe two Singularities above the

reft.

1. That he made it an Error in the Mittimus^ that the WitneUes were not named:, feeing that ( the Oxford-kO. giviag the Juftices fo great a power; if the Witnctics 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 moment.) , , , ,

2: When he had done with theCaufe, 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 ihifrepol-ts might miflead others, he therefore ac-•quainted them, That though he uild'ef ftood that Mr. Baxter was a Man of great Learning, and of a good Life, f± he having this fingularity, the Law was againft Conventicles, and it was only upi)h the Error of the Warrant that he was releafed • "and that they ufe in their Charge at AfTizes to enrjijire after Conventicles, and they arc a'-^ain'!: the l/m • fo that^if they that made the'iJ/;Uw«!w had but known how

H ft B K i ■ ""to

to make it, they could not have delivered him, nor can do it for him on any that {hall fo tranfyefs the Lawf.

This was fiippofcd to be that which was refolved on,at White-HaU by the way. But he had never heard vi/hat I had to fay in the main Caufe, to prove my felf no TranC-grelTor of i!ic Law : Nor did he at all tell tliem how to know, what a Conventicle is which the Common Law is lb much againft.

§ 129. Being difcharr^ed of my Imprifonmcnt, my Sufferings began ; for I had there better Health, than I had of a long time before or after;, I had now more exafperated the Authors of my Imprifonment • I was not at all acquit as to the main Caufc ;, they might amend their AJittimm^ and lay me in again: 1 knew no way how to bring my main Caufc fwhether they iiad power to put the Oxford-Osxh on me) "to a legal Tryal_: And my CounfcUors advifed me not to do it, much lefs to queftion the juflices for falfe hnprifonment, left' I were born down by power. I had now a great Houfe of great Rent en my Hands, which I mull not come to: i had noHoufe to dwell in ^ I knew not what to do with all my Goods and Family -^ I mull: go out oi Middkfex-^ I mufl not come within live Miles of City, Corporation, &c. where to find fuch a place, and therein a Houfe, and how to remove my Go'ods thither; and what to do with my Houfe the while, till my time expired, were more trouble than my quiet Frifon by far ^ and the Confcquents yet worfe.

§ 130. Gratitude commandeth me to tell liie World who were my Benefadors in my Imprifonment, and Calumny as jnuch obligcth me,, becaufe it is faid among fomc, that I was enriched by it • Serjeant Fountain''^, general Counfel ruled me ■ Mr. Wallop, and Mr. OjfiCy fent me their Counfel, and would take nothing. Of four Serjeants that pleaded itiy Caufc, two of them, Serjeant Windham (afterwards Baron of the Exchequer) and Serjeant Sifc, would take nothing. Sir John Bernard (a Perfori that I never faw but once) fent me no lefs than Twenty Pieces; and the Countefs oi Exeter Ten Pound ; And Alderman Bard Five;, and I received no more -V but I confefs more was offered me, which I refiifed ; and more v^ould have been' but that they knew I needed it not. And this much defrayed mv Law and Prifon Charges. ,

§ 131. When the fam.e Juftices faw that I was thus difcharged, they were not fatisfied to have driven me from JRon, but they make a new Mittimus, by Counfel. as for the fame (fuppofed) Fault, naming the Fourth oijme as the Day en which I preached, and yet not naming any Witnefs ( when the Ad againft Conventicles was expired loiig before. ) And this Mittimm they put into an Officer's hands in London, to bring me not to Ckrkenmtt, but among the Thic\es and Murderers, to the common Jail at Neirgate, which was fince the Fire (which burnt down all'the better Rooms) the molfc noifom place that I have heard of (except the Tower Dun-georl) of any Prifon.-ln the Land.

§ 132. The jiext Habitation which God's Providence chofe for me, wasatTo^ fmaVr, near Barnet, where for a Year, I was fain, with part of my Family fcpara-tedfrom the reft, to take a few mean Rooms, which were fo extreamly fmoaky and the phce wjthal fo cold, that 1 fpcnt the jr/wfcr in great pain: one quarter'of a Year by a fore Sciatica, and feldom free from fuch Anguifh.

§ 133. It wo".ld trouble the Beader for me to reckon up the mmy Difeafes, and Dangers for thcfe ten Years paft, in, or from which, God hath delivered me 1 tliough It be my Duty not to forget to be thankful, SeTcu Months together I was lame, with a ftrange Pain in one Foot, Twice delivered from a Bloody Flux • a ' fpunous Gitaradt in my Eye (with incelTant Webs and Net-works before it) hath continued thdc eight Years, without difabling me one Hour from Reading or Writing: I have hadconflant Pams and Languors, with inaedible Flatulency in Sto-

°^'' >,5>'!";^^'''-^^'^'^'' B*V^^',^*^«^^' f^*^' ""'"^ K'cjft^ ^ut worft of all, either painhil Diftcntions, or ufually vertiginous or IlupifyingConquefls of ray Brain, fo that I have rarely one Hour's, or quarter of an Hour's cafe. Yet, through God's Mercy, I was never one Hour Melancholy, and not many Hours in a Week difabled "^Hj>' ,'" '^^ ^^''K fave that I loft time in the Morning, for want of being able tff rife early: And lately, an Ulcer in my Throat, with a Tumour, of near half a Yearns continunucc, is healed v.idiout any me ins. In ail which I have fou«d fuch mcrcifu! Difiwfals of God, fuch luitable Chaflifemcnts for my Sin, fuch plain Answers of Prayer, as leave mc unexcufabje if they do me not good. Belides many fud-dcn and acuter Sickncflcs, which God Imh delivered rac ^ora, not here to Le num-

bred:

4

—__—————— — ■ . : "*

bred ^ his ii\)holdin2, Mercy imder fuch continued weaknclTes, with tolerable, and fel-dom difabling Faias, hath been unvaluable.

§ 154. 1 am next to give fome Ihort account of my Writings fince 1665. i. A fmall MS. lyeih by me, which I wrote in Anfwer to a Paper which Mr, Caryl of 5«//'ex fcnt me, written by CrcUy (called now Seremis) about Popery.

§ T 3 V 2- ^l''- ^-'f" of Hamldm^ Miniftcr, fending me the Copy of a Popifh Letter^ as fpread about Oxford^ under tiie Mask of one doubting of Chriftianity, and calling; the Scholars to a Trial of their Faith, in Principles, did by the Juggling Fraud, and the (lighcnefs of it, provoke me to write my book called, Ik Reaibns of the Chrijliaii Religion. And the Philofophy of Gajfcndus^ and many more bcfides the Hobbians, now prevailing, and inclining men to Sadducifm, induced me to write the Jppendix to it, about the I amortaltty of the Soul.

§ I 36. 3. Oft Conference with the Lord Chief Baroii Hale., put thofc Cafes into my mind, which occalioned the writing of another fliort Piece, of the Nature and Immortality of the Soul, by. way of Qiicltion and Anfwer f not printed. J

§ 137. 4. The great Weaknellcs, and Paffions, and Injudicioufnefs of many Religious Perfons, and the ill etfeLts ^ and cfpccially perceiving that the Temptations of the Times,, yea the very Repi'oofs of the Conformifts, did but increafe them among the feparating party, caufed me to offer a book to be Licenfed, called, DireBions to weak Chri(linns how to grow in £race^ with a fecond part, being Sixty Charadcn of a ~Sound Chrifiiatt., with as many of the iVtai Chrijlian and the Hyyocrttc:, Which 1 the rather writ to imprint on men's minds a right apprehenfion of Chriftianity, and to be as aConfeffion of our Judgment in this malignant Age, when fome Conformifts would make the World believe, that it is fome menftruov.s thing compofed of Folly and Sedition, which the Nonconformifts mean by a Chr'iftian and a Godly Man. This Book came forth when I was in Prifon, being long before refnfed by Mr. Grigg.

§ 138. 5. A Criflian Dire^ory^ orSumm of Ptadical Divinity in Folio, hath lain finiftied by me, many years ^ (and fince twice printed.

§ 139. 6.My Boqkfeller defiring fome Additions to my Sermon before the King, 1 added a large Direftory of the whole Life of Faith^ which is its Title, which is pub-liflied.

§ 140. 7. Abundance of Wojmen firft, and Men next growing at London^ into fc-l)arating l^rinciple> ; 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 Saaainent: And the Conformifts abominuiing their Houfc-Meetings as Schifmatical - and their Diftance and PaiTions daily increaling, even among many, to earneft delires of each other's Ruine,l thougHt it my Duty to add another part to my book of DireiHons to weak Chrijliansy being Pireiiions w hat courfe they mult take to avoid hein^ Divide-rs., or troublers of the Churches : The rather becaufe I knew what the Papiits and Infidels would gain by bur Divifions, and of how great neccffity it is againft them both, that the honclt moderate part of the Conformifts, and the Nonconformifts, be reconciledj or at Icaft grow not into mortal Enmity againft each other. This Book was offered to Mr. Sam. Parker., the Archbiiyop's Chaplain to be Licenfed, but he refnfcd it •, apd fo i purpofcd tocaft it by : But near two years after, Mr. Grovc^ the BiOiop of London's Chaplain (without whom 1 could have had nothing of mine Licenfed, I think) did Li • cenfc it, and it was publilhcd ^ of which more anon.

§141. 8. Al;)0ut this time I heard Dr. Owen talked very yieldingly, of a Concord between the Independents and Presbyta-ians (which all feemed willing of.) I had before, about 1 6 58. written fomevi^hat in order to Reconciliation ^ and I did (by the invitation of his Speeches) offer it to Mr. 6V0. Griffiths to be confidered : And near a twelve-month after he gave it rtic again, without taking notice of any thing in it. I now rcfolved to try once more with-Dr. Owen: And though all our buUnels with each other had been contiadidlion-, I thought it my Duty without any thoughts of former things, to go to him, and be a Seeker of Peace: which he feemed to take well, and cxpreficd great delires of Concord, and alio many moderate Conceflions, and how heartily he would concur in aav thing that tended to . a good agreement. I told him. That 1 muft deal freely uitq him", that when 1 thought of what he had donefor-nierly, I was much afraid left one that had been fo great a breaker, would not be made an Inftnjmeht in hcalijig : But in other Rcfpeds I thought him the fitteft man in Eng-litmUtr thii Work^ paVUy bccaufe he could underftand the Cafe, and partly, becaufe

his Expei-ieuce of the Hiimours of Men, and of the niif.hicfiof dividing Principles and Piactifcs, had been fo very great, that if Experience fhoiiJd njake any man wife, and fit for an healing Work, it Ihouldbe him: And that a book which lie had lately written (a Catechifm for Independencyjoffenfive to others, was my chief Motive to make this Motion to him ; becaufe he there giveth up two of the worlt of the Principles of popularity •, acknowledging,

1. 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 Paftors. I told him that I had before this driven on an Agreement between the Preriy mans and Indcfmdents^ in another manner,- but that I plainly Taw, that while the Lord Chancellor, and fuch others, were ftill talking of Plots and Confpiracies, they would be fo jealous of our Union, that they would give out, that we were ftrengthenin:' our feives 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 pait, he thought the Work fo neeeflary, that he would trufl: God, and over-look fuch dingers. I told him, That the danger being fo vifible. Prudence in the management of the W-ork 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 wh.ich could not be done in the AfTenibly at Wfjiminfttr^ nor in 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 1 only (hpuld firft try whether we could come to Agreement in Principles ^ and that none living might know of our Attempt till it was fini-nifhed ^ that if we could not agree, the notice of our Failing might not be a hindrance toothers, nor a reproach to our feives j but if we did agree, it were eafie to make ufe of the Terms agi-eed on, when ever Pnidence fliould tell us it was conducible to our Ends ^ and to get two or three of a fide to Subfcribe it firll, till it were fit to make it publick for the ufe of more.

This much we agreed on, and our next Qiieftion was of the method. I told him that as to the pofitive Terms of Concord, I thought that thofe Effmtials of Religion and Communion^ .which are the Terms that all Chrillians muft agree in, mull be ours-, and that we had not any new Terms to devife -, but only fome new Means to bring us to confent to Communion upon thofe Terms. To which end I thought it would be a good way to draw up a Writing, containing all the Points of Difciplinc, which the two Parties are really agreed in fgreat and fmall,) that while the World teeth the extent of their Agreement, the few things which they differ in may fcem fo feiall, among all thofe, and uot to be fufficient to hinder their Communion. He approved of the Motion, and defired him to draw it up; which when he put off, I delired that each of us mie^ht bring in a Draught ^ but he would needs caft it on me alone. ; A'

When 1 had drawn up abundance oiThefes as the Matter of our commoii Concord, and left them with him, the next time 1 came to him, he commended the thing, but faid, that they were too many, and I could do it in a nanowcr room. I perceived by this, that his Thoughts were, that many that were among them, would not eraot all thofe Points, and fo it muft be wider yet. I told hi'm, that if he changed the Delign, we muft change the Weans : If he thought it the better way to draw up only thofe Points which are neccflary to our Agreement, then we mv.il do it in as narrow a compafs as may be ^ which being determined of, I urged him again in vain to do if: but he caft it upon mc, and I brought him fpeedily a Draught of fo many of the things which both freshyurians and Independents are agreed in, as are ne-fc^fl-ny to their Praftical Concord and Communion, with refpcd to tlie things in which they arc, or fcem difapreed. When he had kept them a few Weeks, 1 waited on him again and arain •, and he told mc, that it was the faii-^ft Offer, and the likelicll Means, tliat ever he yet faw ^ and lie favv nothing yet bi.t that it might well conduce to the End intended. I delired him to give me his Animadverlions, i. Of all that he took to be talfc or unfound in it. 2. Of all that he thought the two Parties were not ocrced in. 3. Of all that he tf ought,inconvenient and unapt to the End intended. 4. Of all that he thought unneccflary : which he c^.n'c.ited to, and Ihortly after lent mc tills Letter ;%\hich intimateth his purpcfc of coming to me, becaufe I invited him to take the C^untl7 Air with me, in a Cold that he had, &{.)

§ 142. S ! R,

'T' // £ continuance of nty Cold, tchich yet holds: me^ mth the feverity of the Weather* have hitherto hindrcd me from itnfwcring my purpofe of coming unto you at Afton •" but yet I hope ere long to obtain the advantage of enjoying your Company there for a Sea/on-In the mean time Irtturnyou my Thanh for the Co'tanunication of your Papers-, andjha^ on every occafion nianifefi, that you have no cccafion to qu-Jlion, rrhcther I were in earneft in -what I propofed, in reference to the Concord you deftgn. For the dtftre of it w continually upon my Heart, and to exprcfs that defire on all occafion, I efteem one part of that Pro-fejfwn of the Gofpel which J am called unto. Could I contribute any thing towards the Ac-complijhment offo holy, fo nccejfary a Work, I fhould willingly fpend myfelf, and be fpent in ft. For what you deftgn concerning your prefent Effay, I like it very well, both upon the Rcafons you mention in your Letter, as alfo that all thofe who tnay be willing and defi-roiu to promote fo hltffed a Worh, may have Copies by them to prepare their Thoughts in reference to the whole.

For the prefent, upon the Liberty granted in your Letter ( if I remember it aright) J /hall tender you a few Queries •, which if they are ufelefs or needlefs, deal with them aC' cordingly.

Js I. Are not the Severals propofed or infifted on, too jnany fur this firji Attempt ? The gener.1l Heads I conceive are not; but under them, very m.my Particulars are not only included, which if unavoidable, but expreffed alfo, which may too much dilate the original Conjideration of the whole.

2. Tou exprefly exclude the Papifts, who will alfo fure enough exclude themfelves and do, from any fuch Agreement .- But have you done the fume ai to the Socinians who are tmrnerous, and ready to include themfelves upon our Communion ? The Creed, ai expounded in the Four firji Couniils nill do it.

3. iVhethtr fome Exprejfions fuited to prevent future Divifions and Separations after a Concord is obt.vned, may not at prefent, to .nvoid all exafperation, be omitted, asfeeming refieiiive on former Aiiings, when there was no fuch Agreement among us, a^ is now aimed at ?

4. Whether infijling in particular, on the power of the Magifirate, efpecially as under Civil Cocrcition and Punjhment, in cafes of Error-or Herefie, be nccejfary in this firji Attempt ? Thefe Generals occurred to my Thoughts, upon my firfl reading of your Fropofals. I will now read them again, and fet down, as I pafs on, fuch apprehenfions in particidar as I h.ive of the Sever als of them.

To the fir ft Anfrer, under the fir ft Que ft ion, J affent; fo alfo to the fir ft Fropofil, and the Explanation : Likcwlfe to the fccond and third. I thought to have proceeded thus throughout; but I fore-fee my fo doing would be tediom and ufelefs; J fhaU therefore mention only what at prcfin ' may fern to require fecond Thoughts. As,

1. To Propof. 9. by thofe Inftances dwhat Words to ufe in Preaching, in what Words to Pray, in what decent Habit^ do you intend Homilies, pnfcribed Forms of Prayer, and IJibi's fuperadded to thofe of vulgar decent ufe F Prefent Controverfics will fuggeft an efpecial Scnfe under general Expreffmns.

2, Vnder Pof. 13. Do you think a Man tnay not leave a Church, and joynhimfelfto j^otber, unlcfs it be for fuch a Caufe or Reafon, ashe fuppofeth fufficiivt to deftroy the Be-tng of the Church ? I meet with this now anfmed myour i8th. Proj^.^f. andfofjjall forbear further particular Remarks, andpafs on.

Jn your Anfwer to the Second Qa. Tour loth. Pofition hath in itfome-what that will i^>nit of fur tier conftderation, as 1 think. In your Anfwer to the 3d. Qii. have you fu"^-fickntly expreffed the accountablenefs of Churches mutually, in cafe of Offence from Male-Admintftration and Church Cenfures ? Thi/s alfo I now fee in part anfwercd Prop. cth. Ifhall forbCitr to add any thing a/s -under your .- nfver to the Uft Qucftion, ahx>ut the 'power of the Magtftrate, beaufe I fear, that m that matter ofpun:p::g, 1 Jhallfome-what dilftnt from yoH; though OA to meer Coercion I floall in fome Cafes agree.

Vpon the while Matter, I jud^eyour P-ropofds worthy'^ofgreat Conftderation, x-id the

. tiioft proLible medium for the att-iming of the End aimed at, that yet I haveperv.ftd. If

Cod give not an Heart and Mind to dcftre Peace and "Jnim, every Exprtjfwn will be dtf-

futed, under pretence of Truth and Accui-acy : But if thtfe things have a pUce in m an-

fitrabU t» thtit whish tky enjoy in tk- (Jofpel, J fee no reafon wly all the true Dtfiitles of

Chriji

Chrift might not upon thefe^ and the like Principles^ condefccnd in Love unto the Fraffi ^^l Concord and yigreetnent^ which not one of them dare deny to be their Duty to Aim ^K Sir^ I {hall Pray that the Lord would guide and profper you in all Studies and End'j.:vours^ for the Service ofChriJl in the World, efpecially in thvs your Defere and Study for the Introducing of the Peace and Lwe promifed amongfl them that Believe, and do beg your Prayers.

Your truly afreftionate Brother,

5^*??. 25. 1568. And unworthy Fellow-Servant,

Jchn Owen.

§ 143. For the Underftanding of this,' you mult knciw. i. That the way which we came to at laft, for the publication of the Term's, if he and I had agreed fecretly, fiiould be. That as 1 had Printed fuch a thing called Vniverfal Concord^ \66o. which was neglected, fo I would Print this as the Second Part of the Vniverfal Concord, that it might lye forae time expofed to view in the Shops, before we made any further ufc of it, that fo the State might not fufped 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 firft debated many things in prefence, in all which there remained no apparent Diiagreement at all, fo far as we went: And in particular, the^reat Point about feparating in the Cafes enumerated, heobjcfted no more but what I anfwered, and he feemed to acquiefce. 3. But I fo much feared that it would-come to nothing, that I ventured to tell him what a difficulty I feared it wonld be to him to go openly and folly according to his own Judgment, when the Reputation of former Actions, and prefent Intereft in many that Vould 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 profcfFcd foil Re-folutions to follow the Bufmefs heartily and unbyalfedly, and that no Intereft Ihould move him. And fo I defired him to go over m.y Propofals again, and faften upon every 'Word that was either unfound, or huixfol, or unapt, or unneceiTary, and every fuch Word fhould be altei'ed: which he undertook to do ; and fo that was the way that wc agreed on: but when I came home, I firft returned him this following Anfwer to his Letter and Exceptions.

Feb. 16. \66Z. S I R^

UPon the perufal of Youi-s when I came home, I find your Exceptions to be moft-ly the fame which you fpeak j and therefore fliall be the briefer in my Anfwer, upon Suppofition of what was faid.

To your Firft Qu. I anfwer, I am as much for Brevity as you can poffibly wi(h: fo be It our Agreement be not thereby fruftrated, and made infui^cient to its ends. I would defne you to look over all the Particulars, and name me not only every one that you think unfound, but every one which you judge u-.yrofitabk or needlefs. But if wt; leave out that which moft, or tna>:y will rtcjuire, and r.cne have any thing againft, it will but ftop our Work, and make Men judge of it, as you did of the want of a longer ProfefDon than the Scriptures againft SuciwampK: And it will contradict the Title, The Jufi Terms of . grament: For our Terms will be infuffi-cieut.

And as to your Words [jhe firft attempt'} my bufmefs is todifcovertheywj^«'e«t Terms at firft, that fo it may facilitate Confcnt: For if we purpofely leave out any ncedfolpart as for [_a fccon'd animpt~} we bring toKrcwi't upon our Srft Elfay;, and

before

before the fecond, third^. and perhaps twentieth Attempt have been ufed to bring us to Agreement, by Alterations, and crofs Humours, and Apprelicnfions, things will go as they have done, and all be pulled in pieces. Therefore we mufl: if pofllble, find out the fufiicient Terms before too many hands be ingaged in it. Your own Excejitions here fay. That if too many Explications had not afterward occur-I • red, you had been unfatished in that which went before. And you know what Mr. Nye is wont to fay againlt drawing a Hnfe over our Differences (though for my part I know no other way where wc 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 fhould hide it, to make our Difference to fccm greater than ic is.

2. The Reafons, why I make no larger a Profeffion neceffary than the Creed and Scriptures^ are, becaufe if we depart from this old fiifficient Catholkk Rule^ we narrOw the Church, and depart from the old CathoHcifm: And wc Oiall never know where to reft : From the fame Reafons as you will take in Four Councils, another will take in 5/x, and another Eighty and the Pafifls will fay, Whj( not the reft, as well as thefe ?

3. Becaufe we fhould Sin againft the Churches 1200 Years Experience, wliich hath bern torn by this Conceit, That our Rule or Profeffion muft be altered to obviate every new Herefie. As if yon could ever make a Creed or Law which no Offender fhall mil-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 Herefie every Year. Hilary hath faid fo much againft this, not fparing even the Nicene Creed it felf, that I need fay no more thap he hath done upon that Argument of Experience but only that if 30 or 40 Years Experience fo much moved him againft new Creed-making, what fliould 1200 Years do by us ?

4. And the Means will be certainly Fruitlefs, feeing that Hereticks are ufually 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 Senfe.

5. And the Means is needlefs, feeing there is another and fitter Remedy againft Herefie provided, and that is not making a new Rule or Lavo^ but judging Hereticks by the Larv of Cod already made. Either they are Hereticks only in Hearty or in Tongue alfo, and Expreflion: If in Heart only, we have nothing to do to Judge them. Hcart-Jnfidels are and will be In the Churches. If they be proved to be Hereticks 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 i)roved Wickednefs • that is, call them to pcblick Repentance before they be admitted: If it be after^ they mnft be admoniflicd, and Rejected after the firft and fecond contemned Admonition: And is n()t this enough? And is not this the certain regular way ? Is it not co\ifuhon to put Larv for Judgment^ and fay there wants a new Law or Rule^ when there wants but a due Judgment by the Rule in being.

6. Laftly^ Wc fhall never have done with the Papijls^ if we let go the Scripture-Sufficiency. And it is a double Crime in m to do it, who Difputc with them fo vehemently for it. And we harden and juiti fie Church-Tyranny and Impolitions when we will do the like ourfclvcs.

If there be nothing againft Socintanifm 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 ftiall next like your Motion very well, to take up with.'the Creed, as Expounded in the 4 Firft Councils, ciWcdGefieral: which 1 can readily fubfcribe my felf,but it's better let them all alone, and not to be fo fond oioneonely Engine^ which hath torn the Church for about 1200 Years. I mean departing^ from the Ancient Rule, and making aew Creeds asd Form* of Communion.

I i i i Ttf

I'd The Ll F E of the Part

To yom Third Qu. i. I fuppofe yon obferve that what 1 lay about Separ^itioif^ is not under the tfmd Head ( of the Concord of Neighbdur Churches •, but under the fecond Head of the Concord of Members in the fame particular Churches) and were you not heretofore at Agreement in your own Churches? And is it not the Duty and Jntercfi of your own Giurches to keep Unity, and that the Members fcparatc not unjuftly whether you agree with other Churches or not?

2. Either what I fay about Separation is that which we are all ( now Uniting ) agreed in, or not: If it be, it honoureth our Brethren to profcfs it, and can be no Reproach or OfTeuce to them to declare it; If any have finned againft their own prefent Jud^ent, 1 hope they are not fo Impenitent, as to dellre us to forbear agreeing with their orni Judgments^ becaufe it is againft ihzvc former fns. 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 defire you to name the Terms which we agree not in, and then we (hall fee whether we iray leave them out, or whether it. render our Concord defperate and impoffible (of which anon.)

To your Fourth Qu. Tfie Jealoufjes and Errors of thefe Times do make it neceflary to our Peace, to make fome Profeflion of our Judgment about Magiftracy ^ and I think there is nothing queftionable in this. 1 am lure there is nothing but what many of the Congregational-Party do allow; but if you come to Particulars,' I (hall confider of them again.

The particular Exceptions which you Obliterate not your felves are but thefe.

t . To Qu. Prep. p. Whether I mean prefp-ibed Forms^ and Homilies^ and Habits^ by the Terpis [what Words to ufein Preaching and Prayer^ &c.3 ^nfrv. That which 1 fay as plain as I can is, i. That a determination of fuch Circuniftances is not a fmful Addition to God's Word, nor will allow the People therefore to avoid the Churches Comniunion. 2. That it belongs to the Paftor's Office to determine them (what Words he fhall Preach and Pray in, (re.) Therefore you have no caufetoask my meaning about impofing upon him^ but only whether he may fo far impofe upon the flock^ as to ufe his own Words in Preachings Prayer^ &c. 3. That yet if the Paftor deterniinc thefe Circumftances dejlruiii-vely^ the People have their Remedy. And is not this enough ? Why muft I tell you whether you may read a Sermon (or Homily) of your own Writing, or another Man's unto the People ? Or if you do, whether they muft feparate? Or elfe if you read a Prayer, ire. Either you determine inefe things to the Churches hurt^ or not ? If not, why fhould 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 Controverfiesoftiie Times will tempt any to Expound our General Terms of Agreement amifs, we muft not go from Geneials for that.

To the Tenth Prop. You fay there is fometbing that will admit of a farther Con-fideration : Whereupon I confidered it, and have added l^iuppofing it he apublici Pro-■ ftjjion of Chrifiiantty which is made:'} Becaufe, though the People are not b und to try the Pcrfons before-hand, that are fo to be received to Communion, yet fcney may ordinarily expeft, that wl en they are admitted, their Profeflion be publ'ick, or made known to the Church, which 1 imply'd before.

And now, 5«V, I pray give me leave to fpeak fome-what freely to the Caufe it felf, ('alTiring you I fhall patiently, if not thankfully receive as free Language from you or oilier;.) I (hall 1. mention what it is tliat we have to do j and 2. what Reafons we have fjr doing it.

_ Cm Bufir.efs is to heal Chiirch-Divifmu^and Hcart-Bivijhns ^ therefore you muft give us leave to fay muih againft Divifions or Separations which are unjuji^ becaufe this is our e«i, and all tlie reft is but the means ^ and if you would have us leave out that^ it is all one as to fay C Let its agree to have no yfgreemc^t or Vnity ^] or Q we will ht healed, fo wc may continue to be unhealed j] or, [do but excufe us from Ccw-

cord.

cord, and we will agree with you.] The Reafon why we would bear with othtr Dtf-Urmcei^ is becaufe n't cannot hear with the abfnce ofVnity^ Love and Peace, elfe we may let all go to Divifioiis, without any more ado.

And the grc;it things which hinder the rresbytei-iam and ModerateIpifispal A.en^ tiom cloiing with you, are principally thefc.

1. Becaufethey think tliat your way tends to deftroy the Kingdom of Chrill by dividing it, while all Excommunicate Perfons, or Hereticks, or humorous Peifons, 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 Uhgodliuefs, or Impatience of Difci-pline &c. and then may fland on equal Terms with you y efpecially when you are not for the conflant Corrcfpondcncy of Churches in Synods, by which they may ftrengthen themfelves againft them.

2, They think, while ycu feem to be for a firiaer Difcipline thm others, that your way rorufualPraaice) tendcth to extirpate Godlinefs out of the Land ^ by taking a very few that can talk more than the reft, and making them the Church, and fhutting out more that arc as worthy, and by negleding the Souls of all the Pariih elfe, except as to fome publick Preaching ; againft which alfo you prejudice them by un^ft Rejcdions •, and then think that you may warrantably account them unworthy : bccaufe you know no worthinefs by them, when you cftrange your felvcs from them, and drive them away from you. They think that l\ri/h-Refortnatioit tendeth to the making Codlinefs univerful, and X.\\2.tyour Separation tendeth to dwindle it to nothing, 1 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 unjuji efpoufing of your fetv^ do the People a double Injury, one by denying them their Church-Rights, without iny regular Church Juftice, and the other by lazily omitting moft that fhould have been done for their Salvation. In our Countrey almoft all the reft of the Minifters 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-derminjier. Whether it were better to take 20 ProfeiTors for the Church, and leave a Reader to head and gratifie the reft ? Or, to attempt the juft Reformation of the Farifh ? The ProfeiTors would have been beft pleafcd with the firft and I was for the latter, which after full tryal, hath done that which hath fatished all the ProfeiTors : So that profefled Piety, and Family-Worlhip fin a way of Humility and Unity) was To common, that the few that differ among fome Thoufands are moft-ly afliamed of their Difference on the account of Singularity, and would feem to be Godly with the reft.

The laft Week I had with me an honeft Scotchman, and one of my Jcton Neighbours, and I asked him how their Nation came to be fo unanimous in the approbation of Godlinefs without any Sed, And he told me that ufually they had twelve Elders in a Parifh, and every one took their Divifion and ob-fervcd the manners of the People, and if any Family prayed not, &c. They ad-monifhed them, and told rhe 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 wc teach Children to read : And that once a Week they had a meeting of the Elders, to confult about the good of the Pariih, 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 difcourfc of the things Preached of, that Objedions might be anfwered, and thofe urged to their duties that had nothing to fay againft it. This, and more, the Scotchman averred to me. My Jcton Neighbour told me, that there is now but one Perfon (a Woman) in all this Town and Pariih that was here admitted to the Sacrament, and that the reft were partly by this courfe (and other rea-fons) diftalled, and their didikc encreafcd, and partly negletted and left to themfelves -. That of rich Families, (Mr, Rous, Major Skippous, Collonel Sely and Mr. Humphreys) were admitted while the reft were refufed, or neglefted :'And that one furviving Perfon who was admitted, it but a Sojourner here. Whereas upon a little Tryal, I am able to fay, that there are comparatively few openly fcandalous Perfons in the Town ^ that there arc many tpfco, I have reafon to believe do feriouHy fear God, and are fit for Church-Communion : That almoft the whole Town and Pariih (even thofe that feemed moft averfe ) are defirous and

^ 'I'ii ^ diligent

diligent to hear, even in privatCj andfeemtobe defirous of Family-helps, and deliregood Books to read in their Families. And I hear not of one PerfonTor hardly any if one) that fpeak againft the itrifteib Godlinels, buc commonly rather take part with thofe that are judged to fear God.Even the very Inns and Alc-hou-fes themfelves do fignific ho Oppofition or iU-rvill -. In a vvord, the willingaefs feem-eth fo great and common, that if I were their Pallor, and had linie to go to them in private, and try, and promote their Knowledge (wliich comes not at once) I fee no reafon to doubt but Godlinefsmight become the common Complexion of the Parifh. I fpeak thistofhew you (if Experience ilgnifie any thing with you,) that your feparating way tendeth to Lazinefs, and the grievous hinderance of that Godlineib-. which you feem to be move zealous for than others, and tkit the way of Reforming Parifh- Churches, is riot fo hopelefs as you make youi^felves believe it is,Somc one wrote lately Exceptions to Mr. E/wf,upon his Prppofals,in which he ask-cth.' him, {\Vhat Jhall ont\ or tiro^ or three in a pctnjh do^ ivho ufiulfy aft as many in mofi^ orniany Farijles as are ^r/or Co>?7wj.'iw/o'/;, &c.]] Men lirft eftrange themfelves from the poor People, whom they fliould teach with tenderncfs, and diligence, and then they think their ignorance of the People ground enough to Judge them ignorant, and talk oime or two in a Parifh. ButChvift will find many more, I am paft doubt, even Members of his A'fyflical Church , than thefe Men can do of the vifihle^ which is much larger. And you cannot fay, if there be any duTerence of SuccefTes, that it is only from the difference of Fcrfons,, and not of the feve-ral ways : For here where I live were two of tl'C worihiell: Perfons of your way CMr. iVyf, and Mr. Elford) whofe ability and Fieiy were beyond aU'queftion, and fo v/as their great advantage then. But yo-jr v;ay is your difadvantage, and ChrifV''-, Friends Ihcv.ld fufpeft that way of Loncuring Godlinefs, which tendoth' to dirniniJh it, or fupprels it.

I tell youfomefewof the things oaenfive lo vrur Breihren, that you may fee wherein our Agreement muft give Sati:fafi:ion. The, reii; I now omit.

I hi^d thonght to have faid more of tho Rcar:>ns why you lliould heartily promote it. But I will now fay but thefe two tilings, i. Tliat he that can conllder what the ctfefts of our Divifions have been upon Church- and State, and the Lives of forac, and the Souls of Thoufands, both of the openly ungodly, and ProfefFors, and that knows how great a Reproach they are now to our Profeflion, and hardening of the Wicked, and hinderance to that good even of the beft, and yet doth not thirft to fee them healed, hath fmallfenfe of the intereft of Chrilt, and Souls.

2, That he, that confidcreth what it was to continue fuch Divifions unhcal'd for 2o Years, under fuch Warnings and Calls to Unity • and to do what v/c 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 him zealous for a Cure, And in particular, \iyou^ and Mr. Nye^ and I, be not extraordinary zxalous for this work, there are fcarce three Men to be found in the World, that will be more haiaoufly guilty, and without excufe: (I need not tell you why.J And truly, ifwchave z:e«/, and yet not j^jV/ for fuch a Cure, fwhcn all fay that the People are willinger than the Paftors) it will be a Ihame for us to cry out on them, that Silence lis: as if fuch Shepherds were necclTary to the Flock, that have skill to Wound, and none to Cure. Therefore, as I am heartily glad or your forwardncfs and willing-nefs to this Work, pardon me for telling you, I will'judge of it by the Ffeffs. I addrefs my fclf to you alone, bccaufe I know that Vnderfianding and Experience are great Afliftants (to lead on Charity) in this Work •, and there is no dealing with them that undcrftand not the Cafe. And I will hope that the EfFed will flrevv, that no Flumours of others (Men of narrow Minds, and Interefts, and injudicious Paffions) fhall 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 Homourin^

u'Jnd Vnwa-thy Brother^

Rich, Ba.xter.

§ 144. After

Part III ~~ %verend M. Richard Baxt

er.

§ 144-. After this J waited oa him at London again, and he came once to me to . Lodgings, when I was in Town ^ncar h.m • ) And he told me, that he received my chdme Letter, and perceived that 1 fiifpeired his Reality in the Bufinefs • bur ^ "f^.io hearty in it, that I (hould fee that he really meant as he fpake, concluding

u /- MT J r-^v-' -■---"—"-"'•_'•'""-"^'^ciijJ ui^diit ab lie ipase, conclud in thefeW^rds lloufluUfce n, and wy Prairwt Jhuli re;:roach your D^ffidenctl tOid him, 1 hat it I tore-faw lus Temptations, and were willint^ to heln him Premoniuon to ot'ercome them, I meant not that as an Acciifation • but thanked Jim for his Promife torcpm'.cb my Diffidence by Im Praake, and fuch an Event would bfe his Honour and Irt it reproach me and fpave not, fo be it the Wori^ were done But again, I^eftred tJiat no one living might know of it, till he and I had finiftied our attempt. And thus I waited for his Animadverhons,

1, ^ '-^5- About a Month after I went to him again, and he had done nothine but was ftill hearty for the Work. And to be rtiort, 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 thcfe Words T / am m a mll-mjhcr to thofe Mathematicks ■^■] without any other Words about them or ever giving me any more Exception agaiixfl them. And this was the iifuc of my third At tempt for Union with the Independents. .

§ 146. Having long (upon the Sufpenfion of my Aphorifms) been purpofin-to M'^JJ'f^^r^f °^^^r^^^^^' ^T'bsganit: I never yet few 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

could not eafily difcover, but not fo eafily amend. I had been Twenty Six Yeir^

convinced that Dichotomizing will not do it ■ but that the Divine Trinity in Uni?v

hath expreft it felf in the whole Frame of Nature and Morality: And I had fo lone

been thinking of atrr.e Method, and making fome fmall Attempts, but I found my

feif infufficieut for it; and fo conlmued only thinking of it, and ftudyin-it all

thefe Years. _ Camp.mclU I faw had made the fairell Attempt'that ever I SmadT

in the Pnnciples of Nature (andCommenm after him^) but yet as I believe he

quite mift It in his firfl: operative Principles of Heat and Cold (miflakingthena!

ture of Cold and Darknefs-J fo he run his three Principles, which he callethPrl

malities into many fubfequent Notions, which were not provable or coh'erent •

Having long read his FhyMs, Metaphyficks, de Senfu rerum, and JtheifirmTri:

umpbatu^ 1 found him mention his Ueology, which put me'in hope, that he had

there alfo made fome Attempt, but I could never hear of any oie that had feen

any flich Book of his: At laft Mr. Geo. La.fon^ TbcopoUtka Im.o'^'^^hk^^^^^

duced Theology to a Method more Political and righte/in the main, than any th!t

I had feen berore him: But he had not hit on the time Method of the FefiHa Trini

tatv,- and fome long Debates by Writing between him ahd me, whichliad gone

before ( about 7 tears ) had engaged him to make good his firit Papers in thofe

rniilakes about the Office of Faith in Juftification (as Juftiiyin^ only as Chr-m Pro

pitiation as theObjea otit :) Of which in that Book he faithYo much (to the pkv

rather than fatisfaftion of the Judicious:) his Book being otherwife the roundell

and moft abounding with Light of any one that I have feen. But the very nS

tv of explaining the Three Articles of Baptifm, and the Three Summaries of Re L

gion (the Creed Lord's Prayer, and Decalogue) hath led all the common Se-

chifms that go that way (of which Vrfine Correfted by Parous is the chiS) in?o a

truer Method than any of our exaftelt Dichotomizers have hit on, ( no exceptTn^

Treleattuf^ Solmius, or yfwe/7w, which are the belt.) ^-^ccpung

Jn VwJ: '^ll^. ?^^^I^ ''v ^^'"^^f convinced me. That as Phyficks are prefuppofed m Ethicks and that Morality is but the ordering of the Rational Nalure Sits

^n°"a'nd of ^oS'" ^^'^'^"'^1'"^ Metaphyf&s, which opened the 5a?ure of Man, and. of God, which are the Parties contrafting, and the creat Subjects of Sir/I Morality, is more needy pertinent to a'Method of ?heolc2raad Ihould have a larger place in it, than is cominonly thought and given to it^ Y« I

'^o The LI F E of the Pdrtllt

hiew how Uncouth it would fcein to put fo niuchof thefe Doftrines into a Body of Divinity : But the three firil Chapters oiCenefis afllired m6, 1 hat it was tlie Stri-ptuve-Method. And when I I'.ad drawn up one Scheme of the Creation, and Teat it the L.ord Chief Baron (becaufe of our often Communication on fuch Subjcfts, and being now banilhed 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 fome-what to my Inclinations and Refolutions. And through the great Mercy of God, in my Retirement at Totteridpe^ in a troublefome, poor, fmoaky, fuftbcating Rooni, in the midft of daily pains of the Sciatica, and man;,'worfe, I fet upoii^ andfiiiilhed all the Schemes, and half the Elucidations in the end of the Yfear i66^. and the beginning of 1670. which coft 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-conformifls: Partly, to prove it their Duty to Exercife their Miniftry as they caa when they arc Silenced:, and partly to open the State of the Prelacy, the Subfcriptions, Declarations, &c. which they refufe: for the furious Reviiings of Men didfoin-creafc, 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 Banifhraent) put an end to my other Labours, which made me lay it by ; for I thought that the finifhing of my Metbodtis Theologia: was a far greater work: But if that had been done, I think I (hould have publifheAit whatever it had coft me.

§ 149. This Year 1670 ray forementioned Cure of Church Divifiom came out. which had been before caft by, which occafioned a ftorm of Obloquy among almoft all the feparating Party of ProfefTors, and filled the City and Country with matters of Difcourfe : which fell out to be as foUoweth. 1 had long made ufe of two Bookfellers, Mr. I'ytm^ and Mr. Sin moms^ the former, lived \vi London and the later in Kiderminfier : But the latter removing to London^ they envyed each other, in a meerdefire of gain, one thinking that the other got more than he was willing fliould go befides himfelf. Mr. Tyton firft reftifed an equal Co-partnerfhip with the other : "Whereupon it fell to the others (bare to Print my Life ofFattb^ and Cure of Church Divifiom^ after my Dire^ions to makChriJlians^ together: Which occafioned Mr. Tyton to tell feveral that came to his Shop, that the Book, as he heard, was a-gainil 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 nie Praftife &c. • ■] which were all grofs Untruths ^ for the Book was never offered him, nor had he never feen a word of it, or ever Ipoken with any one that had feen it, and told him what was in it. Mi". Tyton being a Member of an Independent Chtirch, this fort of People the eafilicr 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 allofSchifm, and then that / wrote for Conformity, and laftly, that /conformed j 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 / preached my Recantation Sermon on befr-rc th e King, as ftirring him up to Cruelty againft the Nonconformifts. So common was the Sm of Back-biting and Slandering among the Separating Party, fo it were but done at the fecoad hand •, and they that thought themfolves to^ good to joyn with the Confcrmifts, or ufe their Liturgy, or Communion, yet never fhick at the common carrying of all thefe Falftioods, becaufe they could fay, a good >"an 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 p.avt with the Enemies of Godlincf;, and countenanced their Church-Tyranny \ and fomc faid that I fought to reconcile my felf to them., for fear of further Suffering: And thus tlie Chriftians that were moft tenderly afraid of the J /itnrgy and Ceremonies, were fo little tender of receiving and vending the moft dif-

ingenuous

Part ill. "Reverend Mr. Richard BaxterT""^

ingenuous Falfhoods, as if they had been no matter of Scruple. So eafie is a finful Zeal, aadfo lordly is true Chriltian Zeal maintained.

§ 150, At the fame time there fell out a Cafe which tended to promote the Calumny. The old Reading Vicar of Kidermmfter dyed, about the Day of the Date of the Ad againfl: Conventicles) Sir Ral^h Clare^ his chief Friend, and my Applaudcr but Remover, being dead a little before ^ the old Patron, Collonel yohn BYid<^es Sold the Patronage to Mr. Tfjomas Foley^ with a condition, that he fhould preicnt me next, if 1 were capable ^ which he promifed, as alfo, that he would Prefent no other but by my confent. Becaufe I had done fo much before to have continued iil that place, and had defired to Preach there but as a Curate, under the Reading Vicar, vfhQw J refufed a Bifhoprick, andtheVicaridge was now come to be worth 200 I. per -Ann. and this falling void at the lame time, when the Independents had tilled the Land with the Report that I was Writing againft them for Conformity j hereupon the Bilhops therafelves believed it, that the love of Kidermmjhr would make me Conform; and they concun^ed iu vending the Report, infomuch that one certainly told me, that he came then from a worthy Minifter, to whom the Arch-bifhop of Tork ( Sterne ) fpake thefe Words, \_ Take it on my Word^ Mr. Baxter doth Conform and M gone to \m Beloved Kiderminfter.] And fo both Parties concurred iu the falfe Report, though one only raifed it.

§ 151. Another Accident fell out alfo, which promoted it. For Mr. Crofton having a Tryal, ( as I hear upon the Oxford Aft of Confinement) at the Kin/s Bench ^ Judge KeeUmg fa id, Tou need not he fo kjjly^ for J hear that Mr. Crofton m about to Conform^} And Judge Morton faid, C -And I hear that Mr. Baxter hath a Book in the Prefs aguinft their private Meetings : Judge Rainsford faid fomewhat that he was glad to hear it; and Judge Morton again. That it was but time for the Quakers in Buchngham-fhire., he was confident were Afted by the Papifts ■ 'for they fpake for Purgatory already.] This Talk being ufed in fo high a Court of Juftice by the Grave and Reverend Judges, all Men thought then that thty might lawAilly believe it and report it. So Contagious may the Breath of one Religious Man be as to infeft his Patty ; and of that Religious Party, as to infcdt the Land, and more than one Land, with the belief and report of fuch ungrounded Lies.

§ 152. At the fame time, in the end of my Life of Faith, I Printed z Revocation of my Book called Political Jphorifms., or A Holy Cofnmon-wealth; which exafperated thofe who had been for the Parliament's War, as much as the former, but both together did greatly provoke them. Of which I mufl: give the Reader this Advertife-mcnt. 1 wrote that Book 1659. by the provocation of Mr. 7<?ff7es Flarringtm the Author of Oceamz; and next by the Endeavours of Sir FJen.. Fane for a Commonwealth : Not that I had any Enmity to a well ordered Democracy:, but i. I knew that Cromwell and the Army, were refolved againfl: it,, and it would not be. z. And I perceived thr.t Harrington^ Common-wealth was fitted to Heathenifm and Vane'?, to Fan.iticifm •, and neither of them would take : Therefore I thought that the improvement of our Legal Form of Government was befl for us : And by Marring ton's. Scorn (Printed in a half Sheet oiCihherifh) was then provoked to write that Book. But the jnadncfs of the feveral Parties, before it could be Printed puli'd down Rich. Cromvosll:pxid. chang'd the Government fo oft in a few Months as brouc;ht in the King, contrary to the hopes of his clofeft Adherents, and the expectations of almoll: any in the Laud.

And ever fmce the King came in, that Book of mine, was preached againfl: before the King, fpoken againfl: in the Parliament, and wrote againfl by fuch as defired my Ruine: Morley., Bifhopof/{■'bw/Jer, and many after him, branded it with Treafon and the King was ftill told that t would not retrac"^ 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 againfl it \ and even Men that had been taken for Sober and Religious when th'ey had a mind of Prefcnnent, and to be taken notice of at Court, and by the Prelates, did fall on Preaching or Writing againfl me, and fpecially againfl that Book, as the piobablefl mems to accomplifli their Ends. When I had endured this ten Years, and found no flop, but that flill they proceeded to make me odious to the King and Kingdom, and feeking utter ruine this way, I thought it my Duty to remove this flumbling Block out of their way, and without recanting any particular

Doctrine

Doftiine in it, to revoke the Pook^ and to di/nK^n it, and defirethe Rer.der-to take it as non Scriptum^ and to tell him that 1 repented of ihe writing of it • And fo I did: Yet telling him, That I retrafted none of the Doctrine of the firlt Part, which was to prove the Monarch of God;, but for the fake of the whole /ccoyj Fart, I relented that J wrote it: For I was refolvcd at leaft to have that much to fay, againil all that after wrote, and preach'd, and talk'd againltit, That 1 Live rtvnked that Book^ and therefore /hall not defend it. And the incelfant bloody Malice of the Reproachers made me heartily wifh, on two or three accounts, that 1 had never written it. i; Becaufc it was done jnft at the fall of the Government, and was buried in onr mines and never, that 1 know of, did any great good. .-; Becaufe I find it befl for Minifters', to meddle as little as may be with Matters of Polity, how great foever their Provocations may be: and therefore I wifh that I had never written on any fuch Sublet. 3. And 1 repented that I meddled againil rane and /Lvrington fvvhich was the fe-Not that cond Fart J in. Defence of A^onarchy^ feeing that the Confcquents had been no better, niyjudg- and that my Reward had been tobefdenced, imprifoned, turned out of all, and tnent is reproached implacably, and incellantly, as Criminal, and never like to fee an end 'twaf for^^ of it: He, that had wrote for fo little, and fo great difpleafure, might be tempted Monarchy, as well as I, to wi(h that he had fat Jlill, and let GOD and Man alone with Mat-^ But I am ters of Civil Policy. Though I was not convinced of manj/ Errors in that Book, fo forry that called by fome Accufers to recant, yet I repented the writing of it z% an infelicity^ and as I wrotefcv J ^j^j^j^ ^-^ j^o o(j but hurt, any Men °

isaintt

their wills, § 153- But becaufe an y'ppendix to that Book had given feveral Reafonsof my and to adhering to the Parliament at firfl, many thought I changed my Judgment about the their dif- fij-fl- p^j-j- q{ jiig Parliament's Caufe: And the rather, becaufe / difclaimed the Army's Itr et Rebellious Overthrows of Government (as / had always done.; / knew / could not they"'' revoke the Book, but the bufie pevifhnefs of cenforious Profellbrs would fall upon me (honld as a Revolter • And / knew that / could not forbear the fiid Revocation, without chufethcir thofe ill Effecb which / fuppofed greater. And which was worft of all, / had no own Scr- poflible Liberty further to explain my Reafons.

^^""" § 154- When my Cure of Church Divifions came out, the fober Party of Miniijers

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 Affemblies, thought it fhould have been lefs fharp;, and fome thought becaufe they were under the Bilhop's Severities, that it was unfeafonable. For the Truth is, moft Men judged by > f«/e, and take that to he.good or bad^ which they feel do them good or hurt at the prefeut: And becaufe the People's Alienation from the Prelates "and Liturgy, and Parifh-Churches, did feem to make againft the Prelates, and to make for the Nonconformift's Intercjl^ they thought it not Prudence to gratifiethe 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 our Adverfaries •, and that linful means is feldom blelfcd to do good.

§ 15-^. But upon fore-fight of the tendernefsof Profelfors, / had before given my Book to the Perufal of Mr. ^ofc« Corbet^ my Neighbour, ( accounted one of the moft Calm, as well as Judicious Nonconformifls) and had altered every Word that he wifhed to be altered: And the fame / had done by my very worthy Faithfiil Friend, Mr. Richard I'airclovgh^ who Pcrufed it in the Prefs, and /altered almoft all that he wilhed to be altered, to take off any Words that feemed to be too Iharp. But all did not fatisfic the guilty and impatient Readers.

§ 1 5<5. For ^vhcn the Book came out, the Separating Party, who had received before an odious Charafter of it, did part of them read and interpret it by the Spcftacles and Commentary of their Pafilons and fore Conceits^ and the molt of them would not read it all ^ but took all that they heard for granted: Tin; hotteft that . was againil it was Mr.|£^. Ba^fhaxo^ a young Man, who had written formerly againil

Monarchy, had afterward written for me againil Bifhop Morley -^ and being of a refolutc Roman Spirit, was fent firft to the Toivtr^ and then laid there in 5he horrid Dungeon (where the damp cafting him into the Fixmorrhoids, the Pain caufcd that Sweat which faved his Life :) Thence he was removed to Southl y-Cuflk^ near Pi^rtf-tmuth^ ia the Sea, where he lay Prifoner many Years ^ where Vivafor Poml (an ho-ncft injudicious Zealot of Jf'.?/ej) being Ids Companion, heightncd him m his Opinions.

He

He wrote agaiull rnc a Pamphlet fo full of"unt7uths and Spleen, and fo little pertj-nent to the Cauic, astliat I never met with a Man that called for an Anlwerto it: But yet the ill Principles of it made me think, that it needed an Anfwcr, which 1 wrote. But I found that Party grown fo tender, expeding little but to be applauded for their Godhncfs, and to be flattered, while they expected that others Iliould be moft fharply dealt with, and indeed to be fo utterly impatient ofthatLangua2;e in a Confutation which had any fuitablenefs to the defert of their Writings, tha^t I purpofed to give over all Controverlial Writings with them, oranv other, without great necelTity : And the rather, becaufe my own Stilc is apt to be guilty of too much freedom and Iharpncfs in Difputings.

§ I 57. The next to Mr. BugPjavo (now again in Prifon for not taking the Oath of Allegiance it felf,) who behind my Back did moft revile my Book, was Dr. Owm • whether out of Defign or Judgement, I cannot teH ■ but ordinarily he fpake very bitterly of it:, but never wrote to me a Word againfi: it: He alio divulged his dillent from thePropofals for Concord, which I offered him, though he would fay no more againfl: them to my felt, th.+n what I have before expreifed.

§ 158. At this time alfo one Hinkky of Norfield, near Wmefler-fnire^ deiiVing to be taken notice of, wrote a virulent Book againit the Nonconformifts, and particularly fome Fallhoods againft me, and a vehement Invitation to mc to publilhthe Reafons of my Nonconformity ^ when he could not be fo utterly ignorant as not to know, that I could never get fuch an Apology Licenfed, and that the Law forbad me to Print it imlicenfed, and that he hiaifelf taketh it for a Sin to break that Law. Rut fuch impudent Perfons were ftill clamouring againit us;

§139. By this time my own old Flock at Kideminjler began (fome of them) to Cenfure me: For when the Bifliop, and Deans, and many of their Curates, had preached long to make the People think me a Deceiver r, as if this had been the only way to their Salvation, the People 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 Malctaftors; which increafed their ExafperatioHS yet more. They continued their Meetings Vvhilfl: their Goods were Seifed on, and they were Fined and Punilhed again and again. Thefc Sufferings fo increafed their Aver-fation, that my Book againfl Church-Divifions coming out at fuch a time, and a Preface which 1 put before a Book of Dr. Bryanh^ in which I do but excufe his Speaking againft Separation, they were many of them offended at it as unfeafonable ^ and judging by feeling Jntereft and PcjJJion^ were angry with me for ftrengthening the Hands of Perfecutors, as they call it^ whereas if I had called the Biihops all that's nought, I am confident they wosld not have blamed me. And they that fell out with the Biihops for calling me out, and fpeaking ill of me, were (fome of them) ready to fpcak ill of mc, if not to caftme off, becaufe I did but perfuade them of the Lawfiilnefs of Communicating in their Parifh-Church, with a Conformable Miniftcr in the Liturgy.

(j 160. At this time, as is faid, the old reading Vicar dying it was caft on me to chufe the next: But the Religious People (who were the main Body of the Town, and Parifli) 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 fhould feem to confent to his Conformity, or to be obliged to him in his Office. Whereupon I alfo refufcd to meddle in the Choice and the rather becaufe fome of the malignant flanderous Prelatills who write of me, as Dmei^_ Vfirange^ and many others have done, would in likelyhood have fiid, that I contracted for fome Commodity to my felf ^ and becaufe Mr. Foley the Patron was a truly honcit Religious Man, who, 1 knew would make' the belt choice he could.

§ 161. When he had chofcn them a Minifler (whom they themfelves commended for an honefl Man and a good Preacher, and rather wifhed him than another) I wrote a Letter to them to advifc them to join with the laid Minifter in Praf-ers and Sacrament ^ 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

K k k k toierabier

tolerable Man, to own him, and CommunkaLe v/ithhim. Andbecaiife hewas the ■ bcft, that the Patron by their Confent, could chiifc, and for many Reafons, which I gave them. Hut their Sufferings hid fo far alienated them from the Prelates, that the very ruinour of this Letter was talkt of as my Book againft Divifions was, fo that it was never fo much as read to them.

§ 162. And here it is worth the nothing, how far Intcrefb fea-etly fwayeth the Judgments of tlic belt. A few Miniflers, who have a more taking way of Preaching than the reft, and being more moving and affectionate, are for that way now. which mofl: fuitcth with the Inclination of the People who mofl elleera them, which is to go far enough from the Conformills, ( or tco far) but the reft who are Icfs followed by the People, are genei-ally more- for Peace, and Moderation.

§ 163. This Year the Acl againil Conventicles was renewed, and jriad'e more fevere than ever : And (as all that ever I fpake with of it, fuppofed) v.ith an Eye upon my Cafe , they put in divers Claufes : As tliat the fault of the Mittimus llx)u!d not diiablc it :, that all doubtful Ciaufcs in the Act fhould be interpreted, as would molt favour the fupprelFion of Conventicles^ that they that fled or removed their Dwelling into another County, (hould be purfued by Execution, (ro this Scnfc) What a ftrait is a Man in among People of fuch Extremes ? One fide purfueth us with implacable Wrath, while we are charged with nothing but Preaching Chrift's Gofpel in the molt peaceable manner we can: And the other cenfureth us, as Compilers' with Perfeaitors and Enemies to Piety, becaufe we defnc 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 pcrfwading the People to. Conformity : And when 1 ivould 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 Didenters, 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 Firmtn^ a worthy Minifter that had lived in New-England^ writing againft fome Errors of Mr. Hooker^ Mr. Shtpherd^ Mr. Daniel Rogers^ and lAx.Perkins^ gave mc alfo alfo a gentle reproof, for tying Men too ftriftly to Meditation •, whereto I wrotcafliort anfwer, called,^/"c-"jtexv of the Doctrine of Meditation.

§ \66. A worthy Lady was perverted from the Lord's Day to the Saturd^tyr Sabbath, dcfiring my Judgment, and Mr. Francis Bamftld. a Minftcr, who hath lain about fevca Years in Dorcheftcr-GoA (the Brother of Sir /ohn Bamficld^ deceased.') being gone to the fame Opinion, and many following them, I wrote by the Perfwafion of fome Friends, a fmall Traftate alfo on that Subject, to prove the divine appointment of the Lord's Day, and the ceiratioa of the Jem/h Sabbath.

§ 167. Dr. Iranian (though he had the greateft Friends, and promife of Favour of any of the Presbyterians) was fent Prifoner to the Gatehoufe for Preaching the Gofpel in his own Houfe, in the Parifh where he had been called formerly tothcMiniftery, and for not taking the OA:/or^/-Oath, and coming within five Miles of a Corporation ^ where he continued fix Months: but it proved convenient to his eafc, bccaiife thole fix Months were fpent in London^ in a hot jiurfuit of fuch private Preaching, by Bands of Soldiers, to the terrour of many, and the death of fome.

§ 168. Madam, the King's Sifter dyed in Fr^Mce, when file returnedfromvifiting His Majefty in England., to his very great grief \

§ 169. Sir John Babor talkM to the Lord Arlington of our late Tteaty upon the Lord Keeper's Invitation, with Bifliop JVilkins ^ whereupon Dr. Mantofi fent to me, as from him, to Communicate the Terms and Papers. But they v.erc ^V /IHon from whence they had driven me, ancU I had medlcd enough in fuch Matters only to my eoft. So that though he faid tlic King was to fee them, I could not then anfwer his defiic, and I heard no more of it.

S 170-

Part III. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. yc

§ 170. Upon the Publication of my Book againft Divifions, and the Rumour of my Conforming, the Earl of Lauderdale invited me to fpeak with him: Wiiere he opened to mc the purpofe of taking oiFthfc Oath of Canonical Obedience, and all Im-pofitions of Conformity in Scotland^ fave only that it fhould be necelfary to lit in Presbyteries and Synods with the Bifhops and Moderators (there being already lu Liturgy, Ceremonies, or Subfcription fave only to the Doftrine of the Churd;:) Hereupon he exprelTcd his great Kindnefs to me, and told me he had the King's ■ Confent to fpeak with me,and being going into Scothmd^t offered me wliat phce in -Scotland I would choofe, either a Church, or a CoUedge in the Univerfity, or a Biflioprick : And fhortly after, as he went thither, at Barnet he fent for me j and I gave him the Anfwer following in thefe Papers, befides what I gave him by word to the fame purpofe. But when he came thither, fuch Afts againft Conventicles were prefently made, as are very well woithy the Reader's ferious Perufal, who would know the true Complexion of this Age.

§ 171-A^y Lordj

REing deeply fenfible of your Lordfhip's Favours, and in fpecial of your Liberal Offers for my Entertainment in tcotland^ 1 humbly return you my very hearty Thanks: But thefe Confiderations forbid me to entertain any hopes or further thoughts of fuch a remove.

I. The Experience of my great Weaknefs and decay of Strength, and particularly of this laft Winter's Pain, and how much worfe I am in Winter than in Sum-jer^ doth fully perfuademe. That I fhall live but a little while in Scot/.Wii, and that in adiCibled, ufelefs Condition, rather keeping my Bed than the Pulpit.

^_rt.j-»w» jr..„..^ -A-",/ / —i- oj v--requinng

yet near a Years labour more.) Now if I fhould go fpend that one half Year, or Year which fhould finifh that Work in Travel, and the trouble of fuch a Removal, and then having intended Work undone, it would difappoint me of the ends of ray Life: (For I live only for Worl^ and therefore fhould remove only for Work^ and not for Wealth and Honour^ if ever I remove.)

3. If 1 were there, all that I could hope for were liberty to Preach the Gofpel ot Salvation, and efpecially in ^omz Vniverfity among young Scholars. But I hear that you have'enough already for this Work, that are like to do it better than I can.

4. 1 have a Family, and in it a Mother-in-Law of 80 Years of Age, of Honourable Extraft, and great Worth, whom I muft not negleft, and who cannot Travel. And it is to fuch a one as I, fo gf eat a bufinefs to remove a Family, and all our Goods, and Books fo far, asdeterreth me tothinkofit (having paid fo dear for Removals' thefe 8 Years, as I have done, and being but yefterday fettled in a Houfe which I have newly taken, and that with great trouble and lofs of time.) And if 1 fhould find ScotZ-iw^ difagree with me (which 1 fully conclude of) to remove all back again.

All this concurreth to deprive me of this Benefit of your Lordfhip's Favour. But, my Lord, theie are other Fniits of it, which I am not altogether hopelefs of Receiving. When I am commanded to pray for Kings, and all in Authority, 1 am allowed the Ambition of this Preferment fwhich is all that ever I afpired after) to Itve a qukt and peaceable Life^ in all Godlinefs and Honefiy. Din nimvs habitavit anima mea inter ofores pacts.

I am weary of the Noife of contentious Revilers, and have oft had Thoughts to go into a Foreign Land, if I could find any where! might have a healthful Air, and quietne&j that I might but Live and Die in peace. When I fit in a Corner, and

K k k k 2 sncddlt

meddle with no Body, and hope the World will forget that I am alive, Court, City, and Country is ftill fiU'd with Clamours againft me ^ and v;heii a Preacher wanteth Preferment, his way is to Preach, or write a Book againft tlie Nonconformills, and me by Name: So that the Menflrm of the Prefs (and Pulpits of Ibme) is ferae Bloody Invedives againft my felf, as if my Peace were inconliltent with the Kingdom's Happinefs: And never did my Eyes read fuch impudent Untruths in Matter of Faft, as thefe Writings contain •, and they cry out for Anfwers and Reafons of my Nonconformity, while they know the Law forbiddeth me to anf-ver them (Un-licenfed. I cxppd not that any Favour or Juftice of my Superiours Ihould Cure any of this: But,

T. If I might but be heard fpeak for my fclf,before 1 be judged by them, and fuch things believed. (For to contemn the ji:dgment 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 Kiderminfier^ where they are eaten with Worms .and Rats, having no fecurity for my quiet Abode in any place, enough to encourage me to fend for them:) And if 1 might have the Liberty that every Beggar hath, to Travel from Town to Town, I mean, but to London^ to over-fee the Prefs, when any thing of mine is Licenfed for it. And,

3. If 1 be fent to Nexcgate for Preaching Chrifl's Gofpel ^ ( For 1 dare not facri-legioufly renounce my Gilling to which I ami Confecratcd, }tr Sacramentum Ordinw) if I have the Favour of a better Prifon, \vhere I may but \v.dk and arite • Thefe I fhould take as very great Favours, and acknowledge your Lordfhip my Benefaftor if you procure them. For I will not fo much injure you as to defire, or my Reafon as to expeft, any greater Matters ^ no not the Benefit of the Law. 1 think I broke no Law in any of the Preachings which I am accufed of ^ and / raoft confidently think, that no Law impofeth on me the Oxford-0ai\ any more than any Conformable Minifter ^ and /am pall doubting the prefent Mittimus for my /mprifonraent is quite without Law. But if the Juftices think otherwife now, or at any time, /knov/ no Remedy, / have yet a Licenfe to Preach publickly in Zom^oh Diocefs, under the Arch->-.ilhop's own Hand and Seal, Which is yet valid for occafional Sermons, tho' not for Leftures or C\ires: But I dare not ufe it, becaufe it is in the Bifliop's power to recall it. Would but the Billiop ( who one would think fhould not be againft the Preaching of the Gofpel j not re-call my Licenfe, I could preach occafional Sermons, which would abfolve my Confcience from all Obligations to private Preaching. For 'tis not Maintenance that I exped : I never received a Farthing for my Preaching, to my Knowledge, fmce May i. 1662. /thank. God / have Food and Raiment without being chargeable to any Man^ which is all that / defire j had / but leave to Preach for nothing ^ and that only where there is a notorious Neceffity. / humbly Crave your Lordlhip's Pardon for the tedioufnefs j and again return you my very great Thanks for your great Favours, remaining

•

My Lord,

Your Lordlhip's Humble,

"JuKe 24. 1670. Much Obliged Servant,

Richard Baxter.

One

Part III. Reverend Air. Kiclurd Baxr*'

93

One Reafon more alfo, as additional, movcth me, That the People of Scotland A oiild have fiich jealous Thoughts of a Stranger, efpecially at this time when Fame hath rung it abroad that I Conform, that I fhould do little good amon't^ them aud efpecially when there are Men enough among therafelves, that are able, if Impedi-

ments were removed.

Another Letter to the E. o/Lauderdale..

I Scarce account him worthy the Name of a Man^ much lefs of an £«£;7/»-i>«4iMj and leaft of all oi z CMfiian^ who is not fenfible of the great 5/«/i</Hcyf and cJ-hmity of our divided and diflraikd Condition in his Majefty's Dominions. The Sin is a Compendium of very many lieinous Crimes: T\\t Calamity vi i. The King's^ to have the trouble and peril of Governing fuch a divided People : 2. The Kin^doft^s^ to be as Guelphes and Gibelines^ hating and reviling one another, and living in a Heart-War, and a Tongue-War, which are the Sparks that ufually kindle a Hand-lVar ■ and I 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 himfelf is prad'tically acquainted with. That a Houfe or Kingdom divided againft it felf cannot Hand. 3. The Churches: To have Paftors again ft Paftors, 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 to beaccount-ed by Bifhops to be Rebellious, Schifmaticks, and Fanaticks, whofe Religioufnefs and Zeal is the Plague of the Church, and whofe ruine or depreflion is the Paftor's Intereft, againft whom the moft vicious may be iraployed, as being more truftyand obedient to the Orders uf the Church ! How doleful a Cafe is it, that Chrifiian Jjove^ and delight in doing good to one another, is turned almoft every where into wrath and birternefs, and a longing after the downfiil of each other ^ and to hear in moft Companies, the edifying Language of Love and Chriftianity, turned into molt odious Defcripticns of each other, and into the pernicious Language of Malice and Calumny ? It is to fober Men a wonderful fort of wickcdnefs, that all this is fo ob-ftinately perfiftcd in, even by thofe tligf decry the evil of it in others: And to one fort all feemcth juftified, by laying, that otliers are their Inferiours •, and to the other by faying, th;n. ti.cy are Trficuted. And 'tis a wonderftd foit of Calamity^ which is fo much Icvcd, thaf ir the face of fuch iz^/jf, andin the/o/-c^;^k of fuch Dangers^ and in the prefent Expirimce of fuch great Concuffions and Confufions, the Peace-killers will uot; liold their hands.

My Lord, Many fober By-ftanders think. That this Sin might ceafe, and this mifery be healed, at a very cafic Rate, and therefore that it is not fo much Ignorance as Interejl^ 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-makers fhall be Blelled as the Children of God ^ th.it/.'/c and honcji Terms might eaiily be found out, if Men were impartial and willing; and that he that fliall be eur Healer, will be our Deliverer^ and if your Lordfhip could be/nftrumental therein, it would be a greater honour to you in the £ftimation of the true Friends of the A'/>zy-, and Kingdom^ and Churchy and a greater Comfort to your Confcience, than all worldly Greatuefs can afford. For the Means, / am not fo vain as to prefume to offer you any other Particulars, than to tell you, that / am perfuaded. That if there were Crll a Command from His Majefty to the Bifhops of Chefter and Norwich on one fide, and two Peaceable Men on the other, freely to Debate and offer fuch Expedients as they think moft proper to heal all our Divifions, they would foon agree; And when they had made that Preparation, if fome more fuch Moderate Divines were joyned

to them ( as Dr. StiUm^fieet^ Dr. TiUotfon^ Dr. Outram, Dr. Pierfon^ Dr. Whitchcot^ Dr. More^ Dr. Worthington^ Dr. ir^ai?, Dr. Barlow^ Dr. Ti^/Zy, Mr. Gijford^ &c. on one fide ^ and Dr. Conant^ Dr. D:Um£ham , Dr. Langley^ 2nd many more that 7 could Name on .the other fide -,) they would quickly fill up, and Confirm the Concord. And fuch a Preparation being made, and (hewed His Majclty, certainly he would fonn fee that the Inconveniences of it, will be fo great, as the Mifchiefs of our Divifions are, and are like to be (for the further they go, as a Torrent, the more they will fwell, and Violence will not end them, when it feemeth to allay them.) And oh ! what a Pleafure would it then be to His Majefty, to Govern a Concordant People, and to feel the /ffedions and Strength of a Vnited Kingdom^ and. to have Wen'« 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 Honell Subjefts, to live in fuch a Kingdom, and fuch a Church! And that this Wo.ik may notfeem over-difficult to you, when your Lordlhip fhall Command it, I fhall briefly tell you, what the generality of the Sober Nonconfor-mills hold ^ and what it is that they defire, and what it is that they refufeas finfiil, that when they are underftood, it may appear how far they are from being, intolerable, either in the Kingdom or the Church. My Lord,. Pardon this boldnefs of

''June 24. I (570. four Humble Servant

Rich. Baxter.

To the Right HonouYable, the E. of Lauderdale, H'vs Jl-fajejly''s Commiffioner for Scotland.

§172. When the E. of Lauderdale was gone into Scotland^ Sir Rob. Murrey^ (s worthy Pcrfon, and one of (Jrf/^^aw-Colledge-Society, and the Earl's great Confident) fent me the Frame of a Bodyof Church-Difciplinefor 5cof/^c/, and dcfircd my Aniraadverfions on it. I had not Power to Tranfcribe them, or make them known -^ but you may Conjefturc what they were by my Animadverfions. Only I may fay. That the Fram.e was very handfomely contrived, and much Moderation was in it, but the main Power ef Synods was contrived to be in the King.

To the Honourable Sir Rob. Murrey, thU prefent.

tN General.

■*• L" The External Government of the Church, is fo called, i. From the Objedt, bccaufe it is about the Body ;, and fo it belongcth both to- the King, and to the Pa-ftor, who fpeak to Men ^s fenfible and corporeal 2. Or, from the Act of Gozcm-ning -^ and fo it belongeth alfo to both. For to Prtacfc, and Mmoni/h^^ and give the Sacrament of Baptifm^ by the Key of Admiflioii, and to Excommunicate, &c. are outward Afts. 3. From the /tfatter of Punifhment, when it is tbe Body immediately, or the Goods that are meddled with by Penalty : And fo the Government belongeth to the King and Magiftratcs alone.But this is much plainlier and fitiicr diftin-guiihcd fas Bifhop Bilfon frequently, and Proteftants ordinarily do ) by the Terms of Gffvcrning^ by the Sword, znA by the Ward: Or, hy Co-aQive^jLvASpiritual mA Pa-Jloral Government ( which is by yluthorit.ttive Perfuafton, or by God's Word applied to the Confcience.j

ir. Though

P^i;fjH______^^wt7/rf' Mr. Richard Baxter.

^11 Though there be an External Government in the two firft Scnfes, given by ChvifV as immediately to the Pallors as to the Prince, (they having the Keys of tlie Church, ns immediately committed to them, us the Sword is to the Prince- ) vet in X^^^Kxeweoitht,rOffkc in Prcaclung, Sacraments andDifcipline, they are under thccrjdcorvermnento\ the King, who as he may fee that Phyjicians, and all others in his Kmgdom, do their Duties without grofs abufe, fomay he do by Pallors ■ the' he cannot eitlicr al ume to himfelf their Ojf.ce^ or frohtbh it, yet he L^ lovern them that ufe it, and lee that they do it according to Cln-ift's Law : So that undcr that Pretence he take not their jnopcr Work into his own hand, nor hinder them from t!ie true Exerciie.

Ill Thoiigh there are many things in the Frame of Canons which I am uncapable of ludging of, as concerning another Kingdom, whofe Cafe and Cafloms 1 ana not rcrfeclly acquainted with, yet 1 may fay thefc three things of it in general

u That I am very glad to fee no enfnaring Oaths, Declarations, Profeflions or Subicnpnoris m it- no not lo 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 iultillc or approve of. It is our Work to obey. It IS t\ic Magtflrate's Work, and not om to j«//;/z> all his own Comw^«^x and Orders before God, as having no Errors: Therefore it is pity to fee Subjerts fo put upon that which is not their Work, upon the temble Terms as fome-where thev are. ■'

7. I conceive that this Frame will make a Nation happy or mifcrablc as the Men are v;ho (hall be chofen tor the Work. The King having the choice of all the Bilhops and xModerators, and the Comminioners having the Abfolute Powder of nullifying all, if Wife and Godly Bifliops and Moderators be chofen, and moderate Commifli-oners. Piety will be much promoted by thefe Rules of Government. But if contrary, it will have contrary EfFecls.

3. Therefore fuppofmg a choice of meet Perfons, though the mxtwes of the A'la-gtflratesax\Ax\\t Churches power hzvc, be fuch as I cannot juftifie fwho had rather they were dtftmaiy managed) yet I fllould be thankful to God, if we might fee but as ?oo^ a Frame of Canons xfellujedm England^ and fliouldlive peaceably, fubmiffively and gratefully under fuch a Government.

To the FarticuU, s.

I. The Name of Bifhop appropriated to the Diocefine, will fhimble fo ne who have learned that every Church hath one Bijhop (faith/^«jtoj) Et ubt Evifcofus iki Ecclefia, faith Cyprun : Therefore they will think that vou Un-Church all the Churches of the Laid, lave the Diocefine. And I could wifli that the Name were fitted to the thing,, to avoid Errour: but yet I think that none Jhould flick much at this bccaufe it is but dc JVomme, and afterwards you feem to leave a tnie Governing Pone.- not only in the Presbyters, but in the Paflors and Elders of the Parifti-Churchcs,

- Seeing your Moderators are truly Bijhops, as defcribed ( and o^kri alfo, if the Panihes be true Churches) why is Ordination appropriated to the Bifliops fo called > Do you intend that he (hall do it by Confcut of his Synod, or a Presbytery ■ or by his own Power alone ? ■> y j t j

2 Is he to fufixrnd, dcpofe, and excommunicate by himfelf alone (as this General lecms to intimate) or only in, and by Confent of his Synod, ox Presbytery}

3. The fame alfo I ask as to his iTranfpl.mting Minifiers as he fees ufeful ■ ] for Jt he may do all this hmifelf ^^/ii/f«,„, it may difcouragc a Man from meddling with the Miniflcry, when after all his Study and Labour, it is at the Biftops plea-fure whctJier he fhall Preach, or be Sufi)endcd : For though vou after fay for what taults he (hall be Sufpended, yet that fignilicth nothing if the Bifhop be ludgc. Of Appeals as a dear Remedy, and doubtful Men will be diffident. And tranfplant-ing m:iv uado a Minifter at the Bifhop's Plcafure. And I doubt the abfolute Dcpri-valot the People ofthcir Power of Confent, or Dillent, in this and other Gifes, of 1 ulc to their proper Pallors, will be foand i. contrary to the nature of the Paflo-

• rai

§o 7hs LI F E of the PartIIL

ralWork:, 2. to the Scripture;, 3. and to all Autiqiiity, and praftice of the Catho-lick Church for many Hundred Years.

15. If it had been faid, that none but fuch Biihops flnll have power to pronounce theAiajor Excommunication^ or that which is now called Excommunication in tcot-land^ to which Horning, &c. is annexed, it would have lefs founded to che contra-diftion of Antiquity, &c. For Sufpenfion from the Communion, which you allow to particular Clmrches and Preshytcyies^ is called by many the minor Excommunication^ and by fome a Temporary Conditional Excommunication ^ and b y others, (as Sir WU. Morrice) is written againfl:, as an unlawful thing, 'till fome jult Excommunication precede.

22. Might but the Moderator with his Preshytcry (by coafent/ Ordain, it would more fatisfie.

24. In Tranfplanting both Moderators and Pallors, fhould not either their own Cojilent, or the Pr€sbytcry\ or People's be made ffccelTary ?

31. The words 'of tlie Formula of Ordination will be material, as to honeft Men's reception, or refufal of the Office.

32. The Office of a Pallor as inflituted 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 ConirQunion, that is, in Subordination to Chrift's Prophetical, Prieftly, and Kingly Office, to be his Minifter in Office ^ t . To teach the People, 2. To go before them in Worffiip ^ 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 Excfcife,

33. At leaft I. Neceffity ^^//Mew;, 2. Scripture^ 3. And theCatholick Antiquity, fhould be fo far regarded as to' make the People's Confent neceffary, though not their Eleftion, at leaft when they do not by unreafonable Denial forfeit this Priviledge.

35. If this be a limitation of CaM. 7. its well,

X 3, viz.. Suppofing there be a tolerable Paftor there, and no notorious necelli-ty -, for fome Parifhes may have no Paftor, fome worfe than none, and fome with us (as many in ZoKc/oM-Parilhes, Stepney^ Giles^ CrippkgaU^ Sc^ulchres^ 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 for endeavouring their Salvation.

4.7. A Bilhop, if he pleafe, may thus cauflclly keep mofl Minifters in his Diocefs from Preaching the Gofpel, for the moft part of their Lives. I had rather be pu-nillied as a Rogue at a Whipping Poll, before 1 am fully heard and judged, than have innocent Souls deprived of the ufual means of their Salvation under pretence of Puniffiing me. At leaft, let no Sufpenllon be valid^ longer than the place is competently fupplied by another.

48. Will noMulfls or Stripes fatisfie the Law. without Silencing Men, and forbidding them to endeavour Men's Salvation (before their Crimes arc proved fuch as render them uncapable of that work ?)

49. But hath the Synod or Frahyury a Negative Voice in his puniffinient, or not?

50. For Treafon and Murder there is reafon for it ^ but if every Man muft be dcpofed from the Miniftery, that did ever Curfe, Swear, or. had any fcandalous Vice from his Child-hood, befoie his Ordination, or Converfion, I doubt the number left will be too fmall.

<;3. The old Canons diftinguifhed : Some Crimes left fo great a blot as made Men uncapable:, others did not fo. If fuch a War fhould break out, as between the Emperor Hmry IV. &c. and the Pope ^ or between the Houfes oiTork and Lan-cafltr^ 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.

defolatc, and the Peoples Souls foriaken by the Mioifters perpetual incapacity ^ and the King's pardoning Power much reftraincd.

54. Why fiiould it be left to the Bilhop's Will, #hether h« will rcftore fuch a penitent or uoi ?

56, Peaceable Men will confent that no Minifters (hould be permitted to Preach, or Talk SeditiouQy againft even thofe Rules of Government which they do not .approve. But this Penalty is fo high and fevere, that few worthy Miniftcrs will tliink their Station fecure, but will prepare for Rinifhment. For,

1. Thefe Ruhi are many.

2. And Derogatory is a large Word, and will extend far.

3. And there are few worthy Minifters that have no Drunkards, Fornicators, (*rc. for their Enemies to accufe them. £; g. if I lived in Scotland^ and fliould but'read Blondel Je jure Pleb'us in regimine Ecdefiajiico^ and fay, it is found Dodrine, and this in Difcourfe at my own Table, I might be thus troubled, and banilhed, it being derogatory to that part of the King's Rules, as here expreft, which deprive the People of all power of Confent, 6'c. , Is it not enough that this Paper of Canons be fo far equalled with God's 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 firft 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 mcthinks after the firll and fecond Admonition, a competent Mulft might do that fufflcicntly, till Men go fo far as to be turbulent Incendiaries.

63. Shall the Presbytery have a Negative Voice in the Ordination, or be Cyphers ?

66. It is well that the Elders Confent is required: but I think it Ihould be the Congregation's: And what if the Elders diflent ? Shall that hinder the Relation or not ?

93. The number of chofenMinifters in National Synods, ^'i\\ be inconfiderablc as to the reft.

9(j. The ufe of a National Synod (where all Bifhops and Moderators are choftn by the King, and the Commiflloner rulcth) being before-hand refolved to be {to Compile a Liturgy^ and Rules for all Points of Divine Wor/hip, with the Methods^ Cir-cumjiances^ and Rites to be l^ferved therein.,"] Many knowing what Liturgy, Sub-fcriptions Declaration^ and Rites, ars plealing to Authority in England^ will imagine tnem in fiert^ if not virtually fet up already in Scotland^ when thefc Rules are fet up.

107. Publick Pennance — — And why not.' C and Sufpenfim from Communion tiO petutent ConfeJJion be made."}. But I know not why Comfenfations fhould ferve inftead of Confeffion^ and Fromife of Reformation (without which Money will not make a Man a Chriftian, rior fit ;for Church-Comfhunion:) But for any other Pennance, befides one penitent Confcjfion , and Prontife of Amendment^ and defire of the Churches Prayers for Pardon, I know nothing of it, and therefore meddle not with it.

132. C A/b -^<7, Order ^ nor Conjlitution"^ maybe Expounded to reach to 5rr/-fture Conjiitutions and Ordirs^ and the proper ^ffs of the MinifterLil Office, if not better explained.

133. The Word C Eccle/iaftical Meeting ~] may be interpreted of particular Sy-naxcs or Congregations of a Parilh for Worlhip, if not limited, which Convoca-ting of the People is part of the Paftor's proper Office, and for a thoufand Years was fo accounted by the Catholi^ Church. And if in cafe of Dilcord 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 fliould be Corrected by Mulcts, before Men be forbidden to Preach the Gofpcl. If every Man be Sufpended (which Ifuppofe is prohibiting him to Preach and Endeavour Mens Salvation) who ufeth unfound Speeches^ Flattery^ or Ligktnefs^ 1 doubt fo many will talk themfelves into Silence, that a Iharp Profccution will leave many Churches defolatc.

145. But what if there be no Preachers to be had? Way not tlic Sulpended Preach ?

L 1 I I :^(.D'i£-

>. —

146. Difobedieuce to ibme of the imall EaleliafticalRules may be punifhed with Mukts, without abfolute Silencing, cfpecially wlien able Preachers are wanting. Shall the inllruding of the Peebles Souls fo much depend on every Word in all thele

Canons/" But oh, that.you would make that good in Practice that {^Ljbourina

to ^ct Ecckftajljcal Preferment^ fnould be puniflted, if it were with lefs th.ui Ele^o-fition : It would be a happy Canon.

147. But fhall the Synod, or Presbytery carry by Vote, or not?

149. If every Church-Seflion have this power of Sufpenfion, with power but to fay [_ We decLire you unfit for Communton of this partkuUr Churchy till you repent^'} it would give mc great Satisfadion, were I in Scotland. For to fpeak fixely, I take thefe two Things to be of Divine Appointment, i. That each particular Church Wave its proper Pallor, who have the. Minifterial Power of Teaching, Worfhip, (Sacraments, Prayer, Praife) and Difcipline;, and I delire no more Difciplincthau you hei-e gra»t, that is, Sufpenfion from Communion in thit particular Church, if aJfo the Perfon may be declared unfit lor it till he Repent. 2. That thefe Paftors hold fuch CoiTefpondency as is ne^elliiry to the Union of the Churches in Faith and love- And 3. For all tbe reft, I take them to beCircumftances of fuch prudential Determination, that 1 would eafily fnbmit to the Magiltrates determination of them, fo ihcy be not delfrudive to the Ends .■ and would not have Minifters take too much of the trouble of them upon themfclves, without necellity.

152. But then you fecm here to retradt the particular Churches Power again: For if a Man may be debarred tiic Communion for once finning (by Fornication, Dninkennefs, &c.) why not much more for doing again after Repentance ? 1 differ more from this than all the reft: Is it not enough that the Party may ^'/'/'f^/ to the Presbytery ? And that the Seflions or Pallor be rejponfibk for Male-Admiiiiltration or Injury, if proved ? This one Canon would drive me out of the Miniftry in Scotland : I would never be a Pallor, where I mult after the firit Crime, ever after give the Sacrament to every flagitious OiFendcr, till the Presbytery fufpend him ; unlefs they do it very quickly ^ which perhaps they may never do.

153, 154. No doubt but 'jure Divino every true particular auirch hath tlje Power of Excommunicating its own Members out of that particular Church-Communion : ( Delivering up to Satan is s doubtful Phrafe which 1 Ihall not Hand on.) But an Excommunication which fliall bind many Churches to avoid the Sinner, mull be done, or Confented to, by thofe 7nany Churches. Therefore Excommunication Ihould'be diflinguilhed.

156. Sure fome few 'iEcclefiaJlical Rules atid Proceedings'} maybe fo low as that a Contempt of them may be eafilyer punifhed than with this terrible Excommunica-t?on.

jfrnpenitettcy muft be joyned with Scandalous Sins, or elfe they make not the Perfon Excdmmiinicable, as is unplyed in what followeth.

1 62. No doubt but every Church may abfolte its own Members from that fort of Excommunication which it felf may pafs.- And fotoay 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 partiailar Paftor and Church, of their proper Power and Pirvrledgc plainly fouHd in Saipturc, and ttfed many hundred Years through thcCapholick Gliurch.

promur'able Sir^ The Copy which you fcnt me goeth no furtlmr than to the Vili-tationofthc Sick, viz.. to Can. ti6. And fomuch according as I waidcfircd, I have freely and faithftilly Animadverted. And in cencralj here are many excellent Canons, though of many things I cannot Judge, andthofe tew Exceptions I humbly offer to your Confideration, craving your Pardon for this boldncfs, which I fhould not liavc been guilty of,, if the worthy Mefleugcr had not told me, that it was your defire. Sir, I reft

July 22.1673. Tour Httmlle Servant

.V. *■

S 173- ^

% 173- 'J had forgotrcn one paflac-c in the former War of great remark, which ^ ..t me into an amazement: The Duke of OriiMd^ and Council had the caiifc of the Marquefs of .^Ktr/w before them, who had been one df the /r//7j Rebels in the bej^inning of that War, (when in the horrid MafTacre two hundred tho\i-fand Proteftants were murthered :,} His Ellate being fequeftred he fought his le-ftitutioa of it, when King Cbarls II. wlis reftored. Ormond^ and the Conn:il judged againfl: 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 Confcn: and Authority, The King referred it to feme very worthy Members of his' Privy-Council' to examine what he had to (hew : Upon Examination they reported that they found that he had the King's Conftat, or Letter of'Inftrudions for what he did, which amazed many: Hereupon His Majefty, Charles II. wrote totheDulce of Ormond and Council to reftore his Eftate, betaufe it appeared to thofe appointed tp 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 righteoufncfs of their Wars: And the very deftroyers of the King fwhom the firfl Parliamentarians called Rebels) did: prefume alfo to jnilific thir Caufe and faid tliat the Law of Nature did wal^rant them. * '

But it ftopt not here: For the hord Afaiarine^ awji others of IMund did fo far profeaite the Caufe, as that the Marquefs of ylntrhn was forced to produce in the Parlram.ent of Ingland in the Houfe of Commons a Letter of the King's, (Cha I.) by which be gave him order for his taking up Arras: Which being read in the Houfe, did put them into a Silence. But yet fo eVrci^ious was their Loyalty and veneration of Majefty, that it put them' not at all one^ilen out of the way which they had gone in. But the People without Doors talked ftrangely : Some faid, Did you not perfwade us that the King was af^ainfl: r)ie JriPi Rebellion ? And that the Rebels belied him when they faid that^they had his Warrant or Commiffion ? Do we not now fee with what I\Iind he would have gone himfelf with an Army into Ireland to fight againll tliem ? A great deal more nof here to be mentioned was vended feditioufly among the People the Suir. of which was intimated in a Pamphlet wliich was Printed, called Mmder*w win out-^ in which they publifhedthe King's Letter, and Anima'dverfio'ns on it notme« Some that were ftiU Loyal to the Kmg did wifh, that the King that now is hadJ«''S«of rather declared, that his Father did only give the Marquefs of Antrim Com-^'"^^°"* mifiionto raife an Army as to have helped him ^ainft xht Scots ^ and that his°^'^^^^''' turning againfl; the Enilifh Proteftants in Ireland, and the murdering of fomanyS'ionr hundred thoufand there , was againfl: his Will : But quod firiptum erat faiptim erat. And though the old Parliamentarians expounded the Adions and Declarations both of the then King and Parliament, by the Commentary of this Letter, yetfo did not the Loyal Royalifls • or at Icaft thought it no rcafon to make any change in their Judgments, or fl:op in their Proceedings ac^ainlt the Fniliflj Presbyterians, and other Non-conforn>able Proteftants. ° ^

§ T74, In the beginning ef December 1670. The Duke of Ormond, as he was returning home to Clarendon Houfe in the Night, was feized on by fix Men who.fct him on Horfeback to have carried Iiim away. But he was refcued before they could accomplifli it.

Shortly after, fomeof his Majefty's Life-Guard furprized * Sir ^ohn Coven-* This trig, a Member of the Houfe of Commons, and cut his Nofe, which occafioned a greatly great heat in the Houfe, and at laft that Aft which is newly palled for prevent-'^''P'^^'^^ ing of the like. Many Murdcts .-\nd outrages, and cutting of Nofes were com- ^^' ^'^'"' mitted aifo on other Perfons. But d)e greatcft Noifewas made by certain Dukes "^°°^ nnd Lords that went in a torrent of Jovialtyto a defamed Houfe in a Street caU'* led Whetftone-P^vrk, and when the wretched Women cryed for help, the Beadle came in with fome Watchmen, and tjfcy killed him prefently. Whilft fuch things went on, the Houfe of Commons was bufic about an Aft to ma'ke all forbidden Meetings for God's Worlhip, Preaching and Praying by the filenced Minifters to be fcverelieryet punilhed as Routs and Riots, • *

LIU 2

S I7S-

,84 '/ ^^^ LIFE of the Part I fl

§ 175. There happened a grint rebuke to the Nobility and Gentry of Du^olin in Ireland^ vvhicl^s related in their Gazjttte in thefe words. [_ Duhl. Dec. 27. " Ye-" fterday happened here a very unfortunate Accident: Moft of the Nobility and " Gentry being at a Play, at a publick Playhoufe, the upper Galleries on 3 fud-" den fell all down, beating down the fecond, which together with all the Peo-" pie that were in , them, fell into the Pit and lower Boxes: His Excellency, " the Lord * Lieutenant, with his Lady, happened to be, there, but thanks be t» " God cfcapedthe Danger without any harm, part of the Box where they were " remaining firm, and fo refifting tbe Fall from above ^ only his two Sons were "' found quite buried under the Timber. The. younger had received but little *' hurt, but the eldeit was taken up dead to all appearance, but having prefent-*' ly been let Blood, <b'c. recovered. There were many dangeroufly hurt, and " feven. or eight killed outright.^

So far the Gazjettc. About feventeen or eighteen died tl.cn, and of their Wounds. The firft Letters that came to iMndonoi it, filled the City with the report, that it was a Play in fcorn of Godlinefs, and that I was the Perfon ac"ted by the Scorner, as a Puritan, and that he that rcprefented me was fet in the Stocks, when the fall was, and his Leg broke. But the Play was Bm. John/em's 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 drels they made any fuch reflefting Intimations.

§ 175. The Lord Lucjs^ 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 fmce 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 pi'ovoking the Lords to ftop their ExcelTes: The other was, againft the King's fitting fo ordinarily in the Lord's Houfe, and that without his Robes, drc. There were Copies of the Lord iwc^^^s Speech given out, which encreafed the offence j ^nd at laft it was burned by the Hangman, and ere long he died.

§ 177. The Jr^ Men, called the Rebels, petitioned the King by the hands of Colonel Richard Talbot , a Papift, Servant to the Duke oi Tcrk) for a re-hearing againft the former Judgments that had deprived many of.them of their Lands; that fo they might be refTored to them, and the Ftt^lf)} difpoflelfed, which pf-fciided the Houle of Commons as well as the Englijh Nation, and caufed fomc Votes, whichfignified their Offence, and the King at prefent caft afide their Petition.

§178. Lamentable Complaints came from the Protcftants of Francciot t\iz feve-litics more and more ufed againft them j their Churches pulled down, and after Adontahan.^ their other Univerfity of Lanmors decreed to be prohibited. •

§ 1.79. In the latter end of this Year, the Bifhops and their Agents gave out their great fears of Popery, and greatly lamented that the Dutchefs of Tcrk was turned Papift, and thereupon gave out that they greatly defired that feme of' the Presbyterians fas they called even the Epifcopal Nonconformifts) might by forne abatement of the New Oaths and Subfcriptions have better invitation to conform in other things: Bifhop Morley^ Bifliop Ward., and Bifhop Dolbin Ipake ordinarily their dcfires of it •, but after long talk there is nothing done, which makeifi Men varioufly interpixt their Pretenfious, which time at laft will more certainly expound. Seme thinlthat they are real in their defires, and that the ihindrancc is from the Court: And ctliers fay, they would never have been the grand caufes of our prefent Cafe, if it had been againft their Wills, and that if they arc yet truly willing of any hcaling|^ they will fhew it by more than their difcourfcs, (as a Man would do when the City was on Fii e, that had a mind to quench it ) and that all this is but that the di//«w may be diverted from them-fclves, while that which they take on them to fear, is accomplifhed. But I hope yet they arc not fo bad as this Cenfuredoth fuppofe. But it's ftrangetiiat thofc lame Men that fo eafily led the Parliament to what is done fwhen they had

givca

given the King thanks for his Dccfevation about Eccleliaftical Affairs) can do nothing to bring them to moderate abatements, and the healinj^ of our Breaches if ihey are Duly willing. For my part, I fufpend my Judgment of their Intents till the Event fhall make me underfldnd it. Grant Lord that it be not yet too late^ iior Charity commaudeth us to take nothing of others minds for certain till we h?.ve certain Proof, how perilous foever our Charitable hopes may prove. '

§ igo. Mr. B.r^JbMv wrott a. Second Book againft my Defence, fuUof untruths which the furious, temerarious Man did utter, or the raflmefs of liis Mind vvhicli made him fo little heed vvhat he had read, and anfwercd, as that one' would fcarce think he had ever read my Book : 1 replied to him in an Admonition^ telling him of Ills miftakes. To which he pretended a Rejoinder in a third Libel but I found as I was told, that his dellgn v/as to filence almofl; all that I fa id' and to fay all that he thought might make me odious, bccaufc that thofc • 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 1(571. 1 was defired by my Friend and Neighbour Mr. John Corbet^ to write fomewhat to fatisfie a gpod man that was fall;u hito deep melancholly, feeding it daily with the thouglits of the number that will be damned, and tempted by it to conftant Blafphemy againfl: the goodnefs of God, who could fave them, and would not, but decreed their damnation : And I wrote a few Sheets, called. The vindication of God's Goodnefs, winch Mr. Corbet with a prcfi.ved Epiltle publifhed.

§ 182. Alfo Dr. Ludov. Molineus was fo vehemently fetupon by the crying down of the Papal, and Prelatical Government, that he thought it was the vvork that he was fent into the World for, to convince Princes that all Government was in themfelves, and no proper Government, but only Perf\N'afion belonged to the Churches ; to which end he wrote his Paranefis contra ^dificatores Imperii in Imperio^ aadhis Papa Vltrajeiiinus J and other Tradates, and thrult them on mc, to make me of his mind ^ and at laft wrote his Jtigulum Cduf<e^ with no lefs than feventy Epiftles before it, direfted to Princes and men of Interelt, among whom he was pleafed 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. fo ■ cpuldnot perceive that any tiling could be called properly Covernmmt ^ that was no way coaHive by Corporal Penalties: To tumnim from the Erafiian Extreme, and end that Controverfie-by a Reconciliation, I publilhed an Hundred Propofitions conciliatory, and of the difterence between the Magiflrate'* powcr^ and the Pallor's,

§ 183. Alfo one Dr. -|- Edward Fovcler (a very ingenious fober ConformiHj wrote^ He is two Books: One an Apology for the Latitudinarians, as they were then called ^ now the the other entitled, Holymfs the defign of Chrijlianianity j in which he foraetimes worthy put in the word t'^f^ly'} which gave offence, and the Book feemed to forae to have '''i'^p "7'" a fcandalous defign, loobfcurcihe Glory of free Juftification^ under pretence of^f clki'i extolling Holirtefs as the only delign of Man's Redeemption : Which occafion- Crmhgae eda few Sheets of mine on the faidBook and Queftion for reconciliation, andChuich. clearing up of tlie Point: Which when Mr Foxcler faw, he wrote to me to cell me that he was of my Judgment, only he had delivered that more generally which 1 opened more particulary, and that tlic word Zp''^ly~\ was Hyperbolical-ly fpoken, as I had laid •, but he fpakc feelingly againft thofe quarrclfbnie men that are readier to cenfure than to undciitanJ. I returned him fome advice to take heed, le^ their weaknefs, and cenforiouihcfs, fhould make him too angry and im-^patient witlr Religious People as the Prelates are, and fo run into 'greater Sin than theirs, and favour a loofer Party becaufe they are lefs ccnforious. To which he returned me fo ingenious and hearty thanks, as for as great Kind-nefs as ever was fhewed him, as told' mc that free and friendly Counfel to wife and good men is not lolt,

§ 184™ 1 was troubled this Year ^ith multitudes of melancholly Perfon?, from feveral Parts of the Land, fome of high Qiiality, fome of low, fome very e.Kquifitcly learned, fome unlearned • (as I had in a great meafiife been above twenty years before.) I know not how ft came to pafs, but if men fell me-lancliolly, I muH hear from them or fee them (mors than any Phylician that I know,) Which I mention only for thefe three ufes to the Reader •, that out of all. their Cafes I have gathered, i. That we raiilt ve<y mudi take heed

left

kft wc afciibc Melancholy Ph^ntafms and PafTjons to Gcd's Spirit: for they are llrange apprehenfions that Melancholy can caufe (though Baglhaw revile mc for fuch an intimation, as it it were injurious to the Holy Ghofl:.) 2. I. would warn all young Pcrfons to live modcllly, and keep at a luiiicient diftance from Objefts that tempt them to carnal Lull:, and to take heed of wanton Dalliance, and the beginnings or Approaches of this Sin, and that they govern their Thoughts and Senfes careiully. For I can tell them by the fad Experience of many, that venerous Crimes leave deep wounds in the Confcience •, and that thofe that were never guilty of Fornication, are oft call into long and lamentable Troubles, by letting Satan once into their Fh.mtaftes^ from whence 'till Objefts are utterly diftant, he is hardly got out j eipecially when they are i;Mf/ty of voluntary aftive Self-pollution. But above all I \\zxi\ yomg Students^ and y^fprentices^ to avoid the beginnings of thefe Sins-, for their Youthfiilnefs and Idlenefs are.oftthe incentives of it, when poor labouring Men are in lefs danger • and they little knew 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 Chrilt, and to the m.agnilying of Grace, and a Tweeter taflc of die Love of God, and to the fifmer Refolution againlt Sin: And tliaX Tears and Giief be not commended inordinatc'y for treinfelves, nor as meer Signs of a Con-verKd Pcrfon: And that we call INlen more to look aUer Duty than after Signs as fi'xh:, 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 bell lign, but yet to be ex-ercifcd on a higher Realbn, than as a ^n of n':v own Hopes: for that Motive alone will not produce true Love to God. And as the .-nuncmians too much exclude Humiliation and figns of Grace, fo too many of late have made their Religion to confilt 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 principally confift. •

Reader^ I do but tranfcribe thefe three Counfel's for thee, from a Multitude of Melancholy Perfons lad Experiences.

§ 185. This Year 5«/i*«ry-Diocefs was more fiercely driven oia to Conformity, by Dr. Seth Ward^ their Bifliop, than any place elfe, or than all the Bilhops in England bcfidcs did in theirs. Many Hundreds were Profecuted by him with great In-dullry. ^nd among others, that learned, humble, holy Gentleman,' Mr. Thowcis Grove^ an Ancient Parliament-Man, of as great Sincerity and Integrity, as almofi; any Man I ever knew: He flood it out a while in a Law-Suit, but was overthrown, 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

Ojc^ 677 ^ J ,-,|y Benefador. A Brother's Son of his, Mr\ J?ot^G^W£, is one of the Bifhop of tf~ CiccUfpLJ-'^^°"^ Chaplains, who is the only Man that'Llcenfcth'my Writings for the Prefs, ( fuppoling them not to be againil Law, which elfe I could not expect ^) And ic-fides him alone, I could get no LicenP;r tp do it. And becaufc being Silenced, Writing is the far grcatefl: pai t of my remaining Service to God for ' ' C! ch, and without the Prefs my Writings would be in vain, I acknov/ledfc ilu-.^ lo ■.muchto tliis Man, and one Mr. Coo^, the Arch-bifhop's Chaplain hereto :re, that ; live not more in vain,

§ 18^. And while 1 am. acknowledging my Efenefadtors, I adu_ tli ,. Lliis Y:ar died Serjeant John Fountain, the only Pcrfon from whom I rer:ivcd a)|^<\3"nualSnm of Money , which though through God's Mercy I needed not, vei ! could not in Civility refufe : He gave me 10 7. ^cr y'vn. from the time of rrySiIencin?;'ti!l his Death : 1 vvas a Stranger to hira betore the King's Return ; fave that when he was Judge (before he vva'; one of the Keepers of tlic Great Seal) hed-d our Coi.,;trey great Servicea^'aipft Vice, \\i v/as a Man of a (juickand found Unuerrrnding, &a upright impartial Mind and Life, 6f too mflchtcltinefsinhisweakncfs, but of a moll believing fcrious Fervency tov/ardsGod, and open zealous owning of tnic Piety and Holineis (without ov.aing the little Fartialiiiei of Sefts) as moft Men that eve-: I came near in Sicknefs: When he lay lick, (vvliich was almoll a Year) he fcnt to r he Judges and Ldwyers that fcnt to vifit him, fuch Anfv.-ers as thefe: Q 1 thank your Lord, or Mailer, for his kindncfs: Prefent my Service to him, andtel] him, "It is a

■great

^?7

great Work to Die well -^ his time is near ^ all worldly Glory mud come down ; ij^treat him to keep his Integrity, over-come Temptations, and pleafe God, and prepare to Die.^ He deeply bewailed the great Sins of the Times, and the Pros;,-nofticks of dreadful things which he thought we were in danger of: And thou^^h in the Wars he fufFered Imprifonment for the King's Caufe, towards the end he came from them, and he greatly feared an inundation of poverty, Enemies, Popery and Infidelity. • . ' .

, § 188. The great Talk this Year was of the King's Adjom-ning the Parliament again for about a Year longer^ and whether we (hould break the Triple League, and defert the Hollanders^ &c.

§ .T 89. Before they were Adjourned, I fecretly directed fome L,etters to the beft of the Conforming Minifters, telling them how much it would conduce to their own, and_ the Churches Intereft, if they that might be heard, would become Petitioners for fuch Abatements in Conformity, as might let in the Non-conformifts, and unite us^ feeing two things would do it. i. The removal of Oaths and Sub-fcriptions, fave our Subfcription to Chriilianity, the Scriptures, and the 39 Articles, and the Oaths of Allegiance and SujMcmacy. '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 againll the Doctrine, Government, or Worfhip of the Church, or to do any thing againlt Peace, or the Honour of the King and Govcrnours. But I could get none to offer fuch a Petition. And when I did but mention our ov#n petitioning the Parliament, thofe that were among them, and familiar with them, Itill 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. . § 190. During the Mayoralty of Sir Samuel Sterling^ many Jury's Men in London were Fined and Imprifoncd by the Judge, for not finding certain Quakers guilty of violating the Aft againit Conventicles. They Appealed and fought remedy. The judges remained about a Year in fufpenfe 5 and then by the Lord Chief Juilice raugh.m delivered their Refolution againft 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, llnce the King's Return, was received with greater Joy aud'Applaufe by the People j and the Judges Hill taken for the Pillars of Law and Liberty.

§191. The Parliament having made the Laws againft Nonconformifts Preaching, and private Religious Meetings, &c. fo grinding and terfible as aforefaid, the King' Cwho confented to thofe Laws) became the fole Patron of the Nonconformift's Liberties- not by any Abatements by Law, but by his own Connivance as to the Execution, the Magiftrates for the molt part doing what they perceived to be liis Will. So that Sir Rich. Ford^ all the time of his Mayoralty in London ( though fuppofed one of their greatcft and moft knowing Adverfaries) never difturbcd them. The Minifters in fcveral Parties were oft encouraged to make their Addrefles to the King, only to acknowledge his Clemency by which they held their Liberties-, and to pro-fefs their Loyalty: Sir John Babor introduced Dr. M'anton^ and fome with him • Mr. £«nt5, a Scotch Non-conformift by Sir Rob. Murray^ introduced Mr. WhhtAers Dr. Annefley^ Mr. Watfon^ and xMr.^w.-eMt's. The King (as they fay themfelves) told them. That though fuch Ads were made. He was againft Perfccution, and hoped ere long to ftand on his own Legs, and then they fhould fee how much he was againft it. By this means many fcore Nonconformable Minifters in London kept up Preaching in private Houfes: Some 50, fome 100, many 300, and many 1000, or 2000 at a Meeting, by which for the prefent, the City's Neceftities were much fup-plial. For very few burnt Churches were yet built up again, ( about 3 or 4 in the City; which yet never moved the Bifliops to relent, and give any Favour to the Preaching of Nonconformifts. And though the beft oiEngland of the Conformifts, for the, moft part, were got up to io>K/oK, alas! they were but fey/: And the moft of thcReligious People were more and more alienated firom the Prelates and their Churches.

§ 192.. Thofe that froip the beginning thought they faw plainly what was doing, limented all this: They thought that it was not without great Wit, that feeingonly ^ Parliament was truftcd before the King with the People's Liberties, and could raife -

a\V^

a War againft him, ( Intercft ruling the World) it was cxintrivcd that this Parliament iliould make the fevereft Laws againft the Nonconformilts to grind thera t» duft, and tliat the King fhould allay the Execution at his pleafure, and become their Proteftor againft Parliaments; and they that would notconfent to thii fhould fuf-fer. And indeed, the Minifters therofelves feemed to make little doubt of this: But they thought, i. Tljat if Papip ftiall have liberty, it is as good for them alfo to take theirs, as to be fnut out: z. And that it is not lawful for them to refufe their prefent Liberty, though they were fure that Evil were delign'd in granting it. 3. And that before Men's defigns can come to ripeacfs, God hath many ways to fruftratc tlicm, and by drawing one Pin, can let fall the beft contrived Fabrick. But Itill 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 moft effeftually made void.

§ 193. At this time there was Printed ia HoUand, thcThefts^ 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 Necefiity of a ftanding Treafury in a Ringdom, and the power of the King to raifc 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 Legiilative Power but what the King giveth them, who may take it fi-om them when He fceth Caufe, and put them down, and raife Taxes according to his own Difcretion, without them : And that Farliammts and Magna Charta^ are no -impediments to him, but Toys j and that what Charter the former Kings did grant, could be no Band on their Succeflbrs (forgetting that fo he would alfo difoblige the People from the Agreements made by Sieir PredecefTors ( as e. g. that this Family fucceffively (hail rule them, 6'c.) with much more. Whom Fame made to be the Animater of this Tradate, Ipafsby. ^

§ 194, There was this Year a Man much talk'd of for his Enterprifes, one Major Bhod.^ an EngU/h-man of Ireland. This Man had been a Soldier in the old King's Army againft 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 Presbyterians had been fo true to the King, he is made the more capable of tlfcirCounfelj fo that in fhorthe became a Convert, and manned the Daughter of an honeft Parliament Man of that Countrey ; And after this in Irelayidhe was a Juftice of Peace, and Famous for his great Farts and upright Life, and fuccefs in turning many from Popery. When the King was Reftored, and Vie law the old Minifters Silenced in the Three Kingdoms, and thofe that had Surprized Dullin-Cajlle for the King from the AnMhaptfls.^ caft afide, and all things go contrary to his judgment and Expectation, being of a moft bold nnd ien:>lutc Spirit, he was one that plotted the Surprizing of the D. oiOrmond., and of Dublin Cajole. ^ But being detected and prevented, he fled into Enghnd -. There he lived difguifed,g3| pradifmg Phyfick, called Dr. Clarke, at Rumford When fome Prifoners were car-^ ricd to be put to Death at Tork, for a Plot, he followed and Rcfcued them, and fct them free: At laft 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 liis AiTcars. ] Miffing of that Exploit, he made a bolder Attempt, even to fetch the King's Crown

and Jewels out of the ToiPfr ^ where pretending Fricndftiip to the Keeper of it, He, with two more (his Son, and one Perrot) fuddenly Gagg'd the old Man, and when he crycd out, he ftruckhim 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, ai:d finds his Father, and hcarcth the Gifc, and runs out after them, and Flood, and his Son, and /'tr/'ot were taken. Zf/00^ was brought to the King, andexpeded Death:, but^hc fpake fo boldly that all admired him : tdling the King, How ihany of his Subjefts were difobligcd, and that he was one that took himfelf to be in a State ofHoftility: and that he took not the Crown as a Thief, but an Enemy, thinking that lawful which was iawfiil in a War ; and that he could many a time have had , ihc King in his power, but that he thought his Life was better for them than his

Death,

Death, left a worfe fiicceed hirfi ^ and ihat the number of Refohjte Mca difobliged were io great, as that if his Life were taken away, it would be revenged : That he intended no hurt to the Perfon of the D. of Ormcnd^ but becaufe he had takeiji his Eftate from him, he would have forced him to refcore the value in Money: and that he never Robb'd, nor ihed Blood, which if he would have done, he could cafily have kill'd Ormond^ and eafily have carried away the Crown. In a word, he To behaved hlnifclf, that the King did not only releafe and pardon him, but admif him frequently to his prefence. Some fay, becaufe his Gallantry took much with the King, having been a Soldier of his Father's: Moft fay. That he put the King in fear of his Life, and came off upon Condition that he would endeavour to keep the difcontented Party quiet,

§ 195. Mr. Bagfljarv (in his rafh and ignorant Zeal, thinking it a Sin to hear a Conformilf, 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 againil me, called for ttiy Third Reply, which I Entitled [ The Church told of^ &c.'3 But beiag Printed without Licenfe, Lejl:ran£€, 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. Bag[haw died ( a Prifoner, though not in Prifon:) Which made i^ 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 palRng to the World that will decide all our Controverfies: And the fafeft PafTage thither is by peaceable HoUnefs.

§ 1 96. About "^Jan. I '. the King ctufed his E.vchequer to be ihut up: So that whereas a multitude of Merchants, and others, had put their Money into the Banker'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 Eftatcs fliould be (as they called it) fo furprized: And the rather, 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 ftop to be a Jofs of all, feeing Wars ufe to increafc Neceflipes, and not to fupply them. And among others, all the Money (and Eftate, except lo /. per Ain. for ii or rz Years) that I had in the World of my own (not given away to others, whopi Charity commanded me to give it to for their Mamtenance, beforej 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 alt their might. I had got in all my Life the juft Sum of looo /. Having no Child, 1 devoted almoft all of it to a Charitable life ( a Free-School, &c. ) I ufed my beft and ableft Friends for 7 Years with all the Skill and Induftry I could, to help me to fome Purchafe of Houfeor Land to lay it out on, that it might be accordingly fetlcd: And though there were never more Sellers, I could never by all thefc Friends hear of any that Reafon could encourage a Man to lay it out on as fecure, and a tolerable Bargain .• So that I told them, 1 did pefccive the Devil'?, Refiftance of it ^ and did verily fufpeft that he wouldi' prevail, and 1 fhouid 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 confinri mc^ That there nre Devils that keep up a War againft Goodnefs in the World,

§ 197. The great Preparations of the French to invade the Vnited Provinces^ and of the Fr.^li/h to afTid them, do make now the Proteftauts Hearts to tremble, and to think that the Low Countries will be Conquered, and with them tht Protefiant Caufe deeply endangered: ( Though their vicious worldly Lives deferve God's Judgments on themfelvcs ^ yet they are a great part of the Protefiants Humane Strength.) But the Ifliie niuft expound God's purpofes, without which Men's Dc-figns are vain.

§ 198. This Year a new Play-Houfe being built in Sali/sbury-Court in fleet-Streei^ called the Duke of TorVs^ the Lord Mayor (as is faid) dcfired of the King, that it might not be ^ the Youth of the City being already fo corrupted by Senfiial Pleafurcs j' but he obtained not his defire; And this Jan. 1671. the King's Play-Houfe in Drury

M m m m JLmt^

Lane took Fire, and was burnt down, but not alone , for about fifty or fixty Houfes ad)oyning, by Fire and blowing up, accompanied it.

§ 199. A Stranger,cailing himfelf 5ijw. //trk?-t,wrote me a Letter againft theChri-ftian Religion, and the Scriptures, as charging them with Contradiftions, and urged me to anfwer them, which 1 did: And fe-Name inviting my memory, I adjoyncd an Aniwer to the Strength of a Book heretofore written, by Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, fome-time Ambaflador in France^^thz Author of the Hiftory of Uinry VIL called de reritate^ being the moft powerful Allault againfl: the Chriftiaa Religion, placing all the Religion that's certain, in the Common or Natural iVoticw. ' 1 entitled the. Book, Mnre Reafms for the Chrljlian Religk/i^ and none agMKj't it: Or, a Stcond -Jf^endix to the Reafon for the Cb-'ifiian Rd'gion.

. .§ 200. The forefaid Mr, HtnUcy by his impertinent Anfwer to ray former Letters, extorted from me a large Reply ^ but when I was fending it him in V^^riting, 1 heard that he intended to Print fome fcraps of it with his Papers, the better to put them off: Whereupon 1 fent him word he (hould not have them, till he fatisfied me that he would not fo abufe them, ire. The rather becaufc, i. 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 toPo-texy and Propriety. 2. And it was fo. much againft Dioccfams^ and their new Oaths, as would much difpleafe them, 3. And inafharper ftile than was fit for publick View : And as to the firft Reafon, 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 ^ and fo to feem themfelves the moft Loyal: And I had rather they hated, aad caft off the Non-conformifts alone, than both. This mindeth me to add that..

§ 201. About a Year ago one Benry Fowlis^ Son to Sir David Foxolis^ an Oxford U.axiy 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) was Printed in a large Folio, fo opening the Principles and Praiiicesoi Papifts againft Kings,their Lives and Kingdoms, by multitudes of moft exprefs Citations from their own Writers, that the like hath not before been done by any Man; nor is there extant fuch another Colledtion on that Subjeft (though he left out the Irifh Maflacre : ) But whereas the way of the Papifts is, to make a grievous Complaint againft any Book, that is written efFeftu-ally againft them, as injurious (as they did againft Pet. Moulm's Anfwer to Phi-lanax Atglicus^ and againft Dr. StiUingfieeth late Book) or the contrary ^ this Book being copious true Citationsand Hiftory, is fo terrible to them, that their method is to fay nothing of it, but endeavour to keep it imknowa ^ for of late they h.avc left the difputing way, and bend all their endeavoras to creep into Hci^fes, and pervert Perfons in fecret ^ but efpecially to infmuate into the Houfes and Familiarity of all the Rulers of the World, where they can be received.

§ Id. The Death of fome, the worthy Labours, and great Sufferings of others, maketh me re.member that the juft charafterizing of Ibme of the Miiiiftcrs of Chrift, that now faffered for not fwearing, fubfcibing, declaring, copfcrmmg, and for refufing Re-ordination, is a duty which 1 owe to the honour of God's Graces in them. But bccaufe no Man can exped that I ftioujd be fo voluminous as to defcribe particularly all the Eighteen hundred lilenccd, I fhall but tell you what my own Neighbours were, not fpeaking by hear&y, butper-fonal acquaintance ^ herein imitating Thuamts., Micrelius^ and many others in the truth and brevity of the Character , but giving you nothing of any unknown Perfon by bare report. 1

I. In the County where Wivcd^m H'orcefier City, was filencedMr. Jofeph Bahr^ born h\ Stourbridge(who{c Wifes Funeral Sermon and Life 1 printed,)He vv.is a Learned Man, of a blamclefs Life, Preaching conftantly, Catcchiiing the People, and conferring with the feveral Families fefpccially before he firft admitted them to the Lord's Supper ) perfonally : But of extraordinary Prudence, Calmnefs, Patience, Gravity, and Soundncfs of Judgment -y neither for Prelacy, Presbytery, nor Independency,as then formed into Parties-, but for that which was found in dli the Parties, and for Concord upon fuch Catholick terms: The Parilh of St. yine drews^ where he was Minifter, had but about fix Pound a year maintenance, of

which

Part iiL 'Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ' 91

which he took none, but gave it to a Woman to teach the poor Children of tl.eparifh to read, living upon his own, and fomc fmall augmentation granted by the Parliament. *^

2. At the Cathedral, Mr. Simon Moor \vz% filenced, an old Independent, wlto iomewhat loft the Peoples Love, upon Reafons which 1 here omit. &^ 3. In the fame City was filenced Mr jiM/ce, ('his Son-in-Law j a moderate Independent, and a fober, grave, ferious, peaceable, blamelefs, able Miniftcr.

4. In the fame City was filenced Mr. fincher^ a moderate Independent, a zealous able Preacher, ot a good Life.

5. At Acw/fy, was put out Mr. Tho. Bromwkh^ an ancient, reverend, able Miniftcr, of an upright Life : But when Bilhop yl/or/c)'was there, and Mr. Collier of Bkckley had conformed, he was ovcr-perfwaded to take the Declaration : But before he came to profefs his Aflent and Confent openly , and fully to conform, he w^as cad into great and long dillrefs of Confcience, and went no farther: But yet by Preaching he ufed that Liberty that he had 10 procured. >i

6. At Vpton^ upon Severn^ was filenced Mr. Betijatnm Baxter^ Son to that old holy, reverend Mr. George Baxter , Pallor at little Wenlotk in Shro^/hire^ near the li^itkon-Htll^ who lived there till about eighty fix years of Age ,,in the tonftant faithful Preaching and praftifing 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 tived uprightly to near fifty feven Years of Age, and fuffered much by the lownefs of his Eftate by his Ejeftion, who before had lived plentifully.

7. His Brother, Mr. Stephen Baxter^ though below him in utterance, was of a folid UnJerftanding, and a calm, peaceable Spirit, moft humble, and blamelefs in his Life, and liveth fmce his filencing in the praftife of Phylick.

8. At Eve/ham was filenced Mr. George Hopkins^ Son to Mr. IVilliafn Hopkins^ the molt eminent, wife, and truly Religious magiftrate of Bewdley^ (ray old dear Friend) at laft a member of the loag Parliament. This his Son, having long been Paftor at Evejhant^ was many Years filenced • and when the Oxford Oath came out, he was over perfwaded to take it, in his own Sence, and fo not to be forced five miles from the People: But he died either on, or very near the lame day that he fhould have had the benefit of it: He was a. very judicious, godly, moderate, peaceable, and uprighynan : He hath one Writing extant, called Salvation from Sin.

9. At Martley was filenced and ejefted Mr. yimhrofe Sparry , heretofore School-mafter af Stourbridge.^ vvhere he was born j he was an ancient fober, peaceable, moderate, humble, goaly^ 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 acc«ptance, though he was a while malicioully laid in Goal.

I o. At Bewdley 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, befidcs all his very great Labours with his- own People, publickly, and from Houfe to Houfe : And t^i yet continueth Preaching up and down privately where he can have opportunity, with 7cal and diligence : And though thofe that excelled others in ■zealous Preaching and acceptance with the People, were apterto be carried (in my Judgment) a little too far from Conformity, and the Prelate's Indignation againll the Church-Tyranny, but not at all forfaking Orthodox, and found Principles, yet fo was not he.

11. At Stourbridge was- filenced Mr. Jarvis Bryan.^ Brother-to Dr. Bryan of Coventry^ a moft humble, upright, faithful Minifter, of a blamelefs Life, and found Dodrine.

12. At Stcne was fiknccd Mr. Richard 5erJM«f, formerly my Affiftant, a man of fuch extraordinary Prudence, Humility, Sincerity, Self-denial, Patience, and blamelcfsQefs of Life • that I know not of all the Years that he afliftcd me, of any oneperfon, in Town or Parilh, that was againft him,'or that ever accufed him of faying or doing any thng amifs. So that though many excelled liim in Learoing and utterance, yet none that ever I knew, as far as I could Judge, in

M m m m 2 Innccency

Tnuoccncy and Sincerity -^ which made him beloved of all above many abler Men.

13. At J5^oow was filenced Mr. Humphrey Waldern^ my ^JTiftant after Mr. Ser^ jeant^ exaftly agreeing in the fame Charafter I gave him, in the next degree ^ of good Learning and Utterance.

14. At Wombwnc was filenced Mr. Wilshy^ an ancient, judicious, peaceable, moderate Divine (who had long kept one of the moft learned of the Prelatifts

*Biming-'^'^ his Houfe.) At * Bremicha7n^ where he^lived privately, he was troubled by tm. Sir Robtrt Holt ^ but (under many Infirmities) is yet alive, a man of humility, and an miblameable Liffc. I mention not the judgment of any of thefe , that I may fay of all together, that as far a^ 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 praftice of that, rather than • contending about more: And of the primitive extraordinary l-?iimility and In-nocencency.

15. The fame I mull lay of Mr. Aulrcjr Trijlnim^ fsrft of Cto?f, then filenced at Bridgnorth^ a Man of more than ordinary ability in Preaching and Prayer, and of an upright Life, and now a Phyficiaii.

16. The fame I muft fay of Mr. John Ragnolds^ filenced at IVohverhamptom^ a Man of more than ordinary Ability, for Learning and Preaching, and now alfo

aPhylician.

17. At ylvely was filenced Mr. io:/e/,'formerly Schoolmafter at iF.^/2/er/y/, who -ihaving been fuppofed ftill to be not only againft the Parliament's Caufe, but

for the Prelates and Conformity, and never toming into our minifrerial Meetings, where we monthly kept up difputations and Difcipline, but only extraordinary conftant at my Lefture at Kidcrminjhr^ he was as a ftranger to us all, till the filencing time came, and then he fuftercd with the moll patient and refolved, and hath fince appeared, on fiiUer notice, a prudent and very worthy Man, and is yet living in his patient Silence, aged about fixty two.

18. AtBromsgrove was filenced Mr. 'Jo\m Sphhury ^ born in ^Bewdky^ a mau accounted an Independent, but of extraordinary worth, for moderation, peacea-blcnefs, ability, and minifterial diligence, and an upright Life.

19. At Whitley was filenced Mr. Jofeph Read^ born in Kidcrminjier^ and feat by me to Cambridge^ and after living in my Houf% and for one Year my afBllant at KideriJiinJlet'^ a man of great fincerity, and worth.

20. At Churchil was cafl: out Mr. Edward Boucher, another young msu, born ill R'idenni>iJler-?2Yiih^ of great humility, fincerity, peaceableneis, and good minifterial parts j Brother to James Boucher^ a Husbanfnian, wlu) can but write his Name, and is of as good underfl"anding in Divinity as many Divines of good account, and more able in Prayer than moft Minifters thr.t ever I heard. And of focal m a Spirit, and blamelefs a life, that I never fav/ him l.ugh, or fad, nor ever heard him fpeak an idle Word, nor ever heard Man accufe him of a finfiil Word or Deed , which I note with joy, and to tell the P.eader, that

• he, and others of his Temper, in Kideryninjler, did by their Example exceedingly farther my fucccfs.

?A. At' Cknt was filenced Mr, TTjc .F^Wipm, a godly, calm, fober Preacher, of 3 bi?!me1efs Life.

z ■} , From Chaddefley was cafl out Mr. Thomas Baldwin^ Senior, who liad •been our Schbolmafter.at Kidcrminjler, fent to mc by Mr. Fines from Cambrid£e-, a good Scholbr, a fobcr, calm grave, moderate, peaceable miniflrer, whofe Con-verfiilion 1 never iieard one Verfon blame, for any one Word or Deed ^ ai^extraordinary Preacher: Wherefore i defircd when 1 was driven iwm Ktder-ininjier^ that the People would be ruled by him and Mr. Servant, andheliveth yet among them, ^d tcncheth them privately from Houfe to Hoofe. He was prcfent with mc when I had Conference with Bilhop Morky rvhen he filenced me, andtiic witiiefs of our Difcourfe •, which, with the imprifonincnt of the moft Religious and blamclefs of the Flock, and the experience of the Qiiality of feme Preachers th;!t were fcnt to the People in my Read, and the idl of the havock made in the Churches, did alienate him fo much from Prelacy, and Coni'ormi-tv, and The People with liim, that though afterward they got a godly, Conformable Mini Iter, I could not get them to Communicate with him, though 1 got them •onJlantly to hear him. Oa

Part ill. Reverend Mr, Kidmrd Baxter. , ^o

On this occafion 1 will mention the great Mercy of God to that Town and Country in the railing of one ^an, Mr. Thonas Foky^ who, from almort: nothing,' did get about five Thoofand Pound per Jnnum, ur more, by Iron-works, and tliat 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 queitioned by none : And being a Religious, Faithful I\lan, he purchafe(i ar mong other Lands, the Patronage of icveral great places, and among the rcli of Stourbridge sx\d Kidermmfter ^ and fo chofe the bell: Conformable Minifte^to them that conld be got : And not only fo, but placed his Eldeft Son's Habitation in Kidtrrmnfle'-^ which became a great Froteclion and Blefiing to the Town ^ having placed two Families more elfewhere of his two other Sous, all three Religious worthy Men. And in thankfulnefs to God for his Mercies t^ him, built a well-founded Hofpital near Stourbrtdge^ to teach poor childre<i to read and write, and then fet them Apprentices, and endowed it with about five hund Pounds a Year ^cr /Mnum : Such worthy Perfons, and inch ftrange Pro^ fpcrity, and holy ufe of it are fo rare, and the intereft of ray poor "Neighbours in it fo great, that 1 thought meet to mention it to God's Praife and his.

§203. There were more Miniflcrs filencedof that Countrey, but I 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 Minilters were caft out. i. Dr. John Bryan, an ancient Learned IDivine, of a quick and aftive 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 Minilters into the Church of God, than out of many Colledges in the llniverlity in that time. And he had three Sons that were all worthy Non-conformable Mini-fters, all filenced.

2. Dr. Crew, a Man of a different natural temper, yet both Concordant lovingly in the work of God, a calm, Grave, fobcr, fedate Divine, mote retired, and of Icfs aftivity, but godly, able, and faithful in his Miniftry.

3. At Birmingham was filenced Mr. Wilh, a fedate, retired, peaceable, able Divine alfo, born in Coventry.

4. As for Mr. Anthony Burgefs of Sutton Coldfield (a place of near 300 /. per ymnum, which he left J I need not defcribe him, he was fo famoufly known in the AfTembly, 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 before a Conformable Man, yet he was fo far from the Nciv Conformity, that on his Death-bed he profelfed great fatisfaftion in his Mind that he had not Conformed.

5. From WalfhaU was call out Mr. Burdall, a very Learned able and Godly * Divine, of more than ordinary parts and worth, now dead alio.

6. At Wedgbwy was filenced Mr. Fmchcr, whom I have feen, but was not much acquainted with, but he was reputed a very Godly Man, and a good Preacher. But I pafs by all thofe I knew not my felf.

7. From Roxvky had lately removed Mr. Jnfepb Rork, and was filenced ; a very-calm, humble, fober, peaceable, godly,, and blamelefs Minifter, and of very good Abilities •, like our W^orcc/Jer/7j/re Miriiftersbefore defcribed, as to his temper, and judgment of Church-GovernmcnL

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.

S. At Tippon, Mr. Hijiks was filenced , a Godly Preacher, a moderate Independent.

I o. At Hales-Oxcen was filenced Mr. Paflm, a fober, moderate, peaceable Minifter, of a godly, upright Life.

11. Near Ncmaftk was filenced Mr. Sound, an ancient Divine, of great Learning, moderation, judgment, and calmnefs of Spirit, and of a Godly, upright Life, born hvWorvile, nt^-Bridgmrth, known to me about thirty years ago, who, though, with others, he was of old a Conformift, is far enough from the new Conformity.

rz, Afc

1 1. At Shrewsbury was lilenced Mr. Heathy an ancient, grave mmiller, mode- ■ rate, fedate, quiet, religious, eminent for his Sicill in the Oriental Languages.

13. In the fame Town was fiienced Mr. Francis Talents^ an ancient Fellow of Magdalen Coikdge in Ctr; bridge^ and a good Schollar, a godly, blamelefs Divine, molt eminent tor extraordinary Prudence, and moderation, and peaceablenefs towards all, who in our Wars lived at Saumours in trance^ and is now there a-gain.

14. In the fame Town was fiienced Mr. ^ma, Son to Dr. ^n^w, a Godly, a-ble Preacher, of a quick and aftive Temper, but very humble.

15. At ]VlAtchurch was fdenced and caft out Mr. PorUr an ancient, grave Divine of great integrity^ blamelcfsncfs and Diligence, and fo excellent a Preacli-er, that few ai rived to his Degree that ever I have heard.

1(5. At £j/cfc«*'c/? was i-alb out and fiienced Mr. Ljxvremc^ a folid, calm, peaceable, godly man, and a good Preacher, who hath wrote a Treetife about Sicknefs: He was lately in trouble, and his Goods taken away for preaching in a private Houfe, where but four Neighbours were juefent, 011 pretence that a little Daughter ot the Houfe that came newly from School, and another Child made the Su\)ernumerarie-i, which put him to a tedious Suit: Aud,Mr. Fovpts^ an able Lawyer of that Country, who had ever before carried it moderately, and foberly, being entertained agaiuH him, whether ];ro worf, or ir/y 1 know not, at the Bar called him a Sediticus Fellow (v/ho was far from it)andfpake of him revilingly, and eagerly, and about a week or fortnight after died almoft fuddenly.

17. At Wem was fiienced , and long imprifoned in the Common Goal, Mr. Tarfons^ a moderate, ancient P.iinifter, having but ufed the word {.King} in his Sermon, relating to Chrift, an ignorant profane Enemy witnefled'that he fai4 fomewhat againfl: 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 Prifon in the Gatehoufe till he there died.

18. At Clun was fdenced Mr. Froyfdl ^ an ancient Divine , of extraordinary worth, for Judgment, moderation,Godlinefs, blamelefs living, and excellent Preaching ; who (as many of the reft j hath in poverty, and Sicknefs, and great Suffering continued to preferve the Peace of his Confcience.

19. Many more worthy men in that County were caft out and lilenced. Mr. Barnet , Mr. Taylor , Mr. Thomas , Mr, Berry , Mr. Maiden of Nmport , (a very Learned Man) Mr. Cham^an^ Mr. Thomas Wright of Kinmrfley^ fia 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 furvivc living in great Poverty, moft of them having nothing, or next to nothing, of their own: And the Charity that Jhould maintain them and their Families, is clogg'd with fo great Poverty, through the burning of/,o«^ow, the decay of Trade, Taxes, ire. that alafs their Relief is very fmall.

§ 204. To give any Defcription of the London Miniflersfo well known, would be fuperfluous j ■z/rc. i. Old Mi". Smion J/h^ old Mr. Arthur Jackfou^ .A'r. Jlfal-toHj all dead; (three, Men of excellent Humility, and fincere Godlinefs, and good Abilities] Mr. Calainy^Dv. Seaman^ (of great Learning) lAr. SUjJicld^ Mr, Cowpcr^ Mr. Coiige^ (that wonder of Charity, I^umillty, r)in;eiity, end moderation) Mr. JVickim^ Mr. Hawkr, Mr. Cradacote^ Mr. Peter Fnk, Mr. Blchmre^ Mr. FJaviland^ hh. SamuelClark^ Mr. jtnkins^ (that Sententious Elegant Ffcacherj Dr. Bates^ (a Learned, Judicious, moderate Divinej Mr. /1/i^^t/;civ Pco^', (that Learned moft induftrious Man known by his Abreviationof t'he Criticks) lAi. S.tngar^Mv^. Needier^ (twovery humble, grave, peaceable Divines) Mr. Raniinfin (i^n ancient grave Divine tjf great Ability,) Mr. John Jackfon^ Mr. I/V, Mr. Cafc^ (an old faithful Servant of God, ) Db. Drake^ (that wonder of Humility and Sincerity, now with God) Mr. Whitc^ (fuch another, now with him,) Mr. Crofton^ Mr. Woodcock^ (a Man of great ability, and readinefs) Mr. Hiirji^ Mr. Pledger^ Mr. TatnaU^ Mr. Z.e<?, (known by bis Learned Latin Tradt on the Revelatwn ^ Mr. Lorv^ ( an aniient grave Divine, whom I have heard at Liidhw forty Years a-go) Mr. Churchy (a calm worthy man, lately dead, that had abundance of Children

drea, and almoft nothiag. ) Mv. Benton, Mr. Barhant, Mr. W'e//^j Mr. Parfons, Mr. Strethill, Mr. Z).tH>i:ej^ with more that I cannot remember. And thofe tailed Independents, Ml-. Nye^Ur. Caryli^ Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Grembill, Mr. 5>-oo(:ej, Mr, Wooi^jMr, ^o/e, (an humble Godly man) Mr. A lead, Mv. Barker, and Mr. Tw-Hf»g, (two cvcellent Pre'achers, and moderate godly, worthy men: ) Belides thofe that are come thither fmcc. Dr. Tho. Goodvsin, and Dr.., Omn from Oxford ( Men better known than my Defcription could make them) Dr. Wilkmfon (thence alfo( Mv. Collins, Sic. john Goodmn,novf dead, l^ccd not defaibe.

§ 205. But bccaufe there are fome few who by Preaching more openly than the reft, and to greater Numbers, are under more Men's difpleafure and cen-fure, I Ihall fay of them truly but what I know. i. Dr. Mantoyi (who lately lay fix Months in Prifon) is a Man of great Learning, Judgment, and Integrity, and an excellent, moft laborious, unwearied Preacher, and of moderate principles.

2. Dr. Jaco'tib is known to be a Man of Gravity, fober and modevaty; Princi- ' pies, and hath llill held on Preaching, in the Houfe, and under the Procectiori of the excellent, fincere, humble godly, faithful Lady, the Countefs Dowager of Exeter, Daughter to the Earl or Bridgewater, to the utmoft of her Power a comfort to all fuftering, faithful Minilters and People, and in all this excelling thofe of her Rank and Generation.

3. Dr. Jnne/lcy is a moft fincere, godly, humble Man, totally devoted to God, worthily to be joyned with his two great intimate Friends, Dr. Drake, and Mr. White, whofe Preaching in thofe two greatefl: Auditories , Giles's Cripplegate, and Paufs Church, , did very much good till he was filenced.

4. Mr. Thomas rinccnt 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 dcclaied : His Brother equal to him, and is but lately come out of Prifon. i.

5. Mr. JenoTPoy is a Man of extraordinary devotednefs to God, and zeal for the good of Souls, and of great humility, and holinefs of Life, and an excellent Preacher.

6. Mr, Wadsrvorth is an able judicious man, devoted wholly to God, and^^o do good. Before he was caft out, he preached conftantly, 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 Parifli, and expended not only h is time and ftrength, 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 Lamentation might have melted a heart that had any Compaffion. Since then he preach-eth ("through the Peoples defire and neceffity) at one Congregation there, at Newin^ton-hutts, and another at Theobalds by turns, and never taketh any maintenance from either. His AfEHant. Mr Parfom, I before named.

7. Mr. Watfon is fo well known in London for his Ability and Piety that I need not defc'ibe 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 Pre2cher.^

■ 9. Mr. Chefier is a man of a very fober, calm, peaceable Spirit, found in Do-£lrinc 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 , fomc-times Minifter at ]VeHs, and laft at ■ Dur/Jey in Cloucejlerfliire , an ancient, 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 or converting impenitent Sinners to God : And yet being fettled in peaceable Principles by aged Experience, he every where exprelleth the Spirit of Cenforiouf-nefs, and unjuft Separations, and Prcacheth up the ancient zeal and fincerity, with a Spirit fuitable thereunto.

12. Mr. Whitaker, Son to the famous Jeremy Whitaker^ is a Man of great calm-n^s. Moderation, peaceablencfs, and Soundncfs in DoCtrine, and in Life.

13. Some

9^ ■ The LI F E of the Part III

13. Some others there are, Mr. 6r/«,w, Mr. trMkhn^ Mr. Fatuck^ Mr. fVeJr^ &c. whom 1 am not acquainted with.

§ 206. Befides thefe, there are'many inXwr/ojuhat come out of other Conn-tries. I will name but Tome fe-.v that I can Ipeak of with moft alllnance. 1. Mr. john Corbet^ fometime; Preacher in Gloucejitr^ and after at Chtchefter, and after at a place in Nampjhire (200 /. per ^4nnian^ wliich he left to keep the Peace of his Confcience, ) liveth privately , and quietly ^ a Man of extraordinary judgment, ftayednefs , moderation , peaceable Principles , and blamelefs Life, a folid Preacher, well known by his Writings, ( the intercft of England^ the Hiftory of Clouccfcr War, RuJ}morty% Colledions, which were much of his Compofure.

a. Mr. WiUon, fomerime of the CharUr-Houfe^ and lince of Peterborough^ hath fnch univerfal Praifes follow him from all the Country about Peterbonugh^ of his rare Skill, ability, Piety, diligence, and extruordinai y fuccefs, the mukitnde of * People there that he did good to, that it made my Heart ake to think that our ■Sins had brought us under fuch Prelates as think it a Service acceptable to God to deprive Cities and Countries of fuch Men, and put no better in their places than they have done.

3. Mr. Stanclijf ivom Stanmore an E.xcellcnt Man, of marvellous fuUnefs and accuratenefs in Prayer, and it's like he is the fame in Preaching, though I never heard him.

4. Mr. Faughan^ 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^ obfcurelv , and in a very low Condition j an able, Ibber, Godly, judicious, moderate man, and of great worth. ,

5. Mr. SJlvefter^ from Nottmgham/hirc^ TMr. Truetnans Friend) a Man of excellent meeknefs, temper, gfound, and peaceable Principles, godly Life, and great ability in the minifterial Work.

6. Mr. Hodges^O'mng lately with the Lord Hollis^)a gravc,ancient, Godly, moderate Divine, who anfwered the Debate-maker.

- 7. Mr. Richard Fairclough^ a Man of great fincerity and foundnefs of judgment, moderate Principles, and a godly, upright Life, and of great quicknefs of parts, and fervency, and diligence, by which it Afells in Somerfetjhire ^ he excelled ■ moll Men in excellent Labours and fuccefs.

8. His Brother, a very folid, judicious, grave, and worthy ^1inifter, of equal moderation, and peaceablenefs.

9. Mr. Tohiai £W«, a Man of great fincerity and zeal, and defire to do good, and devotednefs to God, (who falling into the Life of a private Schoolmalter) doth follow it with almoft unimitable diligence,living with very little Sleep, kfs Food, great Labour, and delight in all, by which he hath been faved better than by all phy lick from a Melancholly Inclination.

10. Rickird Morton^ Dr. of Phyiick, whom I fhould have named as Minifter of Ktnviir^ near Kidertninjler^ Son tp my old Friend, Mr, Robert Morton , Son-in-Law to Mr. Wkiteley of ^rt'«fc«j'^, minifter at Bevadley^ Dr. A^rtow is a Man of great gravity, calmnefs, found Principles, of no Fad ion, an excellent Preacher, of an upright Life, now pniftifing Phyfick.

11. Mr. Buttcn^ though not a Clergy-man (being never ord'ained, or in the Miniftry, yet) is not to be left out: BSing put out of his place of Canoa.of Chriji-rhurrh in Oxford^ Orator to the Univerfity, ^n Excellent Scholar, but of a greater Excellency , a moft humble Man, of a plain , fincere Heart, and blamelef'^, and a great Sufferer, w'ho, befides a gicat lofs in his Eftatc, was a-lx)ut fix Months in Goal for teaching privately two.Knights Sons, who per-fwadedhim to it: Many of hii Neighbours of Brtntfordhcing impriibned with him for fcrving God privately, by RoJ}^ the Scottilh juftice, who imprifoned me^ which they chearfiilly endured.

But there are fo many more that I muft proceed no further.

§207.

§ 20-^. Eelldes there are many ia the Villages ronrid about London^ and that were thence call out. As, i. I\lr. Clarkfm fiom Afortclack^ a Divine of extraordinary worth, tor folid Judgment, healing, moderate Principles, acquaintance with the Fathers, great IMinilbcrial Abilities, and a Codly , Upright Life.

2. Mr. Samuel Cradvck^ Elder Brother to Dr. Cradock^ of Greys-Inn^ who left a place in Some*-fit/hire of about 300/, per Annum to preferve his Confcience, a Man of great Solidity and Piety, and Miniflerial Ability , but extraordinary for meekneis, Humility, Moderation, and Peaceablenefs, known by his ufeful Writings.

3. Mr. Pareman put out at//^rroip on the HJ// an ancient, grave, fotiiid, pious, fober, aud peaceable Divine.

4. Mr. Taverncr^ put out at Vxhridge^ an ancient, grave, peaceable Divine, of an unblamed Life.

5. Dr. Spurjiow put out at Hackney^ an ancient, calm, reverend Minifter, one of the Writers of the Book called, Smeiiymnuus.

6. Which maketh me remember Dr. Tuckney^ wRom his Widow married ; an ancient Learned, Godly Divine, fometime Minifter of Bofion in Lincoln/hire^ then one of the AfTembly, and long Fe^ius ProfelTor, called Doftor of the Chair in Cambridge, which place he performed with fo good acceptance, as that I need not commend his ability any forther-. Only he was over humble, and backward to difputes, and to put outhimfelf in great appearances, notwithftanding that place of publick Exercife.

I would further mention Dr. Arthur of Clapham, Mr. Gilbert of Brentford^ Mr. Perkins, Mr, Warrham oi Henden, and many more, if I were willing to go beyond ray ocquaintonce, upon reports.

§ 208. And though it cannot be thought that one man that lived fo retiredly ihould Imw very many, yet I could name you excellent men, known to me either throughly, or in fome meafure, whofe Excellencies make their Names very precious to me. For Inftance, i. Mr. Truman lately dead.

2. Mt. John Warren of Hatfield Proadoke, in Ejfex, a man of great Judgment, and minifterial Abilities- moderation, Piety, and Labour: The place whence he was caft out hath had no minifter llnce to this day, though a great Town , and in the Bifhop of I o;idon\ Gift, bccaufe the means is fo fmall that none will take it: And yet he cannot have leave to preach rather than nonei But he gets now and then one by his Intereftto Preach occafionally, andhe heareththem in publick, and then himfelf inftiiidteth the People in private as far as he can obtain connivance.

3. Mr. Peter Ince^ in Wilt/lvre, a folid, grave, piotis, worthy, able minifter, livng with Mr. Grove, that excellent, humble, holy. Learned Gentleman, who himfelf is now driven out of his his Country for receiving, and hearing fuch in his Houfe'.

4. Mr. John Now, m?nifter of Torrrington, in Devon/hire, fometime Houfhold -Preacher to Oliver Cromwell, and his Son Richard, till the Army pulled him down; but not one that medled in his Wars: He is a very Learned, judicious, godly man, of no Faftion, but of Catholick, healing Principles, and of excellent minifterial Ablities, as bis excellent Treatife, called. The Bleilednefs of the Righteous, Iheweth.

5. Mr. Ford of fxctcr, is 3 man of great Ability, as his Book called. The Sinner's Araignment at his Bar, fheweth ; a Reverend Divine, of great efteem for all rhinifterial worth, with the generality of fober men : And I hear a high Cha-rafter 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 Expolitor of Scripture, was in his Age laid fo long in Prifon (for filencing was not fuftering enough for fo excellent a Man) that befell by it into the Scurvy, and died foon after. His Treatife of the Sabbath is Printed fincc his Death.

N n n n' 7, Mr.

7. Mr. Berry in Devonflnre^ an extraordinary humble, teader-confcienced, ferious godly, able .1 inifter.

8. Mr. Ben]. Woodhridge of Newbury^ who came out of New-England to fucceed Dr. Twijfe -^ a Man qf great Judgment, Piety, Ability, and moderate Principles, addicted to no Faction, but of a Catholick Spirit.

9. Mr. Simon King^ fome-time of Coventry^ fince near Peterborough^ who firft En-tertain'd me at Coventry in the beginning of the Wars, when I was forced to fly from Honie^ 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 Bridgtwth.)

Divers others of my own Acquaintance I coiild defcribe, in Wdes^ in Derhy'/hire^ Che/hire J Yorh/hire^ and other Counties ^ but I will end with a few of my old Neighbours that 1 had forgotten.

10. Gld Mr. Samuel HilderPiam^ about 80 Years old, only Son to the Famous Arthur Hilderjham ^ a Conformift formerly, but refolved enough againft the New Conformity : A grave, peaceable, pious, learned Divine, caft out of IVd/h-Felton in Shro^-Jhire.

11. Mr. Tho. Gilbert^ of Edgmond in Shropfljtre^ an Ancient Divine, of extraordinary Acutenefs, and Concifenefs of Stile, and a moft piercing Flead, as his fmall Lat. TraB. of the neceiTity of Chrift's Satisfaction, (heweth.

012. Mr. Samuel Fi/her, an Ancient Reverend Divine^ fome-time oi IVithington^ then of Shrewsbury., turned out with Mr. BUl<e., for not taking the Engagement againft King and Houfe of Lords j then lived in Cbejhire.^ and thence cafb out and Silenced -, a very able Preacher, and of a godly Life.

13. My old Friend, Mr. Will. Cook^ bred up under Mr. John Ball^ a Learned Man, and of a moft godly Life, and unwearied Labour. Like the firft Preachers, he can go in poor Clothing, live on a little, travel on Foot, Preach and Tray almoft all the Week, if he have opportunity, in Seafon, and out of Seafon, trampliug on this World as dirt, and living a mortified laborious Life. Being an old Noncon-formift and Presbyterian^ he was greatly offended at the Anabaptifts, Separatifts, and Seftaries, and Cromwer% Army, for Difloyalty to the King, whom they Beheaded, and this King whom they kept out ^ and therefore joyned with Sir George Booth., novif Lord DeUmere^ in his Rifing to have brought in the King: And being then Minifter u^in Chefter., 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 the Gofpel of Chrift, without the Oaths, Subfcriptions, Declarations, Rc-ordination, and Conformity required.

14.. To thefe I may fubjoyn my old Friend Mr. Pigot., chief School-mafter of Siirewsbi'.ry.

I 5. And my old Friend Mr. Srvaine^ fome-time School-mafter at Bridgnorth^ and lincea godly fervent Preacher in Radnor-fhire -. But I muft ftop.

§ 209. Let the Reader note. That there is not one of all thefe that was put out for any Scandal, l)ut meerly not Subfcribing, &c. and Conforming •, nor one of them all that ever I heard any Pcrfon charge, or once fufpeft of Wantonnefs, Idlencft, Surfetting, Di'unkennef^, or any fcandalous Sin. And of thofe of the Prelatifts that were Sequeftred by t he Pai-liament, I knew not one, that I remember, that was not accufed upon Oath of Witnefles of Scandal; though doubtlcfs others knew feme fiich. Not including the fidiug in the Wars, which each fide called fcandalous in the other ; and which yet but a linall part of thefe named by me, medlcd 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. T»{/i, Dr. Gouge^ Mr. John Ball., Mr. Gat.iker., Mr. Jer. Whstahr., Dr. Arrow Smith., Dr. //»//, ^Ir. strong., Mr. Herbert Palmer., and moft of the Afiembly, with many more fuch. Nor yet that God took away fuch Men as Bilhop D.tvent., Biihop Hall., Arch-Bilhop Vjher., Bifiiop Alorton.^ yea, and Dr. Hammond., before they were under a Temptation to have a Hand in the cafting out of fo many excellent worthy Men fwhich yet I am confident by my

own

own pcifonal Kaowkdge of i-.im, that VJher, had he lived, v/Ould never have done.)

^ -> 11, This Year tl»= King began the War upon the DHtc\m March 167!. A.boirt the 16 or 17 Day was a hot Sea-fight, while our Ships Aflaulted their Smirna Fleet of Merchants, and many on both fides were killed^ which was moft that was done And abont'the 18f/;. Day the King Publifhed a Proclamation for War by Sea and Land : The Frcr.ch^ the EkcTior oi Cologne^ and the Biihop of Munfter, be-ina with dreadful Prcparaticas to invade them by Land r- / , ^

"& •> 1' Now came forth a Declaration giving fome fuller Expolition (to thofe that doubted of it) of the Tranfaftions of thefe Twelve Years laft, w^ His Ma-jeftv by Virtue of His Supreme Power in Matters Ecdefiaftical, fufpendeth all ?c-■ nal Laws thereabout, and Declareth, That he will grant a convenient number of Publick Meeting-Places to Men of all iorts that Conform not, fo be it,

1. The Perfons be by Him approved.

2. That they never meet in any Place not approved by Him.

3. And there let open the Doors to all Comers.

4. And Preach not Seditioully. r ^ r^u u ct 1 j r -

< Noragainfl; the Difcipline or Government of the Church of Bz^/<iM^, faving that the Pupijls (hall have no other publick Places, but their I^oufes (any where, under their own Government,) without Limitation or Reftriftion, to any number of Places or Perfons, or any nccefllty of getting Approbation j fo that they are immediately in pofleOion of a feairer and fuller Liberty, than the Phtejlant-Nomm-formijis hovt for: for how, or when they wil] get Churches built, we know not, till that be done they are more ten-ibly rcftrained from Meeting than before: And who will build Churches that have no Security to enjoy them one Week time will lliew: And all this is faid to be for avoiding the danger of Conventicles m private, &c. when yet the Papijis are allowed fuch Conventicles m as many Houfes as they pleafe.

5 21? A Paper fent from one Mr. Edwards, a Lawyer of ^wWJow received ^ from a Paplft, (Mr. Lattghorn) as a Challenge, was fent to nie as by him with defires of an Anfwer ^ which occafioned my Book, called. The Certainty of the Pro-tefiant ReUsion without Popery. . ., t. r j vr

6 2T4 When the King's Declaration-for Liberty was out, the London Noncon-formable'Minifters were incited to return His Majefty tlieir Thanks At their, MeetineDr. Seaman, and Mr. Jenhns (who had been till then molt diftant from the Court) were for a Thankfgiving in fuch high applauding Terms^ as l^x Aianton, and almoft all the reft dilTented from •, and fome were for avoiding Terms ot Approbation left the Parliament (hould fall upon them^ and fome becaufe they had far rather'have had any tolerable ftate of Unity with the publick Mimftery, than a Toleration •, fuppofmg,

I That the Toleration was not chiefly for their fakes, but for the P^/-//?^, and that thev mould hold it no longer than that Intereft required it which is incoa-nftcnt with the Intereft of the Proteftant's Religion and the Church of £«^to^: And that they had no fecurity of it, but it might be taken from them at any time in

'^ ^^^Beciufe they thought that it tended to continue our Divifions, and to weaken the 'protejiant Miniftery and Church, and that while the Body oitVtProtefiant People were in all places divided, one part was ftiU ready to be ufed againft the other, and many Sins and Calamities kept ud. And the prefent Generation of Nonconformifts Ukx to be foon worn out, and t\ie Publick AflembUes to be amenl^bly diladvaa-taSd by young, raw, unqualified Minifters, that were l.kelv to be introduced. Thev concluded theref'ore on a cautclous and moderate Thankfgiving for the King s Clemencv and their own Liberty. And when they could not come to Agreement St their Form, the Lord Anoton Introduced them to a verbal Extcraporate Thankfgiving, and fo their Difference was ended as to .that.

Nnnn2 S 21S-This

loo The LIFE of the ' Part'ill.

§ 215. This Qucftion, Whether Toleration of us in our different Afierablies, or fuch an Abatement of Impoiitions as would reftore fome Minillers to the luhlkk yijfemblies by a Law, were more delireable ? was a great Controverfie then among the Nonconformifts ;, and greater it had been, but that the hopes of Abatements, called then a Comprehenfion ) were fo low as made them the lefs concerned in the Agitation of it: But when ever there was a new SefTion of Parliament, which put' them in fome little hope of Abatement^,* the Controverfie began to revive, according to the meafure ot thofe Hopes: The Independents^ and all the SeBaries^ and fome few Presbyterians^ elpecially in London^ who had large Congregations, and Liberty and Encoura-:einent, were rather for a Toleration. The reft of the Presbyterians^ and th.e Epffcopal Nonconformifts^ were for Abatement and Compreiienfion. The RcafonJ of the former were,

1. The Parliament will abate fo little, as will take in but few.

2. It will tempt the reft to ftretch their Confciences, ■ . 3. It will divide us.

4. It will leave thole that Conform not under greater Contempt and Severities.

5. We fhall have much purer Worfliip and Difcipline as we are.

"6. What Corruptions are not now removed by this Abatement will be thefafter fettled, and the Reformation left more hopelefs : The grolfer are our Church-Corruptions, ths mere hope of a Reformation.

Some that were of the other Mind on the contrary thus Hated tlreir Defires. We would not '-.ive ylbatei^ents alone^ but bcfides that a Toleration of all that are Tolerable: AiA .Then tney ?sk us. What Abatements rpitl fatkfic iis^ and procure our Vnion ■mth'thcm? "''c will tr^'iy tell them in feveral Degreed, [_ So much will fatisfie all and ]}rocHr': ■' „rfe(i Vnion: So much lefs ■will take in moji^ or half-^ and fo much lefs mi' v^f '.;- a ptv : 'And wc mufi take that meafure which you wiUgrant us^ in whofe power it is. And tlieir Rcafons were fuch as aforefaid for tliis Choice :

1. "^ ley faid that it is the Religion which obtaineth'the Publick Churohes, ariH 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 4)ad a fort will come in, as will be ready to ftrike up an Agreement with the Papifts^ and let them in on pretence of Concord or Moderation, when v/orldly Interelt Ihall require it.

3. If we are iTiut out of the Publick Churches,* we ftiall ftill be look'd on as their Enemies with Jealoufie and ill will, and as Separatifts with Reproach.

i\. Few of the Rich and Rulers will joyn with us, and fo we fhall prepare Parliaments and Juftices by Alienation to fiirther Severities againft us.

5. The work of Converfion will go flowly on ^ for we fhall fpeak to few bur. thofe that are already Religious, and the Conformifts, who are very^maiiy of them cold and lifelefs, muft be the Preachers to the Ignorant, and Vicious, and Ungodly: And fo the Land will grow worfc and worfe.

6. We fliall keep open a Door for all Sedtts and Schifms, and the Reproach of them all will be caft on us.

■ 7. Wc fhall be ftill uncertain of the conlinuance of our Liberty for one Week : It is eafie to find Rcafons to c;)fl: us out of all, v^/hcn-ever Intereft or Wrath fliall require it.

??. Wc are a hated People to too many of ourSuperiours^ and it is not for our Sakes that Liberty is granted us •, we fliall hold it no longer than the Papifls will ^ for whofe fakes we have it, tliat they alfo may have theirs: And that iihcy will grant it us no longer than the Intereft and Incrcafe of their Religion lequireth if.

And

Pair III. "Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.'

loi

And that which is for the Intercfl: and Increafc of their Religion, is contrary to 6nrs.

9. There are already about 500 that are dead, and have Confoi med, fince our Silencing , and the reft will all be quickly dead: And then all yvil! fall quietly into the Conformifts hands, and the Churches be more corrupt than if now we get but a half Reformiitim. •

I o. And it fhall be no Divifion of us, to have half taken into the Publick Churches : for we muft love each other, and promote the Work of Chrilt in each others hands as the old Godly Conformifts and Nonconformifts did, and we now do with the Godly Part of the Conformifts: Our Work is not to keep up a Combination againft our Superiours, nor to llrengthen a Faftion, but to Combine for Godlinefs, and to ftrengthen our felves in the proper work of the Gofpel: which we muft do, though fome Conform, and fonie do not.

11. And our Superiours will be the lefs Jealous of us as t^ Sedition, when they fee us fo divided in Point of Conformity, than if' they fee us ftrengthened by the Unify of a diftinft Party.

12. And efpecially, the Unity of fuch as Conform, with the prefent Conformifts 'svill ftrengthen the Publick Minifter^ againft Papifis^ InfidelSj and all Vngodlinefi -. And our continued Divifion will be the ftrength of all thefe,

13. And it is a weighty Confideration, that the keeping up of the different Parties tempteth all the People of the Land, to continual Cenftiring, Uncharitablenefs, and contending, and unavoidably deftroycth Love and Concord j and fo keepeth Men ii) conftant Sin.

On all thefe ReaTons they were moft for as much Union with the Parilh-Minifters, a nd joyning with them, ,as tlie Parliament would allow them.

§ 21(5. 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. All the Papijls^ and their fecret Friends, were moft oppofiteto Abatements: For it was their Defign from the beginning to get our Prcffures to be as (harp as pofllble, that fo we might have as much need as they of a Toleration, and might be llarced to Petition for the opening of the Door, by which they might come in, or fipeed at leaft no worfe than tne Nonconformifts.

2. Thofe that were for the Increafc of the Regal Power and Intereft, did very v/ell know, that the more gricvoufly good People (and fo great a number) were ufed ^y Parliaments and Laws, the more certainly Nature and Intereft would lead them, to fly ft-om them to the King, for eafe and refuge: And alfo, that when •Jden's Religion and Liberties are in the Power, and at the Mercy of the King their I-ftates muft be fo too: For who will not rather part with his Money than his Liberty 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^ Separatijls^ and all the Sci?.jf/«, were commonly againft a Comprehenfion, for the Realbns before given. Only the vifiblc Neceffities of the Nation do fo ftrongly work towards it, that doubtlefs in time, they will prevaU v/ith the Wills of thofe that are for the Proteftant Religion, and for Property :, but whether Confent and Repenf ings will come too late, God only knoweth, and time muft tell us.

§ 217. In the end of May^ 1672. was another Sea-Fight with the Diitch^ with like Succefs as the former. The Earl of Sayidrvtch^ and others of ours loft, and they parted without any notable Viftory or Advantage of cither Party, bat that they hatj kill'd one another.

§218.

§ 213. !n Jl^fay and June the Freyich fiiddeiily took abundance of the Dutch' Gavrifjns.

§ 219. In "Tw/y and Jngiift the Dutch-KshhlQ tamultuoufly rofc up Again lb their Goveruours, for the Prince of Or.'jjz^e, and murdered jDe HVf, and his Broiher.

§ 220. la Anfwer to a Buok of Dr. Fulvoootl's^ 1 now Publiihed a llnall Book, ■.viilioiil. my Name, againil the Dcftrtton of our Minijiry^ though prohibited, proving it Sacrilcdge to Alienate Confea"atcd Perfons from the Sacred Office to which they arc Devote J.

§ 221. There came out a Poflhumous Book of A. Bilhop J?roWAj//'s, agaiullmy Book, called, 7 he Grotian Religion : In which, i. He palleth over the exprefs words of Grotiiis^ which I had cited, which undoubtedly prove what I faid ^ yea, though I had fmce largely En£lijhed them, and recited them in the Second Part of my Key fur Catholicks, with a fill! Confirmation of my Proofs. 2. And he feigncth me to make him a Crots.rn^ and Confederate in his Defigh ^ when-as I ( not only had no fuch Word, but) had c'cprefly excepted him by Name, as imputing no fuch thing to him. And before the Book ^i'as a long Preface of Mr. Parker\ moft vehement againflDr. Oivtn^ and ibme-what againfl my felf: To vv'hich Mr. ^ ndrew Alarvct^ a Parliament Man, Burgefs for HhH^ did Publifli an Anfwer fo exceeding Jocular, as thereby procured abundance of Readers, and Pardon to the Author, Becaufe I perceived that the Defign of A. Bifhop Bromh.xf'i Book was tor the Uniting of Chnjlendom under the old Patriarchs of the Roman Impefial Church, and fo under the Pope, as the Wejlern Fatriarcli^ and Principium Vnitam^ I had thought the defigif and this Publication look'd dangex^oully, and therefore began to write an Anfwer to it. But Mr. Simmons my Bookfeller, came to me, and told me, That'^o^er Leflrange^ the Over-feer of the Printers, fent for him, and told him. That he heard I was An-fwering Bilhop Bromhall^ and Swore to him moft vehemently, that if I did it, he would ruin him and mc, and perhaps my Life Ihould be brought in queftioa: And I perceived the Bookfeller durft not Print it ^ and fo I was fain to caft it by j' which I the eafilier did, becaufe the main Scope of all the Book was fully aufwered long before, in^the fore-faid Second Part of my Key for Catholicks.

§ 222. Many Changes in /rd^wt/much talk'd of, I pafsover,

$ 223. Dr. Fulmod wrote a jocular deriding Anfwer to my Treatife, againft Sacrilegious Defertion of the Miniftry, and after that Printed an AfRze Sermon, againft Separating from the Parifh-Miniftcrs. 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 beft to the Parliament for our Union and Reftoration, which ended my Thoughts of that', but I know not of any thing to purpofe done.

§ 224. Mr. Giles Firming a Silenced Minifter, writing fome-what againft my Method and Motions for Heavenly Meditation in my Sj/wf'j Feji^ as too ftrict, and I having Anfwered him, he wrote a weak Reply, which I thought not worthy of a Rejoinder.

§ 225. On OOob. II. I fell into a dangerous Fit of Sicknefs, which Godiu his wonted Mercy, did in time fo far remove, as to return mc to fome Capacity of Service.

§. 225. 1 had till now forborn, for fcveral Reafons, to feck 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, 1 delayed no longer, but lent to feck (jne, on condition I might have it wirhout the Title of Independent^ rreshyterian^ or any other Party, but only as a NouconformiJ] : And before I fent. Sir Thomas riayer. Chamberlain of London^ had proaired it me fo, without my knowlcdg or endeavour. I fought none fo long,

1. Becaufe 1 w:is unwilling to be, or feem any Cuife of that way of Liberty, if a better might have been had, and therefore would not meddle in it.

2. I Lived ten Miles from/.o«<:fo«, and thought not juft to come and (ct up a Congregation there, till the Miniflers had fully fettled theirs, who had born the burden therein the time? ofthe raging Plague and Fire, and other Calamities ^ left I Ihould draw away any of their Auditors, and hinder their Maintenance.

3- I

3. I perceived that no one (that ever I heard of till minej could get a Licenfe. unlefs he would be intituled in it, a Presbyterian, Independent, Anabaptift, or of fomc Sect.

The 1 9th. of Novemk ( my Baptifm-Day; was the firil Day after ten Years Silence, that 1 preached in a tolerated Publick AlTcmbly fthough not yet tolerated in any Confecrated Church) but only (againlt Law) in my own Houfe.

§ 227. Some Merchants fet up a Tucfd-rfs Leclure in London^ to be kept by fix Minifters at PrnMerVKall, allowing them 20^. a piece each Sermon;, of whom they chofe me to be one. But when I had Preached there but four Sermons, I found the independents fo quaiTelfome 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 againlt Divilion, or unnecelFary with-drawing from each other, or againft unwarrantable narrowing of Chrift'? Church, it was cryed abroad, that I preached againfl the Independents •, efpecially, if I did but fay, That Man's Will had a Natural Liberty, though a Moral Thraldom to Vice, and th'.t /.fea might have Chrill and Life, if they were truly willing, though Grace mull make them willing ; and that Men have power to do better than they do, It wa". cryed abroad among all the Party, that I Preached up Jrminiamfin^ and Free-Will, and Man's Power^ and O! what an odious Crime was this.

§ 228. J.ntuary 1/^. 167*. I began a Friday-Ledure at Mr. Turner^ Church in NeW'fireet^ near Fetter-Lane^ with great Convenience, and God's encouraging Blef-fmgi but I never took a penny of ' oneyiox it of any one. And on the Lord's Days I had 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 Maintenance, in this diftrafted and unfettled way, unlefs further Changes fhall manifeft it to be my Duty: Nor did I ever yet give the Sacrament to any one Perfon, but to my old Flock at Kiderminfter. I fee it offendeth the Conformills, and hath many other Prefent loconveniencies, while we have any hope of Rcftoration and Concord from the Parliament.

§ 229. About this time Corttet-Cajlle^ in Jerfey^ was by Lightning ftrange-ly torn to pieces, and blown up which was attended with many notable Accidents, an account whereof was publifhed.

230. The Parliament met again in February^ and voted down the King's Declaration as illegal. And the King promifcd them that it (hould not 'be brought into Prefident. And thereupon they confulted of a Bill for the eafe of Non-conformifts, or Diflenters, and many of them highly profelTed their refolutioa to carry it on: But when they had granted the Tax,, they turned it off, and left it undone ^ deflroying our fhelter of the King's Declaration , aud fo leaving us to the Storm of all their fevere Laws , which fome Country Juftices rigoroully executed, but the nioft forbore.

§ 231. On February 20. I took my Houfe in Bloo)77shury m in London^ and removed 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 expedted, and fome opportunity to ferve him.

§ 132. The Parliament fat again, and talked as if they would have united us by abatement of fome of their Impolitions : But when they had voted down the King's Declaration of Toleration as Illegal, and he had promifed them that it (hould never be drawn into a Precedent, and that they had granted a large Tax, they fruftrated the hopes they had raifed in fome Credulous Men, and left all as they found it.

§ 133. Many impudent railing, lying Books were publifhed againfl: the Non-confoimift:s about this time : Sam. Parker ?nntcd one againfl: Mr. Marvell^ and therein tells the World, what wicked, intolerable Perfons we are to keep up Divifions in the Church about things which we our felves confcfs to be lawful; and that at Worcefter-Houfe (before the King, as he was told) we profefled that there was nothing in the Liturgy, which we took to be unlawful , but that we pleaded only for tcndernefs or forbearance towards others.] Whereas, i. There was no mention of any fuch thing as Worcejicr-Houfe.^ or before the King. 2. Our Bufuiefs before the King at U'orcefier^Hoiife was to have the King's Declaration

claration about Ecclcfiaftical Affairs, read , and both Parties to fay what they had againfl it, and then the King to tell Vvhat he would have pafs in the draiiglit. And the Lord Chancellor {Hidt) had by miftake put fomething of tiiat, which Parker mentioncthin the firll Draught, v/hich was privately Ihevved us by him, and we had told him that he miftooic us, we had never faid any fuch thing : We had indeed faid, that the Work, which wc were called to,, was not to tell how much we our felves thought to be Lawful or Unlaivful in the Government , Worihip, and Cerciiionies, but what was the neceilary means of uniting all his Majefty's Proteftant Subjects, who yet were not of the fame Apprclienli-cn about each Ceremony among themfelves : Whereupon the Lord Chancellor had blotted out that pallage which faid, {_ They -aere glad to find ui apirovrng of the Liturgy^ &C.3I and only put in [of a Liturgy-^'], ai is yet to be feen inthe Declaration Publiflied, and in the firllDvaught of it, (wh.k-ii I have a Copy of.) And it was after at the Savoy^ where the Liturgy was/treated of ;. where, I. VVcgave in thofe Exceptions againfl many things in t!ie. Liturgy, which.were Printed: And among others, againft divers Untruths, ^as when divers Weeks after Chriic's Nativity-day, Eafiev^ WhitfunAity^ it was to be faid in tl:e Couedb, that [On that Day Chrifi was horn, rofc, the Holy-Ghoji came down^ &c.3 2. We difputed many days againfl an Impofition of the Liturgy, as Sinful. 3. Being demanded by Bifhop Coufins (in the Chair) by a Writing, as .from feme great one, (as he fpake) that we fhould give in an Enumeration of what we took to be flat Sins in the Liturgy, as diflind from meer Inconveniences, 1 brought in ten Particulars the next Morning,- of which my Brethren put out two, meer-. iy for fear of angering theirs, 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 profeffed our felves to take it to be all Lawful,

And what if we had done fo.? Is the Liturgy all that Nonconformifts flick at ? Is the Canonical Subfcription and Oath of Obedience, and Re-ordination, &c. no more?

And doth not the Nation know that it was only the old Confonnsty which was then queflioned, and that the new was not in being? And that the Act of Uniformity was fince made, wherein, befides Re-ordhution., is the new Declaration, and new Subfcription, and fince that the new Oxford Oath r Such Impu-dency it was that alfaulted, and rendered us odious to the ignorant, contrary to publick notoriety of Fact, yet vifible in Print to all the World,

§ 234. Another at that time wrote that! had written, that thcSupremt Foner might h re/ljkd fir Religion : And another, (a Papifl, writing for Toleration) that 1 wrote t\\At the y.uthority of any of tf}e Peers might warrant Subjects to take uf Anns againft the Kingr\ Things that I never wrote or thought, or'any thing like them, but have written very much to the contrary: But it is our Lotto fall into the Hands of luch Men, as have banidiedail Mxlclly in their Calumnies,

§ 23<;, About the beginning of yi^^y in my Walk in the Fields, I met with Dr. (junni;ii, now Bifhop of Chichefter, (with whom I had the contention and fierce Oppolition 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 vehemently profclfed that he was fure, that it was not Confcieuce that kept ns from C>onformity, but meerly to keep up our Rcfiutation with the People, and we deiircd alterations for no other ends ^ and that we loft nothing by our Nonconformity, but were fed as full, and lived as much to the Plcafurc of the Flefh ' in Plenty as the Conformifls did : And let me know what odious thoughts he had of^ his poor Brethren, upon Grounds fo notorioully flilfe, 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 will not believe and fay of otheis ? And what Evidence' fo notorious which they will not nut-face? I told hiin that he was a ftranger to the Men he talked of ^ tliat thofe of my Acquaintance, (whom he coiifef-fed to be far more than of his) were generally the molt Confcionable Men that ,

i could-J

I eould find on Earth: That he might ealily know Reputation could not be the thing which made them fufler fo much Affliftion-, becaufe i. many of them were young men, not pre-engaged in point of Reputation to any fide. 2. He knew that we loft, by our Nonconformity , that Worldly Honour which we were as capable of as he and others : We did not fo vilifie the King Parliament' Lord?, Bifhops, Knights, and Gentry, who were moll againft us,' as to think it a piece 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 in the Oxford Aft of Confinement, and banillied five Miles from Cities and Corporations : Our Confciences would not allow us to fay, that he, and fuch as he, who were Clergy-Lords^ and Parliament-Barons did conform out of Pride or Love of Reputation •, and which was the liker to a reafonable Conjefture j That he ftiould be moved by Pride who chufeth the way of worldly Wealth and Domination, and Honour, giving Laws to his Brethren , and vilifying them and trampling on them at hi^ Pleafure, as on a company of contemned, fcorn-ed Wretches ^ or they that chufe the way of this Contempi and Scorn with Poverty and Corporal Diftrefs ? Whofc honour is it that fuch Men feek ? You account their Followers the refiife of the World as you do them. And if they themfelves think better of them , yet they will know that they are moftly of the meaner fort, and that poor Me* have little to fpare for others ; and we are not fofordidly dif-ingenious as not to be fenfible that to bebeholdeii to poor Men tliat want themfelves, for our daily Bread, is not the work of Pride, but putteth our Humilty to it to the utraoft. It's foolifh Pride, which chufeth the hatred and fcorn of the Great Men of the World, inftead of Dignities and Honour, and chufeth to fuffer Scorn and Impriforaent among poor Men, to whom we muft be beholden for a beggerly Suftenance. And as for tha Flenty and fullnefs which they upbraid us with, it telleth us that there is nothing fo immodell and unreafonable which fome Mens Malice will not fay. Do they not know into, what Poverty London is bronght by the late Fire, and want of Trade? And what'Cornplaints do fill all the Land ? And how clofe-handed almoft all Men are that are themfelves in want ? And Minifters are not fo impudent as to turn Beggcrs 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 1 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 fharc. Indeed, about a dofen or twenty Minifters about London^ who ftuck to the People in the devouring Plague, or in other times of Diftrcfs, and feared no Sufferings, have fo many People adhering to them, as keep them from Beggery, or great want i^ and you judge of all the reft by thefe, when almoft all the reft through England^ who have not fomething of their own to live upon, do fuffer fo much as their Scorners will fcarce believe. It is no eaue thing to have the Landlord call for Rent, and the Baker, the Brewer, the Butcher, the Taylor, the Draper, the Shoocmaker, and many others call 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 Bifliop had the lefs modefty in ftanding confidently to my Face of his certainty of our tofing nothing by our Non-conformity^ when he himfelf knew that I wa5 offered a Bifhoprick in i6<5o. and he got not his Bilhoprick, ffor all his extraordinary way of Merit) till about 1671, or 1(572: and I had not a Groat of the Ecclefiaftical Maintenance fince the King came in • nor, to my beft remembrance, ever received more then the font Pound even now mentioned , as a Salary for Preaching thefe Eleven Years; nor any v/ay for Preaching the Sum of eight Pound in all thofc 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 filcnced (till after yln. 1672.) amount not in the whole to xqI. befides ten Pouud ^er ./^"mwkw which I received from Serjeant fowwr^m till he died, and when I was in Prifon, twenty pieces from Sir John Bernard^ ten from the Countefs of Exctir,\ and five from Alderman jP<?rd, and no more, whidi

O o 0 o juft

o6" "^^ Ihe LlfEoj tb^ Fart III

)uft paid the Lawyers, and my Prifon Charge (but-the expenccs of removing my Habitation was greater:) And had the Bilhop's Family no more than this ? In fura, I told the Bifhop that he, that cried out fo vehemently againfb fchiira, had got the Spirit of a Sectary : and as thole that by Prifons and other fuf-ferings were too much exafperated againft the Bilhops, could hardly think or fpeak well of them, fo his crofs Interelts had fo notorioufly fpoiled him of his Charity, that he had plainly the fame temper with the bitterefl of the Sectaries, whom he fo much reviled. Our Doftrinai Difcourfel overpafs.

§236. This May^ a Book was Friatcd and cried about, defcribing tlie horrid Murther of one Jo/iah Baxter in New-England by the Anahaptifts^ and how they tore his Flelh, and flead him alive and perfons, and time, and place were named: And when Mr. Ktjfen^ fenfible or the Injury to the Jnabaptijis^ fearcht it out, it proved all a ftudied Forgery •, Printed by a Papift, and the Book Licenfed by Dr. S'afji. Pa hr , the Aixh-bilhop's Chaplain , there were no fuch Perfons in being as the Book mentioned , nor any fuch thing ever done: Mr. Ktjfen accufed Dr. Parker to the Kiug and Council : The King made him confefs his Fault, and fo it ended.

§ 237. In June was the fecond great Figlit with the Dutcb^ wheix again many were killed on both fides ; and to this day it is not known which Paaty^had the greater Lofs.

§ 238. The Parliament grew into great Jealoufies of the prevalency of Popery : There was an Army i"aifcd, which lay upon Black-Heath encamped, as for Service againft the Dutch : They faid that lb many of the Commanders were Papifts as made Men fear the defign was worfe. Men feared not to talk openly 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 Government to the French Modd, and Religion to their State, by a ftanding Army : Thefe Thoughts put Men into difmal Expedlations, and many wifh that the Army, at any rate might be disbanded. The Duke of Tork was General • The Parliament made an Aft that no man fhould be in any office of Truft, who woild not take the Oaths of Supremacy, aud Allegiance, and receive the Sacrament according to Order of the Church of En£land , and renounee Tranfiibftanftiati-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 Tork , and the new Lord Treafurer, Clifford, laid down all:- It was faid, they did it on fuppofition that the AA left the King impowered to renew their Commiflions when they had laid them down: But the Lord Chancellor told the King that it was not fo j and lb they were put out by themfelves. This fettled Men in the full belief that the Duke of Tork^ and the Lord Clifford were Papifts ^ and the Londoners had before a fpecial hatred againft the Duke, fince 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 fecured and concealed them.

239. The great Counfellors that were faid to do all with the King in all preat matters, were the Duke of York, the Lord Clifford, the Duke of Lauder-daile, the Lord Arlington, the* Duke of Bnckingham, the Lord Chancellor (that is, Sr. Anthony Afiley-Cooper, Earl of Shaftshury, ) and after them the Earl of Anglefey (lately Mr. Anne/Jey.) Among all thefe, the Lord ChanchcUor declared fo much Jealohc of Popery, and fet himfelf fo openly to fecure the Proteftant Religion, tiiat it was wondered how he kept in as he did ; but whatever were his Principles or Motives, it is catain he did very much pl'ead the Proteftant Caufe.

§ 240. In June, Majhricht was taken by the French, but with much lofs • where the Duke oiMonmouth, with the Fnglijh, had great Honour for their Valour.

§ 241. In Augufi, four of the DutihEaJt-IndiaSh\]}% fell into our Hands, and we had the third great Segi-fight with them, under the Command of Prince Ru' pert, where we again killed each other with equal Lofs : But the Butch faid they had the Victory now, ("and before, and kept days of Thanksgiving for it: Sir Edward t^prag was killed, whofc death the Papifts much lamented, ho-IJing to have got the Sea-power into his Hands, But Prince Eupert, (who declared himfelf openly againft Popery, and had got great Intercft in the Hearts

Fart ill %everend iWr. Richard Baxter lo

■of the.Soldiers) complained (harply of the fVf«cfe Admiral, asdefertiag him (to fay n6 woric:) And the fuccefs of thefc Fights v/as fuch as hindered the Tranf-portation of the Army againfl: the Dutch^ and greatly divided the Court-Party, and diicouragcd the Graudces, and Commanding Papifts., ire.

§ 242. In i^e^tember,, I being out of Town, my Houfe was'broken by Thieves who broke open my Study-Doors; Clofcts, Locks, fearcht near 40 Tills and Boxes, and found them all fiiU of nothing Tim: Papers, and mifs'd that little Money I had, though very near them: They ifiok only three fmall pieces of Plate, and medled not (confidcrably) with any of my Papers, which I would not have loft for many hundred Pounds .• Which made me fenfible of Divine Proteftion, and what a Convenience it is to liave fuch a icind of Treafure as other men have no mind to rob us of, or cannot. '

S 343- The Duke of Tork was now married to the Duke of Modenah Daughter by Proxy, the Earl of Feterbormghhurxg fent over to that end.

§ 244. The Lady Clinton having a Kinfwoman ( wife to Edxcard Wray Efq-) T?ho was a Proteftant, aud her Husband a Papift ( throughly ftudied 'in all their Controverlies, and oft provoking his Wifstobringany one to difpute with him; defired 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 fhe fhould 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 before no one but his Wife, that fo we might not feem to ftrive for the Honour of Viftory, nor by difhonour be exafperated, and made lefs capable of benefit The latter way was chofen ^ but the Lady Clinton., and Mr. Goodwin, the Lady JVorfefs Chaplain, prevailed to be prefent by hisconfent. He. began upon the point of Tranfubftantion, and in reron\ Method would have put me to prove the Words of the Article of the Church of England, by exprefs Words of Scripture, without Expofition. I diftinguilhed the two parts of the Controverfie I. Whether there be Bread after Confecration'i 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 tferee hours he brake off fairly, but yielding nothing He after affirmed that a Woman was but a Nurfe, aud no Goverilour to her Children, and that if he commanded them to deny Chrift, they ware bound to obey him; elfe Families would be Confounded.

§ 245. I had fourteen Years been both a necefTary, and voluntary ftranger at the Court • but at this time by another's invitation called to attend the Duke of Lauderdatle, who lllll profelTed fpecial kindnefs to me, and fome pious Scotsmen, (being under fufFcnng, one abfconding, another fequeftred and undone) and craving my interpofition for them, I went to him, and defired his Pardon and Clemency for thqm, which he. readily granted: And being to reprint my Key for Cathohcks, where his Name was in too low a manner in the Epiftlc ( he being then a Prifoner in Windfor-Cajlk) I told him that to omit it might feem a Negleft, andfo to mention him, would be an injurious difhonour, and therefore if he pleafed, I would put to it an Epiftle Dedicatory, \vhich he con-fested 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 Iicenfed, I printed iiiftead of that left out, anew Treatife on the Sub-jeft, on which I difputed with Mr. I^r^^, called, F«« md eafie Satisfaaion, rvhich is the true Religion : Wherein Popery is brought to fence of the meaneft Wit But feme were offended that I prefixed*the Duke's Name- as if it tended to honour him at that time v/hcn he was decried as a chief Counfellour for abfolute Monarchy, for the War with the Dutch , and a Handing Army ; and he was threatncd as foon as the Parliament fat ; but went into Scotland as Commiffioner and called a Parliament there;, for my parti 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 hoflour nor be fo uncharitable as to refufe to make ufe of any Man's favour for Sufferers in their diftrefs. The matters of their Sute Counfels are abore my reach. .. •

O O O O 2 § 2^^

§ 245. In OlMer the Lord Clifford (called the cliief of the fecrct Counctlj ha-vinf; the Summer before been at Tunbrid^e Water, fell into feveral Difl:<fmpers, and fhortly after died: So near is the fiill of the greatcft to Ids Rifms , which was a great blow to his Party.

§ 247. Mr. Fdkt:jer^ Miuiller of Lw, a foier, learned Man, wrote a book for Conformity, which that Party greatly boafted of as unanfwerable : Indeed he fpeaketh plaulibly to many of the Noncouformifts fmalleft Exceptions, agaioH fome particular words in the -^iturgy, and fome Ceremonies ^ but as to the great Matters, the Declaration^ and the Oxford O.uh^ and Subfcription, and Re-ordination, and the Image of 'the Crofs, as a Symbol of Chiifbianity, and dedicating fign in Baptifm, the Mini/ters denying Baptifm to thofe that fcniple the Crofs, or to the Children of thofe that dare not forbear Covenanting for their own Children in Baptifm, and lay it all on Godfathers, the rejedHng thofe from' the Lord's Supper, that cffire not take it kneeling, the Thankfgiving at Burials 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 Incereft and Will. But, pro captu LeClori!^ &c.

§ 24^. On the 2oth. of ohoher the Parliament met again, and fuddenly voted that the King fhould be fent to about the Duke of Tort's Marriage with an Jidian Papift (a-kin to the Pope) and to defire that it might be Ifopt (jhe being not yet come over, j And as foon as they had done that, the King, by the Chancellour, prorogued them till JMondy follo\\'ing, bccaufe it is not ufual for a Parliament to grant Money twice in one Sefliori.

§ 249. On Monday^ when they met, the King defired fpeedy Aid of Money againft the Dutch^ and the Lord Chancellour let forth the Reafons, and the Dutch unreafonablcnefs. But the Parliament iti.i ftuck to their former refcnt-ment of the Duke of Torh\ Marriage, and renewed their Meflage to the King againft it ^ who anfwered them, that it was debated at the open Council, and refolved that it was too late to ftop it.

§ 250. Some one laid in the Parliament-Houfe (they fay near the Speaker's Chair) a wooden Shooc, fuch as the Peafants wear in France^ with fome Beads, and on one end drawn the Arms of France^ and on the otljer the Arms of Ek^-land^ and written between, Vtrum horuni mavis accippe. And Henry Stubhs (now Phyfician, oace under Library-Keeper in Oxford^ who wm accounted an Infidel, and wrote againft Monarchy for Sir Henry Fane^ and againft me, perfwading the Army, and Rump to queftion me for my Life, and after was drawn by the Court to write againft the Dutch) now Printed a Half-Sheet called. The farts-C^i^etfc, containing many Inftances, where Marriage by Proxy had been broken j for which he was fent to the Tower.

§ 251. On Friday^ Oft. 31. The Parliament went fo high as to pafs a Vote that no more Money fhould be given till the eighteen Months of the laft Tax were expired, unlefs thtDutcJ) proved obftinate, and unlcfs we were fe-curcd agaijift the danger of Popery, and Popifh Counfellours, and their Grievances \vere rcdvefled.

2!52. The Parliament Voted to ask of his Majefty a day of Humiliation, bccaufe of the Growth of Popery, and intended folcmaly to keep the Powdcr-Ptoe, and appointed Dr. Stillin/fleet to Preach to them (who is moft engaged by writing ap.aiiift Popery.- ) but on the day before, being Nov. 4. the King (to their great difcontcnt) prorogued the Parliament to 7#. 7-

§ 2<;3. Thefeventhof January the Parliament met again, and voted that their firft work fhould be to prevent Popery, redrefs Grievances, and be fecu-red againft tiic Inftnimcnts, or Counfellours of them. And they Ihortly after voted th.e Dukes of Buckingham., and Ljudcrdale unfit for trufl about the King^ and defired their Removal : But when they came to the Lord Arlington., and would have accordingly Charafterized him without an Impeachment, it was carried againft that Attempt: And becaufc t^e Members who favoured the Mon-conformifts (for confiderable Reafons) were ngaiaft the reft, and helped off the Lord y^rlinpoHj the reft were greatly exafperated againft him, and reponcd tliat fhcr\- did it becaufc he had furthered the Nonfcontbrniifts Licenfes for tolerated .Frciiching. » <

§ 254. Sir yinthony /Jhley Cowper ( foraetimes o*ne cf Olrjir's Privy-Counal) having been a greac Favourite of the King (for great Service for him) and made Earl of Shuftshury^ and Lord Chancellour, and great in the fecretett Councils, at laft openly fct againft others on tlic account of Religion, earneftly declaming againft Popery, and becoming the Head of the Party that were zealous for the Proteilant Caufe, and av/akened the Nation greztly by his Aftivity : 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 highei agaiuf: the danger of Popery than the Commons, and to pafs fcveral Votes ac-coraingly. And the Earl of Shaftsbury fpake fo plainly or the Duke of Tork^ as math offended,and it was fuppofed would not long be born.The Earl of Clare^thz Loid//o//>V, the Lord/y<zW//ii.v, and others aifo fpake very freely : And among the Bilhops only (that I heard of^ Sir Herbert Crofts (who had fometimes been a Pa-pift) the Bifliop of Hereford. And now among Lords and Commons, and Citizens, and Clergy, the talk went uncontrolled that the Duke of York was certainly a Papift, and that the Army lately raifed, and encamped at Black-heathy was de-ligned to do their Work, who at once would take down Parliaments and fct yp

Popery. And Sir .5«cA»a//told them in the Houfe of fuch Words that he

had overheard of the late Lord Treafurer Clifford^ to the Lord Arundell^ as fecm-cd to increafe their Satisfaftion of the Truth of all ^ but common obfervation was the fullelt fatisfiftion. in a word, the offence and boldnefs of both Houfesgrevy fo high, as eafily (hewed men how the former War began, aud illenced many that laid it was raifed by Nonconformifts, and Presbyterians.

§ 255, The third of February was apublick Faft (againft Popery) the firft (as I remember) that (befides the Anniverfary Fafts) had ever been fmce this Parliament fate (which hath now fate longer than that called the long Parliament did before the major part were caft out by Cromwell -. ) But the Preachers, Dr. Cradoek^ and Dr. Whitchcot^ medled but little with that Buliaefs, and did not pleafe them as Dr. StilHngfieet had done, who greatly animated them, and all the Nation againft Popery by his open and diligent endeavours for the Prote-Itant Gaufc.

§256. During this Selliou the Earl of Orery defired mc to draw him up in brief, the Terms and Means, which I thought would fatisfle 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 Trealiner, Sir Thomas Oihorn^ and Dr. Morley^ Bilhop of IVincheJler^ who vehemently profefs'd his defues of it : And Dr. FuUwood^ and divers others had been with me to the like purpoie,. teftifying the faid Bifhop's refolution herein. I wilht them all to tell him from me, that he had donefo much to the contrary, and never any thing this way fmce his ProfeiTions of that fort, that till his real Endeavours convinced Men, it would not be believed that he was ferious. But when 1 had eiven the Earl of Orery my Papers, he returned them me with Bifhop Morlcyh Sniftures, or Animadverfions (as by his Words and the Hand I had reafonto be confident) by which he fully made me fee that all his Profeflions for Jbayiemeitt^ and Concord^ were deceitful Snares, and that he intended no fuch thing at all. And becaufe I liave infcrted before fo much of fuch tranfaftions, I will here annex my Propo-lalir, with his Striilures^ and my Reply,

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Orery.

My Lord^

I Have here drawn up thofe Terms on which I think MinifVers may be refto-red to the Churches Service, and much union and quietnefs be procured: But 1 muft tell you, i. Th^t upon feccnd Thoughts I forbore to diftribute them, as I intimated to you, into feveral Ranks ; but only offer what may tend to a Concord of the moft, though not of every man, 2. That I iiavc done this only on

the

the fuppofitions that v;e werp fain to go upon in our Confultation with Dr. IVilhins -viz. That no change in the Frame of Church-Government will becon-fented' to : Otherwife I fhould have done as we did in i6<5o, offered yoa Arch-bifhop V/kr'i Rediidionof the Government to the primitive fiate of E-pifcopacy -, and have only deiired that the L.ay-ChanceUours have not the Power of the Keys, and that, if not in every Parifh, at kiifl: in every Ru:al Dean-ry, or Market-Town, with the adjacent Village^, the Minifters might have the Palloral power of the Keys fo far as is necedary to guide their own Admi-niftrations, and not one Biihop, or Lay-Chancellour's Cotirt to have more to do than Multitudes can v/ell do, and thereby caufealmoft all true Difciplineto be omitted. 3. I have forborn to enumerate the Particulars, which we cannot fubfcribe, or fwear to, or praftife, becaufe they are many, and I fear the naming of them, will bedifplcafmg to others, as feeming to accufe them, while we do but fay, what a Sin fuch Conformity would be in our felves: But if it ihould be ufeful, and defired, 1 am ready to do it. But 1 now only fay, that the matters are far from being things doubtful, or indifferent, or little Sins in our Appre-henfions ^ of which we sie ready to render a Reafon. But I think that this bare Propofal of the Remedies, is the bell, and Ihortefl-, and leaft offsniive way : In which I crave your Obfervation of thefe two Particulars, i. That it is the matter g'-^ntcd, if it be even in our omi Words^ that will beft do the Cure : For while ' ther men word if, Lhat know not our Scruples or Reafons, they mifs our Sence ufxiaily, and make it ineffectual, 2. That 'the Reafon why I crave that Mini-fters inay have impunity, whouA; the greatefi: part of the Liturgy for the Day; is I. To fhorten the Accommodation, that we may not be put to delay our Concord till the Liturgy be altered, to the Satisfaftion of Diffcnters; which wx have: caufe to think, will not be done at all. Now this will filently and quietly heal us j and if a Man omit fome one Collccl: or Sentence withouf debate or noife, it will not be noted, nor be a matter of offencs. 2. And he is unworthy to be a Minifler that is not to'be trufted fo much, as with the ufmg or not ufmg of a few Sentences, or 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 are not S'ilenc'ci, nor taken notice of as offenders at all: And may not, as much for our Concord be granted to Diffenters in the prefent cafe. He that thinks that thefe Cor.ceflions willbc more injurious to the Church, and the Souls of Men, thaa 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, 1 muft agaia intreat you that this Offer may be taken but as the Anfwer of your defire, for your private 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 confultccL and nothing laid on me alone, I am confident, were but Dr. StiUing-fieet^ 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 ia a Week's time, fuppofing them vacant for the Bufinefs.

IReJt,

Your humble ServrM^ Dectm. 15. 1673, Richard Baxter.

The means of uniting the Proteflant Mini lie rs in England, and healing our lamentable Divifions j fuppofing Church-Government may not be altered.

1, About Engagements, Let no other Covenant, Promife, Oath, Declaration, or fubfcription be necelfary to Minifters for Ordination, Inftitution, In-duftion, Miniflration, or Polfelfion of their maintenance, ( nor to Scholars at the Univerfitics, exxcpt the ancient Univcrfity Oath) or to School-mafters, be-fidcs the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and the fubfcribing the Doctrine aiKLSacramcnts of the Church of England^ as exprcffed in the thirty nine

Articles,

Articles, accordingly to the'i 3th of Qiieen £i»^teffc, and the common Subfcrip-tion, appi-oving the Doftrine of the Homilies, and this following Declacatioa againll Rebellion, and Sedition.

I, yl. B. do hold that it is not L,awtiil for His Majefiy's Subjeds upon any Pretence whatfoeverto take Arms againft the King, his Perfon, or Authority or againft any Authorized by his Legal Commiflion : And that there ly-eth no Obligation on mc, or any other of his Subjefts, from the Oath commonly called, the folemn League and Covenant, to 'endeaveavour any Chan<^e of the prefcnt Government of tliefe his Majefty's Kingdoms j nor to endeavour any Reformation of Church or State, by Rebellion, Sedition, or any other unlawful means.

n. Recaufe the Churches arc all fuppofcd to have Incumbents, and the pre-fent Non-conformills being devoted to the facred Minillry, do holn it high Sa-criledge to alienate themfelves therefrom (to pafs by their outward wants j) till by Prefentations to vacant Churches they are better provided, let them have liberty to be School-mafters, or afliftants to Incumbents, or to PrcacK Lednres in iheir Churches, fo it be by their Confent , whether they be Lefturcs already endowed with fome Maintenance, or fuch as the' People are willing to maintain: And let not the Incumbents be difcouraged by the Bilhops from receiving them : And let fiich places, as, being convenient, are already poflefled by them for God's Publick Worfhipbc continued to that ufe, as Chappels, till they can be thus received into Benefices or Leftures.

III. Becaufe the Piety of Families muit keep up very much of the Interelt of Religion in the World, and Multitudes (efpecially in the Country) that cannot read, can do little or nothing of it in their own Families, and may be greatly helped by joyning with their more underftanding, pious Neighbours j 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 Parilhj who read the Holy Sa-iptures, and Licenfed pious Books, and repeat the publick Sermons, and Pray, and Praife God by fmging Pfalms, and refiife not the Infpedion of their law-fill Paftors herein .• Nor let it not be unlawful for any ftablifhed Minifter to receive his People in fuch Work, or for the Catechifing, and perfonal inftritffting of fuch as {hall defirc it.

IV. Concerning the Liturgy and publick Communion, i. Let no Man be pBniQicd for omitting the ufc 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 ordiaarily (unlefs when ficknefs or other Ncceffity hindreth) cither by himfelf, or by his Curate or Affiftaat: And let none be forced to read tht -/^pocr/pha publickly for Leflbns.

2. Let no mcer Lefturerbe forced to read the the Liturgy himfelf, or to procure another to read it, feeing it is the Incumbent's Charge, and it is fuppofed it will be done. Or if this may not be granted, let the Lcdbirer 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 publickly 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 ,K0t the Parents be forced to get fuch Godfathers, and Godmothers, as are Atheifts, Infidels, Hereticks, orgrofly ignorant what Baptifm and Chrifti-anity is, or as, for their wicked Lives are themfelves juftly kept from the Communion, nor fuch as they know have no intention to do what they are to undertake. And if any Chriftian Parent can get no better to undertake that Office (many now fcrupling it, and none can be forced to it, ) let not his Child be denied Baptifm, if he be ready to do the Office of a Parent himfelf.

4. Seeing fome Miniftcrs think that the ufe of the tranfient Image of the Crofs, as a Sacramental, or dedicating Sign, In the Bgjptifraal Covenant, and a

Symboi

1,2 ' The LTF E of the . Part 111

Symbol 6l the Chrifliaii ProfelTion, is ,\ breach of the fecond Commandment: Let not fiich be forced to ufe it j nor to vefiife to baptize the Children of fuch perfons without it, who are of the fame Mind.

■^. L.ct no Minifter be forced againit hi5 Judgment to baptize any Child, both whofe Parents avoid, or are juftly denied the Communion of the Church-, tinlefs fome Perfonwho communicateth with the Church do take the Child as his own, und undertake to Educate it according to the Chriftian Covenant.

6. Let none be forced to receive the Sacrament, who through Infidelity, Herclie, or Prophanenefs, is unwilling,till thehinderance be removed: Nor any who by Confcioufnefs, or fear" of their unfitnefs, are like to be driven by fo receiving it, into diltraclion or defperation.

7. Let no Minifter be forced to deliver the Sacrament of Chr/ft's Body and Blood, to any who is unbaptizcd ^ or who being baptized in Infancy, did never yet perfonally to the Church, or Minifter, own his Baptifmal Covenant by aa underftanding ProfefTiOa of the Chriftian Faith, and promiie of Obedience to God the Father, Son, and Holy-Ghoft-, and who alio will not yet make fuch apro-felTion and promifc to the Churcli, or Minifter, or elfe bring a valid Cei tificate that he hath formerly done it to the Bifncp, or fome approved Paftor, under whom he lived : Nor to any, who, upon accuiacion, fame, or juft fufpicion of Atheifm, Infidelity, Kerefie, intolerable Ignorance, or grofs, and heinous Sin, doth rcfufe to come fpeak with the Miniftei for his fatisfadtion, and his Juftification, or better Information j or who by Proof, or Confeffion is found guilty of any of the aforliiid fcandalous Evils, a.iril hekrve profefled ferious Repentance to the faid Miiii.^er, if the crime be notorious , and if he refufe, till he have moreover amended his fci mer wicked L 'fe.

8. L.ct no Muiifter be fortti t'^ publifh an E.Kconim.unication, or Abfohti-on of any againft his Co.ifcience, upon the deaee or Sentence of a Lay* Chancellour, or any other: But htthem, chat defire it, caufe fuch to do it whofe Confcier.cc is not againft a.

9. When there are Prefentments or Appeals to the Chancellour's Court, or Bifhop's, let not iickly, weak Minifters, or thofe whofe Pariflies cannot be fo long negleftcd, be put to travel long Journeys, or negleft their Studies, and Minlfterial Work, by oft or long Attendances, in bringing Witnelfes againft thofc to whom they only rcfufed on the forefaid Reafons to deliver the Sacrament.

1 o. Seeing Minifters who live among them, are fuppofed to be beft 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 chufc fuch Confeilbrs, as they think beft for themfelves: And let thofe few words at Burial which import the Juftification, and Salvation of the Deceafed, be left to the Miniftcr's Difcretion, who hath known the Perfon's Life and Death.

11. 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.

12. Let Minifters have Icive to open the meaning oi the Catechifm^ and not only to hear the Words themfelves f And it is much co be wifhed that the Citechifm were amended. ) And let him have leave at Baptifn' and the Eucha-liit to interpofe fome few quickning words of E.xhortanion, left form alone do caft them into a cuftoijiary dullnefs.

13. Let tlie life of the Surplice be Ictt indifferent in the Parilh-Churchcs, or at leaft if the Curate ftequently ufe ir, let it fufHce.

14. If any live under a Minifter ehat is very ignorant, or fcandalous or very unfuitablcto the People, or to his Work, Igt them not be punifhcd for going often to hear xmd Communicate where they can better profit, in any Neighbour Church of the fame Dioccfs : So be it, they pay the Incumbent his Dues,

V. Let not thofe who arc ordained by Presbyters be put to renounce their Ordination, or be re-ordained; but only upon proof of their fitnefs for the Minifh-y, receive by word, or a written Inftrumcnt, a Legal r^uthority to exer^ cije their AUnifiry in any Congregation in his Ai^jejly^'s Dominions^ where they Piall be lawfully called. VI. We

VI. We defire that no Excommunicate Pci foil, a^-. fuch, mayb« imprifoned, and ruined in his Ett.ite, but only fuch wiiofe Grimes, in themfelves conlidered, dc-ferve it.

VII. A<; wc ddlre all this Liberty to our felves, fo it is our Judgment and Delire, that Chriftian Lenity be ufed to all truly Conrcieatious Diffcntcrs, and alfo the Tolerable may be Tolerated, uialer Laws of Peace and Safety : But who Ihali be judged Tolerable, and what fliall be the Laws or Terms of their Toleration, we prefume not uncalled to make our felves Caunfellour;, or Judges.

But for avoidin':; the inconveniences, which the forcfaid Conceflions to our fvlvcs may fecm to threaten to the Church, we hope it will fuflic:, 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 Ihall Preach asainfb any of the Dodrine of the Church •, nor ag^infl: Epiicopacy, Liturgv, nr the Eftablifhed Ceremonies: That all Magiftrates be excepted from all open pcrlbnal Rebukes, or difgraceful Cenfures, or Excommunications, becaufe {Ceteris Parikut) pofitive Inftituted Orders give place to Natural morals, fnch as the Fifth Commandment containeth ; That all negligent or fcandalous Minifters be Punifhed according to the Meafure of their Fault: And the omiflion of Preaching, Liturgy or 9&cra-ments, fhall be Punifli'd (not prefently with forbidding them to do any thing, be-<aufe they do not enough, but) w ith the Sequeftration of their Church-maintenance, ■vit. That they lofe a month's Profit of their Benefice for a month's Omiflion, and fo on proportionably. And that th^fc whofe lafufEcieney, Herefy or Crimes, are fucfi as that their Miniftrv doth more hurt than good, be totally cad out: And that the Bifhops may not Silence, Sufpend, Deprive or Excommunicate any Minifter Arbitrarily but by a known Law, and in cafe of Injuftice, we may have fufEcient remedy by Appeals. And that no former Lavr or Canon, which is contrary to any of this, be therein in force.

I. If Sacraments were but left free to be adminiilred, and re(?eivcd by none but F9-hm'cers. 2. And Liberty granted the Minifters to Preach in thofe Churches where th« Commm-Prayer is read ly •thm^ I think it would take in all, or almoft all the Independents alfo. (3. Suppofing the Door left open, according to the firft Article) Thefe three would unite us almoft alL But I have mentioned the reft, becaufe th« firft of thefe will not be granted.

TheStriBures returned uf on thefe Propofels, tnVfe the Anfwers.

Afy Lard^

T Return you this Paper with an Anfwer to the Striftxires- not with any hopes of -I A-rcement with the Author: For whoever he is, I .have no hope ot Peace or Healing by him j or by his confent, according to the Principles and Rigour here er-prefTcd.

I Prop [.Suppofing the C\mch'Government may not he altered.'} StHS. (a) C ^' ^^ f^ticulars foUoxoing dodireaiy, or indireaiy, either overthrow or under mine the Clmch Go-

Hnfw If by Ctbe Church Government:] be meant fas the Propounder did mean) tTie Conftitution containing the Diocefan frame, with Deans, Arch-Deacons, Lay-ChanccUours, as Governing by Excommunication and Abfolution, there is nothing in thefe Propofals incompetent with that Frame, nor moti«nmg any alteration ot it. CTho there is that in it, which our Judgments take to be very great fin : For we can quietlv live under a Government finftil, while we are not put to fmby our confent-ine to the fin of others.) Rut if by Uhe ('mjernmenf] be meant the whole Exerafe ot . their Government, acxording to the Ad of Uniformity and the Canons, wc confefs that every abatement defired by us, is againft it: And it we could do all requir d bv the Governours, wc were full Conformifts, and needed none ot this. ^ P P P P

But thU PrefatCi y Frognoftick tells us what to expect: for whoc\^er inf-ndeth our Solemnity andiufFeiing, U'ill foretel it by his Accufations •, And if a Crofs be our intended Lot, uo wonder if [Overthrowers aniVnderminm of theCoirernmentl be the Title to be written on it.

.. I. Prop. V^.'^nd the Subfcriblng theDoikir.e md Sjcrantcnts^hc.2

: "^ Stria, t fc) ISo they ?}jaji not be required to Subfcribe either to the Govertmtnt or LiturPV-

or RitesandCtremonks of our Cliurch.li • ■ ^.

Mfvf. I. If tlierewere nothing at all in the Diocefan frame in Fn?lan4 LayJ Chancellours, Spiritual Government, nor any othef part of the Government 'aod Word in the Liturgy, or any Ceremony which we do not, nor dare not approve aod Juftify by a Sublcription ^ what need we anv of tins ado, any move than anv Bifhops or Conformifts •, feeing we were Conformable already.

2. We are willing to Swear, Subfcribe, and Covenant, Allegiance to the King who is a Gonftitutive Eilential Part of the Kingdom. But we are not willin<^ accordingly to Swear, Subfcribe, or Covenant to every petty Officer in: he Kingdom, nor to approve of every Lam, Cujlom or Ilxercijc of Government in it tho we would live peaceably under what we approve not. And if a Law were made tliat he flilall be Banifaed as an Owrt^ower, or Vnderminer.of the Govern mt who would not/o Covenant or Subfcribe^ Hcufes and Lands would be cheaper than they are and the King have fewer Subjefts than he hath ; For I am not acquainted with one'con-* fcionable Man, that I think would Subfcribe it. And why fhould ail the King's l^nhjefts be bound more llriftly to the Human Part of Church Government than of

' State or Civil Covermmnt^ and to approve of Lay-Chancellours than of Civil Officers ? Or of the matter of Cmons , than of Civil and Common and Statute Laws ?

3. If it be a Crime to know, it is a Crime to jud^e, or to ufe our Reafon and Ob-fervation. If it be not, it is no Crime for us to know that Clergy-Pride impofing a multitude of things fmall and doubtful, on the Churches as the Conditions of Mi-niftryand Commuftion, and forcing Magiftrates, 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 Schifm and Blood and Coafiifions in the Roman Church, as afTureth us that it is no defirable thing, that by us any thins; like it fhould be confented to. '

4. And it is no Crime in us to he fure, that if Subfcribing to al! the prefect Church-GovernmeHt, Liturgy and Ceremonies, be the thing that/hall be neceff^ry to ourMiniltry, and Union and Communion, our prefent Dillentions and DiVilions will not be healed, unlefs by Killing or Banifhiiig the Diflenters, and ssTertulUan fpeaketh, Awaking folitude, and calling it Peace.

I. Prop. iHvs A-fajeft/s} Subjects-—[Lf^^T] Commifllon— any other fof his Sub-jeaq.—

Stic. (^c')\_Delcutur.^

ynfvn. I. We did not think that it had been your meaning that wcmuft tnak* our felffes Judges of the Cafe,not only of all his Mfjefte's Subjeas, but of all others in the World. If the Judges will give it us under their Hands, that it is not lawful upon any pretence whatfoever, for the Subjcdts of any Prince on Earth to take Arms againft any King of £«^/a;;^, or anyCommiiTionedby him ; or that it is not polliblc for any War againft us in any Age, on any pretenfc whatever, to be Lawflil-or elfe that they are fure that all the Kinr^doms on Earth are fo Conftituted as that no where any Subjeds may on any pretence take Arms againft their Kings'we (hall accordingly fubmit to their judgment. But feeing Papilh and Protcftants Lawyers and Divines, even Monarchical and Conformable £iy the coiirrary it were not medefty in us that are ignorant of Matters of Law, to fav that they are all mi-ftakcn, t ill we arc inftruacd to know it to be fo. For our parts we mult profefs our felvcs not acquainted with the Conftitution of every Kingdom in the Workl.

2. If [le/.iflmuft be obliterated,-we iball our felvcs quietly fiibmit totlieEx-ercife accordingly • and f ifter from any one tliat faith, he is CommiflTioued to hurt us if It be required of us: But we are not skilfd in Law, and thefore cannot Iky' that all otheis arc bound to do the like. To deal plainly, feeing ZLe^^aQ muft be

oblite-

obliterated, we undcrftand not what the word {Commljjion} meaneth : Whether it jnuft have the King's Broad-fcal^ or the Lifer fctl^ or his Name only : Whether the ComniilKon and Seal mull he jhervcd to thofe that arc not to refifl ^ or proved to be Currant and how? But that which caufcth us to forbear fubfcribing, is, i. Wc h_ve taken the Oath of Allegiance, and think that the King's Subjefts are bound to defend his Life, Crown and Dignity ^ And we fear left by this the Lord Chancel-lour (if not others) may have power at his Plcafure to De^ofe the Kmg^ that is, to Seal Commiflions to Confederates to take PoilelTion of all his Navy, Forts, Garri-fons Arms, if not hisHoufe and Perfon, and no man muft refill them. 2. We are not certain that a CommilTion can Repeal all that Law of Nature, who obligeth a Man to preferve the Life of his Parents or Children, or Neighbour. We have not indeed any reafon to fear that our King Ihould grant fuch a CommilTion : But who ' can deny but that it's poffible for fome King or other to do it ? And feeing we knowr not when a Commiflion is counterfeit, if two or three men come to my Houfe, and fay they have a Commifiion to Kill my Father, Mother, Wife and Children and my felf (and ihew itj ; or if they AlTault me and my Company on the High-way, and fliew a Commiflion to take onr Purfes and Kill us, we are not fure that God will ex-cufe us fi-om the Duty of defending the Lives of our Parents, Children and Friends : Or if half a dozen (hould come to the Parliament, and fhew a Commiflion prefent-iy to kill them all, or Burn the City, and Kill all the Citizens,' or Kingdom, we are not ]ivife enough to know that neither Parliament, City, nor Kingdom, may refilt them. And we find Parliaments fo conceited that they have Propriety in Life and Goods andthatnonemay at pleafure take them away, and lay Taxes without their confent- and that wc fear if we fhould plainly fay, that whatever Taxes are laid, or Eftatesor Goods or Perfons feiz'd on, or Decrees of Judges rejeded by fuch Execution it were tinlawM for the Sheriff, or any others to refill, they would trouble tis for Vo faying. And if an Admiral, General, or Lieutenant fliould be made by Aft of Parliament, Durante Fita^ and Authorized to refifl any that would difpof-fefs him we are not fo Wife as to know whether he may not refifl; one to whom the Chancellour 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 Kingdom to the Pope, we are not fure that the Kingdommight not have refiflred any of jhe Pope's,(or any Foreign Prince's) Agents, if they had been Commiflloned by the King to feize upon the Kingdom : Or that no Subjects of any Foreign Prince may be. refiflred, if they fl\ould come againfl: us, by fuch a Commiffion. Had we the Judgment of the Judges in this Cafe, we fliould fubmit as far as any reafon could requir* us. But tho we )ufl:ify not Barclay^ C7roffM5,Bifliop Bilfon and others, of the contrary Blind we mufl: confefs our felves not wife enough to Condemn them.

1. Prop. {Nor by any other {unlavofuf] means (to endeavour Reformation).

Stric. (d) CDeleatur [Vr:l.mful.~\ • ,. _

Jnf. I. Here we may fee how many minds the Conformifl:s are of-, or how un-3uft:ly all that I have debated the Gifc of Subfcription with do affirm. That by [not tndcavouring} any Alteration, is meant only not endeavouring by tmlawful meansti which is here contradifted by a Bekatur {unlawful.']

1. I crave an Anfwer to thefe Qiiefl:ions.

1. Can you certainly fay, That the Church-Government is fo purely Divine and Peifeft as that no Reformation is either ncaffary or lawful ? Is all the Diocefan Frame fuch, and the Lay-Chancellors Power of the Keys alfo ?

2. If there be need of any Reformation, is it aot a Covenant againfl Repentance ind Obedience to God, to covenant never to endeavour it at all ?

3. What if the King fliould by Commiflion require fome Alterations, or command us to endeavour it, are you fure that wc are aU bound to difobey him ?

^. What if a Parliament-man make a Speech, or pafs a Vote for it, are you fure

that he finneth ? r ■ •> ^

Are you fure that the King may not lawfully endeavour any Reformation r Or ^•as'his De'clararation about Ecclefiaftical Affairs a fin ?

6 What if any humbly petition the King and Parliament for any fuch Reforma-tionVas that Laymen may not have the Power of the Keys over a whole Dioccfii, aud aU the Parochial Pallors be denied it) ^ is it certainly a fm ?

p p p p I %H

7. If a man Vow (though finfuUy) to do a thing which he may lawfiilly do, if he had not vowed it, are you fure it is a fin (and not Duty j to keep that Vow in Materia Licita (which he thinketh Necejfaria) ? I put the Qiieftion as de futuro^ if I and Millions fliould make fuch a Vow ((K/^^iiWy, without and againfl the Will of my Su-perioursj for the time to come, ape you fure that it bindeth no man of them all ? i believe, that no private arbitrary Vow can foreftall my due Obedienceto my Gover-nours: But antecedent Duty fo made by God (as Reforming by Uwful means of Endeavour)^ it is fuppofed they do not forbid: For every Member of the Church is ia his place obliged to promote the Common Good by lawful means : as they might forbid us all to exhort or aJmonilh any finner^ or to pray, or preach, or difpute a-gainft fin, as well as to petition againft it. 2. And 'tis fuppofed that every Bifhop^ or Parliatnent-man^ or Fukr^ is not forliddcn all fueh lawful Endeavours ; and fo that a Prohibition rendereth it not (to them at leaji) unlawful. For I fpeak of no other Cafe.

But how fad a Cafe is that Nation in, where the Clergy would have all men take them for fo infallible and pcrfed, without the fmalleft Fault or Errour in their Government, as that neither Parliament-man, Clergy-man, nor any one of the People, may by lawful means endeavour the icaft Reformatiou of them : when even the Roinan Bifhop of Clokcejier^ Godfrey Goodman^ writeth fo iharply againft the L^-Chanccllor's Power of the Keys ?

2. Prop. The Nomonformifls hold it high Sacriledge {t9 alienate themfelvesj}

Strifl. (e) But what if they be fufpended^ or ftlenced by Authority ?

Anf. I. When it is by true Juthority^ doing it either jujlly^ or clfe imjufily^ in caft their preaching be unneccffury^ or kfs neccfjary than Obedience to the un]uft prohibitifw we will furceafe, and take it as a ficknefs or difablcment. But if it bedone by Vfur-pers^ like Papal Prelates, or by our Govcrnours uulawfully, in cafe that our preaching remain more necejfary to the Publick Cood^ than obedient forbearance ^ we will cxer-cife our Miniftry till Death, Prifon, or other Force difable us. If you ask, IVIw /halt be Judge'^ 1 anfwer, i. The Afagijlrate, by publick Decifion^ in Order to his oipm £x-ecution^ and if he do it unjufily, God is the Avenger. 2. And the Miniflcr by a private Rational Judgment of Difcrction, difcerning Duty from Sin j and if he were, God and Man, will punifli him ^ if not, C;cd will reward him.

2. lalfoask, V^tiznot ConJianttusznA.FaUns (tho Erroneous) Lawful Princes? And did not the holy Bilhops of the Eap^ refiifcto furceafe their Miuiftration when they prohibited them ? And do not Papifts, and other Protcftants, as well as Bp.' Bilfon and Andrews^ asi'<^e. That we mult do the like upon fuch unjuft Prohibitions? And hath our Diocefan more power to filence us than the King ! Or were we Confe-eratcd 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. CTo preach Lectures with the Incumbent's Confent.3

Stx'xdf. (/) \_j4ndviiith the Allowance of the Bi/kop."}

Anf And that is. Let King and Parliament by Law allow us to preach Chrift'3 Gof^icl, if the Biftiop 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 we muft tnift to from the Bilhops (fome at leaft.) Provide fuch fupply for the Subjefts Souls, as tlrnx Numbers and Neceffitics require, that the meaning may not be QZ,e{ men be f^rded^ if the Bifhop confcnt^j and fof my part, I'll Joyfully be filent. But I will not fo far deny my Scnfc and Reafon (and the Scnfc 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 ■■, no more than I will believe there are no EngUfhmnt in England.

2. Prop. Let not the Incumbent be dilcouraged by the Bifhop from receiving them ]

St rid, Q) So they wiU conform."} . :tA»f. So they will conform as far ae aforefaid, or as in the Propofals: But other-Wife, if it be prefeut,fvill Conformity, that muft ftill be neceflary,what arewefpeak-ing for ? This was written iu order to our Concord, by the means of fome Alterations or Abatements of Confornfity, becaufe it was told abroad that fome Bifbops

were

c^ie willing of fuchathing: Aud is it meant that if we Conform^ they will abate •,..forae Conformity.

3. Prop. Let it be forbidden, &c. Cabout joyning in Family Worfhip—] Strift. (/j) CThat is, let Conventicles be allowed in all places.] .:lr.fw. Yes, if needtnl and orderly Worlbipping God, and helping each other towards Heaven beConveiiticling ^ the Heathens fo called the Chriftian AlTemblies. This Stridurc more mortif^feth our hopes of healing, than any of the reft; For we ice bere that the Silencing and Imprifoning, and Undoing of the Minifters, will not liitisfy ^ the People alfo mufl have their Crofs and Conventicles mult be Written on it. One would think the Limitations here put fhould have fiitisfied any man that is tor Faith^ Hope and Char it)/, i. We moved it for none but thofe that attend the Publick AlTemblies. 2. And fo it be not at the Hours of Publick Worlhip. 3. And but for Neighbours of the fame Parifh (becaufe many cannot Read, nor remember what they have Read, nor help their own Families, nor underlland themfelves the Chriftian Faith.) 4. We delired this Liberty in no E.xercifes, but reading the Scriptures, or Licenfcd Pious Books, and repeating the Publick Sermons of their Paftors, and Praying and Singing Pfalras. 5. We piotioned this much for none but thofe that herein refufe not the Infpeftion of their Lawful Pallors, to prevent all ill EfFedts. 6. And for the Minilter himfelf to repeat his Sermon, or Catechize, or Inftruft 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 Divillons better than the enduring of this ? If any Limitations necelTary had been omitted, I might liave cxpefted to have found them named, which 1 do not. But, i. No Man's denial can make us ignorant*of it, that too great a Part of the People in moft places iCDOW not what Baptifm, Chriliianity, or the Catechifm are ^ and many hundred thoufands cannot Read. 2. And that few Minillcrs foperfonally inflruft them as their need requireth (nor can do for fo many): or by their Inftruftion 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 Praife God, and hear the Scripture, or a good Book that is Licensed, read, hath done great good to many . Souls. 4. That otherwifc fuch Ignorant Perfons as we fpeak of, except at Chui"ch-time, cannot fpend the Lord's Day to any Edification of themfelves or Families. 5. Men are 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 ta , Love and to good works: y^nd exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, left any be hardened tlirough the deceitfulnefs of fin; Heb. 10. 24. and 3. 13, And Cornelius had his Friends with him in his Houfe for God's Servics, ^^s 10, and y4ffs 12. 12. Jn Alar/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 ) need, and ihutteth up the Bowels of his Compaffion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him ? And the need of Souls is more common, and to be Compaffionated. Rules may Regtdate Charity in both cafes ; but may forbid it, or the necelFary Exercife? 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 Mercy are tQo great duties for a Bifhop to null or difpenfe with : We put no private Man on Minifterial Aftions, but in his own place to fhew mercy to Souls. To fiy, that oiv this pretence Schifm^itical Meetings will be held, is no more to the people than to fay, that all Errours and Wickednefs may be kept up by Pretences of Reafon, Truth, Piety, Scripture, Honefly, &c. But we mufl not therefore fay. Away with Reafon, Truth, &c. But I hope God's Servants will Die rather than defert their Mailer's Work.

4. Prop. I. [The greatefl: part of it]— {once a QuarttrJ —(of Reading the Li* turgy by LeAures.)

Striift. (j) {\Vhy not all as well as the greateft part ? Why not always as well as once A Quarter ?]

Jnfw. 1.1 know that here and there a word maybe fcrupled ('as the reading of Sell and the Dragon, or fuch like) which filently pail by, maketh no diflurbance ; And I think the Scrupling of fuch a word, defervcth not that all the Peoples Soulf . ke Punilbed for it, with the lofs of all their Teachers Labour?.

2. t

2. 1 never hear one Conformifl that Jlvth 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 ^ I anfwer, They are God's 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 account the Liturgy better than Preaching, yet every parcel of it intirely is not fure of fo great worth, as to cafi out Freaching for it. Rich parfons, that have Curates, may, between them, do both j but fo cannot poor Countrey Minifters that are alone, and are fickly.

And as to the \_Alrvays^ i. The Canon limateth fome but to once in half a year, ( which is lefs. )

2. The Conformable City-Preachers, that have Curates, very rarely Read it.,

3. Elfe what fbould Men do with Curates, if they mufl always Read them-felvcs ?

4. A weak Man may do both once a Qiiarter, that is not able (o do it every day.

4. Prop. 2. — It is fuppofed it rvill-be done. 1 —

*' Striii. (k) Yes, once a Quarter .^ for yon would have no '^ian obliged to do it oftner j " nor all of it then neither.

Anfev. Read and believe as you can. The words were Z Iff^ ^^^ Congregation^ where he k Incumbent., tkcgreatejt part of it appointed for that time .^ be fometimes (^ai once a Quarter ) ufed by himfclf and every Lordh-day ordinarily (unlefs Sickn$fsf^c ) either by himfclf or by hvs Curate or JJJifiant: 3 Is every Lord^s-day but once a garter ? Or can it be every day done.^ and no one obliged to do it ?

4. Prop. 3, Let not Chriftian Parents be forbidden to dedicate their Children publickly, &c.

" Strict. (/) Chriftian Parents arc not forbidden to prefent their Children to be " Baptized : But the Church in favour to the Infants, appoints others (in cafe the " parents Ihculd die, or negleft their duty) to have a Paternal care of them, i« " 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.

■< yinf I. Read and believe what is forbidden. C Then fhall the Priejl fpeak to ths Godfathers and Godmothers on this mfe •, Dearly Beloved — This Infant muft alfo faithfully promife by you that are bis Sureties (— Th.it he will renounce the Devil., &c.'] —-/ demand therefore, Doft thou in the name of this Child renounce, &c. ] The Godfathers .sad Godmothers muiti^Ay., I renounce them all. Doft thou believe, 5(.c. Anfw. Mlthii Iftedfajlly believe. Qiiell. Wtlt thou be Baptii.ed in this Faith rj Anfw. That is my deftre. Q. Wilt thou obediently keep, &c. Anfw. / will. —They are after to Name the Child. After the Prieft fhall fay to the Godfathers and Godmothers —Forasmuch as this Child hJth promifed by you th.it are his Sureties to renounce — — to believe in God., and to ferve him— It ts your parts and duties to fee that this Infant be taught fo foon as he fhall be able to learn, what a Solemn Fow, Promife and Frofefftm he hath here made by you, &;c. ] See the reft.

So that here, AU, the Covenanting A^ion on the Infant's part, is made the proper xyork of h'viS'Arcties, called Godfathers and Godmothers, without one word of the Pa-rent*doing it, or any part of it: And then cometh the Canon, and farther faith, ( Can. 29. ) \_ No Parent fhall be urged to be prefent, nor be admitted to atfwer as Godfather for his own Child; nor any Godfather or Godmother fhall be fuffercd tojnake any other Anfwer or Speech, th.m by the Book of Common Prayer ts prefcribed in that behalf. ] The Anfwering forbidden, is the Coven.mting in the Child's Name. This is exprefly forbidden the Purrnt ( whole and part,) and Iclb it (hould be thought that he is one ^gcnt with the Sureties, as he is not to fpeak fo not to be urged .to be prefnt. Yet he is not forbiddtn to be prefent; but he is forbidden to fpeak any Covenanting Promife (ff IVord. And this was it that 1 mentioned ;, in ftead of which, you fay, he may [_ Prefent the Child 3 —Whatever you call Prefentmg, I know not, but 1 calkt only of Covenanting.

2. And

2. Ancf why fty yon it is C In cafe the Parents die, or negtcd their Duty, ] when the Pareats are forbidden ( though they have Sureties with them ) fo much as to proraife it as any cf thir Duty, or to fpciik as Promifing-Parties in it.

3,^ Whether this ''fe be [_a>i Zlnchjntab'.e and :'candalous Infmuation 3 is all a Cife about Matter of Fact-^ And the Qiieftion is, whether the Author or I be the truer Hiftorian : My Narrative which 1 ftand to is this.

I. God's Law and Man's requires Parents to offer Children to be Baptized ; and the Kubrick before Private Baptifme forbids deferring it longoi: than the firft or fecond Sunday. •*

Z. They may not be Baptized without Godfathers as aforefaid.

3. No Parent can force any to be a Godfather againfi his Will.

4. Multitudes take 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 Chriftiaxiity, or the Baptifmal Covenant is, as we know by PeiTonal 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 anv Covenant, or Vow at all.

7. So rare is it tor Sureties to take the Child for their ovm, or intend to do all in his Education which they are to promife, that, to my beft knowledge, I never knew one in all my life that ever feriouOv llgnified to the Parents fuch an Intent. But they ufually think that they are but IVitncjfes^ and are at moft but to give the Parents Counfel to do what they promife to do tbanfeives.

8. Were but all People told , that they mull take the Child for their ovm, as far asthis Animadverter mentioneth, and folcranly 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 intend to give away their Children, nor that the Sureties Educate them. And few would l?e' Sureties for the Children of the Poor, if they mult take them fo for their own , becaufe of the Charge of keeping them. So that I am fully perfwadcd, that were the Vow and Undertaking thus underltood, 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 fuch 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 ■undcr/kandeth not at all, and to Promife and Undertake that before God and the Church, which onr Confciences tell us, he never intendethto perform , nor do the Parents intend to caft it on him.

I pafs by the Difficulty of three feveral pcrfons Educatiug the fame Child.

And now confider , whether it be a Scandalous Infmuation, for a Man to befeech the Bilhop, that his Child may not be refiifed, and be Unbaptized ( and fb denyed Chriltian burial if he die •, and worfe than thnt,according to the Liturgy) and liimfelf puniflied becaufe he brings not Sureties ; if rhef Man will there pjofefs that he could procure no Sureties, who underftood what they are to do , and e.^c-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, z'>\\^cA. in. Baptifme.

" Stri(i. (m) If any think the Sign of the Crofs in (or rather after) Baptifm^ " to be a Sacramental Sien ; they may .as well think fo of the fame Sign, in flags, " or fhips, or hmne; s ■, for vvc afcribe no more efficacy to one than to the other: *' whereas it is the fo-^inalis ratio of a Sacrament to be a Afeans not only to fignifie, "but to confer Grace nonponentibus obfccm,\y\nc\\ our Church doth not afcribe to this, *' or any other Ceremony of Humane Inilirution ; Or that the Sign of the Crofs is *' anv Sacramental, biit a Teaching birn on'v, as the Surplice is ; And fuch Teach-" ing Signs Mr. Baxter grants may be lawfL-illy appointed by the Magiftrate, and " made ufe of in the Serv.ice of God, though not as an EfPential part thereof

^nf I. You will fay ( afte>- -Baptifn : ) For you make it not part of Baptifm,

Imt a third Sacrament, as I think

1. As

2. As to your Dcfcription of a Siicramcnt, the Church taketh the vrord from the old Common ufe, where {z-i M.irumns noteth ) Sicramcntum was an Oath or Covenant, QuodeoSacratw horn)ad rem certam, ut ad Aftlitijm : ut Fejl. c^',; jpa-

Tt^^THik : He is bound by a Sacrament, Qtti Sacratur'fide r.trerpqfita-^ ac turn Sacramento dicitur interrogari qiud.im .• See the Military Sacrament there defcribed. And the Soldiers had their Sti^mata^ which our Crofs doth imitate^ though tran-liently. Without this Sacrament they were no Soldiers, and might not fight againft tlie Enemy: And TertulUan dilTwadeth , Ne humanum Sacramentum Dlvim Super-inducant , opening the Analogic of one to the other. In the laxer and more borrowed Senfes it concerneth us not ( as Sacramentttm is ipfares Sacrata, vel iffe Miles vd perfona^ nor as it is Quodvis yjr.vnentum^ or Sanda ( ohligatio ) nor vet in thelargclt Eccleliaflical Senfe, as it is the Tranllation of ^ut'si^iov^ and fignifietha Sacred Myftcrious Doctrine, or Action. But in the Special Church-ufe, it lignifi-eth either more largely a Solemn Signal Inveftiture in any Sacred Relation •, and fo we may grant x.\\t Ronanijls that Ordination is. a Sacrament, and Matrimony, as . Sandified, &c. Or moft ftriftly for the Sacramental Solemnizing of the Covenant of God, which is our prefent Senfe, And to this it is ncccflary , That i. it be a C'gn ufed for the folemn fignification of A-futual Confent ^ that is, of Man's profeffed Confent^ as dedicated to Chrift^ and of Chrifi^s acceptance^ and Collation of the Coven.nit-benefits ^ 2. And that hereupon it be the Tejfera^ or Symbol of our Chrifti-anity. But. that it offnite 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 Phyhcal Operation, per modum Natune'^yslihoMt Intellectual Confideration^ and Moral Operation. * The Firfl: will be granted ( that the effecting of fuch Qiialities is not neceflary to it.) And as to the 2d, Obferve that we grant as followeth ; 1. That Sacraments, by Inveftiture, or Delivery of Right- as Inltruments, convey all that Relative Grace, which the Covenant of God doth give immediately to Confenters. 2. ThaC it A/orally worketh alfo Holy Qualifications by Man's Confiderin/-Improvetnent. ' 3. And that with the ufe of it, though not by the Jnftrumentality of it, God may Thyftcully^ox yl.'J>"iJCM/0M/7y, without any/econ^M«ye, give qualitative grace to Infants^ or whom he pleafe, in a way to us unknown. But that this laft is not EfTential to a Sacrament, I am now to prove.

I. All that is eflfntial 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 firji adminiftred ; and the Cafe of Infants is more obfcure , and non notum per ignoti-us, fed ixnotius per notius probandum efi. ) But the Sacrament as adminiftred to (or ufed by) the ir^«/f, doth neccftarily contain no more than^ i. mutual covenanting^ 2. The Inftrumcntal Conveyance, or Confirmation of the Relative Grace of the Covenant ( or TmO 3- Moral Aptitude to work holy Qualities. 4. And that it be Symbnlum Ordhiis, id eft, Chriftianifmi.

1. This is proved as to the <Baptifm of the Adult, i. They make their folemn lignal Profefllon of Federation, Confent, Reception, ifc. 2. God by his Minifterdoth iuveft the Receiver in \i\% Right oi fpecial relation to GoA. 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 jnft Confiderations of the Undcrftanding. 4. It is the Symbol of Chriftianity, called. Our Chriftening.

2. The fame I fay of the Lord^s Supper •, and therefore crave leave not to repeal them.

1. Tliat Sacraments arc afts of Solemn, Mutual Covenanting, none deny, that know what Chriftianity is: The Uninterrupted Form of Baptizing, in all Ages provcth it. ,

2. That God, by their Inftrumentality, delivereth the Adult, their 'Jus, or Relative Grace, or right to prefent Pardon, iye. is not denycd.

3. That they ai-e Moral Inftniments of Holy Afts, and foof Habits in the A-dult, ncitlicr Papiji, Arminians, Lutherans or Calvinijls deny. And, above all, the Jrmintans fliould not dcnv it, who, I think, acknowledge no means but Moral, if a-ny other Operations pa "din's foul.

4. And that they arc Tej]h\e vJ Symbola Chrijliame Religionis^ none, that I know of, do deny.

But

But that tliey are inftitvited to operate on the y'dult any any otherwife than Morally and this Efleniial to them ^ I deny upon three Reafons .■ i. There is no Scripture that aRerterh in : Et quod Scripura tton efi , Credendum non e/J, about fuch Matters. 2. Elfe not only the yrmmiAns but t!ie greatelt -part of Qhriflians fiioulddeny the Sacraments, who deny fuch life and operations of them : And fpecially all thofe Proteftants who dealing with the Papifts o^us Oj'tritum largely write to prove chat Sacraments work but Morally. 3. And the Nature of" the thing Iheweth it impoffible without a Miracle. For the Grace to be conveyed is the Jii or Habit or Difpofttinn of Love to God ( and the Conjunft Graces) with that Antecedent Light of knowledge and faith which mull excite it .• And how but A.iraculoi'.fiy Water in Baptifm Ihould be an Inftrument of conveying Ixly Love or Knowledge^ no Man conceive. For i. Our Love of God is i^ot put into the Water. 2. If it were, the Water doth not touch the Soul. 3. If it did ^ Corporal Contadt or attingencie would not caufc Love. The fame is faid of the Eucharijl. And tlie truth is many Papifts are by Proteftants miftaken in their Dodrine de Opere Optrato^ wiio ipeak but as diftinguiihing it ab O^ere Oferantvs. And when they have puzled tliem-felves to tell what the Indelible Charalhr given by Ordination is, thcv can fatistafto-rily carry it no higher than with Dnrandus to fay, it is a Relation • tliat is, ; fixed Relation to theVndtrtJien IVbrk^ and a power^ right and obligation to it. And they that tell us as 'jofeph Anges, iyc. ) that Ordination is a true Sacrament ( tboH'^h finfuUy ufed ) vh:n given to an Infant and a Bedlam^ and that none hut Durandus denieth it ( a falfe Dodrine no doubt quia d^efl dtfpofitio recipientis ■^) yet can tell us of no more that it doth convey to the Infant or Bedlam-Prieji^ or Bifhop^ but a Relation. Nor can they, that fay [_ Receive the Holy Ghofl'} affureusthat any more is given by Ordination. And fo of Baptifm.

And if they fay that \_Ifthe Water he not tht Jnjlrument of given-grace to the Adult, ytt it may be to me. other means^ let them tell us if they can what they mean ^ and ifhat means befides a Moral means it can be.

If they fay that if God give not grace ( qualitative or yi^ltve ) by it as a means yet he giveth grace with it., without any ftcond caufe.^ I anfwer, God cm do fo no doubt: He can give grace while we are hearing^ though inconiidcrately, without any ufe of the Word heard :, And fo in the time of baptizing, without any cau-fality of Baptifm : But he, that will affert as in any Miracles and Immediate Operations, as Sacraments., muft bring very clear proof of his adertion.

Sure we are that Faith and Repentance are prerequiiitc in the Jdult., and therefore . the Sacrament is not fo much as the Time of firft-giving them ( by Inllitution: ) And we are all agreed that in the Sacraments, Sacred truth and Coodnefs., Chrifi and his Gradorn benefits AVQ-objeSively fet before us, as Moral means of our Information Excitation and increafe of faith and hope and love. And when we are fare that ths Word and Sacraments 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 ahe .Adult, the inftance of Infants will not prove the S:iciaments, no Sacraments to the jidult., the Nobleft Subjefts, And though God may immediatly^or Miraculoufly at the fame time give holy Habits or Afts to Infants;, yet it is paft Man's Conception how Water or Words fhould b«: any Cai^le of them, any more on them-., than on the Mult., as aforefaid. And he that will fiy that yet To it vs though We know not how., as the Papifts do about Tranfubftanti-ation, muftfirft \iVovt t\\3X. 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 ufcth it as his invcfling or delivering fign., morally to give the Infant all the Relative Grace, which the Covenant as the Principal Injlrument giveth, that is. Right and Relation to th« Father, Saviour and Sandifier, and Right to pardon and Adoption and the Heavenly Inheritance, which, fet together, are Relative Regeneration., as Judicious Bifhop Davenant de Bapt. Infant, well openeth it : And that it is the badg of his Chrifiianity • and an apt ohjeitive means of moral Operations on him as he conieth to the ufe of^Reafon. When you have told us wku more it doth., and proved it.^ and proved that, without that., it is no Sacrament.^ you have done fomething.

Your nonpona.ti Obicem is no Scripture Notion, ambiguous if not unfound. if you mean it as the Words found., oi fome pofittve . Q, which h ponere ob:cem, it is certainly falfe as to the Jdult (to whom the Sacraments are true Sacraments.) For God hath made their pofitive Confideration., perception., Faith and Repentance., a

Q,q q q neceflary

ncceflary Gyndition of their Reception cf the benefit: So that if an adidt perfon, as to Baptifm or the Lord's Supper, Ciould carelefsly be a/kep^ or not think, what he is about, or meerly not-kuow^ not-be'.ieve^ mt-rtpcnt^ you can fhew no pro-mife of your miraculous grace to him. And the Saa'ament to an Infant is the fame thm^^ though the Aet of believing be not required of himfdf^ but of amibir for him.

But if by |OJtr-e ohkem you mean a pn-y^'/ow, that i$,non-preJla)'e conditi'mem^ not tobeIieve^repent^&:c. then it's friic,but an ambiguous deceitful phrafe. To ki»t;s is more than not to rdiji : And fo to be the Seed of the Faithful is.

And I fuppofe ( by your new Kubrick ) you will fay, that every Infant in th© world, of Cannibals, Heathens or Infidels that is baptized (^jurez^tl mjurij^ though taken by Soldiers violently by thoufands againft the Parents Wills) are certainij[ Sandtified, and do not po-.u-re ohicem themfelves, and that the Sacrament to them is ' not nulj j It wouid be needful to our fatisfaction that you tell us what internal y}Oual'^ox hifhitiuil.Gx3iCC it is that all thcfe have ^, and prove it ^ and prove tbst elfe it were no Sacrament. But enough of tbis. ,

Q. ,Noyv let y§ ffe what you gfcri'-ie to tlie-.Cr,ofs>. •

Ti''^ ^<^ffef pf it is an Ima^-e^ though Traa<i^nt,i .f f which God's jealoufy, ex-prcit in the Second G/mniandmerit haiit made us }>.a!ous, in his VVorlhip ; As to the Form and Uf?i; i. It. is the Covenant of Chiiflianity it fclf, that it is about; And it is no lefs than our Solemn E^^'-l^ing^ I'roftjfng and Oi4i^ing ^%''h that we are Refolved Chrifiians^ and wiWktcpthat Co. tnani ^ even the fame Covenant that is folcmnized alfo by Baptifm. All the Duties of the Covenant on our parts, we thus folemnly bind our felves to ^^erform valiantly to the Death, in Terms like the Sacrammtum Militare. The Canon 30. let us know that it is ul'ed {to dedicate Chil' dren by that Badg to hk fervice^ wbofe benefits befiowed on them in Baptifm the Name of the Crofs doth reprefent: ] And Hit's an Honour.ible badg vhireby the Infant vs Dedicated to the Service of him that Died on the Crofs.'] So that on the Receiver''s part it wants nothing of a Sacrament.

2. That it is alfo ufed as God's Means of Delivering us the Relative Grace of the povenant, I conceive for thefe Realbns.

1. The yUlult is not to Sign himfilf\ bur the Vii:-iiftcr who is Chriji's Jgent (not fo much as asking, wilt thou be figned, ?) dothy/^w ji^yi With the Sign of the Crofs^ in token thathefhaU not beajhamedtoconfifs the Faith of Cbrijl Crucified^ and manfully to Fight under his Banner., againft Sin, theWurld ^'.nd theD^vil^ and to continue Chrifi's faithful Servant and <'oldier to their Livc's end. ' Avacn. ...

2, The Crofs and. the BeKtfits^ with Chnjl CrucifisJ.^ are herehy Reprefnted.

3*. The Churches Publick ProfclEcn, that this ifi their Dedicution of the Child., im-portcth plainly Cod's jicceptance of him that is Dedicated : For who dare offer that to God which he fuppofeth,;not tli^it Cod y-kcepteth., as offered: And God's acceptance oi X.\\t dedicated pcifon into the State, relation and benefits of Chriftanity, is the very grace on God's purt.^vilvLch hifftntid to a Divine Sjcw/Me»t ftri'Ctly taken. And is this no grant of/i-^tr^f/6Y.jfe?

I. And that to the Adult the Crofs is a Mora] means of internal and Qualitative Grace I think you will not deny A Moral means operateth ob\e(lively., by Teaching the Intilled : by reprifnting the nioving-objeil., ^ndhy E?:c(tation of the iVtU: And how eminently is all this here intended? In General the Liturg. (of Ceremony ) feith . [_ They arefuih as are apt to fir up the dull mind of Man to the reniirr.hranoeojhls Duty to O'od by fome notable and fpecial Jigniftcation ly nhich he m.iy he edified.'^ And isthi; po Gracicm Work ^ And it is Chriji Crucified., and his benefits that by the Crcfs a-re n-^refvnied to iVi'ii ufc. And is not that to operate morally on mind and will accordingly ? And the Words tell us particr.larly that it is to ftir us up and oblige us to the Adual Manful fighting under Chrift's Banner, againft fin, c'rc. and not be alhnmcd to confefs him. And is not this a moral gracious Operation? When as the Gofi'd woiketh by the Ear^ fo the Crofs by the Fye and Thought -. It is net Grace that tlie Gofpel is to work ? And is it not a means of working it, as well as the iacramcnts ^ Yea and in the fame {oYtafCatfaliy ? Doubtlcfs then here is the Crac^ of the Covenant to Xicvorought.^ as well as the Duty of it promifcd. . 4, And laflly that it is the >ynibol and Budge of our Chriftianity the Canon twice profcfieth.

So thatl think here is an intire third Sacrament of the Covenant of Grace ^ in-vcntitious and humane, and aot of God's making. A.nd if you could prove (as you

never

any more for his Soul thereon, than if you did it not, or no? If you <*> ( as thev did that ufed the Crofs of old, and the Papills now ) then you exped God's inward

Grace upon the ufe of the Crofs. If you look not that the Child's foul be ever the better for it,it's pity Baptifm Ihould be denyed them that dare not ufe it • or fo many Minifters be filenced about it.

But \\:i6.\t\i\\t fonte great and notable facr omental ufei (as the fore-named) though tu): ali^ 1 durftuot prefume on fuch an inventitious facramcntal fign. I have oft laid ; 1 doubt whether the King wonld not think his Prerogative invaded, if any. Ih^uld prefume to inftitute a new Badg,befides his Garter and Star^ of the Order of the Knights of the Garter •, much more a Symbol or Badg for all his Subjeds ^ and deny them the Knighthood or Jw Suhditi who rcftife ir. But too long of this. '

4. Prop. About compelling the Unfit to receive the Lord's Supper.

Strict. The Church doth not compel any to receive the Sacrament that is unfit : hut pun-ni/heth them that are unfit^ and negleif the making of themfelvesfit fhf it^ by breaking off' their Sins by Repentance.

jinfw. Alas ? poor Souls, that muft have (uch a Cure! It fecms by this that this Church fuppofeth. i. That all Men can Cure all their Unfitnefs: i. And that a Prifon is the way to make them willing. We Nonconformifts contrarily think That, I. A Willing perfon may be Uncured of fome unfitneflcs. 2. And that a Prifon is no fit cure for fuch ^ nor for fome others. We think that a MclanchoUy or Timerous Perfon is unfit, who would be like to be diftraSed by the fear of unworthy Receiving: We arc 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 Chriit would have them laid in Goal to aire them. But if the Bifliops will take that courfe, it mult be fuffered: We judge all our prefent Infidels, Sadducees, and Socimans 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 inftrud 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 ftilf. Verily if' your way were throughly praftifed, and fuch Church-Laws executed and all dwelt in Goals, that are unfit for the Sacrament (after your teaching' and admonition, and Excommunication) the Landlords would find a great diminution of their Tenants, and the Goalers would have more Tenants thqn many 1 ords, and it were ncceflary to have a Goal in every Parifh. This is your w;iy of comforting the timerous ^ but who fhould there maintain them all, I know not. But if Goalers be the molt effeftual Converters of Souls, I think more Clergy-Men than Non-conformifts need their help, that obtam it not; And they may poffibly put in for the Tythesand Church-Revenues.

" StriH. Is any Minilter required to give the Sacrament of ChTilt*s Body and *' Blood to any unbaptized Perfon ? Is not this a groundlcfs, and llanderous iA-"• finuation ? Nay, is any Minifter forced or required to give the Sacrament to " any notorioufly wicked, or prophane Perfon ? See the Rubrick before the Com-'' munion. That which follows fecms to aim at an introducing of Auricular *' Confelfion, or the fetting up an Independent, Ecclefiafticali jurisdidion in e-** very Minifter over his own Parifh.

jinf. I. Your Charge is caufelefs : I find in the Canons and Rubrick, .thate-very Parifhioner muft receive: Andthofeunbapjized (as many born of Ana-haptifts arc) I find not defcribed or named, as excepted in the Canon or Rubrick, nor that any at age are 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 Ihould be punifhed by the Bifliop, if I reftifw an un-baptized Parifhi-

Q,qqqi oneri

onci- -. Bur, yet 1 verily think, that the meaning of the Makers of the Litiir-£V and Canon was otherwife -, and 1 intended no mere but to enumerate them whom Wc'would have Power not to ^^^ive the Sacrament to ^ ^. d. Not only tlie un-baptived (plainly to be named) but alfo the reft followiiip.

2. If by notorioujly uicked, you mean thofe that the Bilhop or Chancellour Ivath Excommunicated, we may keep them av.ay ; Or if the Congregation will lay, that they are offended by their Crimes , then they may be admoiiifhed to forbear •, but if they will not forboarupon the Adm.onition, or at leaft will e-very time fay, that they arc fully purpofed to amend (as moft v;icked Men will do) Ifmd not by the Kubrick, that we can refufe them ^ except it be one that is obltinatc in Malice, when (at that time) de'lired to be reconciled • but the Canon feemeth to give: more Pov/er.

3. Our Cafe is this: "We know that many are profefled Infidels , and many imderftand not what Baptifm, orChriftianity, or the Lord's Suppei- arc, in the very. Edentials (in uiany Places I doubt the greater part of the Parilh :) A great number live in heinous Sins, CDrunkennefs, Fornication, Swearing, ilan-dcving,. <:n\ J The ignorant, and Infidels, the Miaifter would inltrud, but they will not come to him , nor fpeak to him., but retufe to give him any account or anfwer. Almoft all are Baptized in Lnfoncy, and at Age come to Church and never owned, that the Minifter kuoweth of, their Baptifmal Covenant any othcr^vifc. We know not that we have Power to exclude the groOy ignorant: If we had, it muft be, if any will witnclsthat his Neighbours are fo*"Ignorant as to be iincapable (which what private Man can and will do ?) of dfc if they will come and fay before others^ L am fo Ignorant ^ which few if any ever will, till God do humble them: And who will fome and offend the fcandalous, by witnefling againfl them, unconftrained , though they will openly report ic to one another. How few of the In&dels, Socintans^ grofs Ignorants or fcandalous here in London^ are by the Witneifes accufed to the Minifters as fnch? If we have the moft credible Report that half our Country Parifhioners or a quarter, (more or lefs) are grofly Ignorant of the EfTcntials of Chrifti-anity, and we fmd it tme by fo many of the fnfpefted as will talk with us • we mtill: receive all the reft, with all the Infidels, and wicked Livers, that none will become Acoifers of, though we know much our felvcs to confirm report. ■ And if they tell us, we will have aothing to do with you out -of the Pulpit, we will give you no account of our knowledge or Faitli 5 nay, we take you not for any of our Paftors- yet muft we do the office of a Paftor to them, and give them the Sacrament, and vy.e. are fetting'up yiurtculM Coufejfton^ if wc do but, as their Teachers, require, on Juft Sufpicion any account of their Knowledge, or Faith, or upon-our Kflowledgc^ offer firft perfonally to inftaid them. And if wc dcfire elfc but to fl;fpend our own Att, tho they have their Appea^-.ivc arrogate Jndcfcndtnt; 7^oirt/-i;ilfcj<J''wbr.d'?r if under fuch Overfecrs our Parifhfa be but what thsf/ arc. a/Kfl

■^"•. •" .. ■>:;'; .'.-i ■ ir;d ■ . : ,

"'..••4J Fro^iM.'S. CT^ ptiblilh ' Excommunkaticm againfi bii Confctcme.

.-■_:. y.-:-r' . ■ ; . •, ... ^ ^,. ■ .

" Str'iB. [^Afaiitffi/j/j, viz. the MinLfte^;\Gonfciencc. Is not this to make cvc-" ry Minifter an Ilidcpci'.dent, Ecclel^aftical Judge ? And that not only cxclu-" lively to Utiy-Chancellours,- but to Ilifhops themfelves alfo ; as apperfrs by "the words, Cor anyothcr.^]

yliifiv. I.. No, let thcIndrfTcrcnt jii,di.'e. An Ecclefiaftick Judge is Judex publicus ; but here is-nothing but judicium difarctionisprivatum^ liifpending my own Aft, and mcdling v/ith ho Man's clfe. Doth he judge Eccleliaftically, who fpeaketh not a word, nor m.cdlcth with the Caufc any more-than any one in the Congre-Igaiion ?

- i- yow is he an Jndqjctidcnt Judge where he is ?;o Judge ? Yea, and where tlie <3ilbop,and Chancellour ai-c the Judges, and none refifteth or controlleth them? He had not been Independeat^had he made himfelf Judge , allowing an u^f^ peal.

5. Serioufly, do you take it to be each Minifter's Duty to pronounce all Excommunications, and abfolutious which are fent them, witfeout exception, or not ? If yea, tlien if Bifhops again Exco.Qimunicatc theb" own Kings (as often

they

— . — -= — —— ■ — m^ —

they h?.ve done; we miifb obey, whicli I will not do. Or if an Jrnan L'x-conmninicatc the Orthodox • or a PapiJt a Proteltant as fuch ^ or aay Bifhop m Malice or on falfe Accufations Excommunicate the Faithfulleit of the Flock, yea, or all thcParifh, imift we obey? For my part, (call me as you plcafe if you Excommunicate the wifelt, and molt Religious, and (ociiervvift) moll obedient of my Flock, for Covenanting in Baptifm for Ins own Child, for refilling -the Crofs^ for not kneeling at the reception of the Sacrament, for reading"-* a Chapter, or repenting a Sermon to his Family, while his Neighbours hear him, 1 will bear your iilen^ng and Priipns, rather than pronounce that Ejcom-miuucation. Ij :

But if you allow any Exceptions, our Confciences muft be the difcerning judges, whether it be that excepted Cafe or not. Elfe it is no Exception.

But O what Groans befeem poor Miniilers, if this be indeed their Care,tliat jofl:, or unjuft, whatever Confcience fay againft it, we muft pronounce all Ex-lommunieations and Abfolutions (and confequently do all fuch other things) as a Lay-ChanJcUour, or Biihop fhall command us ; unlefs they could prove td ' us that God will juitilie our abfolute Obedience, how heinous foever the a-iliou be ! This is not to be the Minilters of Chrift, no, nor of Men, but their abfolute Slaves, though to our Damnation, and our Brethren's wrong. If you have any tcnderneis for our Confciences, when you have enow more at hand to pro-noun:e your Sentence, would you not fct one to do it that doth not fcruplc it, and ipare a Miniftei", that protcfteth he dare not doit for fear of Damnation? ' • • ' "

4 Pro^. n. 9. {To travel -long Journeys, or ncglecT: their Studies. —-

*' Striil. They need not, for they may appear by Pro£lo«. 1 —

Jnfvp. There is fomc Comfort in that: But if I have a Parifh of five Tho«-fand, or ten Thoufand Souls (more or lefs) and it pitve that the tenth part of the Parilh be either grolly ignorant of the Eflentials of Chriflianity, or Infidels, Papiits, Fiereticks, Schifmaticks, Dninkards, Swearers, Ribalds, Railers, or otherwifc ficandalous, fuch as the Canon forbiddeth me to give the Sacrament to, and I prefent each of thefe to the Chauceliour's Court^ or half of them, I doubt Prodfor's Fees, in the Profecution, will take up more than all the Tythci come to^ and leave me neither Cloaths nor Bread. If you fay, it is not fo with others, I anfwer, I know what Men are among whom I have lived, in all places, and I know what the Canon bids me do ^ but why other Men do it not, and fave themfelves, I am- not bound to give an account, nor yet to imitate them.

And whether thefe Prcftors will fave: tnc harmlefs, and plead my Caufe as the Cafe reqiiireth, 1 cannot tell.

4 Vrof. «. lo. Let it be left to their Prudence whom they vvill abfolve in'Sick-nefs, jnd give the Sacrament to in private. ~\ —

'-'-StriH.x. I know no Law that erijoyns the contrary,

•

/.»f\v, Ruhr. CAfter which ConfefTion the Pried (hall abfolve him (if he 1mm-bly and heartily defirc it) after thisfort—-] And if he will but fay thefe Words, C 1 humbly and heartily defire it] the Miniftcr hath not Power to forbear an abfolute abiblution.

" Striii. 2. I am glad thev allow the giving of the Sacrament to the Sick: " but that the Sick fhould chnfc what ConfefTors they*pleafe, and confequent*-'.' " ly exclude their own Minilters from the exercife of the molt proper, and /' moll important Arts of his Miniflerial Function •, befides that it fcems to '" interfere with what is faid in the firll word of this Paragragph, viz.. That " their own Minifler is belt acquainted with the Penitence or Impenitence of " his People j bcfides this, I fay. It fcems to be a trick to draw all ConfeOlons to ' " themfelves, as the Fryars have done in the Church of Rome., from the Secular '* Clergy, or Parilh-Priell in that Church.

Mfw. I. The miftake had no Caufe in the Words: There was no ex-clufion of any Parifli-Miniftcr mentioned, who is willing; no, nor any Excufc of any that is unwilling, fr»m any other Office in Vifitation ^ but only that the unwilling may not be forced to abfolve any in thofe abfolutc Words [\ abfolvc thee from all thy Sins^ when hebelieveth verily, that the Perfon is Impenitent, But 1 had no thought, or word of excluding any Prieft,as is here fuf^fted.

2. But as the Church of Rome alloweth Men ro cpnfefs to what Pricft they plcafe, 1 know not how you can hinder any uviig Man from doing it, without letting a Guard upon his Doors, or forbidd'.:ig any, fave the Parifh-Pricft, to vifithim, which is inhumane. This day, while I was writing rhis, a Parilh-Miniftcr came to me to lament his Sin, and told me that he had lived idly, and wickedly at the llnivcrfity, and ever fince, and had taken the Miniilryon him, without any regard to his own Soul, and the People's, and had no Learning, or Knowledge fcarce of the Catechifm j and that he had not read any Divinity, in Latin or EngUfl)^ but only out of two or three Englifh Books, patched up fome Sermons-, not undcrftanding a Latin Author, nor having read others: I asked him how he got ordained : He faid, that was eafie by Friends, ire. And that he was going to put himfelf into a Playhonfe, becaufe his Living was but forty Pound fer jinnum^ but God convinced him by the way. Now 1 would know. If I lie dyinginfucha Parilh, mull I confefsmySin to noManbutfuch an one as this ? Why make you not the fame Laws about Phyficians, that no Man muft take any other thaa fuch a Sot, if it be his Lot to be appointed him ? Why may not I confcfs my Sins to more thairone ? Yea, to my Friend that is no Prieft ?

Prep.id. Let the words at Burial which import the Juftification and Salvation of the Deceafcdbe left to the Miniftcr's difcretion, who hath known the Perfon's 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 ? 3

v^m/ They iare not only Chrift*s Minifters, but yours, if not your Cryers^ or Slaves, if they may not be truftcd with the fpeaking, or not (peaking 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—^Thcre iwarm among u; now many open profeffed Infidels, that openly deride Chrift and the the Scripture, and plead againft the Immortality of the Soul, and many agaiuft the Being of God :, There are many Papilbs, Hereticks, Schifmaticks, common Adulterers, openly owning it. Fornicators, Dnmkards, Rlafphcmers •, many have been Condemned for Trotfonj Murder, Theft;, &c. The Conformifts themfelves Preach, and write that luch cannot be faved without true converting Repentance : We arc commanded at the Burial of ail Men to fay thefe Words [_ForaS' much as it hath ^leafed Almighty Cod., of his great Mercy., to take unto himfelf the Soul of our dear Brother here departed 3 and [we give thee hearty Thanks for that it hath fleafed thee to deliver this our Brother out of., &c. and {that we may reji in him., as our Hope is., this our brother doth : 3 Thefe words import the Perfon's juftification, and Salvation. We are 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 conforming againft ConfcieHce. ) 3, And thofe that have laid violent Hands on themfelves, ( though true Believers in a Fever, Frenzy, or Dilhaftion.) Some die in the aft of Dmnkennefs, fome murder each other in Duels, and that in Dninkenncfs (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 Power to Sainty and Damn whom we will : But we appe^ to hnmanity it fclf.

Qu. I,'

Qusp. 1. Whether 1 damn any Traytor, or Mrrderer, or impenitent Infidel, . mecrly by fayiiig nothing of his Cafe, or not pronouncing him to be faved : And r.'hethcr I Saint thofe that I bury in their own prefcriljed words, any otherwife th?.n they Saint all Men ?

Quejl. 2. Whether we expofe not our Miniilry to the fcorn of every Infidel, and Hcretick, and Adu'tcrcr, when they can fay to us, C What Falfe Deceivers are you, to Preach and Write Damnation againft. us, and proclaim us all faved when we die. 3

0_XvyJ. 3. Whether any thing can more probably debauch the World, and keep MeiTtTom Repentance, and fo fill Hell, and damn the people, than to perfwadc all Men, that every ignorant perfon, that never knew what a-iriflianity was, every impenitent Infidel, Adulterer, or wicked pcrfon, is faved v/hen they die. Doth not this give the Lie to all our Preaching the contrar;/ to them in the Pulpit ? Do we not Teach them not to believe us ? Or elfe it difableth us from telling them, that there is any Kell for them hereafter. If you fay, we prefrme that they Repent^ I Anfwer, If it be prcfumed that all Men repent at laft, and are faved, even they that make no prcfefllon of any Repentance, but juflific their Infidelity, or Hcrefie, or Schifm, or die in the Aft, or in utter Ignorance, as a Heathen, then why may we net prefumc the like of all the World, and fo lay by the Go-^1, and all our talk of future punifhment ?

Qued. 4. And is he worthy to be trufted with the Care of Souls, as a Minifter of "Chrift, that may not be trufted ( I fay not, to f^eA^ but ) to fufpmd one word at any time, which is thus Written for him t© fay ? Judge, by this ( with the Offices of Baptifm, Confirmation, Communion and Abfoluticn ) what is a Pricfl's Office under fuch Bilhops, and whether he have the Paftoral Power, cither independently, or dependently at all.

4. Prop. n. 11. Let no Minifter be forced to deny the Communion to godly perfons, that think it unlawful to kneel.

" Striif. [_ Why may not our Church forbad 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

^nfiv. I. I never knew one Presbyterian here that did fo : And their Directory did not fo. And if any one fhould do fo, I am fure it is a rare Perfon. And the Av.thor of thcfe words is no liker to know them than I. This therefore was not well faid.

1. Whether they in HolUnd do fo, I know not: But if they do, Do you think it well ? 1 think otherwife, and all Nonconformifts 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 otheirwifc, or durfl; Excommunicate a Man for being Lame, or having the Gout in his knees,Why muft we all needs ;>r^cf//f zs. 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. C ^0 Aimifter^ ichcn he cekbrateth the Communion, (hall ^xittinjy adminijler the fame to any but to fuch as kneel^ under fain ofSuf-pen (/«. 3

4. Prop. u. 12. Let Minijiers haxc leave to open the meaning of the Cate-ehifm— (It is much to be wifh'd that it were amended. )

" Strict. 1. I know no Law which forbids them to do fo. 3

Jnfw. I. That it is good news : fomc think fo : And others think, that the Kubrick and Canon, Commanding them to Teach perfons the Catechifin, meancth, that we mult only teach tlicra the words : And I remember the Articles in Parliament, againll Bilhop Pierce, contained, that among other things, that he forbad Miiiifters Expounding the Catechifme in the Afternoon, faying, it was as bad as Preaching. And the Sence, as to us, will be, what plcafe the Bifhop.

'■'■Strict. 2. IhnoTono netd it hath of mending , nor who are wife enough to a-'• mend it.

yinfiv. I am forry for it * but cannot help it.

4. Prop. id. C—Some few quickening words of Exhortation—3 " Strict. 3. TThe words prefcribed both in Baptifin and the Eucharifl, are quick-"** ening enough, and more edifying perhaps ajid fafe, than mi Extemporary fancy « can add unto them. '} Anfv. i. Yovi

Anfw. I. You know not what is moll quickerung and euil'yin^ to all othermcitj fo well, as fomc know what is fo to themfclves.

2. All that kno^v Hiniiane Nature, know, that Cuftomarincl"-; duUeth, and theufo of words many hundred times over ufually afted Icfs than when there is fome variation i though it were to be wifht it were net fo.

3. Why mufl in Extemporary fancy xizz^'i be the Author? May not a man/re-medttitc a icwftntemes 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 fubjeft, with fate and edifying wOlds ?

4. Is it imfufer to give a Preacher leave to utter a few Sentences of the Sacrament at the Delivery, than to Preach a whole Sermon of it ? And is he not c-qually refponfible for both ? But we infilt not on this, as if we could not Admi-nifter without it.

Prop. 4. n. 13.3 The Surplice indifferent in the Parilh Churches—]] *' Strict. 1 had rather that, or any other of the Ceremonies fhould be taken a-" way quite, than left indifferent: for that would be to ellablifli Schifm 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 lefler. 3

ylrjf. I think not : for we fee things left indifferent make no Schifm : One ufeth the' Surplice in the Pulpit, and another not: One Prayeth before Sermon, And another only bids them Pray : One Prayeth after Scrmon,and another not: One at the Singing of Pfalms doth fit, another ftand ^ and it maketh no Schifm. And the Ccnvocatiou, 1540, Commend /;zti;^e)Y;j9'about Bowing towards the Altar: Therefore that Convocation was not of your mind. But either way will ferve us.

Prop. 5. — \^ Not l^to remnuce their Ordination ~\ or be Re-ordaia'd—3 " Strict. They are not: Neither doth their Re-ordaining imply that they are : " but only that they are not fufficiently qualified to Officiate in our Church.]

ynf. What Qualification is it that that they want? Generals here decides not tlie Cafe. If it be only the Qualification of Ugal Authority, or Licenfi , Why will not the giving of that qualifie them? Or what necefllty is thereof Rc-ordi-Bation ? But when you, as well as we, profefs, that Re-ordination , when real, is unlav/ful, and yet you require their Ordination de Nova^^ virhich they call Ke-ordina-tion^ Doth not this tell the World that you take the firit for null ?

6. Trop. C No Excommunicate Perfon, as fucb, to be Imprifon'd and Undone, but fuch whofe Crimes deferve it.

" F-tnct. Contempt of Authority is one of the greateft Crimes, and for that it " is that men are Excommunicated firft, and afterwards Iinprilbn'd. Why doth " not this Exception lie againft fuch as are Outlawed in the Chancery, as u-cU as a-" gainft thofe that are Excommunicated ?

Aifw. Bccaufc the Gaufe diff'ereth. £. g. I believe I have had m'.ikitudes with me Conformable as well as others, who being of timerous, or melancholy Confti-tutions, and under Temptations and Trouble of Mind, c'l.re not receive the Sacrament, for fear of doing it unworthily, and of eating and drinking Damnation, and the Devil ^entring into them., ( according to the words of the Liturgy , which affright them : ) and they never Communicated in their Lives ( at above 30 years ot Age,) and have oft been going, and never durfl: venture : One of them was with me within this hour : Some that have ventured have fain Diftraft-ed, and fome near it by Terror and Temptations .• You can tell them rcafnn againfb nil this : And fo can 1, and have done it as like as oft as mofl: of your Curates : and yet they arc Uncured. And I muft not fay how little is done in too many places to cure their Ignorance, or Timcroufnefs, which is the canfc. And are you fui\c that all thefe poor troubled timerous Souls are worthy of utter tuine as Contemners of Authority ? For not Communicating tlicy muft be Excommunicated, 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 go.,d tl.ar lie can do. But cm- fuch a perfon change their own minds and yi;.?K5, bcc.iufe you give them reafon for it ? I know they cannot. And when Clirift 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

tkem

them up (if not to the Devil ) to the Magiflrate to be Bcggered, and perpetu -ally Imprifoned ? Let rae rather bear the wrath of all the Prelates on earth, and all that they can lay or do againft me.

Prof. 7. But who flull 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-" krable in the cafe of others j fo it doth much leC; become you to be Judges of ** what is, or what is not to be granted in your own cafe. ]

.Anf. We never arrogated any of your Power over our Brethren • We have formerly, in our Folly, hoped that we might prefume to be Petitioners , though not "^fudges what is to be granted us. Wc are not afhamed to confefs, that we did defire leave to Preach Chrift's Gofpel j But we become not Judges in the Cafe of our Superiours Acts. But by ( or without) your leave, we mufl: be di/-cerning Judges of our own Duty or 5m, whatever it coft us. And, I think, no fo-ber Chriflian will give the contrary, under his hand, as his Judgment.

Prop. id. C That no Licenfcd Miniftrers Ihall Preach againft any of the Do-ftrine, &c. ~\

*' Strict. It feems Vnlicenfed Minifters may be allowed to fpeak for or againft •* what they lift.

.^Infw. Our Cafe is hard with you. I put in [_Licenfed., or Vnlicenfed-.,2 And the firft Honourable and Learned Perfon that faw it, thought [Vnlicenfedf] Ihould be put out, hecaufe it was unmeet for us to tell His Majefty whom he Ihould tolerate, or how fiir ^ but to meddle only with our own Cafe, who defired Licenfes .• And now for blotting out that word, and not mcdling with any others, wc are cenfured, as motioning, that the Unlicenfcd may fay what they lift: Thus all our Peace-making motions have been long interpreted by fomc.

Prop. id. p That all Magiftrates be excepted from all open Perfonal Rebukes, and difgracefiil Cenfurcs, or Excommunications, becaufe, &c.

*' Strict. Wc take Excommuaication to be an Ordinance of God, from which *' Magiftrates are not to be exempted.

y'nf. I. God never ordained that a Lay-Chancellor fhould 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 commirteth the Charge of his Soul. The Independents that think as vou, are yet more modeft 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 the World much abufed when they arc 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 Bilfon^ and Andrews ( in '< ortura Torti) in this; that to an Impenitent wicked Ruler, I would fufpend my own Aft of giving him tlie Sacrament, with Chryfoftomh 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 oj-en perfonal rebukes.^ or difgraceful cenfures or Excommunications againft Kings^ Judges or Honourable Magiftrates: And my Reafon, no Papift, Prelate, Presbyterian, cr Independent, is able to refel , viz,, from the fifth Commandment. . The ftabliftied perpetual Law of God Commandeth us to honour them. Difgraceful Exconnnunication is not^ccidcntally, but pur'pofedly a diftionopring them : For Men are excommunicated that they may be fhamed. The after-pofitive Inftitution of Excommunication nuUeth not this antecedent Moral Law : but nnift give place to it, Jnd bindcth not againft it. I farther prove that, i. Becaufe all Men confels 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 obligeth not when it ceafeth to be a means to that end, or would deftroy it ^ And that £,£. If you knew that an Excommunication of a Kinn, or Judge would prove the DiflbUition of that Church, it were not Law-fiil : Therefore neither when it expofeth the Magiftrate to the reproach or Contempt of the Subjefts, and fo Ihaketh the very frame of the Kingdom, or Go-rcrnment. The Magiftrate's honour for the good of the Kingdom is more

R r r r neceflary

ncceiTify than his Diflionoiir aad fhamc can be to the Order of that particular 'Church.

2. And a fufpending of the Pallor's Aft of delivering him ths Sacrameut, with an humble admonition, may better attain the Lawful end.

5. Chrift himfelf hath oft taught us this Expofition of his Law. When he did - eat with Publicans and fmncrs, he preferred their repentance, before the pohtive Order of net being famdiar with fuch, as being never intended in fuch a Cafe. When the Difciples pluck't the Ears of Corn, and himfelf cured the fi-.k on the Sabbath day, he proveth that the pohtive Law of Reft was intended to give place to the Moral Law of Necclhty and Charity, and proveth it by the inflance of David and the Officiating Pricils •, and twice fendeth the contrary minded Pharifees to learn what that meanedi, / will have mercy ( a Natural Duty ) and not ( at that timt ) faaifice (a pofitive inftitution :) And they, that will pretend a ^ofuive Lam of Order for a Congrcgatkn^ to the difhoncuring of Kings and Judges^ and Ma-fijlratei^ and making them contemptible, and fo unable to govern, do Pharifaically fet up Pofitives againll natural moral Duties. By which means Popes and "^itri-archs and other Prelates, have wronged Princes, and troubled the world too much already. Do you no better juftifie the Common flandcj-, how much the Non-conformifts are againfl; the honour of Magiftrates in comparifon of the Church of EngLmd. I know feme Non-conformifts think as yon : but others do not. See the old Non-conformills judgment againft excommunicating Kings in a Latin Treat, De vera. irGinuina Chriji. Relig. Juthore Mmiflro Jnglo^ An. i(5i8. pag. 280.

4. Moreover, the execution of the fentcnce of Excommunication on Princes and Rulers, will Icfsconllft with the lionour that is due to them, than tFie fentenceit felf .• For to avoid theyr that they may he afhamed., to turn arvay from^ not to be familiar with them, to keep them out of the Church 2X3\\ God's fpecial Church-worfhip, are things that we cannot do, without negled of much of our duty to them ^ We mufi: attend them and obey them with honour: I know a General Council hath forbidden Bifhops to carry themfelves with Lorvlinefs at the tables and in the pre-fenceof Piinces and great men ^ And I know that fome think that E.xxommunicats Princes have forfeited their honour and it is lawful to difiionour them, yea and all wicked Princes who deferve Excommunication ^ and 1 know Mr. Hooker in his£fc/<r/ Tolit. faith, that tt is fuppofed that a Prince that is the Head of a Chriftian Church be himfelf a Chriftian : But all thefeare Errours tending to the fubverlion of Ordet and Government; And the Higher Powers whom God's Spirit comraandeth us to homur and be fubjeft to, were A^ero and the Roman Senate, and other Enemies of Chriftianity ; 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 Excommunication. At leaft I hope that the Writ de Excommumcato Cafiendo ?nsi\\ notbcifTucd out againft the King or his judges, (though the Canon (55. command that every fix months in Cathedrals and Parifii-Churchcs the Excommunications be declared, of thofc that obftinately refufe to frequent the Divine Service eftabli-fncd by publick Authority, and thofc ( cfpccially of the Utter fort and Condition ) who /or notorious contumacy , or other notable Crimes ftand Excommuui-catc.cb'c. 3 ) Though the Better fort are fnigled out cfpccially for the fentence and fliame, yet if it ftould be Judges and Sheriff, who Ihall Judge and apprehend tl:em ?

Trof. id. [; Not hlcncc, fufpcnd, c'rc. Arbitrary, but by a known Law. ] " Strifi. No Bifliops do or can do fo j Neither is there any Law or Canon to *' that purpofe that I know of *

-^w/rr. 1 am loth to Name Inftanccs left it provoke : Uv.Potter is dead': Dr. Willes oiKingficn now Chaplaia to the King (they fay, ) I am furc hath coinplained much of his fufpcnfion at Shadrvell: I remember Biftiop retghr.olds wa; fb faifible»of the ncccflity of this Provifion, that at the Sazroy Treaty, he wap njoft carncft zo have it infeitcd and infifted on. It may be it is Minifter's ignor<ince in the Lav/, that makcth them when fnfpcndcd not know wljereto feek for a remedy ( unlefs in vain ©r to their undoing. )

! Poffcript. If Sacramcntj were left free, &c. It V70uld taktin t'.c Jndtpendents^S^c.'] '■'■ Siriil. If Independents may be taken in by us now, why did not you uke them

"in

Part III, Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

"in when you were in jiower? but preacii and write fo ninch as you did againft " Toleration of them ? But you that would have us difpenfe to all things now, " would your felves difixrife with nothing then. ]

Jnfw. It's pity that mitccrs of publick tacl fhould be fo much unknown, and that when fuch inference follow ! i. 1 was never in power : Nay my Lot never fell out to be of any lide that was Vpperm-)/} in Church matters, nor in State-Ufurped power but I always was of the under fide. f

2. It was the Tolerathvi of all Sefls unlimitedly that I wrote and preacht aFaiufl and not ( that 1 remember ) of meer Independents. .^ '

3. Thofethat did oppnfe the Toleration of Independents, of my acquaintance d»d not deny them the liberty of Independency, but oppoftd Hp.jrsition or their Gathering other Churches out of Pari(h-Churches that had faitliful Miniflers: If they would have taken Parifh-Churches on Independent principles, without reparation, neither 1 nor my aquaintance did oppofc them, no nor their Endeavours to reform fuch Churches. '■'

4. The Cafe greatly differed : For an Independent to refufe Parifh-Churches when no Ceremony, no L.iturgie, no Oath or Subfcription is required of him' which he fcrupleth, is not like his refuting Oaths, Subfcriptions, Liturgie Ceremonies, &c.

%. But in a Word, Grant us h".i as much^ and take us but in, as we ^^ranted to and took in the Independents^ and ire .r-p content. Make this agreement and all is ended • we defire no more of you. We never denyed the Independents the libeity of preaching Leftures, as often as they would : Nor yet the liberty of taking Parifh-Churches: They commonly had Prefentations, and the publick Maintenance- And no Subfcription, Declaration, Liturgie, or Ceremony, was impofed on them. A^^ gain I fay, 1 ask you no more Liberty than was given the Independents by theif' brethren called Presbyterians. Let yom* Grant now agree but with your intimations.

6. And how then fay yon, we would difpence with nethmg ? For my part and thofc of my mind,we never impofed, nor endeavoured to impofe any thing on any man as neceflary to Ordination, Miuiftry, or Communion, but C The Ovcmmg of the Scriptu-'e Generally^ and the Creeds^ Lord's Prayer., and Decalogue and 'Sacraments tar-ticularly^ mth that meafure of underflanding them^ and a'oility to teach the7n^ rvhich iy ne-cejfary to a Minijler.^ and fidelity therein."} I never fpake for liberty herein for Epifco-pal, Independents yea and Anabaptifts that only deny Infant Baptifm, I wrote that hindering; men's Miniftrv for their being againft the Parliament .• And I think I kept many and many thoufmds from taking the Covenant.

7, At leaft do you deny Liberty to none but thofe that denyed it to others^ and we fliall thankfully acquiefce.

" StyiiJ. I cmnot think the maker of thcfe Propofals could imagin that ^jMy, much " lefs all of them would or could be agreed to. ~]

JnfiV. 1. You fpeak truly, if you mean C by thofe men, of whom upon former tryal, he had io great Experience: ] It were great weaknefs in him to have expefted it. But yet he is fo charitable as to be confident ( though not certain ) that if thcfe Propofals were made to the Conformable London Minifters, ( fuch as Ur, WPjftchcot.^ Dr. Stillingfleet., Mr. Gifford., Dr. Tillotfon.^ Dr. Cradock:, Dr. Outratn, Dr. Ford., and many more fuch Learned worthy peaceable men, in this City ) they would either grant all that is here defired, or abate fo little as (hould be no hindc-rancc to our prefent Concord.- And though I have no great acquaintance witli any of them, yet my knowledge of them by fame and hearing them preach, dorh render me fo fully perfuadcd, that if we could get the Cafe but referred to their judgment and Counfcl, infteadof the Intereffed Bifhops who brought us to the ftatethat we are in 1 make no doubt but we fhould be all healed in a few weeks time. And that you may not think my confidence vain take this proof.- Bifhop Wilkins was no fool nor fanatick : Thefe men arc much of his fpirit and judgment, ( who was a Lover of Mankind, and of honcflv, reace and Impartiality and Juftice. ) And we agreed with liiin upon Terms like tlicfe, (upon the Lord Keeper Bridgm.in\ Invitation ) fo far, that by 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 fufpeft that any of thefe worthy perfons arc lefs peaceable ?

"^2 'rhe L i F E of the ' Pare III

2. But by this Conclulion, thofe many perfons,who have talk't fo loud bow ready fome great Clergy-men are to Condefcend,agree and abate all UnnecetTary things to Unite us and prevent Popery, may now fee, paft all doubt, the very truth of the Cafe. This Animadverte'r you fee, v/ould not grant [_ any ~\ one of all thefs Propoftils no not our forbearance of an Oath, or Subfcription to Ceremony^ or any piece of their impofed formalities, nor the leaving out of a word of the Litur-j gie, 6'f.\ What is it then that they would abate ? fuch Dealing will make men fec' at fift."

" Strict. —Or that if the Non-conformifts were, upon fuch Terms as thcfe, " permitted to exercife their Miniftry, and made capable of Paftoral charges and " other Preferments in our Church, this would be a means to heal our lamentable "■ Divifions that are now among us: unlefs he will fay that the belt expedient to " fupprefs Schifm, is to embrace and cherifh and to reward Schifmaticks, ftill pro-" felfmg and refolving to be fo • Or that it is better and fafer for the Church to " have a fire within her bowels than without her doors; or contraries by being " mingled together would thereby become, lefs contrary or deltrudtive to oncaao-" the?: No certainly.- And therefore if they will Itill continue Non-confor-" miftsitis better and fafer for the Church they Ihould be llill kept out than taken

" into it

jinjw. 1. But 'tis our Opinion ( pardon our folly ) that if the Law had not bcca made which forbad Daniel to pray to God, or commanded the worfhiping of the Golden Image, they had been no Inconformifts that kept not fuch a Law. And that if the Law were repeated which rcquireth Corporations to declare (that mo man is hound by the folemn vow (no not to repent, nor againlt Popery, Schifhi, or Prophanefs ) they would be no Inconformifis that did not fo declare : And that if the Laws commanded us not to/wear^ fubfcribe^ declare^Crofs.,&.c. We were no InconformiftsorSchifmaticksifwc did them not. But the name of Schifmaticks is by fuch Godfathers as Ithacius., Idacius^ and the reft of the Council of Biftiops (from whom Jmbrofe dillcHdcd ) pnt upon fuch as St. Martin., who feparated from then* to the death, for their Church-Tyranny and wicked Lives, and bringing Godly people into the fufpicion and reproach of PrifciHianifm, if they did but meet for mutual edification and live Religioufly. As Grotius laith that by a Papilt he racaneth one that apfreveth of all that any Pope/hall 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 prcfcribe. And if all the prefcnt Non-conformifts were commanded to Pi each with horns on their heads, to fignific 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. .^ Were all the Apoftle5,'and the Churches lix their time and long after Schifmaticks, who knew not our Oaths, Declarations, Sub-fcriptions, Liturgie, Ceremonies, &C.

Q. 1. Did they not take as wife a courfe for the Churche's concord and the a-voiding of Schifm, as either the En^lifh or Foman Bifhops rake ?

Q. 3, Had not the Omiflion ot the Komifh Canons about Tranfubftantiation, Tradition, and fvch like, bee* a better way to prevent hci-efie, than the obeying theni^ And may it not be foin our cafe ? Would any be Schifmaticks for diifent-ing from Lay men's power of the Keys, from Crofllng, &c. if there were no fuch Laws? And did not Peter md Paul pleafeGod as well without them as you do with tlicm ? And did not Peter and Paul go as fafe a way to Heaven as you ? And is he that confentcth 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 Icaft) yet worthier of the Name of a i'chifmatick, than the New Lords, that by new Laws do make and call all Schifmaticks that live as the Apollles did, or did com-nwnd them, and no.more ?

2. You have trycd your Better and fafer way ( by filencing i8oo Minifters of Chrift ) by which the Flocks arc fcattered and divided, and we are as Gnelpht;s and Cibelines in Contention •, And if yet it feem beft to you,a few years (by Death's in-tcri^ofition, ) will help you to be of another mind. But, alas, muft the fouls of Millions and the Nation pay fo dear for your miltake, while you are preparing for the too late Convidions of fad Experience ?

" Strict. The only certain and fafe way of liealing thefe Divifions (" as I conceive )

K

Part III ^e-oerend Mr. Richard Baxter. Vy^

" is, for all, rh3fSTe'ta\-en into .the Chm-ch, tofubniitto one aad the fame Rule, " as well in j^ge:idh as Credmdh^ as well in circumHantials and ceremonials, as " in Subftanrials and Efleatials-, as well in the manner, as the matter of Religi-" ousWorfhip.

Jnf. 1. And wl\o fhall make that Rule ? The Bifhops ! And who fliall be Bi[hops ? You ! And fo the Sum is, The only certain, and fafe way of Healing, is, for no Man to differ from our Judgment or Will in our ^^en^iV, or Credendu, Circumftancc or Subftaucc, m-mner or matter of Worlhip, nor fay a Word to God in publick, but what wc write down for him, or allow him. What Se£lary would not be fuch a Healer?

2. But 1 am forry that any Chriflian, much more Pallors, can believe that ever all the Church will be fuch Idolizers of Man, as to (Irctch their Confci-cnces to own all that for matter, and manner, fubllanee, or Circunifbance he fliall prcfcribe j or elfe will all be fo ripe in Knowledge, as all to know which arc the right Modes and Circumllanccs, and fo come to be of one mind. The Church of Rome had not needed Inquilitions, Flames, and Racks, nor loft fo many Kingdoms , 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 Reafon have 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.

" Stri^. For though an Agreement in the EfTentials only be enough to make

** any Man a Member of the Catholick, or univerfal Church, yet is it not e-

•"^ nough to make a Man a Member of this or that particular National Church:

" For all the Reformed Churches agree (as appears by the Corpus ConfeJJiomm)

•* in the EiTentials of Faith and Worfliipi^and therefore in that rcfpeft they

" are all Members of the Church-Catholick ; but they do not agree, either in

" the fame form of Governmant, or in the fame outward form of Worfliip;

" or in the fame Ecclefiafl:ical Difciplinc, or in the fame Rites and Ceremonies:

*' And it is the Agreement in fuch things as thefe, as well as in EfTentials,

** which confcitutes, and giveth Denomination to the feveral National Churdi-

*' es •, which, all of them taken together, do make up the Church Catholick:

*' Thus to make up one Member of the French^ Dutch^ or any other Rcform-

*' cd Churches, it is not enough to be a Catholick, no nor a Protcftant-Ca-

^^ tholick neither ^ but he muft fubfcribe, and conform , not only in point of

" Judgment to their Confeflion of Faith, but in point of Practice alfo to all

*' their Rule^, Orders, and Ufages, in Preaching, Praying, Adminiftration of

" the Sacraments, and all External Rites, and Ceremonies prcfcribed by publick

**■ Authority, to be ufed in the publick Worfhip of God, for the more fo-

'' lemn, more unanimous, more decent, and more edifying performance of the

'• fame ; which, if any Man, upon any pretence whatfoever, refufeto do, hecan-

" not be of fuch or fuch a National Church, where a Conformity to all fuch

" things is indifJDenfably required of all that will be of, or continue in the a-

" forcfaid refpcctive Churches. And is it not as Lawm and reafoniblc for our

^ Church to prcfcribe Conditions of her Communion, to thofc that will be of

*' it, and continue in it, as it it for any other of the Reformed Churches to

'*_ prcfcribe to thofc that are of theirs ?

Jnf. T. It's well that Chrifl is more merciful than Men : His cafic Yoke and light Burden, Mat ii. 29. and the neceiTary things, J{}. 15. is enough to mtkc Men Members of him, and his Body the Church Catholick, that they may be faved : But he that will be of a National Church muft bear and do no Man knows what!

2. But how will this Hand with Chrift's Citholiek Laws? A true Catholici Cbri-Jiian (hall be faved: But he that is no more , with you, is guilty of one of the grcatell Crimes, ziiz.. Contempt of your Authority; and can he then be Saved ^ Chrift's Catholick Members muft love, honour, and chcrifli each other: But with yon, he that obcyeth you not in every Word., Mode.^ and circumftancc, «r ceremony, is to be filenced, and pcrfecuved. Chrift's Laws avf, that he that

is weak even in the Faith, be received, but not to doubtful diipntation% and tbat for fmaller difference we neither defpife nor judge each other, but receive one another as Chrift received us, and that fo far as vvc have attained, we walk by the fame Rule, and mind the fame things, and if in any thing we be othcrwife minded God will reveal even this unto us : And that we muft love one another with a pure Heart, fervently, and by this be known to all Men to be Chrift's Difciples: 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 Dilfentcrs, and then plead yours againft Ck//?'s Laws, and fay, he meant not thofe that are under a Law, (while he forbad fuch Laws.) And fo you may Excommunicate, reproach, avoid imprifon, undo, and filencc thofe that Chrift commanded \ou tenderly to Love, and fay they are Schifmaticks, for they obey us not in every Circumitance O! how much eafier is Chrift's Yoke than yours?

3. But what is this National Chnrch which is fo contrary to Chrift's Catholick Church ? If it be all the Churches and Chriftians that are under oneChri-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 confiftedi only of fuch ^ for the Sribjefts of the lurks and Heathens arc part of the Catholick Church: If it be all the Churchesof a Kingdom as ■:/o/i<«^»77y ^j,//o«./fr(i for Communion or Concord, I repeat the fame as aforefaid. But if you mean all the Churches of a Kingdom, as under one ConflituUve Ecckftadkal Head, and Faftor, few Proteftants will fay that it is oi God^s Inftitution^ {Bilfon and otliersufually fay Patriarchs, Metropolitans, drr. are 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 renounce 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 meer Catholck Chriftian, out of all National Churches, than be in them ? But I yet hold, that though your particular Canon bind not the Church univerfal, yet Chrift's univerfal Laws bind all particular Churches and Chrifti-

ans,

4'. And that which maketh me diffent is, that I am not able to difccrn how

all Mm can obey f'tch Laws as you mention, and live in any concord witli you,

without renouncing all Confcience, Chriftianity, and Religion. Not that I judge

all to do fo thit agree with you : For thofe that agree in Judgment, may agree

in fra^icc. Bat you muft make me mad, or unacquainted with Mankind, before

you make me believe that a whole Kingdom will ever be fo perfeft in Judg-

mcot, or fo much of the fame temper. Education, condition, convcrfe, &c.

as to be all of one Mind in every word, circumftance, ceremony, and mode

of Worfliip, and Difcipline, upon Chriftian, confcientious terms. Either they

muft abfjlutcly believe as the Rulers bid them, or not. If yea then moft Twrtj,

Heathens, Papifts are in the right, that be of the Religion of their Rulers. It

not, fome bounds and Rules muft ftiew them the difference, how far Obedience

is to be given: And the Subjeds muft be the Difcerners, whether the Cafe

falls under thofe Qiialificationt 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 Words,

circumftances, 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 Difobcdicncc to be one of the freatejt

Crimci, dcfcrving Excommunication, Imprifonment, and ruin ; fothat you make

fuch a NationarChurch 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 neceffiry Difcharge of Men's plain, undeniable IJuty, and to impofe the Humane Work, which you can dcfanbe. But I am a llranger to them, and am bound to receive notiiing againft another, till I hear both Parties fpeak •, mr am I concerned in the Cafe, as not being liound to jnfti-fie them any more ihan you. If it be as you fay, no wonder if they have the diftraftionsand calamities, and Divifions, which render them theobjefts ofcora-pafGon. The Serpent, that beguiled £w, hath long ago tempted almori. all the Churches from the ylnciint Chrtjlian Simplicity, in Doftrine, Difcipline, and Wov-ftiip, which isthcoBly way of common Concord.

6. But

6. But yet befidcs the Cacholkk Church, we hold particular Churches being Chrilliaii AiTcmbiies, to be ot Chiift's Inftitution. And it is impofllblc there to worfhip God without the determination of many Circumftanccs 'and Modes .• Some Tianllation, foir.o Metre of Pfahns, foms Tune, fome Time and Place foraePaftnr, feme Utemils, mi:It bechofen : And he, that will herein depart from the Common chofen Civciimllance, depaiteth therein himfelf, from their Communion : But yet fiKh.niay fcrve God acceptably in another Aflembly, and may live in Chrillian Love a:id Peace, though they Sing not in the fam,e Tune or GeRure • or nfe not every Ceremony alike. And this is nothing to the making of new Symbols, Oaths, Subfcriptions, or other things, not nccefiary ingmtrc^ and that by the Ofilcers of a Niitional Hiunane Church, and this not only to be dor.c^ and quietly-born ,• but approved : Your Way is the molt proper Engine to tear in pieces all the Churches in the World, or reduce them to a Spanijh Humane Obedience. For if a particular Parifh-Church did not fo much as tye'Men to a Ceremony, but mere Determinations, which mull fome way be made ^ If the Prieft itocd at the Church door, and faid, You fliall not enter , unlefs you will Subfcribe, or Say, or Swear that we are inrallible in all that wc do ^ or that there is no Sin, no Fault, nothing contrary to God's Will an^ Word ^ acthiag but what you Allent, and Confent to , in all our Trantlations of Scripture, in all our Verfions, Tunes, Words, Ge-ftures, Circumftances, I would never enter into that Church -^ though I will gladly and peaceably joyn with them, if they will let me alone without fuch Obligations to juitifte all they do. One would think this Ihould have been paft .Contro-vcrfie before this day, among the Pnident Pallors of the Churches.

'■^Strict. Still fuppofmg, that neither they, nor we, require any thing that may f not be lubmitted to without lln.

^nfrv. Upon that Suppolition we have no Controverfie with you ^ Then what need any of this adoe ? But who fhall be the Judge ? If you muft^ and that ab-folutdy^ then it is all one to us whether it be fm or no fin : for, to us, it Will be none, it we do as you bid us .• But then why do Proteftants condemn Papifts who do as they are bidden? And why do our Articles condemn them, that fay* AU Men may be fated in the Religion they are bred iuj when they all do as they are bidden, even they that defie Chrift. But, if you hold not to this, what /

fiiall we do ? Ave we our felves the difcerning Judges ? Then we protell before God and Men, that we take the things that we deny Conformity to to be fms,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 Anfwcr, 1. It's too fe.v things that Man's Uoderftanding reachcth to a certainty in : What if I verily think, that I ice reafon to take that which a Biihop or Church Commanded, to be Blafphemy, Perjury, Treafon, IMurder, Herefic, &c. but I am not certain and paft doubt: Muft l tlien do it ? Then a Man that can be but fuf-ficlently ionorant^ 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 to take any thing comtnandcd for fm ^ 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 Anfwcrs : And all this 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. ) Suppofc you were Infallible , fo are not all the Subjefts : And if their Reafon be bad, and yours good , all that is no more than' to fay, That They Br^ or are Milhkcn : ^nd if no Man Ihall be Tolerated with you that Ernth , and that in as great a Matter as a Circumftance, or Ceremony ^ no two Men in the W^orld muft hold Communion 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, 1 am paft doubt of it, if that will fcrve. Give us but leav« to publifh our Reafons freely, and you fliall fee whether we have any Reafon. But if yet I be miftaken , Shall your National-Cluirch have never a Member Tolerated that is as ignorant and b id as I ? Hold to that, and try the Ifliie, whe-tber your Churcb will be as numerous as you are.

^*ftriet. Ani

JO5 ~lhe L i FE oj the I'art III>

" Strict. And Churches abroad both have been and will be our Ccmpurgators, and " I wifhthe Presbyteriuns of England and Scotland would be content to Itandto the ; " judsment ot all the rreshytcrianChm:ch.c% abroad, whctbcv they may not with-" outVin conform to all that (by our Church) is required of them. Nay, whether " they can refufe to Conform without fm.

ynf. Content; 1 and all of my mind profefs, that we viill accept your offer : But we wilh as fmcerely that you would Hand to it. Not that we take any Men for the Lords of our Faith.- but let them hear us fpeak, and if they lay, that it is lawful ( or not a heinous fin in us ) to Conform, we will acquiefce and never more accufc you as perfecutors, but lilently undergo all the Accufation of Schifm. But then by the Churches^ you mull not mean any odd pertbns, but the Churches indeed. •

'•'■Strict. EfpeciaBy in this Conjuncture of time, when we have ib great reafon to " fear the prevailing of the Common Enemy againft us both -, and confequeutlv, not " only the Endangenng, but the utter ruining of the Protcilant Religion, and that " not only here, but perhaps in all the World belldcs ^ the guilt whereof will lie e-" fpecially at our Doors if we do not agree.

. nf. \. What is the great reafon you have to fear tlie prevailing of the Common Enemy, and utter ruin of the Proteftant Religion. Is it from our State at homp ? 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 caufc the Silencing of 18oo Minifters, and thereby ( and otherwife ) the difalFecfing of many Hundred thoufand people (I think) who would have loved and Served you ? Did not you help to Banifh them Five Miles from ( not the Court only ) but all Cities and Corporations, and Places of their former Mmiftery ? Did you not undertake all the Minifterial Work, without them ^ 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 unleft we will conform to every Oath, Subfcription, Word, drc. It's better that we be oat of yourChurch 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 bringir/g our Religion to no better a pafs ? Have high and low been no better inftnifted and preferred by you ? Hath Popery been no better refifted by yon in thofe Places whence you Banifhed 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 undertaken Stewardfliip ? 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 anv thing to prevent this terrible danger which you defcribc :, And \. iil you ftill tell all the World, That rather than we (hall sot, be compelled ag;!iaft our Confci-cnces (to our Damnation if we obey) to Declare, tliat wc aflent and confent to every word, yea, and ufe every word in all your Liturcv, to Declare, That Millions whom we Kaow not, if they Vow in their Places and Calling, to endeavour a Reformation of the Church ( were it but in Lay-Men's power of the Keys ) are not obliged by that Vow : rather than we (hall be fu!Ter ed not to Swear Obedience to the Bifbops (though we arc refponfible to the Law for any Difobedience^) rather than we (hall be Suffered to forbear the Image of the Crofs in Ikptifm, or to forbear to pronounce every wicked Man favcd that we Bury, or to fuffer a Parent to Covenant in Baptifm for his own Child •, or rather than wc fhall be endured to forbear turning Godly People that dare not kneel, frofn Church-Communion, and pronouncing them Excommunicate every fix Months if the Chancellor or Bifliop bid us ^ Rather tbaa this (hall be granted us, we (hall have no Agreement, the Common Enemy (hall prevail, thcProteftant Religion (hall 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 atfoeafiea rate.? What good doth it do you forme to fubfcribe as ex yinimo, that there is not a word in your Liturgy or Ordination, contrary to the Word of God, and that I aflent and confent to all that is in it ? When 1 am without this rcfponnblc for all OmilTion, orOppofition to it. Wc offer, if ne-cefTary, to take our Oaths, as in the prefeace of God , the Judge of all, that wc would agree with you, and obey you too in any thing, except that which we judge to be forbidden of God: We offer our Rcafons, which perfwade us, that

you

your Impolitions obeyed would be our fin, and heinous fin: We are paft doubt /

that youf Aiifwers to tliem are Irivolous, You dare not allow us to bring all into the Light, and to Print our Cafe and Reafons, that the World may Judge of them: We that pay fo dear for cur Diflent, arc as likely to be Unbiafied , 3.% you that have the Wealth and Honours of the World.' And were it not liket to be moved by our Reputation witli the poorer fort, than yoii by your Reputation with the Great and Honourable, if not the moft. And if yet we be milla-ken, fo i% all the World in as great a Matter, as molt things now in Qiieftion. You call them Indifl'crcnt : We think them not fo.: And yet fhall Proteltant Religion be iMin'd in all.the World , rather than ■ you (hould not have your will ill our obedience to yon , in ever y prefcribed Word , Ceremony , Covenant or Oath, after all this ?.

" Strict. And at Ours indeed of the Church-party, if we require uhat cannot '' be confented to without iin: 3

Jnf. Ex ore tiio -— What you required of old we debated i(56o, and you never gave us an Anfwer to what we largely offered you, in Confutation of your Defertce : 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 againfl it, by Word or Writing. Grant us but that leave, and if we do not openly prove, that to Conform would hc ourjln^ and very heinous lin (not medling with any Men'sConfcience but our own) call us Schifmaticks, and go on to ufe us as you have done. Which, I fay, as to my felf, who offer to alTume that differing , as the penalty of my Error, if I err ^ but not to juitifie 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 iu the World.

*' Strict. But at theirs that rcfiife to come in to us, if they may, without fin, fubmit to all that their acknowledged Superiours require ot them.

u^nf. Which they arc moft confident they cannot do : And if Quoad Materi-atn., they fhould miftake, I think yet St. Paul miftook not, in faying, Be that

doubteth is condemned if he eat., becaufe he eateth not in Faith yMd hitn that is

weak in the Faith receive.^ &c. And therefore I would deny your ConfequeKce comparatively .• There are various degrees of Guilt: If you made a Canon, that all the prefent Conformfts fhould take the Pope, with Bifhop Bramhati^ to he ?&-triarch of the Weft, and Principum Vnitat'vs to the lluiverfal Church, or fhould own the Church of i?owe, the Council of Trewf, and the reft, as far as Grotius did ^ or fhould fubfcribe, that the Septuagint is to be preferred before the Hebrew Text ^ Or if it were but thcfe , and not thofe of all the various Readings ar« 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 ( as well as the Litui-gy, &c.) If all this fhould prove lawful (as it never v. ill) and they fhould turn Nonconfor-mifts to your Canon, and hereupon they fhould all belilenced, and Popery thereupon come in , Who were guilty of all this? They, with that degree of guilt, which all Men have, in that they are imperfeft ■• Or you, with that more heinous Guilt, which is incomparably greater. If you faid, All Minifteis fliall be Silenced, and People Excommunicated that haye any EiTor and Sin ;, Their Error and Sin is fome Culpable Caufe of the Confequcnt ruin of the Church j but notliinij in coriiparifon of Yours, who are the Grand Caufe.

" Strict. And for this,if they refufe to ftand to the Judgment of Foreign Churches, " I refer them to Mr. Baxter^ one of the moft Eminent Divines of their own par-" ty, who, in the 2d CLzpttr of the laft of his 5 Difputatvons^ having enumerated " the Controverted Ceremonies (^viz.. the Surplice, Kneeling at the Lord's Sup-" per, the Raih, and the Crof^ in Baptifm ) though he finds fault with the im-" pofing of them ( which the Govemours arc to anfwer for ) yet, that they may *' be obeyed without fin ( which are all that Subjcifis are concerned in ) he con-" eludes of all, but the Crofs in Baptifm only ^ which he would not have cxcepc-" ed neither, if it were ufed ( a^ we fay it is ) as a Teaching, or a Profefling " Sign only -, and not as a Sacramental, as he miftaketh it to be: for we do not **ufcit as a means to confer Grace, which is the formalis ratio of a Sacramcntal-'' Sign :, tut to lignifie, and put us in mind of Grace only. The like he con-

Sfff "dudes

" eludes concerning the ufeof the Liturgy : And as tor the Govcinmcnt, the " Ptoporer doth not fropofe the Alteration of it, aad coniequently implycth, " it may be fiibraitted to as it is, without lin. n

Anf. 1. Yen fpeak all this againft your felt, to tell the World how narrow your Church, and how ftrait your Charity-is •, whilit he, that you lay, is fo much of your Mind, h Judged unworthy to be periniued ;o Preach the Gofpel of Chrift, and worthier to lye m a Common Gaol among Thieves and Kogucs ^ yea, that it is better for any Congregation to have no Miniftci tlian fuch. All this Com-plyance with yoii is as good as none, to procure him but leave to Preach Repentance : For he oftered you to Preach only on the Creed, and Catechilhi, and could not prevail, though refponfible for any thing laid amUs. And he challengetk you to name any one of all the Complying Principles of ihat Buok which he hath ever receded from, or contradifted.

2. They refufe not to ftand to the Judgment of otli-.-; Proteftant Ciiurchcs, that Ihall hear themfelves fpeak for themfelves.

( 3. Did Mr. Baxter in that Book, or any where elfc fiy , That it is Lawful to Subfa-ibe according to the Canon, as ex Animo^ that there i^ nothing in all your Liturgy^ or Book of Ordmation^ contrary to the Word of God} Or that the Englilh PiocefaQ frame may be Sworn to for Obedience ? Or, that King or Parliament have ^ ;-iower to make, or Endeavour any alteration of your Church-Government, ut. r.'hnd fwornit? no nor a Lay Chancellor's Spiritual Power j Nor any fubieft t "i Petition, or any way endeavour the fame,, if he had fworn it, &c. Did he ever fay that it was lawful to Excommunica':e as many of Chrill's faithful Member*; eirhfv bv Pron'^nciation, or Rejecting them from Communion , as the Bi-fhops or Chancellor wi'.l conmiand him > Or to deiiy Baptifm-to the Children of all that Scrurle Cr'^l^n?, them , or that infift on their duty of Covenanting in their Children's Name themfelves ? Did he ever fay, that your New Snbfcription, Declaration , Oath, or Re-ordin«ion ire J^awful ? I think not.

4. He that can fubmit to your Governmeat, that is , peaceably obey you without fin , cannot threibr^ Subfcribe, that you ftand by a Divine Right, or that all is faultlefs, and nothing altenble in your Government, He would have lived peaceably in //r^d when the Pi iefthood was Corrupted , and the High-Places not taken down, or in the Greek Church, where aix many faults, or among the Arme-mav or Aba/Hnes • but he would have lain in Gaol rather than make a Covenant (Contrary to ])art of his Baptifmal Vow ) never to obey God in endeavouring any reformation of thefe in his place and Calling, telling all others, that none of them are br.-imd to do it, no not if they had Vowed it •, Or rather than he would have Subfcribed his Approbation and Confent to all, and Covenanted to live and die im-penitcntly herein : He taketh not thefe for things indifferent. But we find that you will not let men live under you quietly op Terms of patient ihbmifnon, unlefs they.be fully of your mind.

You fay the Propofer propofcth notthe alteration of the Government ^ Therefore it may be fubmitted to without fin. 3 He propofcth it not becaufe he know-eth you would not confent: Bilhop Vflier\ Primitive Epifiopacy was the Government defired in vain, for our Healing, 1660. But again, I fay, All, that may be ruhvitted to, may not, by Subfcriptions, Covenants', or Oaths, be juftified and approved.

5. LnQily, As. to tke profs, he then thought, and thinks ftill, that it is forbidden by the Second Commandment, and that as an Image and Symbol of Chri-fLianity, and a New Humane Sacrament, of which before.

If pofTibly Light may have any Acceptance, 1 will ad joy n thefe Quefiions for the Opponent whofoever.

Qu. t. Do you not believe in your Confcience, that Agreement would be more eafie and common on our Terms of Meer Chrifiianity^ and Thinj^s Necejfary^ than on Yours, by adding many things doubted of, andneedlefs? Will not more a-grce in the Creed^ than in Jquinash Sums, if it were all tnie ?

Q. 2. Doth not the knowledge of Humane Darknefs, and Variety of Educations, Tempers, Intcrefts, Converfe, 'b'c. and the Paucity of very knowing Men convince yoxi, that Concord mult be iu few, and great, and evident things ?

^ 3. Doth not the Experience of all Ages prove it paft doubt ?

Q^ 4. Doth not thcConfcience of your own Frailty, and imperfeft Knowledge modeiate you ? Dare you fay. That you are not ignorant of plainer and greater things than v/e fuffer about ?

(I 5. Do you not hold. That God mufl be firfl obeyed, and none agai aft him? And Ihoiild not a defire to obey God firft be cherifhed ? And do you cherifh it by fayin^:, to us, C Though you think it a heinous fm to conform^ yet do it^ er Suffer for your Diffcnt s

Q, 6. Was it not an Aft of Chrift's Wifdom, Mercy and Soveraignty, to make the Baptifmal Covenant ( which the Church explained by the Creed ) to be the Stablifticd llniverfal Tell and Badge of his Difciples and Church-Members ? And did it not feem good to the Holy Ghoft, and the Apoftles, j4cts 15, to Im-pofe cmly necejfu^y thittps ? And is it not a Condemning , or Contradicting God need led y, to take a Contrary Courfe ?

Q^ 7, Is not Chrift's way, and the firft Churches, moft likely to fave the People's Souls, and yours to damn them ? For you will confefs, that Chrift's few evident neccDary 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 Nonconformifts to them are in danger of Damnation, for the Crime of Contempt of your Authority .• So that (onfequently you make all your Impofiti-ons needful to Salvation, and fo make it far harder to be faved, than otherwife it would have been. '1

Q^ 8. What hindcrcth any debauched Confcience from entering into your Mi-niltry, who dare Say, or Swear any thing j while he that feareth an Oath, or a Lie, may be kept out ? And againit which of thefe Ihould you more carefully Ihut the Door ?

Q^ 9. If Agreement be deflrable, Which fide may more eafily, and at a cheaper rate yield and alter, you or we ? If you forbear Impofing an Oath, Sub-fcription, Declaration, or Ceremony, it would not do you a Farthing's-worthof hut .• If we Swear, Subfcribc, Declare, Conform, we take ourfelves 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 fubfcribe, that General-councils arc not ^ even in matters of Faith ? And yet muft we fubfcribe onr Afient to every word in thefc Books, or elfe be Silenced, or Suffer? Do thefe well confift ?

Q^ 11. 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 fnffer as much by their Judgment, as you gain by yours ? Jadge but by your felves. Doth their kind of Intereft tempt you more than your own to partiality ?

^ I 2. Is it not grofs Uncharitablcnefs, and Ufurpation of God's Prerogative, to lay. 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. I 3. Do your Confciences never ftartle, when you think of Silencing 1800 ■fuch Minifters ? and depriving fo many Thoufand Souls of their Miniftry ? I Thcfs. 2. is,i<5.

Q. 14. Can you hope to make us believe while wc dwell in En^laKd^ that thi People's Ignorance and Vice is fo far Cured, or the Conformifis, for Number and

S f f f 2 ^ahty.

The L I F E of the' Part ill

Qii.iUty^ are fo fufficieiit, without the Nonccnformilts, that they fhould reft Silent, on fuppolitiou, their Labours are unneceOary ?

^15. Is not the lofs of a Faithful Teacher, where, through Paucity^ or lln-qualifycdnefs of the Conformal)le, he is necelfary, a very great Affliftion to the People ? And, Do the Innocent Flocks defcrve to fuller in their Souls for ouv Nonconformity 'f

O. 16. Could not Men of your great Knowledge find out fome other Punifli-mcnt 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 necelTary to Salvation arc tn ( or provable by ) the Scripture, Do you not confef?, that your Invmu-tmcvlce are not neceflary to Salvation ? And is the NoncouformiU's Miniftry no more necenary?

Q. 18. How fay you. That only Chrillianity is necelfary to a Member of the llniverfal Church, and fo much more be necellary to the Members of particular Churches, and the Univerfal confift of them .''

: Q. 19. Did any National Church Impofc any one Liturgy, or Subfcription be-fides the Creed, or any Oath of Obedience to the Bilhops, for 300,400, 500 years after Chrift's Nativity.?

Q. 20. Can you Read Rom. 14. and 15, and not believe th^t it bindeth the Church-Rulers as well as the People /

Q: 21, Did the Ancient Difcipline, not enforced by the Sword for 300 years, 4o Icfs good than yours.? Or was any Man Imprifon'd or Punilh'd by the Sword to nomine., becaufe Excommunicate, as a Contemner of Church-power in not repenting, for many Hundred years after there were Chriftian Magiftrates.'

Q.. 22. Hath not the making falfe Conditions of Communion, and making llnneceirary things necelfary thereto, been the way, by which the Papifts have Schifmatically divided Chriftians <"

Q: 23. Should not Bilhops be the moll skilful and forward to heal, and the molt backward to divide or pcrfecute /

Qi 24. Could you do more to extirpate Epifcopacy, than to make it liateful 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 ?

Q. 26. Were not thofc, that Gildas called no Minifters, fuch, as too many now, obtruded on the People ? And was not the Cafe of the Bilhops that St. Martin feparatcd from to the Death, like yours, or much fairer.'

§. 257. A little after fome Great Men of the Houfc of Commons drew up a Bill, as tending to our Healing , to take off our Oaths , Subfcriptions and Declarations , except the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance, and Subfcriptions to the Doftrineof the Church of r^^/^jflii, according to the 13th. of///;(. But fhewing it to the faid Bfhop of Wimhefler , he caufed them to forbear , and broke it .• And inflcad of it he furthered an Aft only to take of j4(]cnt and Confmt , and the Remnaation of the Goverivr.mt ; 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 flill by other continued Obligations required, as may be fecn in the Canon for Subfcvii^ion, Act, 2. and in theO-r/or^-Act, for the Oath, and confining Refafers. And it's credibly averred, that when molt of the other Bifliop-i Were againlt even this enfnaring Ihew of abatement, he told them in the

Houfe

Honfe C ihas bad it becti but to abate us a Ceremony, he would not have fpoken in It: But he knew that we were bound to the fame things ftill, by other Claufes or Obligations, it thete were Repealed. ]

§. 258. But on fcb: 24. all thefe thinjjis were Suddenly ended, the Kim; early Tuddenly , and unexpeaedly Proroguing the Parliament till Novanber Whereby the Minds of both Hoiifes were much troubled, and Multitudes greatly cxafperated and alienated from the Court: Of whom many now faw that the Leading Bifhops, bad been the great Caufes of our Diftraftions ■ but others hating the Nouconfor-mifts more j were ftill as hot for Prelacy and their Violence as ever.

§. 259. All this while the afpiring fort of Conforraifts, that looked for Preferment, and theChaplams that lived in fuUnefs; and other Malignant FaaioKii 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 therf:' ( beiides their necelfary Diflent. ( Some railed at them as the moil intolerable Villains in the World •, efpeically S. Pjrker (jocularly confuted and detected by Mr. Af.irvd a Parliament Man, ] and one Hkkeringhill^ and others, came near him in their malignity ^ And Papifts, taking the advantage, fct in and did the like. One Wrote, [ a Sober Enquiry of the Reafons why the Nonconformable Miniftcrs were ftill fo valued by the People, ] ( which was their grievous vexation, ) And pretended many Caufes, I know not whether more malignantly or foolifhly,\vhich none could believe but Strangers, and thofe that were blinded by the' Faction, Malignity, or Falfe Reports. One Dr. y'jktton^ Chaplain to the Duke of 0?--mmd^ Wrote a Book, i. To perfwade thofe to Subfcribe who held it lawftil, and forbore it only for fear of offending others ^ falfly inlinuating, that this was the Nonconformifts Cafe j 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 Perfecution : And the Man was not afi'aid to profefs to the World C That M he rcM going to meet us at the Bar of God, the Reafon why fo many Subfcribed not, was Reputation and Interefi, Pride and Covetoufnefs ^ ^j 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 2 proofs of their covetoufnefs. i. That by Non-conformity they got Living for their conformable Sons. 2. That they loft notheng by their Non-conformity ( as Bilhop CJMWMmj-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 iact, 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 dcvife 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 i. of the 1000, or 2000. Minifters that were Silenced, 1 have not yet heard of thirty in all, uor of twenty, or twelve yet living, that have Conformable Sons in the Miniftry, And of thofe 1 know not of one that Conformed by his father's confent. And why fhould not ths father's Conformity be the likcr to help his fon to a Living than his Non-conformity, V7hen the far grcateft part of the Prefcnters 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 1600'Minillers, that have no Conformable fons in the Miniftery, refiifc Conformitv, that 20 or 40 of other Miniftcr's fons may have Livings ? Did I not confider that, among Sfraw^m and yl/.?%«4«rj, any thing may be believed that is bad, I fliould think the Devil a fool for playing his game fo unskilfully. 2. And that theylofe 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 Difeafcs, contrafted by poverty and want of the necelTary Comforts of Life. And it is a wonder of God's mercy, and the honour of charitable People, efpecially in Lt/nJon^ that it is not fo with a very great number of them.

§ 260. This Malignity inviteth me once more to recite my ownc.ife: I have loft not only the Bilhoprick which they oilercd me by Non-conformity, but all Mi-mflxrial maintenance thefc eleven years now near 24. years in 168J. I havethefe eleven years Preaclied for nothing : I know not to my rcmembraace that I have

received

,4.3 ^Ihe LI F E of the Paitlir

rcLC»vcd a groat, as fcr Preaching thefe eleven years, but what 1 have returned ( un-Icfs 1 may call about the fum of ten pounds which fonle perfons gave me en particular occaf:ons, and 35 lb. which three gave gave me in the jail to defray my Pri-fon-charges, by that name, or ten pounds ptr Jm. which Sergeant Fountain gave me till he dyed, to whom 1 never Preached, nor was it on that account ) only four pounds 1 received for Preaching the IMerchant's Lefture, and 6 lb. more was olfered me as my due, and fome offered me fomewhat afta- a year'sPreaching at Mr. Turner^s Church ; but'l fent it every penny back to them, and refolvcd ( while it is as it is) to take no money for my Preaching, i. Becaufe I 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 arc in great neceflity. 3. Becaufe i will be under no temptation by dependence or obligation which may hinder me from dealing plainly with Diffenters and Offenders. 4. Becaufe I perceive that, when men's purfes are Ibught to, it tempteth many to queftion whether we fincerely feek the good of their Souls. On all which Accounts & not (I think ) from proud difdain, I have fo

E~>edicated or infcribed, ever offered me a groat, favethe City of Coyentry and the Iady AOKJ-, each a piece of Plate of about 4.1b. value: And whereas the fifeeuth Bcok printed is my due from the Bookfellcr, which I ufe, for almoft all of them, to give my fricnds,which amounteth to many thouiands,! 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 1 am not capable of confuting the malicious calumniators by diif ant inffanccs fo well as by my own cafe ■, But yet that the Readers may partly conjedfure, at the cafe of many of my Brethren, by niy own: who yet never received a groat from my Inheritance or Patrimony ( my poor kindred having much move than all: ) Were not malice impudent thefe Apologies were necdleis, 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.

And 1 can truly fay that I have offered money to my old acquaintance, who live filenccd in a very poor and hard condition, who have ftiffiy refufed it becaufe they lhoii;:ht it unlawtul while they had Bread and Drink, to take money while many of tiieir Brethren were in greater need.

And at the fame time while thefe envious Preachers cryed outagainft our Preaching, and pcifwaded men how fully we were maintained, they laboured for Lav/s to jncicafe tlieir fctled maintenance, and fome of them in my hearing Preached how miieiable a cafe the Clergy were in, were they left to the people's kindncfs and bounty: And yet proclaim our fulnefs, who are left to the kindnefs of thofe few r who alio pay fully their Tythes to the Parifh Miniflers) who, thefe Envyersfay, are but the fiiiaUer and poorer fort in the Land; which comparatively is true, ( tliough by this time I think the far greatefl part arc grown into dillike with the pvefeni- 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 Teems they take their Church to confift of men much more covetous, and lets Reli-ginus and liberal than our few poor men.

§. 76\. The Lord's day,before the Parliament v.'as dilTolved, one of thefe Pre-laiilfs Preached to them to pei f.vadc them that we are obftinate, and not to be tolerated, nor cured by any means, but Vta^eance^ urging them to fet Fire to the Fa-^"■Qt, and teach us by Scourges or Scorpions, and open our eyes with Gall. Yet none <if thefe men will procure us leave to publilli, <'>r offer to Auif.ority the Reafons of rur Nnn-conformity. Bur this is not tlic fn It proof that a carnal, worldly, proud, rngndiy Clcrpie, who never were fcriocs in tlieir own prcfeiTed belief, nor felt the power of what they Preach, have been, in moft Ages of the Church, its greateft phiguc, and the greatell: iiindcrers of Holincfsand Concord by making their fonna-iities and Ceremonies the iclt of Holinefs, and their Worldly hrtcrell and Domination the only cement of Concord: And O how m'lcli hath Satan done again ft Chrilfs Kingdr-m in the World, by fetting up Paftorsand Rulers over the Churches, to fight againft Chrilt in his own name and h\rery, and to deftroy piety and peace, by a pretence of promoting them !

^. 262, This lorefaid Preaciiei; brings to my remembrance a Silenced Minifter

who

en

Part in. Reveren d Mr.'Richard B^xt.

who heard the Sermon, Mr. John Humfhrey^ a maa not ftraic and tadious m Doctnn Government or Wornup, as his Books ihew for the middle way about Ele-lion' Juftificatlon,^^. aad his tormer Writings, forgiving the Lord's Supper to the Uu' godly to convert thenj, and his own Rcordiaation, and writing tor Reordinaiion • The former SelTions of Parhamen he printed a Iheet for Concord, byreftorm- fome filenced Mimfters, and tolerating others, for wluch he was Imprifoned (as was Dr. Ludovicus Molm.-eus M. D. Son to old Peter for writing his P.uroytus aeainlt the Prelatifts : but dehvcrcd by the Commoa Aft of Pardon. And this Seffion the Ikid Mr. ««wrpfcrey again printed another fheet, and put it into the hands of many Par liameut men ; which though (lighted, and fruftrate by the Prorogation of the Hoiife, yet I thiiilc hath fo much reafon in it, than I Ihall here annex it thouc^h it fpeak not at all to the nghtcoufnefs of our Caufe, and the Reafonsoif our Nonconformity, that the Reader may fee upon what T^nms we flood : But the truth is, when we were once contrived into the Parliament s inquifition and perfection it was refolved that we fhould bcfavcd by the King or not at all ^ and that Parliaments and Laws Ihould be our Tormenters, and not our Deliverers any more.

H3

Mr. John Humphrey's Papers given to the Parliament-Men.

Com^^ehen^ ^ 'ndul^cnce.

Niljil eft jam diliumtiiiodnon fuitdiSum prius. Terence.

IT hath pleafcd his .Majefty by feveral gracious Overtures to commend a Union ot his Pioteflant Sribjefts to the confideration of a Parliament. A de-fign full of all Princely Wiulom, Honefty, and Goodnefs. In this Atchievcment there is a double luterefl: (1 apprehend) to be diftinguiftied and weighed ^ that of Relifjon it felf, and thatof the ATjWow. The advance of Religion doth confifb much in the Uuity of its Profeflors, both in Opinion aad PraStice^ to be of one Mtnd^ and one Heart, 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 flourifhing of Trade, and uniting the whole Body in the common Benefit, and dependence on the Government. The one of theie befpeaks an £-ftMifhed Order and kcotnyiodation •, the other befpcalvi Indulgence^ Liberty of Con-fcitnce, or to'eration. For while People are in danger about Religion, we dare ant launch out into Trade ■ (fay they) but we mull: keep our Moneys, being we know not into what ftra'ts we (hall be driven ; and when, in reference to their Party, they are held under feverity, it is eafie tor thofe, who are deiigning Heads, to mould them into Wrath and Fadion ^ which, without that oc-calion, will melt, and difTolve it felf into bare Dident of Opinion, peaceably re-joycing under the Enjoyment of Protection.

The King we know is concerned, as Supreme Govermur, and as a Chriftian Pro-teftunt Govepnour. As he is King^he is to feek the welfare of the Nation, as he is a Chriftian the Flourifhing of Religion •, and the Proteftant Religion particularly is his Intcreft, 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 AS, which may take in thofe who are for our Parochial Churches, that feverity then might be ufed for reclaiming all whofoever feparate from them: The Judgment of fome others is, for a free and equal AU of Grace to all indilFerently (the Papillswith mod excepted) whether fcparatifts or others, abhoning Comprehenflon, as more dangerous to them, upon that Account mentioned, than all the Afts that have paifed. Neither of thefc Judge up to the fuM interefl: of the King and Kingdom, as is propofed. It becomes not the Presbyterian^ if his Princijjles will admit him to own our Parochial Churches, and cnioy a Living, to be willing to have his Brethren, the Independents, s^iven up to Perfecution : And it becomes not the Separatift, if he may but enjoy iiisCon-fcieacc, to Repine, or cuvy at the Presbyterian for reaping any further Emolument,

feeing

feeing both of them (fuppofing the later may do fo) have as nnicli at the bottom as can be, in their Capacities, deiired of either. It is au Aft therefore of a mixt Gomplexion, providing both Comprehtnfion and Indulgence fqr the different Parties, muft ferve our Purpnfe.

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 Dijfentcr in the buf.ntfs of Relipon. Which that (upon this prcfcnt Prorogation) it may be cafi: into this Model, I muft prefent the fame, yet in a little farther Explication,

There are two forts fwe all knov«) of the Prbteftant Dijjenters^ one that own th« Eftablilbcd Miniftry, and our Pari(h Congregations, and are in Capacity of Union upon that account, defiring it heartily upon condcfcenfion to them in fome fmall matters: The other, that own not our Churches, and fo are uiicapable of a Con-junftion, who do not, and cannot defire it, or fcclc it.

For the Owe^that which we propofe is a farther Latitude in the prefent Cooftituted Order, that fuch may be received, and this we call Cornershenfton^ or Accommodation. Let us fuppofe that nothing clfe were required of a IMan, to be a Minifter of a Parifh than tliere is to the Farifhioner to be a Member of a Purilh Church, as part of the National: If a perfon Baptifed will come to Church, and hear Common-Prayer, and receive the Sacrament, and does notliing \^orthy of Excommunication, he is, he may, he muft be received for a Parochial Member : In like manner, If a Minifter firft ordained (and fo fpz/cop.?///, or Ciajfcally approved for his Abilities for that fimftion) v\'ill but read the book of Liturgy, and Adminifter the Sacraments according to it, and does nothing v.hich deferves fufpcnfion fwe appeal to all this indifferently fober) why fliould not this fuif cc a Man, for the enjoying his Living, and ex-ercifing the Office unto which he is called ?

For the ofkr, there is indeed nothing can be done to bring thofe in, and joyn them with us in Parochial Union ^ yet is tliere this to be propofcd, that you bear with them, and not let any he perfecuted meerly for their Confciences^ and that we call Indulgence -or Toleration. If the Presbyterian now may be comprehended^ he will be fatisfied, to aft at his Miniftry without endeavouring any yJltcration other-wife of Epifcopacy : If the Congreiationalift be indulged^ he will be fatisfycd tho he be not Comprehended^ for that he cannot fubmit unto, and fo fhall there be no Difo-bligation put on any, but all be pleafed, and enjoy the eafe of this Bill. Let but the Grounds of Ccmprehenfion 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 are caft into one Scale, and others let alone to come of it, without perfccutiontoin-tlamethem, or preferment to encourage them (efpecially if one Expedient be ufed which Ihall not pafs unmentioned in the clofe, that fuch as came in may find it really better to tliem, to be a Prieft to a Tribe, than a Levite to a Family) we need not doubt but time the Mifircfs of the Wife and Unvvife, will difcover the peaceable I Hue of fuch Counfels.

And here let me paufc a little -, for metbiaks I fc; v.hat Iccfnles hang on the Fevei of the Parliament-Hoitfe at this Motion, what prejudices, I mean, and Imprcflions have been laid on the Members by former Afts, There was a fpeech delivered by the tlicn Chancellour in Chri/t-Churih Hail in Oxford^ to the Parliament there, and the Schollars alPcmbled, Wherein the Glory of contriving the Oxford-Oath^ and Confcquently of the like former Impolitions, was moll magnificently^ as well as fl'itefully enough arrogated to its proper Author. It was. it feems, the defigned Policy of that Great Man, to root thofc Pt inciples out of Men's mind^ upon which the late Wars .as he fupj-ofed) were buildcd, and he would de it by tiiis Invention, to wit, the Impolingupon them new Declarations^ Oaths and Suhfcriptions^ of a flrain framed contrary to thofe Principle?. 1 do remember now the fentence of Efdras to the Ap^'logue of the Angel, where the Woods and the Seas would encounter one another. F^rily (fin'she} it was a fooli/)jpurpofe -^ for the trees could notcf~.mcdown from the hills, nor the Waves get up from the fhoars. I muft fay the fame of this Policy. It was i e.illy 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, wr muft think it, we do believe it, we mult believe;t, notwitliftanding auy of thefe oritward Impolirions. The honeft Man indeed will refufe an Injunftion againit his Confcience, the knave will fwallow it, but both retain their Principles-^ which the Jaft will be the likeliell to put any villanous FraiHce on. On the Contrary, there is

nothing

Part Hi. Reverend Mr. R'ichard Baxter j:,45

nothing could be advifed more certain, to keep the Covenant, and fuch Principlci alive in Mens heart'*, and memories than this perpetual injoyning the Renunaution of it. Nor may yau wonder, if that Leflbn link deep into Men's flefh which you ' will tea.hthem with Brhrs and Thorns^ as Gideon taught the Men of tuccoth, Be-fides, it is the moft impoUtick thing that ever could liave been, for fuch Contents 3$ are of that dangerous Confequence to Majclly and the Government to have tlism once difputed, or brought into queltion, to be put into thefe Declarations, Oaths and Subfciiptions, v.'hich necelTitates the Examination of them to fo many. It was the wifdom of the Ancient Church, inftead of Contention about the Jewiih Ceremonies, to take care they might have an honourable burial : And I dare fay if than great Lord Chancellor had but put oft" his Cap to the Covenant, and bidden it a fair ■ Adieu only, he lliould have done more towards its Extirpation, than by all this iterated trouble to Men's Confciences. And if it (hall therefore pleafe the fucceeding JJinfters of our Sta'c, inftead of going to root out the Principles of hmovutwn which are 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 ns which make men willing to entertain fuch Principles, and dcfire Change; I fuppofe their Policy will prove the founder. The way to eftablilh the Throne of the King is this to mal^e it appear, that all thofe Grievances^ and all thofe Goud things which the People in the late times expefted to be removed^ or to ht obtained, by a Common Weulth or a Change of the Government, may be more elFedually accomplilhed by a Kin*^ in the Afts of his Parliament. ' ,

I am fenfibl- how my Threrrt rifeth upon me, and that I begin to fhoot wide • I take my Aim therefore again, and two things, in earnell, I would expefl from' this B;//, as the fumm of what is ueceiTary 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 ChanceUour Hide be totally expelled our Afts of Parliament. By thefirft^ I mean, that the Ceremonies in the ordinary Parifli Churches be left to the Liberty of the Minifter, to ufe, or ufe them not, according to his Confcience and Prudence toward his own Congregation : And by ihs 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 Ifliallcontentmy felf with a modeller motion, that whatfoever thefe Declarations be, that are required to be made, fuhfcnbed ov [worn, 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 tliis Expedient 1 gather from my Lord Cook, who hath providently as it were, againftfucha fealbn, laid in this oblervation : The form of the Subfcription fet down in the Canons, rati fed by King James, was not expreffed in-the -iii of the i ■^th of Elizabeth, Inftit. p. 4. c. 74. And Confequently if tlie Clergy injoyed this freedom untill then, in reference to the particulars thcrem contained, what liinders why they might not have the fame reltored, in reference alfo to others.?

It is true, that it may feem hard to many in the Parliament, to ««<io any thing therafelves have done .- But tbo this be no Rulcht Chrijlians, who are fometimes to repent as well as believe, if they be loth to repent any thing, what if they fhall only Interpret or Explain ? Let us fuppofe then fome Claufe in this Bill, or fome new Aft ior Explanations. If anv Nonconformift cannot come up to the full meaning and intent of thefe Injunctions rightly Explained, let him remain in ftatu quo, under the Hate only of Indulgence, without benefit of Comprehenfion; for io long as thofe who are not Comprehended, may yet injoy that eafe, as to be indulged in fome equal raealiireanfwcrableto his Majcftie's Declaration, whether Cowprt-kHyJo;/be large or narrow, fuch Terms as we obtain are pure Advantage, and fuch as wc obtain not are nolofs: But if any docs, and can honeftly agree to the whole fenfe the Parliament intends in fiKh Impohtions, why fhould there be any Obftnidtion for fuch a Man, tho he delivers himfelf in his own words, to be received into the Eftabliflied order with others ? Unlefs men will look on thefe Injunftions only to be contrived for Engines of Battery, to deftroy the Nonconformift: And not as InfrrumentsofV-nity, to edify the Church of God.

I will not leave our Congregational Brethren neither, fo long as I have fomcthing more that may be laid 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 refiife, but feek to be comprehended within the Church as National under hi* Majefty. I will

T t t t explain

eKpkiin my felt. The Church may be confidered as Vnivtrf.(\ and lb Chrift alone is the head of it, and we receive our Laws from him -, Or as FartiaiUr^ and fo the Palters arc Heads, Guides, or Bifhops over their relpective flocks, who are commanded therefore to obey them in the Lord: Or as National^ wliich is an accidental and external refpect to the Church of God, wherein the King is to be acknowledged the fupreme Head of it, and as I judge no othervvife: For thus alio runs the Itatute That our >ozrreign Lordjhall he taken and refuted the only fiqnrtie Head in Earth of the Church of England, called Fcclefia AngUcana. Now if it Ihould pleafe the King and Parliament, to allow and approve thefc >eprate Mietin^s^ and Stated Places for IVorfloi^^ by a Law, as His Majefty did by his Declaration, 1 mull profefs that, as fuch All'emblies by this means mufl: be conftituted immediately integral farts of the Church as National, no lefs than our Parilh Cougregations: So would the Congre-gate Churches (at Icaft 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 fay, for the fupreme coercive Governour of all (in this accidental regard) both to keep every feveral Congregation to that Gofpel-order themfelves profefs • and to f.ipeivifc their Confutations in things indifferent, that nothing be done but in fu-bordinatidn to ihc peace of the Kingdom.

Well, Let us fuppofe then a liberty for thefe feparate AlTcmblies under the vifita-tion of his Majefty and his Juftices, and not the Bilhops ^ I would fain know what were the Evil you can find in them. If it lie in any thing, it mufb be in that you call Sc'j//>«. Separation then let us know, in it felf fmiply confidered, is nothing, neither good, nor Evil. There may be reafon to divide or fe^.-,rax fome Chrifti-ans from others out of prudence, as the Cathechumens of old, from the fully infiruil-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 Divifiott then or Se'^,arati6n that is Schifm; but finful Divifton. 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 fcrving and worfhiping the only true God, and his Son, whom we"have generally received : And this Worfhip or Service, in the nature or it being intrinfecally good, and the external Order (fuch as that of time and place, and the like Circumftances ' being properly under his Jurifdic'lion, it hath feemed to Hie hitherto, that unlefs there was fomething in that order or way prefcribed which is fmful, and that required too as a Condition of that Communion, there is no Man could refufe his attendance on thefe Parochial Aflemblies, without the fin of Difobedience, and confequently his feparation thereby becoming finful, proves Schifr.i: But if the Scene be altered and thefe feparate Aflemblies made Lcj^al^ the Schifm, in reference to the National Church, upon the fame account, does vanifh. Schifm is a feparation from that Church whereof w« oi'.^ht or are bound to be Members : if the fupreme Authority thcnloofe our obligation to the Parifh-Meeting, fo that we are bound no longer, the iniquity (I fay, upon this account) is not to be founds and the Schifm gone. Lo here, a way opened for the Parliament (i^ they pleafe) to rid the Trouble and Scruple of Schifm (at once) out of the Land. If they pleafe not, yet is there fomething to bethought on for the Separsitift in a way of/ofiwr-ance^ that the innocent Chriftian, at leaft, as it was in the time of Tm/.jm, may not be fouiht out unto Punijhment: Efpecially when fuch a tokratisn only is dcfired, as is confillent with the Articles of Faith^ a Good I.ife^ and the Govern ent of the Nation.

And now I turn me totlie Houfes. My Lords and Gentlemen! I will fuppofe you honell perfons, that would do as you would be done unto ^ that would not wrong anyj or if you did, would make them recompense. There hath been very hard Acls palfed, which when the Bills were brought in, might haply look fmooth and fair to you ^ but you faw not the Covert Art, fccrct Machination, and purpofe-ly contrived fnares againft one whole Party. If fuch a form of. words would not, another (hould do their bufinefs. By this means, you in the firft place, your fclves, fonicof you wercoverftript: Multitudes difpoireft of their Livings : The Vine-vard Let out to nthers.ThcLordJefus^the Mjflxf of ir deprived of many of his/.i/fib-ful Labourers: And the poor fhecp('.\hat had they done?) bereft of their accumflomed fpiritual food, to the hazard of their Eternal Souls. Among many Arguments therefore for Liberty in other Papers, from Policy^ Convenience^ Reapm ofState^ and Ktafon of Religion^ I have this one to offer you of a more binding Nature, an Argument from Jj</?/fe, Righteoufnefs^ and Reftitiition to the Difpluced. It is true, that

the

the places they once bad, arc filled, aad difpofed : but there are others enough. There arc many of thofc, who poflTcfs theirs, doalfokeep their ov?n^ and keep more. There are mmy who ar2Cii>25tr, D:ar-, Prebendaries.^ thit arc alfo P.rfons., ReClors Vicars:, who have BeiieHcc^ and Honours by heaps, and by the budi^l. If it (hall pleafe you therefore in thh^fV/on the Anvil, or in another, to take Cognizance of Plnrjltties., that, for the preventing an Idle, Scandalous, Covctoufly overgrown unprofitable Miniftery, every Man who hith more than one Care'of Souls, or one Dignity, fln'l givetheniup intoa pnblic'< /lock, or to a general Diftribution you Ihall d;^ the Church right, and the Ejc'^cd right, you fhall give f ;ch Drones'thcir Due, and God his Due, and ftrcw the way by this means for the miking your Grace intended in this Biil, of fignification. In the Name of God, Sirs, let me move you to this, if it were only f-fac vice., for a prcfent needful Conjundiori of us at this fea-fon. Wc fee the )a\vs of Popery, and the Seftary opening upon us, if the fobcr Proteltant Intereft be not united, we perifh. I know who will be ready to ftamp here and throw dull in the Air, for it is thefe Sons of the ^o-fc-Lcc:h^ whofe voice is fixWGtveGive., that will never be contented with a fingle portion. A Drgmty therefore with a Living let them be allowed: but one Dignity and one Cwe of Souls fhould be all, tho they cut themfelves with Lances. It is this damn'd hard objeftion at the bottom, the Priefrs Covctoufnefs and Corniption, rather than their Difpute about things indiiFerent, 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 timo was a great change of Affairs in Scotland-., their Parliament concurring with this of England., in diftafting the prefent Councils and Proceedings fbut not fo much Proclaiming the danger of Popery, as Aggravating the Burdens and Grievances of the People, againfl: the great Commiffioner the Duke of L.wde'-d.iil: ) So that Duke Hamilton became the Head of the Oppolition, and moil of the Nobility and Commons adhered to him, and were againfl D. of Laude-rdail -. 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 refpect, fharply rebuked him aad their Proceedings, and fluck clofe to D. Lauderdail againfl all oppofition.

§ 254. At lafl D. Laudo-diil found the way to turn their own Engin againfl themfelves, and v.-hereas many of their Grievances had been fettled by themfelves by Art of Parliament (while they were niled by him), he acquainteth the Kins how hea^;^' and unfuffcrable they were, and fo the King, by a Letter, releafeth t':cm : And among their burdens was a great income fettled upon D. Han:ilton for fome fervice, Lofs or Loan to the King, by his PredeccfTors, which he that had complained of Gricv.nces was now to lofc by the King removing the Grievances: Whereupon he profciied th-t he lud been fliU ready to remit thofe Revenues ■., but he could not do it in this way of a Letter againfl a Law,lefl by the fame way another Letter fhould take awiv the rcfl of his Eflate .- And he got the hands of Lawyers to teltify it was againfl Law, and fent it to the King, who in dif^^lcafure rejefted his Narrative, and fo the Diflention in Scotland iuCTcafed.

^ 265. At this time ( pril \6-!.^.) God hath fo much increafed my Languifhing, and laid me fo low, bv an iuceflant inflation of my head, and tranflation of rny great';atulency thirher to the Nerves and Members, increafing thefcten 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 b? befb at 'ail ? Experience caufeth me to fay to his praife. Great peace have they that love his Law, and nothing fhall offend them; And tho my ficfh and heart do fail, God is the Rock of my heart and my portion for ever.

§ 266. A'' this time came out my Book called, Tfce poor Afan's Family Bool •.,vih\ch theremembran:e of the great ufe of Mr. Dents Plain A fan's path Tray to Heaven (now laid bv) occalioned me to write, for poor Countrey Families who cannot buy or read many Books.

§ 16-:. I will not here pafs by the Commemoration of one among many of th? worthy filcnccd Minilcrs of London., that fuch Examples m.ay provoke more to fome imitation, "'/t. Mr. Thnrnas Gouge: He is the eldefl Son of old Dr. William Cov.ge Deceafed : He was Paflor to that great Parifh called Sepulchres ; whence he

T 111 z was

was e'lefted, with the refc of his brethiea at tlie time when the reltored Prelatej aded like themfelves. I never heard any one peribn, of what rank, fort or fed fo-cvcr, fpeak one word to hisDiflionoar, or Name any fault that ever they diar^ed on his I ife or Dodrine, no not the Pielatills themfelves/ave onlv tliat he conforin-ed not to their Impofitions, and that he did fo much good with fo great Induftiy : Godblelfcd him with a good Eitate, and he liberally ufed it in works of Charity ; When the fire confumed much of it, and when he had fettled his Children, and his wife was taken from him by Death ^ of an hvaidrcd and fifty pound a year that he had left, he gave an hundred of it to charitable ufes. tlis daily work is to do all the good he can,with as great diligence and conftancy as other Men labour at thtirTrades-. 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 to perfwade and urge them-, He colledeth moneys of all that he can prevail with, and travelleth himfelf (tho between 60 and 70 years old) mto Wales Winter and Summer, and difperfeth the money to the poor labouring perfecuted Minifters: He hath fettled himfelf in the chief Towns of li'ales 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 pradical Books, and giveth them freely throughout Wjles^ (at his own charge) .• And when I do fomethingof the like by mine, he undertaketh the Diltribution of them : He preacheth inlFiiks himfelf till they drive him from place to pkce by perfecution ; when he returneth home, he vifiteth the Pvifoncrs, and helpeth them to books, and preacheth repentance to them : The poor and the ignorant are thofe that lie liveih lor, doing good to Soul and Bodv daily, fave that he Solicitcth the PJch to contribute to fuch ufes. The reading of Mr. Jcf. Allen's Life hath raifed his RefoliVLion and Adivity to fuch a Courfc of Life, which was far higher than other Mens before.

^ 268. Mr. fhcrlocFs book before mentioned making a great noife, and h; and the Author of the fober Inquiry, and others of them, when they reproach^ ^:her Nonconforraifis being plcafed to put in fome Exceptions of me by Name, I thought my felf the more obliged to difown their Mifcarriages. And I firft in Difcourfe fought to convince Mr. Sheiock ^ and left: he (hould not either underftand or report me aright (Writings being furer Vindications than Memory) I feat him fome Aai-inadverfions, which have fmcebeen Printed.

§ i6p. My old friend Dr. Thomas Good now publilhed a book called, Duhit.mtius and Ftr -i.mus. ugainft Atheifm, Infidelity, Pcpery, and then Presbytery, Ind.-pen-dcncy, and Anabsptiflry ^ very fupcrficial: He was formerly indeed a profelfed ■ re-latift, but moderate, and himfelf never hindered from his Miniitcrial work and maintenance, and ioyned with us in our Difputations at f'edermirtfler, and our Concord in rrVtc.^tryZ.jVc among the difienting parties. Yet being Canon of Hereford and Mr. of Baliol Colhdge in Oxford (tho old, waiting for more) he aflertcd in his Book, that thev were confeiTed things indifferent that we refufed Conformity for and that all the Nonconformlfts (without Exception) had a hand in the late King's Death, on? ^^'-n' or other,by Confcntjd'c. The Impudency of which affertion moved mc to wiite the Couiradidion here adjoined.

To my Reverend Friend Dr. Gooi, Mr. of Baliol Coledge

in Oxford.

Revercud and Worthy Si)\

TT is now about a Month lincc 1 received a Letter from you for the furthering of a good work, which I fent to Mr. foleji by his Son Mr. Paul F. not having opportunity mv felr to fit him : I have Hayed fo long for an Anfwer, not hearing yet from him, th.at I thi.^k 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 thofs hours when I amconft:rained to be in bed. But I have reafon to

Coa-

Coujefture tiiac hi a AnHver will be i. That the Rich mzn whnfe ]^ldsmenL^ arc tor Contormic/,ai-e far more iS!am:rons thaa thof^ of aaother mind, and therefore fitter Lo promote thnt work : And there are fo very few that do any thing for the ejected Minillers, that iomc of them live oa brown bread and water, which hin -dereth thefe Gentlemen from other kind of Charitable works, i. And I mufl crav.-r your patience ( being confident , by your ancient kindnefs , of your friendly Interpretation ) while I tell you, tlut this day I lieard one fay, we can expeftthat Dr. Good do make his Scholars no better than himfelf: And what rcafon have we to maintain and breed np Men, to ufe us as hehirh done in his late Treatife. I i:,otthe book, and was glad to find much good, anl feveral moderate palTagesin it (And I knew you fo well, that I could not but e^pecl moderation) : Hut when I peruled 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 J confefs they furpriz-ed me—-Tho at the fame time I received many new books of a fanguine Completion firom other hands without Admiration.

I. The firfl pallage referred to waspag. 104. CfF^/cfc are cmfejfedly things indiffer-c;it~\. Thisisfpoken indefinitely of the Presbyterians : Where have! lived ? I know not one Presbyterian living that divideth from you for any thing which he confefleth indifferent : I crave your Anfwer containing the proof of this; At leafl: to name fomeoneof them that we may reprove him. We take conformity to be fo far 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 lelb it (hould difaffed the people to the Miniltry of the Conformifts.

II. Your pag. 156. I pafsby: The main matter is pag. 160. \6\. that tho [_All the Nonconformijls were not in ABual ^ '.rms againft the King nor did they all as natural /Agents cut off his head ^ but morally^ that is^ very /in fully and mchedly, they had their handftained with that Royal blood: For whofoever did Abet thefe Sons of Belial in their Rehelhons^ Treafom^ A Murders of their King and fellow Sub'jefls^ either by confenting to their I'illanies^ P'^^i fo^ ^'■'C"' Profptrity^ praifing Cod for their Succeffes^ &c. The Charge is high : If it be not true. i. They are almoft as deeply wronged as you can wrong tl^m. 2. Our Rulers are wronged by being fo provoked to abhor them. Silence and Deftroy them. 3. Pofterity is wronged by a mifinformiug Hiftory.

I. You are too old to be ignorant, that it was an Epifcopal and Eraftian Parliament of Conformifts, that firft took up thofe Arms in England againft the King ; The Membsvs yet living profefs that at that time they knew but one Prcsbyrorian in the Houfe of Commons -. Intcreft forced or led them to call in the Scots, and Presbytery cime in with them. If you doubt of it, fee the Propofitions to tha King at Nottingham^ where a Limited Epifcopacy is one.

II. The Lord Lieutenants that feizcd on the Militia were far moft Conformifts, and fcarce 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, dcboift. 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 alTembly at Weflminfler^ when they went thither were all Conformifts, fave about 8 or 9 and the Scots CommifFioners.

VI. One of the two Arch-Bi(hops was a General in the Parliament's Army.

VII. Many of the prefent Conformable Miniftcrs werein Arms againft the King, and fome wrote for his Death, and many of them took the Covenant and Engagement.

viir.

^o The LI F E of the Part ill

VIII. The moft of the conformable Gentry of my acquaintance that were put upon it, took the Engagement againll the King and Houfc of Lords.

IX. The Non-conformable Minifters of Gloncefierjhkr (Mr. Geery^ Mr. Ca^ell^ Mr. '■ arfhall^ &c. ) were againit the Parliament's War, though the Parliament's Garrifon was over them. Mi". Bampfield ( who hath lain 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 tliis day ( evea while he lay in Jail ) he molt 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. Comnt ( lately one of them ) and others in Oxford^ and fo in other parts.

XI. Some of the Non-conformifbs were in the King's Army : Poor Martm of IVcv-den loft an Arm in his Army, and yet the other Arm lay long with him in Warwick Jail for Preaching.

XII. Almoft all the Non-conformifts of my acquaintance in En£land^ favc Independents and Seftarics, refufcd the Engagement, and took Cmnmfl and the Com-mon-wealth-Pavliament for Ulurpers, and never approved what they did, nor ever kept their dales of Fafting or Tliauksgiving. ( To tell you of the London Mini-ilers printed Declarations againft the intended Death of the King, you will fay i; unfatisfaftory, becaufe too late.)

Xni. Moft of the Non-conformable Minifters, of my acquaintance, were either boys at School, or in the Univerfity, in the Wars, or never medled with it: fo that I muft profefs that fetting them altogether, I do not think that one in ten throughout the Kingdom can be proved to have done iany of thefe things that you name, againft the \< ing.

XIV. We have oft with great men put it to this trial. Let them give leave but to fo 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 tlie Mafters of the Principles that the War was raifed on,(5/7/oM,JeiPf/,&c.) ( and Hooker (quite beyond them all ? )

XVI. Br.t 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. Amhrofe -^ .''■''f, i*^Ir. Kimhtrky^ Mr. LoveU^ Mr. Com^Jcr, Mr. Reignalds^ Mr. Hichnan^ ^{\\Tru(hum^lAr. BMmn\, lenior, Mr. Baldwin^ junior, Mr. Sergeant^ Mr. Waldern ( dead, ) Mr. Jof. Baker^ (der.d,) Mr. IViUhy^ Mr. Brian^ Mr. Stephen B.txter, Mr. Budlcul^ Mr. Bitkber, Mr. Ecde/h-ill^ Mr. Read^ Mr. Rod, Mr. Fimher, of IVedbury, Mr. IVills of Bre ■ i/hvv^ Mr. Pafton, &c. I pafs by many more. And in Shropjiire by old Afr. Sanr. HilderfhAm, old Mr. Sam. Ft(her, Mr. Talmts, Mr. Brian of Shreusbury, Mr. Bnrttet, Mr. AVfim^, Mr. 5«'ry, Mr. .\fA'dcc\oX Newport, MwJho.U'rij^ht fdead, ) Mr. Ttylof, \-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 Mr.Fifher, and fomc few) they were not ejcif^ed, but enjoyed their places •, And did notion as well as they ? If I can name yon fo many of your Neighbours that were innocent, will yon tcU the King and Parlian-.cnt, and the Pipift?, and Poftcrity, that all the Non-conformifts ( without any exception ) had their hands ft.iined with the Royal blood • What! Mr. Cooke of Cheiler, and Mr. Birch, .^c. tlut were imprifoned and perfccuted for the King / What ! Mr. Gcery that died at the news of the King's Death ? What! Sir Francis Netherfok, and Mr*, Bell his Paftor ) who wrote fo mrc'i againft the Parliament, and was their prifoner

at

at Kmchvorth Caftic almoil all the Wars. What may wc expedc from others, when

Dr. Good fliall do thus 1 put not in any Excufc for my felf amoijg all thefe. It

may be you know not that an Aliembly of Divines ( twice met) at Covmme (of whom two Doftors and fomc others are yet living ) firft fent me into the Army to hazard my life, ( after Nashy Fight ) againfl: the Courfe which we then firll perceived to be defigned againll the Kiflg, and Kingdom j nor what I went through there two years in oppoling it, and drawing the Soldiers off: Nor how oft I Preached againlt Cumwd, the Rump, the Engagement, but fpecially their Wars, and Falh, and Thankfgivings: Nor what I faid to Cromwd for the King ( never but twice fpeaking with him, ) of which a Great Privy Counfellonr told me but lately, that being an Ear-witnefs of it, he had told his Majelly. But yet while I thought they went on Bilfone's, Principles, I was then on their fide, and the Obfervator ( P^-rkcr ) almoll tempted me to Hooker\ Principles, but I quickly faw thofe Reafons againlt them, v/hich 1 have fince publilhed. His Principles were known by the firfl: Book,before the laft came out, And I have a friend that had his laft in /w. S. But I am willing unfeignedly to to be one of thofe that fhall contiue Silenced, if you can but procuje leave to Preach Chrift's Gofpel only for thofe that are no mor^ 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 you will but fo long put your felf as in our Cafe, I fhall hope that with patience you will read thefe Lines, and pardon the neceflary freedom of

Yo«r truly Loving friend and obliged Servant,

Lmdon^ Feb. lo. 1673. Rich. Baxter.

§. 270. Taking it to be ray duty to preach while Toleration doth continue,' I removed the laft Spring to London^ where my Difeafcs inaeafing, 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 Ledure, and an Afternoon Sermon on the Lord's dales 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, i. Bccaufe of the notorious Neccflity of the people : for it was noted for the habitation of the moil ignorant, Atheiftical and Popifh about London^ and the grcatnefs of the Parifh of St. Aiartins^ made it im-poflible for the tenth ( perhaps the twentieth ) perfon in the Parifh to hear in the Pa-rifh-Church ^ And the next Parifhcs St.G'/fcj, and Clement Damn)'v}tTz almoft in the like cafe-, Befides that the Parfon of our own Parifh, (St. 6;7a) where I lived, ^ / Preached not, having been about three years fufpended by the Bifnop ah Officio^ hal]/*^ ^^ not a bmefido^ upon a particular Qiiarrel: And to leave ten or twenty for one rmtaug'.^t in the Parilh, while moll of the City Churches alfo are burnt down, and unbuilt, one would think, fhould not be juftified by Chriftians, 2. Bccaufe, beyond my cxpedation, the people generally proved exceeding willing and attentive and tradable, and gave mc great hopes of much fuccefs.

§. 271. Yet at this time did fome of the moft Learned Conformifts alfault me with fliarp accufations of Schifm, meerly bccaufe I ccafcd not to Preach the Gofpel of Chrift to people in fuch necelFity. They confefs that I ought not to take their Oaths, and make their impofcd Covenants, Declarations and Subfcriptibns againft my Confciencc ^ but my Preaching is my liu which I muft forbear, ( though they accufc mc not of one word that I fay. ) .They confefs the forefaid Matters of fed, ( that not one of a multitude can poffibly hear hi the Parifh Churches, through the grcatnefs of fomc Parifhes, the lowncfs of the Minifter's voices, and the paucity of Churches fince the burning of the City: ) And they confefs that the knowledge of the Gofpel is ( ordinarily ) ncLelTary to falvation, and teaching and hearing neceflary to knowledge ^ and that to leave the people untaught ( efpccially where fo many are*fpcaking for Athcifm, Bcalliality, and Infidelity ) is to give them up to Damnation : But yet they fay that to do fo is my duty, bccaufe the Bilhop is againft my Preacliing: And I ought to reft fatisficd that it is the Bifhop, and not not I, that muft anfwer for their Damnation. Alas poor Souls ! Muft they needs be damned by thonfand'i, without making any qucftion of it? as if all the qucftion were, who Ihould anfwer for it. 1 will not believe f«ch cruel mcD

I

1 undertake to prove to them to them, i. That cur Zk^/{/Z) Species of X'ioctfm prelacy and Lay Chonccllonrs power of the Keys, is contrary to God's Werd, and deftaiftive of true Difcipline, and of the Church form and Offices inftituted by ; Chrift. 2. That were th.c Ofti.es Lawful, the men have no true calling to it, being not chofen or confentedio by the Clergy, or the People. 3. That if their Calling v?ere coed they have no power to forbid the prefent Silenced Minillers to Preach the Gofpel' ( but thereby they ferve Satan againft Chrift and Men's falvation.) Faul liimfelf had his power to edification, and not to dellruftion : And Chrift the Saviour of the World, giveth his Minifters only a {living power, and to none 3 power to famidi and damn the people's Souls 4. That we are Dedicated as Mi-' nillers to the Sacred Ofiicc, and it is Sacriledge in our fclvcs or others, to alienate us from it while we are not unfit or unable for it. 5. That we are Charged (as well as 7)mothy ) before God and the Lord Jefus ChriR,who fhall judge the quick and the Dead at his appearing, that we Preach the Word, and be in feafon, and out ef feafon, reprove, rebuke, exhort, &c. 6. That the Ancient Paftors for many Hundred years did Preach the Gofpel againft: the Wills of their Lawful Prince? both Heathens and Ariians. 7. Thar the*Bilhcp hath no more power to forbid us to Preach, than the King hath: And thefe men confefs that Minifters unjuftly Silenced may Preach againfl: the Will of Kings ( but not, fay they ofBifhops. ; 8. That were vte Lay-men vve might teach and exhort fas Laymen, 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 Members, it will notexcufcus to fay-, that the Biffiop forbad us: That if King, or Biftiop forbid us to feed our Children, or to favc the lives of drowning, or fa-milhing 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 5ouls being greater Objcfts of Charity than Bodies. 5). That it was in a Cafe of Phari-faical Church Difcipline, ( when Chrift avoided tiot converfe with finncrs when their good required it) that Chrift fent the Pharifecs to learn what thismeaneth, 1 will have mercy and not facrifice : and at two feveral times repeateth the fame words. 1 o. That Order is for the thing Ordered and it's ends; and a power of Ordering Preachers is not a power to depofe necellary Preaching and famifli Souls. II. And 1 ftiewthem that I my felf have the Licenfe of the Biftiop of this Diocefs, as well as Epifcopal Ordination;, and that my Licenfe is in force and not recalled': 12. And that I have the King's Licenfe. 13. And therefore after all this, to obey thefe Silencers ( nay no Biihop doth forbid me, otfcerwife than as his Vote is to the Afts of Parliament, which is as Magi ft rates, ) and to fulfill their vnW 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 Coinfortable Labours, in obeying the Devil the Enemy of Chrift and Souls • which God forbid.

^, 27^. Yet will not all this fatisfic thefe men, but they cry out as the Papijls^ Schirm,Schifm, unlefs we will ceafc to Preacli the Gofpel : And have little to fay for all but that No fockty can be governed, if the Rulers be not the 'Judge, Yet dare they not deny but a "judgment ofd'tjcernmg duty fromfm^ bclongcth to all Subjects ^ or clfe we are Brutes, or muft be Atbeifts, idolaters, Blafphemers, or what ever a Bifnop Iball command us. But under the Cenfures of thefe unrcafonable Men, who take our gvcateft Duties for our litinous fin, muft we patiently ferve our Lord : But his approbation is our full reward.

§. 273. On July ^th ( 1674. ) at our Meeting over St, Jamfah Market-houfc, See more God vouchfafed us 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 voom thinking it was falling: But rcmcrabring the like at Dut^ans Weft, I rc-NVife's proved their ircar ascaufelefs. But the next day taking up the boards we found ^''^^'^' that two rends in the Beam, were fo great, that it was a wonder of providence that the floor had not fain, and the roof with it, to the deftrudtion of multitudes. The Lord make usthankftil.

S. 274-

§. 2^4. A psvfon unknovyn profcffing Infidelity ( but wbether an Infidel, or a iugling Papilt, 1 know not ) fent me a Manufcript, called Examen Scriptwcc^ cbarg-iog Scripture with Immorality, Fallhoods, and Contradictions, from the beginning to the end and with feeming Serioufnefs and Refpeclfiilnefs importuned me to An-fwer him. 1 was ia fo great pain and weaknefs ( and engaged in other work ) that 1 fent him word that I had not time or ftrength for fo long a Work._ He fciedled about a Dozen Inftances, and defired my Anfwer to them ; I gave hun an Anfwcr to them and to fome of his General accuf^tions ^ but told hira. That the ratioual Order to' be followed by a Lover of Truth, is firft to confider of the proofs brought for Chriftianity, before we come to the Objeclions aganft it: And I proved to him that Chrijlianity was proved tnic many years before any of the New Teftament was Written , and that fo it may be ftill proved by one that doubted of fome words of the Scripture •, and therefore the tme order is, to try the truth of the Chrtfiian Religion firit, and the perfect Verity of all the Scriptures afterw^ards. And therefore Importuned him firft to Anfwer my Book, called, The Reafons of the Clntftian Religion ^ and then if 1 lived , I would anfwer his Accufations. But I could not at all prevail with him, but he ftill infifted on my Anfwering of his Charge. And half a year ( or more ) after , he fent me a Reply to the Anfwer which I had haftily given him .■ And though he before profefTed, that none in the World but I and his fervant knew of it, yet accidentally, by fpeech with Dr. Stil-lingficet , I nnderftood that the fame M. S. was fent to him: Therefore I fent him the Reply to mine ^ and defired him, feeing he had more ftrength and leifure, to aofwer alltogether for himfelf and me, and then 1 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 moft of the Richer fort f fpeically the Women,) moft of the Congregation were young men, of the moft capable age, who heard with very great Attention , and many that had not come to Church of many years , received fo much, andmanifefted fo. great a Change ( fome Papifts, and Divers others returning publick Thanks to God for their Con-verfton) as made all my Charge and Trouble «afie tome. 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 Inliabitants aflured me, that fome of the fame perfons wifht my Death ^ Among the ruder fort, a common Reformation was notifyed in the place, in their Coii-verfation as well as in their Judgments.

§,276. But Satan, the Enemy of God and Souls, did quickly ufe divers means to hinder me : i. By Pevfecution, 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 WiUiant Poultney^ a juftice near, upon the Aft againft Conventicles : Sir WiUiam dealt fo wifely and fairly in the bufinefs, as fruftrated the Informer's firft attempts (who offered his Oath againft me,) And before he could make a fecoixi Attempt, Ux.David Llaydiyht Earl of St.Man\ Bayliff) and other Inhabitants,fo fearch't after the quality of the Informer, and profecuted him ( to fecure the Parifti 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-Ad: of Confinement, was the firft profecuted upon the Aft of Conventicles,after the Parliament's Condemning the King's Declaration and Licenfes to Preach.

§. 2-77. But fhortly after the Storm grew much greater .- The great Minifters of State had new Confultations •• The Duke of Lauderdatl^ the Lord Treafurer, (Sir Ttowds Osborne^ made Earl of Danty,) The Lord Keeper ( Sir Heneage Ftnch,) the Bifhop oUllnchepr (Dr. Morley) and the Biihoii o{ Salisbury(DvWard^^^ic. 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 Bilhops Up to London, to give him Advice what was to be done for the feairing of 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 Licenfes , and put the Laws in Execution. Which was done by a Declaration and Proclamation, Declaring the Licenfes long fince void, and requiring th^Acecuti-on of the Laws againft Papifts f moft largely mentioned ) and Conventicles. No fooner was this Proclamaiion p\ihlilhed,but fpecial Informers were feton Work

U u u » to

to Afcertain the Execution ; and I muft here alfo be the firft that muil be Ac-aiied.

§, 278. A litlc before the King had Recalled his Licenfcs, knowing on what A^ccnfations they would proceed, according to the Act of Uniformity- I did, to Obviate the Accufation, deliver, in Words and Wvitinsr, this following Profefll-on, {^Thfugh when J began to Freacb in this phtce, J puhlti-klyjrofcjjcd , That it rvas the notorious Necejf.ty of the Feopk^ vho are more than the Fuvifli-Church can hold, tpvkh moved me thereunto, and that we Meet nat in Cppofiticn to, or Uparaion from the Publick Churches; yet perceiving that ly fome rve are mifwJerflood, I repeat the fame Frofejfion .- y^nd that we Meet not under colour or pretence of any Religioiu Exerctfc in other manner , than according to the 1 iturgy and Praffice of the Church of England .• y^'ffd that vere / able, J would accordingly Read ny Self. 3 For the r.nderllanding of this, it nii'.ft be known, i. That being my Self unable both to Read and Preach, 1 had «n Afiiftant, who daily Read the Script•;rc-Sentcnccs, the 95th Ifalm , the Pfahns for the Day , the two Chapters for the Day, Singing the Pfulms appointed for Hymns , nfing the Lord\ Prayer , the Creed , and the Decalogue •, all which is the Greatefl part of the Liturgy, though none of the Common Prayers were nfed. 2. That I forbear the v.fe of much of the Common Prayer, which I think lawful and good, meerly bccaufe many of the Nonccnformifts could not. bear it. 3. That the Aft againfl: Conventicles pii-nifheth none but C_f/;o/e that meet on colour , or pretence of any Religions Exercifi- in other manner than according to the Liturgy and pradice of the Church 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 Profcffion, as Preparatory to my An-fwer before the Magiflrate ; not expefting that any fuch m.eans Ihould free me from fuffering in the leafl; degree, but that it fhould conduce to the cle.ii ing of my Caufe when I Suffered. But, upon this Paper, thofe that are unable, or unwilling to fufpend their Cenfures, till they underftand the Carifc , and that cannot underlland Words in their plain and proper fignification, but according to their own Preconceptions, did prcfently divulge, all orer the Land, many falfc Reports of it and me: The Separatifts gave out prefently. That 1 had Conformed, and openly declared my AflTent and Confent, &c. And fo conudently did they affirm it, that almoll all the City believed it: The Prelatifls again took the Report from them, and their own willingncfs that fo it (hould be, aud reported the fame thing : In one Epifcopal City they gave Thanks in Publick that I Conformed : In many Counties, their News was. That I moff- certainly Conformed, and v.'as tliereupon to have a Bifhoprick ( which, if I fhould, I had done foolillv-ly in lofmg Thirteen years Lordlbip and Profit, and then taking it when I am dying. ) This was divulged by the Conformifts, to fortifie thcii Pany in the Conceits of their Innocency, and by the Separates, in Spleen and Qr.arrelfomc 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 v.as fent to Gaol fornotConforming.

§. 279. Not long before this, having Preached at Pinners-HaW for Love and Peace, divers falfe Reports went currant among the Scparatifls, and from tlicm to other Nonconform ills, that I Preached againft the Imprti'.rion ot Chrift's Righte-oufncfs, and for Juftification by our own Righteoufnefs, and that the Papifts and Proteflants dilTer but in Words, <irc. So that 1 was conftraincd topublifli the truth of the Cafe, in a (beet of Papei", called, Jn Jppeal to the Light. Which , though it evinced the falfhood of their Reports, and no one Man did ever after jullifie them, that ever 1 could hear of, yet did they perfevcre in their General AccuHition ; and I had Letters from feveral Countries, that the London Acaifers had Written to them, that 1 had both in the Sermon, and in that Paper, called, y'n ylppeal to the Light, done more to Jlrengthen Popery, than ever rra^ done by any Pa-pjjli. This was the reward of all my Labours, from the Separating Independents.

§, 280. So finfully ready are Men to receive falfe Reports, that many of fober Principles, and fomc of my mofl intimate Friends, believed them, and were ready to fccond the Defamation.- But when-evcr they came to mc, and debated the Cafe, a^heard mc fpeak, every Man of them confefTcd their Error, and Mifun-derftanMg. The fecrct fomcnters of the Accufing Reports and Qiiarrcls, did it with fuch Privacy and Caution as befeeraed Wife Men : But the open Backbiters

biters r.'ere efpecially Ibme very few more iMiniftefs, accounted earuelt jiiax,oa> McQ.- IVut the Women, and Independent Men were the chief.

§. 231, This greatly rejoyced the Perfecuting Prelatifts, and, i. They hence inferred. That tlie Nonconformiils vv^re as bad a People as they had reported them, and tliat whatever was thought judicious, or Moderate, in any of niy Writings, Preaching, or Converfation, the Nonconformiils had no right to anv Imputation of it, or Reputation by it, bccaufe 1 was one that they difowned : a.Thcv would hence have drawn me otF from the Nonconfornulls, telling me, That 1 was v.crfc fpoken of, and ufcd"by fuch, than i)y th«Prelatilts. Tolwth which 1 anfweixd , r. That they knew not the Nonconform)If s fo well as I .- and that tho' tlie Lo«i(JK-Scparatifts, and a few other weak and pafl'ionate pcrlbns, made all this noife, yet the generality of the IMinillers and fo!)er People, efpccialiy in the Coiintrey, were of my mind : 2.. That all this Ccnfure and Clamour was a very fmall thing, in comparifonof what I fuffcredby the Bilhops, whohadthefc 13 year'^, if not more , deprived me of all Miniltevial Maintenance, and alfo forbidden me to Preach Chrift's Gofpel, though 1 did it vathcut 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, I was thus murmured at by Backbiters Seftaries aad Prelatifts, when the King's Liceiifcs vvere recalled as aforefaid, I wasThe firft that was appre-. bended by Warrant and bi-ought before the Jufliccs as a Convcnticler. One Keting^ an ignorant fellow , had got a Warrant, as Bayliffand Informer, to fearch after Conventicles ( Papifts and Proteftants ) wliich he profecuted with great animofity and Violence: Having then left St. .7<jmej's (the Leafcof theHoufe being out) 1 Preached only on Thurfdays at Mr. lurner^ ^ and by the Act I am to be Judged by a Juftice of the City, or Divifion where I Preach , but to be diftreined on by Warrant froni a Juftice of the Divifion or County where I live. So that the Preaching-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 ^ Therefore he went to the Juftices of the County, who lived near me, and one Sir 'john Medlieot^ and Mr. Bmfiet ( Brother to the Lord Arl'mpon) ignorant of the Law herein, gave their Warrant to apprehend rac, and bring rac before them, or fome dther of His Majefty's Juftices : The Conftable and Informer gave me leave to choofc what Juftices I would go to. I went with them to feek 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 vaia : But I ufed the Informer kindly , and fpike that to him , which Ms Confcience ( tho' a very ignorant fellow ) did not well digeft. The next day I went with the Conftable and him to Sir William Feultncy^ vvlio made him flicw his Warrant, which was ligned by Henry Moimtague ( Son to the late worthy Earl of Mavxhcftcr) as BaylifF of Wejiminjler ^ Enabling him to Search after Mafs-Priefts and Convcnticlcrs ^ but I hear of no Mafs-Priefts fave one that was ever medled with to this Day ; and that one delivered ( as we all defired.) Sir Willi-im ftiewcd him, and all the Company, in the Aft, that none but a City-Juftice had Power to Judge me for a Sermon Preached in the City ^ and fo the Informer was defeated .• As I went out of the Houfc I met the Countefs of Warrciclt^ and the Lady Incy Afomtugile^ Sifter to the faid Mr. Hemy*Mount ague ^ and told tlKm of the Cafe and Warrant, who affured me. That he whofc Hand was at it, knew nothing of it-, and fome of them fent to him, and A'cfm/s Warrant was called in within two or tlwee days. But it proved thar one Mr. Bar-wci/, Sub-Baylilf of ir>/f'»>"H/f>•, was 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 be might gain by it .• And Barrvell ftiarply Chid Keting for doing his work with me no more skilfuUy : And the Lord'|# Arlington moft (harply Chid his Brother for gi-anting his Warrant: And within A few days Mr. Barwell riding the Circuit, was caft by his Horfe, and died in the very Fall. And Si» John Medlicot^ and his Brother, a few weeks after, lay both dead in his Houfe toge-tlier. Shortly after Keting came fcveral 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 Hundred pounds he would have of the City-Juftices for refnfing him Juftice. At laft he found me within, and would have fal'n down on his knees to rac, and

U u u u 2 ask't

askt me earnelliy to forgive him : I askt him wliat had changed his mind: He told me that his Coiifcience had no peace from the h6ur that he t(-oubled me ^ And thar it incieafed his Difquist that no juftice vvoul^hear, nor one Confcable of forty execute the warrant, and all the people cryed out againft him -, But that which fet home was Mr. Bi/nre/'s Death (for Sir Jofen A1sdlkotW-izV.\\c.w not of). I exhorted the Man to an Univerfal Repentance and Reformation of Life, and he told me lie would never meddle in fuch BufinelTes, nor trouble any Mzmi, and promifed to live better himfclf than he had doi^e.

§ 283. A little before Dr. Manton\ Meeting alfb was furprizcd, and he having notice of it before, was abfent, and got Mr. Bedford to preach for him : For it was refolvcdto have fent him to thfe Common Co^/, upon the O-^-for.i Act, as a refufer of the Oath, beiides the penalty of a Conventicle .■ The juftices w ere Mr. Ball (Brother to Dr. BMl Preacher at the Temp'c) the violenteft of them, and Mr. ^ofe and Mr. Philips^ the fame two Men that had fcnt me to the Goal forv vcars before •, 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 id. (and the place 40/.) which the LordlVharton^ theCountelfes of Bedford, Manchefier and Clure, and other hearers paid : But two of the Jnftices fwore that he faid, that the King did not in ^ood^ameft defJre the exectition of this Law ^ which he profefled he never faid) ^ And for this the King fent him to Prifon.

S 284. An Accident at this time fell out, which cccafioned a little feeming ftop of m'y trouble:^ which I will relate as the Duke oiLauderdall told it me himfelf,who w^ prefent. The Lord Fakon-hrigde being with the Bifhop of Saliskry {Ward) after reported that the Bifhop told him, that it was nothing of the Biihops, but of the Lord Treafurer, that the Aft was thus Executed : The Lord Treafurer charged it. as an injury on the Bifhop : The Lord High Chamberlain (E. of Lindfey) told it Bifhop A-forley, who told it Bifliop 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 Treaftirer, the Lord High Chamberlain, &c.) wasaccufed'by Bifhop Ward for a falfe report of his words : The Lord Falconhridge could not make it good, but tho he fpake not thofe very vtords, he took the Scope of his Speech to be of that Importance : The King (faid the Duke to me) faid \_ I titujl ell you this my fef : I called the Bifhopf to give me their advice, what was to be clone for the pre fen' fecurina of the Church, and the Proteftant Religion, and they told me, that thee wa<: fometh'.ng to he done, hut they thought it not fafe for them to give advice in it: I told them th.it ' foct this for a LiheUt, and askt them who, or n'hat they were afraid cf: And I appointed thefe Lords '0 fee them give their yinfver. Among other paffages the Lord "alc'onhridge faid that the Bidiop called the Exeaitioh of the Law [^ t-ncV] : The Bifliop Anfwered \_I faid not that the Execution of the Law was a trick •, but tb.it to begin with An'. Baxter was a trick of fome, to make it 'bought that we are umeconcilalle to the mo ft moderate and peaceable "''en.'} And thus they were drawn in to give their feeming h.idgment againft my fufferin^; (tho there was great reafonto think that Pa-pifts and Prelates were the Contrivers of it.)

§ 285. For the better underftanding of many of thefe matter;^, it muft be known, that at 2 or f of the lafb Seffions of Parliament, Bifhoj) A<forlcy had^ on all occafions in the Company of Lords, Gentlemen and Divines, cryed out of the danger of Popery, and talkt much for abatements, and taking in the Nonconformilh, or elfe wc are like all to fill 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 Interefl Hill in the work, as tht foi-wardefl defircrof-it :" Dr. Fulwood, Mr. Collyer, and Divers others, came to me to advifc about a way of Concord,as encouraged by this Bifhop's words.- J fent him word by them all, that 1 had heard thefe many years of thefe agreeing peacemaking purpofes and defires of his Lordfhip, but having known fo much <jf his Endcivoursto the contrary I intrcated him bv fome Deeds to convince me of his fincevity, for till then I was not able to believe it. And the Event flicwed that my incredulity was not without caufc.

§ 286. Al*this Scthons of Parliament anproaching, he fet upon the fame Courfc again, and Biflvp JVa^d as his fecond and chief Coagent jovncd with him, and they were famed to be the two Bil^ops that were for Comprchenfion and Concord, none fo forward asthoy : At bfl" Dr. 5at« brings me a mcXacre from Dr. TiUotfon Dean of Canterbury, that he and Dr. Stillingfieet defired a Meeting with Dr. Manion, Dr.

hates

t , I ■ — '. 1—__._

JBates^ Mr. Pool, ar.d me, to treat of an A£t of Conaprehenfion and Union • and that they were encouraged to it by fome Lords both Spiritual and Temporal. ' We met to conlider whether fuch a!i Attempt vvas'ftfe and prudent, or what was not offered by fame Bifiions, as a/narc to us; I told them my opinion, that Experience would not fulfor any Charity to believe any better of fome Bifhops, but that they knew Dr. StUUngficct and Dr. Tiliotfin to be the lilxlielf Men to have a hand in aii Agreement, if Tach a thing ftipuld be attempted*, and therefore that they would make themfelves the Mafters of it to defeat it, and no better itme was to be ex-peftcd as from them : But yet that thcfe two Dnftors were Men of fo much Learning, Honefly and Interfift, that 1 took it as our Duty, to accept the offer, and to try with them, how far we could agree, and fo try them firll whether they would pro-mife us iccrefy, unlefs it came to maturity to be further notified by .Confent: And that we might hope tb'- this Succefs, as quickly to agree with thefe two Men, and in time it mi^ht be fome advantage to our dellred Unity, that our Terms were fucli 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. Tillotf.n^ who promifed Aforley and Bifhop W-ird that had fetthem on work, and the Earl of ^ .idile and Halifax chiefly who encouraged them. Hereupon we agreed to meet the next week with him and Dr. Stillwi^fieet^ to try how far we could agree on the Terms. I had before dravm wthe form of an Healing Ad, and read it to no one but Mr. Hampden^ (who told m*it would never pafs) : Before the next Meeting Dr. Alanton was fain to abfcond at the Lord Wharton\ 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 Doftors: I found them fmccre in the bufinels, and conceited that Bifhop Modey and Ward were fo alfo. Upon their pro-mifcof fecrecy, I freely told them my thoughts of the Bifhop of Winckfier, 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 abatement or alteration or indulgence delired: I fhewed them the form of the Ad which 1 had prepared ^ They defired me to leave it with them to confider on. Shortly after Dr.'Tillotfon brought me a Draught with feveral omifTions and alterations: I drew up my own again, with fome little alterations, required by his Draught: This he and I debated, till w.e came to an agreement of the whole : I was then defii-ed to Communicate it to fome Nonconforming Brethren : Dr. Ti^anton was gone into the Countrey : Dr. Bates was fick: 1 Communicited it to Mr. "John Corbet^ Mr. 7 aients^ Mr. Ponl^ Dr. "'acomh^ and Mr. Humphrey : When we had made fuch fiirtlier finall Corredions as all agreed on, Mr. Pool and 1 were defired to meet the two Dodors for a further procedure. They met us, and we again read th.e t)raught, but would give them no Copy ^ and^greed with them that they fhould take the prefent time while Bilhop A'orley wa^out of Town (as likefl to fruftrate) and to defire Bifhop Ward^ and Bifhop PJer/oM of Chejler (a Learned fobcr Man) to meet us, and to hear what we had agreed on, and proraife us fecrecy (Bifhop iVard once came in upon us, when we were together, but withdrew.) They promifed us to try itfpeedily.- But when they had only in General told Bifhop IVard^ &c. how far we had g'^ne, and how fair we were for Agreement, and told them fome of the particular IMarerials, there wjsafiill end of all the Treaty ^ The Bifhops had no further to go : We had akeady carrycd it too far. Hearing no nyire of the Dodors, we fent to know how the Cafe went, and underflood by them, that their Hopes and Labours were at an end. I fent 10 Dr. Tillotfon to Know whether they would give me leave to telT any to promote our Cor^ord, how far they agreed with us, that their Names might be fome advantage to the work: And he wrote to me as followeth,

" pr, \i. T <57'5. Sir, I took the firfl: opportunity after you were with us to fpeak *' to the Bifhop of .S^j'.who promifed to keep the matter private,and only to acqaint " the Bifhop of Cfe.n'tth it in order to a Meeting : But upon fome General Difcourfe **. I plainly perceived feveral things could not be obtaintJd • llowevcr he promifed.to *' appoint a time of Meeting, tut 1 have not heard from him fince: 1 am unwilling " my Name fliould be ufed in this Matter •, riot -but that 1 do mofl" heartily delire ■ " an Accommodation, and (hall always endeavour it: But! am fure it will be a *' preindice to me, and llgnitv nothing to the effeding of the tihing, which as Cir-*' cumllances are canno'. iiafs in either Hi'^'fe, v.ithoufthe Concurrence of a conli-" derable part of the bifinps, and the Countenance of His Majefty \ which at pre-" fent I fee little reafon to exped. I am, Your affedionate Brother and Servant, " John Tillotfon. § i88.

§ 288. A fliort time after told thefe Doctors what thcfe fame. Bifhopswere even then contriving, when they crycd up Agreement, and fet them on this work, even to bring things much higher than they were, by putting an Oath on the Lords, Commons and Magiftrates ; of which more anon. But becaufc feme would know the Terms which we agreed on, I fhall here anne.^ the Form, to a word • only telling them that would undcriland it, i. That it is not what we would have, had we our Choice, but what we would poflibly hope might have been granted us': ■ We had not the leafl: hopes of more. 2. That v,e did not fo annex the Utter Particulars, as if we would not have been glad of the former alone, could no mor? be had : For the bare opening of the Door, for our Entrance, would have done fomething for a prefcnt (hift. 3. That the. pafTage that (hortening Convwn Traytr. in extraordinary Cafes (hould not he pmi/hMe, had feveral ufes, which unlefs we had ' opportunity here to open, as we debated it, cannot bo fuddenly underftood by each Reader : And many will lay that too much or too little is yielded, that know not our Circumftances and hear not our Reafons : But it may fomewhat fatisfy conlidering Men that both parties did agree in the form here annexed •, tho the Bi'lhops had rather all our Diftradions and Miferies were by the gre^tell Cruelty continued.

_ i^i ': ; 77;

An A&for the Healing and Concord of bis Alajejiie^s SuhjeSfs in

matters of Religion.

WHereas the Concord and Conjund Labours of all able Godly xMinifters of Chrifb, are of great ufe to the fafety of the tnic Religion, and peace of the Kingdom, and the Salvation of their Flocks, and Experience proveth that this Concord caanot be now obtained, without feme Abatement of tlie terms of Uniformity required by the prefent Laws, Be it enacted by His Majefty, &c.

I. That no other Oath, Subfcription, Declaration, Covenant or promifc, fliafl lienccforth be ncccifary to, or required of any Pricfts or Deacons for their Ordination, Inftitution, Indufti<)n, Liccnfc to preach and perform their Office, nor of Students in the Univcrfitie*, nor School-Mailers, bcfidcs the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and the promifcs at Ordination of Miniftcrial fidelity contained in the form of Ordination, and the fubfcribing to the Do(flrine and Sacraments of the Church of England according to the ftatutc of Eli]^ 13. in the words C J- A. B. do unfcignedly afpnt to the Dodrine of Faith^ and Sscraments of the Church of England, as they *re exprejfed in the y-Jrticles of the Church'} ^ And the 6;lthtfor the proper privileges of the Univcrlities and Golledgcs ^ and to this following Declaration againfl Rebellion and Dilloyalty, CJ- A. B. do hold thxt it is net lawful fa any of his Ma-\eflit's Subjefls upon any pretence whatfeever^ to take Jrms'agamjl the King^ his FerftH^ Authority^ or Rights and Dignity^ nor jgainft any y^uthoriz^ed ly his Laws or Legal Cm-mijfion •, a>id that there lyeth nv oUigaHon 0* wf, or any of his A/ajeftie's Subjeih frum the Oath commonly called the folemn League and Covenant^ to endeavour any Change of the prefent Government of his Majeftie^s Kingdoms^ nor to endeavour tty reformation or niterution of the Church Government (as it iAtow ly Law eftMiflied) by Rebdlim^ Stditi-. on^ or any vthe^ unlawful means.

II. And be it enacted.by, ere,—That in fuch Churches or places of pubiick noc-fliip where the Liturgy is read, and the Sacraments of Baptifm and the Lord's Supper accordingly adminiftrcd, by the Incumbent, or the Lecturer, or Curate, or other Miniftcr, no other fliall be punilhed for not uling it there, or for not baptizing, or not adminiftring the Lord's Supper ; provided that fiich other Minifter bft oft prefent at the reading of the Liturgy, and th-:t he read it himfelf at leall twice R year, and as often baptize Children (if olicred tiicreto) and adminifter the Lord's iiupper according to the Liturgy, if he have cure of Souls. Provided that no Minister Ihall be [Hinifhed as guilty of Omillion, for any brevity v/hich is caufcd unavoidably by ficknefs, wcaknefs, or any jnlt extraordinary caufe .■ But if otherwife the Liturgy be in any Church difufed, the Incumbent fiiall be punifliable as is already appointed bj the Law.

And

Part 111 ^CLcrend Mr. Richard Ba^ct^r^^

And Be it eaaacd---that no Parent fhall be forbidd"^entcr hisownChild into Covenant with God i;i bapt.fm, by fpcakingfiichpromifing and undertakingwords as by the Liturgy and Canon arc now required of the Godfathers and Godmothers alone-Nor fhall any Miniftcr be forced againll bis Conlcicnce to baptirc anv Child who iinot thus oiFcred to God by oneof the Parents, or by fuch a pro parent as taketh She Child for his own, and undertaketh the Chrillian Education. Be it alfo Enadcd that no pcrfon fhall be conftraincd againft his Confcience to the ufc of the Crofs in Baptilin, or of the Surplice, nor any Minifterto deny the Lord's Supper to any for not receiving it kneeling ; nor read any of the Afooy^ha for LefTons ■ nor to punilh any Excommunication or Abfolution againil his Confcience • but the Bifhop or Chan-ccllour whodecreeth it fhall caufc fuch to publifh it as are not dilTatisfyed ^o to do or fhall only af5x it on the Church-Door. Nor fhall anyMinifrer beconftrained at Burial tofpeak only words importing the falvation of any perfon, who within a year received not the Sacrament of Communion, or was fufpended from it actordin' to the Rubnckor Canon, and fatisfyed not the Minifber of his ferious Repentance.^

in. And whereas many pcrfons having been ordained as Presbyters by Parochial Paftorsm the times of Ufurpatioa and Diftradion, hath occalloned many Difficulties; for the prefent remedy hereof, be it Enafted.—That all fuch perfons as before this time have been ordained as Presbyters by Parochial Pallors only, and arc quali-fycd for that Office as the Law requircth, fhall receive power to exercife it from a Bifhop by a written Inftrament (which every Bifhop in bis Dioccfs is hereby im-powcred and required to Grant; in thefe words and no other {To A. B o*'C in the Country ofD. Take thou Authority to exerclfe the Office of a Presbyter, in any thcc and Congregationm the King's Domtnions whereto thou fhall be lawfully called.^' And this pradicc 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 Ordmatinn nor (hall be urged tofpeak any words of fuch iignification; but each party fhall be left to Judge as they fee caufe.

IV. And whereas th« piety of Families, and Godly Converfe of Nei-rhbours is a great means of prefcrving Religion and Sobriety in the World, and left'^the Aft for fuppreffiag fcditious Conventicles fhould be mif-interpreted as injurious thereto be It declared—that it is none of the meaning of the faid Aft, to forbid anv fpch'Family Piety or Converfe, tho more then four Neighbours fhould be peaceablv prefent, at the Reading of the Scriptures, or a Liccnfed Book, the finging of a 'Pfalm repeating of the publick Sermons, or any fuch Exeicife which neither the Laws nor Onons do forbid they being perfomed by fuch as joyn with the allowed Church-Af-femblies, and refufe not the Infpeftion of the Miniflers of the Parifli; Efpecially where perfons that cannot read arc unable to do fuch things at home as bv Can. 13. isenjoyned, ' '

V. And whereas the form of the Oath and Declaration, impofcd on perfons of Office and Trull in Corporations, is unfatisfaftory to many that arc Loyal and pcacciiblc, that our Concord may extend to Corporations :)<( well as Churche<;, r,e it Enaaed——That the taking of the Ozthi of Allegiance and Supremacy, and'the Declaration againfl Religion and Difloyalty, here before prefcribed, fhall to all Ends and purpofej fulKcc inlbead of the faid Oath and Declaration.

VI. And whereas there are many peaceable Subjefts, who hold all the EfTcntials of the Chriftim Faith, but conform not to fo much as is required to the Eflahlifhed

Miniflry and Church-Communion, Be ?t Enafted that All and only they who

IhaU publickly take the Oaths of AVegiance and Supremacy, before fome Court of Juilice, or at the open Seffions of the County where they live, and that then and there Subfcnbc asfoUoweth. C ^ A. B. do nnfeignedly Jfand to my Ba^tifmil Cornant, and do believe all the Articles of the Creeds called theJpoJHes,tht Nicenc,^.^ Conflanti-Qopohtanc ; and the Huth of the holy Canonical Scriptwes, and do renounce all that K contrary hereto,"] fhall be fo far tolerated in the Exccrcife of their Religion, as His Majefty, with the advice of his Parliament or Council, {hall from time to time, find confiftcnt with the peace and fafcty of his Kingdom*.

VII.

VII. And left this AA for Concord, (hould occafion Difcord, by emboldening

unpcaccable and unruly or heretical men, be it enaded that if any either iii

the allowed or the Tolerated AjfemUiei that (hall pray or Preach Rebellion, Sedition, or againfl the Government or Liturgy of the Church, or ihall break the Peace by tumults or otheiTvife, or ftir up uuchriftian hatred and ftrife, or fhall preach againft, or othcrwife oppofe the Chriftan verities or any Article of the facred Doftrine which they fubfcribe, or any of the 39. Articles of Religion, they fhall be punilhcd as by the Laws againft fuch Offences is already provided.

/ will here alfo jinnex the Copies offome Petitions^ which I was fut to draw «^, which never were frefented.

I. The firft was intended while the Parliament was fitting to have been offered j b«t wife Parliament-Men thought it was better forbear it.

II. The fecond was thought fit for fome Citizens to hate offered j but by the famt CounccI it was forboru.

III. The third was thus occafioncd: Sir John Babor told Dr. Manton that the Scots being then fufpcftcd of fome infurrcdion, it was expefted that we renewed the profeflion of our Loyalty, to free us from all fufpicion of Confpiracy with them. We faid that it fscmed hard to us that we fhould fall under fufpicion, and no caufe allcdged : We knew of no occafion that we had given: But we were ready to profefs our continued Loyalty, but delired that we might with it, open our juft refeatment of our Cafe. They put rae to draw it up : but when it was read, it was laid by, none daring to plead our Caufc fo^ freely and lignify any fenfe of our hard ufage.

I. May it Pleafe Your Majejiy^ with the Lords and Commons Aflembled in Parliament.

WHen the Common profclHon of refolved moderation had abated Men'i fear< of a Silencing Prelacy ; and the publifhed Declarations of Nobilitic and Gentry againft all diriding Tiolcnc* and revenge, had hclpt to unite the endeavours of Your Subjeifls which profpered for Your Ma]ejiie\ defired Re-ftoration ; when God's wonderful providence had difTolved the Military Powers of Ufurpers, which hindered it; and when Your welcome appearance. Your AS of Oblivion^ Your Gracious Declaration about Ecclefiafcical Affairs (for which the Houfe of Commons folem«ly gave you thanks ) did feem to have done aiueh to the Cure of our Divifions j we had fome hopes that our common revived Love and Concord, would have tended to Your Majejly^ and our common joy, in the hat-* mony, ftrength and profpevity of Your Kingdoms •, and that we might among your inferiour Subjedts have enjoyed our part in the common tranquility. But the year 1661. difTolved thofe hopes, fixing our old Difficuties, and adding mortf, which fince then alfo have been much increafed: Beeing confccrated and vowca to the facred Miniftry, we dare not dcfert it, loft wc fhortlv appear before ou^ Judge, in the guilt of facriledgc, 6c perfidioufncfs againft Chnft and the people's Souls. But we arc forbiden tocxcrcife it, ualefs we will do that which we profefi as Men that arc palling to our final Doom, wc vvovild readily do, were it not for fear of God's difpleafui«jind our Damnation. Deprivation of all Miuifterial maintenance, wjtli heavy Miilfts ( on fuch as have not money to pay ) and long Im-prifonments in the Common Goals with Malefadors, and banifhment (to thofe that fliall furvivc them ) and that into remote parts of the World, were the pe* Baltics appointed for us by your Laws. Voluminous reproaciies arc publiflied a-gainfc us j in which our Supcriours and the World are told, that wc hold that things indifferent are made unlawful by the Commands of lawfiil Gover-

nours.

Pare ill. 'Rrjm'ud Mr, Richard Baxter. ~ i6i

nours, and that we arc °uiky of Do*^rines inconfiftent with the Peace and Sale-ty of So^iecica, and thai we arc moved by Pride and Covetoufncfs j as it we were proud of Meii'i bvCivn, and v.xjvc[uui of fordid Want ard Bcggery and arabicious of a Gaol ^ isiid that we are Unpcaceablc, Difloyal, Odious and Intolerable Pcrfon*.

Left we (hould feeni over-quenilous, and our Petitions thcmfclves (bonld prove ofFeniivc, we h.ive been iilcnt under Twelve years fufFerings ( by which divers Learned and holy Divines have been luftcned home to Glory ) hoping that Exm-ricnce would have effectuai'.y fpoUen for us, when we may not Spc.k for our felvcs. And did we believe that our own preffures were the greateft coniev^uent Evil and that the People's knowledge, and piety, and the allowed Minifrcrs Number Vnffi-cicncy and Diligence, were fuch as made our Labours needUfs , and that the Hi-ftory of our Silence and Sufferings would be the future Honour of this Age and the future Comfoix of your Souls, and theirs that inftigatc you againll us lifore our Common Judge, we would joyfully be filent, and aacpt of a Difmiffion. But being certain of the contrary, we do this once adventure, humbly to tender to 'Your Majefty, and Your Parliament, thefe following Requcfts.

1. Bccaufe God faith. That he that hateth his Brother i» a Murderer, and hath not Eternal Life -. We humbly crave leave once to Print and Publifli the true State and Reafons of our Nonconformity to the World ^ to favc Mens Souls from the guilt of unjull Hatred and Calumny : And if we err, wcraay be helped to Re-pcnuncc by a Confiitation, and the Notoriety of oar ftiame.

2. That in the mean time this Honourable Houfc will appoint a Committee to confider of the bell means for the Healing our Calamitous Divihous, before whom wc may have leave at lafl; to fpcak for our felvcs.

3. That thefe annexed Profcffions of our Religion and Loyalty may be received , as from Men that better know their own Minds than their Accufers do, and who, if they durftrfielibcratcly Lie, Ihould be no Noncoaformifts.

4. That if yet we muft fuffer as Malcfaftors, wc may be puniflied but as Drunkards, and Fornicators are, with fomc Penalty which will conilft with our Preaching Chrift's Gofpel, and that (hall not reach to the hurt or danger of many Thou-fand Innocent People's Souls, till the Re-buildiug of th« Burnt-Churches, the lef-fening of great Parilhes, 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 fobricty of tlie people have truly made our Labours needlefs j and then we fhall gladly obey your Silencing Commandu.

And whereas there are commonly r-eckoncd to be in the Pariflies withorst the Walts, above Two hundred rhoufand perfons, more than can come within the FariOi Churches, they may not be compelled in a Chriftian Land to live as A-theills, and worfe than lufrdels and Heathens, who, in their manner, publickly worfhip God.

The Profejfitn of our RcUpon.

1 X B. Do willingly profefs my continued rcfolvcd confeut to the Covenant of Chriftianitv which 1 made in my Baptifm, with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, forfakins^ the Devil, the World, and the fmful Lufts of the Flcfh : And I profefs my Belief of the Ancient Chriftian Creeds, called. The ^■^oftks The Nicene^ and. The Con/I^>if»«opoiit^«t',and the Dodrine of the Blejfed Trinity^ rellicr ojjcned in that afcribcd to yithanaftus: And my Coafcnt to The Lord's Traytr^ a^ the Summary ot HolyDclires, aad to The Dec*]ogue^ with Chrijt's Infiituttms^i^ the Summary Rule of Chriftian PraAicc : And to all the Holy Canonical Scriptures^ as tlic Word of God: And to the Doftrine of the Church of England profef-fcd in the 39 Articles of Reh^ion^ as in fence agreeable to the Word of God : And I renounce all Herefies, or EiTOurs, contrary to any of thefe j And I do hold that the Book of Commm frayer , and of Bifliops Priefts and Deacons, contain-cth in it nothing fo difa^zrecablc to the VV'ord of God, as maketh it unlawful to live in the Peaceable Communion of the Church that ufeth if.

X X X r T»f

The PrcfeJJlon of cur Jryalty end Obeditr.ce,

1 dowilUngly, and without Equivocation and Deceit, take the Oaths oj Allegiance, and the King's Supremacy, and hold my felf obliged to perform them. I dcteh all Doftrines and Practices of Rebellion and Sedition : 1 hold it. unlawful for any of His Majefly's Subjcds, upon any pretence whatfoever, to take Arms againft the King, His Ferfon, Authority, Dignity, or Rights, or againll any Authorized by his Laws or CommilTions: And that there is no Obligation on me or aay other of his Subjecls, from the Oath Commonly called, The Solemn League and Covenant, to endeavour any change of the prcfent Government of theie His Majefty's Kingdoms ^ nor to endeavour any Reformation of the Church, by Rebellion , Sedition, or any other unlawful means.

Tht Overplus ^ as a remedy againfl Suf^kion.

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 linfulnefs of Rebellion and Refiftance. And concerning the fame we confent to as much as is found in any General Council, or in the Confcllion of any Chrifcian Church on Earth ( not rerpe(Sing Obedience to the Pop^, ) which ever yet came to our knowledg j or as is owned by the Confent of the Greater part of Divines, Politicians, Lawyers or Hiftorians in the Chriftain World, as far as our Reading hath acq;iainted us therewith.

II. To the Kings mofl Excellent Maje§iy ; The Humble Pe^ tition offime Citizens of London , on the behalf of this City^ and the Adjoyning PariJ/jes^ Sheweth^

THat the Calamitous Fire 1666, with our Houfes and Goods, Burnt down near 90 Churches, few of which are yet Re-edifyed ^ And divers Parifhes, whofe Churches yet fland , are fo great, that it is but a fmall part of the Inhabitants that can there hear : whereby great Numbers are left in ignorance , and as a prey to Papifts and other Seducers, and which is worfe, to Atheifm , Infidelity , and Irrcligiourncfs : And if many of their ancient ejeftcd, lilenccd Paftors, who, for refuting certain Subfcriptions , Declarations, Promifes, Oaths and Prafticcs, are called Nonconformifts , had not through great Ditficulties and Sufferings e.ver-cifed their CompalTion to the people's Souls, in Preaching and Vifiting the Sick, they had been yet more miferable deftitute and forfaken.

Your Petitioners being fcnfible, that Chriftians profefTing the Belief of a Life to come, and that the holy Scriptures ihould not, by fuch Judgments , as our Plagues and Flames be hardened againft God, but be awakened to Repentance and Holinefs of Life , and that fo Great and Honourable a City, Ihould not, after ali, turn worfe than Infidels and Heathens, who are taught by T-Iature, publickly to Worfliip God , do humbly requeft, that till the Great Parilhcs have Capacious Churches or Chappels,and the ruined Churches are re-built, and furniflied with able Conformable Minilters, thofe Proteftant Nonconformilts who will Teach the people where others do not , may not be therefore punifhed, or be forbidden, and the Souls of many Thoufands which arc hailing to another World, be deprived of fuch ncccflary helps, the Preachers being refponlible for whatever they fpcak or do amifs. This Necefiary Compadion to this famous City , even to the Souls of Men , which we humbly crave will more oblige Your Majefby's Loyil Subjefts, to Pray for the Coutinuancs of Your Profpsrous Reign.

III. To

Part ill. Keverend Mr. Ixichird Baxter.

III. To the Kings mofi EzcellentMajefty ^ The humble Frofef-fon of Gratitude and Suljetlion ot fome Eje&ed , Silenced Minijiers of Chrifl^ on the behalf of themfehes and many ethers.

IShy it plcafc Your Majcfty,

WE Your Majefty's Subjcfts, Dedicated to the Sacred Ofricc, from which wc mull not Perfidioiilly and Sacrilegioully alienate our felves, once (vainly) hoped that the Eftabliihed Publick Miniltry might have received Men of our Size of Science and Confcience, till all the Churches had been furnidied with Wifcr Better Men: But God ( for our Sins and Trial ) and Men ( we know not why ) have othcrwifc decreed. We choofe not this Calling ( nor our coftly Nonconformity ) as the way of Wealth or Worldly Honour ^ Nor ever cxpeft-cd that God fhould make us a Golden-Bridge to Heaven ^ Nor deiire to be Lords over God's Flock , or Rule them by Conftraint, remembring who faid, C Bm with you it /h.iU not be fo : ^ Gjin is not ourGodlincfs^ or Church-Glory^ but Gedli-nsfs our Guin ^ We like not Divest Qioice fo well as Aiaryh j But yet could gladly have cicaped both La2.ari'.s and Aiartha\ ftraits, and have ferved God without diftradion: Wc have Flefli that is not in love with Suflering, nor ambitious to live on Alms: It is Divine Relief that muft keep thofe Men's Con-fciences from a timerous or treacherous furrender, which are befiegcd by Sixteen years Poverty and Reproach, and from the Proph.memfs of ftllinf their Birtb-ri^ht for a Morfel : But (though Senfibility of our Brethren's Sufferings, be not Impatient Mnrmuring^ yet j it is a more Grievous Burden^ which conflraineth us at laft to Speak,'Z//2.. That fo great a part of our maturefl Age ( in which by the experience of good and evil, our own and others, we fhould have been far wifer ladfitter to ferre God in his Church, than wc were in unexperienced Youth) fhould be fo far loft as it hath been, as to the Work to which we were Ordained : That ( ilahcard ) wc fhould be fuppofcd fo Erroneous, or Criminal, as that no Punillv mcnt of our Bodies can give fatisfaftion Avithout the fuflering of the Souls of Men, by our forbearing to Preach the Word of Life ! Ihat while with grieved Souls wc muft fee the fad Divilions aud Sidings that Prevail, and the doleful advantages that Satan hereby getteth , for the mine of Piety , Love and Peace , and the increafc of Atheifm , Infidelity and Malicioufnefs, and Confufion , and every evil work , and are told fo loudly, by our notorious Neccfllty, that all our Endeavours conjunct would be too little .• When we have forcfeen and foretold all this, and ufcd our moft earneft Requefts and Endeavours to have prevented it \ We muft yet be defamed by Tongues and Prcfs, as the Authors and Fomenters of it, and as men of Unfociable and unruly humours, and of Unpeaceable Sdiifmatical and I'cdi-tious Principles • That being thus rendered odious, wc are made uncipable of Pub-lick or Private ufe to Multitudes, whofe Lives declare tlicir need of help. That many whom we muft /owowand reverence^ arc hereby drawn into the guilt of Calumny and Injury to the Church, as well as to us, whofe Cafe and Rcafons ( as to tl;e NexQ Conformity ) they never underftood , or heard. That fo many Men's minds, and Zeal and Parts fhould be fo ill imploycd on all fides, as to be raking in the blecdine; Wounds which they arc obliged to the uttcrmoft of their Diligence to heal: That while Preachers arc againit Preachers, and Heavenly Love and Joy is turned into Envying and Strife ^ Wc fhould go for the A/en that blow the Coals, and rob Your Majefty of the Honour and Joy of Ruling an Unanimous Minillery, and a Peaceable, Loyal, Unfufpedcd People ^ Wc muft not be guilty of fettin^ jo li^ht by Your Majejl/s Intcrefi^ and Tour judgment of us, and Favour to us, and the Interefi of the Churchy and the Feoplc''s Souls^ as to remain flill fdent under all this. And, with prcateft reverence of God, wc muft profcfs. That if the faithful fearch of our Confcicnces fhould flicw us, that all tliis is cau-fcd by any felf-feeking, or willfulncls of ours ^ and that we were not fliil willing, at the dearcit rate ( except finwng^ which is no way to Peace ) to clofc thcfc Wounds, but preferred any Worldly Interetl before the Peace and Harmony of Jouls, wc (hould take it to be Kin to Judai's Siji, and fhould tremble to think,

X X X X a how

j64 The LIFE of ihe Part III.

how <|nickly a revenging God would judge us, and what a difmal entrance upon Eternity fuch guilty Souls are like to have.

BQt tho fenfe and confcience thus complain, it is but the introdurtion to ouvth.ztik-ful acknou'ledgmmt of the favours which your Majefty hath vouchfafed us: Your Clemency, protcftion and forbearance hath revived our comforts, which coDlIft in that work which is the bulinefs of our Lives. Our Loyal fidelity {hall exprefs onr gratiinde 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 digefb not,aseafily a$ is expedted, all Subfcriptions, Declarations and Oaths, which are of late impofcd. It is not from any Princhle of Difloyalty : For we firmly hold that every Soul mufb be fubjeft to the Higher Powers, not only for iVratkhnt Confcience fake: And that Honour:, and Obedience in Lawful things^ and patience under wrongful prefiures is our Duty to our Rulers:; In (hort, we know not oione word in icri^twc^ one Canon of any General Council^ one Confeffwn of any Chriftian Church on Earthy which fpcaketh mo^e for fuhjtits Suh-mijfion^ and peaceable obedience to Kin£s^ than we do heartily acknowledge .■ And we believe that no -z/oip or Co^/e/J<;(Wf of our own, can difoblige us from any part of this obedience, or warrant us to Rebel. We would not have the King of Howe (the pretended vicar of theKi'ng of Kings) to be King over your Majefty or your Kingdoms ^ The world's Experience lowdly telleth us that Clergymen are fitter to be kept by the >word in Peac? and Quictnefs^ than to be trufted with the Sword ^ and we would not have Kings be m.ade their Executioners: For we are paft doubt that the Controverfm and Contentions of the Worldly Tyrannical^ and the ftlf-conceited Clergy^ have been many hundred years more Calamitous to theChriJlian 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 Tafors of any hut Confcnters ^ and wifh that the Cler-gie's State were fuch as neither jfarvcd or ftraitened the diligent Labourers^ nor fo tempted and invited Ambitious Worldly minds^as \.\\zt fuch^ being the feekers, mufiufual-/y be the Mafters of the Church, who are likeft to be Enemies to the holy Dodfrinc which condemneth them. We long, we pray, we groan for the Concord of the Chriftian World: And we/Tj-e/wfe that whoever Ihall be the hlejfed and honoured Inftru-mentsof that work, muftdo it by breaking dividing Engines, and making the primitive ftmplicity, the terms of Vnion •, even a few plain, certain, necejfary things; while the Sword of the Magi fir ate conftraineth the turbulent,to peace and mutual forbearance in the reft: Wc are not for cruelty to any: We greatly approve of your Majefties Averf-ncfs to perfccution. But we believe that it is the Learning, Godlinefs and Concord of the Miniftry, which fhall be publickly fettled by your Laws, which mult be the chief means of preferving Religion, Loyalty and Peace, and therefore muft deeply refent it that we are rendered fo unferviceablc in that kind, and that well meaning men (liould fo long mifunderftand our caufe, and judge, defame and ufc us as if we were the hinderers of that fweet agreement which our Souls moil earneflly defire, and would purchafe by any Lawful price. In fumm, the belief of the Heavenly Glory through Chrtft, kindling the Love of God and Man, and teaching us to live Soberly, Righ-teou/ly, and God'y, and the Government of Alagiftrates keeping all in peace upon thefe terms^ is the Religion and State that we dcfire.

And the grief of our Souls for the prefent Divifions doth call up our thankfiil remembrance, that once by your Majefty's favour, we were Commiffwned to fpeak fot-our felves about the old Conformity, and to treat with your Bijhops for fuch Alterations as were nccedary to our Concord: And that your Majefty publifiied fo Gracious a Declaration of Ecclefiaffical Affairs, as, had it lived, had prevented our prefect frailions ; yea 1 hat your Houie of Commons gave your Majefty the publick Thanks for your healing means -. (Tho now fome take all our Divifions and DiftralHom, to be a fmallcr evil, than the Terms of that your Majcfty's Declaration would be j. And if ever your favour allow us to fpeak for our felves alfo ai to the JSlew Conformity, and to o-pentothcvvoild,the matter and reafons of our_ Nonconformity, wc cannot doubt but it would much abate the Cenfurcs and Injuries of Multitudes that underftand ;'•; not,-and confcqucntly abate their guilt, andal' unhyothe^ly Difiances and Uhifms, and '^len's unthankful dillike of your Majefty's Clemency. And fo far as God by your Majcfty's favour Oiall open our Lips, that our mouths miy Hicvv foixh his praifc, we fliall be obliged to greater thankfulnefs to your Majefty, and to pray for your pious and profperous Reign, and that we may all live a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godlinefs and Honefty, asbecometh your Majefty's Loyal Subjects.

§28p.

§ 239. While the faid two Bifhops werelraudulently iceming t^l^T^IT^inhl^

Treaty then- caufe required them outwardly to pretend that they would not have me troubled ; but underftand I was ItUI the lirlt that ^vas haunted after and perfe-cuted: A nd even while I w^as in this Treaty, the informers of the City (fet on work by the Bifhops) were watching my preaching, and contriving to load me with divers conviaioiis and hnes at once : And they found an Alderman Juftice even in the Ward where I preached, fit for their Defign, one Sir TW^.r. D,^is who under-ftood nJt the Law, but was ready to fcrve the Prelates in their own way To him Oath was made againft me, and the place where I preached, as for two Sermons which came to thrceicore pounds fine to me, and fourfcore to the owner of the nlace where we ailembled : But I only was fought after and profecutcd

§ ipo^Thc Reader muft here underftand the prefent cafe of the City as to fuch things.- The Execution ot thefe Laws, that were to mine us for preaching was fo much agamft the hearts of the Citizens, that fcarce any could be found to execute them: Tho the Corporation Oath and Declaration had new moulded the City (and all the Corporations of the l,and, excepi fomc few (-nTuunton. ire.) which were utterly diifolvedby it) yet were the Aldermen for the moft part utterly averfe to fuch Im-ployment, lo that whenever an Informer came to them, tho (chey forfeited an 100/ every time that they retufed to execute their OfSce, yet fome fhifted out of the way* and loine plainly denyedand repulfed the Accufers, and one was fued for it ■ And Alderman Forth got an Informer bound to the behaviour for breaking in upon him m his Chamber agamft his will. Two fellows caUed Strowd and AhnifhilhtczmQ the General Informers in the City, and fome others under them. XxizW London notwithftanding 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 prefcntlv fallen upon by their Creditors on purpofe, and Afunjhal laid in the Compter for Debt, where he remained for a confiderable 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 feen five or fix poor ignorant forry Fellows (unworthy to have been infenour Servants to an Ordinary Gentleman) hunting and infulting over the ancient Aldermen, and the Lord Mayor himfclf, and all the Reverend, faithful Minifters that were ejeftcd, and eighty nine Churches were dellroyed by the Fire, and in many Pariflics the Churches yet ftanding could not hold a fixth, or tenth part of the People, yet thofe that Preached ^r nothing were profecuted to utter ruin, with fuch unwearied cagernefs fure he would have wondered what thefe Prelates and Profecutors are; and 'it may convince • us that the term J'l^.Qom, given in Saipture to fome Men (tranllated falfc Accufers) is not unmeet: When Men pretending to be the Fathers of the Church dare turn loofc half a dofen paltry, fiily Fellows that know not what they do, to be, to fo many Thoufand Sober Men, as Wolves among the Sheep to thcdiftraflion of fuch a City, and the difturbance of fo many thoufand for worfliipping God. How lively doth this tell us, that Satan, the Prince of the Aereal Powers workcth in the Children of Difobedieace, and that his Kingdom on Earth is kin to Hell, as Chrift's Kingdom is to Heaven.

§ 291. When 1 undcrftood that the delign was to ruin me, by heaping up Convi£tions, before 1 was heard to fpeak for my felf, 1 went to Sir Thomas Davis, and told liim that I undertook to prove that I broke not the Law and defircdhim that he would pafs no Judgment till I had fpoke for my felf before my Accufers • But I found him fo ignorant of the Law, as to be fully pcrfwaded, that if the Informers did but fwear in general that I kept Ian mUrv-ful meeting in Fretence of a Religions Excrcife in other nunner than according to the Liturgy and praSice of the C/jwrcfc 0/England! he was bound to take this general Oath for Proof, and to record a judgment; and fo that the Acc-ufers were indeed 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 j;ood 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 Traytor, they mull name .w'hat his Fad was, andprovc him guilty: ) And I was at charge in Feeing Counlellors to convince him, and others; and yet I could not perfwade him out of his miftakc; I told him that if this were fo, any two fuch Fellows might defame, and bring to Fines, and Punilhment, himfclf, and all the Magi-llratei and Parliament-Men thcmfelvcs, and all that meet in the Parifh-Church-

es, aad Men had no Remedy. At hit he told me that he v»ouldconfult with other Aldermea at the Seflions, and they would go one way : Whea the Seffions came I went to Guild-HJl^ and again defired him that 1 might be heard before I was Judged: But though tlic other Alderman (fave two or three) were a-gainft fuch doings, I could not prevail with liim, but (profeinng great Kindnefs) he then laid all on Sir John Howell^ the Recorder, faying, that it was his Judgment, and he mull follow his Advice. I defired him, and Sir Tfcow.w ^//e», that they would defire of the Recorder, that I might be heard before I was Judged, and that if it mufl: pafs by his Judgment, that he would hear me fpeak : But I could not procure it •, the Recorder would not fpeak with me: When I faw their Refolution, I told Sir Thomas ■ Davi:^ if 1 might not be heard, I would record to Pofterity the injuftice of his Judgment, and Record: But I perceived, that he had already made the Record, but not yet given it in to the Seffions: At laft, upon Confultation with his Leaders, he gianted me a hearing, and three of the Informers met mc at his Houfe, that hi d fworn againft me: I told them my particular Cafe, and asked them what m^de my Preaching a Breach of that Law, and how they proved their Accufation? They firfc 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 Prafticc of the Church of EngLnd to Preach in unconfecrated Places, as at Sturbrid^e-Fair , at the Sfittk^ at Whitehall-Court^ arfd many fuch like.

They next faid, {^Becaufe I am a Nonconformijiri I eafily convinced them that I am not a Nonconformift in Law-fence, but in the fame cafe with a Conformift that hath no Benefice (whatever 1 am in confcie.nce), the Law obliging me to no more than I do. And if I were, that is nothing to the manner of the txtrcife.

Their laft and great proof was, that 1 ufed not the Common Prayer. I undertook to prove to them that Law ccmmandeth 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 A& that Conformable perfons that Communicate in the Liturgy with the Parifh Churches, Ihould be judged Conventiclers, whenever above four of them joyncd in a Religious Exercife without the Liturgy : For elfe all Tutors in the Univerlity fhould be punilhable, and all School-mafters that teach their Scholars and pray with them (if above 1 6 years of age) and they that •inftrua Prifoners at Newgate^ and they that exhort and pray and fing Pfalmi with them at the GaHoros^ with many fuch Inlbnces : We ought not to judge fo uiicharitablv of King and Parliament, unconftrained,'as to think that they would allow Multitudes to meet at a Play-houfe, a Mufick-houfe, a horfe-racc, a Bear-baiting, or Dancing, or any game, and allov/ many to meet at a CofFee-houfe, Ale-houfe, or Tavern, or in any private houfe, and do, on pain of utter mine, only forbid Conformable perfons, to joyn more than four, in fing-ing a Pfulm^ or reading a Chapter or a Licenfed book, or in praying together, or Conference tending to Religious Edification.

In Summ,thcy confeft they could not Anfwcr mc,nor prove their charge,bot they ftij] believed that I was guilty.'The Jufricewasfofar from thinking that they proved it, that he motioned to them to Retrad their Oaths ( or elfe ftill he thought tliat he muft condemn mc: ) They dcnycd to do that, and faid, That the Birtiop airiired . them, That it was a Convcnticlc,and I was guilty : I defired them,if it muft all lie upon the Bifhop, that I might Speak with them to the Bilhop for my felf •• They told mc. That it was the Arch-B«(hop of CrfKffrfcMry , and they were all jiift now going to him , and pr^unifcd to bring mcword when I might Speak with him :_ But I heard no more of them of that: But the Jufticc retraded not his Judgment, but delayed a Month or more, to give out his Warrant todiftrein, though I daily lookw^en they take ray books (for they will find but little elfe: ) Though both juftice and Accufcrs have before witnefsconfclfed that they cannot prove me guilty, but one profefleth to go on the belief of the Recorder, and the other of the Arch-bifnop.

§. 292. But God hath more mercy on thefe ignorant Informers, than on the Pharifiical Inftigators of them : For thofc repent,but no Prelate, ( fave one ) that I licar of, doth repent .• One of them that Swore againft me, went t^\e next Fqft to Redriff, to Mr. RofcwelPs Church, where a Faft was kept, where liearing

three

tiiiee Miiiiftefs pray and preuLh , his le.rt was melted, and v.itli Tears, he lamented his toimcr coiirfc, and paitivularly his Acculing me, and ieemeth refolvcd for a new reformed Courfc of Life, and is retired from his former Company to that end. And a third (the chief j of the Informers lately in the Streets, with great kin-lnefs to me, profeifed, that he v/ould meddle no more (coming by when a halfdiuiaftcd Fellow had Siiici; me on the head with his Staff, and furioully reviled at me for Preaching , with the titles of Rogue , Villain, Hypocrite. Traytor, &c. ( as the Prelatilts and Papifts often do. )

§. 293. The Parliament meeting ^pr. 13. they fell firft on the D. of LauderdaJe^ icncwine their delire to the King, to remove him from all publick Enployment and Tnift; His chief accufing Witncfs was Mr. Bu^'net ^ late Publick-Profeflbr of Tka-hfje at Clafcoto, who faid, That he askt him whether the Scots Army would come into EmlMd^ and laid ^ \Vhat if the Dillenting Scots Hionld Rife , an Jri/h Army fliould cue their Throats, &c. But becayfe Mr. Burnet had lately magnified the faid Duke in an EpijH: before a publifhed book, many thought his witnefs now to be more unfavoury and revcngeftiU: Every one judging as they were affedtcd. But the King fent them Anfwer, That the words were fj^okeu before his late Aft, of pardon , which if he (hould Violate , it might caufe jealouiies in his Subjects, that he might do fo alfo by the Ad of Indemnity.

§. 2y4, "Their next Alfaultwas againit the Lord Treafurer , who found more Friends in the Hcufe of Commons, who at lait acquitted him.

§. 295. But the great work was in the Houfe of Lords, where an Aft was brought in to impofe fuch an Oath on Lords, Commons, and Magillrates, as is Impofcd by the Oxford-Ad: of Confinement on Minillers, and like the Corporation-Oath ( of which more anon. ) It was now fappofed that the bringing the Parliament under this Oath and Teft was the great work which the Houfe was to perform: ThcSumm was. That none Commiflioned by the King maybe by Arms rcfiftcd, and that they would never endeavour any alteration of the Government of Church or State. Many Lords fpake vehemently againft it, as deftruaive 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 Bifhop Merley and hUho'p IVard ^ were the great Speakers for it. And the EsltI of Shaftsbury ^ Lord //oflw, 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 Proteftation againft it .• The Protefters the firft time ( for they protefted thrice more afterward) were the Duke of Buckingham^ the Marquefs oiWinchcJier^ the Earls of Salisbury^ Brijlol^ Barkfliire^

§ 296. TheProtefting Lords having many days ftriven againft the Teft, and being overvoted, attempted to joyn to it an Oath for Honejiy and Confcience in thefe words. " {\ do f^'ear that I will never by threats, injunctions, promifes, or invita-" tions, Ijy or from any perfon whatfoevcr, nor from the hopes or profpecT:s of any " gift, place, office, or tiiift whatever, give my vote, other than according to my " opinionandconfcience, as I (hallbetruly and really perfwaded upon the debate " of any bulinefs m Parliament]]. But the Bilhops on their fids did cry it down and caft it out.

§ Z97. The Debating of this Text did more weaken the Intereft and Reputation of the Bilhops with the Nobles, than any thing that ever befelthem fince the King came in-, fo much doth unquiet overdoing tend to undomg. The Lords that v/ould not have heard a Nonconformift fay half fo much, when it came to be their own cafe, did long and veh.emently plead againft that Oath and Declaration as impofcd on them, which they with the Commons had before impofed on others. And they cxercifed fo much liberty for many days together in oppoling the Bifhops, and free and bold fpeechcs againft their Teft, as greatly turned to the Bifhops Difpa-ragement, efpcciai'iy the Earl of Shaftsbury^ the Duke of Buckingham^ the Earl of Briftol the Marquefs of IVinchefier ^ the Earl of Salisbury^ the Lord Hollif^ the Lord Hallifuic^ and the Lord of Jksbury.

Which fet the Tongues of Men at fo much liberty, that the common talk was agjunft the Bifhops: And they faid, that upon Trial,there were fo few found a-mong all the Billiops, that were able to fpeak to purpofc ( Bifhop MorUy of Win^ flbc/fer, and Bifhop H'^r^i of S^iistw*-^ being their chief Speakers ) that they grew Very low alfo , as to the Reputation of their parts.

^. 298. That

/

at —c_..

j68 7k LI F E of the Part ill.

5. 29?. Atlaft, thoug;h the Teft wa? carried by the Ma)nrity, yet thofe, that were againft it, with others, prevailed tcmake fo great an alteration of it, as made it quite another thing, and turned it to the greitelt difadvantage of the Bifhops, and the grcateft accommodation of the Caufc of the Nonconformif^s^ of anv thing that this Parliament hath done For they red\iced it to thcfc words, of a Declaration and an Oath,

C" I ^. B. do declare, That it is not lawful, on any pretence whatfoever, " to take Arms againfl: the King j And that I do abhor that Traiterous Pofition, *' of taking Arms, by His Authority, againft His Perfon, or againft thofe that " are Commiffioned by him according to Law, in time of ixcbellion and War, in ** afting in purfuance of fuch Commiflion,

C" I y^. B. do Swear, that I will not endeavour an Ahcration of the Prote-" ftant Religion now eftablilhed by Law in the Church of Enpland: nor will I *, endeavour any Alteration in the Government of this Kingdom in Qiurch or " State, as it is by Law Eftabliflied.

§. 299. This Declaration and Oath thus altered, was fiich as the Nonconfor-mifts would have taken, if it had been ofl'crcd them in ftead of the Ox/br</-Oath, Che Subfcription for Uniformity, the Corporation and Veftry Declaration: But the Kingdom, muft be Twelve years rackt to Diffraftion, and 1800 Minifters forbidden to Preach Chrift's Gofpel, upon pain of utter niin, and Cities and Coi-po-rations all New-Modelled and Changed, by other kind or Oaths and Covenants j and when the Lords find the like ©btnided on themfelves, they re)e<ft it as intolerable : And when it pafl:, they got in this Provifo, That it fhould be no liia-derancc to their Free-Speaking and Voting in the Parliament: Many worthy Miniflers have loft their Lives by Imprifonments, and many Hundred their Maintenance , and Liberty, and that opportunity to fcrvc God in their Callings, fviiich was much of the comfort of their Lives, and moftly for refufing what the Lords themfelvcs at laft refufe, with fuch another Declaration. But though Experience teach fome that will no otherwife learn 1 it is fad with the World, when their Rulers muft learn to Govern them at lo dear a rate j and Coun-treys, Ciiies, Churches, and the Souls of Men, muft pay fo dear for their Gover-Bours Experience.

§. 500. The following Explication will tell you, That there is nothing in this Oatl, and Declaration to be refiifed. 1. ^\ Ao declare. That it is not lawful 3 can Tiic-.n no more, but that {_ 1 think fo ~\ and not that 1 pretend to Infallible certainly therein. 2. [_ To take Arms againft the Km^P[ That is, either againft his torniAl Author ity^ as ^/w^:, or againft His Perfon ^ Life, or Liberty) or againft any of His Rights and Dignity : And doubtlefs the Pcifon of the King is inviolable, and fo are His Authority and Rights ;, not only by the Laws,^ b'lt by the very Conftitution of the Kingdom : For every Common-wealth being cllentially conftitutcd of the Pars Imferans^ and pars fuyditu materially, the Upii-on of thefe is the Form of it, and the Diflblutiou is the Deuih of it: AndHo-ftility is Difunion and DiflTokition. Therefore no Head or Sovcraign hath powa-to dcftrov, 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, ftiould make the difTblu-tion of the Republick to become a Duty, (As if fome Republick fliould caft oft" the Ellcntiil Principles of Society. ) By Law, neither King nor Kingdom may deftroyorhurt each other: For the Governing Laws fuppofc their Union (a$ the Conftitution, and the Common good, with the due Welfare of the Sovcraign,. is the end of Government, which none have power againft.

But it muft be noted, that the words are ^aganft the /''Vr^l and not {_afainjt the KiUj^^s IVill-^ ] for if his IVill be againft his/Ff/pre, his Kingdom^ gx his Latis^ though that W''«7/bc fignified by his Commiflloncrs, the Declaration dilcliimeth not the reliftinc of fuch a Will by Arms.

3. And if tlicie be anv that aHert, that the King's yluthority gititth them right f» tt^e up Arms ( againjt his ferfvn^ or Ijiwful Cormntjfwns, ] it nuift needs be a Falfe and Traiterous AfTcrtion: For if his Perfon may be Hoftilely fought a-jainft, the Common-wealth may be dilTolved, which the Law cannot fuppofe j

fo£

Part III. 'Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter.

1^9'

for all Liws die with the Gommon-weikh : And it is a contradiftion to be authorized by him to refill by Arms his GommilTions, which are according to Lav7: For the Authority, pretended to be his, mutt be his Lams^ or Commijfiom and to be Authorized by his Laws, or Commifllons, to refill his Laws, muft fig-nifie, that his Laws are contraiictory, when by o?j? we muft refill another : But fo far as they are contradiftory, both cannot be Laws, or Lawful Commifllons-For one of them mult n^cds nullifie the other (either by Fundamental Priority or by Poflerioritv , fignifyiug a Repeal of the other. )

And it rauft bz noted, that yet the Trayteroits Position medleth not with the Qiiellion of C tAln^^ A'm arainli the Kinfs Perfon^ or CommiJJi'^iiers by the Law of God^ of N.iiiire^ or of Nations^ bat only of doing it by his nyn Authority.

4. And that it is not lawful to take Arms againfl: nay Com-vUfioned by him according to Ltir, in tints of Rebellion and War^ inp'irfiance of fuch Commi/Jion []'isa Tnith fo evideit, that no fober Perfons cm deny it: The Long Parliament that had the War, did vehemently alfert it, and therefore gave out their Commifllons to the Earl of EJfex and his Soldiers, to fight againfl: Delinquent Sub-jc£ts, for the King and Parliament.

5. And the Oath containeth no more, than our not endeavouring to Alter the Proteltant Religion eftabliflied, or the King's Government or Monarchy : It cannot, with any true reafou, be fuppofed to tic us at all to the Bifhop^-much lefs to the Eni^li/h Dlfeafe or Gorniption of Epifcopacy^ or to Lay-Chancel lours, &c. but only to the King, as Supreme , in all Caufes Ecclefiaftical and Civil, fo far as they fill under Coercive Government.

This is thus proved pad denyal, t. The word [_ Protefiant Religion ms eflalifhed in the Church of Ens;] and ~\ cannot include the Prelacy; For, i. The Protefiant Religion is eflintiallv nothing, but the Chrifl:ian Religion as fuch, with the dif-claiming of Popery, aiid fo our Divines have flill profefTcd: But our Prelacy is no part of the Chrifl:ian Religion.

2. The Protefiant 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 difl:iugui(h the Religion of the Church oiEngland^ from the Church of England it felf, and from Goverment.

4. If Epifcopacy in general were proved part of the Proteftant Pvcligion , the Englifh Accidents and Corniptinns are not fo : They, that fay that Epifcopacy is Jure Divino , and unalterable , do yet fay, that National, and Provincial Churches are Jure Hum.mo \ and that fo is a Diocefane, as it is diftinct from Parochial, containing mmy Parilhcs in it: And if the King fliould fct up a Bifhop in every Market-Town , yea, every Parifli, and put down Diocefanes, it is no more than what hertliydo: AndifbyC^^e Protefiant Religion eftabli{hed'} fhould be meant every alterable mode or circumftancc, 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 Trantlation, or the Metre of the Pfahm, &c. or to take the keys of Excommunication and Abfolntion out of the hands of the Lay-Chan-cellour's, &c. which none can reafonably fuppofe.

2. And tint our Prelacy is not at all included in the word {Government of the Kingdnn in Church and State ~\ but only the King's Supreme Government in all Caufes Ecclefiaftical and Civil, is mofr evident: i. Becaufe it is exprcfsly faid C Tk Governmnt of the K';n^dom'\ which is all one with the Government of the King. For a Bifhop, or a Jnftice, or a Mayor, i« no Governour of the Kingdom^ but only in the Kingdom , of a Particr.lar Church , City, Corporation, or Diviiion; The [umma pnteftas onlv is the Government of the Kingdom , as a Kingdom •, And becaufe forma denominate we cannot take the Kingdom to llgnific only a Church or City.

Y y y y %. Becaufe

2. Becaufe elle it would change the very conftitiition of the Kingdcm, by mikin" all the infeviour Officers w:alterab'.e^ and fo to be cirentiul conftkutivc parts: w'hevcas only the pars Imferar.s and pars Subdita are conftitutivc parts of every Kingdom, or Republick, and the Conftitutive p^jrs Impcram is only the fumma fo-te(lj.s except where the mixture and fundamentil Contraft is fuch, as that Inferiour Officers are woven fo into the Conltitution,as that they may not be changed without it's Diflolution, which is hardly to be fuppofed, even it Venice. Tbe Oaths between thz fumma potcJla,s and the Subject, are the bonds of the Commonwealth j their Union being the form, that muft not be dilTolvcd : But to make Oaths of JI legiartce^ or Unchangcablenefs, reach to the Inferiour Magiftrates or Officers, is to change the Government or Conltitution.

3. Andfo it deftroyeth the Regal power, in one of it s chief properties or prerogatives, which is to alter inferiour Officers j who all receive their power from the Supreme, and are alterable by him ( even by the Ma\eflm which hath the Lesiflative foxvers. ) And this would take away all the King's power to alter fo much as a Mayor, juftice or Conftable. For, mark, that Government of the Kingdom C '« Church and State 3 are fet equally together without any note of difference, as to alteration : If therefore it extend to any but the Supreme, even to inferiour Officers it were to extend to them as Governing the State ( even to the lowcft) as well as the Church. But this is a fuppofition to be Contemned,

4. And if the Diftinftion ffiould be meant de ptrfoms Imperantibus., and (hould intend only C ^i/hops and King 3 by C Church md State ] i. It would fuppofe that King and Parliament do take C Bifiops and King 3 for two coordinate Beads^ in governing the Kingdom, 2. And that they fet the £i/hop before the King ; wliich is not to be fuppofed.

5. And to put all out ofqueftion, the Oath is but Conform to former Statutes, Oaths, Articles of Religion and Canons, i. The Statutes which declare the King to be only Supreme Governour of the Church, I need not cite. 2. The Oath of Supremacy is well known of all, 3' The very firft Canon is, that the Arch-Bi(hop ot Canterbury and all Biihops, &c. fhall faithfully keep, asd obferve all the Laws for the King's Supremacy over the Church of England^ in caufes Ecclefiaftical: And the ad. Canon is to condemn the dangers of it. And the 36. Canon obligeth all Mi-nifters to fubfcribe that the King's Afajcjiy under Cod is the only Supreme Governour of

this Realm -06 wellinalljpiritual and Ecclefiafiical things or caufes as temporal.

And ( as the Parliament are called the Reprefentative of the People or Kingdom as diftind from the Head,fo) the 139. Canon excommunicateth all them that affirm

C that the Sacred Synod ofth'vs Nation^in the Name of Chrtft and by the King's Authority yiflembk'd is mt the true Church of England by Reprcfcntation : So that they claim to be but the Reprefentative of the Church as it is the Body diftindl from the Head Chrift, aud the King as their chief Governour. 4. And all that are Ordained are likewife to take the Oath of Supremacy C"Ido utterly tcftify and declare in " my Confcience thtt the King's Highncfs is the only Supreme Governour of this "Realm—as well in all Spiritual or Ecclefiafcical things or Caufes, as Temporal,] 5. And it is alfo inferted in the Articles of Religion, Jrt. 35. Audit is added cxpo.rnorily [^" Where we attribute to the ^ffn's Majefty the Chief Government " (by which title we undcvftand the minds cf fome flanderous folks to b: offended ) " we give not to our Princes the Miniftring cither of God's Word, cr of the Sa-" cramcnts—but that only prerogative which we fee to have bceft given always " to all Godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himfelf, that is, that they (hould " rule all Efiates and Degrees committed to their Charge by God, v.hctlier they " be Eccleliaftcal or Temporal, and reftrain with the Civil 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-ftrate, yet, the Law, and this Article, by the word C Government'] mean only [_ Coercive Government by the Sword] and do include the power of the Keys under the title of {_ Miniftring the Word and Sacraments^'} Church Guidance being indeed nothing cLfe but the Explication and Application of God'? word to Cafes and Con-fcienccs, and aclminiftring the Sacraments accordingly. So that as in the very Article of Rcli^on, Supreme Government, appropriated to the King only, is contra-diftinguifh'd from \_ Mi:iifrring the Word and ^■'acramertts^'] wliich is not called Go-vernmnt there, fo are wc to undcrftand this Law and Oath: And many Learned Men think, that Guidance is a fitter name than Government for the Paftor's Office ^

And

And therefore Crotins de Intper. Sum. Pot. would rather liave the Name Coijorts or Rulers ufed than Larvs as to their Determinations : Though no doubt but the Name [^ Oovcrnment 3 may be well applyed to the Paftor's Parr, Co we diftinguifli as Biljlon and othzT judicious men vie to do, calling one \^Goveynmcnt by God's Word (upon the Confcience ) and the other Government by the /word. 3 ( as feconding Precepts with enforcing penalties and Mulcts. )

§ 301. While this Tell was carrying on in the houfe of Lords, and 500 pound* Voted to be the penalty of the Refiiiers, before it could come to the Commons, a difference fell between the Lords and Commons about their priviledges, by occalion of two Suits that were brought before the Lords, in which two Members of the Commons were parties, which occafioued the Commons to fend to the Tower^ Sir Jo);;; f.f^, on: of their Members, for appearing at the Lords Bar without their confcnt, and four Coiinfeilours ( Sir John ChurcbUl, Sergeant Pemberton^ Sergeant Pccke^ and aaother ) for pleading there •, And the Lords Voted it

Illegal, and that they fhouldbe releafed: Sir John Rohinfon^ Lieutenant of the Tower obeyecl 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 Oiiober 13. there appearing no hope of Reconciling them. VVIrich rejoiced many that they rofe without doing any further harm.

§. 302. June 9. Keting^ the Informer being commonly deteflcd for profecuting lae was cait in Gaol for Debt, and wrote to me to endeavour his Deliverance, which I did; and in his Letters, faith C "■ Sir, I afTure you 1 do verily believe ** that God hath bellowed 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 fclf 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 j I do not *' think that ever I fhall thrive or profper : And I hope you will be pleafed to pray *' to God for mc, <irc.~\

%. 303. A while before another ofthe chief Informers of the City and my Ac-cufcr ( MarifhaU ) died in the Counter where his Creditors laid him, to keep hira from doing more harm:) Yet did not the Bifhops change or ceafe: Two more Informers were fet on work, who firft aSaulted Mr. Cafe\ Meeting, and next got in as hearers into Mr. Read's Meeting where I was Preaching j And when they would have gone out to fetch jultices (for they v/ere known j the doors were locktto keep them in till I had done, and one of them ( fuppofcd to be fent from Fullum ) flayed weeping: Tet went they Itraight to the juftices, and the week following heard me again as Informers at my Lectures j but I have not yet heard of their Accalation.

§. 304, But this week (^Jumg.) Sir Thama/i Dav'vs f notwithllanding all liis forelaid Warnings and Confeflious ) fent his Warrants to a Juftice of the Divifion where I dwell, to duHrrein on me (upon two Judgments) for 50 pounds; for v Preaching my Lecture in New-Jlreet: Some Conformifts are paid to the value of zo pounds a Sermon for their Preaching, and I mnft pay 20 pounds and 40 pounds a Sermon for Preaching for nothing-, O what Pallors hath the Church of England, who thialc it worth all their unwearied Labours, and all the odium which they contraft from the People, to keep fuch as I .am, from Preaching the Gofpel of Chrifl,aad to undo us for it as far as they are able, though thefc many years they do not (for they cannot) accufe mc for one word that ever I Preached : nor one A&ion clfc that I have done : While the greatell of the BiSiops Preach not thrice i vear ( as their Neighbours fay ), themfelves.

'§. 505. Tlie dangcro»s Crack 'over the Markct-houfe at St. Jjmes's put many upon defiling that /had a larger fafcr place for Meeting. And though my own diilnls, and great backwardncfs to troublcfome bufmefs made me very avcrfe to fo great an midertaking, judging that it being in the face of the Court, it would aever be endured, yet the great and unceHant importunity of many ( out of a fervent dcfire of the good of Souls ; did conltrain me to undertake it: And when it was almoft finiQicd (in Oxenden-Prtct ) Mr. Harry Coventry^ one of his Majeftiesprincipal Secretaries, who had a houfe joyningtoit, and was a Member of Parliament, fpake twice ag3inft it, in the Parliament: But no one feconded him, _ ,

§. 306. /think meet to reciie the names and liberality of fume of thofc pious aadCkaritablc perfons who contributed towards the building of this^place (The

Y y y y 2 moaey

^L' /n

172 ' Ihe LIFE of the Part III

money was all put into the hands of Mr. 7 ho. St.wky a worthy fufficient Citizen in Bread-JJreet., who undertook the care and Disbnrfement, for / never toucht one penny of it my felf, nor any one for me: Nor did / think meet to make a publick Collection for it in the place where / Preached. ) The Lady j<rm'me —60 1. (on her death-bed. Sir John Maynerd—j^o 1. Mr. Brooke Bridgdes—ro 1. Sir '^iames Lang-ham-'2o\. (at firft time.) The Countefs of Clare—10 1, The Countefs of Tre-colcnel'-6 I. The Lady Clinton-'^ 1. The Lady Eleanor Hollis-^ 1. The Countcls o^H'artoid—io\. Mr. French—znd Mt. Brandon ( Non-conformable Minifters)—20 L The Lady Richards-^ \. —Mr. Henly ( a Parliament man ) 5 1.—Sir Edward Har-ley--\o l.~Mr. Richard Hamhdon and Mr. John his Son—8 1.—The ^ady Fitz.-'yames and her three Daug,hters—6 1.—Sir Richard Chiverton-i 1. Mrs Rctghnolds i 1. Alderman Benry Jflmrji and his Son-in-law Mr. Booth (the firll Undertakers) 100 \. Collefted among all their City Friends, and Ours whom they thought meet to move

in it.

And that we might do the more good, my Wife urged the Building of another Meeting-place in Bloomsbury., for Mr. Read (to be furthered by my fcmetimc helping him ) ^ the Neighbourhood being very fiiU of People, Rich and Poor, that could not come into the Parifh-Church, through the greataefs of the Parifh (and Dr. Bourman., the Parifh-Parfon, having not Preached, Prayed, Read, or Admini-ftrcd Sacraments thefe Three or Four Years,

§307. This Week Qm. 14.) many Bifhops were with the King, who, they lay,

granted them his Commands to put the Lr. ,vs againft lis in Execution : And on

Tuefday about Twelve or Thirteen of them went to Dine with the Sheriff of

, / London, i\x Nathanael Heme ; where the bufmefs being mentioned, he told them,

' I that they could not Trade with their Neighbours one Day, and fend them to

Goal the next.

§ 308. Dr, Tully, by his book called jufiiftcatio Paulina , conftrained me to Publilh Two Books in Vindication of the Truth and my felf, viz.. Two Dif-putations of Original Sin, and a Treatife of Juftifying Righteoufnefs ;, in which I poblilhed my Old Papers to Mr. Chriftopher Cartwri^ht. Dr. Tully prefently fell lick, and (to our common Lofs) Ihortly died.

§ 309. I was fo long wearied with keeping my Doors fliut againft them that came to diftrein 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 afterwards to fell it:, So that if Books had been my Treafure, fand 1 valued little more on Earth,) 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 1 Prelates, to hinder me from Preaching, deprived me alfo of thefe private Cora-

forts : But Gcd faw that they were my Snare : We brought nothing into the World, and \vc 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 ro be diftreined, and fo go on to Preach : And accordingly removing my "bweilingtothe New Chappcl which 1 had built, I pr.ipofed to venture there to Preach (there beiug Forty Thonfand Pcrfons in the Parifti fas is fup-pofed) more than can hear in the PariHi-Church, who have no Place to go to for God's Public!: Worihip: So that I fet not up Church againft Chnrch, but Preached to thofe that muft elfc have none, being loth that London fhould turn Athcifts, or live worfe than Infidels. But when 1 had Preached there but Once, a Rcfolution 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 fhonld go, 1 fell fo ill, that 1 was fain to fend to difappoint both the Coach and my intended Companipa Qiw ^ylvejler'): And when I was thus fully refol-vcd toftay, it plcafed God, after the Ordinary Coach-Hour, that Three Men, from Three y)arts of the City, met at myHouic accidentally , juft at the <amc time (ahnoft to a minute) of whom, if any One had not been there, I had not gone ; viz.. the Coachman again to urge mc, Mr. Sylvejier, whom I had put ofF, and Dr. Coxe, who compelled me, and told me, clfc he would carry me into the Coach. It proved a fpccial merciful Providence of God j for after One Week of Lansuifhing and Pain , I had Nine Weeks greater Eafe than ever I

ex-

or

Part III. Re^^^ d Mr. RTc~ha/d Baxter.

cxpcrted in this World, and greatcT" Comfort in my Work. For ray sood Fnend R^ch.rd Bertsford, Efq, Clerk of the Exch^er, whofe imp/rtSky drew mc to his Hov-.c , fpared for no Coft, Labour or Kiridaefs^ for J, Health or Service. For underftanding of which, and much more in thefc Pa' pers, feeing 1 record fiich things for the Notice of Students and Phyficians that other mens Health may have fome advantage by my Expeiienccs and Sorrows I muft here digrefs to mention the State of my vile Body, not otherwife worthy the notice of the World. '

§ 311. What is before written, hath notified, that I have lain in above Forty Years conftant WeakaelFes, and almoll conftant Pains .• My chief Trouble were incredible Inflamations of Stomach, Bowels, Back, Siles, Head, Thidis as if I had been daily fill'd with Wind .• So that I never knew heard o-read of any man that had near fo much. Thirty Phyficians ( at lealt) all 'called 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 Chacheftical Atropie. The pLjrticular Symptoms were more than I can number. I thought my felf, that my Difcafc was almoft all from Debility of the Stomach, and extream Acrimony of Blood, by fome Fault of the Liver About the Year i6<;8. finding the inflation much in the Membranes of the Reins, I fufpec^cd the Stone, and thought that one of my extream Leanncfs might pofllbly feel it .- I felt both my Kidnies plainly indurate like Stone • But never having had a Nephritick Fir, nor Stone came from me in my Life' and knowing, that if that which I felt was Stone, the Greatnefs prohibited aU Medicine that tended to a Cure: I thought therefore that it was b-It for ine to be ignorant what it was : And fo far was I from melancholy i;i::.t I foon forgot that 1 liad felt it, even for about Fifteen Years. Hue my' Inflations beginning ufually in my Reins, and all my Back, daily torn, and greatly pained by It, 16-73- it turned to terrible SufixDcations of my Biain and Lungs-So that if I flept, I was fuddenly and painfully awakened : The Abatement of Urine, and conftant Pain, which Nature almolt yielded to as Vidorious renewed my Sufpicion of the Stone , And my Old Exploration : And feeling' my Lean Back, both the Kidneys were greatlicr indurate than before and the Membrane fo fore to touch , as if nothing but Stone were within them • The Phyficians faid. That the Stone cannnnt be felt with the Hand ' I defi-red Foot of the Chief of them to feel tlicm: They all concluded that it is the Kidneys which they felt, and that they are hard (like Stone or Bone ) • but what ir is they conld not tell •, but they thought, if both the Kid:i:;shad Stones fo big, as feemed to fuch feeling, it was impoflible but I Hiould be much worfc, by Vomiting and Torment, and not able to Preach, and go about. 1 told them b?ijdes what Skenkm and many Obfervators fay ^ That I cotdd tell them of many of late times, whofc Reins and Gall were full of Stone ( great ones in the Reins, and many fmall ones in the Gall ), who had, fome of them. never fiifpc<a.-d the Stone, and fome but little : But while One or Two of t'.« Phviicians (as t hey ufc) did fay. It could not tf, left they (houkl (as they thought) difcourage me, I became the Common Talk of the City, efpecially the' Women •, as if I h d been a melancholy Huraourifl, that conceited my Reins were pecri-f.ed, when it was no fuch matter , but meer Conceit. And fo while 1 lay . Night and Day in Pain, my fuppofed Melancholy (which, 1 thank God all my Life hath been extraordinary free from) became, for a Year, the Pity or Derifion of the Town. Bnt the Difcovery of my Cafe was a great mercy to my Body and my Soul: For,

I. Thereupon , feeing that all PhyHcians had been deceived, and perceiving that all my Flatulency and Pains came from the Reins by Stiignation, Regurgitation and Acrimony, I call off all other Medicine and Diet , and Twice" a Week kept clean my Inteftines by an Eleftua'ry of Cajjia^ Terebinth. Cyp: and Rhah. S:c. or Pills of Rhab. and Terebinth. Scio. Ufing alfo Syrup of Mallows in all my Drink:; and God hath given me much more Abatements and In-termiOlcns of Pain this Year and half, than in my former overwhelming Pains I could cxpeft.

1. And whether it be a Scbyrrus , or Stones ( which I doubt not of), I leave to them to tell others, who (hall difled my Corps : But fure I am that I have wonderful Caufe of Thankfulncfs to God , for the Eafe which i

have

The L 1 FEoj the Fart III

have had thefe Forty Years.- Being ftUy fatisfied, that (by ill Diet, Old Cheefe, Raw Drinks and Salt Meats ) whatever it is, 1 coiitraded it before 'Twenty Years of Age, and lince Twenty One or Twenty Two, have had jult the fame Symptoms as now at Sixty,, faving the different ftrength of Nature to refill. And that I fhould in Forty Years have few hours without pain (to call mc to redeem my Time ), and yet not one Nephritick Torment, nor A-crimony ot Urine ( fave One Day of Bloody Urine) nor intolerable kind of Pain .■ What greater Bodily Mercy could I have had ? How merciful , how fu/tablc.hath this Providence been. My Pains now in Reins, Bowels and Stomach &c. are almoll conftant ; but with merciful Alleviations upon the forefaid means.

() 111. As I have written this to mind Phyficians , to fearch deeper, when they ufc to take up with the General Hiding Names of /-.ypochoytdriacks and Scorbutkh , and to caution Students ^ lb I now proceed to that which occafion-cd it. I had tried Cow's Milk, Goats Milk, Brealt Milk, and laftly, Alfes Milk, and none of them agreed with me^ But having Thirty Years ago read in many great Praftitioners, That for Eloody Vr'me^ and meer Debility of the Reins, Sheeps Milk doth \Vonders ( fee Gordonius^ Forejlus^ Schoubo^ &c.) I had long a defire to try it, and never had Opportunity. But as 1 was faying this to miy Friend, a Child anfwered. That their next Neighbour ( a Qiiaker) did iliil milk their Sheep (a Quarter of a Year after the ufual time, or near): Whereupon I procured it for fix Weeks, to the greaseft increafe of my Eafe, Strength and Flefli, 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. Berlifoird , I had Leave and Invitation for Ten Lord's Days to Preach iu the Parilh-Churches round about. The firft Parilh that I Freach'd in, after Thirteen Years Ejcdion tnd Prohibition, was Rickmerfaorth , and after that at San at ^ at Kin^^s Layigley ^ at Chejfam^ at Chalferd, and at ^-mer/ham,, and that often Twice a Day: Thofe heard that had not come to Church of Seven Years • and Two or Three Thoufand heard v?here fcarce an Hundi'ed were wont to come, and with fo much Attention and Willingncfs, 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 Prelatifls accufed me , as if I had intruded into the Parifh-Churches too boldly, and without Authority : The Qparrelfome Seftaries, or Separates, did in London fpcak againft me, for drawing People to the Pariih-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 grcatefl: Duties. But the plcaling of God, and faving Souls, will pay for all.

§314. The Countries about Richnerfivorth abounding with Quakers, becaufe Mr. IV. Pen^ their Captain, dwelleth there, I was delirous that the Poor People fhould Once hear what was to be faid for their Recovery ^ Which coming to Mr. Fcn\ Ears, he was forward to a Meeting, where we continued {]-.eak-ing to Two Rooms full of People, ( Fading ) from Ten a Clock till Five (One Lord and Two Knights, and Four Conformable Minifters, beiides o-thers, being prefent, fome all the Time, and forae part). The Succefs gave me Caufc to believe that it w;is not labour loft : 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. .W^o«, a Nonconformifl; of Dirby/hire^ lately come to thcQ-ty as a Traveller, to Preach the Second Sermon in my New Built Cbappcl: He was told (and over-told) all the Danger j and deihed not to a^mc, if he feared it: I had left word. That if he would but ftep into my Houfe, through a Door, he was in no danger,' they having not Power to break open any but the Mceting-houfe : While he was Preaching, Three- Juftices , with Soldiers ( fnppofed by Secretary Covcnt'y\ fending) came to the Door to feize the Preacher. They thought it had been I, and,had prepared ? Warrant upon the OX' ford Aft, to fend mcfor Six MC)nths to the Common "Goal. The good man, ° ' and

and Two Weak Hcncft Pcrfons intriifted to have direfted him, left the Houfe nvhere he was fate, cind thinking to pafs away, came to the Juftices and Soldiers at the Door, and there ftood by them, till feme one faid, Tbif is the Preacher. And fo they took him, vsnd blotted my Name out of the Warrant, and put in his ^ Though almoft every Word fitted to my Cafe, was falfe of him. To the Catclyoufe he was carried, where he continued almoft Three Months of the Six •- and being earneftly dcfirous of Deliverance, 1 was put to Charges to accom-pli(h it, and at laft (having Righteous Judges, and the Warrant being found faulty) he had an Habeas Cortw^ and was freed upon Bonds to appeal; again the next Term.

§ 316. By this means my Cafe was made much worfe: For, i. The Juftices, and other Profecutors, were the more cxafperated agaiuft mc. 2. And they were now taught to flop every Hole in the next Warrant (to which I was ftiU as liable as ever): So that I had now no Profpea 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 ufual Back-biters (the Prc-latifts and Separatifts) talk commonly of me, as one that had unworthily favcd ray felf from Danger, and drawn a Stranger into the Snare ^ and therefore defer-vcd to bear all the Charges .• Though, as is faid, i. 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 Conduc"^ of feme Perfons of that cenforious humour. 4. My Danger was Increafed by it, as well as my Charges. But Man's Approbation is a Poor Reward.

§ 317. Juft when 1 came home, and was beginning to feek Mr. 5f^^ow's Deliverance , Mr. Rojfe Died , the Ficrceft of the Juftices , who had fent mc to Goal before. The other Two are one Mr. Grey ^ and Sir Thilip Matthews.

§318. The Parliament being fate again, a Letter was fecretly printed, containing tiie Hiftory of the Debate in the Lord's Houfe the former Seflions a-bont the Teft, 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 carae 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.

§ 319. A moit Excellent Book was written for the Nonconformifts (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 Contefts about their Powers and Priviledges, and the Lords appointed Four Lawyers to plead their Caufe; and the Coramons fct up Orders, or Votes, to forbid them. And the Duke of Buckingham made a Notable Speech againft Perfecution, and defired the Confent of the Lords, that he might bring in a Bill for the Eafc or His Majefty's Protcftant Subjeds in matters of Religion-, but while it was preparing, the King, on Mon-tLty, November nfr. Prorogued the Parliament, till February come Twelvemonth.

§ 321. The Speeches of the Earl of Shaftsbury. and others, about the Teft, were fecretly Printed, and aPaper of Reafonsfor Diflolving this Parliament, and Calling a New One, which were given in the Houfe of Lords : And the Debates of this Teft (opening a little of the Nonconformifts Caufe , as to the Oxford Oath ) together with what the Earl of Shaftsbury hath done , with Wit and Refolutioa, hath alienated many, even of the Conformills, from the prefent -prevailing Bifhops.

^322. Tfie other of the fierce Juftices, that Subfcribed a Warrant for my im-prilbnraent, died ftiortly after ^ vtz.. Colonel Grey. The Death of Mr. Bar-well, Sir John Medltcot^ Mr. Eofs and Mr. Crcy, befides the Death of fomc Informers, and the Repentance of others, and the Death of fomc late Oppofers of the Clergy, made me, and fome others, the more to companionate Perfecntors, and dread God's Judgments.

^ 323. The Town of Northampton hmcntahly burnt. § 324. An Earthquake in divers Counties.

S 31s. My Dear Friend, Sir Afatthew Hale, Lord Chief Jufticc of the King's Bench, falling into a Languilhing Difeafe, from which he is not like to Recover, refolvedly petitioned for a Difmiflion, and gave up his Place, having gone

through

Tbc L IF E of the Part III

through his Employments , and gone off the Stage with more i-niveifal love and honour, for his Skill, Wifdom, Piety, and refolved Juftice, than ever I heard or read, that anv Fngli/h Man ever did before Mm, or any Magiflrate in the World of his rank, fincc the days of the Kings of Jfrad. He refolved, in his wcakncfs, that the place (hould not be a burden to him, ncr he to it. And after all his great praftice and places, he tells me. That with his own Inheritance and all, he is not now worth above Five hundred Pounds |tr y'mmn : fo little fought he after gaia; Kcmaymcft truly be called QThe ril'.ar md Bajls^ or Ground oi Jii-fike'] as Paul called (not tbe Church,^ but Timothy (in the Cfurch) tht Pillar and Bajh of Truth. ] Kis digefted knowledge in Law above all Men, and next in Philofophy, and mixh in Theology, was very great : His iinccre honcfty and humility admirable: His Garb and Hcufe, and Attendance fo very nican and low, and he fo refolutely avoided all the Diveriions and Vanities of the World, that he was herein the Marvel of his Age. Some made it a Scandal, but his Wifdom chofc it for his Convenience, that in his Age he Marryed a Woman of no Eftate, fuitable to his Difpofition, to be to him as a Nurfe : He fuccceded mc in one of the meaneft Houfes that ever I had lived in, and there hath ever fmce continued with full content j till now that he is going to his Native Countrey, in likely-hood to die there : It is not the leafl; of my pleafurc that I have lived fome years in his more than ordinary Love and Frienddiip, and that we are now waiting which fliall be firft in Heaven : Whither, he faith, he is goings, with full content and ac-quiefccncc in the Will of a gracious God , and doubts net but we (liall fhortly live together. O what a blclfed World were this, were the Generality of Ma-giftrates fuch as he.

§. 326. Part of a Af. S. was put into my hand to peiufe by a Bookfeller, as Written by one that greatly, valued my judgment , and would refer his Writings to my Cenfure, but not confcnt to have them Printed .- Whereupon I va-hiing them, did judge them worthy to be publilhed, but made fome Alterations in fome phrafes liable to Mifinterpretation, in the Piece called, The Right Kncvokdge of Chrijl Crucified : I conjectured not who the Author was, and not long after the Book was Printed, and proved to be the forefaid Lord Chief Jufticc Bale's^ called, Contemfhtiom A/oral and Bivim^ 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 Writing, 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 y-'pril, 1676. I began in another, in a Tempcftuous time ^ for the neceffity of the Parifh of St. Martins^ where, about 60000 Souls have no Church to go to, nor any Publick Worfhip of God ! /.'om loyjg^ Lo-d---!

§. 328. About Fefc. and yl'/arcfc it pleafed the King importunately to Command and Urge the Judges, and ZoK(/oM-Jull:ices, to put the Laws againft Nonconfor-milh in Exeaition -^ But the Nation grew backward to it: In London they have been oft and long commanded to it ^ and Sir Jofqh Sheldon^ the Arch-bifhop of Canterbury^ near Kinfman being Lord Mayor ^ on Jfril ^cth the Exeaition began : They required efpecially to fend all the Minifters to the Common Gaols, for Six Months, on the Oxford-Pi.c!(^ for not taking the Oath, and dwelling within Five Miles. This day Mr. lofeph Read was fent to the Gaol, taken out of the Pulpit, Preaching in a Chapel in Bloomshury^ in the Parifh of St. Gtks^ where it is thought, that 20000, or 30000 Souls at leaft, more than can come within tlic Church , have no Publick Wordiip of God, or Teaching: He is a Laborious Man, ( whoiu 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 Diihirbance. He built the Chappel in his own Houfc ( with the help of Friend'!,) in compaffion to thofe People, who, as they Crowded to hear him, fo did they follow him to the Jullices, and to the Gaol to fhcw their AfFeftions: It being the place wliere I had ufed oft to Pi"each, I fuppofc was fomcwhat the more Maliced. The very day before, I had new fecrct hints of Men's Dcllres of Reconciliation and' Peace, and Motions to offer fome Propofals tov.ards it, as if the Bifhops were at lull 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 cxpefted from them. Xiie forward-el of the two jufhlccs that fent him to the Gaol, was one Px'ry a Souldier , one

of

Part III %evcrcnd Mr. Richard Baxter.

of them that was accafcd for flitting Sir John Coventreeh Nofc, about wluch there was lb great a Ilir \\\ the Houfe of Commons: The other was one Robinfon. But fincc then fo many have been fent to the Goals for the fame caufe, and To many died there, that 1 muft forbear particular Inllances and Enumerations.

§. 329. After Nortkinipt:jn, BLwdforH, and many other Towns, .^outijwark wa? Burned (between 600 and looo Houfes, ) the People fufpeaiiie. that it was done by Defign : And one taken for attempting again to Burn the reft of Northampton^ confeft that he was hired, and that Suuthmirk was fo Burnt j whom Sir John Alunfon fent hereupon to Goal.

Additions cf the Tears l 675, 1676, 1677, 1678, &c.

§. u AT this tim« Mr. Le Blank of Sedan fent to me his deiirc that I would T\. publilh here his Scatter'd Tliefes in one Volume, which I puri)ofcd, and Wrote an Epipe to it: But fomc 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 Intercft in it tost Conformift.- But Le Blank fent an Epijtle of his own , to prevent the Conformifts ^ and died as foon as it was Printed and Publilhed. A Work fufficient to end mofc of the Doctrinal Controvcrfics of this Age, if the Readers were but capable receivers of the evidence which he giveth them.

§. 2. In jfM«f, 1675. Mr. Jane the Bifhop oi London\ Chaplain, Preaching to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, turned his Sermon againft Calvin and Mc ; And. my charge was, That J hadfint as bad men to Heaven^ as form that be in Hell-^~\ bc-caufe in my Book, called, The Saints Reft -^ I had faid, that I thought of Heaven with the more pleafur«, becaufe I fhould there meet with Peter , Paul , yiuftin , Chry-fofiom , Jerom , IVicklijf^ Luther , Zmnglius , Calum , Betm , BuUinger , Za»chy , Parous , Pifcator , Hooftr , Brtdford , Lstimer , Glover , Sanders , Philpot , Retinoids , Whitaker , Cartvright , Bri^htman , Saynt , Brad/haw , SoltOH , Ball , Bilderfiam , Pemble^ T^^If" ■, -^mes, Prefton , Sibbs ^ Brook ^ Pirn , Hambdm. Which of thcfc the Man knew to br in Hell, I cannot conjecture: It's like thofc that differed from him in Judgment ^ But till he prove his Revelation, I Ihall not believe him : the need which I prcceived of taking away, firom before fuch Men any thing which they might ftumble at, had made mc blot out the Names of the Lord Brooke , Pirn , and Hambden , in all the Impreffions of the Book ( which were many) yet were made ever fmcc 1659^ and yet this did not fatisfic the Man: But I muft tell the Reader, that I did it not as changing my Judgment of the pcr-fons, well known to the world: Of whom Mi". John Hambden was one thatFriendi and Enemies acknowledged to be moft Eminent, for Prudence, Piety, and Peaceable Connfcls , having the moft univerfal Praife of any Gentleman that I remember 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 vyhat ptrfon he would be then in the world, he would be John Hambden. Yet thefe Damning Prclatifts arc the Men that arc for our Silencing, Impriforunent, and Ruin, as if we were unworthy to live on the Earth, becaufe we will notallent and confent to the Liturgy, by which we arc to pronounce all Men in England favcd, except three forts, viz.. the Excommunicate, Unbapti/ed, and Self-murdei'-ers ^ that is, of every one of the reft, we muft fay, T^ut God of hh great Afeny hath taken to himfelf the Soul of this our dear Brother out of the Miferiet of this Life., and that we hope to be with him: Were it Hobhs 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 laved, or forbidden ever to Preach God's Word:. And yet i am condemned publickly for fuppofing fuch Excellent perfons to be Saved. But En ours and Sins contradict themfelves, and Faftious Damners, that, for Preferment, Condemn good Men, are ordinarily felf-condcmned.

5. 3. This maketh me remember how this laft year one Dr. Mafon ( a great Preacher againft Puritanes) Preached againft me publickly in London^ dyii^g. That when a Juftice was fending me to prilbn, and offered me to ftay till Monday,, if

lyS The LTF E of'tbe Part III

I would promife not to Preach on Sunday : I anfweied, [_1 Jhull not'] Equivocally, meaning {_ I fiall not poivJfe~\ when he thought I meant [_I/}:iail not Freach-.'} O, thefe, fay the Malignants, arc your holy Men.' And was iuch a piitid Falihood fit for a Pulpit, from fuch Men that never fpake one word to my face in their Lives? The whole truth is this ^ The forefaid Tho.Eofs^ with FhiUp^ being appointed to fend me to prifon for Preaching at Brainford, (hut the Chamber doors, and would neither flievv or tell me who was my Accufer or Witnefs , nor let any one living be prefcnt but themfelves: And it being Saturday, I askt them to flay at home, to fet my Houfc in order till Monday: ReJ's asked me. Whether I nould promife not to Preach on Sunday ? I anfwered. No , / Jhall not : The Man not underftanding me, faid, Well^ you Promife not to Preach.- I replv-ed. No Sir,I tell you^J will not promife any fuch thing : Jf you hinder me^ I cannot help it^ but I will not otherwife forbear. Never did 1 think of Equivocation. This was my prefent Anfwer, and 1 went ftrait to Prifon upon it.- Yet did this Kofs vent this falfc Story behind my back;, and, among Coin tiers and Prelatifts it pall for currant, and was worthy Dr. Mafon's Pulpit-impudency: iiuch were the Men that we were perfecuted by, and had to do v^ich.'- Dr. Ai a fin died quickly after.

§. 4. Being denied forcibly the ufe of the Chappel which 1 had built, I was forced to let it ftand empty, and pay Thirty pounds per Annum for the Ground-Rent my fclf, and glad to Preach (for nething) near it, at a Chappel built by another formerly in Swalhro-Jlreet ;, bccaufc it was among the fame poor people that had no Preaching, the parifh having 60000 Souls in it more than the Chiuxh can hold j when I had Preached there a while, the forefaid juftice Parry ( one of them that was accufed for flitting Sir John Coventret's Nofe, ) with one Sabbes , figned a Warrant to apprehend me, and on Nov. 9, 1676. fix Conftables, four Beadles,, and many Meflcngcrs, were fet at the Chappel-doors to execute it: I forbirc that day,and after told the Duke of Lauderdaile of it •, and asked him, What it was that oecafioncd their wrath againft me: He defired me to go and fpeak with the Biftiop of London ( Cotnpttn:) I did ;, and he fpake very fairly, and with peaceable words: But prefently (he having fpoken alfo with fomeothers) it was contrived that a noife was raifed, as againft the Bifliop, 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 Pofry was either fet on work by him, or at lealt a word from him would take him off ^ 1 dcfircd him therefore to fpeak to him, or provide that the Conftables might be removed from my Chappel-dcors, and their Warrant called in ^ And I offered him tq refign my Chappel in Oxenden-flreet to a Conformift,fo be it he would procure my continued Liberty in Svcallow-Jlrcet^ for the fake of the pcor multitude that had no Church to go to: He did as good as promife me , teUing me. That he did not doubt to do it ^ and fo I departed, expefting Qiuetnefs tl;e next Lord's-day : But, in-ftcad of that, the Conftables Warrant was coiuinued , though fome of them bcgg'd to be cxcufed, and, againft their wills, they continued guarding the Door for above Four and twenty Lord's-days after : And I came near the Bilhop no more, when Ihad fo tried wlrat their Kindneflcs and Promifes lignific.

§. '5. It plcafed God to take away (by torment of the Stone ) that excellent faithful Miniftcr Mr. TloWadfuorth in Soutbtrark ,and juft when 1 was thus kept out at ,'^vMttoW'Street , his Flock invited me to Southwark , where (though I refufed to be their Paftor ) 1 Preached many Months in peace, there being no Juftice willing to difturb us. This was in 1677.

^ §• '5- When Dr. Lamplugh^ now Bilhop of fxcfcr, was Paftor at St. Martin's^ old Mr. Sangar the Minifter, thence put out, thought it his duty to'abide in the pavifii with thofeof his ancient t^iotk that deflrcd him, and to vitit fuch as deiircd him in fickncfs (becaufe many that were againft our Preaching, pretended, that we igight find work enough in private Vifitings and helps:) An old Friend of Hf.- •'•"'^'^•3»''s being fick near St. Jirw;«'s Market-houfe , fent to him tovilither: |}y that time he had a while Prayed by her, Dr. Ljinpkugh came in, and when he had done, came fiercely to him , faying, Sir, What bufinefs have you here ? Mr. Sangar anfwered , To vifit and Pray with my fick Friend that fent for me. The Doctor fiercely laid hold of his breaft, and thnift him toward the Door, faying, Get you out of the Room, Sir, "^ to the great trouble of the Woman that lay fick iji Bed by them , having buried her Husband but a little before: Had this

been

been done to any other than to fo Ancient, Grave , Reverend, Peaceable, Moderate 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 fraall Houfe, it had been more cxcufable; Mr. Sanyar oft profeft to me the truth of what 1 fay, which I mention to fdencethofe our Accufers thai;, would have us give over Preaching that we may do fuch private Work.- Whcras 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 heareth my Exhortation but once a year, and heareth Seducers, Swearers, Gurfersand Railcrs every day, may wifh at lall he had better friends than thefc pretenders to Peace and Obedience, that accufe us. z. And fuch Initances fhcw, that we sxz envyed as much in our private duty as in our publick: And did we fpeak only in private, our Perlecutors would then vent their Sufpicions of our Doctrin without any Confutation , and would fay, We arc they that creep into Houfes, to lead the filly Women captive. O what a World is this! Where Athcills, Infidels, and the mofl Beaftly Sinners are Members of the Ghnrch of EnglanP. When did we hear of any of them E.xcomunicate.? and God's fatithfallelt Servants reprefentcd, even by the envious Prelates, and publick-Priefts, as the intolerable Criminal perfons of the Land for Praying and Preaching when they forbid them , and the necellity of Thoufands binds them to it, befides their Ordination Vow.

§. 7. When Dr. Wi'llan Lloyd became Pador of St. Martinh in the Fklds , upon LamfugVi Preferment, I was encouraged by Dr. Tillotfon to offer him my Chappel in Oxmden-Street for Publick Worfhip , which he accepted, to my sieat Satisfaction , and now tliere is conftant Preaching there; Be it by Conformifts or Noncon-formifts I rejoice that Chrifl is Preached, to the people in that Parifh, whom ten or twenty fuch Chapels cannot hold.

§, 8. About Aiarch 1677. 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^yvhsrs many Papifts and Proteftants ufed to meet together, one Mr. Dyet ( Son to old Sir Richard Dytt^ Chief Juftice in the North, and Brother to a dcceafcd dear Friend of mine, the fome-time Wife of my old dear friend Colonel Sylvams Tailor^ ) one that profeft himfelf no Papift, but was their Familiar , faid openly , That I had killed a. Man with 7ny own hand in cold blood -^ that it was a Tinker^ at my door that be-saufe he heat his Kettle and dtfturbed me in my Studies , / went down and PijloPd him .-One Mr. Peters occafioned this wrath by oft challenging in vain the Papifts to dif-putewithme: oranfwer my Books againft them. Mr. Peters told'^v. Dyet That this was fo fhamelefs a flander that he fhould anfwer it. Mr. Dyet told him, That a hundred Witnefles would teftifie that it was true, and I was tryed for my Life at Worcefter 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, 1 told him that thefe ufages 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 mv deareft Friends .• p.nd he was one of the firft Gentlemen that ever (hewed fo much ingenuity, as fo to con-fefs and ask forgivenefs j he told me, Uc would hereafter coufefs 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\ Dr. Boreman^ who had Printed it, that fuch a thing was Reported ^ but I never heard before the par-tiailars of the Fable. Shortly after, at the fame CofFee-houfe, Mr. Dyet openly confefs'd his Fault: and an Ancient Lawyer , one Mr. Giffard^ a Papift, Son to old Dr. Giffard , the Papift Phyiician (as is faid ) and Brother to the Lady yibe-rga-veny^ was Angry at it, and made Mr, Dyet a weak Man, that would make fuch a Confeftion : Mr. Peters anfwered him j Sir, Would you have a Gentleman fo dif-ingenuous, as not to right one that he hath fo wronged? Mr. Gijfard anfwered That the thing was True, and he would prove it by an Hundred WitneQcs • Mr. Peters offered him a great Wager , that he would never prove it by any : but urging him h.ard he refufed the Wager: He next offered, that they would lay down but five Guinea's tT be laid on't on an Entertainment there, by him that loft the Wager \ He refufed that alfo. Whereupon Mr. Peters told him, He would caufc my friends, if I would not my felf, to call him to juftific it 'mWeJlmmfier-Fiall • referring the Judgment of Equity to the Company : The Papift Gentlc-

Zzzz a men

men that were prcicnt, it's like confiderinj^ that the Calumny , when opened pnblickly, would be a Slur upon their Party, Voted, That it Mr. Gtffa-i-drfovAA. not confefs his Fault, they would difown him out of their Company j and fo he was conftraincd to yield, but would not come to my Chamber to confefs ie to me : Mr. Peters moderated the bufinefs , and it was agreed, tliat he fhould 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 ag,reed, That alfo before Mr. Pe-urs and Captain Edmund Hambden^ he Ihould confefs his Fault, and ask forgivc-nefs 1 which he did.

§. 9. Near this time, my Book, called, yi Key for Catho'.icks, was to be Reprinted : la the Preface So the firft Impreflion, I had mentioned with Praifc the Earl of Lauderd.ile, as then Prifoner by Cromwell in Windjor-Ca'Mt -, ( from whom I had many Pious and Learned Letters, and where he had fo much Read over all my Books , that he rcmembred them better, as I thought, than I did my fclf .•) Had 1 now left out that mention of him, it would have feem'd an Injurious Recantation of my kindnefs: and to mention him n»w a Duke, as then a Prifoner , was unmeet: The King ufed him as his fpecial Counfellour and Favourite : The Parliament had fet themfelves againfi; him : He ftill profeflcd great kindnefs to me and I had reafon to believe it was without diflembling. i. Bccaufe he vvas accounted by all to be rather a too rough Adverfary, than a Flatteter of one fo low as L 2. Becaufe he fpake the fame for me behind my back, that he did to my face. And 1 had then a New Piece againfi: Tranfubftantiation to add to my Book, which being dcfirous it fiiould be Read, I thought beft to jovn 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 to Read, at leaft, that Epiftle, if not the (hort Additional Traft-ate in which 1 thought 1 faid enough to open the Shame of Pofery. But the Indignation 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. Lont' after this he profelTed his Kindnefs to me, and told me I Ihould never want while he was able, and (humbly) intreatcd me to accept Twenty Guinea's

from him, which I did. , ' ^

§. 10. After this one Mr.//«fc-fcm_/o« ( another of the Difputants with Dr.Siil-ling'fieet and Mr. Wrafs Friend, one that had revolted to Popery in Cambridge long ago having pious Parents and Relations ) Wrote two Books for Popery, one for Tra'nfubftantiation, and another in which he made the Church of Enjjland Confor-mifts to be Men of no Confcience or Religion, but that all Serioufnefs 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 had not. ' I Anfvvered thefc Books, and after fell acquainted with Mr. IMcbinfon^ but couid never get Reply from him, or Difpute.

^. II. Two old Friends that I had a hand heretofore in turning from Ana-baptiftry and Separation ( Mr. Tho. Lamb, and William Jllen^ that followed John Coodirin, and after became Pallors of an Anabiptift Church ) though but Tradef-men fell on Writing againft Separation more ftrongly than any of the Conformable Clergv • But "in Senfe of their old EiTOur, run now into the other Extreme efpecia'lly Mr. Lamb^ and Wrote aganill: our gathering Aifemblies, and Preaching when we arc Sileoccd: Againft whofe Miftaken Endeavours I Wrote a Book, calkd , The Nomonformifl\ Plea for Peace. ]

^. 1 2. One Mr. Bollingworth alfo Printed a Sermon againft the Nonconformifts, ^-, and there tells a Story o^ a Scfta|-y, tliat. Treating for Concord, with one afterward a I?i(hop, motion'd, That all that would not yield to their Terms flimild be Baniftied:, to {hew, that the Nonconformifts are for Severity as well as the Bifhops. The Reader would think that it was Me, or Dr. Manton^, or Dr. Bates^ that hcmcant, that had fo lately had a Treaty with Dr. Wilkins^ and Dr. burton: 1 Wrote to hrm, to dcllrc him to tell the World who it was, that by naming none, he misht not unworthily bring many into Sufpicion : He Wrote me an Anfu'cr fulLof great Eftimacion and Kindnefs, profeftiag. That it was not me that he meant, nor Dr. Manton, nor Dr. Bates^ nor Dr. Jacomb, but fome Seftary that he would'by no means Name, but feemed tocaft Intimations towards Dr. Orpf«,onc unlikely to ufc fuch words, and 1 verily believe it was all a meer Fidion.

§. 13. About

^ — Arminians

and Calv'inifls^ excopt fomc very tolerable difference in the point of perlevc-rance : This book, hatii hitherto had the ftrangelt fotc of any that I ha/e written, except our Reforms^ Liturgy^ not to be yet fpokea againft, or openly co^ tradifted, when 1 expected that both fides wonld have fallen upon it: Aod. I do'.iht not but fome will do fo when 1 am dead, ulilcfs Calamities fiud men other work.

§. 14. Having almofl: then finifhcd a Z-:-?f;« Trcatifc, ci\\c6.^ Msthodus Theologif,^ containing near Seventy Tables or Schemes with their LUucidatioas and fome Difputations ou Schifm, containing the Nature, Order and Ends of all Beings ( with three more ) I gave my Lord Chief juftice Hale a Specimen of it, with my forefaid CaMick Theologk-^ but told him it was only to fhew my refpefts, but de-ilred him ii 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 I defircd, but lie oft gave me fpecial Thanks above all the reft for tkxt book and that fchemc.- And while he continued weak Mr. Stevens his familiar Friend publiflied two Volumes of his own Meditations,which,though but plain things,yet were fo greedily bought up and read for his {;ike,even by fuch as would not have read fuch things of others, that they did abundance of good. And fhortly after, he publifhed himfelf, in Folio aTreatife of ths Origination of A fan, to prore the Creation of this World, very Learned, but large. He left many Manufcripts: One / have long ago read, a great Volumn in Folio, to prove the Deity, the Immortality of the Soul, Chrilti-anity, the Truth of Scripture in General, and feveral books in particular ; folid-ly done, but too copious, which was his fault. Two or three fmal Tractates written for me I have publilhed cxprefling the firaple and excellent Nature of troc 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-gainft it •, and fhewing how moft Parties are guilty of this fin. /hear he finifiied aTreatife of the Jmmortality of the Soul, a little before he dyed. But unhappily there is contefl: about his Manufcripts, whether to Prjnt them or not, becaufe h« put a claufe into his Will that nothing of his fhould 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 daies after (on Chriftmaflday.) Though I never -received any rao-Qey from him ( Hive a Qiiarter'r Rent he paid when I removed out of my houfe at JOon, that he might buy it and fucceed me ) yet as a token of his lova lie left me) forty fhillings in his Will, with which to keep his memory I bought ths greateft Cimhrtdge Bible, and put his picture before it, which is a Monument to my houfe. But waiting for my own Death I gave it Sir William Ellis who laid out about Ten pounds, to put it into a more curious Cover, and keeps it for a Momj«. ment in his honour.

§. 15. I found by the people oiLondon that many, in thefenfe of the late Con-fufions in this Land, had got an apprehcnfion that all Schifm and Difordercam* from Minillcrs and People's refifting the BUhops, and that Prelacy is the means to cure Schi.nn, and being ignorant what Church Tyranny hath done in the World, Chcy fly to it for refuge againft that mifchief which it doth principally introduce: Wherefore I wrote the Hiftory of Prelacy, or a Contra£tion of all the Hiftory of the Church, efpecially Knnius, and Baronius, and others of Councils ; to {hew by the tcftimony of their greateft flatterers what the Councils and Contentions of Prelates have done. But the Hiftory even as delivered by Binnius himfelf, waj fo ugly and frightful to mc in the perufmg, that I was afraid left it fhould prove when opened by me, a temptation to fnme to contemn Chriftianity it felf, for the fake and Crimes of fuch a Clergy. But as an Antidote I prefixed the due Commendation of the better hi^mble fort of Paftors. Butlmuft profefs that the Hiftory of Prelacy and Councils, doth allure me that all the Schifms and Confufions that have been caufed by An-ih-r^tfts, Separatids, or any of the Popular unruly Seiftaries, hnve been but as fiea-bicings to the Church, in comparifon ot the wounds that Prelatical Ufurpation, Contention and Herefies have caufed. And I am fo far fiom wondering that all Baroniui'i induftry was thought necelfary to put the beft vifor on all fuch AiSions, that I wonder that the Papfis have not va-.

th.er

ther employed all their wit, care and ix)wer, to get all the Hiftories Oi Councils burnt and forgotten in the World, that they miglit have only their own Oral flexible tradition to deliver to Mankind what their intereit pro re nata jhail require. -

Alas how final was tlie Imrt that the very Fatnilifts, the Munfter Fauaticks, t!ie very Quakers^ or Ranters have done, in coaiparifon of what fome one /"oj-e, or one Age or Council of Carnal, Tyrannical Prehts hath done . The Kingdom of Satan is kept up in the World, next to that Scnfnality that is born in all, by his ufurping and perverting the two great Offices of God's owninftitution, Magifiracy and Mi-niftry, and wring the Sword and Word againll the Inftitiitor and proper end ; But God is juft.

§. 16. Three years before this I wrote a Treatife to end our common Controvcrfies, in Doftrinals, about Prcdeftination, Redemption, jufirification, af-furance, perfevcrance and fuch like^ being a Summary of CathoUck reconciling Theoloay.

§. T7. In November 1677. Dyed Dr. Thomas Manton to the great lofs of London •, Being an able judicious faithful man j and one that lamented the intemperance of many felf conceited Minifters and people, that, on pretence of vindicating free grace aad providence, and of oppofing Armiiiianifm, greatly corrupted the Chriftian Doftrin, and Schifmatically oppugned Chriflian love and concord, hereticating and making odious all that fpake not as erronioufly as them* fclves. 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 occafiou / Preached two Sermons on the words in Jude \_They fpe.ik evil of what they iindtrftand not.'} Which perhaps jnay be publifhed.

§. 18. This year 1678. dyed Mr. Gabriel Sanger^ a Reverend faithful Non-conformift, fomctimes Minifter at Al*rtin\ in the fields.. And this day, on which I write this, / Preached the Funeral of Mr. Stuhbs a holy Excellent Man, which perhaps may be publilhed, if it can be licenfed.

§. 16. Mr. Long of Exeter^ wrote a book againft the Non-conformifts, as Schif-maticl?s, on pretenfe of confuting Mr. Hale\ book of Schifm:, and in the end cited a great deal of my writings againft Schifm, and let fall divers paflages; which occafioned me to write the Letter to him which is inferted in the Appendix. No. 5.

fj. 29. Some young Gentlemen wrote me a Letter defiring me publickly to refolve this Cafe : The King , Laws and Canons command tis to joyn in the yublick Piffi/h-Churches^ and forbid its to joyn in private Meetings^ or unallow-td vritb Non-conformijls: Our parents command us to joyn with Non-cvnformtfts in their Meetings.^ and forbid us to hear the Conformijis in publick^ which yet we think fawftil : which' of thefe ?nuft we obey ? I anfwered the Cafe in the Pulpit, and drew it up in writing, and have inferted it among 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 ray means, and I fup-pofed 1 had freely given him ( in meer charity ) the gains of above 500 pounds, if not above i 000 pounds. Whereupon / wrote a Letter to a Friend in my owu ncccffary Vindication, which fee alfo at the end. No. 7.

§. 22. The controverfic of Predetermination of the afts of fim was unhappily (harcd this year among the Non-conformifts ^ on the occafion of^a fober modefl book of Mr. How\ to Mr. Boil againft an objcftion of Atheiftical men : And two honeft felf-conccited Non-conformifts, Mr. Daufon and Mr. Gale., wrote againft him unworthily. Andjuft-now a fecond book of Mr. C^/e's is come out wholly for Predeteimination, fuperficially and inperficially touching many things, but throughly handling nothing j falfely reporting the fenfe of Jugujlin^ or at leaft of Profjer and Fulgentius^ and notorioudy of Janfenius., &:c. and pafllng divers inconfidevable reflexions on fome words in my Cath. Thcol. Efpecially o^ pofing5trj«^««^, and the excellent Tfce/tf of Le B/awi, withno ftrcngth or regard-able Argument. Which inclineth me (bccaufe hewriteth in F.ngli/h) to publifli an old Difput in £«^/{/7j againft Predetermination to (in, written 20 years ago, and thought not fit to be publilhed in Englifh ^ but that an antidote againft the poi-

fon

iba of Mr, O'ale's Book, and the fcandal that falls by it on the Nonconformifts is made TKTceflary. Mr. G::k fell lick, and I fupprelt my anlwer leil it ihould grieve him (-Vud he thca dyed.)

§ 23. A paper from Mr. Pokhill, -an excellent learned Gentlemaa occafioned the anlwer which perhaps may be piiblifhcd.

§ 24. Continued backbitings about my Judgment concerning jullification occafioned me to write the fumm of it in two or three ihcets -, with the folution of above thirty controverfies unhappily rais'd about it.

§ 25. One Mr. IVHfon of Lancujhire \on'^ importuned me by a friend to write fomewhat again it needlefs Law-fiiits, and tor the way of voluntary reference and arbitration ; which I did in a Sermon on i Car. 6. Js there mt a wife Man amov^ you ? (which is loft by the Bookfellcrj. . *

§ 26. 1 wrote an Anfwer to Mr. Jobnfort Jlias Tenet., his Rejoyndef againft my book of the Chur:hs'3 vilibility :, But Mr. Jane the Biihop of London^ Chaplain re-tufed to Licenfe it. But at laft when the Papifts grew odious he Liceufed it and my Adethodus Theolo^'ue : And the former is Printed, but by the Bookfeller's means in a Charafter fcarce legible.

§ 27. About on. 1678. Fell out the murder of Sir Ldmmid Berry (Jodfrey which made a very great change in England. One Dr. Titm Oats had difco-vered a Plot of the Fapifts, of which he wrote out the particulars very largely ^ telling how they fired ths City, and contriving to bring the Kingdom to Popery, and in order thereto to kill the King : He named the Lords, Jefu-its, Priefts, and others, that were the thief contrivers j and faid that he him-felf had delivered to feveral of the Lord's their CommilTions j that the Lord Bella/is was to be General, the Lord Peters Lieutenant General, and the Lord Stafford Major General, the Lord Fowls Lord Chancellor., and the Lord .Arundel of Warder (the chief) to be Lord Treafurer. He told who were to be ArchBi-fliops, Bifhops, <b'c. And at what Meetings, and by whom, and when all was contrived, and who were defigned to kill the King : He firll opened all this to Dr. To«fMc, and both of them to the King and Council : He mentioned a multitude of Letters which he himfelf had carried, and feen, or heard read that contained all thefe contrivances: But becaufe his father and he had once been Anabaptifts, and when the Bifhops prevailed turned to be Conformable Mini-fters, and aftcr\Vard he (the Son) turned Papift, and confefled, that he long had gone on with them, under many Oaths of Secrecy, many thought that a man of fo little Confciencc was not to be believed : But his Confeflions were received by fome Julliccs of the Peace ■ and none more forward in the Search than Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey., an Able, Honeft, and diligent Juftice. While he was following this Work, he was fuddenly mifling, and could not be heard of: Three or Four Days after he was found kill'd near A.'arybone-Park : It was plainly found that he was murthered : The Parliament took the Alarm upon it, and Oates was now believed : And indeed all his large Confeflions in every part, agreed to admiration. Hereupon the King Proclaimed Pardon, and Reward to any that would confefs, or difcover the Murder. One Mr. iJe^/ojT, that Ivad fled to Brifow. 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 the Queen's Houfe, called Somerfet-Houfe., by Fitz.-Gcrald and Kcllcy., Two Papift Pricfts, and Four others, Bcry the Poiter, Green^ Franfe and Hill. The Prieft<! fled •, Pronf. ]]erry Green and ///'// were taken : Frattfc fir ft confeft all, and difcovered the reft aforefaid, more than Bedlow knew of, and all the Cir-cumftanccs •, and how he was carried away, and by whem:* and alfo how the Plot was laid to Kill the King. Thus bates^ Teftimony, fccondcd by Sir Ed-tnuni Bwy Godfreys Murder, and Bedlow and Pranfe's Teftimonies, became to be generally belicvea. Irc'and.^ a Jel'uit, and Two more, were Condemned ^ as de-figning to Kill the King :.' fiill , Berry and Green were Condemned for th» murder of Godfrey., and 'E\'ccuted.- But Pranfe was, by a Papift, firft terrified into a Denyal again of the Plot to Kill the King , and took on him to • be Dillraclcd ^ But quickly Recanted of this, and had no Qiiiet till he told how he was fo Affrighted , and Renewed all his Teftimony and Confef-fion.

After this caitic in one Mr. Dugdak., a Papift, and coafcfled the fame Plot, and efpecially the Lord Stafford'^ intereft in it : And after him more and more Evidence isiilv n'as addsd. Colernan,

Coleman, the Dutchcfs of TorFs Secretary fand one of the Papifts great Plot^ ters and Difputers) being furprized, though he made away all his later Papers was hanged by the Old Ones, that were remaining, and by Oates his Tc-Itimony. But the Parliament kept off all Afpcrfions from the Duke : The Hopes of fome , and the Fears of others of his Succcllion , prevailed with

many. , - , ,

§ 28. At laft the Lord Treafurer ( Sir JhomM Osborne made Earl of Dan-by) came upon the ftage having been before the object of the Parliament and People's )ealoufy and hard thoughts. He being afraid that fomewhat would be done againft him, knowing that Mr. Montague (his Kinfman) late AmbafTadour in France had fome Letters of his in his keeping, which he thought might endanger him, got an order from the King to feize on all Mr. Montajues Letters, 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 initigated againft the Lord Treafurer they impeached him in the Lords Houfe of High Treafoii.

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. AboTC 40 Scots men (of which 3 Preachers ) were by their Council fentcnccd to be not only banifhed but fold, as fervants (called flaves) to the Jmerkan Plantations: They weie brought by (hip to Jondon: 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 lall the Ship-Maftcr was told that by a Statute it was a Capital crime to Tranfport »ny of the King's Subjects out of £n£latid fwhere now they were) without their confent, and fo he fet them on {hoar and they al] efcapcd for nothing. § 30. A great number of Hungarian Minifters had before been fold for "Cally flaves, by the Empcrour's Agents, but were releafcd by the Dutch Admiral's Rcqucft, and fome of thcni largely relieved by CoUeftions in London.

S 31. The long and grievous Parliament fthat filenced about 2000 Minifters and did many works of fuch a nature; being diflblved as aforefaid, on Jan. 15. 1678. A new one was chofcn and met on March 6 following : And the King rcfiifing their chofen fpeaker (Mr. Sejpnore) raifcd in them a greater dif-pleafurc againft the Lord Treafurer thinking him the caufc ; and ifter fome days they chofc Serjeant Gn^orj/.

$ 32. The Duke of Tori a little before, removed out of England by the King's Command:, who yet ftands to mainuin his SucccDlon.

§ 33. The Parliament firft impeached theforefaid Papift Lords for the Plot, or Confpiracy (the Lord Bellafis, Lord Jrmdcl., Lord of Porvis^ Lord Scafford^ and Lord Peter) •, and after them the Lord Treafurer.

34. New fires breaking out enrage the People againft the Papifts : A great part of '^outhwari was before burnt, and the Papifts ftrongly fufpec'tcd the caufe. Near half the buildings of the Temple were burnt: And it was greatly fufpedted to be done by the Papifts. One Mr.B«/«7if j houfe in Bolhourn and Divers others fo fired (but quenched) as made it very probable to be by their Confpiracy. And at laft in Fetter-Lane it fell on the houfe of Mr. Robert hird (a Man employed in Law of great judgment and Piety) who having more wit than many others to fearchitout found that it was done by a new Servant Maid, who confefled it firft to him, ancf then to a Jufticc, and after to the Lords, that one Nicholas Stithies a Papift h'avinp; firft madeherpromifetobeaPapift, n?xt promifed her 5/, to fet lire on her Ma" ftcr's houfe,tellinghcr that many others were to do tire like, and the Pioteftant He-Teticks to be killed by the middle of June, and that it was no more fin to do it than to kill a Dog. Stuibes was taken, and at firft vehemently denycd, but after confefTed al], and told them that one Ciff^rd a Pricft and his Confcflbr 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 Invafion. The Houfe of Commons defired' the Kiug to pardon the woman (£/k, Oxky) and Stubbes.

§ 35, If the Papifts have not Conlidcnce in the French Invafion, God Icaveth them to utter madnefs to haften their ruine .- They were in full junftnefs through' the Land, and the noife of rat^c was by their delign turned againft the Nonconfor-mifts •, But their kopes did caft them into fuch an impatience of delay, that they could no longer ftay, but muft prcfently Reign by rage of blood. Had they ftudi-

D

art 111 ^lieverenci Mr. Kichard Baxter. 185

cu to make themiclves odious to the Land, they could have found out no more cf-feftual way, than by Firing, Murder, and Plotting to kill the King: All I.ondou at this day is in inch fear of them, that they are fiin to keep np private Watches i;i all ftreets (bslides the Common onesj to lave their houfes from firing : Yea, while they fiivl that it increafeth a hatred of them, and while many of them are already hanged, they ftill go on ^ which (hewcth either their confidence in Foreign Aid, or their utter infatuation.

$ 36. Upon Eaper day the King dilTolved his privy Council, and fettled it a new, confifting of somen Tmoft of the old ones) the Earl of Shaftsbury being Preli-dent, to the great joy of the People then, tho fince all is changed.

§ 37. On the 27th oi A^ril. 1679. Tho it was the Lord's Day the Parliament Sate, excited by Sfwikshis Confcfiion 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 Tori'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 Chancellour acquainted theffl, that he Ihould confcnt to any thing reafonable to fecurc the Proteltant Religion, not alienating the Crown from the Line of Succefllon, and Particularly that he would confent that till the Succeflbur fliould take the Tcft, he fhould exercife no Ads of Government, but the Parliament in being fhould continue, or if none then wcre,that, which laft was, fhould be in power, and exercife all the Government in the Name; of the King.3 This offer took much with many ^ but moft faid that it fignifyed nothing. For Papifls have ealily Difpcnfations to take any Tcfts or Oaths, and Queen Mary\ cafe fhcwed how Parliaments will fervc the Prince's will.

S 39- Divers Papifts turned from them to the Proteftants, upon the Detection of their wickcdncfs and bloody Principles and nainds: And among others Mr. Hutchinfon^ that called himfelf Beny^ againft whom 1 lately wrote. He firfl 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 Trcatife for Predetermination, and was intending to Print it, the good man fell fick of a Confumption, and I thought it meet to fufpend the publication ; left 1 fhould grieve him and in-crcafe his ficknefs, of which he dyed. And that I might not obfcure God's Providence about fin, I wrote and preached two Sermons to fhew what great and excellent things God doth in the World by the occalion of Man's fin : And verily it is wonderful to obfervc that ^ in £«^/a«ti, all Parties (Prclatical firlt. Independents, Anabap-tifts, efpecially Papifls, have been brought down by thcmfclves, and not by the wit and ftrcngth of their Enemies,, and we can hardly difcern any footfleps of any of our own Endeavours, wit or power in any of our Late Deliverances, but our Enemies wickcdncfs and bloody Dcfigns have been the occafion of almofl all. Yea, the Presbyterians themfelves have fuffered more by the dividing effefts of their own Covenant, and their unskilfulnefs in healing the Divifions between them and the Independents and .\nabaptifl:s, and the Epifcopal, than by any ftrength that brought them down j tho iincc men's wrath hath troden them as in the dirt.

§ 41. In Jpril I finilhed a Treitife of the only way of Union and Concord, among all Chriftian Churches : In three parts. 1. Of the Nature and Rcafoi\s of Union and Concord. 2. Of the trne and only Terms. 3. Of tlie Nature of Schifra, and the falfe Terms on which the Church will never unite.

§ 42. Two years ago by the Confcnt of many Miniftcrs I Printed one Writijig called the judgment of Nonconform ills, concerning the Parts or Office of Rcafon in Religion •, which having good acceptance, by the fame Mcif s confcnt, 1 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 I0}jt Nonconformity is no'^ difclaiming feveral falfe Imputations ; To which I added a 4th of Scandd. But when they were Printed fomc of our Political friends in Parliament and clfe where, were againft the publifhing of them, faying, they would increafe our fufferings by exafperating, or offend fome Sedarics that dillike f^omc words : And fo I was put to pay (23 /.) for the printing of them and fupprcfs them.

§ 43. Iwrotcalfo Divei-s Trcatifes of Nonconformity: One opening their cafe by a multitude of Qliere's : Another by way of Hiftory and Aflcrtion fpccially

A a a a a viudica*-

The LIF i" of the Part Ul,

vindicating them from the Charge of Sciiifm. Anotiier to prove ii their duty to continue preaching tho forbidden, &c.

^ 44. The Earl of Argyle told me that being in company witli -feme very great men, one of them laid, that he went once to hear Mr. B.iXter preach, and he faid nothing but what might befeem the King's Chappel:, and concluded that it was his Judgment that I ou^ht to be beaten Ktih many firifis, becauie it could not be through ignorance, but meer faBion that I ctmfoimed not : And the Bilhops and Clergy to this day, make unlludicd Noble Men and Gentlemen believe, that we confefs all to be lawful, and meer Inconveniences which wc deny Conformity to (O inhumane Impudence ! A Plot of Sstaa to tempt men never more to believe Clergy men's Hiftory ! ) Hereupon the faid Earl of Jr^yk (after many others) dcfiring me to write down the points that wc deny Conformity to, I wrote, i. The cafe of the Nonconformills in a kricf Hiftory. 2, An Index of about 40 or 50 of the points that we cannot conform to : but barely naming them without proof to avoid prolixity, which may cxpofe them to any Pretender's Confutation. And at the importunity of a friend, this week (/May 2.) I permitted the fliewing them to the Bifhop of Ltncoln Dr. Earlow : who is a Man firmly zealous againlt Popery, of great Reading and Learning, long a publick Profcilbr of Divinity in Oxford^ and eftceracd of as equal at Icafc with the beft of the Bifhops ^ And yet told my friend that got my Papers for him, that he could hear of nothing that vve judged to be fin^ but meir inconveniences : When as above 17 years ago, we publickly endeavoured to prove the frnfulncfs even of many of the old Impofi-tions -^ and our petition for pcsce was printed, in which v.'e folemnly profcfled that nothing Ihould hinder us from Conformity, did vve not believe it to be Jin againil God, and endangering our falvstion. Yet thus talk the beft and Lcarnedeft of them, as if they had dwelt a thoufand Miles from us, and had never heard our Cafe. Some wouW perfuadc us that they are all meer hardened impudent Worldlings that know all to be Lies, which they thus fpcak : But I am perfuadcd that this is too hard Cenfure, and that feme, yea many of the Clergy think as tlicy thus fpcak, becaufe the Schifin 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 fpcak or write our Cafe, to tell men what it is that wc think fin in the New-Conformity, much lefs to give our Reafons,

§ 45. The firing fiiry ^oing on ftill (God leaving the Papifts to felf-deftroy-ing raadnefs) on Friday night May 9. Some Papift prifoners bribing the Porter, tliey fet the prifon on fire, and burnt much of it down ^ the Porter and they cfcaping together : which put the Parliament to appoint the drawing up of a ftrifter Law to prevent more firing : But what can Laws do to it .'*

§ 46. On the Lord's day y\fay i\th\6-]p'. The Commons late extraordinarily, and agreed in two Votes, firft that the Duke of York was nncapablc of fuc-ceediug in the Imperial Cro%vn of England. 2. That they would ftand by the King and the Proteftant Religion with their Lives and Fortunes, and if tlie King came to a violent Death, which God forbid, would be revenged on the Papifts.

§ 47. The Arch-Bif!\op of St. Jndrews in Scotland^ "James Sharp was Murdered this Month, The Aclors ( a Servant hardly ufed by him (or a Tenant) drew in fome Confederates ) fince fullered.

i) 48. The Parliament Ihortly difiblvcd while they infifted on the tryal of the Lord Treafurcr.

S 49. The Scots being forbidden to preach and Meet in the open Fields, being led by a few rolh, men, at a Meeting being alVaultal defended them-felves, 'and fo were many drawn into rcliftance of the Magillrate, and wa-e dcftroyed,

§ 50. There came fi-om among the Papifts more and more Converts that clptc(f\ed the Plot againft Religion and the King.- After Oates^ Btdlow^ Eve-fiird^ Dii^dale^ franjl., came 'jenrifon ■dGcntkmau of Grays-Inn^ Smyth aVricA, and others : But nothing ftopt them more than a Plot dilcovcred to have t,urned all the odium on the Presbyterians and Proteftant Adverfaries of Popery : They hucd one Vangcrjield to manage the matter ; but by the mdu-

rtiy

ftry of Colonel Aianfel ( who was to have been firft accufed,) and Sir lViUia?n lValk}\ the Plot was fully detcfted ( to have forged i Plot as of the Presbyterians or Diircnters, and many great Lords. And Dangtrjitld confeft all, and conti^ nucth a itcdfaft Convert aad Proteftant to this dav.

§.51, But my unfitncfs , and the Torrent of lat« Matter here, Hops me from proceeding to infcrt the Hiftory of this Age : It is done, and like to be done fo copiouOy by others, that thcfe ftrcds will be of fmall fignihcation: Every year of late hath afforded matter for a Volume of Lamentations. Only that Porterity may not be deluded by Credulity, I fluU truly tell them. That Lyine, mo ft Impudently in Flint, againft the moft notorious Evidence of Truth, in the vending of ciTicl Malice againft Men of Confcicnce, and the fear of God, is become fo ordinary a Trade, as that its like, with Men of Experience, ere long to pafs for a good Conclufion. Q DiClum vel fcriptum efi^ ( a ALtltgnvs) Ergo f.tlfum eft, ] Maiy of tkc Malignant Clergy and Laity, efpecialiy Le Strange the Obfcrvator, and fiich others, do with fo great Confidence publifh the moft Notorious Falfho'ods, that I muft coflfefs it hath greatly depreflcd my Efteem of moft Hiftory, and of Humane Nature. If other Hiftorians be like fome of thcfc Times, their Afler-tions, when-ever they fbeak of fuch as they diftafte, are to be Read as Hebrew^ backward ^ and are fo far from li'nifying Truth, that many for one arc downright Lies. It's no wonder Perjury is grown fo common, when the moft Impudent Lying hath fo prepared the way.

§. 52. Having publifhed a Confutation of Mr. Danvers akiont Infant-biptifm, one Mr. Hut. bin/on an Anabaptift in a reproachful Letter called me to review what I had written on that Subjed : And in afewfheets I pubKfhed it, called, [ .^ ^ez;;>n> tftny thtughti of Infant-Baptifm'} which, 1 think, for the brevity, and perfpicuity fitteft for the ufe of ordinary doubters of that point: And Mr. Barret hath contra-ded my other Books of it, in certain Qu^e^.

§. 55. The aft reftraining the Prefs being expired, I publifhed a Book that lay by me to open the cafe of Nonconformity, called, A PUa for Peics : which greatly offended many Conformifts ^ tho I ventured no farther but to name the things that we durft not conform to: Even the fame Men that had long called out to us, to tell them what we delired \ and faid , We had nothing to fay, could not bear it. ThcBifhopof£/y, Dx. Gunning ^ told me. He would petition Authority to command us to give thercafons of our Nonconformity, and not thus keep up a Schifm aud give no reafon for it. The Bilhop oi London^ Dr. Compton^ told me, That the King took us to be not lincere, for not giving the reafons of our diifent. I told them both , it was a ftrange Expeftation, from Men, that had fo fully given their realbn againft the old Conformity in our Reply, and could get no Anfwer;, and when their own Laws would Excommunicate, Imprifon, and Ruin us, fordoing any fuch thiig as they demanded: But I would begg it on my kneos, and return them moft 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 affaulted them : Whereas I only named what weftuck atjprofcffingto accufc nose of them: And they thought Seventeen years Silencmg, Profecuting, Imprifoning, Accufations of Parliament men, Prelates , Priefts and People, and all their Calls [What would you have ? Wiy do you not tell ut what you ftkk at ? ] to be no pjovocation. Yea, Bifhops and DoAors had long told Great Men , That 1 my felt had faid, That it was only things inconvenient, and not things iinful, 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 amoag them ! When Heathens wou/d have let Men fpeak for themfelves before they arc Coidemaed, its Criminal in us to do it Seventeen years after.

§. 54. Dr. Stillingfieet being nude Dean oiFouls was put on as the moft plau-

'- fible Writer to begin the aflault againft as, which he did in a printed Scririou

proving me and fuch Others Schifmaticks and Separatifts. To which I e,:ive an

anfvver which I thought fatisfaaory ( Dr. Oxven and Mr. Jlfop alfo anfwcrcd him )

To all which he wrote fomc what like a Reply,

Aaaaai ^-IS- Againft

§.55, Againft this I Wi"ote a fecond Defence , which he never anfwered.

§. 56. One Mr. Cheny (an honeft weak Melancholy-Man) wrote againft my Tkafcr Fence , to which I Pubiiihed an Anfwer.

§. 57. One Mr. HinUey Wrote againft me long ago, which occafioned feme Letters betwixt us ^ and now he Publiflied his Part, and put me to publifli mine ^ which 1 did, with an Anfwer to a Book, called Reflexions^ &c. and another, called, I'be Jmfle^er , and a Rc-joyndcr to Mr, Cheny-Lon^ of Exeter was one of them.

§, 58. Bccaufe a Book, calkd. The Counterminer •, Le Stranie^znd. many others, endeavoured ftill, as their Chief Work, to pcrfwade Rulers and all, that we che-rilhed Principles of Rebellion, and were preparing for Trcafon, Sedition, or a War: 1 much defired openly to publifli our Principles about Government and Obedience, but our Wife Parliament-Gentlemen were againft it, faying. You can publilh nothing fo truly, or warily, but Men will draw Venom cat of it, and make ufe of it againft you. But having been thus ftopt many years, it fatisfied not my ConfcLence, and 1 pubiiihed all, in a Book, called, A fecond Ilea for lesee. And it hath had the fttange fate of Being Unarifwered to this day •, nor can I get them to take notice of it.- Thoagh it was feared it would have been but Few el to their Malice, for fome ill cffed. I added to it. The Noncortformifis fudgneftt about things indifferent , ahmt Scandal -^ The difference between Grace and Morof-lity ^ imd what Nonconformity is not,

^. 59. Upon Mr. M DodmWi provocation I publifhed a Treatife ©f Efifco^a-ty that kid lain long by me •, which fully openeth our Judgment about the difference between the old Epifcopacy, and our new Diocefans, and Anfwercth almoft all the Chief Writers whi' h have Written for fuch Prelacy, fpecially Bifhop Bovmance^ Dr. Hammond,^ Saravia,, Spalatenjis^ Setavius^ &c. I think I may freely fay, it is Elaborate, and had it not done fomewhat effectually in the undertaken caufe, fomc one or other would have anfwered it ere now. It makes me admire that my Catkol. Theology^ our Reformed Liturgy^ my Second Plea for Peace^ (that, I fay, not the firfi alfo ) and this Treatife of Efifcopcy could never procure an Anfwer from ^ny of thefe fierce Accufmg Men ^ when as it is the Subjefts of thefe Four , which are the Controverfies of the Age ( and Rage) by thefe Men fo much inflated on. But I have fmce found fome Explication about the Englifh Dio-tcfanes nccellary ; which the Scparatifts forced me to publifh, by mifunderftand-ing me. .

§. 60. Mr. Hinkley grew more moderate, and Wrote' me a Reconciling Letter; but Loag of Exceter ( if Fame mifreport not the Aponimous Author ) Wrote fo f.crce a Book, to prove me, out of my own Writings, to be one of the worft Men living on Earth ( fiill of Falfhoods, and old r^etrafted Lines, and half Sentences ) that I never faw any like it •, And being overwhelmed with Work and Weaknefs, and Pains, and having leaft 7.eal to defend a Perfon fo bad as 1 know i?ay felf to bc^ 1 yet never Anfwered him , it being none of the matter in Con-trovcrfie, whether I be good or bad. God be Merciful to me a Sinner.

§. 61. 1 pubiiihed alfo an Apologv for the Nonconformifts Preaching, proving It their duty to Preach, though forbidden, while they can ^ And Anfwering a Multitude of Objedors againft them, Folclis^ Aloriey^ Gunning^ Parker^ Patrick^ Druell, Saymll^ Jfhton^ Good^ Dodwell^ 2;c. With Reafons to prove, that the ho-aeft Conformiits fliould be for our Preaching.

§. 62. 1 publilhui a few Shoets, called, J Moral Prognojlication^ what will bc-JUll the Churches, as gathered only from Moral Caufcs. ' '

^. 63. Bccaufe the acci\fation of Sdiifni is it' that makcth all the noifc againft tb,c Nonconformifts, in the Tvlouths of their Perfccutors, 1 "Wrote a few Sheets , cajlcd, A fcMTch for the Er^ltf}} Schifmauek:,^ comparing the Principles and Prafti-ccs of both Parties, and Icavmg it to. rbp Reader to Judge, who is the Schifma-tick; (hewing, that the Prelatifts have-in'-the Canons «£/o frt(f?o, Excommunicated all ( Nobility, Gentry, Clergy and People) who do but aftirm, that there is any thing finful in their Liturgy, Ccremonii*^'or Church-Govemnicnt, even to the lovreit Officer ^ And their Laws cafc'usouc of the Miniftery into Goals, and then they call us Schifmaticks fdr not oort>ing to tlieir Churches.- Yea, though we come to them confcantly, as I hav6"d<lHe ^ if we will not give'over Preaching our iclvei -^ when the parifn:s I livad ih-,-had one Fifty thonfand , the other Twenty thoufand Souls in it, more than can come within the Church-doors. This

• ' ■ Book

Book alfo, and my PrognoH-ication, and, ( which I moft I'alucd ) my Tew ifA oKly v?ay of Vr.iveYful Concord^ v;eie Railed at, hut nevci" Anfwered ( that 1 kacM ofj ) no more than thofe fore-mentioned. ,} |,j.^

«:j. 64. One Mr. /..orrice^ Chaplain to Arch-bifhop Smdcroft^ Wrote a Ldaraai and Virulent Book againft my jibjiraB oftlx Hifiay of Bifktfps nnd Councils ; wi^ againlc a fmall Book of Mr. David Ckrkfan^ againft the yfntiqaity of Dimcefnmi: To this Mr. Ckrkfon and I conjoyned our Anfvveis -^ In mise, 1 Epitorai/cd J«^ Ludolfkui Hiftory of Habaffia in the Preface; and, 1 think, fufTiciently Viniiatcti my Hifiory ofComciU , and fo think they that were groatiy taken with Mr. Mor-hceh book till they faw the Anfwer. And Mr. Clerlifon hath Iheivn himfclf fo much better acquainted with Church Hiltory thdn tlM^, tliat t\'hcthcr they will attempt to anfwer his Teftimonies ( and mine in my Treatife of Epifcopacy ) which difprove the Antiquity of Diocefines, or witl tmfc baly to I'ojftffion.y^w-trandnoife^ I know not. rror,'" .nririA.

§.155. Mr. H. Dodipell^znd Dr. Shtrlock^hj j^ttKick Jlcaifation , tcffled nie oirt to pablifli a Book, called, Jn Jnfver to Mr. DodWeli md Dr. Sherlock , confoting an Vniverfal HumaKs Chuxh-Soveretgnty^ Afiffocratiealmd A:^oMarthical^ as Church-Tyranny and Popery , and defending Dr. Ifiac Barrow^ Excellent Treatife againll it. ( For Dr. Tiihtfon had newly Publifhed this Excclknt Fofthumous-Treatife, and Sherlock quarreI'd with it.) In this I confuted Mr. Dodweir?, Trtatife of Schifhi,, and many of his Letters and Conferences with me , which I think he will pafs by , left his own Reply fhould make thofe know him who read not mine.

(j. 66. In a fhort time 1 was called with a grieved heart to Preach and Publifh many Funeral Sermons, on the Death of many Excellent Saints.

Mr. Stubbes went firft, that Humble , Holy, Serious Preacher; long a btcffing to Chucejlerfhire and Somerfetjhire., and other parts, and laftly to London^ I had great reafon 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 folenm Prayer, withoat> a particular remembrance of me: but of him before.

Next died Mrs. Coxe , Wife to Dr. Thomas Coote ( now Prefidcnt of the Col-ledge of Vhyficians ) a \Voman of fuch admirable compofure of Humble, Serioos Godlincfs, mceknefs , patience , exadnefs of Speech and all behaviour, artd great Charity, that all that I have faid in her Funeral Sermon is much fhort of her worth.

Next died my moft intire Friend Alderman Henry y4/hhurjl^ commonly taken for the moft exemplary Saint that was of publick notice iu this ditry • fo found in Judgment, of fuch admirable Meeknefs, Patience, Univerfal Chaficy, Studious of Good Works, and large therein, that we know not whcr« to find his Equal. Yec though fuch a Holy Man, of a ftrong Body, God trycd his pati«ice by the terrible Difeafe of the Scone in the Bladder •, And, in cxtrerrrtty of torment he endured tb be Cut, and two broken Stones taken out by Thirty pieces and more, with admirable patience : And when the Wound was almoft healed, he Was fein to be Cut sgain of a third Stone that was left behind ; and after much fuffering and patience, died, with great peace and quietnefs of Mind j and hath left behind him the perfume of a moft honoured Name, and the Memorials of a moll cxemj^stry Life, to be imitated by all his Dcfccndeuts.

Next my dear Friend Mr. John Corbet^ of juft the Uke temper of Body and Soul, having endured at Clnchefter rnnny 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. Jfhw(i\ were: his worth is known in Gloucefiit^ Chiehefier., London, and by his Writings to the Land, to be beyond what I have pi»blifhed of him, in his Funeral Sermon. He having lived in my Houfe before, ahd greatly honoured by my Wife ^ She got not long after his excellent Exemplary Wife (Il)atigh'-tcr to Dr. Twtfs ) to be her Companion, but enjoyed that comferf but a little while, which I have longer enjoyed.

§. 67. Near the fame time died my Father's fecoad Wife, Mary^ the Daughter of Sir Thomas //imij^and Sifter to Sir lulVe Hmh^ the King'^ Govcrnour bf Shrembitrym.t\\t Wars: Her Mother, the old Lady //tw^r, 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 her youth in the grcateft Mortification, Aufterity to her Body, and conftarioy 6f ?rave: liud all Devotion, of any one that ever I koew ; la the hatred of all lin,

ftriawsfs

The L IF E of the Part III

ftriftncfs of UniTerfal obedience, and for Thirty years longing to be with Chriit; In conftaat daily acquired infirmity of body ( got by avoiding all Exercife, and long fecret prayer in the coldefl Seafons, and fuch like ) but of a con-ftitution naturally ftrong : afraid of recovaring when ever flie was ill: For feme days before her death (he was ib taken with the Ninty full Ffalm^ that (he would get thofe that came ucar her to read it to lier over and over j which Pfalm alfo was a great means of Comfort to Old Beza^ even againfl his Death.

§. 68. 5oon after dyed Jane Afatthews aged Seventy fix. My Heufc-kccper fourteen years : though mean of quality, very eminent in Kiderrr.injler ^ and the parts about for Wifdom, Piety, and a holy^ Sober, Righteous, Exemplary .Life. -■:^-T

And many of my OlA Hearers and Flock at A idermmfter dyed not long before. Among whom a mean Freeholder James butcher of W*nnenon^ hath, left few equal to him for all that feemeth to approach perfection in a plain Man: O how many holy Souls arc gone to Chrift out of that one Parilh of Kidcrminfler in a few years, and yet the Number feemeth to increafe.

§. 69. The Bosk which I publilhcd called The Poor Man^s Family Bco^t, was fo well accepted, that I found it a ufcful work of Charity to give many of them ( wfth the Call to the Vnconverted ) abroad in many Countries, where neither J, nor fnch others had leave to Preach (and many Fiundreds fince, with good f«ceefi, )

§. 70. The times were fo bad for Idling Books, that 1 was fain to be my ,felf at tlie charge of Printing my Methodus Theologia:, forae fricads contributed about Eighty pouads, towards it ^ It coll me o.ie way or other about Five hundred pounds: About Two hundred and fifty pounOsI received from rliofe Non-coiv fermifts that bought them. The Contrary party fct themfelves to hinder tlie falc of it, becaufe it was mine, tho' elie the Oodrine of it, being half Philofo-phical, and half Conciliatory would have plcafed the Learned part of them. But mofl lay it by a:s too hard for them, as over Scholallical and exact. I wrote it afid my EngUfli Chriftian Directory to make- up one Compleat Body of Theology .The Latin one the Theory, and the En^Ujh one the Pradical purt. And the latter is commonly accepted becaufe lefs diffiadt.

§.71. My fhort piece againfl: To^ny called The Certainty of Chriflianity vfithtut Popery^ proved of ufe againfl Infidels as well as- Papijis. But mofl deceived men will not be at the labour to ftudy any thing that is dillind and exad, but take up w it li the firft appearances of things.

S- 72.- The Mifcrable State of Youngmen in london^ was a great trouble to my Mind i Efpecially Rich men's Sons and Servants, Merchants and Lawyers Appren-.ticcs and Clarks, carried away by the fleih, to drinking. Gluttony, Plays, Gaming, Whoring, Robbing their Mafl:ers,c'rc. I wrote therefore a fmalTradate for fuch, called Ctmpajjionate Counfcl to Xoung men .- Sir Robert y'tkins contributed towards the charge of Printing it, and I gave of them in City and Country One thouHmd five hundred, befidcs what the Bookfcllcr fold: But few will read it that mofl: need,

tf. 73. About this time ^iycd my dear friend lAwTlxmas Gouye^ of whofc Life you may fee a little in Mr. Clark's laft book of Lives: A wonder of fincerc in-duftirie in works of Charity ; It would make a Volume to recite at largejtlic Charity he ufed to his poor Parifliioners at Sepulchres ( before he was Ejeded aiid Silenced for Non-conformity •, His Conjundion with Aldcrnm J/hurjf and fome fjch others, in a weekly Meeting, to take account of the honelt poor familiti in the City that were in great want, he being the Trcafurer jmd Vilir.er;, Jus voluntary -Catechizing the Chrift's Church boyes when he might not preach:, The many thonland Bibles Printed in WclfJ} that he difperfed in Wales ^ The Pr.Ulice of Fiety^ The Whole Duty of A'fan^ AfyCall^ and many thoiifando of his ovvn. Writing, given fre«ly all over Wales., his fetcing up about Three hundred or Foiu" hun-dr(3 Schools in Wales to teach Children only to read, and the C itcchife, bis in-dirflry to beg money for all this, befidcs moll of his own Eihtc kid out on it-, His Travels q^ 9.x Wales once or twice a year to vifite his Schools and fee to the Execution : This was true Epifcopacy of a filcnced Miniltcv, f who yet wehc con-ilaotly to the Parifli Churchc>, and was authorized by an old Univen'ity Licenfe

to

Pare III. 'Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. ' 191

to Preach occalionally, and yet for i'o doing was Excommunicate even in IVates while he was doing all this good. ; He Terved God thus to a healthful age ( Seventy four or feventy fix,) 1 never faw him fad, but always chearful. About a fortnight before he dyed he told me that Ibmetime in the night fome final trouble came to his heart, he knev; not what-, And without licknefs, or pain or rfear of death, they heard him in his fleep give a groan, and he was dead. O how holy and blelled a Life, and how eafie a Death ?

§. 74. Finding the Succcfs of my Family Dialogue I wrote a fecond pait 168 r and 1682, tailed The Cittthifing of Houjhoulds teaching Houfholders how to in-ftrud their Families, Expounding, Firft, the Law of Nature : Secondly, The Evidence of the Gofpsl : Thirdly,the Creed : Fourthly,the Lord's Prayer : Fifthlv the Commandments: Sixthly, the Ml niftry : Seventhly, Baptifm : Eighthly, the Lord'5 Supper. It is fuitcd to thofe that are Paft the common little Catechifm • And I think thefe two Family-books to be of the greatell Common ufe of any'that I have publifncd : If Houflioulders would but do their parts in reading good books to their Houlholds, it might be a great Supply where the Minillry is dcfedive: and no Miuilhy will feive fufficiently without Men's own Endeavours for them-felves and families.

§.75. Having been for retirement in the Cquntrey from Jii/y till Ju^ufi 14. T682, returning in great weaknefs, I was able only to Preach twice, of which the lalt was in my ufuai Ledure in New-fireet^ and it fell out to be Aujiufi 1^. juft that day twenty year, that I ('and near Two thoufand more) had been by Law forbidden to Preach any move. I was fenlible of God's wonderful mercy that had kept lo many of us Twenty years in fo much Liberty and Peace, while fo many fcvere Laws were in force againft us, and fo great a number were i-ound about us who wanted neither malice nor power to afflid 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 lalt.

§. 76. But alter this when I had ceafed Preaching, I was ( being newly rifed firom Extremity of pain ) fuddenly furprized in my houfe by a poor violent lur 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 Juflice to be fent to Jail, and left my houfe to their will: But Dr. TfiottiM 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 Jultices delayed a day till they could fpeak with the King, and told him what the Doclor had fworn j and the King consented, that at the prefent imprifonment Ihould 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 ficfc 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. Tiie Warrant againft my perfon was figned by Mr. Parrey and 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 accufatioD, or who were the Accufers or WitnelTeSj much lefs did I receive any Summons to appear, or anfwer for my felf, or ever law the Juftices or Accufers. But the Juftice that fign'd the Warrants for Execution laid, that the two Hiltons folicited him for them, and one Bueke led the Conftables that dift reined

But though 1 fent the Juftice the v/ritten Deeds which proved that the Goods were none of mine f nor ever were ) and fent two Witnefles whofe hands were to thofc Conveyances, I offered their Oaths of it, and alio proved that the books I had many years ago alienated 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 jultices, and Juries, and how others had been ufed If they had taken only my Cloak they fhould have had my Coat alfo, and if they had taken me on one Clieek t would have turned the other : for 1 knew the cafe wasfuch that he that will not put up one blow, one wrong or flander, fhall fnfier two, yaa many more.

Unt

But when they had taken and fold a'i, and I borrowed fome Bedding and Ne-^elT-iries of the Buyer, 1 was never ti:c quieter: for they thrcatned to come upon me again, and take alias mine, whofefoever it was, which they found in my pofieflion : So that 1 had no remedy, but utterly to forfake my Houfe and Goods and all, and take f;crct Lcdgings diftant in a ftranger's Houfe. But having a long Leafe of my own Houie, which binds m.e to pay a greater Rent than now it is worth , whenever I go 1 muft pay that Rent.

The reparation from my Books would have been a greater part of my fraall Afiliftion, but that 1 found 1 was near the end botli of that Work and Life v> hie h needeth Books •, and fo I eafily let go all: Naked came I into the World, snd naked muft I go out.

But 1 never Vv-anted iefs (%vhat 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 furei- and larger Revenue to me than my own.

But God was pleafed quickly to put me pafl: all fear of Man, and all defire of avoiding fuffeving from them by Concealment ■, by laying on me more him-felf than Man can do .• Their Imprifonment, with tolerable Health, would have feemcd a Palace tome ^ And had they fur mc to death for fuch a Duty as they Perfccute me, it would have been a joyful end of my Calamity. But day and night I groan and languifli under God's julb afflicting hand ^ The pain whicit before only tired my Reins, and tore my Bowels, now alfo fell upon my Bladder, and fcarce any part or hour is free. As Waves follow Waves in the Tem-pefluous Seas, fo one pain and danger followeth another, in this fmfnl miferable Flefli: I die daily, and yet remain alive: God, in his great Mercy , knowing my dulncfs 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 comparifon 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.

§• 19- T TAving been profecutcd as offending againft the Oxford Confimng-

JTl Act, and findhig that my filence may occafion the guilt of fuch as

undcrftand not my Cafe, and being by God's hand difabled pcrfonally to appear

and plead it, I am neccflltated to open it by Writing, to undeceive them that

raiftake it.

I. As to the Scnce of that Law, I conceive that it reachcth to none but Non-conformifts -^ and that bccaufe they arc fufpedcd to teach Schifm and Rebellion. For though the body of a Law fometeme extend further than the Title , yet when the title contained! both the end of the Law, and the Defcription of the pcrfons meant ( as hear it doth ) it is expofitory to the L,aw .- Therefore the words 3 ali fuch'] in the third Paragraph, muft mean |2 allfuth asaforeftid^ viz. Nonconfor-mifs'} and not [_iill fuch others^ ] viz. Conformijls : For,

1. The Confcirmifts are fuppofcd to be from under the Sufpicion.

2. And clfe it may ruin many Churches : If the Curate omit the Liturgy, or .part, and the Incumbent Prcadi, it will be made an Unlawful Aifcmbly, by the

fame

3. line

Pare ill. Ke'verevJ Mr. Richard Baxter 193

fame rcalbii that Hoiile-Meetings are lb called, for want of. the Liturgy j For the \ '-: impofoth rl'.':: Liturgy un Churches, but not on Houfcs.

?,. Mm/ Conformifi-s have lliil ufed to repcit their Sermons in tlicir Hoofes to more than fcnr Neighbours, without the Liturgy : And if any fiicli thinf^' be judg'd a Conventicle, to Fine the Inannbcnt Forty pounds, and Banifh~]<hr; Five Miles from his pariih ever after, fcems contrary to our Difcipline.

11. MyOfeisthis.

1. I am no Nonconformill in Law-Stnce, ('and my Confciencc hath no Judge but God : ) For I Conform to the Liturgy and Sacrament, as far as the Law re-quireth me : I was in no place of Ecclefiaftical Promotion on May the i/, 1662 • nor ever fince had .any, nor the offer of any : And therefore the Law impofeth not on me, the Declaration, or the Ailent or Confent, ndmote than on Lawyers, or Judges.

2. ! have the BiHinp of London^ Licenfe to Preach in his Diocefs, which fuppo-feth me no Nonc-nfo'-mill in Law-fence : And I have the Judgment of Lawyers, even of the prelcut Lord Chief Jnftice, and Mr. Pollexfen^ that by that Licenfe I may Preach occaUonal Sermons.

I have Epifropai Ordination, and judge it grofs Sacriledgc to forfake my Gal-

w

i|. I am jufl-ified againfi: fufpicion of Rebellious Doiftrine many ways. i. By my publick Retradation of any old accufcd words or writings. 2. I was chofcn alone to Preach the Publick Thankfgiviug at St. Paufs for General MokFs flxcefs. 3. The Commons in Parliament chofe me to Preach to them at their Publick Fall for the King's Reltoration, and call'd him home the next day. 4. I was Sworn Chaplain in Ordinary to the King. 5. I was oflfcred a Bifhoprick. 6. The Lord Chancellor who offered it, at-teftcd under his hand, His Majcfty's Senfe of my Defert, and Flis Acceptance. 7. I am juftifyed in the King's Dcclaratioa about Ecctefiaftical Affairs among the reft there mention'd. 8. When I Preached before the King, he commanded the Printing of my Sermon. 9. To which may be added the A&. of Oblivion. 10. And having publiffied above an Hundred Books, 1 was never yet convift of any ill Doftrine, fince any of the laid Afts of King, Parliament and others for my Difcharge and Juftifi-cation.

5. 1 have oft Printed my judgment for Communion with the Parifti Churches, and exhorted others to it: And having built a Chappel, delivered it for Pariih ufe. •

6. I was never lawfully Convift of Pi^eaching In an unlawful Affembly : for 1 was not once fummon'd by the Juftices that granted out the Five Warrants againft me, to anf.ver for my felf, nor ever told who was my Accufer, or who Witnelfed againll me. And I have it under the hand of the prcfent Lord Chief Jufticc, that a L^wfril Conviction fuppofcth Summons. And the Lord Chief Juftice l-'aughan^ with Judge lyrrel^ Jrcher and Wild^ did long ago discharge me, upon their declaring, that even the Warrant of my Commitment was illegal, becaulc no Accufer

;- Witnefs was named , and fo I was left remedilefs in cafe of falfc Accufa-Lion.

■7. As far 35 I underffand it, I never did Preach in any unlawful Aflenibly, V, hich was on pretence of any Exercife of Religion contrary to Law^ 1 Preached K Pari(h Churches where the Liturgy was Read as oft as I had leave and invitation : 'And whca I could nor have that leave, I never took any Palloral Charge, nor Pr€;ichcd for any Stipend, but not daring perfidioufly to defert the Calling

hich I was Ordained and Vowed to, 1 Preaclit oc«afional Sermons in other Men's

'Bb bbb ■ Ho«fes,^

Houfes, w here was nothing done, that I know of, contrary to Lav/:, There was nothing done bur Reading the rfaUns^ and Cbaptas, and the Crted^ Comnumd-ments^ and Lord's Pr:iyer, and Singing Ffrdms^ and Prjyin^ and Freacking ; and none of this is forbidden by Law : I'lie Omiflion of the reft of the Liturgy, is no ^cr, but a not-actiyi£^ and therefore is no pi-ttended IVorJhip according to Law. But were it otherwife, the Law doth not impofe the Liturgy on Families, buionlyon Churches, and a Family is not forbidden to have more than four Neighbours at faying Grace, or Prayer, nor is bound to give over Family-worfhip , vvhen-ever more than Four come in. The A£t alloweth Four to be prefent at Unlawful Worfliip, but forbids not more to be prefent at Lawful Worfhip. And Houfe-worfhip without the Liturgy is lawful worfhip. And yet if this were not fo, as the Curatc's(Omiflion of the Prayers makes not the Preacher and Alfembly guilty ( fuppofc it were an Aflize-Serraon that for haft omitted the Liturgy j ) fo the owner of the Houfe, by omitting the Liturgy, maketh not him guilty that was not bound to ufe it, nor the Meeting unlav/ful to any but hiirffelf Charity and Loyalty bind us to believe, that our King and Parliament, who allow more tlian many Four's to meet at a Piay-houfe, Tavern, or Feaft, never meant to forbid mere than Four to be together in a Houfe to iinga Ffalra, or Pray, or Read a Licenfed Book, or edifie each other by Godly Conference, v/hilc no Crime is found by any Mm in the Matter of their Doftrine or Prayer ; and no Law im-pofeth the Liturgy on any but Church-Meetings.

If after m.any years Reproach, once Imprifonmcnt, and the late Diftrcfs and Sale of all my Books and Goods, and tbofc that were none of mine, but anotlier's , and this by five or Hx Warrants for prefent Execution, without any Summons or Notice of Accufers or Witnsifes, 7 could yet have leave to die in peace, and had not been again pcrfccuted witk new Inditcments , / had not prefumed thus to plead or open my own Caufe. / Pray God that my Profecutors and Judges may be fo prepared for their near Account, that they may have no greater fin laid to their Chai-ge, than keeping my Ordination-Vow is, and not Sacrilegioufly forfaking my Calling, who have had fo good a Mafter, fo good a Word, fo good SBccefs, and fo much Atteftation from King^ Parliament, City, and Bilhops, as / have had. -

If they ask why /Conform not? /fay, /do, as far as any Lawbindeth me: If they ask why / take not this Oatk, / fay, Becaufe / neither underftand it, nor can prevail with Rulers to Explain it. And if have a good fence, /have not only fubfcribcd* to it, but to much more, in a Book called , Theficond Plea for Peace, page 60,6i, 61. Where alfo / have profelTed my Loyalty much further than this Oath cxtcndeth. But if it have a bad fence, / will not take it. And/find the Conformifts utterly difagrecd of the Sence, and moft that / hear of renouncing that fence which the words fignifie in their common ufe. And knowing that Perjury is a mortal Eneniy to the Life and Safety of Kings, and the Peace of Kingdoms, and to Conveife, and to Man's Salvation, I will not dally with f ;ch a dangerous Crime. Nor will I deceive my Rulers by Stretches and Equivoc^itionsj nor<lo 1 believe Lying lawful after all that Grotius de Jure Belli , and Eifliop J'ay-Iw Duft. Dub. have faid for it. I think Oaths impofed are to be taken in che ordinary fenfeof the words, if the Impofersput not another on them. And I dare not Swear that a Commiflion under the Broad-Seal is no Comuiiflion, till I that am no Lawyer know it to be Legal : Nor yet that il.etord Keeper may Dcpofcthc King without rcfiftauce, by Sealing Commiflions to Tinytors to feize on his Forts, Navy, Militia, or Treafure: Nor can I confent to make all the prefent Church-Government as unalterable as the Monardiy ^ efpeciilly when the Seventh Canon extendeth it toan*6' catera^to /rch-lijhops^ BtPjojs^Deaas^Jrch-deacons^ and the reft that bear Office in the fame 3 not excepting Lay-Chancellor's ufe of the Keys -^ ( & ipfo failo Excommunicateth all. Nobility, Gentry, Clergy and Commons, that fay, That it is repugnant to the Word of God.') And it's time to take heed what we Swear, when the Aft of Uniformity, the Oxford-A^, the Corporation Aft, the Vcftry Act, the Militia Aft, and the Oath of Supremacy, do bind aU the Nation by Solemn Oath, not to endeavour any alteration of Government ia Church or State^ And yet moft Reverend Fathers, who moft fharply call us to Conformity, do Write for a Foreign Ecclcfiaftical Jurifdiftion, under tjic Name of an Univcrfal Collcdge of Bilhops, or Council, having fuch power as other Courts,

even

Part III. "Kevcrend Mr. Richard Baxter.

___.Kmgom. , ^ _ , ,-..-- -.-v.v^aLii ui su-

premacy, and the 39 Articles and Canons, and fevcral Statutes,\vhich renounced it are all iminteUigible to us. We renounce all fuhj^flkn to any Foreign Church or •pawer, but not Co-'ummion. We have Coymmmon^ith the Chnrch of Rome and all others in Chrifli:mity^ but not in their ]m ^ and we are not yet fo dull 'as to know no difference between Foreigners Govmimmt of us, and their Communion ■ nor to think that Separation from a Uiurped Government is Separation*from Chri-ftian Commuijion : Nor can we podibly believe the Capacity of Pope, or Council or Colledge of Bi(hops, as a Monarchy, or Ariftocracy, to Govern all the World in one Soveraignty Ecclefiaftical, till we fee one Civil Monarchy, or Ariftocracy rule all the Earth, And we dread the Doctrine and Example of fuch Men as would introduce any Foreign Jurifdiftion, while they are for Swearing all the Land a- ' garnft any alteration of Church-Government j And we muft deliberate before we thus Conform, while fo Great Men do render the Oath fo doubtful to us. 1 appeal to the fore-cited Profefllon of my Loyalty, publifhed many years ago, as beiui;; fai: more full and fatisfadory to any that queftioueth it, than the taking of this doubtful controverted Oath would be.

A true Copy of the Judgment of Air. Saunders now Lord Chief JuUice of the Kings-Bench , gi'ven me March the 22d, 167*

I. TF he hath the Bilhop's Licenfe, and be not a Curate, Ledurer, or,other J. Promoted Ecclefiaftical Perfon, mentioned in the Aft, I conceive lie may Preach Occafional Sermons without CtJnforming, and not incur any Penalty within this Aft.

The due Order of Law requires, that the Delinqueat, if he be forth-coming^ ought to be furamon'd to appear to Anfwer for himfelf, if he plcafes, before he be Convifted .• But, in cafe of his withdrawing himfelf, or not appearing, he may be regularly Convifted.

Conviftions may be accumulated before the Appeal be determined .• but not uu~ duely.- nor is it to be fuppofed that any undue Conviftions will be made.

As I Conceive, Edtn. Samders.

M. day iz. i57j.

Mr. PolixfenV Judgment for my Preaching Occa/ionally.

A. B. before the Thirteenth of this King being Epifcopally Ordained , and at the time of the Aft of Uniformity inade Car. 2. not being Incumbent in any Living, or having any Ecclefiaftical Preferment, before the Aft of Uniformity, viz.. 25 Feb.- 13 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 fubfcribes the 39 Articles of the Church of England.

Queji. Whether Liceafes Preceding the Aft be v/ithifl the meaning of th« Aa?

B b b b b i t .co^eiv«5

,c)6 The LI F E of the Part 111

1 conceive they are: : For if Licenfed at the time of the yl{} made, what need any new-Ucenfe? That were but ailum agcre^ and the Claufe in the ^ci \_unkft he he Lscenfcd,&c.'} inthe-manner of penning fhews that Licentc^, that then were, were fufEcier't and within the Provifion: And the following Claufe as to the Lefturers is Exprefs \jnow js^ or/Iiall be Licenfed'} The former part of the Ji} as well as that extends to Licenfes that then were. For the fame Licenfe that enables a man to Preach a Lcfture muft enable a man to Preach.

Q^ Whether he be teHrained by the ^5 o/'Um/onwYy to Preach a Funeral Sermon or othA- occafional Sermon ?

I Conceive that he is not rcfcraincd bythis v^dZ to Preach any Occafional Sermon fo as it be within tlie Diocefs wherein he is Licenfed.

Hen. FoUexftrt. Decemb. 19. 1682.

§ 77. While I continue night and day under conftant pain , anfl often ftrong, and under the fentcnce of approaching death by an uncurablc difeafc which asc and great debility yields to, I found great need of the conftant exercife of patience by obedient fubmifllon to God ^. and writisg a fmall Tradate of it for my ow n ufe, I faw reafon to yield to them that defircd it might be pubjick, there -being (efpccially) fo common need of obedient patience,

§ 78. Having long ago written a Treatife againft Coalition with Papilts, by introducing a Foreign Jurisdidion of Pope or Councils, I was urged by the Writingi of Mr. Do^wel^ and Dr. S-yirc// to pubiifli it, but the Printers dare not Print it j Entitled England not to be perjured by receiving a Foreign Jurisdiftion. It is iiv two Parts : The lirft Hiftorical fhewing who have endeavoured to introduce a Foreign Jurisdidion, citing Papills, Crotius., Arch-Biflinp Bromhall^ Arch-Bilhop Laud^ Thorndtke, Dr. Saj/well, Dodwell^ four Letters to Biftiop Guning^ and others. The 2d part llriftly Stating the Gohtroverfy, and Confuting a Foreign Jurisdidion, againft which Change of Government alt the Land is Sworn. I may not Print it.

§ 79. When 1 faw the ftorm of Pcrfccution arifing by the Agitators Hiltott., Shad^Buck, and fuch other, and faw what the Juftices were at leaft in prefent danger of, and efpecially how Le Strange sixid other weekly Pamphleteers bent all their wit and power to make others odious, and prepared for dcftruftion, and to draw as many as poffibly they could to hate and ruinc faithful men, and how Confcicnce and ferious piety grew with many into fuch hatred and reproach, that no men were fb • much abhorred, tliat many gloried to be called Tories^tho they knew it was the name of the fri/h common murdering Thieves: I wrote a fmall Book called Cain and yibeJ^ in two parts: The firft againft malignant Enmity to ferious Godlinefs ^ with abundant Reafcns to convince Malignants. The fecond againll Pcrfccution, by way of Qiixre's. I wrote a third part fas Impartial) to tell Difienters why (while I was able) I went oft to the'Parifh Church and there Communicated, and why they Iliould not fulFer as Scparatifts^or Rccufants, lefl they fuffer as evil doers: But wife men would not let me publilhit.* And the two firft, the Bookfel-krs and Printers durft not print but twice refufed them.

§ ?.o. But the third part the Rcafons of my Communion with Pariih Churches, •chat have honcfi: able Minifters, I fcnt to one friend, who telling others of it, a Bookfeller after two years importuned me to let him Print it. i. The fliarp execution of the Law had then brought Multitudes into Prifon and Poverty. 2. Noncon-formifts both Presbyterians and Independent^, had t;iken tr.e Corporation Oath and Declaration, and Communicated in the Parifh Churcf.es, for to mai.e them capable of Trurt: and Office in the City ^ And becaiife it fcem'd to tend to their pro-tcftion and advantage, we heard of no noifc made againil them by the Independents; but they admitted them as their Members- to their Comnuinion as before. I was againft their taking the Declaration, but not againft t'-eir Communicating, but 1 medled not with them. At lad when the Earl of Sbaftsbury was broken and gone, and the City Power and Common Council fubducd to the will of the King, the fore-

Parr ill. lieverend Mr, Richard Baxter. \c^j

1 —» ■ — ~^ ■

laid Cajiiniimioa in pi!blick was more freely blamed by the Independents and Ana-baptiih, and fome few hot Scof; Men. And the private Church' Meetings were fo much fupprcib, and the prifons fo full, that my Confcience began to tell me, that I fnoiild be guilty of. injuring the truth, tiic Church, and the Souls and Bodily welfare of my brethren, if / (hould by filence harden them againfl publick worfli/p. Specially the Cife of the Countrey moved me,wherein a great part of the Kingdom, ftarcc two hundred men in a whole Country, can have the liberty of any true Church Worlhip, belides Parochial. I rememb^ed the Cafe of the Old Ncncou-formills againft the Bromnj}s\ and the Writings of Mr. J.' Ball^ P-^g^^i-, Hilderjh*m^ £ra'.l/bav.\ Gifford^ Brightman^ Amcs^ Sec. I could not but remember what work the Separating party had made in fw^^/.w;/ and Scotland, in my days from 1644 till i65o :igj:inft Government, Religion and Concord : I faw what I long forefaw, each extreme party growing more extreme, and going further ftill from one another ^ And fo great a Change is grown on London, that the.Terms which we offered the Bifliops for Concord 1660 are now abhorred as Antichriftian : 1 faw multitudes like to be Imprifoned and'Ruined for rcfuling their Duty, as if it were fin, and difgracing Religion by fathering thefe Errours on it. ThcConforraifts, feeing the Errour o'f the Separatifcs, derided them all, and were connrmedin the jufbihcation of all their Conformity ;• thinking tlwt it v/as but a juft differing from a crazed Company of i'anaticks : Thofe that imprifoned and ruined both them and the reft of the Ncnconformifts, thought they did God fervice by it, againft an unruly fort of MtA : The Common people were made believe that this was the true Complexion of all the Dillenters from whatever the Law Commanded. The di-ftance growing wider, and great fufFerings increafmg hard thoughts of thofe by whom Men fuffercd, all real Love did fcem to be almoft utterly deftroy-ed, and Neighbours dwelt together like unplacable Enemies : And worft of all, I\len were frightened to think that they muft rather give over all Church \i^orIhip, than they muft Communicate with the bcft Miniftry in the Patifh Churches- and fo the main'body of the Land would live like Atheifts, who C3n haTe uo other Church-Worfliip but the Parochial: For the Nonconformifts Churches were in almoft all Countries, fo fupprefled that no confiderable Numbers could enjoy them.

• And by this means the Papifts were like to have their Wills : The Prc>-teftants muft be told that Recufancy is all their Duties: And going to -the Publick Churches a fin : And vvho can for fhame drive 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 poffefiion. And while the Papifts and Malignants are ftudying how to caft out all the Godly Conforming Minifters, that the Dudfilc remainder might be prepared for Popery, the feparating part of the Independents and Anabap-tjjis, and f(5me.few hot Scjtch Presbyterians, go before them, and tell all the People that it .is unlawful to hear them,* and to own them as Minifters or Cliuiches, and to have Communion with them in the Liturgy or Sacraments, Ei'^when,theriggurof Profecutors hath brought it to that pafs that they muft ItaiVj? juch or none, as to Church wc«-(hip. •' ' '•

''&;ctb4 fo many ill prifon, for tins Error, to the dilhonourof iGod, and fo many iBQrejike to be ruin'd by it, a;id the fcpaVating party,by the temptation of fufFering, %ici fo tar ]n"cvailed with the molt llrift, and zealous Chriftians, that a great Num-^•'wefe of- their miud, and the Non-conformable Minilters,whofc Judgment was ^^ihll.Lliis feparation, durft not publilh their diflikeof it, partly becaufe of (harp andliittcrCcnfures of the Separatills,and'who took them for Apoftates or Carnal Teinpbrizers that communicated in publick, and partly for fear of Encouraging PerfiwUtion againll: the Separatills, and partly for fear of lofing all opportunity of teaching them ( and fome that had no hope of any other friends or maintenance, or Auditors thought they might be filent,) On all theie account's, I, that had no g;\thered Church, nor lived on the Contribution of any fiich, and was going out of the world in pain and Languor, did think that 1 was fitted to bear men's Cen-fures, and to take that reproach on my Iclf, which my brethren were lefs fit to beiv, who might live for farther Service. And at the; Importunity of the Book-feiler, I coniented to publifh the Reafons of my Con'imunicating in the .Parifti-Churches, and a2;r.inft Separation. Which when it was coming out, a Manufcript

of Dr. Onen's (who was lately dead ) containing Twelve. Arguments againft fuch joyjiing with the Liturgie, and publick Churches, was fent me, as that which had fatisfyed Multitudes'- I thought that if this were unanfwercd, my labour would be much loft,becaufe that party would Itill fay Dr. Owra's Tw elvc Arguments confuted all: Whereupon I haftily anfwered them, but found after that it had been miore prudent to have omitted his Name : For on that account a fwarm oi revilers in the City poured out their keeneft Cenfures, and three or four wrote againft me, whom'I anfwered. (I will not name the men that are known, and two of them a:e yet unknown ) But they went on feveral Principles, fome Charged all Communion with the Liturgie, with Idolatry, Antichriftianity, and perjury and back-flidiiig: One concealed his judgment, and quarrel'd at by-words. And another—turned-my Treatife of Epifcopacy againft me, andfaid 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 extream, I might leave my Teltimony 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. Sbei'lock that ran quite into the contrary Extreames, unchurching almolt ^all Chriftians as Schifmadcks. 1 confefs 1 wrote fo fharply againft him as muft needs be liable to blame^wich thofe that know not the man, and his former and latter Virulent and ignorant Writings.

§. 8i. About this time one Mr. Robert Mayot oi Oxford, a very Goldly Man, that devoted ail his Eftate to charitable m'es, a Conformift, whom 1 never faw, dyed, and befidcmany greater Gifts to Jhhington,&.c. gave by his laft Will Six hundred pounds to be by me diftributed to Sixty poor Ejefted Minifters, adding that he did it fiof^ becav.fe they were Non-oonformifis^ hut bccanfe many fuch vcere poor and pons. But the King's Attourney Sir Robert Sarvyer Sued for it in the Chancery, and the Lord fCeeper iVortib gave it all to the King. Which made many refolvc 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 leait thoughts of ( and is like to be the laft of my Life, ) to write a paraphrafe on thei\7ifw Tewament, Mr. "John Humphrey having long importuned me, to write a paraphrafe en the Epiftle to the Romans, when 1 had done that, the ufefulnefs of it to my felf drew me farther and farther till I had done all. But having con-fcflcd 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 greateft difficulties : which I know will fall under the fharp Cenfure of many. But Truth is more valuable than fuch men's praifes. 1 fitted the whole by plaiunefs to the ufe of ordinary Families.

§. 83. After many times deliverance from the Sentence of death, pn November Twenty, One thoufand fix hundred eighty four ^ in the very Enteranceof the Sev^ntycth 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 Stom.ach and all the Intcftines and Reins, from all th::t 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 tuinetb it to my good, and giveth me a greater willingnefs to die, than I once '.hcught 1 ftiould ever have attained. The Lord teach me more fully to love Ifis Will, and reft therein, as much better than my own, that oft fti-iveth a-giinfc ic

§. 84. A little before this while I lay in pain and languilliing, the Juftices of SelTions, fent Warrants to apprehend me ( about a Thoufand more being in Citalot^ue to be rail bound to the good behaviour. I thought they would fend me Six months to Prifonfor not taking the Oxford Ozth, and dwelling in London, and fo I refuied to open my Chamber door to them, their Warrant not being to break it open. . P.r.t they fet fix Officers at my Study-door, who watcht all night, . and kept mt from my bed and food, fo that the next day 1 yielded to them ; who carried mc ( fiarce able to ftand ) to their SclTions, and bound me in Four hundred pound bond, to the good behaviour : I defired to know what my Grime was, and

who

who my Accufcrs^ but they told me it was for no fault, but to fecure the Govern-mc'it in evil Tirhes ^ and that they had a Lift of many fufpedcd perfons that muft do the like as well as I. I defired to know for what I was numbred wiili the > irfpeit, and by whofe accnfation, but they gave me good words and would not .f,ll me. I told them I had rather they would fend me to Jail tlian put me to v/rong others by being bound with me, in bonds that I was like to break to morrow : for if there did but five perfons come in when I was praying, they would cake it for a breach of the good behaviour: They told mc, not if they came on other bufinefs, unexpedtedly, and not to a fet meeting •, Nor yet if we did nothing contrary to Law, or the praftife of the Church. 1 told them our innocency •^as not now any fecurity to us : If two beggar women did but Hand in the llrec".c and fwear that I fpake contrary to the Law tho' they heard me not, my bonds and liberty were at their will: For 1 my felf lying on my bed, heard Mr. I. P. Preach in a Chappclon the other fide-of my Chamber, and yet one Sibil Dafh zndmiza-u:h Ca^idl fvvore to die Juftices that it was another that Preached ( Two mifcrabli; poor women that made a Trade of it, and had thus fworn againft very many v,:oTthy peribns in Hackney and eliewheve, on which their Goods were feized on tor gi«ac Mulfts or Fines. But to all this I had no Anfwer, bnt muft give bond, when they knew that 1 was not like to break the Behaviour, unlefs by l>ing in bed in pain.

§.85. But all this is fo fraall apart of my fuffering in comparifon of what I bear in my flelh, t'.iat 1 could fcarce regard it: And it's fmal in comparifon of what others fufter ^ Many excellent perfons die in Common Jails ; Thoufands ruin'd: That holy hnmble Man, Mr. RofemU is now under a verdict for death as a Traitor for Preaching fomc Words, on the witnefi, and Oath of Hilton's Wife (and one or two more Women ) whofe Husband liveth profefledly on the Trade, for which he claimeth many Hundred or Thoufand pounds. And not only the man profeffeth, but many of his hearers witnefs that no fuch words were fpoken, uor any that befecmed not a loyal piudcnt man. But we have been too long unthankful, when all our Lives, Eftatcs, .and Liberties, are in the power of any Whores Beggars, Enemies or malicious Papijls^ that will but fwear that we are guilty, that God hath marvelloully fo long reftrained them : and that forcing us into fecret Meetings out of our publick, hath fecured the Lives of many.

§. 85. December Eleventh, I was forced in all my pain and weaknefs to be carried to the Sejfions-ho'tif!^ or clfe my bonds of Four hundred pounds would 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 Wtiliam Smith and the reft, who openly declared that they had nothing againft me, and took me for Innoc-ent, but yet 1 muft continue bound, left others fhould expeft to be difcharged alfo, which I openly refiifed: But my Sureties would be bound, left I fhould die in Gaol, againft my declared Will, and fo I muft continue. Yet they difcharged others as' foon as 1 was goae. I was told that they did

all by inftructions from, &c. and that the main end was to reftrain me

from writing: Which now fhould I do with greateft 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 Confcienc? will now allow me fdence: But whereas one Separatift hath interpreted ray Treatife of Epifcopacy as jufti-fying Separation, and Mr, Faldo hath by grofs miftake fallly accufed me as a Lyer for laying that his Congregation a Church worfliipped many years without finging Pfalms ( and Sacraments ) ( forfooth becaufe he took them not then for a CliuVch) I muft fufpend my Anfwer to them and all fuch ^ tho' I know the Papijis will take it for a Confutation of all my writings againft them, to fay [] his own brethren^ JProtejiants and Dijfenters have poved him a Lyer. ]| This I muft bear from Separating Non-conformifts, while the Juftices that bind and trouble me, openly declare me innocent. And I am told that the Papijis will not endure me to write againft the Separatifts, no more than againft themfelves, becaufe they need their help to pull dov/nthe Godly Parifh Miniftcrs.

j§. 87. Many French Miniftcrs fentenced to Death and Banilhment, fly hither for refuge: And the Church men relieve them not becaufe they are not for Englifh Diocefans and Conformity •, And others have many of their own dif-

trcITed

•I y^■-—^i™^w IbwIP

Qoo The LI F E of the Part III

t veiled Miiiiltevs and acquaintance lo relieve, tliat few ai'e al)le. But the Chief that now lean do is to help fuch, and the Silences Minifters-here and the poor, as the Almoner of a few Liberal friends who tvuit me with their Charity.

^. 88. As to the prcfent State of England, the Plots, the Execution of Men High and Low, the Publick Counfels and Dellgns , the Quality and Practice of Judges aiidBilhops, tlie SefTions and Jufticcs, the quality of tlie Clergy, and the Univerfities and Patrons, the Ciiurch-Governmcnt by the Keys by Lay-Civilians, the ufage of Minifters, and private Meetings for Preaching or Prayer, the Ex-peftations of what \i next to be done, ib'c. The Reader mult expeft none of this fort of Hiflory from mc ; No doubt but there vail be many Volumes of it, by others tranfmitted to polterity ^ who may do it more fully than I can now do.

§. 89. January Seventeenth, I was forced again to be carried to tlicSef-fions, and after divers dales good words which put me in expeftation of freedom, when I was gone, one iufticc. Sir Deerham laid that it's like

that thefe perfons folicited fo for my liberty that they might come to hear mc in Conventicles: and on that they bound me again in Four hundred pound bond for above a Qiiarter of a year f 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 I for the mofl part keep my bed.

§. 90. Mr. Jenkins dyed in Newgate this week ( January Nineteenth, 168'. ) as Mr. Bampfield^ Mr. Raphfon, and others died lately before him. The Prifon where are fo many fufFocateth the Spirits of aged MinLllers. But blelFed be God that gave them fo long time to Preach before, at cheaper rates.

§. <Ji. One Richard Baxter a Sabbatarian Anahaptijl was fent to Gaol for rc-fufmg the Oath of Allegiance^ and it went for currant that it was I.

§. 92. Mr. Roferve'.l did fo fully plead his ow^i Cafe, and prove his innocency, and prove the Confederacy, incompetency, and fqlfhood or the WitnclTes, that tho' ('alas) the Jury found him guilty of Trcafon, even the Chief Jufticc and Judges were convinced of his innoceacy, 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 Df

A P P E

Numb. L

A PP END IX.

J Reply to/ome Exceptions again/l om Worccfter-fbire Agreement , and niy Chriftian Concord..

IVriiten by a namekfs Author , andJent by T>r,

Warmftrye.

Honoured and Worthy Sir,

SalutetM & Officia in Cbrifio Jeftt Autore Salutis.

Except. TS~t^OR Chriftian Concord, Mr.fitf.\/e»- cannot write more willingly, nor SeB: I. ■ I you be more ftrongly inclined to meet any fiich motion , then you ■ " well know the Heartsof very many of your B;ethren,tobe already -■*■ agreed in that. And I believe I have given you evidence in all my former Difcourfes with ycu (uncontradided by any acftion of minej that I the meancO- 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 Chrifl: our Lord who liath fo hightly injoyned it, 2. But this bars us not, but obliges us well to con-fider, whether this Worcefier Agreement be a true Union in Ecclefiaftical Peace, or the carrying on a Schilmatical Combination , reaching to enclofe in the Epifcopal Divines alio. ;. That they may now at length by this approve of the Presbyters Declaration to the World, of the noneceflity of continuing <:heir Canonical Obedience to their Bifhops in Chrift, ('which was the firft wheel that fet.a work this fad Revolution, the ejedin^, out of the Church (I mean out of their principal proper place in the Church) the Bifhops and Pallors, the Succelfors of the Appftles in the Church) wfiether this be fo or no • I fiy,l muft requelt you to judge by confidering.

Reply to SeB 1. I ftiall not unwillingly believe and acknowledge that your love to Concord is greater than mine, when I fee you more ZicalouJIy Jtekivg it , and hear of your Motions and niodtrattRational Attempts to i hat end. And I (hall begin to hope well of you,when you ate but willing to accept luch motions from any others, or at leafl^ not to /jind.^r tire Concoid of )our Bicthren. 2. Schifmatical Combinations are againft the U-mted Churches, or the United Mcinbcrs of one particular Church. We uilite or combine ng.iinf): no jurh Churches or Me»)beri , nor againft any thing but proplianenefs and wickedncfs, and againfl the dilunion, difcoid, and alienation of Brethren, atxl the utter negled ot tlie Ordinances of Chrifr. Our utmoft caie and endeavour is to' heal a Schifm ; and if they that do their befl tOi^w/<r,Iamenting it daily as the great fin and calamity of tlie Churches , and making it the chiefelt part of their Studies, with unfatiable longings to fee itaccomp'ilhed, looking for no wordly advantage by the work, having no Lordly Honours , nor Dignities of their own to engage for, which might byafs'them j nay mofl prodigally cafling away tl-.eirRcputjiicn with all the contenders of every Party , accounting nothing in this world dear to them for th?, healing of 6ur Divifions, and waiting ^n God in eainefl Prayer daily for ficcefs, (conctrningajl which , the Righteots-Gcd is better acquainted with my heart and ways tlian this Contender) ^I fay )f ^ji^f. we are not only Schifwattch , but Scbijihati:^! m thefe 'vay attcnipts,\ know net'yet how we lliall efcapc that fin. Ihopo God will, DOC impute that to me which ihis Writer doth ; and that as he will nbc impure,my Prajers and Endeavours againft Drunkennefs, Covetoufnefs and Con-tentiojis of !NeighbiQurs,to be indeed Drunkennefs,Covetoufnefs, or Contention, fo neit(\er will he iiv,pu(;e my eameft Prayers and endeavours againft Schifhi and Dif"-cotd to.be Schifmatical. But Schifin isT.otthe iame thing in one Mans mouth as in anothers.-" It is the unhappinefsof^ eachPai iy pr Schifinatical.Fnftidn , to make to thar.feUesa new Center of umon which. God never made /'and then all miift be Sclvfmaticks wii^h them, that unite not jri their Center, or at Iqafl- be hot tyed/o 11-nlon by tb^r ligaments. So be is a S'chifmatick to a Fapi/l ijijat Centers not !ri the

A , ^"--''^ toH^

Pope as the Tnnctpum unifatu, and vifible Head of the Church; and in the Reman Church AS the Heart of the Church Catholick , denominating the whole; He is a Schifmatick with fame others that owns not every Order or Ceremony which they maintain. For my part I fhould think , that he that centreth in Chrift, and hol-deth the found and wholfome Doftrine contained in the Creeds of the Church^and niaintaineth love and unity with all Chriftians, to the utmoil extent of his natural capacity,even with all that he is capable of holding Communion with, is no Schifmatick, nor his attempte for that end Schifmatical Combinations. If there were a Bilhop in this Diocefs, and he (hould go one way (fuppofe he command that all Churcli Aflemblies be at [uch a time, and all worfliip m juch a form') and all the Pi ef-byters and People go another way' (whether they do well or ill, (o the thing itfelf be tollerahle) and will not meet at the time, nor woilliip God in the form which he prefcribeth, I fliould think I were guilty of Schifm if 1 feparated from all thefe Churches, and guilty of ungodlineli if I wholly forfook and forbore all publick worfhipof God.becaufe I could have none according to the Bilhops commanding ' Much more if there were no Biftiop ia the Diocels at all. ' This feerns to be our cale, in refpeft of both Worlhip and Dilcipline (atlealf for the moft parr). Is that man guilty of no Schifme, nor Impiety, who will rather have no Difcipline exer-ciled at ail on the profane and Icandalous^ but all Vice go without controul, and the rage of Mens fins provoke Heaven yet more againft uSj who will rather have no Minifterial Worlhip of God, in Prayer or Praile, no Sacraments, no Solemn AflTem-blies to this end, no Minifterial Teaching of the people , but have all Mens Souls given over to perdiiionj the bread of life taken from their mouths, and God deprived of all his Worfhip, then any of this ftiould be done without Bilhops ? That had rather the Church doors were fliut up, and we lived like Heathens, than we ftiouH Worfliip God without a Bilhops Commands? and that when we have none to command us.

J. We diftinguifli of the necoffity of Bilhops j either it is a neceffity ad bene tffe for the right ordering of the Church when it may be had ; or it is a neceffity ai tffe to the very heing of 4 Church, or of Go</^ Worlhip , without which we may not offer God any puh/ick Service, or hare any Communion with any Congregation that fodotb. The foimer we leave as not fit for our determination j and therefore we do not contradid you in it, nor feek to draw you to own any Declaration againft ir. The latter we do deny ; there is no fuch neceffity of Bilhops, as that God can have . no Chuich without them ; and that we muft rather lenarate from all our Aflemblies^ and never offer God any publick Worfliip, then do it without them, (remembring IHII, thai we fpeak of thole Bifliops whom we are charged with rejeding , and not the Pallors of particular Congregations). And in this diftindion of neceffity,and in this conclufion, I have the content of the generality of the Proteftant Bilhops^ fo far as 1 know to a Man , as far as their Writings declare to us their Minds; and therefore Epilcopal Divines may confent.

Exceft.to SeB. 2,

I. Whether in this tVorcefierjkire Aflociation, whoever will eiUer into it doth not therein oblige himfelf to acknowledge thole for Prcbbyters and Pallors of Churches, who profefs themlelves to have been made fuch (in a Church where rJieieare and were Bilhops that never denyedthem Orders) without the Mand5,Con(ent,or Know-ladge of the Bilhop, yea in a time when Bilhops were (without .iny acculation, before any Ecclefiaftical Superiour Synod, or other, (unheard) ejecteJ,laid by,by their own fheep and Presbyters that owed them obedience ?

Reply tu Seif. 2.

To your firft Qiieftionl anfwer, i. You muft diftinguilh of punijhing andejeEling Bi(l)opi that deferve it, and calling out their Order. 2. Between cafting out the appurtenances and corruptions which made up the Englilh Ibrt of Prelacie, as differing from the Primitive, and cafting out the Order and Office of Bilhops fimply in itfelf. 5. Between thofe Men that do call them out, and thole that do not. 4.66-tueen a Church that hath Bilhops, and one that hith none. y.Between them tiiat can have Ordination by them, and thofe that cannot. 6. Between thole Miniflers of this Afl'ociatiou that were Ordained by Bifliops, and thole that were not. 7. Between the Irregularity and finfulnefs or Ordination, and the nullity thereof; and fo between a Minifter regularly OrJained, and a Miniller Irregularly Ordained, who is a Minifter ftill. Hereupon I anfwer further in thefe conclulions. i. That too many of the Bifliops lately ejefted, did delerveit, is beyond difpute. z. Whether the Parliament in the ftate that they were in, had not power to punifli them by Im-prilonment, or Ejedion, as Solomon did Abiathar, without an Ecclefiaftical Supijrior,

or

or whether the Glergy be exempted from fiich puniliiment by the Secular power,; till they are delivered up to them by the Ecclefsaftical Head , hath been volumi-noufly difputed in the world alresdy. Sutdijfe, Bilfon, Jewel, and a mukitnde move have proved, that Kings have power in all Gaules , and over all Perfons, as well Ecclefiaftical as Civil j and that the pope hath no power ot" Jurisdidicn in Em-land, let the Oath of Supremacy judge ; and if the Metropolitan of Cantbhut^, or the higheft Ecclefiaitical Power mifcarry , who fhall reflrain or ejed them'buP the Civil Power, unlefs we go to the Pope ? for more acceptable wirneffes I commend to you SpalatenJiSjGrotitfs, and Saravia, yea Fr. de Victoria, and Isveral Vanfians. The two former, dne de Republ. Ecckf. the other de Imperio jummarum potefiatum^ will never be well anfwered. If it be faid the King did it nor. I anfwer, I think the Authority by whom that much was done, that we now (peak of, wi'l be acknowledged lufficient by mod that were againft the fad, and that foughc againit the Parliament that underftood the Laws. It was long before the King withdrew, j. Many of thofe that approved of the Ejedion of thole unworthy men, yet approved not of the diffolurion of the Office ; and fuch may be many (and for ought you know moft or all) of the Minifters here AfTociated. CThough I luppofe rather it isotherwife^ 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 j moft of our AlTbciation were in the Univerfi-ties, in the Wars; and the reft were(lbme I am (iire, if not all^ quiet in their Habitations, even in the Kings Quarters, noi fomuch as taking the Covenant; in that I know not how you can except againft them as cafting out the Bilhops. What tell you them of other Mciis AAiujis ? could they help it ? what if it be in a time when Siihops v/ere fo Ejeded, when you cannot prove them guilty of it ? 4. Thft Covenant it felf doth not rejcd all Biifhops, but only fuch as Hood in England, and fo concarenated to Chancellors, Deans, &c. and with fuch an Explication Mr.Co/e-man gave it to the Houle of Lords. If therefore you could prove, that the AfToci-ated Miniilershave taken the Covenant , (which you have not done) yet that proves not that they were the Ejedors of the Bilhops. 6. There is no Bijhop (thaC we know of) over thisDiocefe. 7. You cannot prove that thofe that were Oidain-ed by meer Presbyters, might have had Epifcopal Ordination (of which more a-non). 8. It is not the Regularity of the Ordination that we defire you to acknowledge, but only its/'f2«j^; fo that it is tiox. a. nullity. So that you may (ee how unfaithfully youftated the cale ; which is rather this , Wbtthtr rvhen the Bifliop of thk Diocefs is dead, and the refi taken down by the Reigning Vctver, and we know not where to have Epifcopal Ordination, or at-leafi, without the great fujfaing of the Bijhops on wbdm the prcfmt Powen wiU infliii Jo great a penalty, if they Ordain, if in this cafe any be Oy~ dained hy meer Presbyters, are we bound to judge tbern no Mtnilhrs, yea and to refufe Al~ fociating with others for their fakes ? IVhether our Church doors 7Kujl be jhut up, and Gods pub" lick Worjhip thrown away, till the Rulers will permit, r.nd the Presbyters and People admit Bijhops again ; and Minijhrs and Churches all be null ? yea I do no find you prove that' our Agreement requires any fuch acknowledgment, as your Iclf intimateth , of which next,

Except. Se&. ;. Mr. Baxter himfelf I name for one , a Principal of this AfTociation, and prote-fting it one end of this Afl"ociation, that they may be .acknowledged for true Presbyters and Paftors of their Churches, by all w.ho«nter into this Agreement, vid.p. i^. and the two iaii lines, and;;. ly. for eight lines; alfo p. 14. Reaf 11. and Reaf 12, p- 47. mid. and p. 49./'».

Reply to Sc^. 3. 'For my felf I think you have more againft me than any other Man in your Af-Ibciatipn. But yet i.you have not proved , that 1 had not Epifcopal Ordination, which indeed I had. 2. Nor that I coniented to the removal of their Calling, If 1 did 16, yet till you can know it, you have no juft ground for your alienation. ^, If I did conlent,yet that nulleth not my former Call. 4. You know not if I did, whether I repent ornot. 5. No man muft bercjefted for a fault fuppoled,without a juft Tryal, in all Equity you Ihould hear me fpcak for my lelf. I have publickly offered fatisfadion 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 wliat do you aliedge againft me? That I would have an acknowledgment that we arc true Presbycers and Paftors ? A heinous Crime ? that ,1 will not yield to have Gods Church among us unchurched by thcPapifts, and his Worfhip cali afide for want

A z o?

AT T E N !> I X. Numb. L

of true Minifters? 8. But what are all thefe Words of mine to the Agreement ? Thofe are but mine own Thoughts, which none are defired to confent to. You fhould have produced fomewhat from our Articles of Concord, and not from ?ny

Words.

Except, to Se£}. 4.

Do they take in yjour acknowledged Grounds of all parts, (Epifcopal and all) who would have us acknowledge them Presbyters ordained in this Church without Bipiops, not by neceffity as in the Churches wherein no Proteftant Biihop could be had i unlefs their Chriftian Charity can take Countenance to fay that none of our Biflwfs were Proteftants, and that then they muft have had no*Ordination at al|, or Ordination by Papifts (requiring of them the Acknowledging the Popes Ecclefiaftial Supremacy) which was the confefled Cafe of thofe Proteitants beyond Seas, from whence they would fain borrow a Cloak for their Fad : but the Covering is too fhort, though they argue while the World endures, there is a vafl difference betwixt neceffity and voluntary Engaging by Covenant, and reiinquifhing, cafting off, and laying by true Catholick, Protelbnt 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 I do not know you) nor are you able to manifeftthe contrary ; i. Neceffity may juftify Ibme things, that elfe were unjullitiablc, and the ablenceof fuch Neceflicy may prove them finful: But if Presbyters may judly ordain in cafe of neceffity, then you will hardly prove our Ordination null, for want of that Neceffity^ though you ftiould prove it irregular. It feems you thinkthat Lay Men may baptize in cafe of neceffity j if fo, you may prove it /tnful, but hardly null, where Nectffity is not. 2. It is an incredible Aflertlon againff the Sun, thatall thofe Proteftants beyond Sea, had fuch a Neceffity, and could not have Proteftant B7^ops. Put out Mens Eyes, and then tell them this. Were the Low Countries fb far from England that they could not poffibly have borrowed a Bifhop to Ordain ? Was notBilhop Carleton at the Synod of Dort 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 (bme after told him, that they would have them if they could; as if Silence were any Sign of Confent againfi their own eftablilhed Difcipline.

Who kno\^snot 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 theBufinefs of the AfTembly, as long as they held their prefent Government ? and if Ibme faid they would have Bifhops if they could, it is plain it was but few, for if mofi had been willing, what hindered them ? -If you lay the Ci'vil Powers, I Aniwcv, I. The Ecclefiafticks fo taught them and defired the Presbyterian Government of them.z.They might have run the hazjrd of a Perfecution as well as we and the civil Rulers of this Nation are as much at leait againft it as theirs: So fo.me gather from Moulin i 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 Biihops, if they would turn Proteftants: when as it is known they are againff 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 rejed: Epifcopacy, if it might come in with fiich an Advantage as the turning of the Papift Eiihops would have brought: But what is that to prove that they would have Bifhops and could not ? Crotms Isnew France as well as you, whoever you are; and he tells us another Story of them, Difcuf. Apologet. Riijtt. That they wilfully caft out the Order of Bifhops as far as their Authority could reach ; what i'mpoffibility hath their been thefe hundred Years lor France^ Belgia, Helvetia, Geneva, with the reft of the Proteftant Churches to have had Bifhops if they had been willing ? They had Hermannusoi Colen, Vergeriusoi Ju^inop. came among thtm^Spalatenfis would tiave ordained fome in his Paffage; if no Englifh Bifhop could have been got thithetjhow eafy had it been to have fent one to receive Epifcopal Conlecration here, and then to have gone home and ordained more ? It may be you would make us believe the like of the Church of 5cor/<?W(/too,that they would fain have Bifhops and could not: If you alledge any Inconvenience that ne-cellitates all thefe Proteftant Churches to continue without Bifhops, even to this Day ; I fay, 5. Our Neceffity is as great as any of theirs for ought you can mani-ieft to the contrary ; for i. Our Rulers are as muc+i againft them. 2. We cannot exercife publickly our Miniftcrial Office, unlefs we be ordained according to the Laws of the prefent Rulers. 3. There is a heavy Penalty ordained to all Ordainers

that

I^umb. I. Ai:" T E N V I X.

that do otherwile. 4. We have no Bi/liop in our Diocefs. 5-. We read O.nors that null Bifhops Ordination out of their Dioceires. 6, We Jinow not of above two Bifhops in England, nor where to find the relt that are latent, and we hear thofe two will not ordain. . 7. Divers of them were juftiy ejected For deftroying the Church, and we cannot take them for Birtiops. 8. We are bur Subjeds and a fmall part of the Miniftry, and cannot fet up Bilhopsamong our lelves, if we wete of that Judgment as much as others: But Nations, Commonwealths, and Free-tiiies might if they would. The Cloak which yoa (ay is too fhort, isiudced much larger than our Cafe requires: If our Nation, or any part of it, did voluntarily call olf Bilhops, fo did the Proteftant Churches, and continue to keep tiiem out to this Day. But you cannot prove that the Minifters of this AlTociation did caft them off And for your liirmife of the Countenance of our Chrlftiin Charity : I an-' fwer, we never yet gave you Caufe to luppofe that we diflinguifh noc between PiO-telhnt-Bilhops and Papilts.

Except, to SeB. ^. An Argument a Fortieri^aW Logick admits of, but I never heard a Sufpicion cfany Firmnefs, in concluding at/ Imbecillion, thus: Perhaps, perhaps I fay, and as many Moderns would charitably think, they may be true Presbyters, who were ordained by Pre:byters, ('where, morally to (peak, and as to confciencial poffibiiity) theie was an impoflibilky of procuring Orders from any Bilhops, but liich as v/ould oblige them to betray both Presbyters and Bilhops Authority to Papal Ufurpation, and arrogated Supremacy; therefore .we alio, who might have had Ordination by Bijhops, and thoie fuch, who have as well as we oft hindred that papal Ulurpati-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 without them contrary to all the Canons of the Church Univerfal of all Ages, till thefe laft Ages of tiiis Cotroverfy/ We, 1 fay, alfo for all that, are true Pallors and Presbyters; 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 Coalequence, and a Chridian Presbyterian Charity.

Re fly to S(5l. 5-. r. Our Argument is not only a pari, but a fortiori, as is manifefted. 2. You give usreafon here to fear that your felf are oneof thofe Perfors whom we except againft, and that ic is your own Caufe that you ftrive for, and that your Guilt i^fc that makes you angry, for you feem to me to intimate to us, 'that yoii own not their Opinion that make the Protelbnt Miniflers to be Minillers indeed (and co.n-(equendy their Churchco tius organized Churchts) for all the necellity which you pretend they had for you make it but a Iperltaps,^ and your doable that fperb-:ips'\ that we may lee yon own it not, and you lay it is^[as many would think] as if ic were but their Thought, and as if you were none of thole many : And ic is but [the Moderns] that fo think as if you intimated that Antiquity judged otherwile^ which" doubtlefs you prefer before the Modems; and you fay, [they would think it] intimating that/F;7/prevaHs againft Judgment, or-Judgment follows not that Will; [yea, it is charitably] that they would think it, as if AfTeaion milled them : and other PalTages afterward do yet further reveal your Mind in this, though you are loath, I perceive, to Ipeak cut, becayle of the harlhnefi of it to Proteftants Ears; I therefore again lay, i. Thofe churches were not, nor arc to this Day under any impoffibility of having Bifliops, if they judged them neceflary. 2. That you prove not what you fay, that they in this Country might have had Ordination by a Bilhop, who were ordained by Presbyters only : We leave therefore our Confe-quenc«, and our Chrilfian Presbyterian Charity to a more equal Judge, whether that Man be like to be a Protelfant, that taketh the Church of Ro?f}e for a true Churc'i, and all the reformed Churches (except the Epilcopal, for no true Church-.es, and that taketh their Priefts for Lawful Minifters, and all the Proteftant Minifters for none, except thoie that were ordained by Bilhops j • nay, that argue, as here you do, to have us (and confequently all fo ordained) difclaimsd by Paftors ^nd People, and confequently all our Churches nullified, and publick Worlhip for-faken. Are we lb blind as not to lee, that you thus not only prefer the Papilts before us (as much as a true Miniftry before no Miniftry, and a true Church before, no Church) but hereby would deliver us up into their Hands ? If we difpute with' them in the hearing of the People, and confefs i]iat their Church is true, and ours is not; may not the People eafilv lee that it's better join with them than with us ? and wpuld not you your lelf rather fubmit to a Mafi Prieft, than to thoie whom you take for no Minifters at all ? If you fay (you would have us fubmit to

neither

neither, but to the Epifcopal) yet i. It follows nevertheiels that the Papifts of the two are to be preferred as true Minifters, before them that are none. 2. And if we dilpute with the Papift, -which is the true Church, and fet againft thsm only Eleven or Twelve (for lo many you reckon on) Englifh Billiops (and if there be any Irifh or Scotidi) with thofe of the Clergy that adhere to them (Quality and Number confidered) whom the People know not where to find, nor can etijoy, what Suc-cels isfuch aDifpute like to have, either with the People, or with the Adverfiry? will they not tell us, our Church is invifible, eipecially when thele few Bilhops are

dead ?

Except, to SeB. 6.

2, Whether in this Worcefierfliire AlTociation, whofoever will enter into it doth not therein oblige himfelf to acknowledge that Presbyters (while there remain alive fourteen, or thirteen, or twelve Catholick Proteftant Bilhops) may proceed to publick Excommunications, and Abfolutions in f$ro Ecckfiajfico, without -asking thofe Bilhops Confent, allowance, or taking any notice of them. See Reiolutiota 12,13,14,15". and the Scope of the whole Book.

Replj to SeB. 6,

To your fecond C^yeftion I anfwer. The Term [ExcommunicatioTi] v/e ufe not. This Term is ufed to fignify, fometimes a delivering up to Satan, and carting out of the Catholick Church, fometimes only a Minifterial Declaration that fuch a Perfon (hould be avoided-by the People, acquainting them with their Duty, and requiring them to perform it: fometimes it fignifies the Peoples aftual Avoidance. In the former Senfe we have let it alone; and that which you call your Exco?n»3uoi' catio Major we meddle not with, much left do we ufurp a compelling Power for the Execution. The other we know to be confiftent with the Principles of Epifcopal Proteftants (if not alfo with Papifts) yea, even when there is.a Bilhop refi-dent in the Diocsis, it being but part of our teachingand guiding Office as Presbyters of that Congregation; but I have faid enough of this in my Explications already.

2. But what if there be twelve latent Bifhops in England (when for my part I I-hear not of above two or three) have they Power not only to ordain, but alfb to govern other Diocefies which have no Bilhops? Yea,muft they needs govern them ? I. Woe then to the Churches oi England, that niuft live under luch Guilt devoid of all Government.. 2. Woe to the Sinners themlelves, that mull be lefc without Chrirt's Remedy. 3. Woe to particular Chriftians that muft live in the continual Breach of Gods known Law, that faich [widi fiich go not to eat, &c.] for want of a Bi'lhop to Execute it. 4. Wee to the few Bilhops 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 Impoflibilities, one Bilhop muft Excommunicate all the Offenders in a gi^eat part of the Land, when he is not futficient to the hundredth part of the Work. Then when all the Bilhops in England are dead, five one or two, they aiethe fole Paliors of England, and all Difcipline mufl be call: away for want of. their Sufficiency. Then it leems the Death of one Bilhop, or two or three, doth adually devolve their Charge to another, and who knoweth which other? This is new Canon. Mot only Proteftant Bilhops, but Ibme Papifts confefs, that when a Bifhcp is dejd, the Government remains in the Presbyters till another be c'iofcn : fure they that govern (the People at leaft) with him whilft he is living (as isconfeflcd) need not look on it as an alien, lupereminent, tranfcendent Work,\ when he is dead. Bilhop Bromball againft Mtl. p. 127. gives People a Jiidg~ ment of Difcretton, and Paftorsa Judgment of Dircdion, and to the chief Pa-ftors a Judgment of Jurildidion. You may go well, allow us by a Judgment of Diiedion to tell the People that they Ihould avoid Communion with an open wicked Man, even while a Bifhop is over us j Seldcn de Syne. c. 8, 9, 10. 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. toSeB. 7.

3. Doth not he oblige himfelf alio to acknowledge that not only Presbyters (««-conununi governing) butone lingle one of them, may proceed to Exconununicati-and Abfolution »« foro Eccle/taflico ?

Reply to SeB. 7.

Your third Qjeftion I anfwer by a Denial, There is no liich Obligation. The

Declaration of the Peoples Duty to avoid fuch an one, is by one; io is every

Sermon, ib is your Epifcopal Excommunication. Doth not one, and that a

Pre;bytQr declare orpublilh it ? Bm for Advifing and determining of it, we have

tyed

Numb. I. ATT EN T) IX.

tyed our felves not to do it alone, though for mine own private Opinion f doubt, not eafily to prove that one fingle Bifhop or Paftor hath the Power oif the Keys, and may do all that we agree to.do.

Exceft. to Seff. 8. 4. That not only one fingle Presbyter ; hue one whole Ordination was never by any Bifhop to be Presbyter, (where aUo Bilhops were that might have been fougtic unto) hath that Power aUo of Excommunication, &c.

Reply to Seit. 8. Vouc fourth is anfwercd in the reit, if his Ordination have only in the Judgment t)f Epifcopal Protef^ants (yea, of fome Papifts) an Irregularity, but not a Nuiiity, then he hath Power to do fo much as w6 agree on: Your Exception is as much i-gainft his other Miniftrations.

Except, to Sei}. 9. I fpeak only of the EfTence of their AfTociation ; not infixing on what Mr.B<j:c-rer declares to the World, that in fome Cafes the People (not fatisfied with the Bi-ihops or Presbyters Ordination) may accept or take a Man of themlelves without any Ordination (by Bifhops or Presbyters) to be their Paftor and Presbyter with Power of Excommunication and Abfolution in hiiiifelt alone (without the People) fee ^.83.

Reply to Se£l. 9. That this maybe done in fomeCafes,! have lately disputed it with a learned Man of your Party, and convinced him. And methinks Nature fhould teach you, if you were (unordained, but qualified by Gifts) caft among the Indians, that you fhould not let them perifh for want of that puLlick, conflant teaching which is Minifterial, or of Sacraments and Difcipline only for want of Ordination ; that the Subftance of Duty fhould not be thrown by for Want of that Order which was inflituted for its Prelervation, and not for its Defl:rU(5tion. You daie fcarce o-perily 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 SeB. 10. And for ^nyVotumxix defire ofBi/hops,ProtefhBifhopsif they might have thern,or accefs unto them (which was (b oft the publick avowed Defire of the chieleff llefbr-niersand Proteffants beyond Sea,much unlike theSpirit ofourPresbytcniansJieewliat Mr. Baxter p^tiixi to know, p. Sj. where (compaiing our piefcnt Bilhops with a Leader in an Army) he faith. Nay, it is hard trufiing that Man again, thai liath betrayed us and the Church, ibid. Thefe have fb apparently falfilietf their Truft, that if we were fully refblved for Bifhops, yet we cannot fiibmitto them for Ordination or Juriftiidion, and then he proves it by Canon (he thinks) that the Presbyters now fhould not lilbmit to the prefent Btjhopi by Canon Concilii Rhegien. ut perverfi ordmatores mtllis denuo ordinationibtts interfunt, and leaff you may reply, that he fpeaJ<s not this of all our prefent Bifhops, he immediately fubjoins thefe Words \_Whcrt then jhaU we have a BtJl]op to ordain of the old accufed Tribe .?] Is not this Chri-Itian Filial Duty of Presbyters toward the Bifhops their Fathers?

Reply to SeSl. 10. I. For that De^re you again mention of Bifhops in the Reformed Churches, it is an unproved, vain AfTertion againff full Evidence. It is only of a few particular Perfons in thofe Churches that you can prove it: If fo many Writings againft Bifhops and Conltitutions, and aftual Praftice will not prove them willing to'; be without them j or at leaff, not neceflitated ; there is no Proof of any Man's Will or Neceflity. 2. What I faid, I mufl needs maintain till you fay * fbmewhat to change my Judgment. lam pafl doubt it's ill trufting die Betrayers and Deffroy-ers of the Church, with the Government of it: And this I did piovc, and can with great Eafe and Evidence prove it more fully. 3. I pray you do not perfiiade Men that by hbe eld accufed Tribe] I meant all the late Englifh Bifhops, they were not all accufed of def^roying or betraying the Church, that I ever heard of Whers be the Articles that were put in againfl Ujiier, FlaU, Davenatit, Potter, IVejlfidd, Fri'-deaux, &c. All thofe that I call the accufed Tribe you m.iy find Articles againff m Parliament, for their Devaflations or Abufes. Should the An ians, or other He'' retick Bifhops, fay to thofe rfiat forfbok them, as you dool me [is not tliis Chri-ftian. Filial Duty of Presbyters towards the Bifhops their Fathers] There is no Duty to any Epifcopal Father that will hold againfl God and his Churdi. Take heed of making their Sins your own.

Except.

Except. SeH. ii. And elfewhere by Irony , he adds, O what a rajh thing it was to imp-ijhn (though when he was imprtfoned, I believe it was by the Name of Dr. Wren, or Bijliop Wrsn) for excotfjmtmicatiitg, depriving^&c. p.^i. and p. 68. (To begin at home it is mod certain, according to many ancient Canons (which are their Laws) our EngUfh Bilhopswere incapable of ordaining j for they loft their Authority by involving themfelves in lecular and piiblick Admini(trations, Canon 80. /ipolhlig. ] N. B. ThatCrfwowis ;o. beyond the Canons Apoftolical, for even the Papilhtlie^n-felves admit but of fifty genuine, and he would ejeft all our Bilhops by the 8cch Canon Apoftolical : [Loft their Authority alio for negled of inftruding tiicir Flocks, moft or many of them, and many' more for mn Rejidence, &e.

Reply to SeH. 11. And why not \jVrcn~] without any further Title, as well as Calvin, Luther, Biza, ZanchyfirotiHs^&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 exp^l lb many rhoulc=nd Chriftisn Families, and filence and lufpend and deprive lb many able Minifters, in fo linall a room, andfbdiort a time i as that it isdilobedicnce to our Fathers njtto confent to their punilhment ? It feems then thele filly Lambs muft be de?ou;ed,no: only without refiftancc , but without complaint, or accufing the Wolves; bscauli they fay, they were our Fathers ? God never let luch Saturnine Fathers over his Church, lo as to authorize them in this, or to prohibite a juft remedy. He never gave them power for Deftruiftion but for Edification. 3. What I laid of our Bi-Ihops incapacity upon that reafon was exprefly ad hominem,Aga.inii mine own Judgement, wz,. upon fuppofition thatthofe Canons are of liich force as thofe imagine againft whom 1 difpute. 4.The Canon 80 ApoJ}, wasallb brought ad hominem^for though it be confeffed not of equal Antiquity with the reft, yet for that Antiquity they have, it is known how much uCe thole men make of their ruppofedjAuthority. But are there not enough others that may evince the point in hand befides that ? you may eafily know it,and in many Ca.aons that null their Office who co.ne in by the Magiftracy.

Exception to Seif. 12, And whereas we are ready to make good againft all the Papifts in the world, that our Englilh Proteftant Bifhops had due Ordination in Queen Eliz. ^nd KingEJ-wards time, by luch who had been Ordained in King Henry the Eighths time j Mr. Baxter te\\s us, the Popifli Bifliops who Ordained in the days of Hen. 8. and many Ages before, had no power of Ordination, (and this hefpeaks as his ownjudgmentj not only from theconfequences of his Adverfaries ,• for he adds,this I prove, in that thsy received their Oi"dination from no otherBifhopsof the Province nor Mecropo-litan, but only from the Pope fingly ? yec this is ail the Argument he hath to overthrow (confequentially upon our objedions) the Ordination of thole Proteftant Bi-Hiops, which himlelf acknowledges Learned, Pious, Reverend Men j and all that Ordained ', or were Ordained , in Hen. 8. & 7. and many Ages before, as he l^ith. And indeed if his Dilcourle were of any force, not only in our Ertglilh Church, b;K alio in all the Churches of the Weft, Frame, Spain, Polonia, Swedland, Denmark, and throughout the Empire of Germ.zny, for thele and thole many Ages before which helpeaksof, and. all this that our new Presbyterians of Eww^/^/W, (Voluoteers in Ordaining, and bjingO.dained without Bilhop5, without pretence of nccellity,yea or difliculty, or colour of difficulty, except what thsmfclves had created : fwherein they have as little Communion with the Proteftants beyond leas, as they have with the Epifcopal Proreftantsof the true Reformed Church oi EngLv>d) m.iy be acknowledged good and lawful Presbyters and Paftors, with power conjunitim &. divi-fiTv, any one of them alone (as Mx.Baxter thinks) to Excommunicate and Ablblve in foro Eccltfiafitco.

Reply to SeB. lz< The word [ Duel may fignifie either fuch as is not nuU, or elfe fuch as \i fully regular , or elle fuch as they had Authority to perform, who did ordain, though they might have fome Faults or Irregularities: If you take it in thefirft Senle,miny will yield it,who yet denyitinthelalf,asfiippofing in loiiie Cafes Ordination Paffive may be.valid,and fb due in the Receiver-, when yet OrdinationA(ftive,iswithout all juftAuthority in the Ordainer : Though this may lecm ftrange, I am ready to give Ibme Realons for ir. ■It muft be iti the laft Senie, cnnjund' with thefirft, that y,ou muft take the Word [Due'] if you will fpeak tothe point in Hand. 2. I do exprefly lay thire that it is [according to the Dodrine of the Objcftorsconlequentially}, that I affirm this (not affirming or denying it to be mine own Judgment) and to that end bring the Proof

which

Mumb. 1. AT T E NV I X.

which is mentioned : And yet you are pleafed to affirm that I [(peak it as my owri Judgment, and not only from the Confequences of Adverfaries.j Suppofing your Grounds, (which I confidently deny) that an uninterrupted Succeffion of due Authoritative Ordination is necefTary abfolutely to the Being of the Minifterial Calling ; I doubt not but all the unhappy Confequences will be unavoidable whichyou 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 determine, and I am willing to try by weight of Realbns.

Except, to Se£l. i j. And now for the Proof of all this, the whole weight is laid by this Book. r. Upon an Argument a comparata: If they, the Proteltants beyond Seas are lawful Paftors and Presbyters (who(e Neceffity and Plea of Neceffity publickiy to have been made by thofe, thefe pur new Presbyterians cannot deny) then our new ordained ones by Presbyters, are Presbyters alfb (though they want all fuch Pretence, all colour of Neceffity, for themfelves were the firft Authors of it, to thofe that cjeAed them, which yet did not bring a Neceffity neither, which we all know) It" Neceffity be pleaded to be above Ecclefiaftical Laws, (as fomstimes it hath difpen-led even with divine pofitive Laws themfelves) then they pro imperio will be above them by their own Magifterial eivbaJ'na. and by Confequence if they will take this to themfelves, that whatlbever is lawful to others upon neceffity, is, and ihall be lawful to themfelves without Neceffity, they may in the next place. Pope-like, take to themfelves to difpenfc with divine pofitive Laws, alfobecaule neceffity has fometimes difpenfed with them.

. Reply to SeB. IJ. , i.You may as well lay,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 neciffity againft their Wills j when in almoft all of them the full Power Civil and Eccleu-altical is fuppofed to be among themfelves j though I deny not but fome particular Perfons among them would fain have Bilhops, yet I think very few, in comparifon of thole that were willing to be rid of them, when they were received here. 2. You boldly affirm without Proof that the Minifters of this County, who were not ordained by BiHiops, were EjeBors of them, or Authors of the Neceffity. :;. I Ihewed you before we have more Neceffity than you mention, aoid befides a Neceffity whereof we ate not guilty, there may be a culpable Neceffity which yet may free our calling from a nullity, though not our fehes from Sifi. What if God fhould permit all the Churches of Ethiopia^ or the Greeks to deny thsjui Di' 'vinum of Epifcopacy, (which is poffible, as well as to permit the Reformed Churches to do ir) and fo to fet up Ordination by meer Presbyters ? (while 1 fpeak to you on your own Grounds) I luppole this to be their Error, and fo their Sin: yet would you prefently unchurch them all, and rather have God's Worlhip for-born, as to the Publick ? There be many among us, who are againft Diocelan Bilhops, who give us good teftimony of a fincere. Heart, impartial ftudying of the Point, with as much felf-denial and earneft Prayer for God's Diredion, as any 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 nbt this Plea) j though it could not free them from the Charge of Error.

Except, to SeB. 14. Inftead of anfwering one Word to Ignatius (God's Holy Saint and Martyr) his renowned Epiftles (which he knew lately vindicated) or to all the ancient Fathers avowing tn terminis the jt4s 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 afflided Proteftants, who had no Bifhops becaufe they could have none : So that as well his Aiuhoiities as his Realbns are all drawn a locd eomparatorum, arguing weakly fioni the Priviledge of neceffity, to their licentioiiA nefs, with, or without Neceffity, which is one continued Sophifm.

Reply to SeB. 14. I. Though Ignatius were both a Satnt and Holy, yet I know not what call I had in thole Papers to meddle with him: Unlefs I muft needs difpute the point of E-pilcopacy, which I did difclaim. 2. As I would not undtrvaluc the lata Vihdica-. cation of Ignatius, lb I would not have you fo far overvalue it, as to think it Ihoulc^ io eafily and potently prevail (i.) With ail thofe that fee not any Cogency in the Arguments, or fufficiency in the Anfwers to the contrary Objedions. (z.) Or with hole that will take Scripture only for the Teft of this Caufe. (j) Or with thole

B that

lO

I^ "P E j^ "Si jf. s i«uititP: i

that are confident tharyouc^n'never provetha^ Ignathu fp^ks'(of t)««/Ji«Bi/hiif»^;, •but onlyoTitheBifhops of particular Ghurdi;es. g. YoyE'ri^k',of (?al! the Ancient Fathers av'awing intirminis the Bifliops fdle pjoWer of ordairtih^'d^OTf^but'difcredic the-reft of your Words r-You fuppole us litttr Strangers bo:h tb'ffiolef athdrs, and thfe Engli(h Bilhops, who maintain tHatPreibyfters muft be thdr .Coadjutors in Oi*-diriarion. 4. Wh4tif 1 flionld grant that all the Fatherf\A^quliJI'have BilhapStjo have the fole Power of Ordaining oi-dinari^y, 'and for Order'§i^e* And •(b^f''ft is a Sin of Diforder where unneceffarily it is doneotherwifc ? tl^.at's'ndthing'to'ifie QuelHcn thati hadinhand J whichis, whethc^r fuch Ordination by Presbyters be not only irregular but null, and whether an xyjinterruptedSucceflion be neceiTary to our Office ? J. I plainly perceiV^ here ^gain, that you are Itiathtp fpeak but ■your Mind ; but you leem to diffenriVom theie charitabl;i Maintainers of the Pro-teftants: Why elfedo you"iet Igmtim and the ancient Fathers as the Pirty that I fhculd have refpefted ihftead ot theJfe, if youjdid not think that'the Fathers atod thefs Men were contrary? 6. My fenfinels was to prove 'tbat /according to" (he 'Principles of the Proteitant Bifhops jh England, our Ordination was not null, eo 'Nomine, becaufe wiAout a Bilhop] now I am blamed for proving this by Moderb "Writers, and not Fathers. If you willdifclaihi the Modern Prcteftant Bifhops do 'iiot pretend to be of their Party, blit fpeak plainly : If I (fill up my Bjiibk Wkh •fuch Citations) then I'hope I was n'or deficient in bringing the T$fiimonies of thp Proteilant Epifcopal Divines, and yet many, iriore I cOu'd|dte to that end. '."j-T'o that of the Proteltants Neceffity enough is'faid; till yout' Words are canonical,'oir your Proof ftronger. I do not think but there are fome Proteftant BirtiOf;s (ib called at lealt) in France znd Holland now, that Wfint out ol Brtta:n znd Ireland, why cannot they ordain them Bifhops in their extream Neceffity.? Why did the angry Bifhops fo revile poor Crt/fiw, Beza, the Churches of Gdniva, Scotland, .ind many others, for cafting oat Bifhops, and letting up Presbytery/.|f all were done "ori k jufHfiable NecefTity ? But enough of this: -• ■ Except:, to SeB. xy.

'-But that thefe Authors cited by him may be authentigal; all the Proteftant.Di-■vines of England, 'are branded as Popifh, that fincethe Reformation have defended aeainit the Pope that Bifhops are 'lure Dtvino (for fo I fay it was direA Popery tnac firfl denied Bifhops ro be jure Di'vino, witnefs the Pope's and Papelins canvai-ftng in the Council of Treat, to opprels by Force and Tyranny, the far major and more learned part of theCouncil that contended for lb many Months withSufFrages, .Arguments, and Proteftations, Proteftant like, to have it defined, that Billiops were 'ft&< Dtvino, and only the Pope and his Titulars, and Courtiers fuffered it not to be •propounded, lealf it fhculd be, as certainly it would have been, defined; for then Popesand Presbyterians could not have lorded it fo) : Thus the chiefeff, and molt pious, and learned Bifhops of our Englifh Church mult be branded for Popifh; Bishop Andre-iVi, Mount ague. White, &c.

Reply to SeB. ij. ' .1. If you deny the Authors cited by me to be authentick, pretend not to ad-'tiere to the Epifcopal Proteftants ; for fure thefe are fuch. 2. You do not well to -fay that (all the Proteflant Bilhops are branded as Popifh, that fince the Reformation have defended againfl the Pope, that Bifhops are jureDivino) either fhew the Words where I fb brand them, or elfe do not tell us that your Words are true ■ftliough in a matter of Faft before your Eyes); we may well queftion your Argu-"^rncnt, when we find you fb untrue in reporting a plain V/riting. Indeed our late BiHiops (and thofe moff that were moft fufpeded to be Popifh) did ffand moft upon the jui Divmiim, which many of the firft did either dilclaim or not maintain: But it rtcver came into my Thoughts to brand all for Papifts that did own it. Do T-notciteDoafWiJOTe, and others, as Proteftant Bifhops, who yet maintain it? yea, Btlhop Andreu't, whom you name? this is' not fair. 3. As for the Trent Quarrel about Bifhrps, I Uy but this if the Spanifli Bifhops, and the reft that flood for ' the jusDfvinum of Epifcopacy there, were no Papifis, then thofe that I (poke of in JErgland weie none ( mu^h lefi): And I muft cry you mercy for fo efteeming thtirt.

■ Except, to SeB. 16.

."' xfie jd Argument is from the uncertainty of SuccefHon, which might have done "tljfe ITereticks good Service in the old times, when St. hemeus indTerttilltan mufter Hij^ iigainfhhem Siitceflionsof Catholick Bifhops that ever taught as the Church then tnu^ht againlj the Ifcrecicks.

Refljr

Rej)ly to SeB. i6.

I. It leemsyou are confident of an uninterrupted Succeffion of authoritative Ordination, though you feem to think none authoritative but Epifcopal. But ib were not the Proteflant Biftiops, who took the Retbrmed Churches to have true Minifters, and to be true Churches, when yet Epilcopal Ordination is interrupted with them. Such are all thofe with whofe Words, you lay, I fill my Book, to whom 1 may add Men (which is ftrange) that were thought nearer your own way. As Bilhop BromhaH in his late Anfwer to Militerim, who yet would have the Pope to be the Prmcipium Unitata to the Church, and the Anfwer to Fontanfts's Letter, faid to be Dr. Stewards, befidcs Dr. Fern ; yea, if you were one of thofe that would yield that Presbyters may ordain, yet I am (till unperfuaded that you are able to prove an uninterrupted Succeffion of Authoritative Ordination, and if you are able I ftiould heartily thank you if you would perform it ; and ieeing it is (a Neceffary, it is not well that no Epifcopal Divine will perlbrm it: If you are not able, mcthinks you ihould not judge it fo neceffary; at leaft except you know them that are able: If you calt it on us to dtfyro've that Succeffion, I refer you to our Anfwer to Bellarmine and others in thofe Papers, as to that point. 2. As for Tertulltan 3ndIreTneufy and others of the primitive Ages, pleading liich Succeffion, I anfwer, i. 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 fatto, and another to affirm that it muft be, or would be to the end of the World, which thole Fathers did nor. It was the Scope of Irenaus and Tertullian not to make an uninterrupted Succeffion of ftanding abfolute neceffity ad ejje Officii, nor to prophecy that ib it ihould Ifill be, and the Church ihould never want it j but from the prefent certain^-ty of fuch a Succeffion de faSlo, 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 eafythen 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 Scripture, what was found Dodirine, and what not, before the Scripture was written : An Heretick might have been confuted in the Days of the ApofHes 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 theApoltles, could tell the Church what Dodrinethey taught; but how uncertain a way Tradition would have been to acquaint the World with God's Mind by that time it had pafTed through the puddle of depraved Ages, even to k^jj. God well knev/, and therefore provided us a more certain way. So is it alio in this Cafe of Succeffion, as the Fathers pleaded.it againft the Hereticks, to prove the Soundnefs of the Tradition of thofe Churches.

Except, to SeB. 17.

Againft all which, a Quirk it (eems lay, that if fecretly any of then had had but a lecret Canonical Irregularity,aU the following Succeffions were null: But the evident Truth is much otherwife that the Church never anuUed the Atts or Ordinations made by Bilhops, which the Catholick Church then had accepted and reputed Catholick Bifliops; though afterwards they came to know of any Secret Irregularities, or canonical Dilablings had they then been urged or profecuted by any, againft thole Bifhops, and then they Ihould have been accepted for Bilhops by the Church no longer.

Reply to SeEl-i-].

I. I have proved, and more can do, open and not only fecret Irregularities in the Church of Rowe'j Ordinations, known a Triorc, and not only after the Ordinations. The Multitude of Proteftant Writers, even Englilh Bifhops have made that evident enough againft the Pope, which you call a Querk; general Councils have condemned l^opes as Hereticks and Infidels, and yet they have ordained more. 2. If it were otherwife, yet all your Anfwer would only prove, that we muft Ibme-' times take them fur Bidiops who were none (when the Nullity is lecret) but not that they are Bifhops indeed, or have Authority. It is one thing to lay that God will make their Ads as uleful to the honeft Receiver, as if the Ordainer had done it by juft Authority : and another to lay, that liich an Ordainer had Authority, bccaule his Incapacity was not known or judged j that is becaufe it was not then known that he had none. 2. Moreover, if the Catholick Churches Acceptation and Reputation Cwhich you mention would ferve turn, tiien i. It were well worth

B i the

the knowing what you mean by the Catholick Church, do you mean the whole, or only a Part ? If the whole, then few Minifters orBifhops muiV be fb accepted, for who is known to all Chrittians in the World ? If a Part, then what Part muft it be ? what if one Part repute him a true Minifter or Bilhop, 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 to be divided in their Judgments : If you fay it is the greater part, then we lliail be at utter Uncertainties for our SucceflSon, as little knowing what the greater part of the People thought of our PredecelTors; if you mean the Superior Biiliops, then a Metropolitan it feems is the Catholick Church when a Bilhop is to be judged of, and it 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 n3ake a Man to be a Bifliop that is none, or make him have a Power which elfe he had not; this is worfe than the Dodrine which hangs the Efficacy of the Sacraments on the Priefts Intention : It's like the Faith of fome that think to make a Fali^hood become true by believing it true. 5. 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 Bafd were the Catholick 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 fuch a Man's Adminiftrations, and they may be valid to the Receiver: But that is on another ground (which I have lately manifelfed to another in debating this Caufe) and not that the Adminiftrator had any true Minifterial Authority from God. Again, I refer you to my Anfwer to Bellarmim and others in thofe Papers.

Except, to SeB. 18.

V.G. Put cafe one not baptized thought to have been baptized,had (per ignorantiam faSi) been promoted to be Biihop, Archbifhop or Patriarch, yet 16 long as the Church knew it not, nor himfelf perhaps, but did accept him bona Ftde, though iffo FaBo 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 (latente omnidefeBu bafti[?m) 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 Symor.y V. S. But on the other fide to fpeak now to the Prei-byterian Cale.

Reply to SeB. 18.

Nay then put Cafe the Man were not Ordained, and the Church took him to be Ordained : you lay the Church muft proceed Jecundum allegata & probata, doth not this give up your Caufe, and yield all that I plead for ? which is, that an authoritative Ordination, and fo an uninterrupted Succeffion is not fimply and abfo-lutely neceflary to the being of the Miniftry : For you confels your Churches Reputation may ferve without it. By the way take head leaft you either make the People to be none of the Catholick Church, or at leaff, you give a Power to the People to make Minifters Bilhops and Popes by their bare Thoughts without Ordination, or io much as Eledion. But then you will remember, that if Reputation without juft Ordination may lerve turn, I know not but thole among us may be Minifters whom you difclaim: 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 Practices to know their Minds) and I hope they are as good a part of the Catholick Church as the Popj and his Confiftory are. If Reputation dien will make Paftors without Ordination, we may have as good a Plea as thole you plead for. For the cale of Symony you mention, fee what I cited out of Dr. Hammond, and you know fure that many Canons make Ordinations null, and the Office null, tf]o FaBo, whether ever the Party be queftioned in Judgment or not: fuch Canons and Laws are equal to Sentences. A Cafe alio may be known that is never quellioned and Judged, who could queftion the Sodomiti-cal unclean murderous Popes, though it was commonly known ? I take it for granted therefore that the Knowledge degraded them without a Judgment according to your own Words here (unlels one part of them contradid the other.)

Except, to SeB. 19.

The lame ancient Church which did make void and annul conftandy all Ordinations made by meet Presbyters,whether they Schifinatically arrogated tothemlelves to be Bilhops (and were not, nor lb reputed by the Church) or otherwife upon

any

any Pretencion whatfoever (for at that time no neceffity could be with any Co« lour, nor was pretended).

Reply to SeB. 19. I. But is it the Judgment of the Ancient Church that will ferve to degrade or null a Miniftcr of this Age? if lb, then all your former Arguing is in the Dull: For though your Popes had none to Judge them Wicked and Uncapable then, yet the ancient Church before them did make void and null the Office and Ordinaaons of fuch as they. If it muft be a prelent Power that muft do it, we have not yec been called to any Judicature about it. 2. Your Parenthefis (eenis to intimate that if the Presbyters be but Reputed Biihopsby the Church, then their Ordinations are not null: All's well on our fide then, except you only or the Romanifts be the whole Weftern Church : For not only Paftors and People here do take Presbyters to be Bifhops, having Power of Ordination, but fo do the reft of the Reformed Churches, or at leaft moft of them. They think that the primitive Bilhop was the Bifhop 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-cu(ed them then, if there had been fuch; though it feems you would be thouc'hc to judge of the Reformed Churches as the Proteltant Bilhops do, or elfe hide your Judgment in part.

Except, to SeB. 20. Thefe Three Fallacies are the Summ of all his Arguments, rather popular Calumnies, for want of Argument to cry out, thefe Men are not Protedants, at leaft in this, fee pag. 49. fin. thefe are PopiJh who contend for Succeffion of Ordinations.

Reply to SeB. 20, I (ee nothing to forbid me to (ay that thele few frivolous Exceptions, and the Name of Fallacies, Sophifnris, &c. is the Summ of your Oppofition j and how far you manifeft your lelf to be free from Popery, I leave to others to judge • for I will not, till I know you.

Except, to SeB. 21. And here give me leave, becaule there is a Mask of Chriftian Concord and Charity even to the embracing the Epifcopal Party alfo, pretended in this Union, lee 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 Bifiiops which I have writ out unto you in my Second Page, to which you may add, that of pag. 74. [The late Bilhops, even in the Judgment of all moderate Men that ever 1 (poke with, did very many of them deferve to be put down, and More reckons four, fVren, Land, &c. but come we to the Charity he allows E-pilcopal Divines (as he calls them).

Reply to SeB. 21. If by (a Mask) you intimate a dilTembling Pretence, he that better knows my Heart than you, will be Judge between you and me concerning this, but I dare not lay that my Charity is of as high a Degree as theirs that have more of that Chriftian Grace; But I bewail any Uncharitableneis, 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 Bilhops and their Followers ? I never extc-nded ic to others : Not that I have not Charity to them, or vA^ not Concord with them, but that it is impoffible till they change their Minds. And here I put it to your lelf, and to all of your own way, to tell me, what you would have wilhed me and all the Minifters of our Aftbciation 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 Epilcopal Ordination, nor allow any in the PubiickExercileof the Miniftry, butthofe that come in by meer Presbyters (in your Efteem). Many of ths Minifteis after earneft ftudy and Prayer cannot be (atiafied that Epifcopacy is Jure Vivinoflv lawful: it is not in their power to change their own Judgments. Till they do change them and procure Epilcopal Ordination, you will not taki 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 for Concord with fuch as you ? Only this, Renounce your Miniftry ; all muft forbear Preaching and Baptizing , and all Miniltcrial Duties: all forfake the Congregations of Chrift here , and throughout EvgLnd that are inthefjme cafe, and then you will be at concord with us; but what concord ? not as fellow Paftors J that cannot be, when we muft firft renounce that Office ; the meaning then of >our defired Concord is this, give up all ycur Offices and Churches to us, and

let

^ JT T E N T> 1 X, Numb. L

let us alone, to have oar way, and do all, and then we will have Concord with you as our people whilftyou obey us. Truly we have found your PredecefTors ftep Fathers, and hard Task-mafters ; yet the Lord knows my heart,thatl take it far more eafie incomparably, and initfelf defirable to fuch as I, to be Ruled then to RuIe,to Obey then to Command, fo be it we be not commanded to fin againd God,and run into Hell. But when we have allforlaken our Churches and Offices for peace with you, is all the work done ? i. How fhall we do for peace with God and Confci-ence,for over-running his work, and ftarving Souls. 2. How fhall we bear the cryes of poor People tor the Bread of Life ? 5. What Ihall God s Worftip and our Congregations do ? Who fhall fupply our Places ? are there able faithful Men enough of your Way ? O that we could lee them I 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, fottilh Readers, and fo many hundred wicked Livers, which the Church is not well rid of yet? See the Centuries of thofe rejsfted in the Beginning, while Mr. White was Chairman, I never owned the calling out of any worthy or tollera-ble Man for Loyalty ; yet what Reproaches did he and others undergo for cafting outlucha 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, I knew Multitudes of the old Epifcopal Clergy that were ignorant or of wicked Lives, and the great Hinderances of the Salvation of their People, when they fhould feek to fave. 1 knew but here and there one of them that was learned and godly farious Preachers. Thole Men I love and honour according to their Worth,as much as any Men of any party : Thefe 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 Country to fo few of thefe, the Will of the Lord be done ; for I will never believe that this is his Will till you bring other Reaibns for it then yet any of you all have pub-lickly done. And I warn all honeft Epilcopal Divines,that 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 muft be like the Romanifts (the greateft Schif-maticks on the Face of the Earth) who cry up Unity, Unity, but themfelves mufl be the Centre, or it mult be only in their Way and on their Term?. They will unite with no Chriltians in all the World that aie not of their Party, (for a Party they are, though they will be called the CathoHck 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 mult be no Minifters with ycu, nor their People take them for Cich. Durft yoy (whoever you are, for I know you not) be bound to anlwer for us, and bear u/nuc before God in Judgment, if we fhould ail give up our Places or preach no moie ? durft you be bound upon pain of Damnation to your Iclves to fave all our People from being condemned for it if they fhould all renounce and foriake us, and al! the Minifteria! Worfhip of God which we peiform, and the Churches we guide ? Alas it is not your telling us, that the Holy Saint Ignatius is lately vindicated, that will fatisfy our Confciences in a Cafe of this Moment, even to leave God unworlhipped Publickly, and our People untaught, and let Satan raign, and Souls perifh by ihoufands for fear of faving them vvithout Epifcopal Ordination. If you ftill fay that we Ihould be of your Mind, and be ordained by Bifhops, we again lay our judgments are not at our Command j we cannot believe what we hft, 1 know multitudes of Anti-Epifcopal Men that ftudy as faithfu'ly and leek God's Diredion as heartily as any of you all (and yet cannot fee the Juftnefi of your Caufe, (though whether it be juft or not, I purpofely forbear to pals my Cenfure) if ftill you fay, it is our Wilfulnels or Peevilhnefs ; I leave you, as Uliirpers of God's Prerogative, and pretending to that Knowledge of our Hearts which is ?. ftep above the Papal Arrogation of Infallabiiity. Nay, leeing I have gone lb far, I will add this; do you not imitate the Papifts in the main Point of Recu-lanfy, by which we were wont to know them in England? Nay, we had many Church Papifts that went not io far i muft not you, as they, have People difclaim our Miniftry and Aftemblies, and not join in them for fear of ovyning unordained Men, Be not too angry with us, 1 pray you, if we call not luch Proteftants ; or at ieaft if wi; take it for impoffible to have Concord with them. 2. 1 muft alfb 1 jell you that are offended at my Saying, that thofe particular Bifhops named, defer-J^ed to be caft out, that if you be one that dare own them in their Ways, or would iF^ave the Church have fuch as they, yea, that do not deteft and lament their Mif Carriages, leem to your fslf as Pious as you will^^ you are no Man for our Company

Numb. I. AT^T E-M V iX.

H

pany and Concord. Do you coir.p'.ain of me for want of ChrifHan Chariry and yet would you haVe theChurcH have fbch Biihops as woulijcaft out fuch: Mert Zi Aimi, Varker, Bainet, Bra^ifiiatv, DoJ, HiltiBrJ}A!Vit,ywizh Mdlcitudes of as'miri-rlil, able. Godly Men as the World knew, and ka;7t i'o many drunken readin* Sots, feme (thereabouts) Faggot Makers or Rope.Makers^ many that did ^find that lately whether we will or not, till the lata Ad:) get their Living by unlvWul Marriages, and fuch Courier is is a Sham3 to Mention,' yeaj would you h^vt'l^il. fliops that would do as your BiJhop Wren, Pierce, and the others did' whole Acou'-l lations are upon Record. P<irmy» part I think luch Mens deftroying the Church was the caule of all our wars dnd 'Mifery ; and hethat dare own thenv in ic after ail this, is no Man for our Aflbciatidn: Hove no Man the worfe foe being for ijiltepsi but for being for flich Bilhops and fuch Pradices I do. They are yet alive enquire what Men Mc. Davct- and .Mr. Turner are, ■ who were^ ttti?Teachsrs of this Parilh, and what the People wea^ethen, and what they are now ?.'Grant ifenic Piecy^ Love and Concord to be beicer than Ignorance and Debauchery, .ahd then jud^ of them. '■ jj

■ •'■'■ Except, to Se^. 22. ,--i

Page ^4. Speaking of Epilcopal Divines he faith, and if Liberty of SeAs and Se^

parations be publickly granted and confirmed tp all, you ihali loon find that tlii

Party that I an>now dealing with,Avill foon by their INJumbersoblqi^rs allother Pfe]|=

tie^that'how trouble our Peace, »^;(/.j5<?^. 64. w. 15.

Reply to Seil. 22. ; . It was my rieeelTary care t& diftinguilh between Proteftant Bi/hops and POtti/k (of Cajjindifi'fivAw) and it is your Care with all lubtilty to obfcure the DifUnctior* thnt you r.\?y involve the honelt Party in your Guilt and Snares. That which I there (poke only of Popilh Bini5f)s, • and their Party (you would intimate that I (pake of clic Epifcopal PrhcefVanrs'j then which nothing leG is true, as my .Words fully /hew. I tell you plainly^ Ibch Bilhops as Ujher^ Hall, Morton, Jewel, &c. &vt twenty fold nearer me in Judgment, than they are to you, if you be <Mie of-the CaJJ'andrian Papifts that there I (peak againft j why then ftould they not Iboner join with us than with yoii ? If ever God fet up Epifcopal Government where I live (yea though I were unfatisfied of its right) 1 will obey them in all things not againlt the Word of <jod^ were it but for Peace and Unity. . i.-.'*^ V Except, to Sefi. 22-

They would have all the People take us for no Minifters, &c. and fb all God's Worlhip be negleded in f)ublick, where no Bifliops and their Miffionaries are and ia when all others are difealed or turned our, 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 -rriay by thefe conjecture and n. i j. of the fame Page. But it is a higher Cha,rge than Popery that thefe Epifcopal Doftors ^at I nqw fpeak of are liable to, &c.

Reply to SeB. 2;. Is not this true ; How much of it do you plainly maintain in this Writing ? I had rather you had freed your felves of the Charge then called it Uncha=. ritahle.

Excep. to SeB. 24. Tag. 66. N. y. Speaking to thofe lame Men he faith. You muft be certain that thoie fame Men had Intenttonem Ordwatioms (if you be right Papifts indeed) did ever any one ever hear and read any one fingle Englijli Epifcopal Dodor require Intention as necelTary to Ordination ? If not call you that Speech of Mr. Baxters Chridian Charity.

Ripljt to SeB. 24. Remember this, that no Proteftants, fay Presbyters, have no more Power than the Ordainer intended them. You may fee by that that I (peak to Papifts, v/hy then would you intimate that it was to Proteitant Bifhops.-'

Except, to SeB.. 2^. Pag. 67. Do not thefe Mens Grounds leave it certain that Chrift hath no true Church or MiniAry, or Ordinances or Baptized Chriftiansin England, nay in all the Weftern Church, and perhaps rjot in the whole World ? and then fee whether thefe Popift Divines mult not prove Seekers.

Reply to SeB. 2^- ■ O that you would vindicate them from that Charge (though heavy) by proving the uninterrupted canonical Succedion from the Apoftles. "c.^

Exttpt.

Except, to SeB. 26. Tag. 4% Speaking of fome under the Name of Epifcopal Divines faith, that they withdraw the People from obeying their Paftors, by pretending a Neceffity of Epifcopacy, &c. and partly inftil into them (uch Principles as may prepare them for flat Popery ; and yet in the next Page 48. laith, that thofe fame Men do themfelves (viz,. Mr. Cbifenhall againft Vane, Mr. VVaterhoufe for Learning, Zealous Men for Epifcopacy) publilh to the World what a pack of notorious, ignorant, filly Souls, or wicked unclean Perlons thofe are that are turned Papifts. How now can Mr. Baxter call thofe Men that fo publifli, &c. faithful Friends to Rome ? fag. 64. See how Uncharitablenefs betrays and accufes it (elf in its bufy Accuiations of Others; and muft juftify them pr Force of Truth when it would condemn.

Keply toSe£i 26. Why what is the Scope of this your Writing, but to prove that we are not Paftors ? and would you not then draw the People trom acknowledging us fuch i This is like the Man thatfwears he never fwore in his Life; you blame me with charging you with what you contend for.zButyou do with as little Candor as verity &y that in the next Page it is thofe fan^e Men that I fpeak of, when I purpofe-ly and plainly call thele [Gentlemen of the Efifcgpal Troteftant Tarty'] as diftind from the CaJJ'andrtan Fapip, and as helping us in the Difcovery of the Danger. But 1 perceive it isypur Defire to make Men believe that I took them for all one. But a goodCau(e needs not fuch away of Defence : Did you think that the learned Doctor to whrm you wrote would believe you who had my Book at hand, and could fee that your Words were falfe i And is it not ftrange that upon fuch a diftioneft Foundation you can build fuch a triumphant Exclamation as follows, [5ee how Un-charitablenef betrajt and accufes it jelf,"] 5cc.

Exception to SeB. 17. Tag. yo. w. 4. [If thele that I dil'pute with will fliew themfelves openly to be Pa-pifts, and plead that Women or Lay-Men may baptize in cafe of Neceffity, &c.'] See, fee his Magifterial canting crying out Popery upon whatever likes him not: Doth he know whom be here condemns for PapiKs ? Yes he doth, for he tells us, pag. 8r. that the 38th Canon Elihertini Concilii ('and he tells us right) decrees, that in cale of neceffity a Lay Man may baptize; well an ancient Catholick Council heltl imder the primitive pure Times, whiUt Perfecution yet exercifed the Church; more ancient than the Council of Nne, and vvhereof Magnus Ofiits ConfelTor was a part, is peacht of Popery too, together with us. Enough of this, I might add much more. All this, within the compals of twenty Leaves^ ixovapag. 45-. to

Reply to SeS. 27.

All ibis but a meer Miftake (whether wilfing or unwilling) : I never took this Po'nt alone enough to denominate a Man a Papifl:; but becaufe it is a Point wherein the Papilts generally hold one way, and the Protcftants another, I take it to be a fuller Diicovery which Me the forementioned Perfons are of: I durft not lay that the Error of Purgatory, or praying for the Dead, or praying to Saints, no, nor Tranfubftantiation alone is fufficicnt to denominate a Man a Papifi-. But yet I think it a Man would degrade our Minifters, and unchurch our Churches, and ?11 the Reformed Churches that have not Bilhops and maintain the Romifh Orr dination, and Church, and yet lay he is not a Papiit; your Addition of one of thefe would funher the Difcovery ; I am not ignorant that TertuUian and others (peak of Lay Mens Baptizing in cafe of neceffity (but not for Women, though Famelitts would pervert TertuUtan's Words for that End).

Except, to SeS}. 28.

To give you a Tafte when he quotes Fathers as he quoted above the 80th Canon Apoflolical CO ejedt our Bi(hops: So alio when he would prove that the ancient Church held it lawful for Minificrs to impofe Hands for the confirming of Parties baptifed, pag. 5-8. for Proof of what he (aich he pretends to but Two Authors, VIZ,. Awbnje in Ephef. 4. and ^Hguflin qumjt. ex 'vet. K^novo Tefiam. mixt: both Certainly fpurious Pieces, and the latter the Work of an Heretick.

Reply to Set}. 28.

You go the farther theworfe : I quoted Bi/hop Downame as one of the Epifcopal Pfoteftants, to Ihew that it is their Judgment, that Minillers ordained without Bilhops may be true Mini(ters: Now becaule the Bifhop brings thefe two Teftimo-fiies on the by about Confirmation and Reconciliation of Penitents, you do (in try Judgment not well), i. Feign me to be the Speaker of thole Words, and the Alledger o( tliofe Authors when it was a Bijhop; and his Words go cited becaufe

a

a Biftiop, 2. You make me to do it. in order to prove the Power of Ministers to, impofe Hands on the Confirmed and Reconciledj when even BilLop bownam^ brought in that andthefe Teftimonies thereto^ but as fubfervient to the others/ But perhaps I left you fome occafion of this miftake, to charge me with theWord^'i of the Bilhop: No, none a: all, I encidfed his Words with this Mark [—] aridaf-,, ter I wrote [lb far Bifhop Do-wmme] that there might be no place for TucH a.T Overfight. But where you talk of 'Jiut ttvo Authon'] for this I thought you had known hbw iealy it is to bring more: For if it be the Ceremony of Iin,ponng, Hands thatybu would deny to the Presbyters^ it was fo far from being denied theiiij anciently, that even the Eriglifh Biihops allowed it theiu in Ordinatioh, wi}hich is", the greater. If you riiean the Power of Confirming and Reconciling, it's knowii the Bifhops inight delegate Presbyters to it, and the Gorcftjcoft ufcd it i yea, fref-Byters 1 think in fome Cafes. And for Reconciliation, BifLop Ujhr tells you in the Words I cited, that even Deacons ufed it or had it: Yet is not the Teltihiony oiT thofe Authors contemptible j that afcribed to Amhrofcj is taken by Eraj%us to be Rer. 7mgias or Aitfelme ; by Maldonate to be Remigius, by Brugevfs and Bcllannine to b^^ HtUarius Diacom/.'. And well might Downame alledge them againfl the P,ipi(ls wheii' Bellarmine, the Rhe-mjts, Alan, and others fo elleem them and quote them, a^^ jtmhrofe WhQa it ferves their turns. And for the Book o^ Que ft- in -vet. & Ho'u. Te/f.ij" The Papifts citing it ( Bellarmine, Harding, Turriati, Ecki»5,Co.pe, Rbemifis, d^c.)-Downame might well cite it ad Hominem ; yea, ad R.cm, it being matter of VaaL. that he fpeaks to, and the Author fo ancient, that Hkrome feems to take notice of him.

. . Except, to SeEl. 29.

In all thfs you fee I have not difputed the Cafe with him (but only difcovefed to you his manner) for that he himlelf profefles he is refblved in this Book to forbear the Difpute, p. 79. princip. & pag. 77. he would give us to underfiand that he hach much more behind that he can fay by way of Argument (for this is only crying out, Popery, Popiih, &c.) for Presbyters Power of Governing, Excommunicating, ordaining without a Bi(hop. Let him be intreated to do it, and lay afide his'poor kind of calumniating his Advcrfary, and deal Chriftianly by Arguments only, and he fliall loon be anfwered, I believe. For the preferit he may know his Papers prevail not, but only provoke thofe hc writes againlh

Replj to Seel: 29. It's (Irange that to call a Papift a Papift Ihould be accounted Calumniation ! I profefi to fpeak of none but Cajjandrian Papifts. I name none. They that are not fuch, have no realbn to fay that I calumniate them, when I profelTedly accept, and and honour, and feek Reconciliation with them. They that are fuch, methinks, ihould not be afhamed of it. It'san ill Religion which a Man muft be a/ham'd of 5 and an ill Profeffion that is afhamed of a true Religion. 2. That my Papers prevail not but provoke, is no wonder j i. The Papifts I expeded to provoke by dijf' covering their Defigns, and attempted not to prevail with them. 2. The Prote-ftants 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 mufl 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 Attempts are fruftrate. Dumus, Acentius^ Davenant, Hall, MelanSbon, &c. found that betier Labours than mine have been fruftrate, for Unity, 1 blefs God, my Succefs is far more than ever I did exped ; but it is with the Sons of Peace.

Excep. to Se£f. 50. Thefe things fiiall be defended againft him (through God's Grace): i. That if there be no Bifliop in any Diocefi, yet in a National Church, where many Bi/hops had united themlelves to govern parts of one National Church, they ought to have recourfe to Ibme neighbour Bifliop.

2. That if Presbyters (in deledt of Bifhops) might Ordain, Excommunicate j yet ,not one fingle Presbyter.

5. Thatkich as were never Ordained by Bifliops where they might, are none of of thele Presbyters j none at all.

Reply to Seel. 30. I am of as quarrelfbm a Nature as others; but yet I will not be provoked to turn a conciliatory Defign into a Contention, and if 1 would, your Queflions are ill fitted to our ufe. i. The Firfl will necelTarily carry us to difpute the Jus Divinum of Bifliops, which I purpofely avoid, and it fliould be after thglafl. 2, The Second.

Q if

if I yield it you, is nothing againft our Agreement. ;. The Tb'irdl cannotdif^ pute w ell till 1 know what you will yield in the excepted Cafe. I would defire ycu, as a more orderly and effedual way to our Ends, to do thefe three Things: i. Tell me plainly whether ycu take the Reformsd Churches of Holland, France^ Scotland, Hehetia, Gmfva, &c. for true organized Churches, and their Paflors 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 Succeflion of authoritative Ordination to be of flat Neccflity to the being of the Miniftry, will you give, u§ a clear Proof of fuch a Succeflion de Fa^o, either to your felf, or any Man now living. I earneflly intreat you deny me not this, nor fay it is needlefs; I have told you the need of it inthofe Papers. Again I pray you put it not off. 3. Seeing you profefs to be for Concord, and yet reje<9: our Terras, as a Schifmatica! Combination, will you propound your own Terms, the loweft condefcending Terras which you can pofTibly yield to, which raay tend to our Clofure ? If you only contend againlb our JVay and will not find a better, nor ufe any Endeavours of your own in its f^ead, what Man of Reafon will believe your Profeffion of [the flrong Inclination of the, Heart to Concord and Peace] ? I again intreat you infiead 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 relblved, 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

^^'■^5.^^55. ^ich, "Baxter.

N°. II. Mr. JohnfonV Fir/l Letter to Mr. Baxter, about the Toint of Ordination.

SIR,

' 'U 'y E I N G very much unfatisfied in the reading of your lateDifcourfe con-

* B"^ cerning the Interruption of the Succeflion of the Miniftry, I thought good ' MLJP to take Advantage from your own Offer, friendly and freely to debate the 'Q^ieftion with you : And I (hall lay out my Thoughts to you in this Method ;

* r. I will give you the Realbns which makes me (if it be Papiffical) to abet thePa-' pills in pleading for an uninterrupted Succeflion. 2. I will reply to your Argu-' ments, whereby you difpute the Succeflion of the Miniftry of England to be inter-

* rupted. 3. I will offer you fbme Reafons why an infallible Proof of the Point is

* notnecefTary in the Cafe. 4. I will produce fuch Arguments asfhall put it beyond 'doiibdngj andfbfhall leave indubitable, though not infallible Proof of the Qiie-' ftiort in your Hands.

* I. Fii-J}, I ft all give you the Reafons why I plead Co ferioufly for the uninter-' rupted bucceffion, and I ihall do this in the firft place, becaufe all the reft will b& ' Supervacaneous, if it be a Matter of no great Confequence, whether there be a ' Succeffi.n or not. If therefore you can latisfy my Arguments whereby I plead ' for the N-ceffity, and give ms Reafon enough to underftand, that an Uninterrup-' tir»n of the Succeflion is not much material, I will (ave my ielf the Trouble of ' Conliuing what you have faid againft it, and you fome Trouble of making a need-

* lefi Repl .

* Nnw the firft Reafon which induceth me to believe that it is a matter of much

* rr.ore Confequence than you talk of, is the Serioulhels of our Divines in their En-

* deavours fo prove that the Bifhops in Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth's Days

* weie Ordained by Biftiops, againft the Calumnies of Sandas. Rellifon, Chahmtey,

* and other Jefuits, who in their Writings would have bore the World in Hand, that

* the Succeflion of the Miniftry of England had been interrupted at the Reformati-

* on, becaufe there were none but Popilh Bifhops to Ordain them, and they ' would nor, and (o none did. But as you know, had deviled a Story of the Nag's-' Head Ordination. Now you alio know there hath been much Endeavour made

• by

c

' by learching the Arcbtva at Lambeth to clear up the Ordination of pur firlt Refor-

* raers, that thereby they might invalidate the Papifts Calumny of our Succeffion,

* being interrupted. But if Succeffion in Office (for Succeffion in Dodrine I nei-

* ther fpeak of, neither did they plead for) be a matter of fo fmall a Confequence,

* our learned Country-Men might have laved themfelves much Labour and Trou-' ble, and in a few Words have told thejefuits, that an Uninterruption of Succef-

* fion was a thing not worth pleading for: But on the other fide, we fee them ac-

* knowledge Succeffion in Office to be neceffary, and contend that there hath

* been no iiich Interruption in our Miniftry.

* II. The Second Argument which perfuades me to believe that the pleading for a Succeffion is of great Moment, is this, 'viz,. That without this 1 do not under-ftand how 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 cannot have it mediately from him,5f the Succeffion be interrupted j for if we have it mediately from him, we muft have it by the Mediation of Ibme Perfon, who ?.t length had it immediately from him: But if the Succeffion be interrupted, we cannot have it from any Perfon that bad it immediately from him, or his Apo-flles. This is a kind of Contradiftion in adjeEio, 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 Ibme Perfon who had it immediately from him. I demand how j if you fay by the Mediation of his written Word. I anfwer, that the written Word is no fit medium to convey the Authority of the Miniftry now a days upon any Men: And that upon this Account; The giving of Authority which we talk of, is an Adi-on terminated upon fum itidi'vidnum in this Age. But the Scriptures meddle not with any of the Individuums of thefe times, and therefore it cannot give any Au« thority unto any fingle Perfon now a days.

' The Adajor 1 think is clear, the Minor I prove thus: If the Scripture meddle with any of the Indiiiiduums of this Age, it doth it either quoad Nomen, or quoad AdjtmSium aliudincomunicabik, or by fome general Dilcription which may be per-fonally and particularly applied to (ome individuum. But I am confident you will not fay 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 lin* gle perfon by way of general Difcription I prove thus: If it doth, it muft be in fome fuch Form of Words, or Words of equivalent to thefe. They that are thus and thus qualified may be Minifters of the Word : but there is no' fuch Form of Words in Scripture. There is I confefs (uch a Form of Words its the Scripture as this. They that preach the Word fhall be thus and thus qualified. 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 I am thus, and thus, and thus qualified : there* fore I may preach the Word. But this is to proceed ex omnibus affirmativss in the lecond Figure, which you know makes a wild Conclufion. If you fay that there is fuch a Form of Words, which being the Major, may be (b accommodited to any fingle Perfon in the Minor, as he rnay thereby infer this Conclufion ^ Therefore I, M.J. or I, K. B. have Authority to preach the Gofpel, and this without refpeft to any Aftion to be performed by fome Perfon, quaji mediante ; then 1 will yield that 1 have been beating the Air all this while. 1 have faid nothing to the firft Branch of the firft Propoficion, concerning our having our Ao-' thority immediately from Jefus Chrift, neither do I intend till I know that it will 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 Dilcharge of it, or the Defire of any kind of Men inviting a Man to it: I fiy, I conceive Authority for the Difcharge of any Office to be very far wide from any one of thefe, or altogether: For a Man may have all thele, and yec want Authority. For Example, in civil Matters: A Gentleman may be abundantly qualified to be a Juftice of the Peace, he may have a willing Mind to do his Country Service in that way, his Habitation for fuch an Imployment may be more than Convenient, he may be put upon it, and invited to it by his Country Neighbours ; and yet for all this, no Man will take him for an Officer in the Commonwealth, till his Name be in the Commiffion from the Supreme Magiftrafe, and he

taken his Oath as a Stipulation to the fupream Magiltrate on his Partj for hisr

C 7! »Faithful-

' Faithful Difctiarge in it. Neither would any underftanding Man think himfdf ' obliged to obey his Warrants, if he ftiould have the Confidence to ilTueouc any be-' fore thele compleating Ads be done, notwithftanding all the former Pieparati-' ons towards it.

' In like manner to the thing in Hand about Ecclefiaftical Officers: A Man, I. ' doubt not, may have competent Qualifications for the Work of the Minritry, he ' may have a willing Mind to the Employment, he may have an Habitation fit for ' the Overflght of fuch a Congregation, he may be invited by them to undertake

* the Care and Overfight of them ; and yet, for all this, rill Jefus ChrilJ-, the Su-

* preme Governor of his Church, iTiall by his Vicar'ws Epifcopos, put his Name into

* the Commiffion and take reciprocal Security from him for his faithful Difcharge ' in it he neither can, nor ever was elfeemed a Minifter duly authorized. And

* therefore, though God as in the Cafe of a Civil Magiilrate, may very fitly and ' properly be faid to do all as you urge, I think out oiSpalatenfis : So he may be faid ' in the Cafe of Ecclefiattiacal Officers to be faid properly and fidy to do allj yet he 'doth not all the Work without the Mediation of his Vicegerents, and 1 cannot ' fee but that part of the Work which he hath left for them to do, is as necellary for ' the compleating and perfeding of the Work, as that which he doth without their ' Mediation; and by cotifequence, if that part of the Work be left undone, ' the whole Work is as imperfeft and incomplete, as if this had been dons, but

* the other Parts left undone. Here is in this, I confefs, fome thing taken pro con-^ feffo, that Jefus Chrift 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 Mat-' ter ot Faft, fhall be proved when I know it is denied.

* HI. But Thirdly, My Third Argument is this: I do therefore plead for an un-

* interrupted Succeffion, becaufe it appears to me that mofl of the Invaders and In-' truders upon the Minifterial Office, are very/mucii ff rengthened and juftified in

* their Schifm and Ufurpation, if Succeffion be not material. For I will not deny 'bur many of them are Men competendy qualified, and all of theni willing to un-

* dertake the Work, live conveniently, or will live conveniently to difcharge the "■work sre chofen by a Number of Chrifiians who call them out to it: Now if all

• *fthismake them Miniliers authorized, why do we clamour againft them ? why do *iWe not give them the Right Hand of Fellowfhip and Brotherhood in the Work '"of the Lord .'' It you fay, tiiey take this Courfe for their Gall, when there is no ' ncctffity J if you fay, this is a Courie only to be ufed in extream Necefitty ; when '-^dilicr the Panics think that there are no Church Officers in being, or thole that *'4reinbe;ngbe lo corrupt and wicked, as either they will not give them Orders, ' iJi' (hey dare not take Orders from them. I anfwer, Tiiat this extreme neceffity is

* their Cafe: They think there be no liach things as Chrifls Church Officers now in ' l>iinf;; or if they be, they are fuch as either will not give them Orders, or fuch

* ;as tliey dare take no Orders from : And therefore they are fiill excufable upon

* (vfch an Hypothefis as you propound. V/hereas, do but grant a Succeffion unin-

* terruptcd necelfaiy, it will uncontroukbly follow, that triey are therefore no Mi-' niiWis of Chrift, becaufe they have not been fet a part by fuch who at length

* took their Authority from Chrilt's own Hands.

at * If yen fay that there is a neceffity of a DifJDcnfation in eafeof a general Apoftacy, % although the difpenfing witk Ordination in fuch Extremity doth furnilh Seftaries 'vcith a Foundation to build *their Schiftis upon. I anfwer, i. That we fuppole **>4at wluclvvet neverfell our, nor ever is likely to fall our. There was never yet *'(<jch a gen^^t Apoftacy but Chrift kept fome Church Officers in beitig, who

* might horn Age to Age continue the Propagation of the Minifterial Office to his ' Churcfi.' Nay, it is admirably \A;orth our Confideration, that when God flirred ' up the drouzy Wot Id to depart from Romei Superftirions and Idolatries, he then

* bowed Che Hearts of fome of the Church-Officers to go along with them, who

* mi^ht ba inftfumental for the donvcighini^ of the Minifterial Office to the next *-Goreratiion: and took away tiie Sul)ject of this over anxious Enquiry, what muft •'Wedo if all apoftatizc? 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 '' fi"!!! what muft be done in fuch a general Apoftacy. I anlwer, I cannot tell either

* wiiat Impiety or Abliirdity would follow, if I Ihould affirm, that in fiich an ex-

* '<r^rtrdinary Dtfpenfttion of Providence, the faithful might fafely wait for (bme *' extrTOTdinary Revelation of God's Mind what they ftiould do in fuch an unknown, f'tiiijirclJOenttjd Cafe. And if this be to turn Seeker, I confels I fomething incline

"to it, and ihould much more if I tlioiJghtJ. it could iodtlbitably ba proved that

* the Succeffion hath been interrupted. ' / ,

* IV. My Fourth Argument is this; We ougjit therefore to contend for anunifh ' terrupted SucceffioHj becaufe if the Siicceffion be in'eri;upted ; then that Peifolj 'who immediately comes into the Miniihy alcer the Inrenuption, muftcoreeinUi-

* it without Impofition of Hands; and lb li he without Impofition of Hand? be ' ftill a lawful Minifter, then it vviil follow, that Impofnion of Hands is a matta?

* rather of Convenience than of Necefliry. But Impofvion of Hands is olfential ' to Ordination. I know there are itnxQ Sebpolmen that contend agaih/b this-;

* But this isaQueftion not fubje(aed to any Man's wayof reafoning « Ka'twn R^f:

* For if Chrifl: hath declared, that it is his Mind any Ordinance iball be perifi>r.-^ti

* after fuch or fuch a Maner, it is too much Gosifidence for any Man toljiy, or gti

* about to prove, that fuch an O.dinance may be performedjaS'Well znotlar.Wnv

* or after another Manner f when as the Fitnefs of the Manner of doing t^tha ' thing done, is not founded in Naturli Rei, but in hem flacito mfiMmztK^: JRorkir

* much tlierefore as Chrift hath revealed to. his Church that itis.hig Mirjd/ or; Wilt

* that hisQiurches Officers Ihould be let a part b' Impo.lcion.of Han'J^',;.irdQi}!^

* therefore follow that Impnfition of Hands is necejTary qnd cfiential to their Sev>af

* ration : If you ask me how I know that it was Chrift's Will and Miady dha<- Im-' pofition of Hands (hould beuled in the Ordination of Mjinilfersj: XaniWesi^Jt •■ That if you expeft I (hould (hew an exprefi Coramwd f6r.it, 1 asinofvy'ecJg^ t(t^c$ *• is none : Or any implicite Command,. I acknowledge 1 know none: 13ijcTejaitj

* with all, that the Mind and Will of Chrifl may be othervviie niadekn.own. Tho($

* Scriptures where Impofition of Hands.is fpoJien of, commented uponiby^tJieUnH

* vei-lal PratJlice of the Church of Chrift from the fkfl: Age, until this wild,; CKor-*-"bitant, 'laft Century, feem to me a moft clear Eyidencg what the. Will QfCbr.i^>is

*-Church of God : I fijall likewiledo that wlien I know that-it is required, jand &\\

* the refi in the Argument granted,

' And now. Sir, if this interruption of Succe/fiori, being yielded, doth neceff^-

* rily cart out fome of the Eifentials in Ordinatigrij if it ftjreffgthens the Hands of

* Intruders, if it hinders us from having our Audiority from Chrift j if our learitetl

* Cou.ntryTmen have taken <o much Pains to clear up an.tJnjnterruption, theft^l ' think it follows, that it is a Matter weith .the pkgdjng for : Which is the onfy *ii5re? tJ-M /o^'M of this Paper. ■{ r- > ' . , ,'

M, Johnfom

.^^'

Mr. Baxt f r'i- Reply to Mr. Johrifon, agahji the ahfohtte Netefjity of Ordlwation^ and of an Hnrnterrupted SnccejJton thereof frov-i the Apo files^ to ths Bdng of the Mtnijieria.1 Q^ce.

I

Return you tlMsA'afwer to yours," biit o^ \\\M Condition, tfcat' before you'maH ariy P.ei3ly to tt, ypu perform the other Parts of your undertaken Task, or at leaft, the two laft ;' ftjj-1 think it a ftr'faftr way in fuch Cafes as this, to argue g nonfii^o ad non infl-itutu'm^{thc Churbhhath not hjd (iich an uninterrupted Succef^ fion : £r^, God hath'not niade it ablbluteJy necelfary) than from a luppoled Iw'i-IHtu'iori to an anfwerable Event (God h.;rh made it abfohitely neceflary : Erj-^ .«he Ciiurch hatk enjoined it) ; becaufe ic iv incomparably more eafy to dilcern the Aju«.**'f of fuch pu,blick Faift, than to'djf2:er» the meaning of thofe Texts which ^'ili be 4lifeur^i? b^ ^^''^ Party in thele cotufoVerted cireumftahtial Points: And you know we muft ar^"^ ^ notioreadmlnw fidtum', andnot contrarily.' I could wifh tife Que/lipn had f^^en c'xadtiy ftar.ed by joint Conlent, to aVt>id tedious Explications and Excurfions^ >ye'"^uft firft diftingnilK the Succeflfion of Office, and Suc-cefljon of brdinatiott to tKi>-* Office: Onr Queftion is not dirgaiy of the former,

hi

AT T E N T> 1 X, Numb. IL

for even the Ufurper fucceedeth in the Office as a Ufurper, and it is part of our Controverfy, whether the later (Succeflion of Ordination) be of flat Necefficy to the former (Succeflion in Office). It being then the Neceffity of an uninterrupted Succeflion of Ordination that we enquire after, itmuft be known what we mean by Ordination. K*sir)i/^(, the Word commonly uled is but Confittuo: Ordination in General then is any Conftitution of a Man in the Office of the Miniftry. Here we muft diftinguifh between the Conftitution it felfj and the Moditm Confiituendi: It's one thing to ask whether Ordination be neceflary j and another, wiiecher Im-poficion of Hands, or prefent Fafting and Prayer be neceflary j yea, or the Pie-lence of the Perfon Ordaining ; feeing a Man may be Ordained, Conflituted or authorifed, pr literas abfentts, and not only per manus 'vel 'verba prafenta, whether this Mode be as meet as any, we now queftion not. Alio its one thing to ask whether God's Ordination be neceflary, and another, whether Man's be neceflary. Alfo it is one thing to enquire of the Neceflity of the Fad of Ordaining ; and another, of the Neceflity of a juft Authority in the Ordainer to do jt; where ic will be needful to confider what is of Neceflity to the Conftitution of llich Authority, and what deftroys it: Before all which it would be necefl"ary 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 Neceflity, to the Li-gitimation of our Galling in foro Dei, 1 grant; as alio, in foro Confctentix Mini' ftrantis. That authoritative Ordination of Men, is neceflary Ordink Gratia, when it may be obtained, and where God's Providence doth not make it naturally, or morally impoflible, I alfo grant. That Impofition of Hands with fblemn Prayer, is the moft convenient manner, and ncceflfary for the Ordainer to ule, NeceJJltate Tracepti & Mediiad bene effe Ordinationu, I alio grant. That the Power of Ordaining is ordinarily only in the Hands of Chrift's Ecclefiaftical Minifters, I acknowledge (whether Bifliops or Presbyters we now queftion not) and that it is not di-volved to any others, but in Gale of Neceflity. The Things then that I deny are, that Impofition of Hands, or prelent Prayer, or the Prefence of the Ordainer are of Neceflity to our Office. That the true, juft Authority of an Ecclefiaftical Ordainer is of Neceflity to the being of our Office : And confequently, that an uninterrupted Succeflion of Juft, Authoritative, Ecclefiaftical Ordination from the Apoftles, is of abfoUue neceflity to the being of our Calling. Nay, that any Authoritative Human Ordination at all, befides the Peoples meer Conlent is of fuch abfolute, indifpenfable Neceffity ad ejje 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 fiiffice ad eJJe Officii: And in cafe both fail, the Peoples meer A.cceptance, Confent, or Ele<5bion may fuffice, fuppofing the Perfon meetly qualified. And whether you will call this ad: of the People a Conftitution, or Ordination, or not, I am indifferent. Certainly K*3j5it,w» oft fignifies the Conftitu-ting, v\hich is not an Aft 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 Faculty with Duty of doing certain Works to certain Ends. The Minifterial Office of a Presbyter, is to be differenced ab ohjeSo & a fine. The Authority and the Duty in a lawful Officer go together : Such a one only is in (enfu primario & propria 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 ftiuthoiity for performing it, feeing he came in without God's Call, and there is no Power but of God. 2. And he may have tlx Name of an Officer, though given him but analogically, or in fenftc fecundar 10 & ccclefiaftito. 3. And the Church may owe him that Relpeft and Ob-Icrvance due to a lawful Officer (the Reafbn is, becaule ic is one thing to know who is a truly lawful Officer ; as in Matter of Memberfliip, I am bound to ufe many as true Chriftiarts, even all that have the Profeflion of fuch) \vho yet are not fuch : So am I bound to take all thofe for lawful Officers that have the external Tokens of fuch, (ecing we cannot know any further ; though they be not fuch indeed). 4. And all that Man's Mir>ifterial Adions are valid to the Church that doth her Duty in obferving him, and yet they are all null or unlawful, and flat 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 becaule r.tmm'', ex propria crimine de-hetur benfficium; andEr^o, his Ulurpation cannot fecure hinv The Reafon of the former is, becaufe Duty and Benefit go together, and therefore the Church that per-formeth but her Duty in taking thole to be truly called Paftors that leem fo to be,

having

hartng thofe Tokens which fKe is bound to judge by as probable, muff needs have the Benefit of his Miniftry in their way of Duty j for God requireth no Duty in vain: As alfo becaufe nerKwi debcUtr pati'd ex ahena culpa, qua talis ejl. Novv whether we fllall difpute de ficcejjltate orJtfiathms aci cffcium'Virurii'& hgitimum profric &" frimario fic MBur/i, & in for0 Deii Or only as ad Ofjichim anatogicum fecmdario (^ min^s froprie in joro tantumecclefia fc dtBiftn? is to be confidtved. How far your Senfc wrh concur I know not, but in refpeft of both chefe do I hold my former Negations. Yet further, before I either anfwer your Arguments, or determine of the Sen(e of our Queftion, it is very neceffary that the end of our Enquiry be underftood, which'in order muft go before the me^ns. I tike it for grjnre'd, 'thdc you do net difpute this queftion as neceffary to be determined in order to oli/'Allb-ciarloHj before you can join with theprefent MiniOry : Or yet asnecdlary tqthe Determination of that further Queftion^ whetlisr thofe are true Minilters th^t^rd not Orddioecf by Bilhops ? and thofe true Organized Churches that have only ffet Mif^f!ers?'forif I thought this were your end, I would difpute many other'Qti^.' ftib'iis iifV, before we came to this j end try firft whether you cmld prove that the' Presbyteiian Churches cannot produce a Succeflion of true Ordination, on ti:"d fantie' Grounc's as the Epifcopal for the main. But I fiippofe your -fen-Js are iciiriis other, and in fpeci.il thofe mentioned in your Paper : I conjedure that I fhaU hoik eft* approich your Senfe> if I ftate theQueflion thus j Whether an Ordination' ^f EcclefialHcal Men, having ju!^ Authority thereto, be 5n all Times and Cafes linfce the Apoftles of abfolute Neceffity to the very being of the Miniiteiial Office, both coram Deo, & coram Ecchf.'M and conlequently an uninterrupted Succeflion off ".ch Ordina:ion be of the finie NecefSty ? For if I fhould put the Qtieflion about iaii pofirion of Hands, or de modo aliquo ordinandi, 1 know not but 1 miglit mifi of ydtrf Senfe on one Side j and en the other, if I fhould extend it to all Ordinacioij, whether by Mngiifrates or ethers.

Ad 1'". Yovir Firff Argum.ent I fuppofe fhould be formed thus: That which the Englifh BifKops thought necelfary to prove againft the P.ipifVs, that is necefiary to be proved againfl ther.i: But the Englifh Bilhops thought it nccelTa! y againft tlie Pa^ifis to prove the JNon-interrupiion of their Suecetlion in jull Ordination : Er-go, Kejp. I. Concedo totum : It was receflary to prove it againft the Papiffs arguino ad Hory.ir.CfHy becaufe it is the way of fuller Conviftion and Satii.fa(ft:on v^hena Alail can confute an Adverfsry on his own Grounds. It will much fhorten the Difpute when we fijew them, that though we fhould grant the Neceffity of fuch Succelliort, yet we need not grant the Nullity of our Calling. 2. 1 deny that theEnglilh Bilhops much Icfs the Church of England ^^A^ ever judge "it neceffary any farther than ad Hominef/i: i. Becaufe it'is apparent that they do ordinarily in their Writing^ fpeak againff the Papiff;, fuppofed Neceffity of Ordination, as I inftanced out of lome of them in mv Book. It is known to be a Point wherein the Proteffancs hav6 commonly cppofed the Papifff. z. It is known to be but the later declining Generation of Bilhops, fiich as Montague, Land, and their Confederates, moft in King Charles his Days, very few in King Jamesi, and fcarce any at all in Queen Ehz.a-krb's, that do join with the Papiltsin pleading the Neceffity of Succeflion : Everf fuch Men as were as zealous againft Qneen Eliz,abeth's Epifcopal Proteftant?, as againft the Papifts, at leaft many of them. 3. The reft do cxprefly mention Suc-cefEon, and confute the Fable of the Nagi-Head Ordination in Cbeapjide, to prove the Papifts Slanderers: So much to your Minor, j! If thar will not lerve, 1 deny your Major: All is not neceifiry 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 nrt neceffary, unlefi as aforcfiid.

Ad 2"^. Your (econd Argument hath all the Strength in it, or rather fhew of Stt«n?gth : firft we mull needs diftinguiih of your Terms (Mediately and Immediately). A Conlticution rray be laid to be from Chrift mediately, either in Re-fped to a mediating Perlon, or to fome mediating Sign only. Alfo it may be fiid to be n.ediante perfoiaa\ i. when the I^srfbn is the cau/ie totalis fubordinata confiiiu^ e»di, as having himfeif received the Power from God, and being as from himfelf to convey it unto Man. 2. Or whsn the Perfon is but Catifa fer accidens. 3. Or when he is only Caufa five ejua non, 'vel ^luieni/s imfedsmtnta removit, "vel quatejim tj:ts Ailiones funt condittones 7Jicej[Jarie. And lo I at^f.ver, I. Immediately in the firft abfolute Senfe &" exdudcndo prfonas & res, no Man ever had any Right communicated, or Duty impofed on nim by God, unlcfs perhaps the immediate Imprefs, or ftipernatural Revelation of the Holy Ghoft to feme Prophet or Apoftle might be faid to do this. Mofes hinifslf had the Ten ComTnaiidmencs written' in Stone, which

werg

d^P "P E Isl T> I X, Numb. II,

were fgjja meJiama? Thole that heard God fpeak (if any immediately without Angelical Inteipofition) did receive God's Commands medtante 'verhrum figno. So did the Apoftles that which they had from the Mouth of Chrift. 2. God is fo ab-folutely the Fountain of all Power, that no Man can either have or give any Power, butderivatively from him, and by his Commiflion; Man being no farther the Efficient of Power, than he isfo conftituted of God; the general way of his giving it, muft be by the Signification of God's Will j and lb far as that can be fufficiently difcovered, there needs no more to the Conveyance of Power. Whether A4en be properly efficient Caufes of Church Power at all, is a very hard Queftidnj ef'peci-. ally as to thole over whom they have no fuperior governing Power. As Sfalaten-fn hath taken great pains to prove that Kings or other Sovereigns of the Commonwealth have their Commiflion and Power immediately from God, though the People fometimes may choqfe the Man (for the Power was not given to the People firft, and then they give it the King : but God lets them name the Man, on whom lie will immediately confer it) fo poffibly may it be in Ordination of Chiurch-Officers. Three ways do Men mediate in the Nomination of the Perfon ; i. When they have Authority of Regiment over others, and explmitudive potefiaiu. do convey efficiently to inferior Officers the Power that thefe have. Thus doth" tlie fuprcam Redor of the Commonwealth to his Officers; and Ergo, they arecal-^ ed the'Kings Officers, and hehaththe choice of the very Species, as well as of the individual Officers. Now this way of mediating is not always, if at all neceflary or polTible in the Church ; for the Papifts themlelves confefs, that the Pope is Ordained or authorized without this way of Efficiency : for none have a Papal Power to convey to him ; His Ordination cannot be ABrfs Superiors. And the Council of Trent could not agree whether it were not the Cafe of all Bilhops to hold their Office immediately from Chrift, 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 to convey their Parts to others. How the Spanilh Biiliops held up their Caufe is known : And it was the old Doftrine of the Church, that all BiHiops were equal, and had no Power one over another, but all held their Power diiectly from Chiift, as Cyprian told them in the Council of Carthage. Add to this, that the true old Apodolical Epifcopacy was in each particular Church, and not over many Churches together (I fpeak of fixed Bilhops) till the matter becoming too big to be capable of the old Form, Corruptio umns fuit gemratio alterius r and they that upon the increafe of Chrifiians, Ihould 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 Ibrt of Bi« fiiops: Non eadem fuit res, non muntis idem ; etiamfi idem mmm retinerent. So that truly our Parilh Minifters, who are fole or chief Paftors of that Church are the old fort of Bilhops; for as Ambrofe, and after him, Grotiiis argues, qui ante fe ahe-rum non hahchat, Epifcoptts erat: That is, m eadem Ecckfia qui fitperiorem non habet). So that not only all Diocefan Bilhops, but alfo all Parochial Bilhops are Ordained per fares, and lb not by a governing Communication of Power ; which is that fe-cond way of Ordination, when men that are of equal Authority have the Nomination of the Perfon. Now whether or no he that ordaineth an Inferior as a Deacon, or any other, do convey Authority by a proper Efficiency, as having that firfi: in himfelf which he dodi Convey; yet in the Ordination of Equals, it Teems not to be fo, tor they have no Government over the particular Perfons whom they Ordain, or Churches to whom they Ordain them ; nor could they themlelves exercile that governing Power over that other Congregation, which they appoint another to ; lo that they leem to be but Caufts Morales, or fine quibus non, as he that lets 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 call the Ordainer of an Inferior caufam equivocam, and the Ordainer of an Equal, caufam uni'vocam, yet it is but as they morally and improperly caufe. The Third way of Mediating in the Nomination of the Perlbn, is by the meerEledion of Inferiors, as the Apoftles did bid the Church o^ Hierufakm choofe outfeven Men whom they might conftirute Deacons. I have been tedious, perhaps, without need on this; but the Summ is this, that a fubordinate efficient Caule is no neceflary Medium for the conveyance of Power, if at all, yet not always (I mean a Perlbn) but ths Mediatio Signi Voluntatis Divina, may oft lerve without any more; or plainly in leveral Cales, mediatio legu cum perfoua qualificatione may fufficc, fine mediatione judtcis. But to come cloler, where you lay (the written Word is no fit Medium) I anfwer, i. The written Word in cafe of a failing of Ordainers is a fufficient mediate Inllrument j but

though

though in [lio genere it be fufficjenc, yet other things muft concur in their kind aifo^ Viz,. For the Qualification of the Subject ,• whereof one is the efFed of Nkrui'e^ Art, and Grace, that is Abilities; anotherof the Spirit, that is Willingncfs, vvl^ch may al(o be moved by other Caufes; and the third of Providence, vix,. Oppo4ii*' nity. • 2. Magjftrates ConfHtution in the faid Cafe of Miniflerial failing, is-^ Ixn-ther Medium diftinft from Scripture. So that if Miniftersfail, Magiftrates ai'etfte'' Judges ; if both fail, the People have/;we regemine judicium difcretionis: Their Jadg-menc of Difcretion hath a fufficient Objed and Difcovery of Gods efficient Corilli-tUtion. I. In the Law, which is then the inftrumental Efficient. 2. Iri.thePei'-' fons Abilities. 3. His Willingrtefi. 4. The Peoples own Willingnef?. y. (Opportunity. You add (the giving of Authority which we talk of is an Aftion terminated upon an Individuum in this A^e : But the Scripture meddles not with any of thi hdmiduums of thefe Times: Er^o) I fuppole by (meddles not with) you mean (ter-minateth it not on). The Ahfior^ which you knew I would deny, yod prove chuti (jf it do, either tjuoad nemm,' or i^uoad adjurtSlum aliud incomm'uvicabile, or per' deferip-^ timem ) I unfv/eryferdcJcriftioheniabadJMBis, but it is not always neceffary ttirft' that they be incommunicable, at lead moit of them ; for God may poffibly propound to the People more ihahone or two that may feem fit, and leave them to choofe, and (b their Choice ftiaU be the thing that makes the differeride, itid God thereupon convey the Power. 'You add (if the Word doit by defcription, itmuft" be by Ibme fuch Form of Words; They that are thus and thrfs qualified may be Minifters of the Word : But there is no fuch Form : Er^ayi anfwer, I liippofe that by (Form) you mean, qtioad fenfwn, and not tjuoad verba. And then I fay, there is fuch a Sentence in the Law as this, If by (thus and thus Qualified) you include all the Signs that were before exprefled. And beCauft we are now at the Quick, I will not put you off vvith the bare part of a Refpondenti But give you the Reafons of my denying your Minor. I firft fuppofe it granted, thar God hath in his Law detepmined i. T>e genere, that there (hall be Minifters. 2. De fpcie^ that there fliall be fuch forts of Minifters in his Church, and that not only ^uoad nomsn^ but quoad defiiitionem, & d'tff'ereniiam confiituti'vam, that is the N.itiire of tlieir Work and Powers the Objeft about which, and the end to which it is to be employed, 3. That the Pbrlbns aredefcribed from their neceflary Qualificatir ns, who fhal! be Subjects of this Form, i Tim. ;. Tit. r. and in other Places. 4. That all that is now left to be done is but to judge and determine of the particular Peribn, who is raolt capable of this Form, .ind lb far to be the Medium of his receiving the Pow-eti 5'. That this Judgirig and Determination muft be per fjgna, from'the Perfbns' Qjialificatihns, agreeing to the Rule. 6. That God hath made Ecclefihftical Officers the :ordihalfy authoritative Judge?of this Qiieition, Who-is the qualified Peribn .'' Thos nlifch I conjedure that we are agreed in; fo that the Form in the Law is nbt'only, i THey that Preaciv^heWord, Ihall be thus and thus qualifiecf/^'but:: ['Met* thus aii'd thus qualified-j^w// be'appointed to Preach the Word:J Now that' Which I a^iVtO'prove is, that the firft part- bf the Conftitution remains ift forcfc' (that tl^re //w// be Minifters thus qualified) though the other Part, concerning thei-wjy dt'thett Ordination may'-ceale: and t^iat Magiftrates Defrgnation, or Peo-p:€6-Ele(^©n \xp6n the'difcerriing of the Qua'Tifieations is a fufficient Nomination of tire Perfoh :"-'ind fo God doth by his Lav*- eotivey the Power i% truly to the Perfbn thns-Nominated, as he doth to the Perfoh Nominated by a-Bilhbp ordiiiariiy : The f.yifta L'^w being God's'only Inftrument'of this ConV^6yarice, whoever tiomi-nsttes.. "To this endl ftiall kydown divers Af^fements, and thbtigh I coiicludenoc ftill the ftn^e thing, you Ihall lee that ali^doth, ad iundem- Jcofum collimare ; aiKf that either the Obligation'to i^gular miniiberidl Ordination-nfiay-coale, or tliSt-aU Ways caafe nOc when that cealetb^ or that-the other ways are fufficient for Nomination of the individual Perfon, ind fo of prefsiving the Eitiftence of the'Speeies,' for theie three^ra^the things to be proved. ■ '•'

S'I< ■CeJJante'.tKateria cejj'atoblifatio, fed hie W ieftitt i/el dijfdri foteft Materia':' Ergo^ The Mi/or Is |)aftqueltion : The A/<wc-is proved, li From the Silence of Scrip--ture J Gwlhath no where obliged hjmfelf to give all Churches the Opportunity of re^lar Mihi1teri.il Ordinarion: 2. From undeniable Experience of mariy Places' that-could .not have Regular Ordination, not only through the Imperfeftion of their owiniUadarftapdings, Tior;abIe after utmoft Induftry, to know which v/as thd, regular Way, (for that 1 (tick nncbn) but aKo the moral or natural Impoffibility of the thing; fome living whtrfi they could have no Ordinatiori, but upon linful Terms, asby'v/icked Oaths or! Ptofeflions ; as it is throughout the RomiihChufch, arid, Ergo; Therff is-a'moral Impoflibility j for turpe & inhonefium efi impolfibiU^'

\ '■ D faith'

liith the Law. Some being caft in ^ moft remote parts of the World, where no Minifters arc, and many where no Bithops are, nor can be had in any competent time, and uncertain, whether at all. And the Pofltbility of fuch a thing is evident in Nature, though it never had been till this Day.

2. Ce{jante finecejjat Obligation fed hie ceJJ'at -yelcejjare fotefi finis : Ergo, The Aihior only is to be proved. The Lnd why I am obliged to feek Ordination rather from an Ecclefiaftical Officer, than from a MagKtrate, or to take the other forementioned Courfes, it is becaufe God hath appointed him, Ordmu gratia, as one that ought to be the fitteft to do it, leaft by Mens voluntary Intrufion, or the Conftitution of others leis able to judge, the Church ihould be wronged. Now in cale the regular Ordainers do prove uafufficient or wicked, thefe Ends fail, as in the Church of Rome, where none ftiall be admitted that will not fwear to do wickedly, and tofalfe Ways, And in thegreat Jrrtan Defedion, when fcarce Six or Seven Bifiiops were to be found that did not turn Arrians, among whom, the Bifhop of Rome was one that revolted 5 and they would ordain none but thofe that would be of their Way, and fo would engage Men againft Chrift. God did not give them Power to de-ftroy 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 Dcftruftion of the Church, we are not obliged to receive their Ordination: And that the failing of regular Minifterial Ordination doth not deftroy the Ordination or Law of God Je Specie coTijervanJB, and that it was never the Will of God, that there ihould be no Miniftry at all longer than they might be fo regularly Ordained, appears thus; 1. The Office of the Miniftry is of itanding Neceflity to the very Being of a Political Church, whereas the Ecclefiaftical Authoritative Ordination is but neceffary to the well being and ordering of it. Ergo, the failing of the later caufeth not a failing of the former. The Reafon of the Confsquence may appear in that GotJ hath oft fuffered his Church in all Ages, to fall into Diforders and Diftempers, when yet he hath preferved the Being. 2. God hath not infeparably tyed a neceffary certain End, to one only mu'able, uncertain means. But the Office of the Miniftry is the necelTary, certain End of Regular Ecclefiaftical Ordination (viz.. 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 it to the Church, I fuppofe, 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 Biihops (or other Ordainers) to deftroy his Church for ever j but if the Miniftry were inleparably annexedto their authoritative Oidination, it would be lb : Ergo, It is in the Power of their Wills, whether they will ordain any other Biihops to fucceed them ; which if they ftiould not do, the SuccelTion is inierrupted, and the Office niuft lor ever fail: If you (ay, it is not to be fuppoled that all will deny to Orcain others. I anfwer i. What Promife or Certainty of the contrary ? 2. It is not poffiblc their own Judgments may be turned againft Bifiiops, and fo renounce that Calling j or may they not turn moft of them Heretical, ann lb will ordain none that will not be lb too. As it was a<ftually when the whole World turned Arrian^ except li.K or leven Biihops, there were none left, and a tenth Part, nay the Hundredth p.irt of the Church could not have recourfe to fix or leven perfecuted Biihops, hidden in Wildeincires or Corners, or Fi:gitivesthat Men knew not where to find. And that it was then unlawful to have fubmitted to the y^rrwm Ordination, on their Terms, 1 (uppofe will not be denied. And the few that do not turn He->^ reticks, may yet clogg their Ordinations with luch unlawful Impofitions and En-s;. gagcments. as that no Man fearing God may juftly fubmit to them, which is, at-'- heft, the Cale of all the Romifti Church (as is faid). So that if all Men elfe obey Gcd, they niuft not be Ordained by thele Men, and confcquently thele Men have Power to deftroy 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,;^Thac the Churches may be edified and well guided, ancl my Worlhip rightly perlbrmed, do you ordain Elders, &c^ 4. God hath made it in-dilpenlably neceliary to his People to the World's End, to aftenible in lolemn Congregations, and then to perform his publick Worlhip, viz,- In Prayer, Praifes, Sacraments, Preaching and Hearing, &c. But without the Miniftry this cannot be performed : Ergo, he hath made it indifpenfibly neceffary tliat they have a Mini^ Jlry : and conlequently the failing of Authoritative, Ecclefiaftical Ordination doth not deftroy the Miniftry, Both by neceflity of Prec«pt, and of Means, is Publick

Worlbip

Worfljip necelTary to the World's End. Ordinary teaching publickly and being the Mouth oi the People in Praifing God, and Adminiftring Sacraments, andblel-fing the People, &c. are.Miniilerial Aiftions. Now fuppole you come into a Nation or Country where (iich Ordination fails (as iiyou had lived in the Reign of the Arrians) durft you ablolve all the Churches from aU God's Publick VVorfhip? Durft you have faid to whole Countries, Never Affenible to Worlhip God by Solemn Praifes; Never baptize any ; Never communicate in the Lord's Supper ? This were to contradlA a Precept in Force, that binds them to do what you forbid them, and it were to deftroy their Souls, and bid them forlake God, and quench his Graces: For without God's Publick Minifterial Ordinances, Grace and Chri-ftianity it felt could not be long continued, at leaft, ordinarily, and in many. Wit-ncfi the Unchriflianingof the vaft Kingdom oi Nubia, for wantof Minilters. If you would have fuch to appoint Private Men to do thefe Things fro tempore, in this Cafe ofNeceffity, that is, to grant all j for then the People do make thofe Private Men Minifters, fro tempore, whether they give them that name or not, for the Office is but Power to do thofe Works which belong thereto j and if they have Power to do the Work, they have the Office. The like may be faid of thole Reformed Chriftians that live under the Romi/h Power ; if they muft have no Minilters, they muft have no Worlhip or Sacraments, which Minifters are to perform. If they muft have Minifters either Romilh or Reformed. Not Romifti, for they cannot follow them, or join with them, but by known finning in wicked Engagements and wicked AAions. Not Reformed if there be a Neceftity of Authoritative Ordination: For the RomilhBifhops (ifthey have Authority) will not Ordain without forcing Men to open Sin ;nor may any Pious Man fubmit to their Ordinations on theirTerms: and many People cannot have Reformed Bifhop5(no nor Presbyters) to ordain them. j.The Law of Nature, and the exprefs, unchangable, written Word agreeing thereto, do require Men to do the Offices of Minifters who have a fitnefs for it, and where there is an undeniable Neceflity of their 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 difpenfe wich fuch Men for the negled of fiich Minifterial Works. I think none will quefticn the Minor. For the Major, underftand, that thofe whorn I call fit, are they that have tl.e Qialifications which I mentioned before. Here I take it as undenyable, tlut Duty and Power to perform it, (b go together, that God never calleth Man to Duty but he gives him this fort of Power, that is Authority ; for the very Command to do the Work doth give Authority to do it : Man may oblige himlelf without a Call, and fo have no Authority ; but vvhofoever is required of God to do it, luth eo Nomine, Authority to do it. And the Office of the Miniftry 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 lake 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 Neceffity. But the Works of the Miniftry are the greateft Works of Mercy to Mens Souls, and Glory to God ; 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 the Wicijand the Difeipling Men to Chrift, and baptizing them, is the greateft Work of Mercy imaginable; Whereto add, the teaching them to obferve all things whatlbever Chrift hath commanded j and it makes up the whole abfolutely necelTary in all its Parts: i. The Greatnels appears, in that Men cannot befavedordinarily without it: It istofav Men from Evcrlafting Torments, and help them to Everlafting Glory. 2. ^ that which Chrift himfelf did; yea, made his Office to leek and to fave t' .. which was loft. 3. It is that which he ordained the Miniftry for ; yea, giveth us his Gifts for ; yea, upholds all things for, and makes other Mercies lubordinate to. And that it is as conducible to that Honour that he will have by the Gofpel, and Mens Salvation is as clear. For the Major j Note, that I luppole Ability and Opportunity, for elfe they cannot be obligetJ. Alfo I fuppofe, Neceflity, 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 lb plain in the Law of Nature, that it needs no Proof. To do gcxad to our Power, 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 leffer Ca-

Da Us

feswe are bound to do thus ; much more in thefe fb great. If a Man be like to perifh through Hunger, or Nakednefs, he that is no Taylor muft make him Cloaths if lie can ; and he that is no Baker muft make him Bread : Or if a Man come into a Country infefted 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 Neceflity. If thefe Inftances ferve not, we may go higher : In cafe of an unexpsded Onflaught of the Enemy when the Commanders are afleep, every Souldier may do his Office : In cafe a General be (lain in the Field, or a Collonel, or a Captain, the next Officer may take his Place j yeaja common Souldier may do it in Neceflity : Or if the Commander turn Traytor, the next Officer may cake his Place, and command the Souldiers againft him. Salus populi fuprema lexefio, is God's own Law. And Sains Ecckftx fuprema Lex efto, is no lefs his, and un-changable, as to all Church-Works (ftill looking at his Glory herein, asthehighelt ablblutely). He that lliould 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 fay, I would Preach Chriff to thefe People, and Baptize them, and acquaint them with his Laws, to fave them from Damnation, but that I am not Ordained : Burft you warrant that M-n from being condemned for his Negleft ? Nay, durft you encourage him to negled it ? Nay, durft you adventure to negleft it your felf ? What (hould the People in Ne-w-England do, if there were not Minifters among the Indiam ? If there were Proteftants caft into Cbiua.And had the Opportunity as the Jefuits have,what fhould they do? To forbear the Minifterial Work till they had a lawful Ordination, were no lefs than Soul-murder : It would in probability never be had ; for if they travail'd for it to thofe p3Tts 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 anfwer. If thfcy do but what private Men here are allowed do, viz.. to Teach but privately and cccafionally, it would be IHU unnatural, bloody Soul-murder : To ^eak the Do-ftrine of Redemption to two or three in a Houfe, when they might Ipeak to Multitudes, and to teach now and then occafionally, wrien they might do it ordinarily, is cruel deftroying of the molf. And to B.iptize is no piivate Man's Work. If you would have them Teach both publickly and ordinarily, and Baptize, then you would have them be Miniflers under the Name of Private Men j yea, to do the Work of Apoftles or Evangelifts.

Certainly the Law of Nature is God's Law, and Evangelical Ceremonies, and points of meet 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 of Subltance and Neceflity, and the Law of Corporations to the Law of Nature, lb it muft do here. The Gofpel Groffeth not, nor obliterateth Natural Principles: And to love our Neighbours as our felf, and do him good, efpecially to the Everlafting Saving of h s Soul, are too deep in Nature to be queftioned, or to ftoop to a Point of meer O.'dtr. 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 cf it; where that Order may be obferved : But where it cannot, God's way revealed to Nature is to do it without, as hkh beerifhewed. And Scripturefecrnds Nature in this j Chrift tells us. That this is the jtcond great Commandment., Thou Jlialt love thy Neighbour as thy [elfj and on this, tvitb the Love of God, hang all the Law and the Prophets. To do good to our utmoft Power, is a Charge laid on all, Pfal. ;^. 14. and 57. 27. Gal. 6. 10. Eccl 9. ic. As every Man hath received the Gift, lo muft he as a good Steward of God's manifold Grace adminifter it, i Pet. 4. 10. The Manifejlation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, I Cor. 12. 7. AH Members of the Body 7nuft have the fame care me of another, verfe 2y. And if one Member fuffer, the reft mu(t fujfer with it, verfe 16. and Ergo, do their beft to relieve them. Every good Man is a pub-lick Good ; & bcnum ^110 communius eo melius. God's Gifts are lo many Talents that TiWiW be accounted for, Matth. 25-. and he that hath beft improved them for his Lord, wilt have the moft comfortable Reckoning. Thele Generals tying Men to do all the Good they can, doth tye them that have Abilities and Opportunities for the Minillry to ufe them where there is need, .and that in Order, as being ordained thereto, where it may he had, and out of Order where it may not, and there is neceflity : even as Prf««/bids Timothy Preach out of Seafon ; you will acknowledge that they that have Abilities, where the Church is in neceffity, may, and muft feek

a

Numb. IL AT T E N V I X.

25)

a right way to ufe them; and fofeeks an Ordination into the Miniftry, i Tim. *, 1,2. He that defiretb the Office of a Btjliop, de/Ireth a good Work. But God as bs gives no Gifts in vainj fb he fets Man upon no vain Endeavours. Thofe therefoi-e that are bound to leek to be Minifters, are not bound to vain Endeavours; and therefore there is a poflibility of Succeeding : But there is very oft no poffibiiity of Authoritative Eccleiiaftical Ordination : Ergo, Tiiere muft be a poffibiiity of lucceedmg fome other way ; for, nerKo tenetur ad iwpoffibile: God's Gifts of IJeht are not to be put under a Bufhel. While I live where my Pains may bs fpared and others enough may competently (upply my Room, I will do nothing disorderly, nor without Authority from Man, fo far as belongs to them to convey it • and if they that have Power filence me, I will be filent. But if I live where there' is a v}-fible Neceflity of my Labours,! will, by Gods Help, rather preach without Authority j yea, though I were filenced, than forbear; as knowing that Men have their Power to Edification, and not to DeftruAion ; and I will rather venture to anfwer before God to the Charge of doing Good, and laving Souls to Chrift without Im-pofition of Hands, or Human Appointment, than the Charge of hiding my Talent as a flothflil, evil Servant, and of letting Men go to Hell, and reject Chrift for want of a Commiffion from Man to hinder them, fur I know that He that con-vertetb a Sinner from the Error (f hit way, hath faved his Soul from death and covered a multitude of Sim , Jam. $. 20. 6. Chrilt himfelf hath taught us in Scripture fo to interrupt his Laws, as that Ceremonials and meer Pofitives, do give way to natural Morals and Subltantials; and that when two Duties come together and cannot both be performed, the greater muft be cho(en ; and therefore it is fb in our prefent Cafe. i. Even under the Law this is oft manifefted ; to inftance but in one: Ciicumcifion it felf,which vvasfo far neceffary as to be called God's Covenant, and he that neglefted it was to be cut off from the People, yet in the Wii-dernels for forty Years together is difpenfed with, and gives place to greater natural Duties. 2. Much more under the Gofpel, when God placeth lefs in Externals, as choofing fuch Worlhippers as will worfhip him in Spirit and in Truth. Chrift often healeth on the Sabbath Day, and tells them it is lawful to do Good (^viz,. ne-teflary Good) en that Day. He telU them that David., when he was Hungry, and they that were with him, did eat the Shew-bread which was not lawful (viz.. without fuch Neceffity) for him to eat, but only for the Prisfts: And that the Priefls in the Temple do break the Sabbath, and are bJamelefs, and therefore juftifies his Difciples for rubbing the Eares of Corn. If the Prophet IJaiab under the Law could tell them, that This was the Fafi which the Lord hath chofen to loofe the Bands of Wickednefs ; to undoe the heavy Burdens, and to let the Oppre£ed go Free, and to break every Take, If. 58. 6, 7. And the Holy Ghoft faith, I will not reprove thee for thy Sacrifices, or thy Burnt Offerings to have been continually before tne Pfal. JO. 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 Works of it, for want of a Man rightly ordained himfelf to fay. Gee. There is fome great Moment in that Leffon which Chrift calls the Pharifes fo emphatically to learn, Mati 9. i;. But go ye noWy and learn what that meaneth, I will have A^ercy and not Sacrifice : Nor is Chrifl very forward to latisfie their Demand, By what Authority dofl thou thefe things ? Mat. ar. 24, 27. Nay, he fiatly refuled. 7. An Ordained Minifter may havefufficient cauie to give over his Calling, without the Will of the Ordainer, or any in his place; therefore he may have fufficient Caufe to affume it, without the Will of an Oidainer. The Antecedent is doubtlefs; Nay, it may be his Duty to give over j as if the People do generally rejeft him, or if he be called to an Employment where he may be certainly more lerviceable, or is fitter for; or when there are many abler to fupply his Place if he remove, &c. For the Confequence, perhaps you will fay. It follows not, bscaule all mutt concurto a Man's Call to the Work : But one thing wanting may call him fiom it. But I anfwer, The Strength of the Confequence is here ; in that as clear a Call at leaft is neceffary to take a Man off a Courfe of Duty in fo needful an Employment, as to put him on: And therefore let us fuppofe a Parity in other Refpedts, and look only at that one Reafon, The Good of the Church : It is certain, that if 1 knew I were a great Wrong to the Church by my Continuance (as by keeping out one far better, or the like) I were bound to give over, though without the Ordainers Content, or againft it, if it cannot be had : Therefore it follows, that if my cxercifing that Office be undoubtedly Confideratis conftderanda to the great Good of the Church, I may do it without ail

Ordainer

AT T E N "D I X. Numb. IL

Ordainer, if Ordination catinot be had : It is the Onus and Laboi-, that is, the firft and chief thing confiderable in the Miniftry, and the Honos and Power is but in or-det to that. 8. If Secular Power may be derived from God^ at leaft, io far as to oblige the Subjefts to Obedience, and to give them the Benefits of that Power, and this without any regular authoritative Conveyance from Man, then fo may Ecclcfiaflical Power alfo. But the Antecedent is true: Ergo, The Antecedent is proved, i. In that Scripture commands us to obey fuch as the Roman Emperore thenwere, Rom. i;. who had no fuch Conveyance. 2. EUe it would be haid to know what Power to acknowledge : For what Nation is there where the Line of Succeffion, as to a lawful Conveyance, hsth not been interrupted.' IViUiam the Conqueror's Title being bad, fo muff all that hold from him. King Stephen^ was worle. The Houfes of York indLancafier had rather neither of them a good Title, than both. What Nation is there that muit not acknowledge the Original from the Sword ? I ftiall 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 againfl the Parliaments Caule. And I think if it were proved that the People have the Power of making a King, it would fbon be proved, that that way of Succel^ fion hath been oft enough interrupted. And for the Sword of unjuft War, if Violence gives right in one cafe, why not in another i but this will not, I fuppofc, be owned. Moreover, if an Interruption of the Succeflion of Legitimate Conveyance of Power, do leave us uncapable of any juft Succeffion hereafter, or any true Power, then either all Commonwealths, or moff are diiTolved for ever, or ours at Jeaft, till God immediately ihall choofe a new. But that is not true : It being a Conclufion deftrudive to all Civil Government, and all Obedience of Subjeds to the World's End. The Confequence is proved in that there is the fame Neceffity of uninterrupted Succeffion in Legitimate Conveyance of Secular Power, as is <^ the forefaid Conveyance of Ecclefiaftical Power; for there is no Power but of God. And therefore I would have you here anfwer all your own Queftions, whether King Charles did receive his Power immediately from God, or mediately : if mediately, then whether by an uninterrupted Succeffionof Legitimate Conveyance, or by fome Scripture Mediation ? And how Scripture which meddles not with the tndi'vidua fhould confer Power on him as a fit Medium? For my part, I (hall anfwer this as I do the other, I think Providence doth Stgmre indi'viduum. 9. If undeniable Ufurpation did not null the Miniderial Actions of the Priefts before Chriff's Death, then want of Authoritative Ecclefiaftical Ordination in cafe of Neceffity will not null the A<aions of Church-Governors now. At wrum prim: Ergo, and confequently if their Aftions be not null, then their Ordinations are not null. That (he Prielh then came not in God's way (which wastofucceed by Birth from Aaron) but that the Priefthood was uliirped by others; yea, commonly bought with Money of the Komans, and became at laft but annual, if not two at once, is known beyond doubt. That their Adions were not null, as to others, appears by Chrift's teacliingMen tofubmitto them, and make uleof them, as he did the Lepers, and by many other Paffages. The Reafon of the Confequence lyeth in the equal neceffity of uninterrupted Succeffion then and now ; Yea, the neceffity then was far more apparent, in that God had more clearly fixed it to the Tribe of Levi, and the Line oi Aaron, than he hath done now to Ecclefiaftical Legitimate Ordination, and becaufe under that Law of Ceremonies (whereof the High-Priefthood was the Topas typifying Chrift, &c. ) God would not fo eafily 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 fiibmit to the Minifterial Adions offomeUfurpers: Ergo, he is ready to give them the Bleffings which are the end of thofe Aiftions j and confequently they are not null to them; and confequently Ordination is not null to fuch; which is one Adion. The Major is proved before, and indeed needs no Proof For the Minor, God tyes us to fubmit to the Minifterial Adions of him that is tn fede (at leaft) if we know him not to be an Ulurpar ; but many may be Ufurpers tn fede, whom yet we know not to be fiich (nor can well know:) Yea, many fuch have been already : Ergo, If the Major be denyed, all peoples Ecclefiaftical Obedience is unavoidably overthrown. The Mtnor is apparent; i. In that it is not the Peoples Duty fo much as narrowly to pry into his Call, whom they find in fede ; fb as to require Satisfaiftioa 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 Biihops were truly Confecrated at all, much leG; wliether juftly, much lei*, whether from an uointerrupted Succeffion of juft

Ordination

Ordination. No nor do they know whether their Minii^ers were ever ordained or not : And it hath been known that marty have proved Ufurpers (efpecially at Rome) wliich the Common People could not know; and therefore could not by luch Knowledge be difobliged. 11. If the Adniinilhations of ail Ulurpers weie null, (and lb the Ordination of fuch) then innocent Peribhs and Churches fhould (nfFer (yea, Raine it felf) meerly through other Mens Faults. Buc no Man is to fiiffer for other Mens Faults meerly : £r;^o,The Mmor is evident. The Major is as evidc-nt • I. It is none of the Churches Fault, or at leaft, not of each Member, that a Ufurpcr fecretly intrudeth and deceiveth them, pi ctending right when he hath none. At leaft it is not always and in all Cafes their Faulc : And yet that the Church would fuffer by it, yea, Ruine it felf, is apparent i in that all the O.diiiation of iiich Men would be null, and fo all their Churches would be no true Organized Political Churches but hieer Communities, and all the Baptifm and other Admini-ftrations of all fuch Ordained Men would be null. Moreover, it is evidently againft common Equity. If the Deputy of Ireland, or the Pro-rex of NapUi were dead, and one fliould fo counterfeit the King's Hand and Seal, as that the Nobles and People could not difcern it, and fhould annex this to a Grant for the Place, and ihcw it the People, and claim the Power by it : If this Man continus the exercife of this Power for a Year before the King difplace him, or the Deceit be ditco-vered, all his Anions muft be valid as to the Benefit of ths Commonweath, though they are Treafonable to himfelf: And he conveys Power from the King to inferior Officers, who yet never received any himfelf: So is it in this prefcht Cafe 12. If the Ordination of Magiftratesdidferveturn incaleof a failing in the regular way before Chriff's Incarnation, then it may do &> now. But the former i$ t-rue : ErgOf The Reafon of the Conlequence is, both that God was as ftrift in Po-Ijtives then as now, and that there was as great Neceffity then of an uninterrupted Succeffion for derivation from God, as now there is. Solomon put out Abiathar from being High-Prielt, and put Zadock'm his ftead, 1 Ring. 2. 27, 35. Da-vidaml the Cup-tains of the Hojh Jeparated to God's Service tboje of the Sins of Afapb, and of Htman, and of Jedutbun^ who Jhould prophefie -with Harps, &c. I Chron. 2 y. i, 6. Jhey were for the Ser-vict of the Houfe of God, according t.o the Ring's Order, fo i Chron. 16. 4. lb did Solomon, z Chron. 8. 14, if. The Magiltratcs Power in Church Matters was no Ceremony or Temporary Thing. 13. When any Officers of the Temple wera dilcovered to have no juft Title, and theicupon were put out; yet none of their Adions while they were in Place, were cenfured null: Ergo, if now any be difco-vered to have no juit Title, his former Actions are not to bg judged null. The Reafon of the Confequence lyeth in the Equality of the Cafe. The Antecedent is proved from Ez,ra 2. 61. Neh. 7. 64, 6^. They fought thetr Regsjler among tboje that were reckoned by Genealogy, but they were not found : therefore were they as foUuted put from the Vrieflboodi So lieh. 13. 29, 30. And therefore the Ordination done before fuch Ejeftion, is not null.

And that the individual Perfon to receive this Power, may be determined of in cafe of neceffity, without anEcclefiaftical Authoritative Determination, may further appear thus : i. If the individual Perfon may be determined of ordinarily, or fometimes by the Peoples Elecftion to be prelented to the Minifters for their Ordination, or Confirmation, then may the individual Perfon be deterinined of by the People to be presented to God immediately, for his Ordination, in cafe there be no Ordainers to be had. But the Antecedent is true: Ergo, the Antecedent is proved, I. From the Apodles Inftruftion to the Church of y<r«/fl/ew, AEi. 6. %. Choofe you, tr look you out feziea Men of honejt- Report, full of the Holy Gbo(i and U^ifdom, Tv^om we may appoint ever this Btifmefs. They defcribe the Men, and leave them to nominate them that were fuch. And if the Church can do this to prefent to the Apoftlcs, then it leems they are competent Dilcerners of Such. If the Apoflles fiad faid, (We do appoint and authorize the feven Men whom you fhall choofe, fb that they be liich and fuch Men) the Ordination had been as valid, on Suppofition of fuch an Eleftion, as it was when it followed the Election. And if the Apo-flles might have fb done, no donfat, God may fb do by his Law : For he doth the fame, vtii. defcribe the Perfons, and confer the Power, particularly, and on an In-di'vidtium -vagum, and fometimes t^uafi fgnatum j artd if popular EleAion can make it an Individiium dettrminatum, then all is done. 2. And the Church hath continued this Cuftom lb far, that Councils decreed Ordinations invalid without Elections of the People; yea, if they were but afrighted and over-av/ed, and did it notfreely. Inibmuch that Cyprian faith, ?lebs maximam habet, pote/iatem, wel dignoi SaCirdotts glegendi, x-el mdignot n<uf»n4i [ Till the bloody bout in the choiss of DAmafw, it

" V*

is known that the Peoples Eledion was the principle.Oeterfniner of the individual Peifon, or at leaft 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 liem to intimate in laying the flrels of all vour Argument upon this, that it meddles with no Indivuluum of thele times. The Law gives Authority to that individual Perfon that is juftly nominated or determined of. But a right qualified Man , chofen only by the People, in cale there be no Ordainer, is jullly determinated of or nominated : Ergo , The Lavit gives Authority to luch. Where note, that the Law needs no other Condition to the aduating of its Cdnveyance, but only the Determination of the recipient Per-. ion. iThen note, that regularly Officers and People are to join in this Determination of the Per(on : The People fometime being in eleding, and the Officers con-clulively 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 {hall authorize; though the very determination it felf, as by the Officers, is an Ad of Authority, Now whenever two Parties are made Con-caufes, or are to concur in luch Determinations, when one Party faileth, the Power and Duty is folely in the other. At leaft, it is hence apparent, that there is a poflible way left for the determining of Inclivtdmms in this Age. 2. If the Law do fo far defcribe the Perlbns to receive Power, as that a Bifliop can nominate the Perfons by the Light of that Delcription, then it doth fo far delcribe the.Perfons as that others may nominate them by the Light of that Defcription. But'the Antecedent is true: Ergo, The Antecedent you will own; or elie farewell all Epifco pal Ordihation : The Confequence is plain, in that others may be able to lee that which a Bilhop can fee; and in neceffity, at leaft may do it. This therefore wholly anlwers your Argument againff the Law being a fufficient Medium eo nomine^ becaufe it mtddles not with Individuums ; for it meddles with none of the Individuals, which Bifliops determine of; and yet it is the Law that conveys the Power when the Bilhop hath determined of the Perlbn to receive it (as Spalatcvfis hath largely proved of Kings). Law is God's Inftrument of conveying Right, and im-pofing Duty ; though Men may be the Media Apflkatknu. The Law is to be conceived as in this Form [Ido authortZje the Perfons that JJ)all be jufily determined of according to this Defcription']. And becaufe Minifterial Determinations are the ordinary regular way, with the Peoples Conlent, it is, q. d. [Ordinarily, I do authorize the Tcrfcns whom Ecclcfiadical Fewer Jliall determine of, according to this Defcription^ t Sb that it is God by his Law?, that gives the Power: As when a Corporation is to choole their Bailiff or Major; it is the Law or Charter that is the immediate inftru-' mentof effedive Conve ance of the Power, though xhQ Choolers are. the Media jipf.icattonis ; and perhaps fome capital Burgelfes may have the chief Power in choDiing.him ordinarily.. 3. If the People mayjisr Judicium Vifcretionu, difcem^^ whether a Bifliop have ordained them one agreeable to the Scripture Defcription,'^ then may they alio dilcern, whether a Man be agreeable to ir, though unordained. But the antecedent is true : Ergo, .Were not the People Co judge.of this, then they inuft receive any Heretick or Infidel without Tryal, if ordained their Bilhop. Bud; that is.not trtie. . Though the Officers contradid it, yet the People of themlelvesi are bound to rejed a Heretick Bilhop.' r. It is a general Precept, A Man that isa'> Heretick avoid; and with liich no not to eat. If a Bilhop ordaini over this' Church.a common unreformed Drunkard, Rayler, &c. The Holy Ghoft bids us not to eat, i. c. have Communion with him. 2. Cyprian determines it, that Tlebs ■ cbftijuens praccptts Dom'mtcu i^ Deum metuent a Peccatore prapsfito fcparare fe debet, nccfead,Jacnlegi facerdaiis Sacraficia mt/cere. 4. If the Cale may be lb plain, who the l^erfonis that God would have, as that there isno room for a Controverly about it, then itmay poffibly bcdetermined by the meer Light of the Law, without a Judge. But the-Gale may be fo plain : Ergo, The Antecedent is proved thus; When thele things following vifibly concur, then the'cafe is lb plain : ,1. When the Perfon is vifibJy tjtcilifiid) with Abilities, and Piety, and a Righteous Convcrfation to Men. 2. Wbeii he hath a Will to it. 3. When he hath Opportunity, as having Liberty from fecul.ir.Power,' Proximity, a known Language, Vacancy from other Engage-; ments and Employments of more neceffity, d^c. 4. When the Peoples Hearts are moved towards him. f.. And when there is no Competitor, or none who equal-jj leth hiiijyi-.of norlo.raany but that all m.iy be chofen, when thefe concur there is no controverfy who Ihoul.l be the Man ; if you f y there may be many luch, and who knows then which to choofe: I AnlVver. i. Congregations Ihould hav:e many Pa-

Numb. II. ATTENVIX.

33

ftors ordinarily: 2. Providence anfwereth that Objedion for me ; h is exceeding hard to find half enough that are competent. God hath not given his Church more than they need ; but contrarily, there is need of many more than he hath given. It is therefore all Mens Duties, that have Ability and Opportunity, to be Preachers, if they be not taken up with Employments of greater u(e to the Church, fas Secular Rulers often are) but they mult leek an orderly admiffion, where it is poffible, and not be their own Judges of their Htnefj, where there are other Judges of God's appointment : Chrift bids us to pray the Lord of the Harveft, to lend forth Labourers into the Harvefl, becaufe the Harveft is great, and the Labourers few. It is vifibly true, in a great meafure, to this day j what we mul> pi ay for, that wemuft endeavour, that the Labourers may in Number be proportioned to the Work^ and we are like to have ufe for that Prayer dill. 3. Ic is not always that there arc too many (o apparently fit: And therefore at leaft when it is not (b, the determination of the Individual Perfon is eafie. 4. As the Bilhops Determination of one among many is valid, lb is the Determination of others in cafe of Ncceffity. The Law of Nature, and well ordered Common-wealths doth require, that every Ignorant Man that thinks himfelf Skilful, fhould not play the Phyfician, leaft he kill Men ; nor the School-mafter, leall he delude and corrupt them : And therefore, that there fhould be (brae able Men appointed to try and judge who are fit, before they are admitted. I think God's Law of Nature requi-reth tips as evidendy, as the written Law requireth, that none be Minifters without Ecclefiaftical Ordination, or Approbation; and in cafe there be m.iny of equal fit-nefs, all niuft be admitted, except they be too many (which is norleen there neither, for Nature multiplieth not the raoft noble Parts, as it doth the the Fingers, or the Hairs, &c.) And if there be too many, the Judges muft Determine who (hall 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 fuch as are Ignorant or Wicked, that would Poylbn and Kill the People, if is Lawful and the indifpenfible Duty of fuch as are able, to offer themielves for Praftilc to the People without the Judges Conlent, rather then the Peftilence /hould 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 fave Mens Lives, for want of Approbation : Or if there were many at once in an Infeded City that were thus able, they would rather let all Praftile that have opportunity, or let the People go to whom thev pleafe, then to forbid all, under pretence of the difficulty of difcerning the fittefV. As fcarce any thing is more Inhumane againft Nature, then to prefer a Commiffion or other Formality, or point of Order, before Mens Lives and Common Kiood ; (which is fnts Reipublica) (b it is yet more Inhumane, as well as Unchriflian, and againft the evident Law of Nature, and the main Icopc of Chrift's Merciful Doiflrine and Example, (who often neg-lefted Formalities to lave Mens Lives and Souls, though to the Dil'pleafiire of the Phariles) 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. y. If in cafe of the want of a lawful Magiftrate, or of fuch as they may lawfully ufe for Judgments, the People may determine of an individual Pcrlbn, whom God fhall Authorize, though Scripture Name no Individual of this Age, then they may do lb allb in regard of the Miniftry. But the former is true. Er^o, i. EUe we fhould have no Magiftrates in the World fcarce, but by violent intrulion, which is worle than popular Eledion, 2. i Cor. 6. i, 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 Magillrate, ac leaft, ^uoad partem Judicialcm, tho not <juoad •violentam executioncm. They were to choofe a wife Man, that fhould be able to judge between his Brethren, 'verfe 5-. The con-fequence is grounded on this, that the Scripture meddles no more with the Individuals for Magiftracy, then for Minillry; nor gives ordinarily the power of choofing Soveraigns to'the People in the Common-wealth, then the Power of Ordaining Mini-fters to the People of a particular Church, and the People may determine of one as well (though not foeafily) as of theother j but I fpoke fbmewhat of thisalfo before to another Point. I have tranfgrefTed the limits of the part of a Refpondenton this point, i. Becaufe I know it is Light, and noi Formality of Proceeding that you expcdt (though it be formality before Light and Safety that you plead for J 2, Becaufe I know that the whole ffrefs of your Caulc lyeth on thib Point; and I doubt not to lay, that if I anfwer you well in this one Argument^ which you make

E youj;

your Second, leafily carry the whole Caufe. To what you add concerning Authority, I coijfeis, that it is not the fame thirg with Fitnefi, 6^c. but I fay, ic may be conveyed y/»e vicariu Epijcopis. 2. I deny that any Church-Guides are in point of Government 'vicurii Cbrtfii. They are iie^fei^ it asNunai, and fo may Befecch and Require in Chrift's Name and Stead; but they are no mpre his wc<ir;;, then the Magiftrate is of the SoveraJgn. They are not Pro-reges ; nor do they reprefent his Perlbn. They have not that Power which they convey to others, firlt in them-lelves to convey (at leafl: in onitnando fares) but are only media afpltcandi hgcm ad perforam.

Ad ;"*. To your Third Argument I anfwer, Inraders of the Minifterial Office may unjuftly take Encouragement hence v but no juft Encouragement is givsn them. The beft things are Occalions of encouraging Men in Sin, e. g. Gods Mercifulneis, Chrilt's Satiffadion, the Preaching of Free-Grace, &c. To your Queftion, if thii be fufficient, why do we not give them the Right Hand of Fciiowliiiy ? I an-r fwer, They defpife ornegkft God's Order, and therefore deferve not the Hsnd of Fellowlhip. If God bid them (go and work in his Vineyard) but for Order's rak« (go in at this Doorj he that will not go in at this Door is a dilbbedient Servant, and not to be owned till he reform. But if God hinifelf donai! up this Dcio*', theje needs no exprefi Difpeniacion for our not going in at it; for mma tenttur ad impjfibile (nifs ipje fit Cauja culpahilu tmfojjibilitatit :) Nor is it ncceifary that it \iQ exprelfed that (we go in at another Door) for the Command of going to laboiir in the Vineyard is not abrogated by the locking up of that Door ; iesing as it was o^exiid nmut fat cf Its 6\i&&.\y, fed ut fie fiat ^ io It \i nailed up wn ne fiat, Jed tie fie fiat ; and therefore the Command requires us to go in at another. If bj Law every Phyfician that Pracliceth in London, muft be approved by the Colledgc, he delervesto be punilht, and not tjken for a Phyfician, that will profels and pradiico it without the Approbation of the CoUedge ; and every wi/e Patient will fear leait he b= Conlcious of luch Unworthinels, as that he dares not venture a Tryal, or at the beR, lie is a difobedient Sufc jed. But if the CoUedge of Phyficlans be dead or dilToived, any worthy Man may piofcls and praiftice without their Approbation, arrd as the Law of Nature binds him to do Good, fo the Obligation that limited him is fpjo facio dilTolved, cfjjtmte materia^ where you lay that (this extream neceffityis their Cafe;. I anlwer. Nothing more untrue : They flight and defpife Ordination ; they may be ordained if they would fubmit themlelves to tryal, if they be found he : But they will not. Their falfe Imaginations create no necsffity ; but a necef-fjty of laying thern by, and receiving the Truth, which is impofedon them by God j or if they will call it a Necelfity that is impoled on them by their Error, it is but a NecclTity of not being ordained while they judge it finful (whichyet is none, be-caule they are Hill bound to lay by that Conceit) but not a Necedtty of being Mi-nilicrs in the niean time without it : Befides that, as it is a Neceffity of Sufpenfion and Foi bear^nce, and not of Atfting, lo it is themfelves that are the culpable Caufe of it: awAexculpa propria mtnini debetur commoium. If yaux think he mufl blow up the Parliament, and K/Jxwi/y/<?c/£ thit he mui't Ifab a King, doth this neceffitate th«.m ? Such a Neceflicy as every wicked Man brings on himfelf of finning by a Cufior.i in Sin, wh.ich aggravates, and not excuieth his Fault, which is evident wl.en ti.e Cafe is made plain by God, and only their Negligence, or finful Prejudice ■ hndefcth them f/on) Recovery out of their Error : For the {Grant) that you ciefire, 1 /ay I am loach to yield thatChrift iuthno known Minillry on Earth, that I may keep out Invaders. To your Cale abouc Apoftacy, I anfwer, There are many other Cales that may neceflirate an Entrance into tiie Miniltry without Ordination ,■ beliUes univcifal Apoftacy. i. So gieat an Apollracy as was in the Jrriati Pre-v^icncy. 2. Such unlawful ingredientsas are in the Romilh Ordination. ;. The Dta h, or the violent Prolcription of the Ordainers in one Kingdom. For if all that are found to work in the Vineyard, to exercile the Miniltry, muft but go to another Land for it. Poverty, Weiknefs, Magiftrates Prohibition may 16 reltrain rhem, that not one of a Hundred could enter when God doth by the Churches Ne-ceHity call to it. Much kls could all the World travail fir Ordaination to (bme Corner of the Earth. As for the Churches Officers which you mention, chat went along in Rtformacioi, ii's true ot Presbyters ; they were the Leaders j but lo few Bilhops out of England, that the Reformed Churches were forced to go on, without their Ordination. But to this Day, there is a neceffity of Preaching without Ordination, by legitimate Church Guides, in many Parts of the World j and I doubt nor. but it is the great Sin of many that it is negleAed. I luppole did you confider well but the S:nce of tha Law Natural, ^d iuperaaturaUy revealed, you would

noc

not be lb inclinable to turn Seeker, nor to expe<a new Miracles, ApofHes, or Revelations -upon the Suppofition you make j and for all your Words, if it came to the Pradice, I do not believe that you have lb hard a Heart, fo unmerciful a Nature, as to leave this one Nation, much lels all the World, to that apparent danger of EverlalHng Damnation, and God's publick Worlhip to be utterly caft out, if I can but prove that theSucceflton of Legitimate Church Ordination is interrupted.

Ad 4"", To your Fourth Argument, I anlwer, I am as tar from believing Impo-fition of Hands effential to Ordination, as any of the relh The Bifhop that was laft fave one in this Diocefs was fo lame of the Gout, that he could not move his Hand to ones Head, and though his Chaplain did hisbeft to help him, yet I couid not well tell whether I might call it ImpoHtion of Hands when I fa'w it: Yet I never heard any on that Ground, fulpe<a a nullity in his Ordination : Nor do I think that a Bifiiop lofeth all his Power of Ordination if he lofe his Hands, or the Motion of them. i. Impofition of Hands was an old Cuftom in a Superiors Ad of Benedidion, or letting a part to Office and conveying Power, and not newly inftituted by Chrift, but continued as a well known Sign, and therefore not cf fuch Neceffity as you imagin. 2. The End will fhew 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 effential to Ordination or Authorizing : But, &c. Erq-o 5. God did not lay liich a ftrels on Ceremonies, no not under the Ceremonial Law' no not on the great initiating Sign and Seal of Circumcifion, without which. Men were entered, and continued in his Church for Forty Years in the Wildernel?. Your Argument is, CChrift hath revealed to his Church that it is his Mind or Will that his Church's Officers be let apart by Impofition of Hands: Ergo, It foUow-eth that Impofition of Hands is neceffary and effential to their Separation). Anjw. Negatur fe^tiela : It follows a fracepto, only that it's neceffary Ntcefitate pracepti, and if you will, Necefitate medit, if you Ipeak not of abfolute Neceffity ad eJJ'e Ordl-tiationu, but a lower Neceffity, as of a mutable means, and ad bene ejje. Do yoa think this is good arguing ? (The Holy Ghoft hath revealed it to be the Will of Ghrift, that a Bifliop mull be blamelels, and having faithful Children, and be not foon angry. Tit. i. 6, 7. One that rukth well his own Houfe', havivg his Children in fub-je£lion with all Gravity, i Ttm. 3. 4, j, 6. Ergo, It is effential to a Bifhop, to have faithful Children to be blamelels,not to be fbon Angvy,&c.) O, what an Interruption then is made in the Succeffion I or is this good arguing? (It is the Will ofChrilt that a ChrilHan Ihould not Ipeak an Idle Word: Ergo, He that fpeaks an idle Word is not a ChrilHan). Next you luppoleyourfelf quellioned (How you know that ic was Chrift's Mind and Will,th.it Impofition of Hands (hould be uled in the Ordination of Minifters r) and you confels, i. That you (have neither exprels, nor itn-plicite Command for it.) 2. But conclude, that Chrift's Mind may be otherwife known ; I confels, I like this Paffage worfe than all the reft of your Writing, i, I can find both implicite, and in a large fenirt explicite Commands for it in the Word of God, i Ttm. 5. 22. Heb. 6. 2. i Tim. 4.14. at leaft an implicite, that is unqueftionably plain. 2. If you had confeffed as readily only this, that there was no Word of God implicite, or explicite to prove the Effentiality of Impofition of Hands to Ordination, then I Ihould have believed you: But you will needs do more, and do much to deftroy the very Duty of Impofition, while you are pleading ic fo effential (fo unhappy are extream Courfes, and fo fure a way is overdoing to undoing): Yet with me you give up the Caufe of the fuppofed Effentiality in difclaiming Scripture Precept, implicite. 3. 1 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 lb much as implicite : And conlequently, that Scripture is not God's only Word for revealing fupernaturally, or his lufficient Law for obliging to Duties of univerfal ftanding neceffity ; but he hath another Word called Tradition, which revcaleth one part of his Mind as the Scripture doth the other, and another Law obliging as aforefaid. This is the great Mafter Difference between the Reformed Churches and the Romanifls; of which fo much is faid by IVhittakcr, Chamier, Baromus, 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 difclaim the Reformed 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 ChtUmgworth. Yet I muft tell you, that feme moderate Papifts confels, that the written Word containeth all things of abfolute neceffity to Salvation J but I doubt you do not fo; for I think you will fay that ordinarily there is

E 2 no

no Salvation without the Church and Miniftry, and no Miniftry without Ordination,' and no Ordination without Impofition of Handsj and nolmpofuion of Hands by any Sc; ipture Command, fo much as implicite. Yea, it feems you take not up this Courfe on any ftrofigly-apparent iNJeceffity, when fuch Cafes as this will put you on it; and you are fo willmg to make the Scripture filent, where itfpsaks plain-ly^ that yc u may prove a neceflity of another Word. I do conf^fs the neceffity of Tradition to deliver us Tafe the icriprure it felf, the Cabinet with the Trealiire, and the certainty of Tradition inleconding Scripture by handing down to us the Articles of our Creed, and Suhftance of ChriUianity, in and againft which, the Church cannot err in fenju compo/ito, becaufe fo erring unchurcheth it: But this will not prove the neceflity of another Law befides the written Law, for it is opta fubordtna-tum : It is not the part of a Law, nor belongs to it's fufficiency to publilh, promulgate, or conierve it (elf. But it belongs to it's Sufficiency to contain all the itanding matter of Duty, iv Specie, where the Species is permanently due, and in genere only with Direftfons for determining of the Species, when the faid Species is of uncei tain, unconft?nt, mutable Duenefs: He that laith a Duty of fo great and Handing nectffity, is not fo much as implicitely commanded in Scripture, doth plainly fay, that befides the Scripture, which is infufficient, God hath either another more perfed Law for Supernaturals, or elfe, another part to add to the Scripture to make it perfea:. Your Addition moUifieth the Matter in Terms, but I doubt Icarce in Senfe, for when you fay that (the Texts where Impofition oi Hands is fpoken of commented upon by the univerfal Pradice of the Church from the firfl: Age, till this wild exorbitant lalt 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 oblcure, the Pradice of the firft, fecond, or third Centuries may be an excellent Commentary; that is, a help to underftand them; much more the Pradice of the univerlal Church in all Ages. But I mult tell you, that it is not the Work of a Commentary on the Laws exprefly to add (iich Precepts, about matters of fuch very great Concernment, as is the very being of the Republick, which are neither exprefly, or implicitly in the Lav/ it feif, I muft juc^ge therefore, that you make the Churches Pradice a real Law, though you thought meet to give it but the Title of a Comment. And Ifcarce approve of your comparative Terms of the Centuries as bad as this is ^ What I hath this Century, which hath been the only reforming Age, been worfe than that before it, vvhofe Corruptions it reformed ? and worfe than that of which Bellarmine faith, Hoc [eculo nullum extitit ivdoBius vel trifochcius quo qui Aiatbema-tica aut Phtlofophia operam dabat, Magm vulgo futabatiir: and th.it of which £/C peticaus faith, that Grace nojce fuj])eclum fuerit, Hebraicum prope Hareticum ? What worfe than the four or five foregoing Centuries, wherein Murderers, Traytors, common Whoremongers, Sodomites, Hereticks were the pretended Heads of the Church, and groQy ignorant, fuperflitious and wicked ones were the confpicuous part of the Body. Will you appeal from this Century to thofe? Did you not even now confeis, that (it is admirably worth ourConfideration that when God fHrred up thediowzy World to depart from Romes Superltitions and Idolatries, he bowed the Hearts of fonie of the Church-Officers to go along with them) Rome then was idolatrous. We departed from it, God flirred Men up, and bowed their Hearts thereto: I confefs you may fay as much for the proving of the Univc-fd Churches Pradice, in this Point, as in moft, it being of conftant and folemn ufe, and none that I know of, that ever oppofed it. But if you hold this univerfil Pradice to be the other part of God s Law, and do lay any thing much on it in other Points, efpecially in Dodrinals, 1 would advife you to get better Proof of the Univeriali-ty than others ufe to bring, who go that way. As the Romifh Church is not the the Univerla!, nor the Romilh and Greek together, fo the Opinion of four or five, or more Fathers is no Evidence, of the Judgment of the univerfil Church : Till they are better agreed with themlelyes and one another ; it is hard taking a view of the Judgment of the Church univeifal in them, in controverted Points. Till Ori-gen, Teriulltan, &c. ceafe to be accounted Hereticks ; till Firmilian/is, Cyprian, and the Council of Carthage be better agreed with Stephen Bifbopof Rome, till Kuffima ceale to be a Heretick to Hierom, and many the like Dilcords; it's hard feeing the Face of the Church univerfal in this Glafi. I was but even now reaching in Hierom, where he tells Aufiin, that there were quaJam Haretica in his Writings againf} him ; when yet to the impartial Reader, the an,<^ry Man, that morofus Senex, had the unfounder Caufe. As long .is the Writings of Clem. Alexandr. Origcn, Jati-ovHi, pretended Dyont/im, Laclanttns, with fo many more, do tot erroribus fcatere, s long as mnay Councils have fo erred, and Council is a great Council, and fome

things

things are impofed by them , under the terrible Pennalty of Anaih^^matlzina which Rowe itielf doth take unlawful to be oblerved, thefe are not pjrlcd Indices of the Mind ofChriil or the univerfal Church. Read Baromns himfeif, Tom. 5. what abundance of Errors in Hiftory he charj^eth upon Epipbani^ts ar.d others." I fiippole you to have read Daille, and the Lord Digbjon tb.isj yet think not tliat I would detrad froiTi thedueEIHmationof the Fatheis, or Councils, or from thene-ceflity of Tradition to the ufe which 1 have exprelTed in the Preface to the Second part of my Book of Rejt. But I know not well in the matter of Not-kneeling and Not-fafting on the Lord's Day, Not reading the Books of Heathens, &c how a Man ihould obey both the foimer Councils, and the prefent Church of Rome it lelf; yea, or how in matter of giving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to Infants, and other things the prefent Church and the former do agree. And I would know, whether it was not the Praftice of that which you call the univerfal Church then, which the following Ages did alter and contradiA. But all this part of the Anfwer is but occafional as to your Amplifications, and not to the matter under debate. I further anfwer you therefore, that the univerfal Pradice of the Church doth prove no more but that it was done, and therefore by them judged a Duty to be done, and lb not to be omitted while they could ule it; all which I grant you. I am not one that would have Ordination uled without Impofition, but in cafe of neceffity: But it follows not from all this, that it is elTential to Ordination-fuppofe a Church inltitute a new Ceremony, that every Bifhop ordained fliall have a Helmet on, to fignify that he mufl'fight valiandy as a Captain under Chrif}-, and the Ordainer mult lay his Hands on this : If I can prove that it hath been jthe univerlal Pradice of the Church in nudum apenum caput manus impoaere, doth it follow that this is elTentialjand the contrary null ?lf you aik,what neceffity there can be of Ord'm^non/me mannm Impojitiofie ? I anfwer, very great and ordinary : 'viz,. ut abfentes ordinentur j for want of which the Church hath fufFered, and may fuffer very much. When a Man is ?n remote Parts of the World, and perhaps too fcrupel-ous of playing the Billiop without Ordination, if he muft travel over Land and Sea for Ordination, his Life may begone, or moft of itfpent, while he isleeking Authority to ufe it for his Matter. If a few only of the Ordainers were left in 3 Country, or in many Nations, and thole imprifoned or forced to hide themfelves they might by an Inftrument under their Hands Ordain, when they could not at all, or to one of a hundred by Impofition of Hands. But yet all this is but the leaft necelTary 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,whatfhew of fuch a Confequence ? May not the illegitimate Ordainer imponere manus ? Or may he not himfeif enter by I npofition of Hands, and yet be illegitimate, and his Calling null ? If you think not only Impofirionto beell'ential, but alfo that nothing elfe is efTen-tial, or that all are true Miniffers that are ordained by a bwful Bifliop per manum impofittonem, then do you egrioufly tibt ipfi imponere. Suppole a lawful Bifhop fhould ordain a Man into an unlawful Ofiice, as to be the univerfal Bifhop i or fliould ordain a known Heathen to be a Bilhop 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 m.iy Oi dain others by Impofition of Hands: Suppofe in the cafe of Pope Jone, the Succeflion interrupted for want of a capable Sex, and yet Ihe might Ordain by Impofition of Hands. Laftljfy 1 anlwer, This Argument can pretend to prove no more than the former. That Ordination is elTential to the Call of the Miniftry: Ergo, So far as that is dilproved, fo far is this. And indeed, it had been llronger arguing a l>!e-ceJlltate Ordtnationts ad necejjttatem impofitionis mantmm,than e contra ; becaufe all Arguing Ihould be a Notiore: But fure the Neceflity of Impofition of Hands is mims no-tnm, then the neceffity of Ordination: Many a Thoufand will yield that Ordination i; elTential (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 Arguments do tend as well to prove the ablblute Neceffity of an uninterrupted Succeffion ^uoad tf/odum^ as to every Mode and Circumftance in Ordination, which the Apo-Itles have required as due, without exprefs Difpenlation for Omiffion, as of legitimate Ecclefiaftical Ordination it lelf; then they are unlcmnd. At verum prius: Ergo, The Antecedent is proved thus: The full Strength of all your Arguments is here. Chrifl or his Apoitles (or the Church fince) have mentioned no other way of Conveying Minifterial Power, but by Ordination and Impofition of Hands:

Ergo,

~^^~~~ AT T E N T> I X. Numb. IJ.

Ergo, There is no other way ; and this is neceffary ad ejje Officii: As ftrongly may we argue for any Mode or convenient Circumftance lb required or ufed. As Chrift or his Apoftles mention no way of Ordination or of conveying the Minifte-rial Power, but with Prayer conjund, or but with Impofition of Hands on the bare Head, or but in the Syriack, Hebrew, Greek, or Latin Tongues, or but on a Man that is vigilant, fober, and of good Behaviour, &c. Ergo, There is no other way : ErgPy This is of abfolute Neceffity, ad ejje Officii. But this is no good arguing: Ergo, No more is yours. It is as bad as if one had thus argued with the IJraeliter in the Wi!dernef«. (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 fa;derfs in Ecclefia.) They are no goo<^ Juris Confulti Cbrijriani, i. e. Theology that know not that Ibme Cafes mufi: be ji'dgeJ, atjd fome Laws in-terpreted, yj\' i7ne!x.ea.v, which yet is but according to the true Senle of that Law; as Chrift taught the Pharifes in the Cale of David, the Prieits, and hisDifciples rubbing the Ears of Corn.

I conclude all as I begun, defiring that if this fatisfy you not, you would perform the other Parts of your Undertaking, before, or with your Reply to this, and blame not me, who am paft all doubt of an Interruption of Succeffion in a great part of the Churches, efpecially of the Romilh, and uncertain of a Non-inteifup-tion in any Church on Earth, and defpair of ever being certain, to be as loath to yield that Chrift hath no Church Miniftry or Minifrerial^Ordinances, or at leaft none in fo large a part of the profcffed Church, or that we are uncertain whether he hath any at sU; as you are loath to yield to the immediate Authorizing Efficacy of the Law, or to the Sufficiency of the Magiftrates, or Peoples Mediation in cale of neceffity, or to ^ Occafion of encouraging Ufurpers of the Miniftry,

TertuUian de Baptifmo, Cap. 17.

Suferefi ad cotxltidcndam materioJam de obfervatione quoque dandi df accifundi Baptif-mum commontfacere. Dandi quidtm jus habet jummw Sacerdos, qui eji Epifcoput: De' hinc Treshji.'.ri & Diaconi ; non tamen fine Eptjcopi authoritate propter eccle/ia homrem : quo falvo, [aha pax eji. Alioquin etiam laicis jus efi. Quod enim ex aqua eccipitur, ex aquo dart potefi, mjiEpifcopi jam aut Fresbjtiri aut Diaconi vocanter, dicer.tes, Domini jermo fton debet abjcondt ab ullo. Vro^nde & baptijmm aqua Dei cenfits, ab omnibus eX' erceri poteji : Jed quanta majis Laicis difciplina ijerecundia & modejiia incumbit, qum ea, majorihus ccmpttat, ne fibi adfumant dicatum Epifcopi officium Epijccpatus. <-y£mulatio jchijmatum matur : Omnia Itfcere dixit fanBiffimtts Apolloltts, Jed non omnia expedire. Sufficiat fcilicet in neceffitattbus, ut utaris, Jicubt, attt loci, aut tcmporis, aut perjona con-■ ditie ccmpellit. Tunc enim conjtantia Juccurrentis excipitur, quam ttrget circtimfiantia peri-clitdntis. OuD7i!am reus ait perditi homints Ji fiiper federit prajtan quod libere potutt, PetulatJtia autem mtdierum qua: ujurpa-vit docere, utiq'y non etiam tingendi jus fibi pariet^ &c. Had there been here no mention of the Epifjopal Office or of teaching, the Arguments would hold for it a fortiore. Chrift hath put Baptizing in the Apofto-lica! commiflton, appropriating that to them, as much as the relt. Yet whether all this of TertuUian be approvable I now dilpute not. But here you fee the way of Antiquity, "vidc Tamelii annotat. in loc. tibi fimilia citanttir ex Ambrofi, Ch?n. Conjlitut. Hieronymo, Hjlario, Jfidoro. And it isnot only the Papifts that areftill for Womens baptizing in cale of Neceffity (PaW;/<f would force Tcm/i/Mw to their Senfe, contrary 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 {aszyEde-[itis and Frumentiits) among Infidels, Coned. Carthag. 4. alias 5. Can. 98. Laictts pr£-Jentibus clericis niji ipjis rcgantibus Docere non aiidiat. Origcn did ufually expound the Scriptures publickly, before he was ordained, and was encouraged in it by the Bi-fliops themfclves, of which Baromm himlelf fpeaks in thefe Words (ad annum Chri-y?/2 5o. fag. 3 77J Licet ncndumVresbyterii gradu potius, ab Epifcopij qui ibi erant, non ad difputandtim jolum, fed ad Scripturas etiam appcriendas, magnopere in communi Ecclefia cotifeJIu rogatus ejt. Quod quidem poterit eJJe perjpicuum ex its qua Alexander Hieroja-lymorum Epijcopus C^ TlncSiijius Epijcopus Cajarix ad demetrium in Origenis defenjione fie fere rcjpondtbant. Quod autem in litiris adjunxerts, nur.quam antea auditum, ncque jam _ tifurpatum ut Laici prafntibus Epifcopis dijputarent, Scrtpturajqt exp'nercnt; in eo mtbi nefcio quomndo videris perjficue faija dixijje. Nam ubt idonci & habiles reperiuntur, qui Eratribus in verba Dei adjumento fint, a fanilis Epijcopii rogantur, ut Populum in verba itiJlitu.Tiit: ficut Larandis Evclpis a Neone, Iconii Faulmus a Celfi, df apud Synados Theo-dorus ab /Ittico^ qui omnes be.itt & pii Fratres erant. At venfimile ef, quamvis nobis ob-

Jcurum

nation of a M<in not lawfully ordained ^imfcir mii(t fce V^l^' iricafe ot'a, ^reatSif neceffity. This is the confident Opinion of tire g^eraTity brProteftaJitsl 'l^h'*^ Lutherans, Hehitiatis, and many orhec^ iiiy, a regular Call is by M.igiftrates, Miiii-(ters and Pcop'ej yet that it's vaiid; M" one pare f^il : Lege Fm-b's Defence of C*U. I. 28. fag' 60. "joet. Jiifp^raC ((it^. ^ag. 1C6^ 267. Ju'o.in. Dari'ts de tlierarch., Efclef, f-10. To conclude, as it feen:^ Matthias md tie other ApoUlss Were Ofdaihgd witn-out Impofition of Hands^^ly Gregory Thtimaiurgui was ordained by Fh'A.iHtttn both againft his Will, and when hewasdiibnt thre; Days Journey ; as Gregory Nj/Jni faith in his Orat. de Vita Ibaitmat. when Gregory avoided the Hands of the Bi'.hop,. he byjjf^i{*ye*an.i folemn Words fets him a part to ihe Piiclthood, 6^ toco Mmus Imvufiio?iis Oregorio adhihst Sermontm, Deo Confereris eujit qui Corpore coram »on jdijjlt, df itlam ci dvitatem defnnans atqtie attribuevs quamcontigerat^ &c-) This JV);^i7j ipeaf'.j of as true OiCrination, and the Form jh^wt that it'^^As a ««)jT/!<>ku^rtg him iii tha: Office, Biihop of Neoctcfarea: tlioujjh iUronins fJridSng thi* PiAdll upon his Catife, would frfjn petfjade us that this could yet be no Ordination till afrcrWards when hs came in amJ (iibmitted to the Solemnities (Usrofi. tn An, 235. f, 407,4C8J vv? wiU_^ net contend about the Word Ordination, but it was aiiauthoritatiifo Conliciaclou to God as a BiHiop, and a Conllituting him over that Church by Prayer and fo-lemn Words of Conlecratiori. And it ISsrns Jfo"o%^' and marty othiirs preached in the Apaftles Days without Ordination. Eut our Divines having dealtfo much witb the Papilis on this Subjcdt^ I fuppoJeyou may le-i more in their Writing-, ^^^ yv'-^ can exped: from

Sept. 9. i6j3 ■ Tfur B¥f>the^

and Fellow SiPvant^

•">3 v;}

Kich. "Baxter^

Mr. Jobfifons Second Letter to Mr. Bixter. SIR,

THive hire enclosed fcr.t jcU back the Papirs -which I borrowed of you, and I kivs kcrifa^ jcruptUus in Jefsdwg thcr/f back ixaiHj ibe fame as thty "were firft fr.t to you, that 1 baiii not jo mueb its mended joTr.e Errata which I obftrved (in the Copying them over) to have Jl'pt m,y Fen when I write them firf.

I htive/incii I reciivcd my own Papers, ferttfed the Anjwer which yoii make to themi hut what I sm like to ret tint, I cannot guffs: Fur I cannot yet tell whether you have fatif-fied niy Argun:en:s or v:t. This I know, and ^iall notbe ajljamed to confejs, that if you have, I have nit yet IVtt enough to ur.dtrjtand you. But before I will Jay you have not^ I will a little more confder your Arfwer, 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 judge of my own Heart^ 1 never trejuired more unbialjedly afttr any Truth, than I do after th:s prefent Queftion j and therefore 1 do not doubt, but tf Light be before me, I fliall at length fee it, though for the prefent it be hid from me : For as I faid(if I know my own Heart) lean fine erdy fay i that in this Quejlion I fould he well content to find the Truth, though it ran crofs againft tvery Line in mj own Tapos. But I mu/l fieeds confefs, if 1 have Truth on my fide in this Qucliion, (.ud afer the m ji dd'igtiv.t Examination which I can make, it fliali fhll appear that to plead for en uninterrupted iuccc^ion be of abfolute neceffity for the ju/lifytrg of cur Almifiry, I jhall mver dijpuic tie uther Matters with the like mdiffcrency. For in this tombat I could he content 10 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 ha^je many temp-tttiens befort mt to hi (afraid of otvning Trvtb^ if I ^jauld mset »>itb htr cut ef my owri

Quartert,

i^uarters. And therefore hefide the Tains which it will coft me to difcharge the Task, the •very Fear which I jljaU be tn leafi Ipeuld mifcarry in the Managing, makes me more than Jivilling to take a Superfedeas here. But if this cannot be done, you fliall have the refi which 1 fromifed, ferformed in the fame order as your felf have fiifulated, viz. before I make any Refly te yours, I jl^all endeavour to difcharge the three other Particulars which re-mainbehind^ and all in due time from,

SIR,

Wamhorn, OM. 6. Your Fellow-labourer,

and Enquirer after Truth,

M. Johnfofi,

For my Reverend, &c. very worthy Friend, Mr. Baxter, Minifter of the Word at Kidderminifier, Thefe.

:r

Mr. Johnfon*/ Third Letter to Mr. Baxter.

S I Rt

N my late Letter which I fent you, I told you, That I could not refblve my lelf whether you had anfwered my Arguments or not, but intended to try my

* own Reafon a little farther, before I would fay pofitively that you had not. And

* now upon further Confideration, I return you this to your whole Difcourfe : i.

* Whereas you fay to my firft Argument that it was neceflary for our Englifti Bi-

* fhops to prove an interrupted Succedion againft the Papifls, becaufe they might

* thereby argue ad hominem more ftrongly againd them. I anfwer. That (iich learn-' ed Men as I hsve had the luck to meet withal, do not intend their Arguments or ' theur Paias to any fuch end, and I prove that fufficiently thus. Becaufe they that

* do ufe fuch kind of Replies do ufually frame their Anfwers thus: i. That there is ' no neceflity of fuch a Succeflion. But, Secondly, If there was a neceffity, yet the 'nullity of our Calling would not follow, becaufe we can provefuch a Succeflion.

* But lay I, the learned Authors which I have hitherto met withal, have no fuch ' Concellions: And becaufe you feem often to hint Ibme fuch thing, I defire yoti

• * would point me out to fome Englilh Bilhop, who having written about this Sub-' jeft, do concede, that a Succeflion in Office, or a Succeflion of legitimate Ordi-^ nation is not neceflary. And I do the more confidently require this from you, be-^Dx.mn:-'' caufe I have it from * one who is much better acquainted with Authors than my mond in his' (elf, that the Socinian Fadion were the firft that ever owned that AflTertion. And six Que- ( jf he be able to make good what he faith, you gain as little Credit by abetting fuch »''")P-3^:.c^ Fadion as they are, in your Aflertions, as we get by abetting the Papifts, while

* we plead for the quite contrary.

' But Secondly, Whereas you deny the Conlequence, and tell me that all which

* they thought nscefliary is not necefl^ary, they being not infallible. I anfwer, that

* you lay more ftreis upon my firft Argument than I intended : For I never intend-

* ed to argue thus: That therefore it was infallably necefl^ary becaufe they thought

* it necefl".<ry, but that it was a good inducing Motive to perfuade that it was a

* matter of more confequence than your Papers made of it, flnce learned Men ' took lb much Pains about it: And though this indeed will not extend to a De-' monflration, yet it may ferve as far as I intended it, viz,, as far as an Argument

* will reach, drawn only from that inartificial Topick a Tejlimonio, which you know

* in all contefls is familiarly ufed, and not to be rejeded if the Tefiees be Men of

* Worth and Learning. And if Co, then this Argument will ftand good fb far as ' it will (erve, or was intended, notwithftanding any thing that hath been faid to

* the Contrary.

I 'To

'To the Second Argument, Whereas you doubt not to (ay. That if youanlwer ' me well in this, you carry the whole Caufe afore you. J /hall 16 fir gratify you 'as to acknowledge that you have liifHciently anfwercd it, tlii ugh I mull alfo pro-

* fefs that I cannot find wherein you have given a forni.il anfwer to ir. For the ' Apex, or the Quick of the Argument (as you are plealed to phrale it) w-as laid

* down in this Propofition [That there is no where in Scripture liich a Form of

* Words as theie. [That tiiey that are thus and thus qualihed may Preach the

* Word.l Now to this you anfwer, That there is <juoad fefjfum. And I reply, ' That this will ferve my cum, if you do bur make it out: But I lay, that I cannot ' find it in your Papers. You urge fix Particularsprefendy, froii whence, I fuppole, ' you intend to doit. But at length, yourlelffall befide the Queftionin thewind-

* ing them up. For whereas you fay, that the Form in the Law w.ns not only thuii '[That they that Preach the Word mufV be thus and thus qualified ;] but [That

* they that are thus and thus qualified may be appointed to Preach the WorJj f

* think you are befide theQueilion. For I did not engage you to prove that these ' were in Scripture fuch a Form cf Words as this : [But they that are thus and thus

* Qualified Ihall be appointed to Preach] hut [ That Men thus and thus qu.'lificd may ' Preach the Word, or have in being lo qu^jlified. Authority to preach the Word]

* betwixt which two Propofitions 1 conceive there is much Difference; It is ' one thing to fay, [That they that are thus and thus qu.iiifii'd may be apppint-

* ed, that is, may have Authority given them to preach the Word.j, And it is a

* fer different thing to fay, [That they that are thus and tiius qualified may preach

* or h^vQ de faBo Authority to Preach, being lb qualified, j And b?i;ig ufed as ' Mediums in a Syllogilin will produce very different Conclufions, For Example,

* Suppufe we could find fuch a Form of Words in Scripture as theli;, [That they

* that are thus and thus qualified may preach the Word :] And make this iheMajor\n

* the Syliogiim.Then any fingle Perlon or hdfvidiium a could infallibly frame himfelf ' into the Aifumption thus, [But I am thus and thus qualifiedj might int'allably aU

* io make out his Commiflion to preach into this Gonclufion: Ergo, I have Autho-' rity to pleach the Word. And without any thing to'do with further Ordination ' might pielcntly go about the Work: The Word giving him his Commiflion, and ' I confefs were there fiich a Form, would be a fufficient Medium to convey Au-' thority as a fufficient DifcovL-rer of the Will of God concerning (u:h anlndividu-' um. But then, if there be only (iich a Form as this; [7"hey that are thu? and

* thus qualified fhall he appointed to Preach the Word ;] Then any fingle Petlbn or ' hdtvtduum, having firit fitted himfeU into the Minor i\\\i%^ ['Put I am thus and thus

* qualified] could make no other Gonclufion but this: Ergo, 1 may be appointed to

* Preach the Word j which Gonclufion, as I never did deny, (b it is little Adv.in-

* tage for you to have proved : For the Queftion is not whether the Word doth di-. ' red: wholhall be appointed to Preach: But whether the Word doth immediately,

* by an impiediare Application of fjmethingimmediately, by an immediate Appii-' cation of Tomething in its felf to an Indtvtdftum, conveigh Authority into that In-*■ d^vtduum to Preach, fc> as there fhall be no need of lurther af)poin!ing or commif-' fioning fiom Ghurch Officers: which it would have done if thei;e i>ad be^n fuch a ' Senle in the Word as \ required. But no fixh matter, though there jhould be ' fuch a Senie as you produce : For I cannot yield that which-you conceive we are ' both agreed in; 'vtz,. That when the Word hath delcribeJ the Qualifications of

* the N:iinifter, that then the^e is no more to do but to difcern or judge who is the

* the Man that hath thole Qialifications; for though the Bi(hop ihould judge fuch ' or iiith an Indi-viduum to be fitly qualified for the Minillry, as difcerning the ''Qualifications which the Word requires in him ; yet till he hath by Impofition of • ' Hands, Fading and Prayer, let him apart fortiie Work, he is ye: no Miailtwrto

' my underllanding, whatever he may be to yours.

' But, Sir, I confefs,. though you have not formalitur anfvvered this Argument, ' yet you have given me lb much Light from your moil excelleat Difcou:ft; which 'you make fiom your e^mnto to the End of this Second Arguments Reply, that i ' can anfwer it my felf. And therefore I Ihall, as I faid at the b^iginning, acknow-' ledge that you have both fatisfied it, and my own fcrupulous Mind about this ' QuelHon : And Ldo fully confent with you, that though the Succeflion of Or-' dination might be interrupted, yet we may draw our Authority trom Ghrill by ' the Mediativ n of t!ie written Word, or indeed by the very Law of Nature, which ' was a thing I confefs I had not (as your felf feems to tax me) duely confidered. ' But now, having well weighted what Strefs both Laws Uy upon all Men to do

* what good they can when they have an Opportunity and there he a neceffity of

F ' their

' their Help. I do not doubt but a Man may have a fufficient Dilcovery of the ' Will of Chrift calling him out to Duty, and by Confequence giving him fuffici-

* ent Authority for that Work, though he may want the regular entrance into it. ' And therefore fince 1 fee a way to juiHfy the Miniftryjandto derive our Authori-

* ty fromChrift/hough the Succeflion lliould be interrupted (though alfo in the mean

* 1 think all the^Men alive may be defied to make full Proof either that the Succef-

* fion ever was, or ever ihall be interrupted) I fliall neither trouble you nor my ' (elf any farther about a bufineis to lb little purpofe. But fuperceding from all ' the reft of my promifed Task fliall only add Ibmething concerning your Reply to

* my thirdArgument; and that is this :To myOueftion that I make in the Behalf of

* the Invaders of our Office, why we Clamour lo much againft them, why we give

* them not the Right Hand of Fellowfhip ? you anfwer, We do not, we may not ' give them the Right Hand of Fellowlhip, becaufe they come not into the Vine-

* yard by the Door. But I Reply from your own Principles that it is for them ' morally impoffible to come in by the Door, the Door to them being by Provi-

* dence nailed hp: 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 ' theii Orders from them falvii confcientul, it becomes impoflible to them, quia om-

* m turn & tnhoneftum eft mpofibtle. And To, though you fay, nothing is more un-

* true, yet to me, nothing leems more evident, than that the cafe of extream Ne-' ceffiiy is their cale. The Anabapfid for Example; he cannot be ordained by a ' Bifiiop, he dare nor, becaufe he judges the very Order to be Antichriftian : The ' Presby'ery, it he have any better Opinion of them, yet they think ib ill of him, ' that they willnot give him Orders. Either therefore, though he be never fowell ' qualified for the Work, he muft take his Call from the Company of Brethren, ' or he mud take it upon his own dilcerning the Qiialifications in himfelf, or he

* mud not Preacli at all, though he fees the Church of Chrifl have never fo much ' need ofhisHelp.Now if you fay that in fuch a Cale 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 if, or the Magiftrate either. Then they have the fame Authority ' which we muft have if the Succeffion be interrupted, and the Door of the Vine-' vard niiled up by Providence: and Co their Authority leems built upon yourowa ' Principles. Now to all this if you fay, that it is their Error to be Anabaptifts,and ' it is iheir Error to Judge the vifible Miniftry of England to be rw Church-Offices, ' and that it is their Duty to quit themlelves of thele Errors, that they may be in a ' Capacity to receive Ordinations, and the Presbytery in a Capacity to Ordain

•' them, as you do in effeft fay. To this I anlvver, that I think, as well as you, chat

* thdfi'are their Errors, and that thefe Errors ought to be laid afide. But yet, this ' bcin" laid, doth not abfolve them from the cafe of extream Neceflky which I

* [peak of. An erroneous Confcience binding as ftrongly as a found ; and an Er-' ror appearing Trurlt, lays as great a Neceffity upon the Party to frame his Pra-' dile to it as Truth : And (b the Neceffity becomes ftill as importunate. Me-' tliinks this Anfwer which you give may be mada by Papiils to us Prote-.' Hants, and by the Epifcopal Party to you Presbyteries, when we tell the Papifts, ' that we dare not take Orders from them, or the Presbyterian tells the Epifcopacy

* that they dare not take Orders from them : Howeafily may the Papifts fay to us, ' it is our Error ? how ferioufly may the Epilcopal fay to the Presbyterian, it is

* your Error ?You create Impoflibilities and Neceffitiesuponyour lelves by your er-

* ronious Conlciences ? But if we Proteftants cannot rejed that Neceffity which ' lies upon us of refufing Orders from the Papifts: or if the Presbyterian cannot re-' jed: the Impoffibility that lies before them of taking Orders from the Prelates ' whilft their Conciences tells them they may not. Why may not the Seftary upon ' as good Griund, and as juftifiable Principles refufe Orders from the Presbyterian,

* and plead as ftrongly a moral Impoffibility and a nailing up the Vineyards Door

* hy Providence^ whilft theirConfciencestells them they may not; andfo baulking ' thofethat we call Church-Officers enter as reguUnly into the Miniftry, or at \eM ' as inconilitably as any other Men, if the Succeffion be interrupted ^ And there-' fore I cannot think that you have anfwered this Argument, except the two firft

* Lines contains it; where you lay. That the beft things may be made ufe of asOc-' calions to encourage Men in Sin, &c. becaule I think tliat there is much Truth in ' that, and that the Inconvenience which this Argument hath hanged upon that Al-' fertion, is but incommodttm per accidens, which miy bs fattened upon moft of tha ' Tru'hs of God : I fjpsrfede likewilc in that AnlWcr co my third Argum^it. As

'for

* for my Fourth Argument, I confels it was frivo)ouf>y urged to the prelent Qiiefti-» on, and 1 have wondered at my felf how I came to hock it in under the pielcnc

* Debate ; and therefore I will return you nothing to what you havelaid agalnfl^ it: ' But giving you many Thanks for that Help which you have held out to my Un-

• deiftanding towards that weighty Queflion of juflifving the Calling of the Mini-

• ftry ; I beleech the Almighty long continue your Life to the Advantage of his 'Church. And this done, without further Ceremony, 1 bid you farewell, and rsll

Wamborne, Nov. 9. Tour Fello-w Labourer

in the Gojpel of ChriJ},-

M. Johiifoip.'

For my Reverend, &c. very worthy Friend, Mr. Baxter^ MiriiffSr" of the Word at Ktddermtmjhr, Thele.

Mr. Baxter'/ Second Letter to Mr, Johnfon.

Reverend Brother,

* I Know not whether I am more glad of your Satisfadion, or fonowful thdC

* X you will needs fupercedc the Task which you undertook. I confeG it is a La-

* hour which 1 apprehend would be ufeful to me many ways j but a (trong Conceit

* of the Impoffibility of performing it, did flack my Defnes: But now you tanta-

* lize me, exprefling here a higher Confidence of the Feafeablenefs of your Work ' than before, (in your defying all the World on the contrary) : So that I muft agaia

* renew my fiiit to you, that you would perform that Work, and prove dt failo an

* uninterrupted Succeflion. I profeft, it is for my own Edification that 1 defire It ;

* and if you fufpeft whether it be to cavil, or enter a Quarrel with, you miftake

* me. Such a Difcovery would difpatch leveral DifTicuUies with me in leveral

* Controverfies.

' As for your Animadverfions laft (ent, I fhall reply to'the fubftance of them la

* brief i. The Firft I conceive little worth the infilling on, becaule tirlf you con-

* fels it is but a Motive to induce you to think there is weight in the Point. 2. Be-

* caufe if there were any thing in it, the contrary Judgments of all the Learned Di-

* vines of France, Bel^ia , upper Germany , Heivetta , T>enmarkj Sweeden, Scot-' land, Jranfilvania, Hungary, with a great part of the EngliHi, who are againd

* the neceffity of an uninterrupted Succeilion, is as ftrong a motive to an

* unprejudiced Man, as is the Judgfr.ent of the Bilhops of England alone. But

' 2. It is a known Cafe part all doubt, that the Englifli Bilhops oppofed thePa-

* pills in this Point, till of later Years; and to n.ime you more, what neod I,

* when you know I named you {o many in my Book i To all which add, That even

* che late exafperated Epifcopal Divines, whereof fome havebeen (ufpedted of halt-' ing, do yet confefs theTruth of the Reformed Churches and Miniltry that have

* no Bilhops ; as doth Dr.F<:r«,Dr. Steu'art's,kniwtx to Fountain's Letter,Bifhop Brom-

* hall againll Altliteritis, 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 againll tha ' Papifls befoie the late Kings Reign, or the Treaty of the Spanilh Match, but were

* all againfl the Papilh in this Point of the neceffity of uninterrupted Succe/Iion

* (if they medbd with the Point).

' Ad 2"". The Reafon why you fuv not a Formal Anfwer in my Words, I con-

* ceive was yourOverfight, you took nonocice of the Force of my Anfwer. You ' required this Propolltion to be proved from Scripture [They that are thus and

* thus qualified may preach the Word] I told you it is contained in this which is

* in Scripture [ Men thus and thus qu,iliried jliall be appointed to preach ' the Wnrd.l Here you overlook the Strength of my Anfwer, which is in the ' Word []Iw//,l and yna not only obfcure the Emphafis, but change the Word,

* and put [WijyJ for [//w//. ] Here is conciiued a Precept corriprehenfive both of ' the Preacher's Work, and the Ordaincrs conjundly. Now all my Bufinefs was to ' Ihew you,that as in this there are more Precepts than onc,fo th^i ficufidum materlam

* jubjeUam they have not theiame Degree of Obligation ; and that" though God da

F 2 * lay

AT T Eli'D IX. Numb. II.

* lay down together his Law both de re&'de 7»o</o,of theWork,and the Order of en-

* tring on it, yet that the later is but/or the former and fubfervient to ir, and a more

* difpenfable thing, and that when the Ordairiers fail of their Duty (which is his

* own Precept included herein) the Perfon to be ordained remaineth neverthelels

* obliged by the other part: So that while Ordination may be had, this ties fuch

* to fubmit to it, and makes it neceflary as God's Order j and then the whole Pre-

* ceptcomprehenfive obligeth : Eut when it cannot be had, or the Ordainer will

* not obey his part of the Precept, the other Hands in force neverthelefs to the other 5 Party.

' The Words [Men thus qualified ^all be ordained] hath thefs two Precepts in it. ' The Firft in Order and Weight is [Men thus qualified jhatl preach the Word.]

* The Second fubfervient is, [They (hall {ordims gratia) be ordained hereto] He that

* is wilfully thefirft Divider of thefe Conjunft Precepts finneth. Either the Man ' that will Preach without fubmitting to Ordination, when it may be had ; or the

* Ordainers that will not Ordain the Orthodox,or otherwife well qualifiqd.Buc feeing

* the Word [^aW] in the forelaid Precept, doth create a double Neceffity, but far

* unequal, [there fijall be Preaching] and \^Ergo, there jhall be Ordaining] it fol-

* loweth from the inequality, that when one cealeth, the other doth not ergo ceafe^

* and lb when Ordination cannot be had, the Propofition which you expedted, re -

* maineth alone, which before was conjunct: with another. [Men thus qualified jJ;a5

* Preach:] This was the Summ of my Anfwer, which I do repeat -yer^w* nimium

* becaufe you overlooked it the laft time.

* But you add, [I cannot yield that which you conceive we are both agreed in j

* 'Viz.. That when the Word hath defcribed the Qualifications of the Minister, that ' there is no more to do , but to difcern and judge who is the Man that hath

* thefe Qualifications: For though the BUhop fhould judge liich 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 Minifler to my Underltanding, whatever he may be t9

* yours.] To this I reply; i. I take the Form of Ordination to lye in the Au,-

* thoritative Appointment; and, God having defcribed the Perfon by his Quali-

* fications, I take the formal nature of this Appointment to lye only in [the det6r-

* mining Judgment] who (hall be the Man : For [whether there (hall be a Man ap-

* pointed or not] God hath not left to Man's Judgment; nor yet [what manner of ' Man, for Qualifications, he (hall be]: If, Ergo, the lawRil Ordainers (ay, [We

* do by the Authority given us of God judge, i. e. (entence or determine , that

* confideratiiy conftderandu, this is the Man that is qualified, and (o called of God to ' be the Paftor of this Church ; and Ergo, require ycu in the Name of Chrift, to

* accept him,and fubmit to him ;]chis Man is ordained my Judgmenr,yea,though this

* Determination be but in Writing. So if it be dire<9:ed to the Miniiler himfelf:

* (which goes firft) [we do by the Authority given us of God, Judge thee called to

* the Office of the Miniftry ; and Ergo, require thee to undertake it.] By called I

* mean ex parte Dei, by Qualification, Conlent, Opportunity, &c. which go be-

* fore Ordaining.

* Now what do you yet want ad ejfe Mintflri ? You mention but two things, i.

* Impofition of Hands. 2. Falling and Prayer:. (For fetting a part is done by the ' former Authoritative Determination) But i. Impofition you anon deny to be fo

* neceflary, in difclaiming your laft Argument j which you feem here to forget.

* 2. Fading and Prayer is, no doubt a mean Accident, or Duty fitly conjoined, but ' not of the ElTence of Ordination I think few Men living will fay,that if the Law-

* ful Ordainer do all the reft of the Work befides Prayer, that ic is no Ordination ;

* Prayer is one thing (requifite ad bene ejje) and Ordination another. And for Faft-' ing, I could not learn that thofe Bifhops that I knew did always obferve it ; but

* vvhen the Ordination was before dinner time (as it ufually was) and the Bifiiop

* went prelently from Ordination to his Feaft ; that was not the Fafting, I think, ' which you mean. But how are you facisfied that we may derive our Authority

* immediately from the Law, if there were no Succeffion ? and yet think him no

* Minifter that hath the determinating Sentence of the Ordainer's Appointing him to

* the Work, for want of Impofition of Hand's, Prayer and Fafting.

*Adi"". I marvel, that on (6 very flight Grounds, you think that [nothing is ' more evident, than that the cafe of extream Neceffity is their cafe] who invade ' the Miniftry among us now ! I told you that Kemtnt dthitur Commodujn ex propria ' culpa (as the Civil Law faith) I diftinguifhed between moral Impofltbility vicious

* and culpable, and inculpable; and between neceffitating to Sin, and neceflitating

■to.

Numb. II. ATTE1NT>IX.

* tOj or conftituting of Duty j and I told you, that the impoffibility that lay on

* them of right entering was vicious, or through their own Sin ; and God dorh not

* caufe Men to Sin. I told you alio, that this erring Conlcience might neceffitat6

* them to fin, that is, enfnare tliem, that they flialUin v*hether they do or not do •

* but it can never warrant them in obeying it. 1*1115 was the Senfe of my

* Speech, though not the Words. To expliin which, 1 dofiie you to obferve, that

* bofjam ejt ex caufi integris, at leaft (jmad Species, if not quoad GraJra. So that God 'requireth to a Virtuous Adion which fliall be properly and pleftarily Moral, i. el ' voluntary, i: That it be made due by his own Precept or Law. 2. That it be Hp-

* prehended (lich by the Intellect, and fo by the JFr/^ eleifled, andeli:ire as fuch':

* So that where Confcience takes that to be Duty which is none, it hath %ut C^d-

* urn apparenj, & non verum ; k catcheth a Shadow, apprehending a Duty wliicti' is ■* no Dutyi fo there may be interpretative • "li kind'of fortftal Rtalbn of Obe-'dience in the Will (the Guided Faculty) in that it did will that wftich was tefe-' lented to it as due, but there wants the Matter ^nd the Ftjfn of Obedltfficc ' quoad hominem, who is intelligent alfo : yea, here you muff diftingtrifh becvW&n ' Ignorance culpable, (and fuperable) and inculpable : For when ihs Ignorance is

* culpable,it cannot be faid that the guilty Will doth properly oWire,becaaieit was 2

* caule of its own mif-leading by the'intellect: And in our Cafe, that IgnoritUb is

* always culpable. I do wonder, Ergo, that you fliould fay, (and lay all on th.it Mi-

* ffake) that fan erroneous Conlcience binds as ftrongly as a foundjjpr the Obljgati-

* on of Confcience is fubordinate to God's Preceptive Obligation. God makes Du-

* ty, and Confcience doth but apprehend Duty : So that an erring Confcience can-

* not make Duty entirely and materially : We mufl: not make a God of an erring ' Conlcience, much lefs can it make that no Sin, whicH God hath made Sin ; yea,

* make that Duty, which God made Sin. God's Precepts lye thus: [i. Thou

* Ihalt not run before thou art fent] This is tp the whole Man; and no Error of

* Mans can repeal it. Then [2. The WiUjijuff follow the right guiding Intelleca.]

* This is haturalj and excufeth not the following of an erring Judgment. Then '. C?* That the Will follow the praftical Intelled whether right or wrong] thgt js ' no Precept, but the Nature of the Soul in its ading, becaule that Will is poten-' ttntia ceca, mn nata, ad intelligendum, fed ad volendum <vel^ nokndum intelle£l(im: So

* that it is a moft intolkrable thing to grant that Man's Error can^ make Duty no 'Duty, or Sin no Sin. If Man muft will bomm apprehepjum, he may necefficate ' himfelf to fin in hischoicej by mifapprehending j becaufe then, though Benum ' be ftill Rotium, yet it is apprehenfum fab Ratione mali, d^ e contra, and {b one of the ' two NeceiTaries to right ffiliingis wanting ; but apprehending fvalhm to be hnum ' doth not make it lb; and Ergo, then the greater NccelTary is wanting to the ercir>g

* Confcience, •vi-z.i God's Conftitution : So that whether you fay as Durandut, thac

* Confcieniia errgm Ligat at mn obligat, or whether you fay, as others, that ligare And ' obhgare are all one ; yet Hill the cale 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 falls out but when the Ignorance is inculpable, which is never in our

* Cafe;] Even while the Perfon erreth, he lyeth under a double Obligation :• i,

* To do the Duty, or avoid the Sin. 2, To judge rightly of Sin and Duty, and

* apprehend them as they are ; and fo to lay down his Error : So that all your

* Words import but this; [An erring Man cannot choofe but err; or, cannot over-

* come it :3 But not [he is, ergo, innocent :'] For it is liis own Fault that brought ' him to it, and continueth him in it. He that is accuffomed to do evil, isnotin-

* hocent, becaufe he can no more Isarn to (Jo well, than a Blackamore can ' change his Skin, &c.

' 2. This Anfwerof yours leems again to me, to be inconfiftent with your pro-' felled Conviction. For if you do indeed think i. That in c^fe of neceffity the ' Succeflion is not neceflary. 2. And that nothing is more evident than thac 'thefe Men haveluch Neceffity :] then you muff think that thefe Men are lawful ' Minifters; which I know you do not. Where the Flaw is, and what Link of this ' Chain you will break, I cannot tell.

* 5. And when you lay, that (the Papifts may fay .is cafily to us, as we to the ' Se4iVaries, that it is our Error, &c. (and f6 the Epiic(jp.U. Party) that we will not 'take Orders from them.j I reply. They may lay it as eafily, but if as truly, they

* conclude us under Guilt, and carry the Caufe. Twenty Parties may lay they are

* all in the right, doth it follow thac they are all foj becauf«they make the fame Pre

45-

' censS'

A^P T E N T> 1 X, Numb. II.

* tenceto it ? Many Parties may Plead one Medium, one Scripture, for 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 Papilh and Anabaptifls •fay, they are intheright; Ergo, (What then? Why) they may be in the right,

* or at leaft, fljould have Liberty as well as you.] But it is not he that laith he is

* in the light, but he that is fo indeed, that Ihould be countenanced by the Magi-' ftrate : So it is not he that hath the fame Pretence, but the juftifiable Caule that

* muft carry it: Elfe what are Judges for, if each Man have right that pretends to

* it ? It our erroneous Conciences make us grope in the Dark, and luppofe the

* Papifts have nailed up the Door, when they have not, then the Sin lyeth on usj

* But if indeed the Papifts, do by wicked Oaths, and Engagements to Papal Ty-

* ranny, and to falfe Doftrines, fupernumerary Articles of Faith, and wicked Pra-

* dices, (but 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<ftions, Confufions, Corruptions, and Deflations, which they have brought

* upon the Churches of Chrift.

*AJ. 4"", I need fay nothing. ^ . * Sir, let me conclude as I begun, with a requeft that you would prove the un--^ interrupted Succeffion, for th« Information of

Nov. i8. i6j;. Tour Brother,

Rich. Baxter.

To my Reverend Brother, Mr. Johnlbn, Treacher af the Co[j>el at Womborne, This.

Mr. johnfon'j- Fourth Letter to Mr. Baxter.

SIR,

!.<,."/! Lrhough I had purpofed wholly to have fuperceded from my former Under-\*rv/jL takings, as conceiving them a fruitlefs Speculation in regard the Miniftry may

* be juftilicd without them ; yet, foralmuch as I did defie all Men alive to make

* full Proof that the Succeffion ever hath, or ever lliall be interrupted ; and upon

* the Occafion of this Defiance, you do rather invite me, than challenge me to re-

* new my Purpoie : I cannot tell how I can avoid fo much as my own Defiance ' hath engaged me to. And therefore, though very unwillingly, I {hall endeavour,

•(t-fo far as my Defiance hath engaged me, to fatisfie your Delire. And becaufe I

itherein ftandupon the Defenflve, and by confequence mufl find fbme Man that

f pretends to make full Proof of the Queftion, before I can difcharge that which

\-*. now I undertake j I cannot tell , where to meet wi'h fuch an one, unlefs it

itbe your Iclf in your late Book: And therefore I fhall apply my lelf to

-f examine your Argument, whereby you endeavour to prove that the Succeffion

' harh been already interrupted : But before I come to that I fliall return you Ibme-

f ih:ng to what you fay in the laft Papers. And Firfi, whereas you tell me to my

;?-Demand, tiiat you have inftanced in many Englilh Writers, who do all plead

* againd the PapiOs theNo-neciiffity of an uninterrupted Succeffion, I anfwer, that

* ainongfl thole Authors which you quote, I have none by me but Bifhop Je-wel, ' and fo far as I can difcern from the locu allegatis aut alibi, he fpeaks nothing at all - to the Queftion; what the other do, I Inall examine hereafter as 1 meet with

* them.

' Ad 2"". Whereas you tell me that my not feeing a formal Anfwer to my Se-' cond Argument pioceeded from an overfif^ht of the Word \_Jhall^ and a Not-ob-

* fervationof the Emphafis in if. To this I anfwer, that it is indeed true, thdt i ' did not take heed enough to the Word, for if I had, I Ihould not fo indifferently

* have (bmetimes uled it, and fometimes put an other Word in its room (which may ' make it plain that the Word was changed through inanimadvertencey rather than

* by defign); But it was not the Not-obfervation of the Word,but the Not-underftand-

* ing of the what the Word contained in it that made the Error: For if I had un-' derftood that it contained two Propofitions: r. That Men chjis and thus qualified ' fliall preach the Word, or it is the Duty of Men thus and thus qualified to preacd ' the Word. And then 2. That [Men thus and thus qualified, vrdims gratia^ /hail ' be (et apart to it, or fhall be appointed to Preach] I never had made this ' Animadverfion, but fiiould have acl^nowjedged a formal Anlwer : But I under-

* Wood it only thus, that Men thus and thus qualified Ihall be appointed, that is

* it is their Duty, being fo and fo qualified to leek for Ordination, or it is their Du-

* ty being io and fo qualified to be appointed to tiie Work : which I thought

* might be true, and yet they no Minilters till they waeJe facfo fstaparr.But now

* very well underftandiug," that it may well bear borii Propofitions, and the firfl:

* coming up clofe to the Queftion in hand, 1 Ihall willingly retrad all that I faid ' upon* that Point, and acknowledge a formal Anfwer, which I think may

* fatisfie.

' But whereas you fay, that by difclaiming my laft Argument I denied Impofiti-' on of Hands to be fo neceffacy, and by urging fomething hereabouts did feem

* to forget wliat I faid anon. I anfwer, I did never intend to deny Impofition of ' Hands to be of necefltty to legitimate Ordination. I faid indeed, an Argument

* drawn from thence againft the Qiieltionin Hand was frivolous. But I did notin-

* tend to difparage the thing it (elt any farther than Relatively to the Quaflion then ' in debate. And whereas you fay, that Fading was not uled ^ 1 anfwer, thac ' there never was any Ordination but Falling was previous to it by the Appoint-

* ment of the Church in Ember-Weeks, which were contlantly kept by the Sons of

* the Church, though neglefted by others, and this I think might ferve, though it

* was not the fame Day, and I believe you will fay fb too. But in thefe things nei-

* ther will I be boifterous till I am better informed what may be the fubffantial or *efrential Parts of Chrift's Ordinances, and what not; which I conFefs I have not

* yetfuch an Idea of; So as to (ay in every Ordinance what is eflential, and what

* not.

*'Ad. ;™ Whereas you wonder that upon fiich flight Grounds I fliould (b te-' nacioufly ftand to part of my third Argument. I anfwer, that I did not intend

* to inforce that the Cafe of extream inculpable neceflity was the Sei^aries Cafe: ' But fuch a Neceflity as did inevitably intangle them in their Invafion of the Mi-' niftty, which though it doth no ways make them lawful Minifters, ygt it makes ' them inconfiitably lawful Minifters, till the Opinions which firft made them fepa-

* rate be proved to them to be erroneous ; my meaning is this: I think if this Hy-

* pothefis be true [that in cjfe of extream Neceflity'Men may, and fome muff en-' ter irregularly into the Miniff ry] it is nof pollible to convince an Anabaptiff that 'his Invafion of the Minillerial Work is unlawful, till we can firff convince him that

* Anabptifm is erroneous. Now hereupon I thought their Hands was much

* ftrengthened over what it would have been had that Hypothefis been falle. 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 w3 cannot convince them of their En or, but their way flill ap-•*pear Tiuth to them, then they need do no more to juftifietheirPraAieetothem-^ felves, but borrow our Principle; and that fets them right, and fo thfeir Invafion ' is ipconfutablc f] om what they borrow from our felves. And fo though' they do

* not juftifie themfelves to us, becaule we think their Neceflity culpable, and

* through their own delauli^ yet they lb far juftifie by this very Principle their Pra-'<5t:ice to themfelves, that it repders them unconfutably lawful, till we.can ^rove

* and make it out plain to them, that their very Opinions are erroneous: So that

* you niift»ok while you thought that I intended to prove their Praftice lawful, ' whereas all that I intended was to Oiew that upon fuch a Principle their Invafibn ' becanie lefs confutable ; and their Hands fomething ^rengthned over they could ' have been upon the contrary Hypothefis; by which you may perhaps lee what

* I^ink of your Chain I intended to break. But enough of this, I fhall now come

* to the Bullnefs I firft fpake of. ' "^ ' - ' ■'

' Firfl therefore you lay down the Epifcopal Principles-'■';^<^.'(S^.'ii»jji,''TKk' tto

, * Church is a true Church without Minifters ; and no Man a Minifter that is not

' Ordained by a Bilhop, and no Man a Bilhop that is not ordained by a Blihbp

' lawfully called, and not deprived again of his Power : And this Bifhop muft be

' Ordained by a former Bifhop, and he by a former, and lb the Succe/fion niiift

* fae ibllowed up to the Apoftles.

'Having

' Having done thus, you catechize thefe Seekers, as you call thefe Dodors: And then proceed to prove that thde Reverend, Learned, Pious Bifhops, which yoa acknowledge to be now in this Nation, are no lawful Birtiops upon the Principles laid down j becaufe they were ordained by fuch as had no Authority to ordain. This you prove becaufe they were Ordained at length by the PopiJh Bilhops in Hen. VIII. Time, who had no Authority to Ordain ; this you prove, becaufe they derived their Authority from the Pope, who had no Authoiity to give them any. That the Pope had no Auihoriry you prove by an Interruption of Succeflion of lawful Bifhops in that Chair. Thar there hath been an Interruption in that Chair you prove by the Inffances of Libenus, Honorias, Dame Jone, and many others, as you fay, out of Billiop Jcwd. The Strength of thele Inftances depend upon that Hypothefis, that Herely or notorious Impiety doth evacuate holy Orders. ,

'' Now if it can be infallabiy proved that Herefy or Impiety doth not evacuate Holy Orders; or rather, if you cannot infallabiy prove as it is my part at this time to deny (I being upon the defenfive) that Impiety or Herely doth evacuate Holy Orders, then it will not follow that there was an Interruption, though Li-berius was an Heretick. And it no Interruption, then Pope Clement the Incumbent at Rome \n Henry V\\\. Days, was, notwithftanding whit is urged, in full Power to Ordain : And then if he had Authoi icy, then the Popilli Bilhops which derived from him had full Authority j and if they had,then our Bifhops who at length derive from them have alio full Athority : and lb the whole Struifture will fall at once if that Hypothefis, v>;hich is the Foundation of all, fhall chance to fhakc. And therefore, Sir, in the firff place, I pray you take notice, that I deny that Herely or Impiety doth evacuate Holy Orders; and exped the Proof of it.

• But then fuppole 1 fhould grant this (which 1 never intend) I may, I conceive, fairly debate, that though there Ihould be an Interruption in the Succeflton of the Chair at Rome, yet the Pope that now is, or the Pope that fat at Romem Hen. VIII. Days were fully authorized to ordain, if they were but ordained by fiich, who neither were Heretical or Impious: For the (Authority or Power of Ordination, I conceive, doth not come to any Bifhop by Vertue drawn from his Prede-ceffor iw/e^e, but by Vertue derived from him who laid Hands upon him at his .Cpnfecration. For Example, that you may underffand my meaning ; fuppole Dr. Wtnnfjfe., the late Bifhop of Lincoln, was conlecrated by the Impofition of the Biihop ot (-Vorcefiors Hand : I conceive it is unreafonable to affirm, tliat this Do-dor received his Epifcopal Orders rather from Dr. WtUtams, his Predecelfor in the Chair at Lincoln, ttian from the Bifhop of Worcefier,-who is fuppofed to lay Hands upon him at his Confecration. Or if t'he Queffion be whether he was a lawful Bi-,fhop that gave fiim Orders; I conceive tiiat it is equally unreafonable th.it we fhould go and inquire rather after Yjv.lVilliams his Authority who was his PreJecel^ (or tn JeJe, than after the Bifhop of IVorcefter, who was, or is fuppofed in the Cafe to behis Confecrator. Or if John WtUiams, who was hisPredeceffor, fhould have de fr<clo, proved an Arrian or a Conjurer while he fat in the Diocefan Chair At Lincoln, I think it is every whit as unreafonable to affirm, that therefore Dr. Wtnntjfe, who fucceeded him in that Seat, fhould lofe his Epifcopal Authority, when as his Confecrator can have no fuch thing faltencd upon him. In like manner, though Liberitts was an Arrian while he fat in the Pontifical Chair at Rome} yet if that Bilhop, whoever he was, (and look you to that) who confecrated Pope CLment were Orthodox, and lb forward till we come to the Apoflles, his Authority was .good enough, though one, or more of his Predcceffors in/ede were Hereti-cal.It you Ihallfay that the Cafe is not alike betwixt the Succeflion of Popes and other Bifhops : 1 ask, where'5 the difference .-* If you lay that the difference is in this, that the Pope claims not his Authority from his Confecrator, but from his Predecelfor.l anfwer, That it is very probable that he doth do lb: But let him and the Fopifh Dodors therefore lee how they can quit their Hands of this Interruption: For pur parts we conceive we need not be engaged in this Controverlyrit is enough for us to reply to this afl'erted Difference. That theQiicffion is not what they lay claim to, but what they.onght df jure, to lay claim to. If you lay. That ^e jure, they do challenge their Authority from their Predeceffors, I exped that you mult prove it, before I will promile \ou that I will believe it. But if you lay, that the' Difference is only this, Ttiatthcy do de facio claim their Authority after another manner than other Bifhops; then I rejnyn, that it do'h not follow, that they have their Authority after another manner than other Bilhops; becaule they fay they have. If therefore the facnltas Ordinandi doth not come from the Bifhop's Predecelfor in fedej but from the Bilhop who is the Confecrator. Then, Sir,

' you

Numb. JI. A T T E N T> I X,

4-9

you muft prove that (ome of thole BilhopswhoConfecrated Pope C/*-we«/c're che Succeflion reach the Apoftles were Hereticks : It little avails to prove that Ibnie of his Predeceflbrs in Catbedre was luch, at leaft to me, who are udwiliing to bs thought a Proteftant.

* But then Tbtrdly, Suppofe we Ihould^rant this (which we likewife never iritend) how will you make ic appear that our Bi(hops in Hen. Vlll. Time had their Authority from the then incurnbing Pope. If you fay, they went over to him for Impofitionof Hands, that's improbable j if you fay he came over to them, that's intollerable ; if you fay, that he did delegate his Authority to fome of our Eng-lilh Bilhops, or fent a Deputy, or Nuncio authorized to thofe Ends: I anfwer, that it may be true that he did lb. But then the Queftion will again be, whether our Englifh Bilhops had not full Authority to have done all this without his Knowledge J or whether rather an Expeftation of a Commiflion from him were not a Fruit of the Error of thofe times holding him to be the univerlal Biihop : If it was, though it be Argumentum ad bominem, and will again, I think, prefs fore upon the Papifts who alTert the fame) yet it doth nothing trouble us who affert no fuch Univerfality. I ask therefore, muft we acknowledge the Pope to be univer-fal Bifhop; or muft we not ? if we muft, why do we not? If we muft not, why fhould any Man urge that Pradice in.his own Defence, which he himfelf judgeth to be erroneous : I fpeak plainlier, if the Bilhops in Hen. VIII. Time had their Authority from the Pope, th^ this muft be pretended, I think", upon others Grounds; either becaiue the Bilhops had indeed no Power to Ordain without his Commiflion, 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 Conimifli6n : I fay, that you are more than a Caffandrian Papift, If you fay they had no Power becaufe they judged they had none. I deny the Conlequence, .and expe£t you fhould prove it. Or ;. If you fay they had their Authority from him becaufe they could not exercife it without his leave. I Ihall only propound this Cale in anfwec to you : Suppofe General Cromwell Should put in lb between you and the Exercife of your Minilh y that without his leave' you fhould not preach or adminifter the Sacraments, would you fay, if you had leave from him, that you derived your Authority from him, becaufe the external Exercife of your Authority depends upon his Leave ? I think you would not,

' Well, Sir, I fhall now only rehearlewhat I expe6l you fhould prove. And the firft thing that is expefted is this: That Herely or Impiety doth evacuate Holy Orders. 2. That the Power of Ordination is derived from the Predeceflbr in fide. ;. That (bni'e of Pope Clement's Conlccrators e're his Line reach the Apoftles were heretical or impious. 4. You muft prove that the Bilhops in Hen. VIU. 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 you can indeed make good all this, then I (hall confeGthat the Interruption of Succeflion is made good alio. But till then, I fhall ATii-xetv. Yet in the mean time fluU be a very great Admirer of your Worth, and Lover of your Induftry,

M. Johnfom

lfamhor»fDec.S,l6$^.

For ray Reverend and very Worthy Friend,. Mr. Baxta; Miniller of the Word at Kidderminjfer, Thefe.

M*.

Mr. JohhfonsVikh Letter to Mt*Baxter,

S IR,

TH E ^Queftion, as 1 rememlefj was fiated hetween us tbm : Whether an infallible Knowledge that our Ordainers have fuU Authority to ordain, be necejfary to make ai have true Peace of Confcience in the Exercife of our Miuiflry. 1o -which Quefiion, before Igive any Anjwer, J finall firjt ■willingly yield thefe two Trofojitions. i. Jiat an infallibly lawful Ordination is necejjary to make its infallibly lawful Minivers. 2. jliat an in-fallible Troof that we'have been lawfully ordained is necefjaxy to make us infallibly know that we have been lawfully Ordained. But I deny that an infallible Knowledge that wc have been lawfully Ordained is necejfary to make as lawful Mtnifiers. Or that an infallible Knowledge that we hA've been lawfully ordained^is neceffary togive us true Peace in the exerctfe of our Minifiry. The forj^er' Negative isfo clear from the extrinfkal Nature of Knowledge to the Ejjences of the things known, and the Pojlermity of the Nature of Scientix a re Scibi-Ws, that it is altogether fuperfluofss to'fay any thing in order to the Proofof.it. But the Other being indeed the thing you doubt of. I fhall offer you what is upon my Q'wn Under' fiandtng, and what it is that prfuades me to take the negative part. An4 my Reafon i» this : I do therefore think that an infallible Knowledge that his Ordainers had full Authors^ ty is not'necejjary to give a Man true Peace in the Exefcife of his Minifiry :. Becaufe true Peace., according to Go^el Equity is not foitnded upojf exaclnefs, but upon utmoj} diligence and Jhtcere Endeavours. And particularly in p»int of Knowledge'or in the^Que/iion [What is our Duty to kmw~\ True Peace tinoi-founded upon exaB or infallible Knowledge, but upon an iftmofi'Diligence, or fincere Endeavour to know. And therefore if we can but truly fay ^ that -we do ufe our utmofi 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 Quejiion in handy if we can truly fay, that toe have ujed our ulmod Endeavours to know 7vhether our Ordainers had full Power to Ordain j we may have true Peate in the Exercife of our Minifiry though in the mean time we cannot infallibly prove, and by csnfequence can' not infallibly know that they had any fucb 'Authority. True Pease^^ ^according t« Go^el men'-^ fure, very well agreeing with inculpable Ignorance. , ,, , . ••

And the Truth is, if it were not thus in other things, 1 do vo,t fee how any Man could with Peace of Confcience enjoy thefe things which we call their Inheritances. For it can ne-i)ir be infallibly proved, nor they by conjequence 'infallibly Jinow, that they have jujt Right dWd "title to them. If tbey be not ta^vfutly be^otten^ they have no jujl claim to their Inht-fitances. Now if they do not, or indeed cannot infallibly know that they have been lawfully ^begotten, they cannot know infallibly ~that they have a jujl claim to their Inheritances. Btti they can never come to an infallible Knowledge that they have been lawfully begotten, a^d by conjequence upon juch Principles as thefe, can never, with Peace of Confcience, enjoy that -Mich all Men ufually call their due Inheritances.

'And'l conceive upon the fame Grounds, The Levites andjewijii Priefihood could never, witV any Peace of Confcience, have exercifed 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 jufi claim to tbofe holy Employments. Tea, and all the Princes in the World, who.detive by dtfj'ent their Titles to their Crowns, would upon fucb a Principle as this, fit either very looje, or with little eafe in their imperial Chairs, being never able upon infallible Proof to make good that they, were the trite legitimate Heirs to their Predecefjbrs. Which Confidsrations a poiterioris, (as the Argument alledged doth a priori) over-rule my Judg-.mcnt 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 Mmifirj ; which was the only thing intended at the prefint

Wamborn, 'Decemi, z6. By Your Fellow-labourer,

and Enquirer after Truthj

■^^^ . • M.Johnfon.

Numb.

Numb. III. Letters between Mr. "Baxter,

and Mr. Lambe.

Mr» LambeV Letter to Mr. Baxter.

SIR,

* "W^ E R H A P S my Boldnefs may feem much in this Addrefi to one un-' 1-^ known by Face ; but want of that is no fufficient Plea to reftrain me,

* JL knowing it's no Impediment to the Communion of Saints, Thele Lines ' are writ out of much Afflidion of Heart, and in many Tears which have run

* over at the Throne of Grace many a time about the Cafe prefented. The Rea-' fon oi' my Addrefs to you, rather than any other, is becaufe of fome Converle

* I have had with your Writings, whereby I judge yon to have the Tongue of the

* Learned, tofpeak a Word in Seafon, being experienc'd your felf in Spiritual Af-

* fairs and Temptations, the immediate Cauie of this Addrels was my reading your'

* laft Diretftion in the Book of Getting and keeping Peace and Comfort.

' The Cafe is mine only, as it is the Cale of one who is my felf in the dear Re-

* lation of a Husband j it is an unufual one, and therefore will require, I doubt,

* you more Pains to reach it, and ib is the more boldnefs in me, but from you will

* bt. the more Service toChrift Jefus; if you engage in it I would be brief,but muft of

* neceffity declareCircumftances.Thisdear Husband oitn\t]e,Mr.Lamk, is one that ' ha:h been devoted to God's Fear from his Youth up> ahd hath defined exceedingly,

* and delighted greatly to lerveChrift Jefus our Lord j the Miniftry be wasnourilhed

* and bred up in was, Mr. John Goodwins, for Twelve or Thirteen Years, where

* he joined a Member, and afterward b)- common Confent, and Prayer, and Faft-' ing was ordained an Elder over that Flock, and did labour in the Word and Do-

* (Srine then with great delight, ftriving to adorn the Gofpel in all Ads of Love,

* Righteoufnefs and Mercy, Going on thus with Joy, about Five Years ago the ' great Controverfion of Baptifm had fome accels into his Judgment through thei

* 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. Ftjhcr,CmcQ Quaker j by thefe Arguments prefented, Mv.Lambe was ta-

* ken in his Judgment, and in Confcience of his Duty did pradice accordingly,

* not thinking then, butftillto hold communion with the Church notwithftanding,

* 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 vvhere

* 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 oiF by their

* means from the fame Fellowlhip, and (o for Five Years have gone on till there is

* an Addition of about an Hundred. Pray, Sir, pardon my troubling of you with ' this !ltory ; but that which follows cannot fi well be underflood without it.

'Which is. That now about Nine Months laff pad, by fome Experiences and ' Siglits of the Faults of fome, particularly that of Fi(hers, and difi-elilbing the Pra-' (ftices, and AlTertions of fome, in unchurchif>g all befides themlelves, he began ' to be provoked and prefl'ed much in Spirit to confider the Grounds of feparating ' upon the account of Baptifm, and in that Survey IHll their Weaknefi, which ap-' pearcd the more by reading yours, Mr. Jo. Goodwm, and Homes Books of Bap-' tifm, begot in him not only a Sight of Weaknefs in his Grounds about Separating^

* but weakened his Confidence as to the oppofing of Infant Baptilm : In this time; ' as things appeared to him (he being free and open Heirted) was ready to exprels

* his Thoughts to thofe he converied with, who being rigid about Separation, ftill '^erfuaded him thefe n'ew Ihoughts were Satan's Temptations, to hinder him in ' the Lord's Work : Which occafioned much Prayer, and Fafiing and Prayer j ' that if thefe Thoughts were not of God's Holy Spirit, they might dye from his ' Soul. But ftill they increaled and came with fuch Light and Power, arguraenta-

* tive from Scripture, dete<Sting his former Principles as to Separation. In tWsin-' terini he converfed with diveis Minifters in Town, as Mr. Goodwin'i Book, Mr.

* Ahtttoa, Dr. ReignoUi about the meaning of i Cor. 12. ij,' &c. his thoughts IMIf 'carryiflg him on, till he had formed th«m into three Sheets of Paper j but all the

G z ' waV

way it was a Fight with Temptations, as often is declared j yet his Light plainly evincing the evil of Saints dividing upon the account of Baptifm, although it fhould ftand good, Baptifin ihould belong only to Believers: And as I conceive thofe Temptations partly occafioned by Friends, who out of their Love would charge him to take heed, for lome Root of Bitternelsor other was the Ground of thefe Thoughts, and fome Carnal end he had, and was weary of Chrift s Yoke, and the Woes to Backfliders would be his Portion, &c. and that never any owned thefePrinciples that forfook them,but they became fadObjeds of God'sDilpleafure; . Satan fitting in when thefe did occafion great Diftrefs, and Searchings of Heart, many Fears, Prayers, and Tears, fore Temptations that he was not fincere, which was heightened by one 1 bought that he had efpied in his Heart when he was amidft thefe thoughts j namely, that to break the Neck of thole Itrait Principles which would not permit any to Marry but to thole in their own way,would be a Freedom in relped: of 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 ths-Predominancy of the interefi of the Flejfj^ hath filled ba Soul with great d'tftrep, which I declare to you as a ffiritual Fhyfician, that you may kno-iv the ■ivhole Cafe. After feeking God, a little help was attained in this ; and he received fome Teftimony of Confcience that this Thought was not the moving Caule of his change cf Mind, or any predominant end, only an after Thought which had fome encouragement in it. When this Temptation was over, then as bitter Fears about apoltacy, all thofe Texts (eeming to apply them-felves to him as fpeaks of an evil Heart of unbelief in departing from God, of being caft out as a withered Branch ; and thele, attended -with Tears, and wound-tngs of Spirit: If he did ceafe from drawing up his Arguments^ then he (hould have eaje-j but the Light of them was lb prefltng upon his Mind, that he could not forbear: This hath been hia Life for thefe Eight or Nine Months, having declared his Arguments, the People to whom he is Elder, they grow olFended and di-fturbed ; if he have any thought of returning to Mr. Goodwins Church again, then nothing but Horror and as it were a flaming Sword in ha Spirit : is not that a Ground that he ought not return thither ? He finds moft eale in his tender and fair Intreaties of the People he is now with, to keep them from Separating to the further prcjutlice 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 Jtrong Defires and high Praifings of Jefus Chrift, and earnsft Defires toierve him in hisGofpel, and having in this time more abundandy than ever found his Soul emptied ot lelf-elleem, and fence of his need of Chrid's Nourifliing and Cherilhing. After this, the next Temptation which now he wrelHes with i^, hard thoughts of God, as if he were hard, not ea(y to be intreated, c^c. Thefe fore Temptations hath made him ready to faint, faying (bmetimes, O that he were fetled in his former Thoughts againft In>ant Baptifm, and could praiSice with a good Concienceas he had done the other, ro this it's fuggefted, no now it lliall be hid from him, he received not the Truth in the L6ve of it, &c. arid Heb. 12. 17. made ufe of to'wound him !that he obtained not the Bleffing though he fought it carefully with Tears: Thele Thoughts occafioned (trong Cryes, and Tears, and great Diftrefs of Soul. Yec Sir, take notice that all this while his now Arguments to one Communion with all Saints, as Saints, are never queltioned in his Judgment, but all admitted to him ; nay, all that have'leen them, who are divers of the Re-bapti(m, have not any of them as yet offered any thing to'detedt them, but contrary wile, they have had

ftheir force in the Minds of fome. 'ovr> if : d .

; * Now, dear Sir, I hope you underftand my Scriblings, the end of all is to intreat \our-heip as one that Chrilt hath let in his Church for the edifying and e'ftablifli-ing of his Members; judging you faithful, and one of a Thouland in experience, I have takin the boldnefs to intreat your Anfwer to the following Particulars. * I. Whether Go^ dothu/e toha've any of his Servants to fuch bitter Temptations when

^'they are ahoitt a Service acceptable to him ? If fo, what his Eiids may be in it ?

' '2.. Whether thele Dillreffes of Spirit can be any Demonftration that his former

* Praftices and Principles about reftraining Communion to after Baptifm, nor more

* pleafing to God's Spirit, which hath feemed to be prove'4, and fb Dependant:

* Thefe latter Arguments about largenefs in that kinli. - * ;. Whether conlidering his former Relatidn to Mr. Goodwin's Congregation,

* from whom he withdrew upon the Thought he had of unlawfulnefs to communi-

* cate widiunbaptiled Perfons, which now he fees the Vanity of, it be not now his

* Duty to returi^ thither, and if lb, then i. What fliould be the Reafon that his

Confcience,

'Confcience, though very tender in other things, fhould have little or no icnih oi

* that as his Duty. And i. What fliould then be the Realon, that when he hath

* had any Thoughts tending that way, fuch Terrors, like a flatning Sword Ihould

* pierce his Soul?

' 4. Whether, having been an Inftrument to dravi^lb many together into this way, ' it be not rather his Duty to continue with them, applying himielf in all ways of *Love and Forbearance to inlarge their Spirits, which he judges his Duty, becaufe *he finds a lenfible eale in his Soul, upon fuch Refolutions and Applications ?

' 5. Inafmuch as he ftands an Elder over them, and is weakened in his Confi-'dence againft Infant Baptifm (which they are fo confident againft) and alio can-' not baptize Believers oiherwife than to fatisfie their Scruple of Confcience that

* /hall defire it out of doubt of the Defed is in their Infant Baptifin, and with

* Cautioning of fuch to take heed of their taking it up fo as to denominate their

* Chriftianity, Saint-fhip, or Church-fhip thereby ; if any Party of the Congre^a-*tion can not bare him thus, but fliould feparate, and fb want means of Edifica-' tion, or, as fomi; fay, rather be Quakers than lb indifferent, or as one of them ' fays, he would join with the Church of Rome, if he thought that true Which ' Mr. Lambe I'lys, namely, That he may have Communion with Perfons not fo

* baptized j whether confidering their Danger he ought not hide, or ceafc to defiit

* on his Senle, or what he ought to do ?

* 6. Confidering his prefent Temptations and Affaults to his Faitfi and Senle of

* God's Love, it be his prefent Work to Itudy to be fetied in a full Perfuafion one

* way or other about Baptifm : But tojnind his (piritual Defence againft thefe Vi-

* olent Affaults, which makes him fay, O that he were in his late confidence again, and

* lb is refolved to ftudy the Arguments that are againfl Infant Baprifm : And he^s

* dire(5led to jour Twenty Arguments m the Book about right to Sacrarmnts, about tbt

* necejjity of faith to interejt in Baptifm.

* Now, fweet Mr. Baxter^ fhall I have fb much Grace in your Sight, as to have

* your diftind Anfwer to thefe Particulars; truly, it will be Service to Jefus Chiift,

* whom we have defired toferve in all finglenefs of Heart from our Youth up, ^nd *have no defire in this World like to this, to know his Will and do it, 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, whofe 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 waic ' that tht Son of Righteoufnefs may Ihine through you, a Star in 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 Irjah : Therefore I intreat your ' Secrecy en it. My Husband hath indeed (ometimes faid, he would write to yoaS 'but hath laid again, Mr. ^i?xrfr will not regard me i and indeed he hath fcarce

* freedom of Mind to any Eufinefs, he Ihould take a Journey to IVorcefer, which

* if he do, he fays he will come to you : I do not acquaint him with this, but your ' Advice I know I Ihall be able to help him by. Now our Lord Jefus Chrift, who f f^ill giveth Gifts to Men, and doth continue Means in his Church, fufficient to ^ the help of all his poor Servants, be your Helper to us ward, with craving Par-

* dpn for my great Boldnefs, I take Ifeave, and remain

LoK{lonr\ii Great St. Bartholomews, TOURS

• ;.r. in our Lord Jefus,

Barbara Lambe. ^

I have tnclofed fent a Copy of the mevtionei Arguments, which pray ferufe, and ketf private.

Sir, I defire what you write in anfwer to me may he tnclofed in a Cover, to Mr.jimes Marfhai in Friday-Street at the Half Moon, who is my Son m Law, and fo I JhaS hwve it with privacy. 1 jliali long to know that theje come fafe to your Hands.

For Mr. Rich. Baxter, Minifler of theGofpel ia Kid4nfnin(ttrc Thefe prelenc

©e*si

Dear Mrs. Lambe,

' TjO W true diH I feel it in the reading of your Husband's Lines and yours

* irl 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-' rit appeared to me in both your Writings, that my Soul in the reading of them

* was drawn out into as ftrong a Stream of Love, and clofing Unity of Spirit, as

* almolf 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 Aft of Baptifm : As a Load-ftone

* will exercife its attraiftive Force through a Stone Wall. 1 have an inward Senfe

* in my Soul, that told me lb feelingly in the reading of your Lines, that your ' Husband, and you, and I are one in our dear Lord, that if all the felf-coaceited

* Dividers in the World lliould contradid it on the account of Bapcifm, I could not

* believe them.

* About a Year ago Sir Henry Herbert gave me one of your Husband's Books

* about Baptifm, which when I 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 yec

* I have niet with none that hath faid fo much in fo fmall a room. It delighteth *me to feel the workings of aCatholick Spirit in his Lines. Nothing hath more

* undone us (except flat Ungodlynefs) than the lofs of Catholick Principles and ' Affedions among Chriftians; (few are more void of them than the Papifls that ' boaft of them :) It muft be this loving a Chriftian as a Chriftian that muft hold

* when all is done; He that loveth Chrift in Chriftians, will love all Chriftians ^ where Chrift appears. Should not Dividers fear leaft Chrift fay to them that caftoff

* moft of his Holy Members for thisOpinlon fake,r« did it unto me i Is Chrift in thefe

* S'Sints, or his he not ? What! a Saint, and Chrift not in him ! that cannot be :

* And is be in them, and fliall he be ufed fo unkindly, fo uncharitably, as to be ' caft by i Oh dear Mrs. Lamhe, the Lamb of God hath reconciled greater Diife-

* rences, and clofed greater Differences than thefe : and his tender Bowels yearn » over thofe that we fulienly rejed. He that faid to his fluggilh Followers [The Spi-

* rit is vfiUmg, but the Flejh is vjeakf] and that fent fo kind a MelTage to Peter (that

* lately denyed him) as loon as he was rilen, and that ftill ftiewed (uch macchlefs

* Compaffions to the weak, will give litde Thanks to dividing Spirits that caft

* out his poor Servants whom he himfelf doth not caft out. I know not Mr. Lamhe *'b\ Face, Lut Mr. jUin I know ; could he find in his Heart to deny me Brotherly

^'Communion if I defired it of him, and protelled that 1 would be of his Opinion ''and Pr.'dice if I durft, and my contradiding Judgment did not hinder me; I ■''bavct! Id thePaftorsof 'he Re-baptized Churches here, that if ,»ny of their Judg-■*;iirient and Pr^dice will latisfie thefnfelves with being again Baptized, anrt will live 'in pe.iccable Communion with iis, they fhall be as dear to us as any other j and '"that if I weie a Member of Mr. Tvmheis Chyrch, ifhe would permit me I would ' live obediently under his Miniftry (allowing me the Liberty of my Con(tience): 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; ' and the Uft Week fave one, Mr Tomhes came to the Re-baptized Church at 5eW-' /f)', and pieacht on the fame Subbjed, and fo exLcllently well (as I hear) for ' Unity»amono; all true Chriftians, to the fame purpofe with your Husband's Argu-' ments, tliat 1 mach rejoiced to hear of it (though I hear fome of his People were

* offended). And now that this fhould be fecondcd with your Husband's peaceable ' Arguments, puts me in (ome Hopes of a little more healing. 1 have ftrong Hopes '-thatif i were in London I (hould perfiiide. fuch as your Husband, and Mr. John

* Goodwin, andmany an honeit Presbyterian Minifter (as great a diftance as fecms

* to ha between them all) to come yet together, and live in Holy Communion. ' But be furc God will drive us together before he hath done with us: Living Mem-

* bers willfmart by diftance, and be impatient till the Wound be doled, what a

* Damp is upon the Spirits of thofe Chriftians that can f-puate (interpretatively) '''from a thoufand pans (to one) of the Church of Chrift. The Papifts would de-' fire no better fport (nor the Infidels neitiier) than to reduce the Church of Chrift

* to the Antif^ih Baptift^ or the baptized at Age, and 1q to deny him to have had

Numb. III. AT T E N-D I X. $^

' any vifible Church in the World (that we can prove) for fo many Years: Woujd

* they have held Communion with the Catholick Church for a thouland Years to-' gether, or would they not (if they had lived in thole times)? If they would, then

* why not with us alfo that are of the fame Judgment ? Was it a Duty then, and is it

* unlawful now ? or are they Refpefters of Perlbns ? If they would not in all thofe ' Ages have held Communion with the viTible Church, what would they have V^oi^

* but feparated from the Body, and (b from the Head, and caft ofFChrifl in all his

* Members, and taken him to be a Head without a Body, which is no head, and

* lb no Chrift, what would they have done but denied his Power, and Lov^,"an^

* Truth, and confequently his Redemption, and his Office? Hath he come it the

* end of Four Thoufand Years (fince the Creaition) to redeem the World that; lay {q ' long in Darknefs, and hath he made fuch wonderful Preparations for his Qnavch ' by his Life and Miracles, and Blood and Spirit, c^c. and promiled that the 'Gahf ' of Hell pjaS not prevail againfi it, and that his KtTigelom Jhalf h an Everlafimg King' ' dom, and his Dominion endureth from Generation to Generation:, .and ydt after allth^ ' (hall he have a Church (even as the Seekers fay) but' fo;- an Kgi or two : !:^r ' doubtleQ (tho' where Heathens were the Neighbours of the Church, many were" ' baptiled at Age, yet) no Man can name or prove a Society (or I think a Perfon)

* againft infant Baptifm for One Thoufand Two Hundred Years at feaft, if not One

* Thouland Four Hundred: And for many Ages no other.ordinarily baptized buc ' Infants. If Chrift had no Church, then where was his Wililom, his Love, and

* his Power ? What was become of the Glory of his Redemption, and his Catho-

* lick Church, that was to continue to the End ? That Man that can' believe tlia? ' Chrift had no Chufch for fb long time, or any one Age fince his Alcenfion, muft

* turn an Infidel and deny him to be Chrift, if he be a rational Man. Did all the

* Golpel Precepts of Love and Holy Communion ceafe, as foon as Infant Bapdfmi ' prevailed ? doubtlels (though it be be his Ordinance) Chrift never laid fo great

* a ftrefs on the outward Wafhjng as Dividers do. Whenever Baptifm is men-

* tioned in Scripture, it means I The Engagement of the Perfon to Jefus Chrift

* by folemn Covenant, which Wafhing is appointed to Solemnize] and i Cor. 12.

' 13. doth plainly mean [That one Holy Spirit, which is ufiially given to the Bap- •

* tized, either in or near their outward Baptifm, doth inwardly animate all the Bo-*^dy, and unite them and affimilate them and prove them Members], Cohp.:Titi7}e

* the Great was the Glory of the Church in his Generation, maintaining Holihei^,

* and Peace, when the Paflors were Ibme Corrupters, and Ibme Dividers, aqd

* would have broken all in Pieces but for him : He ordinarily Preached, (or n: -de

* Holy Prayers and Speeches in Meetings)and yet was never baptized all this while *till near Death, an^ none ever fcrupuled his Communion. I would know of the

* Dividers why they fhould think Baptifm more necelfary to ba believed than the *• other Sacrament, the Supper of the Lord : Yet it is certain that all the ancient ' Church did purpofely conceal the Lord's Supper from the Knowledge of the ' Catechumens j by which it appears they judged not the Belief of it elTential to. ' a Church Member: Yet I know the great thing meant by the Word Baptifm in ' Scripture is eftential to the Church-Memberfliip of the Adult ; that is, the giving ' up our filves to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft in Covenant; buc theSiga

* is only necelfary as a Dusy, but not as a means without which the thing cannot ba

* had. This is voluminoufly proved againft the Papifts, with whom the contrary

* minded do comply. Circumcifion in the Wildernefs was feparated from Chua;h-' Memberlhip and Communion. And is the outward part of Baptifm more nccef-

* lary under the Golpel, which fetreth lels by Externals, and where God that is a ' Spirit will be worjJ>ipped in Spirit and in Truth ; and where neither Circumcijion nor Un-

' Uncircumctfion avasleth any thing , hut a ntiv Creature , and Faith that worketb by • iLo-ve. * But our main Argument againft them is. That no true Definiti6n can be given

* of Baptifm that will not agree with Infanc-Baptifm, if it were granted to be un-

* lawful, were it proved an unmeet Age, it will never prove the Baptifm null. Buc ' I do but go befidesByouf Expeftation, I fuppole in all this; which is occafioned

* by your Husbands Paper and the main Gaule. I (hall therefore come at laft to ' your Cafe.

' But will Mr. Lambe regard the Judgment of one that differeth from him as I

* do ?You know according to my Judgment what I muft advifehim to: but though

* ftill it is my Judgment that Infants of Believers Ihould be folemnly given up to

* Chrift by Baptilln ,• yet I fhall deal as impartially as I can, and put my felf irt [ Mr. L'i Cafe, and luppofing I were of his Opinion agaioft Infant-BaptH'm, I iliali

* anfw9(r

anfwer your particular Queftions. To the two firlt I anfwer : i. We have a I'ms Word to fly to for Direction, and many great and evident Principles (as liere the Nature of the Catholick Church, &c.) to give us Light in the darker Points thai: depend upon them : and in fuch a Cale it is dangerous gathering our Informations about Truth or Duty, or Sin from dark and doubtful Providences, which are notour Rule, but only fome EffeAs of the Will of God, that as to Events aie clear, but as to Truth and Duty can tell us nothing or very little, buc in full Subordination to our Rule, from which they muft receive their Light. And of ail Providences few arc darker than Motions and Troubles from our own Thoughts^ (b many, and lecret, and powerful Cau(es are there within us, and about us cf Mifapprehenfions and mifled Paffions, 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 j his particular Providences being moftly but to help the Word in working in a Subordination to ir. 2. I cannot be fure that know him not, but 1 fufped by the Narrative, that this is Mr. L.'s Cafei i. His Heart being upright in what he had before done, God in Mercy gave into his Mind, that Light concerning Catholicifm and Brotherly Love, and other Truths contained in his Papers, which tended to his Satisfacftion and Recovery. 2. ETpon the fight of this much Truth, it muft needs raile fome Trouble in his Mind, that he had aded contrarily before, and yet the Words of the contrary Minded holding him ia fufpence, and unrefolved about his fucure Pradice, at leaft, increafed his Trouble (an unrefolved Mind in great Matters being a Burden to it lelf). 3. And the terrible Threats and hard Prognollicks of thefe Difl'enters and their Cenfures of him, might yet fink deeper. For it is the way of ibme to fall upon our Paffions inftead of our Judgments, and flir up Fears in us, inftead of convincing us. As the Papifts win abundance by telling them, that no others can be faved (as if we fliould be frightened to the Party that will be moil uncharitable, when Charity is the Chriftians Badge). So 1 doubt too many do, that we have now to fpeak of. 4. The Appreh^nfion of his Peoples Dilcontent, and fome bad Confequents to them and himfelf, that he Apprehended would follow his Return, did yet make the difturbance more. 5. The long and ferious Study of the Matter with much Intention, might yet go farther, 6. And by all thefe means, I conjefture he i\ fbmewhat furprizcd with Melancholy. 7. And then (if that prove fo) its very hard to gather the Mind of God from his Difturbances; for they will follow the LnprefTes on his own difiurbed Mind. But all thele are but my diftant Conjedtures from what you write. But to come nearer.

' 5. Whether he have contrafted any Melancholy or no, this is my Judginent of the Caules of his Changes, i. God caufed his Light and Convictions in much Mercy, that's evident by the Confqrmity of his AfTertions here to the Word of God, and the Principles of Chriftianity. 2. Satan envyed him and others the Mercy that was given in : and therefore I verily think he is the caule of his Horrors and Troubles, when he thinks of returning to Unity with others, and wholly withdrawing himfelf from theSchifm: My Reafons are, r. Becaufe I know that the Work is of God, and Ergo, who but Satan (hould be againfl it. 2. Be-caule tliat Troubling, and Terrifying, and Difturbing the Paffions is ufually his Work ; eipecially when it is againft God's Light. God. workcth by Light, and drawipg the Heart tp Truth and Goodnefs: But Satan ufually worketh by ftir-ring in the Paffions to muddy the Judgment. 3; Common Experience tells us. That it is his ordinary way, where once he hath got Power, to give quiet in Sin, and CO trouble and terrify upon Thoughts of Recovery. ^ne/h But how ihoulcl he have fuch Power with a Servant of God?. This leatleth me more particul.iriy to anfwer your hrftQuelHon. God frequently giveth iiim fiich IJower over his own Servants, i. When the Service we are upon'is a recovering Work, which im-plyeth our former Guilt. It was no fmall Sin (though ignorantly committed by an honeff Heart) for Mr. L. to leparate and draw fotnany witli Jiimj and put ib much Credit and Conntenance upon a Caule, that hath madejiich lad and mile-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 Advantage, and to do his Work.

' Now you niulf not marvel if the Acculer and Executioner have fome Power given him to be a Vexation to a Godly Man aficr luch Guilt. Arid indeed fo few look back that fall into Divifions, that Mr.L. Ihould not grudge at a little Perplexity that meets him in the way of fo great a Mercy. An ingenuous Mind would

' not

* not come out of fb great a Sin whithout fome moderate Trouble for it (and for if, 'it is meritorioufly, and ihould be intentionally). 2. Efpecially if Melancholy give

* him advantage, Satan (that commonly worketh by th^t means and Inftrument)

* may do Wonders. 5. And 1 ftiall tell you of fome other ends in the concluiion, ' that I conjedUre at.

* To your Second Queftion I fiy, it leems to me, as is Ci'.d^^ a hard thing ; yea,

* impoffible to judge of his Caufe by thefe his Paflions: But it's moft probable by

* far, that this Diltrc(s of Spirit is for his former Sin in feparatlng (to (ay nothing ' of Re-baptizing) and that it is alfo a gracious Providence for fome further Good

* that yet he knows hot of.

* To the Third C^eftion I anfwer, I know not theState of Mr. CWj^'/Vs Church

* and Ergo, can fay nothing to it, whether he fhould return thither: But my Judg-

* mentis i. That he fhould in Prudence a little forbear deferting his fcparated

* Church for the ends in the Conclufion mentioned. 2, That when he removeth < he (hould preach the Gofpel on the Terms in the end. 3. That if he muft be a » private Member, he (hould rather go to Mr. GooJmns Church than another, if ic « be rightly conftituted, (becaufe he thence removed) : But if it be diibrderfy ga-

* thered out of many Parilhes without Neceffity, were I in his cafe I would rather ' join with another Church, and thit_ in the Parifh where he lives, if there be a

* Church that is fit to be joined with ; if not, I would remove my Dwelling to the

* Parilh that I would join with: Cohabitation is the Aptitude reguifice to Church-

* Memberfliip. To Your (Jueftion, Why his Confcience feels not this Duty:

* I know not, unlefs providence mean, as I fliall (peak anon. But I marvel if he feels ' not the Sin of his Separation.

'To your Fourth, 1 anfwer: Having drawn lb many into aSchifm, it ishisgreat

* unqueRionable 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 j yea, and do mOre thai! ' this for his Recovery and theirs.

' To your Fifth Queftion: It is anfwered in the former j he ought openly to ' difown the Sin of Separation.

* To the Sixth : If he be Melancholy, let him forbear Studies 5 if not, he fhould

* impartially fearch after the Truth by Study, but with Patience, not fetting God a

* time for his Refolution. As for my Twenty Arguments, which you fay he is re-« ferred to, I partly confidered what they made for, before I let them down. They

* prove a Neceffity of Profeffion of Confent in all adult Covenanters: But yet Pa-' rents may profels their Confent to their Childrens Covenanting or Engagement: ' The Parents are the Believers and the Confenters, and Ergo, muft be the Profef-

* (brs. They have Power of devoting, and giving up, and engaging their Children

* to God. I would Mr. L. could tell me [^fVkn the PrivileJge and Duty of Parentt

* ivtering their Children into the Holy Covenant with God, and folemmz.ing this did ceafe .?3 ' Let him anfwer me but that one Queftion well, and prove it, and I will be of his

* mind (but this is bcfides my Intent) : It will not prove that Infants are not faved,

* becaufe it is faid fo oft. That he that beHeveth Jhali not perijh : and he that belie'vetb ' not, « condemned already, andjhaU be dawned, &c. No more will it prove that In-

* fants that profefs not, and believe not, may not be entered by profeffing Parents

* into Covenant with God, (as undoubtedly till Chrift's Time they were) becanfe

* Profeffion is aeceffary to the adult. As the Parent€ Will difpofeth of them (for

* their good) fo the Parents Profeffion is enough. But I come to my Conclufion.

' I am no Prophet; but I hope God hath given Mr. L. his Light and his Tryals,

* yet for higher ends; and fuffered him to delay his Relinquifhment of the Schifm, ' that he may be more ferviceable to the Church, in helping to heal the common

* Breach. To which End I make this Motion to himj and tell him from me, I ' 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 Poedobaptifts and Anabaptifts(as commonly called) in order to their

* charitable brotherly Communion,and the prefervation of the common Truth.that it ' fuffer not by our Divifions: This he and I will fubfcribe to, and then I doubt not

* to get Mr. Tombes to fubfcribe it; and next I will get all oar Affociation to fiib-

* fcribe it i and next let Mr.T. and he get what other of the Re-baptifed to fubfcribe

* it that will. If none but he and I do it, we will publifh it, and fhame the World

* into a Peace, or do our Parts. And methinks I forefee great Benefits that will en-' fue (more than this Paper will hold to enumerate). 2. When this Agreement is

* PublifhedjMr, L. fhall alfo Publifh his Arguments, and I my Reafons for our Agree-' ment, 5. When this is done, let Mr. L. become the Paftw of a Church thas's

H ' mix?

AT T E N D I Z Numb. III.

* mixtof the Baptized and Re-baptized, if it may be; if not, at leail^a Publicfc

* 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 calt off and go againll

* but at his Peril (which I cannot fear). Dear Mrs. L. receiving your Letter near

* Bed-time on Saturday Night, I thought it no Sin to make it part of this Lord's

* Day's Work to return you this Anfwer, which I defire you to accept from (and

* pray for)

^ Aug. 2». I6j8. 3a«r Brother,

in the Covenant

and Spirit ofChrifi,

Rich. Baxter.

If Mr.L. look into ttiy Book for Infant Baptifm, let him know that I much repetH of tht harfj Language in it, hut net of the main matter.

. London J the i6th 0/Sept. 1658.

Honoured Sir^

* T Perceive my Wife hath, unknown to me, fent you my Papers touching Free

* 1 Communion with all Saints, which God knoweth my Heart and Soul is in;

* 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 Converie, and indeed do welcome your Overtures of a loving

< Cdrrefpondency with many Thanks both to God and your felf: 'Tis a rare things «to find Men of Parts, Learning, and great Abilities, cloathed with Bowels of

* Mercies, or Humblenefs of Mind, Vfal. 113. y, 6. The Prophet fpeaketh in the .» Praife of the Almighty ; That though he was high, yet humbled htmfelf to conftder the

* things on Earth j 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 Chriit whom ■f 1 have fought with Fafting, Prayers and Tears; hath appointed you to intetorec

' his wonderful dealing with me, and to fliew nie my Uprightnefs. I mean what

< he will account fo. He that could do fb, would be an Interpreter one of a Thou--viand to me that walk in Darknefs, and fee little Light: O, that I knew the Mind ■« and Will of God in my difficult Cafe ! happy (hould I be: I have this Comfort

' jn my Affliftion, that my Will is perfe<ftly fubdued to Gods : I would go his way » if I could tell where it lay : But alas I I cannot find it: I make my moan to the ' Almighty, but he feemeth to carry it feverely towards me, inftead of making

* llreight Paths for my Feet: Upon my earneft Solicitations, he leaveth me in the •f Hand of Tormenting Fears. That you may the better know what to fay to me,

* I /ball as briefly as 1 can, tell you my cafe.

* My Underuanding being enlightned that all Saints, as Saints, ought to hold

' Church Communion againft what I have fooliflily printed (for which I loath my

' felf, and abhor the Sight of it) : I fet my (elf to confider other Events that lead

^* me to that narrownels of Spirit, at laft come to doubt whether God be pleafed

'♦ with Rc-bapfizing, to the Rejeftion of Infants out of the Vifible Church : But

*^'am out of doubt in this, that to rebaptize any now, do denominate their vifible

-*■ Saintfliip, or giveriglitto Church Fellowflrip, and fo to part them from all the

* 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 fnult with

* Popular Government in the ChUroh, as it confounds the Definition ot Governour •and Governed. Alfo that in the fetled State ot the Church, no Man ought to ' take a Perfonal Charge but Perfbns both able, and v.'-'jclly devoted to the^ Work. ' That to be a Merchant and a Minifter doth not agree, except in Chies of invin-

'cib!e

Numb. III. ATTENDtX.

* cible Neceffity : Tliat in the Levitkal Order appointed by God, theie is a. mora]

* equity refpeding the Minifters of the Gofpel, both Separation to the Work, and

* and Maintenance in it; and however People may Imagine^ the contrary l^rihci-' pies'and Pradlices prove diftionourable to God, and de(trii(flive to Religion. ''

' In the multitude of thele Thoughts I began to conclude, that it was ndt poflibla

* for me to hold my Relation to the People 1 now lerve, and that God enlightenfed

* me in thefe things on purpofe to appear againft them, and lead others out of them *

* in this Contidence I grew bold, and began to preach fometliing publickly that /

* knevir would turn the Congregation againft me, and /o prepare me for my Re--* turn to Mr. JohnGoodwini from whom I feparated about Five Years ago:' Bat the

' Truth is, as I began to widen from the Church I relate to, my Soul fank into

* deep Mire, where there was ho ftanding, into a horrible Pit, the Arrows of the ' Lord <tuck faft in me, and his Hand prefled me lore', the Poyfon of them drunk

•* up my Spirit, and the Terrors of the Lord (et themfelves in array againft me, in-*ftead of the Smiles of ChrJft, and the comfortable Teftimony ofConlciehec, as to '-^a fervice pleafing to God and the Lord JefusChrift, I met with hellirti Ho^rrors i* Temptations to ddlpair of God's Lc>ve co me^ and much ^do to keep my Hetui

* above Water. • ' ';''.! '"""" . ''' '.' '''-' •■' ' "'^'" '

* Whereupon I humbled' my fetf tindel'thfe^ hiighty Hand of God, arid ftopt- ihy

'prefent Pro(c;ciitions of my Purpofes, which wa4 to have burnt my Books; to have

'* retiirned to Mr. Goodwins again ; • to have provided my Papers with (bm6 Additi-

'"'ons, and a (blenin Addrels to ail the Churches under that Form : But meeting

*-with this wonderful Oppofitibn from God, my Hand hangeth down, and my

'•'Knee feeble, I am in an amaze, not knowing what to fay, thin.k, or do : But this

•'* I have found, That as widening from the'Peoplc I am with hrought us great -di-

' ftrefs, lb joining with them again aiTuageth the Waters of my Affli<aioni upen

* thefe Terms I ftand not daring to ftir from them, nor do any thing to prejudice

* my efteem with them : But yet not fatisfied neither through Fear, Icaft by goinf

* on the way I am engaged in, 1 /hould countenance a By way not pleafing to GodJ"

* And thus by degrees, I have opened to you the perfeA State of m'y Cafe, but it

* w;asbecaufe you would ask.me what matter the Enemy (if it were the Enemy)

* wrought on to make me fo great AfHiftion upon it, one thing was fbme Thoughts

* of Hc^Tt that I had had concerning my Children : That m.ide it indeed a mit-■* tefdelitable to me to be out of this way j, but my Confcience telleth me the •Thoughtswas lawful and good, and that they had not the leaft influence in the

* change of my Judgment. Another thing is, the way we are in is a very narrow ' way, and we have fome Chriftians, my dear and intimate Friends, that walk in

* it, that excel! in holinefs, and are gone fomewhat farther out of the World with

* their Hearts, through their Faith and Senfe of future things than ordinarily Chri-

* ftiifis go ; thefe all frown'd on me. And then ;. The way I fhould return to ,"* was more open, and the Perfons lels fenfible (Oh, Sir, there is abundance have ^ Knowledge, but there is but a few have a rich Senfe) 4. I Ihould leave the Poor, ^and go among the Rich, that niindeu more the adorning of the outward Man ".*^ than" the glorious Gofpel of Chrift ordinarily: whereas my Spirit is much fet againft ;* gay Apparel and following of Fafhiohs j not but that Mr- Goodwins Church is as

**loberas moft, I think as any, But the Truth is, it is a Sin in my Apprehenlion

* at leaft) that few are fuffi.iently fenfibb of. 5-. My Confcience telleth me, "that

* as for Parillies, there is no proceedings in Parifhesthat are worthy the Name of ' Church-Proceedings ordinarily. There is indeed in fome few an able Man to 'Preach, and the People go to hear, but as for watching, vifiting, and nourifliing, *and (uch like faithful Proceedings for the Health of Souls, there are but hw lay ' any luch things to Heart j fo that the Parillies, for the moft part, are but like a ' dead Corps without Life. The living Stones are gone into one gathered Church or

* other, but I contels, I do not find them bleffcd after. 6. Another thing was the .'.Pari^er that the Souls of our Friends would be in upon my leaving them. 7. The ' making of thoulands of Hearts lad, who have their Eyes upon me.

' I perceive your Propolitions at the end of your I.etter, |\.las for me, I Hiall be

* fit for nothing, except God be pleafcd to heal my wounded Spirit; that is my ' great Care for the prelent, how to behave my fe!f to obtain the Light of his ' Countenance. If God would go before me, and lend me, I would do any thing,

* the joy of the Lord is our Strength j but however I thnnk God that enableth me

* to hold out waiting ; I am liare my Soul hungereth and thirfteth after RighteouP

* nefs more than all Riches, and therefore I am under the Promile of being fill'd aC

* laft : I have indeed coveted to lerve God, and fecretly plotted how to caft my Af-

^o JT T E N T> 1 X, Numb. IIL

• ' fairs, fo that I might be free for it, 1 have in order to the Devotion of my Soul ' to the Word and Prayer, wholly taken my felf off all Converfe with the World,

* and fuppormg 1 fhould not long ftay where I am, I was confidering where I mighc

* be uieful: At laft I thought of going into fome Country, with the leave of Mr. ' Goodwins Churchy where there was much People, and no means, and there to feat ' my feU, having a good Eftate of my own, by which I could not only fcrve freelyj

* but do much good. This I thought would have been pleafing to God, I refolved

* not to meddle with the Point of Baptifm one way or other, bur havfi driven the ' Converfion of Souls to Jefus Chrift : But his late Frowns on me maked me fear

* he will take no delight in me : But however, fince I call him Father, it is fit I ' fhould fay Thy iviU he done ; even fo Father let it be. Amen, Amen.

* If you would draw up fuch a Model of Agreement as you write of, I know

* 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 yix.Manton ; he faid, he /hpuld

* like fuch a thing very well.

' The Lord preferve your Life, Health, and Strength, that you may live to do

* God more Service ; your Zeal provoketh many : 1 am fully p,erruaded, ^nd, -I

* think, upon good Grounds, that had the Minifters taken the Gourfe, that I hear

* you take at Ktddermwfier, it had prevented Separation. The good Lord fill you

* with his Holy Spirit, and enable you to do yet more abundantly. Dear Sir, I ia-' treat you to ufe your Intereft in Heaven for me, that my Faith may be flrength-' ned, which the Enemy layeth at daily ; to enlighten my Underftanding j to give

* me good knowledge and good Judgment j to deliver ray Cpnfcience from nnne-

* ceflary Scruples; to manifeft his Love to me, and increafe my Love to hivn j and,

* if it be his Will, to ufe and comfort me in his Service, which he knoweth is Meat ' and Drink to me, who am

Tour fiffeBionate Friend I hope Jhortly to hear fi-em you.

and Brother in Chrifi fefta,

Tho. Lanibe«'

■•1 tr

rDear Mr. Baxter,

I

Do return my many Thanks for your excellent letter which I have received with the en-j^ clofed ; wiJJjiag I knew how to retjuite your Love, and anfwer that Favour I found with you in your large Letter ^ which is not m vain to us-ward, hut of much «/ej the Lord requite your Labour of Love. 1 only redouble my Kequefl for an Intereft in your Pray-trSf that God would deliver my dear Husband from all hu Fears, and guide him by his Light j our God Will hear^ who hepetb Covenant and Mercy for ever with thoft that fear him. I reftf

SIR,

Your Sifter Sept. 20. 1658.

and Lover in our Lord Jeliis,

3» Is*

for Mr. Rich. Batettrt Miniftcr at Kiddirmin/ter.

Dear

Numb. II. A3"P BN'D IX., gj

Dear Brother^

AS fure as Love is a Fruit of the Spirit, the Character of a Saint; ye?, the more excellent way, and as terminated on him whom we love in the Saints, is the moft high and noble Grace, as being the Beginning and End, the Spring of all other Holy Affeiftiens and Adions, and the enjoyning Ad that's nest our End, fofar is that State to you a growing State, in which ypu increale in Holy Love, and lb fure was that a declining Scare in which your. Chariiy ;was ftreight-ned and diminifhed ; and-asi iure is that Dodrine of Chrift, that leadetb to an univerlal Love of Saints; and.that againft Chrift, which is againft ir. It is not the I.eaft Grief of my own SouUthat in the eager Defence of that which ftiJl I judge to be the Truth, Ihave/done any thing prejudicial to my own or Brefhrens Charity. Upon perufal 1 now find that many of my Speeches in my Book ofin-fant Baptifm have been too provoking, of which I heartily repent^ though I dare not of the Dodrine.. Xhe Fr^me of our Affedions doth much ;advantagejor difadvantage our Judgments, and Experience is a help to both. iThip I perceive you have found as well as I: AH Holy Truths muft be entertained withmixt Af-fedions;} with Sorrow for any,thing that we have done againft thecnj and-wfith Love, and Joy, and Gratitude to the bountiful Revealer of them. Thefe that you here enumerate, as revealed to you, are very weighty, becaule of luch a pr*-dical Nature, and publick ufe; and firgo, you muft be true to the™, and ufe them accordingly : they are fuch as leave no room for Doubting, as bearing their Teftimony io legible in their Forehead: This being concluded that they are certain Truths, itjnay much help you to judge of your folIo\ying Trouble?. ,1 Ihall reduce all that I have to fay for Refolution to thefe Propofitions. i. The-Wowi of God, and not the Troubles of your own Spirit, is the ftanding Rule by which ypu muft judge of Duty and Sin : You cannot know either by your Troubles ii-n-nnediately, but as they awaken or help you to underftand that-Word, 2. It is Ergo, moft certain that none of your Troubles ftiould in the leaft nieafiire^ move you from the certain Truths, which by the Light of this \yprd hath been mada known to you. All the Troubles in the World will not alter Scripture, and make Truth to be no Truth : You muft not once offer to try Scripture Truths by your Feelings, but your Feelings by thcle Truths. ^. You muft therefore firft fee whether you obey the Truth revealed to you ; which plainly requireth you firft to maniteft Repentance for fomuch breach of Truth or Unity, or Charity as you have k&a your (elf Guilty of. 2. And to be Guilty of the fame no more. Now wheehei you live in that Sin, or out of it, I leave to you to judge. And nodoubc but it is your Duty to do your utmoft, to draw all thole out of it, whom you have-encouraged in it, and as many more as you can. There are but thefe two Queftipns then before you ; What is the Caule of your Trouble ?, and how you Ihould difpofe of your lelf for the future. And to the firft I anfwer in this foujt?h Propnfition; Though we know in general that Sin is the deferving Caufe, and God's Wilciom and Love the difpofing Caufe ; yet it is not eafy to find out. the particular Sins, nor the particular Defign of Love : but the former is the moFe eafy by the help of Scripture, which (heweth us our Sin more fully than God^s future intended Works. 5-.But,as it is certain that no Providence is to be interpreted againft a Precept; lb, as far. as I can conjedure at this diftance,ypur Trouble is moft likely to arifefrom thele connexed Caules: i.From fome Melancholy that hath got Advantage of your Head, by the Thoughtfulnefs,Perplexity, and the firft adual Dif' quietments.2.From Satans Temptations working on this Advantage; but of the firft lam no competent Judge, becaufe diftant ; But I ftrongly fufped it (by long Experience in Multitudes of that Diflcmper, who few of them will beheve that they have it themlelves). But of the fecond I am more confident: Satan cannot trouble us when he will, but i. When Sin hath procured him a Permiflion : and ». When Ibme Melancholy or Dilquietments have given him an Advantage. I have met with few Perfons that ever fell into any Calamity by Sin, but Satan dic3 very much trouble them when they attempted the means of .their Recovery. .The Di^uietnients and Horrors that leize upon moft ungodly Perlons, when they are about coming home by Chrift, may be from God principally, biit from Satan as the Inftrument of Tiis Wrath, and as permitted to try them. Whenever any elcape any notable Snare of Satan (in State or Fad) ufually Satan roareth and ra-geth to hinder them, if pofible, till the efcape is made, and then God meeteth, * them with further Light and Love : Vhrnaub follows thsnV into the Red Sea, and"

*God receives them, and puts a Song of Praife into their Mouths on the dry

* Land.

* Bat this firft Queftion is not fuch as you need much to ftick at: You may eafily

* fee for what Sin its like you lliould have this Affliftion ; or it you could not (afcer *a faithful Search) get rid of all and fweep as clean as pollibly you can, and theri •you will remove that Sin wich the reft. The refolving of the next Queftion'is

* your principal 4?4rmefs, which is, to know now where yoar Duty lyeth fdr the ' time to come : For when once you are fetled in the way of Duty, Pe^iC^ will re-•turn and the dark Face of your now difconfolate Soul be cleared (Jd (utile's ahy

* deep Melancholy, or unufual Providence iliould continue your Trouble) and in-

* deed it is not very eafy to fee the way of your Duty to the end; buf part of it is ' very ealy : i. That you fhould obey the Light that God hath manifefted to ycfu,

* and help to communicate Catholick Principles and AfFedions to all y^ur People,

* to the utmoft of your Power, this is certain ; and do all that you are able tobtJrfe

* uncharitable dividing Principles or Difpofitions. i; That you may not live in a *Praftice contrary to your Dodrine is as plain ; and Ergo^ may n6t be guilty of

* continuing a divided Church ; though you may prudently obferve the fitceft man-

* ner and Seafon of yoUr coming off: Therefore it feems to me your Duty, freely, •lovingly, compaflionately to communicate your Reafons to your AuditcirSt ifthcy

* can prove them unloand, (which I am fure they cannot in the main) then yield

* to them; if they cannot, then beg t^ieir Pardon for mifguiding them, and befeech

* them to return, n6t to any Sift againft God, but to the Love of the Saintsi and

* the Unity of the univerfal Body of Chrift, and the Communion of Brethren, g.

* To return lo Mr. j. Goodwin's Church again, I darS not dilTuade you or advile i'"you ; but 1 would hot-do it if Iliv'd in another Parifli, where I could have La W-'' ful Communion ; yea, or if I could live in fuch a Parifh, I would ndt be a Mem-

' ber of a Church gathered out of many Parilhes, in fuch a Place as Lt^don : Co-ha-

* bitation is in Nature and Scripture Example, made the neceffary Diifpofition of

* the Materials of a Church. 4. My Thoughts ftill are, that you (hoiild Preach the ' Gofpel in fome Congregation moft fuitable to you.

' But 1 am very glad that you give me the Reafons of your Trouhle j for it is a

* fad kind of Work for you or another to pleid againft Troubles in the dark, which ' a Man can give no Reafon for. i. Your Firft 1 need fay nothing to : If you had ' ever had a Temptation to thruft in a wrong Motive ino 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 futficient Remedy. 2. The Second is

* carnal, to refift fo great a Truth and Duty, left good People be difpleafed; 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 pleafed, if ever you will be /aiisfied. Tell thoie

-• Chriftians, 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 havelefc their Separation. Do not reproach them when you leave them, but

^ enjoy the Good of their Communion ftill, as you have Opportunity. God's

■'*-Houle hath many Manfioni; if your Friends think that their Clofet is all the

*Houfe,convince them of their Miftake.and confine your leif to that Clofet no lon-

* ger but yet renounce it not j 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 thelc pjrts may be Witnef-' fes: 1 would not be a Member of that Church willingly that i^ compofed of none

* but not able Chiiftian' ; though 1 moft Love the bell, and delight mof^ in their

* Fellowfhip, and wilh that all werelijch, yet when I fee a Church fo gathered, I ' eafily find it is a wrong Conflitution, and not according to the Mind of Chrift. ' I will never join with them thAt will hive but one Form in Chrift's School. I

* would have the ABC there taught as well as the profoundeft Myfferies. Ti-" no

* Sign of the Family of God to have no Children (what.ifl l.\id Infants) in it, but ' ftiong Men only : Nor of the Hofpital of Chrift to have none Sick i nor of his

* Net to have no Fifh, but Good; nor of his Field to have no Tares : Hielh and

* Blood hath ticed me oft to Separation, for Hale ; but its too eafv a way to be of

* God : 1 undergo another kind of Life ; you are extre^mly mi(t.iken if vou think ' that vou are pur on lo much Duty and Self-denial, hy many Degrees, among your

* Hundred Profeffors, as we muft undergo : Your Work is LUenefs to ouis; how

* then is yours the ftreighter way? 4. For Richesand gay Apparel, you may heip

to

Numb. 111. AT "P E N T> I X. ^

. " I ■ ■ *■ —■-■-- ■ .—- - ' ■ — , — T • ■ —— — — ■ _

* to cure Exccfs where you find it: What I a Phyfician fly becaufe his Patients are ' Sick I O that we had no forer Difeafes to encounter, than fine Cloatfis: l.\ yoa

* were with me, 1 could tell yon quickly where to find Forty Famih'es of humble, ' godly Chriftians, that are as bare, and Poor as you would Wiih, and need as ' much as you can give them or procure them; that fcarce lole a Day's Work by

* Sicknefs, but the Church mult maintain them. And I could fend you to Sixty

* Families that are as poor, and yet fo Ignorant as more to need your lpirim,il Help. ' When they have fat by me to be inftruded in my Chamber, -they foraetimes leave ' the Lice fo plentifull that we are ftored with them for a competent Ipace of time.

* Never keep in a Separated Church to avoid Riches and fine Cloatlis, and for fear ' left you cannot meet with the Poor. I warrant }'ou a Cure of that Melancholy

* Fear in moft places in England. 5-. The next is the great Block, i. Ir you ga-

* ther out the choiceft Members that fhouli help the re^^, and then complain of Pa-

* rifhes, when you have marr'd them, you do not juftly, 2. If you will not do ' your Duty in a Parifl), becaufe fome Minifters do not theirs, your excule is frivo-

* lous. J.lf I durft have gathered a feparated Church here,I could have had one large

* and numerous enough, or fuch as would allow me eafe ; but I think Parifh Work

* the belV. We here agree on thefe Four Heads, i. To teach all: In which Work

* in my Parirti, I could find Work for Ten Minifters, if I cculd maintain them.

* 3. To admit none as adult Members, without a perfonal credible Prcfaffion of

* Faith and Holinefe (of which I refer you to my Treatife of Confirmation), j.

* To exercife Difcipline with thefe. 4. To hold Communion of Churches by Al-

* fociations and Affemblies of the Officers : And I bleC God, I find not my Parilli

* ftich a dead Body as you fpeak of. Among Eight Hundred Families, Six Hun-

* dred Perfons are Church-Members: 1 hope there is not very many of thefe with-

* out fuch a Profefllon as giveth us good Hopes of their Sincerity ; and none whole ' Profeffion I am able any way to difprove,and this fatisfieth ms as God's Way ; and ^ many (I hope Scores^ there be of thofe that join not with us fon divers Accounts)

* that I hope fear God : If you have Charity to judge that our Parifhes have Chrifti-

* ans, you may have Charity to judge that they have Life, and fome fit for Com-

* munion. How tender isChrift of his weakeft Members? and Ihall not I imitate

* him ? yea, fhall 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 fulnefs of his Grace and Love to the Unworthy. 6. Your Fol-

* lowers Souls are by you endangered, while you leave them in their Sin j will it en-

* danger them to tell them of that Danger, and help them out ? What I to lead

* Men to Holy Love and Unity with the Catholick Church of Chrift ? fuch danger ' will be but by Accident; as every neceftary 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 theDodrine of Love and Unity, what are ' they better than our Parifhes ? 7. None will be fad for the Return of a Brother f to Unity or Love, but thofe that grieve for your Felicity, not knowing what the/

* 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 direftly f ^gainlt Love and Unity, the Soul and Life of the Church of Chrift ? and were fypu no whic partial, you would think that Twenty Hearts made glad at yourRe-^ covery, for one that's made fad, ftould at leaft here leave the Ballance even. A ' Publifii'd Exhortation from you (fuch as it feems you intended) to draw your Par-

* ty to Unity and Communion with all true Chriftians, and diffuade them hereafter .*;6:om Ceniorioufhels, cppoiition 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 if-^o more good than your overfeeing that Churdi an Hundred Years, it is not a ^Trifle to hold an Opinion that would warrant a Man to haive denied,,or fsparated '? from the uni^'erfal vifible Church, for fo many Hundred Years ; even for almoft

* all the lime of its Exiftence fince Chrift. I forbear fending you the Form of Con--'cord mentioned till you are readier for it, and fhall defire it, as judging it ufsfol,

* and then, God willing, I fhall lend it. The Lord I hope will clear up to you his *. Mind concerning the way in which he would have you walk, and in the way of J Duty give you the Peace, which you defire and exped. I reft

Sept. 2.^. 1658. Tour mwcrthy Brother,

i.' vfi..in 101 iio.fyv ri??w f' v. ^,^^t^\t.(]i' Rich. Baxter.

JoMr.lATahe. buji' " " -

London, the i jth of January, i6y8.

Dear Sir,

THESE are to return you many Thanks for your two Lettersj which have been a very great Comfort to me in my AiHiftion 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 fay to you : Now what I have to fay is reducible to Three Heads; i. 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 fjr him in the Point of Union. And 3. The prelent Frame of my Spirit and State.

' I. For God's dealing with me. Sir, after waiting on the Lord in his way, figh-ing for Light, and panting after him for refrefliing ; as the Heart fanteth after the Water Brook: My Light hath broke forth as the Morning : It hath rofe in objcurity : and my Darknefs became as the Noon Day. I fee by Experience, that though I am dark.God isLightjand though lam poor,he is Rich ; and I believe there is nothing / 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 neceffity 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 Glafe, the Condition of all our Congregations that refule Communion with other Churches of Chrift, (landing off trom the main body of the Church militant, as Chrifl's Part of that Body, as Antichri(tian ; and fo refiifing to give or take In* fiuences for their Comfort and Succour: It healeththe whole, but dreadfijlly en-dangereth thole (mall Parts (b divided : Juft as it would endanger a Troop or Company that (hould 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 Ca(e, namely, that we are, as you (ay, 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 in Mercy, and that all my inward Oppofitions, and outward too, from my Friends, are of Satan to ftop me in a blelTed 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 never to have been born j one, that though I were as the Signet on God's Right Hand, I (hould be pluck'd from thence j others wilhing 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-linels, and Ability to fuffer 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 fvvayed by carnal Confiderations, in which I am (b manifelt to their Confciences, that they are more troubled with me for that things fake. Oh, Sir, I admire how a Man without the Breft-plate of Righteou(nefs holdeth up his Head in fuch a Day : But withal, I experience the Worth and Excellency thereof. By the Grace of Godj my Righteotijnef I will hold fafi, and my Heart Jliall not remove me aU my Days: My confcience telleth me (which is my great Comfort) that I have not wickedly departed from my God, that I would not break the leaft of his Laws willingly, to gain a Thouland Worlds: That the Love I bear to my Saviour, and his moft excellent Body, the Church, is the chief thing that infpireth me in all I do.

' Now 2.Touching what I have done towards Union fince I wrote laft, it is as fol-loweth: 1.1 have been at Mr.G.'sCongregation, from whom I departed,toacknowledge my Sin in feparatingfrom them upon fuch 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 fo clofe to them as heretofore, r. bc-caule of my Relation to the poor People I now ferve, being not yet well lodged in Ibmelafe Place. And 2. becaule of fome Scruples in my Mind, whether Independency 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, fo my refufing Communion with them, made me guilty of Schifm, in relpeft of that particular, I do not doubt it, and our Anabaptifts are their natu-ral Offspring. But how to determine my Duty, in refped of Mr. Goodwin's 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. 111. AT T E N/D I X. Sc,

•2. Amongft our felves I have privately urged, to my Friends enlarging coufi -

* derably.

'3. I have my felf with my Family frequented the publick Ledurej.

' 4. In the Strength of God taken Courage to preach to the Congregation r.\\Q.

* Dodrine of the Church Univerfal, and its Unity, from i Cor. 12. 2^. and from

* thence to flieiv them the Schifmatical Ihte wherein we are; which Sermons hai'h ' brought the AnabaptiOs about my Ears from other Parts. Four or five of them ' oppofed me the Uft firft day after my Sermon, and becaufe of what I had preach-

* ed the Day before, half my own Congregation never came to liear me : Their ' Hearts are quite gone from me : Not any of the Church comech to fee me, or

* ask me any Queftion.

'Now 3. and Z.fl/?/7, As to the prefent frame of my Spirit and State it is thifs. -

* As to the uniting Work I have in Hand, I thank God I ani bold, and am waiting

* on God, (upon whole Influences I live) to guide me in Thought, Word, and

* Deed about it, but I have lately been Ibrely troubled with one Tempta'tion : ' What fhould I preach, or write any thing for, concerning Religion? I cannot -endure Torments for Chrift if I Oiould be tried j 'tis not for iiich 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

* Temptation to feize upon me, to the faddening of my Soul, and to the enfeebling ' of mc to 'io great a Degree, that for this two or three Days I have not been able 'to do any thing. As for my prefent State in refpeft of the Church, I am ftill

* with them, and purpofe, God vpilUng, to Morrow to apply what I have preach-

* ed about Schifm. The next IVednejdny is appointed to debate things ; our Friends

* call in the Heads of other Churches to theirA{Iiftance,and I hear thofe from abroad ' intend to ftir up our Friends to caft me out of the Church, what the IfTuc will be

* God knoweth, and what to do with my felf afterwards I know not, I know I

* fhall be forely befct by the Enemy ; but my hope is in God, that he will not fuf-

* fer me to be tempted above that I am able, and that my merciful Redcmer and 'HighPrieft 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, 'Grace hath a Throne : and f. 20, 21. faith, Grace reigneth: Oh blefled be God I

* I Efhef. 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 necelTary Supplies, to fill all in all. He *fuppofed while we are here, we fhall be in an indigent Condition divers ways: ' but at that Throne where Grace Reigneth, there is Grace enough to fiipply all

* our Wants. Therefore i Jeh. Of hu fulnefi we have all received Grace for Grace, ' and becaule fuch poor Creatures as I, (enfible of much Unworthinef, are very

* apt to doubt our Entertainment, and fear -where no fear u, blelTed Jefus calleth us

* to come boldly.

* Sir, when I fiiall have done my Work where I am, which I believe will be ' (hortly, I could be content to return to Mr. Goodwins, if God would like it, •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 fhould

* be free to return, and indeed al vays have manifelted much Love to me j but the

* Truth is, I am (b clog'd with Scruples about popular Government, and fuch like

* things, that though to Will be prelent with me, to perform 1 find not. Mr. Good-' win never renounced his Ordination to take it from the People, and is for Free ' Communion, and laith, will join in fuch a Uniting Draught as I hope you will 'now draw up and prolecute prefently, and which I will labour in,God willing, to

* promote when it cometh here : That which mainly flicketh with me in relpsdof

* returning to Mr. Goodwins is, that when I Ihall publish what is in my Heart about

* the Caufes of the Churches Malady in England, I (hall refledt 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 ray Eye is up towards God. I am

* fure I have reaped Benefit by your Counfel, and hope I have had an Intereft in

* your Prayers, which I ft ill beg, being confident God will hear you. Sir, the

* Lord p(eferve your Life and blefi your Labours. I hope it will not be longe're I

* ihall hear from you, who am

From my Houfe in "^"ur affeSlionate Friend

Great St. Bartholomews. •'"'^ Brother m Chrifi Jefus

My Wife prefentsher Love, with many Thanks to you. Tho. Lambe,

lo bu very worthy Friend, Mr. R. Baxter, Preacher of God's Word at Kidderminftcr in Worcefter/hire. 1 Dear

Dear Brother,

IF 7 undtrfiavd any thing of the Ways of the Love of God, and can perceive by the Ef-feBi below, what Souls the Light of hu Countenance doth ^iine upon, you owe much to bis Lovty and are ufed hy htm as he ufeth the deareft of hk own ; what a Mercy is hu 11-lummatton ? and how much greater hu quicktnsng Life, that fofjefjeth you with Love to God and Man ? O did we but know when we feel one Spark of Love to God and his Servants in our Souls, from what an infinite Love tt cotkcs, and to what it tends, and what it fgmfieth, furely there would be wore fittdyivg comparatively, for Charity that edifieth, than for the Knowledge that fnffeth up. If your Work for God didcofr you nothtng,it would not be jo comfortable to you fpnptomatically or effciiively.

Though I confefs it is harder to hear the Cenfures of Godly Mtn than ef the World, yet the higer the Tryal, the fuller will be the Evidence of Sincerity in Submiffion, and the greater that Grace and Peace that is ufed to be given in for Encouragement or Reward. And yet Imufi teB you, that your Tryal here is not of the greatefi, whin your Beccvcry is like to ■procure you the Efteem of Ten, if not an Hundred of God's Servants, for one that you are like to lofe j and I am glad that you give your Cenfurers fo good a Dejcription: for if they are ftich as you deferibe them, I am perfuaded many of thim will come after you in time. And is it not a great Encouragement to you, that your Brother and FeUow-labotinr comes over with you, and fq your Hands are firengthned, and half your Oppofition taken off and turned into Comfort. For though I never told him of your Letters to me, nor you of htsy yet I take it j or granted that you know each others Minds and ways ; and yet you know that be is fatisfied and rejolved for Catholick Communion. I fray you go together, and do what you do as one Man, while you have one Mind and Heart. I perceive the Signs of Judgment and Charity alfo in him, 1 befeech you alfo both to hold on your Charity, even to them that are offended with you-^ fofar as Cbrifl appeareth in them, let them have your flecial Love. The Deffondtncies you mention are unreajonable : Will you conclude you can-fjot fuffer, before you are called to Suffering ? Deny the Baits of fle[lily Pleafure, vain Glory and worldly Gam, and live f merely to God w your Prcjperity, and I dare fay, you may boldly expeil hu confirming fuflammg Grace if he call you to Mverfity. I had almofirfatd, that (with mofl Men) it requireth greater Grace to overcome the Temptations of Frofperity, and to contemn a flattering World for Chrifl, thaw to die for him. At leafi the one will prove you pojffjed with hu Spirit, and an Heir of Fromife, as well as the other : And. therefore the Spirit and Promije that enable you now to live to God, would enable you to die for him if he ret^uired it. Look you to your prefent Work, and truft God for Strength for what he calls you to. If my Advice be worth your regard, its this j i. That you do as you have donej offer Communion to other Churches, but forbear yet a while to join your felf as a Member to any. 2. That if you like the Propofals I (Ijall 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 ]ntrodu£lion to a more general Agreement. %. And that at the time when we publifl} fucb Agreement, you and your Fellow-labourer jum m publifhing your Reafons for Catholick Communion: For, I thank him, he hath communicated hu and yours fet together, will give much Evidence in the Caufe, But I mufi a little while crave your Patience, before 1 fend my Papers, by reafon of a Crowd of preffing Bufinefj'es: But the Swett-nefi of the work will draw me from all wtlfulDelays (Tour Brother aljo 1 perceive it not yet ready for my Propofals). 1 rejt

Jan. 22. i6y8. Your unworthy Fellow Servant,

Kich. Baxter,

7» yl4r.Lambc.

Numb.

Numb. IV. Letters and Papers between Mr. "Baxter, and Mr. Men.

Dear Brother,

IBlefthe Lord for the great Covfolation I bad in the ferufal of your Tapers: All the Alo' (ions and Operations of Holy Love are lovely. That u the -way of God that is 'the -way of Love, and that to he much fufpeBed that quencheth it. What is fo much predicated through all the GoJj>el? Above all otbir ways, -what a mellow fweetnefi doth the -way of Love communicate to all the Duties and Converjings of thofe that are abounding in this Grace ? And it is the Manhood and Maturity of Chrifiiantty. The Infancy of the Law bad up of it than the full Age of the Ccjpel: And young Cbrifiians ufually are like young Fruit, aufiere and unpleafant, whom Age and Holy Experience mujt mellow by the growth of Love, produced by the Sun-fjine of Heavenly Love. I had thought to have prifently 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 Hearty leaji Diluting Jhould in any Meafure abate in the Love that God Wiis kindling : Yet Jliortly, (if I can find the leaft leifure) 1 fljall give yo't a few Words to them {if God will) when that which hath a pew of contending will be more feafonable. Tour Arguments for Communion are very weighty. My next Work to theje Ends (ball be to perfuade fome godly Mtnifters 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 againfi excejfwe Rigour and Bitternefi againfi them. Do you do the like with thofe of your way. If Love reign in ut, it mu]t command our Tongues to plead its Caufe^ and to endeavour the promoting of it in the World. And when Love (Ijall Reign among the Nations, the Lord Jhall Reign m a way of Love: And this is the way to thofe gloriottf Times that fome expeSi by other Ways. And as the abounding of Iniejitity and the cooling of Leve are coupled by Chrtfi as Caufe and Effect^ jo will the abounding of Love, and the decay of Iniquity be conjoined. The God of Love carry m this blejied Work in our froz<en Souls, and m all the Churches, by keeping as under the Light of his Countenance^ and tbi theSunjhine of bis mo(t gkriota Love. 1 remain

Jan. 7. i6j8. Your Brother,

Kick. Baxter,

To Mr. William Allen.

The Cafe of Separation.

Qliefl". *•! TT" Hether Tarticular Churches be of Divine Injli tut ion ?

VV Anfw. Yea ; th.it is Chriftians alTociaced for Perfonal Communion in Dodrine, Worfhip and Difcipline, under the lame Paftors (one or more) are a Church of Divine Inftitution. Proved AB. 14. 25. Titus 1. j. iTim.— Fbil. i. I, 2. I Thef. ^. 16, 17. Heb. if; 17. 24. and many other Texts.

Queft. 2. Whether the ParijI) Ajfemblies are jucb ?

Anfw. Parifh-Affemblies are not of one fort; fome are not fiich, that \s, Parilli AflembHes which deny the Effentials of Chriftianity, and are Hereticks, or deny Church EflTentials, or that have no Paftors, or fuch as want fome Effentials of the Office, as vifible to Man's Judgment.

But Parifh Affemblies are true particular Churches, who profe(s the Effentials of Chriftianity, and of Churches, and have Paftors who vifibly want not any thing effential to their Office (though otherwife faulty ). 2. Churches are called true, I. In point of Effence (as atbrelaid). 2. In point of Soundnefs and Integrity (as a fick Man, or a maimed Man, or a Thief, is a true Man in Effence j but not in Soundnefs, in Integrity and Honefty).

The Parilh Churches, as conftituted by our Laws, Articles, Ordination and Canons, are true Churches as to Eff'; ice; but not without fome Wants and Difeafe's that need a cure.

I 2 3. Churches

§8 JT T E N D I K Numb. IV.

2. Churches may be called 7r«e, i. In their Conftitutions: Or, 2. In their Ad- . miniftration. Ours in England, as afore defcribed, are true in their Conftitution: But in the Adminiftration fome are excellent, fome are laudable, (bme are tolerable, and perhaps (ome have Minifters intolerable; as the Parlbns differ.

4. The Society called the Church of England hath Paftors of feveral Minds; mofl I hope, hold all that is Eflential to Chriftianity, Miniftry and Communion: Buc fome late Innovators and Corrupters, feem to deny fomewhat Effentiaito 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 infticuted 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 Parifii Minifters and Churches are true Minifters and Churches as defcribed by Ordination, and the Church Dodrine, 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 Efl^ence of the Office it felf: The Minifters have all effential Qualifications and the Confent of the People (though not the firft Choice) and the People are profefTed Chriftians.

6. A Parifh and a Parifh-Church are not the fame, all are not of the Church that are in the Pariih ; there are three forts of the Parifh, i. Communicants, and thofe are the Church. 2. Meet 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, maintainedj encouraged, are the moft regular Churches agreeable to Scripture, Reafon, and Antiquity.

Queft. 3. Suppofe the Farijh-Cliurcbes [hvuld be no true Churches, is it dejirn£ii've to pat' ticular Churches to join with the Fari^i-Ajjemblies ?

Anfw. No ; who can dream that Families, and Neighbours, and occafional Meetings may not Worfhip God; or, that fuch Worfhip deftroys Churches. Did Cor-?;<;/;»*'s Meeting, Ails iS. ovihoit Ails iz. i2. or thele that^^^ 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 PolTeflion, and it" the Minifters fhould prove uncalled, the Lois would be to themfelves, and not to the Faithful that are blamelefs and have right to the Childrens Bread, though a Judtu or a Pharifee di-Itribute it.

But the Separatifts Objed, that pretended Churches which are not true, are worfe than occafional Aftemblies that pretend it not. Av[w. i. whether they are worfe or better, is nothing to this Qieftion 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 temporary Church, which is not a conftant fetled Church, 4. It is far liker that many feparating Congregations will prove no true lawful Churches, for want of true Minifters, and other Caules; and yet it will not follow that all that join with them deftroy true Churches; |for fome under Government may do it blamelefly ; and they that do it flnfully may yet own true Churches, every Sin deftroys not other Churches, y. 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 TarifiyAJJemblies to be particular Churches, are the Corruptions in them [0 great as that we mufi feparate from them, or would it not be Schifm fo to do?

Anjw, There are many forts of Separation: It is Schilhi to call them (no true Churches of Chrift) or (fuch as it is not lawful to hold Communion wfth) and to feparate on that account, and this I have oft proved in Print lb fully, that I muft not now repeat it.

But there are many Occafions which may warrant and neceffitate 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 Inftanccs of lawful local Separation, I have publifhed, which I cannot find any have confuted, no, nor denyed.

Queft. J'. Whether there are not in congregational Churches fuch things which are not flalnly injlttutcd in Scripture ?

Anfw. Congregational is a fbrry Word as here ufed in diftinftion from Parifh-Churches,, Parifh-Churches are Congregational, they confift of Paftors and Chriftian

ftian Communicants joined for Perlbnal Communion, and Imiependants and SeDtra-tijis much differ, many Independants are againft Separation, the old Nuncontorm-ifts, both Presbyterians and Independants were judged ths Parilh-Churches that had tolerable Minifters to be true Churches; and Independents greatlv differ among themfelves; fome are found in the Faith, and fome are unlbund j fbme are for Infant Church-Memberlhip and Covenant Grace, and ibme againit it i Ibme are for Iclf-inade Covenants and Terms of Church-entrance and Communion, and for the Peoples Power of the Keys, and againft Ordination and many other Errors; which others do renounce. And remember it is one thing to be Independants by Agreement, as Neighbour Churches, and another thing to be dependant as Subjeds on governing Churches: And it is one thing to be Independent on equal- Neighbour Churches; and another thing to be independant on a liiperior Miniftry : The Churches of Rome, Corintb, Galatia, Ephefus, and the red, were independant on each other, as to Government; but they were dependant on the Apoftks and Evangelifts {Paul, Bamabai, Luke, Mark, Silas, Timothy, Titus, and Apollos, &c,) as to Overfight and dependant on other Churches as Fellow-members of the fame 17-niverfal Body, as the Members of our Bodies are. 3. I know no Churches io hap-py as to have nothing that is not particularly (yea, or generally) infHtuted 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 leparating part who ate they that have lb many and great Defers and Faults as I have in my former Writing enumerated, and need noc here again recite, but advife you impartially to review them.

Queft.d. Whether every Perfon who dotbjoiti -with fucb a Church dotb not become a: guiU ty of the Sin of juch ti Church, as tbofe do that join with the Church of England ?

Anfiv. This Queltion intimateth that you know not what the Church o{England IS: It is nothing but a Chriftian Kingdom, confifting of a Chriftian fupreme Power, and combined Chriftians and Churches governed by that Power j 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 £w^-land: But I fuppofe you mean the Conformifts (which are but a part).

2. One is guilty of the Faults of the Conformifts by their bare Prefence and Communion, who do not confent to thole Faults, and if bare Prefence fignified Confent, we muft avoid Communion with all Churches on Earth, for who areSin-lefs I And all muft avoid us j and how ihali we avoid our felves, who fin in all we do ?

3. But when People caulelefly ftparate and unchurch other Churches far founder than their own, and faUely accufe them; yea, and almoft all Chrift's Churches ihcfe Fifteen Hnndred Years, as thofe now called Separatifts u(ually do, I think your ordinary joining with fuch, when you may have founder Communion is a linful Encouragement of them in their Schifm, juflly leaveth you under the Imputation of Schifm, and requireth great Humiliation and Reformation, being greater than Ibme great private Sins, as publick Cafes are more important than private ; but I am loath to fay all th4t I judge true againft the prelent feparating Way, left I be miftaken, as if I would render them odious, or be againft the neceffary Toleration of the Week.

I have truly told the World near Forty Years ago, that I am paft doubt that neither the Epifcopal Presbyterian nor Independant way alone, will well fettle the Church: But that each-of the three Parties (and thofe called Erajitans) havefome-what of the Truth in peculiar, and fome what of Faultineis, and if ever the Church be well fetled, 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.

Ociobo. 9. 1688.

Mr.] ,

BEcaule your Friend refufeth Conference, though I promiled iecrefie, and a Io? ving Debate, I will for your lake anfwer your QuelHons my felf, which t take to be thefe Two : 1. Whether you ought not prelently to fix your lelf in a particular Churchy and not continue any longer occafiom! Communion wi':h many. ,

It. Whae

II. What Church you fliould be a fixed Communicant in.

I. As to the Firft, I know not well what is meant by fxed Memherfliip by the Author of the Writing which you fliewed me; you muft be a fixed Member of Chrift, and the Church Univerfal, or elfe you are no fixed Chriftian : But as to particular Paftors and Congregations, Order, and Concord, and Edification are the general Rules which tell you where to fix and how far,

1. You ought not to commit any real Sin for Communion with any Church.

2. Though you may and muft join with faulty AfTemblies and Worlhipj yet you muft not juftifie their Faults, nor profefi your Confent to them, nor promife that you will never endeavour any Amendment of them.

;. There muft be no Self-obliging unnecelTarily : Liberty is not focontemptible a thing that we fhould caft it away for nought ; much left muft you bind yourfelf contrary to God's Providence, or without excepting Alterations by it.

4. Your Church-Memberlhip, as to particular Congregations muft have no greater 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. Sufpeft them that would make you their Propriety.

II. As to the Second (where you fliould fix):

1. You are in your Father's Houfe, under his Governmentj and muft obey him in all lawful things; and muft not go againft his Conlent.

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 ir.

3. Scripture knoweth no particular Churches, but what were bounded by Neighbourhood and Cohabitation; except Hereticks: There were never Churches gathered out of Churches then; nor two approved Churches of the fame Language in the fame Bounds.

1. I do hereby undertake to prove againft any Difputer, that there is no Form lb agreeable to God's Word, as this following : i. A Chriftian Kingdom confift-ing of a Chriftian King (or fupreme Power) and particular confederate Churches being the Burgefles, and peaceable Unbelievers that tolerated Aliens or Catechumens. 2. A reformed Epilcopacy SuccefTors to the Evangelifts, that (without the Sword or Force) had the Care of many Churches. 3. K.eformedParifh-Churches, confining of Godly Paftors, and protefTed Chriftian Cohabitants, the incapable being Catechumens; which made the old Nonconformifts declare that they were lb far from being againft P/riih-Churches, that tbeir Lives would be a burden to them if they were not refiored to them.

The fir.ft Church State that Chrift himfelf made, was the Platform of a Chrifiian Kingdom Church, offering to make Judaa fuch, fetting Twelve Apoftles over the Twelve Tribes, and Seventy two Difciples, the Number ol their great Council, and fb would have gathered all JerufaUm's Children to himfelf, as a Hen gatheretb her Chickenj, Mat. 23. which they refufing he declared that the Kingdom of God fhould be taken from them, and given to a Nation that would bring forth the fruit thereof • and fo they were cut off for their Unbelief, and we graffed in (to the fameOliye or political State, the Mofaic^l Law only changed for Chrift's Law): And as all the prophets foretold this, that Chrift's Church fhould be a Davidical Kingdom j fo after Two Hundred Ninety Four Years Tryal it was fet up, anti • the Pagan Empire, Babylon, did fall, and Chrift reigned by Chriftian Emperors, and hib enemies were made his Footftool, and the Kingdoms of the World became the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Chrift, confi.'ting of Churches confederate for Unity ; and the Nations Ijrought in their Glory to it; and the Fulnefs of the Gentiles came in, and all the Ijraeloi' God were faved, Judaa becoming the mofl Chriftian Nation in the World : And Heaven and Earth rejoiced at the Fall of Babylon, and this new Jerufakm's initial State : And fure it is fuch a Kingdom-Church which thofe exped that talk cf the future Thoufand Years Reign of Chrift. As Teachers are under him as Prophet, and Priefts as he is Prielt; fo are Chriftian Kings as he is King ; and bad Kings are no more Reafon againft his Inftitution than bad Teachers and Priells.

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 Eiders or fixed Bifhops over them, and then overltc both the Elders and People : Such Chrift made the Apoftles, whole Office was partly extraordinary and temporary, and is fb

far

"- -^ — r .

far only cealed, and partly ordinary and continued, and fo Chrift promifed to be with them to the end of the World : And fuch were Evangslifts lent forth with and by the Apofiles to gather and overfee many Churches and Paftors: Such were Tttits, "limothy, Luke, Mark, Barnahat, Silof, and many more. God never recalled this Order of Minifters^ if any fay he did, it lyech in them to prove it. This was the fir ft Ibrt of Paftors.

II. The Second Sort were the fixed Elders which thefe ordained in every Church; who were all Bi/hops over the Flocks, and fo called : but under the general Minifters (who yet had none of them any forcing Power by the Sword) thele two God inftituted.

III. The Third Sort (between thefe Two) was a Prefident Paftor in every par-ticuUr Church, like the Prefident of a Colledgc, who had fome moderating guiding 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 ApoftlesDays, and never rejeded for a Thoufand Years

5. 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^ rilh-Churches, having fixed Pallors (and where it may be our Chief) &c. Moreover (as to your fixing) the Churches in Queftion with you, I fuppofe, are not the Papifts, the Quakers, the Familifts, &c. But the Epifcopal, the Presbyterian, the Independent and the Separatift (if not the Anabaptifts alfo).

I. The Epilcopa! are of Two Sorts, Conformifls and Nonconformifts. The Epifcopal Conformifts are of Two Sorts; fome lately fprung up, that follow Arch-bi/hnp Laud and Dr. Hammond, hold that there are no Political Churches lower than Diocefan, becaufe there are no Biftiops under them; and lb that the Parift-Churclies are no Churches, properly, but part of Churches j nor the Incumbants true Bifhops, but Curates under Bifhops j nor the Foreigners true Minifters or Churches that have no Diocefan Bifiiops, This Party called themlelves the Church of England, 1658, \6<^'). When we knew but of Four or Five Biihops left alive (who Dr. Hammond faid (with that Party of the Clergy) were of his Mind): And thefe fcemed uppermoft in ii56o,and 1661. and were the men whom I difputed with in my Treatife of Epifcopacy.

The other Epifcopal Conformifts are they that follow the Reformers, and hold the DoArinc 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 Parifli-Paftors for true Redors, and the Parifh-Churches for true Churches, but fiibordinate to the Diocelans, and to be ruled by them. But the Laws have impofed on them fome Declarations and Subfcriptions, which they think they may put a good Senfe on, though by ftretch-ing the Words from their ufual Signification. The Biihops and Deans are chofen by the King indeed, and by the Prebends in JIhw. The Incumbant are chofen by Patrons ordained by Dioceftns with Presbyters, and accepted by Confent of the Communicants of the Paridi. 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, reformed, without fwearing, promifing, declaring, or (iibfcribing to any but fure, clear, neceflary things; defiring that the Scripture may be their Canons, difown-ing all perfecuting Canons, taking the capable in each Parilh for the Communicant and Church, and the reft for Hearers and Catechized Perfons: defiring that theMagiftratebe Judge, whom lie will maintain, approve, and tolerate, and the Ordainers Judges whom they will ordain, and the People be free Confenters to' whole Paftoral Care they will trLill their Souls; defiring that every Presbyter bean Overfeer of the Flock, and every Church that hath many Elders have one Incumbent Prefident for Unity and Order ; and that Godly Diocefans may (without the Sword or Force) have the Orerfight of many Minifters and C-hurches j and all thefe be confederate and under the Government of a Chrillian King, but under no Foreign Jurifdidion ; though in as mucli Concord as is poTible with all the Chriftian World: And they would have the Keys of Excommunication and Abfolution taken

ken out of the Hands of Lay-Men (Chancellors or Lay Brethren) ; and the Dioce-fans to judge in the Synods of the Presbyters, in Cafes above Parochial Power.

That this was the Judgment of the Nonconform ids that treated for Peace m j66o. and 1661. is to be feen in their printed Propofais, in wlich they defired Archbilhop Ujhers Model of the Primitive Epifcopacy joined with the Synods of Presbyters.

n. The Presbyterians are for Parifh-Churches asaforefaid, guided by Elders, fome teaching, and fome only ruling, and thefe under Synods of the like Clafi, wichouc Diocclan or Parochial Superiors; and all under a National Affembly of the fame, as the Supreme Church Power.

III. The Indepehdahts are for every Congregation to have all Church Power in it felf, without any fuperior Church-Goveinment over them, whether Bidiops or Synods, yet owning Synods for voluntary Concord.

Of thele fome are againft local Communion with theaforefaid Churches, and for avoiding them by Separation ; fome as if they were no Churches, and had no true Minifters; fome for Forms of Prayer, Ibme for faulty Communicants, fome for EpifwOpal 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 fbmealfo for Hated Communion in the Parifli-Churches, for which you may read Mr. Tomes s the chief of the Anabaptifts in a full Treatife, and Dr. Thomas Goodwin on the firft of the Efhefians, earneft againft Separation ('as the old Noncon-formifts were).

Now which of all thefe fiiould you join with ? I affirm, that all thef^ except the Separatifts are parts of the Church of England^ as it is truly elfentiatcd bv 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 effential to it, as a Church, or Chriftian Kingdom : But it is now a Medly, le(s concordant than is defirable : but you are not put upon any fuch Difputes; whether you will call the prefenc Church of England Roman, as denominated from the King that is the Head ; or whether you will lay that King and Parliament conjunft are that Head, and fo it is yet Proteftantjbecaufe the Laws are fo ; or whether you will denominate it materially Proteftant, becaule the Clergy and Flocks are lb 5 your Doubt is on\yy-u>hat Congregation to join with.

1 anfwer. That which all your Circumftances fet together, make it moft convenient 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, whole cale maketh it fitteft : But I judge it unlawful for you to confine your Communion to any one of them; fo as to refufe occafional Communion with all lave them.

1. The Parifti-Churches have the Advantage of Authority, Order and Confederacy, and the Proteftant Intereft is chiefly caft upon them, theifcfore I will not le-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 neccHity : 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 Parilhes 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 (hevi^d me.

I. Becaufc they grievoudy flander the ParifhChurches and Minifters as none, and their Worfhip and Government as far worfe than it is.

II. Becaufethey Renounce local Communion with almoft all the Body or Church of Chrift on Earth, by renouncing it on aRealbn common to almoft all.

III. fiecaufe they feparate from iiich Churches as Chrift and his ApolHes joined with, and fo fecm to condemn Chrift and hisApoftles as Sinners. Chrift ordinarily joined with the Jews Church in Synagogues and Temple Offices j when the High-Prieft bought the Place of Heathens, and the Priefts, Pharifees and Rulers

were

Isumb. IV. "" JT T E NT> I X. _^Jli

were wicked PerlecutorSj and the Sadduces Hereticks cr woiie, he fenr Judas as an ApoltlCj when he knew him to be a Theif or a Devil.

The Apoftles neither ieparated nor allowed Separation from fuch Churches as Corititb, GaUatia, Ephejus., Smyrna, SarHu, Laodicea, &c. defiled with odious Crimes and Errors; though God command them to reform.

IV. Becaufe hereby they tempt Men to infidelity, when they hear that Chrift hath no greater a liody and Church than they with which Men may lawfully com' inunicate; and rob him of almoft his Kingdom.

V. By falfe accufing the Prayers of almoft all Chrift's Churchy .ind renouncing Communion with them, they forfeit their Intereft in the Benefit ot their Prayers, and of the Communion of Saints.

VI. Who but Satan would have all the People of England and all Nations to live without any publick Church-worfhip, till they can have better than (uch as is iit our Parilh-Churchcs j as if none were better.

VII. With whom would thefe Men have held Communion if they had lived iii any Age til! two hundred Years ago ? when as far t% ever I could find, there was not one Congregation of Chriftians or Hereticks in all the World that was agatnlt Forms of Wc>rihip, or Bilhops, or all Ceremonies; let them name one if they can^ what then will they fay to the Qiieftion,Where was your (new) Church bsfore the two laft Ag?s ? 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 Chrilt dif^wn them all, and yet was he their Head, and they his Body ? Or are thele Men as much ftridcr than Chriit, as the Pharilees were about his Converfe and the Sabbath j*

VIII. They condemn themfelves by their own Pradice, while ibme of them cry down Communion with impofed Forms of Liturgy ; thsy fing Pfalms impofed by the Pafio: or Clerk> which are the chief part of impofed Liturgies : Tliey fing them in new Verfions, Metre, and Tunes, different from the ApofUes Churches Cand yet better for us) : They ufe impofed Tranflations of the Scripture: The Pa-ftor impolcth his Words of Prayer, as a Forme which the People rnuft all join with : This is but a different Mode of Liturgies.

IX. Charity (or Chriftian Love) and Unity arc the great vital Graces of tlie Chriftian Church: And oh, how wofully do thefe Men violate and deftrby it^ when, as is faid, they renounce Communion for a Thoufand or Twelve Hundred Y'ears at leaft, with all known Churches on Earth, as unlawful in point of local Prefence, 2. They bind all Chriftians that will hear them, to do the like to this Day, to almoft all the Churches on Earth. ;. Their Principles and Reafons make it fmful to have Coaimunicated with the Reformers, the Waldmfis, WukUffe, Luther^ Mtlanctln*!^ Zwwglius^ Calvin, Bucer, and the reft. 4. And they condemn Communion with the Martyrs, both under Heathens, and ot later Times, who made or valued and ufed Liturgies. 9. They condemn local Communion with all the late and form^T hoiy excellent Bifhops and Conformifts ; fuch as Archbifhops Farker, Grindall, Abbot, Vpcr, &c. Billiops, HaU, Morton, Pilkinton, Downame, Davenant, and many fuch: All that glorious Tribe of Conformifts; Prefion, Sibbs, Bohort^ Whately , Crook, Jo. Downame, St ought on, &c. Oh, how great a Nurnber and how excellent,' almoft matchlefs Men ? Almoft all the late Wefiminftcr Aftem-bly. 6. And all the excellent old Nonconformifts that were againft Separation ; Bearing, Grtenbam, Perkins, Bayn, Reignolds, Dod, Hielderjl)am, Bradjhaii/, Ball, and MuUitudiS of fuch of greatcft Piety and Parts. 7. All, or near all the Reformed Churches. 8. All the meer Independants that were againft their Separati^ on ; fuch as Dr.TSo. GooJu;/» aforefaid, and many of his Mind. 9. Yea, tliey condemn the Old Brownifts, who Printed their Profeffion of Communion with many Parilh-Churches, and with Liturgies. 10. And they utterly condemn all local Communion with the meer Nonconformifts of this Age, who offered Terms of Concord in Liturgy and Episcopacy, 1661. None of all thefe are good enough for thefe Men (efp3cially their Women and Lads) to have any pfe'snt Comitiunion with.

Do they know how little radical Difference there is between (ay ing, as Perfecu-tors, M thefe are Hereticks ; and as Separatifts, AH thefe are unworthy of Chnfiian Communicn : Yea, the Pope rejedeth Communion but with two or three parts of the Chriftian World, and thefe Men renounce local Communion with almoU all: Is this the wayof Love and Unity in the Body of Chrid ?

X. Is Provoking, Excommunicating them the way to reconcile the Puhiick Mi-nifters and Churches? Or is this a time to join with the Enemies of the Proteftant Religion, to draw all the People to forfake them ? That fo the Reformation here may have only private Toleration as we have, till fome DiHirder is faid to forfeit it? the King promifeth to defend them, and (hall feparating Proteftants pull them down?

XT. The Wcaknefs of thefe Mens Judgments and Dealings, bring all the Noncon-formifts into Contempt and Scorn with Multitudes of undillinguiihing Men, as if we were all of the fame Temper, and hardeneth Thoufands in hatred to them all, and maketh theralong to he perfecuting us again, and keepeth them from repenting of the Evil they have done : Offence mult come, but woe to them by whom it Cometh.

XII. God hath moft exprefly decided this Controverly in Scripture, and thefe Men feeming Adherents to Scripture cannot fee it, Rom. 14. and ly. and 16. 17. Job. 17. 22, 24. Thil. 2. Eph. 4. In a Word, in all thofe Texts that plead fc*. Church Unity and Love; and all thole 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 [reveive one another as Chrifi recefved us^ even tbem that are weak in Faith it felf^ doth mean no more than [do not filence them, or imprifon, or murder them:'] No doubt but it meaneth, receive them to Church-Communion,

Xin. What a great Sin is unjufl 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 muft be unlawful to join with them: If I be guilty of all that is faid or done amifs in the Pa-rilli Churches, I fhall be more guilty if 1 join with the Separatilfs.

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 thurch-State to be fo far different from the Rule, and in many Refpects worfe than the Parifh-Churches, as that to join with them as fixed covenanted Members, will be a ftate of Sin.

1. Scripture-fixed Miniflers, or Elders were all ordained hy fuperi or general Tafiors, either alone, or with Vresbytertes: So are not theirs (if by any at all).

2. Scripture-flocks were ruled by their Vafiors, Heb. 13. 7, 17, 24. r Thef 5'. I}, 14. I Pet. J. I Tim. 3, &c. But many of their Flocks are the Rulers of themfelves and Pafiors.

3. Scripture particular Churches were all diftinguifhed by t\\z Limits of their Habitation or Troxtmity ; (b that there was never two Churches in the fame City or Bounds, lave Hereticks, and Men of divers Tongues (at lead where one could hold them all) But it's othei wife with the Separatifts.

4. No lawful Church in Scripture, was gathered out of a true Gofpel-Church: But theirs are.

5-. Scripture Churches had fixed known Tefts to know qualified Members by; which was content to the Baptifinal Covenant, explained in the Creed, Lords-Prayer and Commandments: So that all Churches had the fame 1 eft and Terms of Qualification, and fb had one Profeffion. But thefe Men leave this Arbitrary to the Paftor (or People) to try whether Men are converted by uncertain Terms and Words devifed by every Minifter ; fo that the Terms are unknown and not agreed on among their Churches, and may he as various as Minilters.

6. Scripture Churches never divided the Chrillians of the fame Family, fome to one Church, and fome to another: But thefe Men do fo, to great Confufion.

7. They

7. They are not agreed on any Form of Do<5irine to be a Teft of their Agreement with other Churches with whom they will have Communion : If they fay that the Scripture is that Tef} j I anfwer, a General Belief that Scripture is the Word of God, is neither Sufficient to Salvation, nor to Communion: Many have this, who deny the Eflfentiais of Chriflianity : And an explicite Underftanding and Belief of every Text, no Man hath. Thoulands of Texts are not underftood by nioft Chri-ftians or Teachers j therefore there muft be fome Colledion of the Eflentials in a Creed, or elfe there can be no certain Notice whether lb much of Scripture Truth be explicitely beUevcd as is neceflfary to Salvation. And if fingle Paftors require more, it muft be only in order to Growth and Edification, and not as a necelFary Qualification for Memberfhip, or Communion of Churches.

I have great Caulb to know what 1 fay of them. A Parliament once chofe Fourteen Minillers to draw up the Fundamentals of Religion, as a Teft of fuch as were to be toUerated in Union: Thcie were Dr. Owen, Mr. Nye, Dr. Thomas Goodwin, M.r.SydrakSjfmpfon, Dr.Cheynel, and others: Bifhop Uflier w^schokn, andrefufed; and 1 waschofen in his ftead : Before I came they had drawn up Fourteen or Fifteen Articles all in new Terms of their own, and fome neither Efiential, nor true; I told them that we were not to make a new Chriftianity or Creed, but muft own that which the Chriftian Church was known by in all Ages : But I couKi not be heard, though Mr. Vtaes and Mr.Mantcft joined with me. At latt they wrote this for a Fundamental ; [That they that allowed tbemfehes or others in any known Sm, cannot be faved."] I told them that though I could not be heard by them, I durft fay, that I would make them prelendy blot it our. They bid me, do ic if I could. I (aid, [The Parliament taketh Independency, Separation, Anabaptifiry, and Antinomianifm for Sin: And they ■will Jay, Theje Divines pronounce. tu all Damned if we aSow 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 pafs by all their Works, and take no notice of it, left it fhould 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 noc reft in. And can fuch Churches be of any known Confiftency or Conco. d ? If you join with them, how know you what Religion they are of? Or how know they what othei* particular Churches are in their Communion ? (for I hope they hold a Communion of Churches.) Arrians and Socinians lay they believe the Scripture: No Man underftandeth all the Scripture: The necefTary feleded 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 Profeflton, but inftead of it leave every Paftor to make one in Terms that is only his, and no two Churches have the lame: To agree in Independency or Separation, is not to agree in Chriftianity : There are abundance of Books written for very falfe Dodrines by men called Independents (it's 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 to be of their Communion, and whom not.

8. I'herefore their Churches are not compaginate nor confederate fo asthe Members of our Body fhould be, and as Scripture-Churches were, and as Chrift would have had the Jewi/h National Church to be.

9. They have no Certainty and Concord in their Church-Worfliip, which they have little more than fuch Preaching and Praying, which cannot be known for true or falfe, found or unjound till the Words are paft: And it may juftly be expefted that Separatifts, (Vntinomians, Anabaptifts, Socinians, and all erroneous Men fhould put their Errors into their Sermons and Prayers, and fmfuUy father them all on God: And io all God's Worfhip muft be contiually uncertain to the Flocks; and of as many different Strains as the Preachers differ in Parts and Wifdora : 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 Independants, and from the . Arubaptifts. And they exprefly contradift the Scripture, r. In faying that [aye have no Righteoufnefs but Chrtfi's which is imputed to us] when as Scripture many Hundred times mencioneth alfo another perlbnal, inherent, or afted Righteoufnefs.

K 2 2. They

■7^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ P ^ ^- Numb.IV."

2. They fay that \_Faith it not impttedfor Rigkeoufae/}. I think they me^n well; But they JJjomW rather expomid Scripture ihzn Jlatlj deny or contradict what it (aith; and after, defame thofe falfly that would help them more diftindly to underlfand it. Their People are taught to fpeak evil of what they underftand nor, and to reprefenc Men as dangerous or odious, who think not of many wordy Controverfies as con-fufedly and ignoranily as they. Their Churches are too ufually conlHtuced of fiich Novices in Knowledge of both Sexes, as are like a School where the Boys call their Teacher a Deceiver lor every word by which he would deliver them from their Errours, and teach them more than they knew before.

10. They lazily gather a few that feem fo much better than the refl:, as will put them to no great labour in Teaching and Difcipline. Butjf ail the reft of the Pa-rifhes lye in Ignorance, how little are we beholden to thele Separatifts for the Cure. When I came to Kiddermmfier, fbme, inclined that wayj importuned to me to take a few ProfeflTors of Zeal for my Flock, and let the raft follow their ignorant Readers. But when I renounced their Counlel, and after my own and my Affiftants long Catechizing them, and perlwading all the Families, Houfe by Houle, they faw the Body of Town and Parilh in love with ferious Religion, they told me they had been undone if I had followed their Counfel: William Allen, who , with Mr. Lamby were Paftors of an AnabaptiftArminian Church, firlt feparated from the Parilh-Churches, and next from the Independents, was turned from Independency much, by feeing ('being our Ktddcrminfier Fador) that Parilh-Churches may be made as holy 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.

11. They abufe the People in indulging them in works that they were never called to, nor are capable of, nor can give any comfortable account of to God ^ that is. To be the Judges of Perlbns admitted to Communion.and of Mens Repentance and Fitnels for the Sacrament, c^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). Baptilin is the true Churches Entrance, and the Baptizer is the Judge of the Capacity of the Baptized : no more but Conlent to particular Church Relation and Duty, is neceflary to Memberftiip of Neighbour Chriftians in particular Churches. And nothing but proved nullifying the Baptifmal Covenant by Herefie, or Sin impenitently maintained or contained in, doth forfeit their vifible right to Communion. And if the People muft judge of all thefe, they muft have their Callings to examine every Perfon, and they muft grow wiler and abler, then many of their Leaders are.

1 2. 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 lb afFeded the Sober in New-England, that in i66o. or i66i. Mr. Ajl) anrd I were fain to difTwade Mr. Norton and Mr. Broadfireet, whom they lent hither as Commiflioners, from inclining to our Englifl) Epilcopacy ^foretelling them what was doing and we have feen ) lo deeply were they afraid of being received by that Peoples uncurable Separation from their ableft Paftors, whenever any earneft erroneous Teachers would (educe them. Their Building wanteth Cement.

I;. God hath lb wonderfully by his Providences difbwned the way of Schifm and Separation (on how good pretences (bever) that I Ihould be too like Pharaoh ia hardnefs, if I Ihould deliiiie his warnings. For Inftance,

I.In the Apoftles days all are condemned that feparated from the fetled Churches, even when thole Churches had many heinous Scandals, and St. P<?«/laith, That*?^ they in Afia -were turned from htm. The Authority and Miracles of the Apoftles did not lerve to keep Men from Separation and railing Schilins.

3.. Even when the Ciuirch lay under Heathen Perlicutors for 29+ years, yet Swarms of Condemned Seds arofe, to fo great a number, as that the naming and confuting them fiUeth great Volumes , to the great Reproach of the Chriftian Churches, and Scandal of the Heathens,

5. As foon as Confiamtm delivered the Churches frotn the Flames of cruel Perlecu-tion, and fet up Chriftians in Power and Wealth, leparating Seds grew greater than before, each Party crying up their leveral Biftiops and Teachers, and grew woife by Divifions, till thereby they tempted the Papal Clergy to unite Men carnally by force.

Numb.TV.' A ■PT B N D IX. -jl

4. At Luther s Reformation Swarms of Separatifts arole in Germany, Holland, Poland, &c. to tha great dilhonour of the Proreftant Cauls.

f. Here in England it hath been ill in Queen Eliz.abethh time, by the Famiii/is and SeparatiUs j and far worfe lince : It was I'uch as Quarttrman and Lilbiirn, and o-ther Separatifts that drew Tumults and Crowds down to Weliminfter , to draw the Parliament to go beyond their own Judgment,3nd 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-Ghurches in the Towns that had able godly Minifters, when they had nothing impoled on them to excule it, neither Bilhops, Liturgies , nor Ceremonies. So that Churches became like Cockpits, or Fencing-Schools, to draw afunder the Body of Chrif}. It was the Separating Party that got under Cromtvell into the Army, and became the common Scorners of a godly able Mini/try, by the Names of the Priefi-byters, the Drivmers, the fVeflminfler-finners, the DiJJembly-men, as Malignant Drunkards did , and worfe. It was thele that thought Succefs had made them Rulers of the Land , that cauled the disbanding of all the Soldiers that difliked their Spirit and Way,and then puU'd down, firlt eleven^ and then the major part of the Parliament, imprilbning 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 Icorn turning out that minor part that had done their work , and to whom they had ofc profelt them-felves Servants: It was thefe Men that fet up a Ufurpcr ; that made a thing called a Parliament, all of his and his Armie-. nomination.. If this fiiould ever bs imitated, whom may we thank. It was thefe Men that (et up the Military Government of Major-Generals: It was they that fet up and pull'd down (o 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 viftorious Army and Power dropt in pieces like Sand, as they would have ufed the Church, and was diffolvcd without one Battle or drop of Blood , fave the after-Blood of their Leaders that were hangd, drawn, and quarter'd by Parliament Sentence. It is thefe Men and thele doings that have hardened thoufands againft Reformation, and turned all that was done for it f O what did it coft, and what railed hopes had many of the Succefs) into Reproach, quieted the Confciences of thofe that have thought they lerved God by filcncing, hating and perlecuting thofe that they thought had been of this guilty Sedl:. In a word, the fpirit and way of caulelels Separation, whether by violent Prelatiffs Purfuits and Excommunications, or by felf conceited Seftaries, was never owned or bleft by God.

If any lay (truly or falfly) Tou have had a hand inforKe fuch thing your fdf.

I anfwer, If I had I will hate it, and write againit it fomuch the more.

To thruft ones felf imo a way fo dilbvvned by God, by fuch a courfe of fearfui warnings, is to run with Pharaoh into the Red-Sea; elpecially when Impenitence fo fixe^i the guilt on them that cannpt endure to hear of it, as may make us fear ^that the worlt 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 Paridi Churches have no true Miniltry, and -therefore are no true Churches: That they confefi there is no Church without a Billiop, and no Bifhop below the Diocefan, and lb no Church below the Diocefan Church : That thofe are no Scripture Bilhops and Churches j and Men cannot be Pallors againft their wills, and the will of their Diocefan?. That I contradid my Treatife of Epilccpacy in denying this: With more like this.

To which I fay, I. If the Parifh 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 Separatiffs, might hear the Minifters there

II. Whether I contradid my fc-lf, or nor, is nothing to your Caufe and Con-fciencei I undertook not, w^hen I wrote, that none Ihould wilfully or ignorantl^ milunderftand me : The formal Notion of a National Church is nothiiw ^^ ^ Chrilf ian Kingdom: The Matter is Chriliian Rulers and Subjeas„a-' ^s ordered Confederate particular Churches: England hath been li:ch i^^^^^ f ^f"' „ ,.^-® from the Reformation they owned the Sovereign Power"'*^"f Head ^J"^ ^ ^ a cal National Church, asChrift is of the UniverliL i under him). Ihey ownec! Parilh. Churches under Diocefans, and true M^ufters therein: Their Books ihew their Judgment, their Articles, Apolog.v. riomelies. Liturgy, Ordination, Canons, &c. Thefe Books are ffiU owned by the Church : But at laft a new fort of Bilhops rofe up that would have made the Pariih Churches to bs no proper Churches, but

^ UK©

like Chappels under the Diocefan : Thefe called themfelves the Church of Engl and^ when there ware but abeut four or five Bilhops left alive, who Dr. Hammond faid were of his mind. Some fuch domineered afterward, and would have fet up that way, but never prevailed either to rctrad: the Churches Books and Laws, nor to get the major part of the Clergy to own them. Now all the vain queftion here is. Which of thele two Parties fhall be called The Chwch 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 firft 5 which your Counfeller would take no notice of. And what's all this to you? If you will not be of the National or Diocefan Church, you may be of a Parilh Church.

III. I proved that if all the Bilhops and Parliament had faid, The Parifli 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 Minifters and Churches to be none : Becaufe we all take the Office as inftituted by Chrift, and Men to be but invefling Servants to him, having no power to alter it : And as in the Marriage the Husband fhall have power o-ver the Wife though he that marry them fay Nay j lb fliali an ordained Elder be a true Pallor though the Ordainer fay Nay.

IV. I proved that the old Church Books and Dodrine 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 Parilh Mini-llry 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 confent to all the Office, while bethinks it is not all,and denieth the Name, If a Man think that a Deacon may do all eflential 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 Chriftianity, while they think they do not. And why may it not be ib alfo to the Miniftry ?

VI. But our Cafe needeth none of thefe Reafons. For where there is all that is eflenti.^1 to true Paftors and Churches, there are true Paftors and Churches: But by God's great mercy, in many thoufandPariflies in England, there is all that is ef fential to true Paftors and Churches : Therefore they are fuch. When you will call me to difpute it with any Denier, I will fully prove to you , ( That there is great need of Reformation).

1. That the Church of England, as it is a Chriflian Kingdom, containing Confederate Churches under a Chriftian King and Laws, is that very Form that Chrift offered to fettle in Judea, and did fettle by Cmjiantine.

2. That if theDiocefans be good Men, and lawfully chofen, as they are meer Suc-cefTours of Timothy and Tttzfs, and others that had the overfight of many Churches and Paftors (by the Word) they are righter than the Oppofers.

5. That the Incumbents of the Parilh-Churches have a valid Ordinadon by fuch Bilnopsand 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.fb many able Minifters as England. And that to deny it and fcparate, is great ingratitude towards God.

5. That Parifli Bounds are a laudable Diftribution of Churches j the capable '^'lembers being Communicants, and the reft Catechumens.

^-'-b-at the ordinary Communicants in multitudes of Parifhes, are Membrsthat have a[> t^«^ - eftential to Church-Memberfhip.

7. That the Par.^.^ Yi^y^ power from God for all their Work, and Mens denial (even the Ordainers) nu'j.-f^^th not that Power, when they are in general ordained Presbyters.

8. That by the Law of the Lani they have all Power efTential to Paftors: They may keep from Communion all that are «ot Confirmed, and there have owned rheir Baptilm.il Covenant, or are ready and dedroii. fo to do, and therefore may try their rcadinefs; This is required by the Licurgy : And ihey may deny the Sacrament to

all

Numb. IV. ATTENVIX.

19

all that live in fcandalous Sin : And they muft prolecute f uch to the Bifhops Courts. The Law calleth them KeiJon (Rulers), and they own themfclvcs for luch : And even the Canons ("that are their worlt reftraints) do own the fame ; and fo do the reft of ths Church-Books and Laws, that they all lublcribe to, and promife not to alter : Ask them whether they take not themfelves for true Paftors, if you would know whether they conlent to be fuch.

9. Though Ibme late Innovators, that called themfelves The Church ef England, would, as far as they could, have nullified in foma part the Parilh Miniflry and Churches, and the Canons themfelves do finfully limit the Exercild of their Power, (the Caufe of our Calamities j, yet this nullificth not che Office and Churches; the ElTential Power being fetled both by God's Laws and the Churches -and the reftraint of Exercife nulleth not the Power.

10. That to Exclude any from Communion that are Baptized and at Age, have owned their Chrillianity, and are not proved by fiifficient wicnelTes to have nullified that Profeflion by Apoftafie, Herefie, or a wicked or fcandalous Life is Church Tyranny and Injuftice ; of which all are guilty that do it or defiie ir.

11. That if this Difcipline be negleded by the Minifters fintul Sloth, or by the finfulOmiflton of the People, that will not (firft privately, and then before wit-ncfs, and then to the Church or Paftor) admonifti the Offenders j this is the Sin of Paffors and People, but nullifieth not the Church or Office.

12. Through Gods great Mercy the Dodtrine profefTed by the Church of Eng-land, and ufually preached in many thouland Parilh Churches, is found, and as well preached as in any other known Kingdom on Earth ( though Minillers have had their Sins which we itill fmart for and by),

15. There is nothing in the Liturgy-worfliip 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-Offices, Baptizing, Confirmation, Excommunications, Ablolutions, Burials, and in the Minifterspart).

14. The Minifters have all the three parts that can be accounted by any party necelTary to an outward Call. i.They have the Magiftrates Conlent (by his Law) who is Judge whom he will maintain and tolerate. 2. They have the Ordainers Conlent and Million (Bilhops and Presbyters) who are Judges whom to Ordain. 5. They have the Communicants Conlent exprefTed in their conlfant Attendance and Communicating ; who are the decerning Judges to whom to commit the Pa-ftoral Care and Condudl of their own Souls: And though more be defirable , no more is of neceffity.

15". The Confederate Parifh-Churches of England that have able godly Paflors. want nothing, which CHRIST or his APOSTLES, or theUN I VERSA L C H U R C H of Chrift for Six hundred years ( yea or to this day) did ever make or judge necelTary to the being of Minifters or Church. Nor have the laid Churches any Errour or Sin in Doftrine, Worlhip or Government, which either Chrift or his Apodles, or the Univerfil Church, for Six hundred years aftef Chri/1, 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 juflifiefuch Minifterial Conformity as I have been urged to, yet you may eafily foe by them, i. What Church-Frame is mof$ agreeable to Scripture. 2. And what to judge of the falfe Accufersof the Church, 3. How far Separation is finful Divilion, and contrary to Chriffian Love and U-iiion.

I know the Dividers fay, X.That I am turned Covformift. x.And why do Inot Conform, if I think fo wcU of the Pari(l] Churches and Liturgy. And 5. Why have I lojt a-^ hove Twenty tboujand pounds in Five and twenty years^ by refujing a Bijhoprick and other Treferrnents.

To whom I anfwer; If our printed Propofals, Difputes, and Petitions fr»' '^^c® in 1661. and m ' firft, (econd, and third Plea for Peace,and many rr«'""= '"^h Writings, and my Cure of Church Divifions, and my Book for th'^rue and only way ' of Church Concord, and my Confutation of many x\v>^ made me a Separatift while I Communicated in my Parifli Church, and P'^^'er gathered a Church meerly becaufe 1 forfook not my Miniftry, but ^r^m p"cached a Le6T:ure , and my Book againft Sacrilegious Defertionof the Mipi/fry ; 1 C»y, H all thele Books will notfr-lence thele ignorant Objeaors, nor reftrain them from fpeaking evil oi that which they underftand not, I owe them no more, nor can hope to cure their quarrcUbms

Ignorance,-,

\o J T T E N T> I X. Numb, iV.

Ignorance, ftould I fay or write never fo much more. They have contemned lo many excellent Rulers, and Pafiors, fmgle and Jffefnhltes, far wifer than i, and lb cen-forioufly condemn almoft all the Body or Church of ChriH: on Earth, that I am not To vain as to expecft toefcape their Genfure. Even in New-England, not only Mv.Wilfon, Mr. Norton, and luch other lingle Independent Minilters, lived and died in lamented Separation, and warning the Land again(J: it as their danger , but tk,eir Synods have been at much trouble thereby, and left their Healing Determinations snd Teltimony againft that Dividing Spirit and Way.

They that would lee more, may read afmallBook of Mr. Philip Nye for Hearirg the Parifh Preachers; and a bigger Book of Mr. John Tomles (the greateO and molt learned Writer againft Infant-Baptifm ) vindicating the Lavifulnels and Duty of joyning in ordinary Communion in Word, Prayer, and Sacrament with the Parilh-ChurcheSi

Dr, Thomas Goodwin on Ephef. i. Serm,^^. pag. 488. explain-' ing foms Words in the foregoing Sermon,

IT was underftood as if I faid. That aU Parip Churches and Minifiers generally ivert Churches and Mtnifters of Cbrifi, fitch as with whom Communion might be held. I laid not fo: I was wary in my Expreffions. I will only lay 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 lay. That multitudes of Pari/tes, where Ignorance ^nd Pro/)^if«e«f/f overwhelmeth the Generality, ScandaloufneJS and 5;-mony the Mwtfiers themfelves, that thefe are not Churches and Minilters fit to be held Communion with. Only this; The Ordinances that have been adminiftred by them ( fo far we muft acknowledge them, that they ) are not to be recalled or repeated again.

But here lyeth the QiieRion, my Brethren, and my meaning : Whereas now in fome Parilhes in this Kingdom, there are many godly Men that do confiantly givt themfelves up to the IVorJljip of God in puhlick, and meet together in one place to that end ^ in a conltant way, under a godly Miniffer, whom they themfelves have choferi to cleave to, {though they did not choofe him at firjt ) Thefe, notwithftanding their mixture and want of Dtfciplme,! never thought for my part,but that they were true Churches of Chnfi, and Stfier-Churches, and fo ought to be acknowledged: And the contrary was the Errour that I fpake againft.

Secondly, For holding Communion with them, I fay, as Si^er-Churches, eccafonaSy 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 a 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 Realbns 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 Realbns, or rather the Motives and Confiderations that Itirred me in it, were thele.

Firft, If we (hould not acknowledge thefe Churches, thus ftated, to be true Churches of ChrilV, and their Minifters true M'mifiers, and their Order fuch; and hold Communion with them too, in the Sence fpoken of, we muft acknowledge No Church tn all the Reformed Churches ; None of all the Churches in Scotland, nor in Holland, nor in Germany ; for they are All as full of mixture as ours: And to deny tnav^r, our own Churches, which we do not to the Churches abroad, nothing can be more abiu. j . ^^^j j^ ^yjn |^g yg^y hard to think that there hath been no Church • fince the Reforni^iofi

Secondly, I know nuvV,;ngtendeth more to the peaceable Reformation among us, than to break down Tha vanttton-Wall: for there is nothing provokes more than this doth, to deny fuch Chui^hes to be true Churches of Chrilh For do but think with your (elves, and I will give you a familiar Example: You come to a Man whom you think to be a godly Man; you tell him. He hath thefe and thefe Sins in him, and they are great ones: It is as muth as he can bear, though you tell

him

him he is a Saint, and acknowledge him fo: but if you come to him, dn'd fty. Be-lides this. You are A Limb of the Devil, and you have no Grace in you, this pro-voketh all in a Matt, when there is any Ground in himfelf to think fo, or in another to judge him fo; fo it is here : Come to Church and fay. You have thele Defeds among you, and thefe things to be reformed: But if you will come and faV Tour Churches and your Miniftirs are Anuchr'tfiian and come from Babylon, there is nothing provoketh more. Therefore if there be a Truth in it (as I believe there is) Men ihould be Zealous to exprefs it: For this is the great Partition Wall that bin-dereth of twain making one.

Then again, This is that which I confider, and it is a great Confideration alio. I know that Jefus Chrift hath given his People Light in Matters of this Nature by degrees. Thoufands of good Souls that have been bred up and born in our AlTem-blies, and en/oy the Ordinances of God, and have done it comfortablyj cannot iuddenly take in other Principles : You muft wait on Chrift to do it.

In this Cafe Men are not to be wrought oiF by Falflmds, God hath no need of them ', no, rather till Men do take in Light, you /hould give them all that is comfortable, in the Condition they are in ; we fhould acknowledge every good thing in every Man, in every Ch'jrch, in every thing; and that is a way to work upon Men and to prevail with them, as it is Pbilem. v. 6. That the Communication of thy Faith may become ejfeciual acknowledgme?jt of i*very good thing which is in you in Chrifi Jefus. It is that which buildeth Men up, by acknowledgment of every good thing that is in them.

Lajtly, The lafl Inconvenience is this. It doth deprive Men of all thofe Gifts thafi are found amongft our Minifters, and in this Kingdom, that they cannot hold any Communion or fellowfhiiD with them.

So that I profefs my (elf as z^ealous in this Point^as in any other I know. And for my 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 trya! of things that there is Ibme truth on all Sides: I have found Holinefs where you would little think it, and fo likewif^ Truth. And I have learned this Principle, which I hope I Ihall never lay down till lam fwallowed up of Imortality, and that is^ that which I faid before. To acknowledge every good thing, and hold Communion with it, in Men, in Churches, or what-foever elfe. I learn this from Paul, I learn this from Jelus Chrift himfelf: He filleth All in All: He is in the Hearts of his People, and filleth them in his Ordinances to this Day: And where Jefus Chrift filleth, why Ihould we deny an Acknowledgment, and a right Hand of Fellowlhip and Communion.''

My Brethren, this Rule that I have now mentioned (which I profelsl have lived by, and fiiall do while I live) I know I fhall never pleafe Men in it: Why ? It is plain; for this is the Nature and Condition of all Mankind, if a Man diflentS from others in one thing, he loleth 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 lb I will for this particular.

Thus far Dr. 71 Goodwin prefaced and commended by Thankful Owen, and JamU Barron, worthy and peaceable Men, deccafed.

The Tranlcriber craveth judicious Relblutions of thefe two Queftions: I. Whether it be lawful to be a fixed Member of a grofly Schifmatlcal Church, that is guilty of fuch feparating from flandering almoft all others, as is here reproved, when Communion with better may be had ?

Quefi. 2. How far others are bound to reprove and Teftify againft fuch dividing Principles, Minifters and Churches, efpecially after and under doleful Experience of their finful calamitous EfFeds?

Dear Brother,

I

Have felt that in my own Soul, and feen that upon tpy Brethren for thefe twa or three Years laft paft, which perfuadeth me that God is about the healing of ' our Wounds, having communicated more he.iMng Principles and Affecaions, and ' pnuied out more of the Spirit of CathoU^k Love and Peace than I have perceived

* heretofore. Love is arifen and fljioefh upon the Children of the Day, and your

* congealed Stiffnels begins to vanilh, and a Chriftian Tendernefs to liicceed. The

L * Prince

* Prince of Peace erefts 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 dividedjdiftraded ' Servants nearer together ; and it is Pity he (hoald be put to bear down any refitting

* Saints among the Inftruments of Satan, and that any of their Carcaflfes ihould be « found on the Ground when he conquereth the Enemies of Peace. The Lord is « about revealing to his Servants the Error of their Cenfbrioufnefs, Harflinefs, Un-

* charitableneis, and Divifions, and how grievoufly they have wronged him and

* themfelves by departing fo far from Ghriftian Love and Unity.He will let them fee

* how much oftheCaufewas (ecretand undifcerned ; Pride and Self-conceitedne(s

* and want of Holy Ghriftian Love, while little was pretended or difcerned but «Stridneis 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

* learn what that meaneth, 1 will have Mercy, and not Sacri^ce : It's pity we fhould

* not underhand 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 Com-

* 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 ' lear not. Hearts and tmderftand not, (thefe blefled Precepts of Love and Unity, ' though none more plain, and frequent, and urgent ) for the time was ' not come that they ftiould be recovered and healed j though this Defeftion be

* 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 fo far prevail, that Men inquifi-' tive after Truth, and zealous of Holinefs, fhould leaft underftand the plaineft,

* nearefV, frequent Precepts, and fo little feel their Obligations to liich weighty Du-

* ties, that the Lord is pleafed to ftir 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 againll him. If the Hand ' of our dear and tender Lord be letting you in joint again, fhrink not on account 'of prefent pain,(muchlefs fhould you fear the Reproach of being in Communion 'with the Body) but impartially hearken unto him and yield ; but lay by all Tumults

* of Spirits and Paffions, and get out of the Noife of vulgar Clamours; for the ? Voice of Peace h a ilill Voice, and in Calmnefs mufl: be attended unto; And ' when you are reftored, if you find not the SweetneG and Advantages of Peace

* (if you are indeed reftored in Mind as well as Praflice) 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 Convicftions, will let them die. In order to the Endsde-

* 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-

* fant Baptifm with you now, yet I may fay, we believe you live in a confiant

* Sin againlt the Lord, in neglefting, denying and oppofing it, and that if you 'will by one erroneous Suppofition draw on a Chain of hurtful Confequences, you ' are theCaufeof your own Diforders. At a fitter Seafon I fhould defire you but ' to anfwer me this one Argument: All that fhould be facramentally or folemnly

* inticed into the Holy Covenant with God, as his People, fhould be Baptized (or ' at leaft be taken as true Members of the Church, and their Entrance jufl) but the

* Infants of believing Parents fhould be facramentally and folemnly entreJ intoCove-

* nant with God or his People; Ergo, &c. The Minor we give you the abundant

* Proof of Law and Promife for, before Chrift. It was Abraham's 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 'Covenant. It was all the Churches Duty after both Jews and Profelytes; both 'theuncircumcifed 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

* eni.w,g theii- children into the Covenant, and are divefted of the blefTed Privi-

* ledge; eii.»^iaiiy when you here tell me well, that you know of none but his Bo-

* dy that Chrift u the Saviour of, and that the Church is this Body j Ergo, you ' know of no Salvation o^r Infants if they be not of the Church i Ergo, Excluffion ' would be a heavy Ca fe, fha^\ 1 fay that Chrift hath recalled this Law and Grant ? ' but how fhould I prove it ? I (hew you the Law and Grant j do you (hew me the ' Repeal, and wc have done. Chrift nev^.r 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

' folemnly

Numb^ IV. A9 T E N 1} I X. ^

' loleninly enter him into Covenant with me ? what can he fay ? The Precept, ' Pfomile and long Pradice were plain ; was the Repeal alfo plain ? Yes j if it be ' a Repeal for Chrift to take fuch Children into his Arms, and blefi them, and tell

* us of fuch is his Kingdom, and to be offended with thofe that would have kept

* them from him; and to command that all Difciples be Baptized. He knew well

* enough when he inftituted Baptilm, and exerciled it firrt upon the adult, that the

* Jews did fo too with their Profelites: And Ergo, when he did in that no more

* could the Dilciples interpret Chrift's Doftrine and Will to be contrary to thsjews,

* when his Pradlice was no more than theirs: And when he never uttered a Sylla-

* ble to intimate a Repeal of that great Mercy and Duty of entring Infants folemnly

* into the Covenant which by God's Appointment had continued lb long. And

* the Covenant was, 1 will be thy God, and thou Jlialt 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 prelent; though time may Ihew you Light in that which now

* feems Darknefi

-■^ 2. But if our Infant Baptifm were irregular, how will you prove it a Nullity ?

* never by any (ound Argument; every Irregularity is not a Nullity. Whether you ' take the Word as fignilying F£d»s Sacrament ale, a Sacramental Covenant (as ' Scripture commonly doth, more notably intending the Covenant than the out-

* ward Ad) or Sacramentnm Faderale a Federal Sacrament or Adion, (moft notably ' fignifying the Sign or Ad) it's all one to our purpole, for Infants are capable of ' both the Covenant, and the outward Sign, and of all that is elTential to Baptifm.

* That they are capable of being entred into Covenant, i. Nature tells us, we

* commonly enter them under Princes as their Siibjeds, and into private Contrads

* with Landlords for PoffefltOns. x. The ancient Law, Promife and Pradice of

* the Church before Chrift tells us, for then it was adually done by God's Com-

* mand. And that they are capable of the outward Sign is undeniable. Prove it a. '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 ' Reafons why it warrants ydu not to deny Communion with the Churches that

* were thus Baptized in Infancy. And i. I befeech you note that Baptilm is as 'neceffary, if not much more, to the Admiffion of Men into the univerfal vifibla ' Church as fuch, or into a particular Church ; Ergo, If Men may be admitted into ' the univerfal vifible Church without adult Baptilm, then he may be admitted into

* a particular Church without it: 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-

* gular entrance by way of Sacramental Covenant and Inveftiture into the Church

* Univerfal,and not into a particular Church necefrarily,though it may be into both,

* yet it is but indiredly into the particular Church. The Eunuch, and all that were ' baptized firft in any place by the Apoftles, were baptized only into the Church

* univerfal, and afterward leded in Order under Paftors in particular Churches. ' Baptifm, as liich, 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 Q_aeftionj it is acci-' dentally, and not always, nor neceffarily : We are not fdiredly (lire) baptized to ' our Paftors, and io not to that Particular Church, nothing then is more plain

* in Scripture than that Baptifm was appointed for our Entrance upon our State of ' Difciples in general : And Ergo, it a Man may be a vifible Difciple without it, ' where it leemetl; 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

* indeed much lefs, and not at all, lave only as univerfal Church-Member, this is ' pre-requifite to particular. The Miniftersof Chrift Baptized 2000 without ask-' ing the Content of any particular Church. 2. They that are under both a Pre-' cept making the ule of inftituted Ordinances their Duty, and a Promile of Ac-

* ceptance in the Performance, muft perform thele 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 afl'embling of our felves and obeying thofe that rule over us, &c. are ' made to the whole vifible Church, that hath Opportunity for fuch Communion, ' you will not think that our Sin (as you taJce it) can except us from an Obligation ' to Duty. But all the Queftion is, whether fuch Duty will be accepted if per-' formed by the unbaptized (as you now fuppole themj and this you grant, p-ofei-

L 2 'fine

fing your felf that you are out of doubt that we are very well accepted of God, and yon think that it is accounted for Baptifm to us. And if you yield both that we are bound to the Duty, and fhali have Acceptance in particular Church Cqm-munion, what is it then befides the regularity that you deny ? Do you not grant the Caufe in Hand ? And we have many Promifes of Acceptance of Believers in their fincere Endeavours, and all things are pure to the Pure. And if involuntary unavoidable Miftakes ftiall hinder our Acceptance when we are fincere, then we can never be fure that we are accepted. 5. 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, then Chriftianity or vifible San<fiity in fuch Confenters is all that is of Neceflity to fuch Communion : But the Antecedent is plain ; As it is as Chriftians that we muft inwardly love one another, fo it is as Chriftians, that wemuft 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 therefore 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 fonnalitur a Communion of Saints or Chriftians, but of fomething elfe : Now you confefs that Men are vifible Chriftians that are (to you) unbaptized.

* 4. There is no liich thing as a univerfal vifible Church that is not to ufe Eu-chariftical Communion, nor any parts of it that have opportunity. Your fimili-tude of Corporations in a Republick holds in lome things, but hath this diflimili-tude, that all Chrift's Republick fliould confift of fuch Corporations, except a Perfon that js a Merchant Traveller,Embairador,or by fbme extraordinary Neceflity is denied Oppoitunity : which Rarities are not here of Confideration. And whereas in Republicks, it may be as commodious for rural Villages to be not incorporate, as for Cities to be incorporate, and their Priviledges in their Nation may be as great, and they are not obliged to incorporate, none of this is (o in our Cafe: But every vifible Chriftian (not hindered by Neceflity) is bound to incorporate, and charged not to forfeke the AlTemblies; but all to join and Ipeak the facne things and Glorify God with one Mouth, &c. And he that is not a vifible Chriftian, hath no vifible Right to our Chriftian Communion : And he that is a vifible Chriftian and depriveth himfclf of this Communion fin-neth, and wrongeth his own Soul, and as it were, out-laws himfelf, and is not as you fuppole in your Comparilbn of the not-incorporate : But though in Ibme Cales fuch may be laved, as deny inftituted Communion and Worftiip, or negled: it, yet they do fo far put themlelves into the State of thofe without.

' y. Your Opinion lets up a new kind of Church, or Chriftian Aflemblies and Communion of luch as may only hear and Pray, and not have Euchariftical Communion and be under Church-Guidance : Shew us any fuch in Scripture if you can.

* 6. Heathens or Infidels are called to a natural Worlliip of God : Ergo, vifible Chriftians are called to more.

* 7. Faith it felf hath its Office formally by Inftitution, though its aptitude thereto be in the Nature of the thing. And if the Golpel it felf bs fupernatural, and our Chriftianity and Faith an inftituted thing, as well as Sacrament and Governors, and fb 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 particular inftituted Church, than out of the univerfal; becaufe as to the Point of Inftitution there is no fuch Reafon as can make a Difference.

' 8. The great and excellent part of Church Communion is that which you call natural Worlhip as performed by Believers, in the loving God in Chrift and admiring and magnifying his Love, in the Riches of the Grace of Redemption, and feeking with all Saintsto comprehend it, hearing his Counlels and Commands, piaying for his Grace and Glory, and praifing and magnifying him in Faith, and Hope, and Love, with our Eye upon the (econd Coming of our Lord. And that which you call Inftituted Order and Worlhip, is but the means to this, and without this but a Shell: It is fubfervient to it. And therefore

* I. They that are capable of the greater, are capable of the lefs. Heathens are bound to meer natural Worfhip, and their Hearing and Praying is another thing, and Obligation and Capacity differ.

* 2. They

Numb.IV. AT T E N T> 1 X, ^

* 2, They that muft do the work, muft do it in God's way, and by his means.

* The great internal Worlhip is as the Soul, and the external as the Body, which

* are to be diftinguiflied, but not feparated. Muft one fort of Chriftians have the ' Soul of holy Communion without the Body, and carry the Knife nakedj while

* you deny them the Sheath ?

• ' <y. If a Member of the Unirerfal vifible Church, as fuch, is pro tempore to be ' admitted to Communion in all Ordinances with any particular Church where

* they come, then thefe that you acknowledge liich vifible Members, muft by you ' be fo admitted, and lb are capable of Communion in inftituted Ordinances, but ' the Antecedent is true beyond Difpute. None of the Apoftles were Members of ' particular Churches, but were as Itinerants to do their work in many Countries: ' fo was it with abundance of Itinerant Preachers of thole times called their Com* ' panions and Fellow Labourers and Helpers: as Barnabas, Luke, Mark, Stlat, Ti-' mothy, TitM, Epaphrodttus, Apolios, &c. When Vaul came to Jroat, AAs 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-' ftians are lawfully excufed, and neceftarily deprived of ftated Church-Member-

* Ihip in a particular Church ( as Princes Ambaffadors, that may Ipend their Lives

* in motion and adion in feveral places, &c.) And fliall all thefe Chriftians be de-' prived of aftual Communion, Sacraments, &c, in the Places where they come,

* becaufe they are ancapable of any fixed Itation. Yea, when peihaps it may be

* the Work or Caufe of God that is the Caule of their iinfettlednefs.

* 10. Dare you undertake to exempt all, but thofe that you judge Baptized, from

* the frequent Precepts of knowing thole that are o'ver them in the Lord, and fub-' mitring themfelves, and efteeming them highly in love for their work lake, and

* being at peace among themlelves, r Tbejf. j. 12, 1;. and from giving doMe honour

* to the Elders, i Tim. f. 17. and obeying thole that rule over them, &c. Hebr. i-*.

* 7,17. 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

* Church. And then if you look to the beneficial part, it's plain,that when Chrift

* afcendid 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 ' Paftors and Teachers were given, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the

* knowledge of the Son of God to a ferfeB Man, Ephef 4. 9, ir, I2,i j. And will you

* exclude twenty, if not five hundred parts of the Church from this (all this) bene-' fit of Paftors and Teachers, when Chrift provided them for all ? Confider what ' you do ?

' ir. The Unity of the Catholick Body, and their commanded correfjjondency ' requireth a Fellow/hip with all the Parts according to opportunity. From Chrill

* the whole Body fitly joyned together (or jointed , which is by Officers, Order,

* and Love) and compa<9:ed by that which every joynt fupplieth , according to the ' effeftual working in the meafupe of every part, (when you exclude a hundred, or ' many hundred parts from their Communion) maketh increale of the Body to the ' edifying of it felf in love, (not only lecret, unknown love , but love appearing ia 'Communion) Ephef./^.i6. - •

' 12. Excommunication out of particular Church-Communion , in inftituted " • Ordinances, is a grievous Cenfure, and never inflided on the holy Servants of

* Chrift, that never wilfully refift or rejed his Truth or Precepts. No nor on Of-

* fenders, but for impenitency, or grievous Crimes. Durft you Excommunicate ' me out of your Church, if I were in it, and profeffing my owning of Baptifm, ' and my hearty longing to know and obey the will of Chrift. There is

* many an honeft humble Chriftian in this Tbwn (that I conjedure you may

* know and deal for) that if you rtiould caft out, on fuch an account, I am confi-

* dent infinite Love would be offended with you, and lay you have toucht the Afipk ' of mine Eye. Inasmuch as jeu caji out thefe my Memiters, you did that which was too

* Itke cafl-ing out me. And fure you muft caft them out upon your grounds, if they

* were in your Church, becaufe you judge them uncapable of a Ifation and com-

* munion with you, and judge your lelves bound to feparare from fuch.

* 13. You feem to exalt an outward Ad: even when the heart dilclaims it, before'

* a heart that is right with God, without the Ad. For if you had one twice or ' thrice Baptized in your Church that afterward difclaimed ir, and owned none ' but his Infant B.iprifm, what would you do with this Man ? If you would retaia ' him, you would lay more ftrefi on a difclaimed outward Adion, than on the Life

* of Grace. If you would rejed him, then it Icems you judge not the Baprifm and

' Entrance,

t

* Entrance, which you fuppofe right, to be enough in Faft add Exiftence, but you

* think a belief of itsNeceffity neceffary, and fo you put it among the Credenda^

* and not the Agenda only, when it was nerer in the Churches Creed. For if it be a ' neceffary Article of Faith, they muft perilh that reject it.

* 14. P<j«/, 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 recei've them that are ■weak m the faithy

* hut not to doubtful Dijputations, Rom. 14. lo. and dare you rejecft a ftrong Believer ' upon a doubtful Dilputation ?

' I y. Search, oblerve, and judge whether the abundant earneft Precepts for Spe-

* cial Love, and Company, and Endsaredneft of Saints, as Saints, (I could loon fill

* a Sheet with pertinent Citations) will poflibly confift with your rejefting' them

* from fpecial Communion and Separating from them. Is this the appearance of

* your honouring them that fear the Lord, Pfal. i f. and your Loving the Brethren,

* and that with a pure heart fervendy. Can all Men know you by this to be Chrift'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 contradids

* himfelf that faith, He loveth God and bateth his Brother, fo doth he that laith he lo-' veth his Brother and yet feparateth from him, or rejefteth him ( and moft fuch on

* Earth) for an unavoidable infirmity.If you that are ftrong (or think foj are bound ' to bear the Infirmities of the weak, then not to Excommunicate them, Rom. ly.

* I. Though this Body hath fbme Parts which we think lefs honourable, yet muft

* there be no Schiiin in it, but the Members mull have the fame care one of ano-

* ther as Suffering, bQitig\:\onowQA and rejoycingtbgether, i Cor. 12. 24,25,26. nor

* mult one part fay to another, I have no need of thee , nor cut it off from the Com-

* niunion of the Body. The general command of Love, Company, Familiarity ,

* Edifying, and Admonilhing one another, comprehends the Means in which this

* Communion muft be held, or will not be fulfilled in rejeding fuch Perfons.

' 16. When you are in doubt between two Difficulties, the cleareft and greateft

* Truth fliould prevail againft the le(s. But much more when on one fide there is

* great weight and no difficulty ; and on the other, much difficulty and far lefs

* weight J the uncertain fmallcr Point fhould 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 u(e them as Saints, and have Communion with them as ' Saints: But you are not fo fure that you muft not rejed almoft all the Saints on

* Earth for want of your feafon of Baptifm, nor hath God laid weight by Promife ' upon fuch a Duty, or by a Threatning driven you to it, (but contrarily condem-' ned it as a fin).

* 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 thinketb no evil, and

* fhall we find them fand make them) in our Brethren .'* Chrift gathereth, and will

* you (batter ? he reconcileth and uniteth, and will you divide ? he juftifieth, and

* will you be he that Ihall condemn ? Even them that are in Chrift Jefus.? who walk 'not after the Flejh, but after the Spirit j and all for want of delaying Baptifhi till your

* time, when in Chrift Jefus neither circumcifion availeth nothing nor uncircumcifion, but

* the New Creature and Faith that worketh by Love. Have you marked how Unity and

* Love is inculcated in the New Teftament, and that as Omni potency is moft emi-

* nently engraven upon the Creation, and Wildom on the Laws of God, fo Good-

* nefs is moft eminently engraven on the Redeemer, and that in this Glafs the Fa-

* ther in his Love and Goodnels 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.

* i8. Chrift is both King, Prophet, and Prieft, and no one is fincerely related

* unto him in any of thefe refpeds, but is related to him in ail: And Ergo, all

* Chriftians are to be under his Church-Government and Protedion in his Family,

* as well as under his Teaching. If they are by your own confeflion Fellow Citizens ' of the Saints, and of the houpiold 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 ? Thofe that •

* were in the Apoftles Dodrine and Fellowlhip in breaking of Bread and Prayer, ' ( not through levelling, but charitable Community) had all things as common :

* furc you will refufe this when you refufs Communion in Sacrament; you will on

'the

* the fatne ground think that thofe few only of your Opinion are to partake of this

* Special Communication : For the Reafon is the fame.

* 20. Contrary to the Spirit and Scope of the Gofpel, you lay greater ftrefs up-

* on the very timing of a holy Ceremony , than under the Law was laid upon the

* being of the Ceremony it (elf. Women had Communion without Circumcilion.

* The Males in the Wilderneis did hold all holy Communion, even in the Pafs-' over, without Circumcifion, To all this, let me add thefe few Queftions to ' yon.

' I. Doyouthinkj in the molt humble frame of your Soul, that you have no fail-' ing as great as you (iippofe the mif-timing of our Baptifm to be j and would you ' be rejeded for it ?

* z. Is this norrownefs of Ipecial loving Communion anfwerable to the Principles f of Univerfal Redemption and Grace, wherein I fufped you go beyond me ?

' 3. Have you well confidered that God's Unity is the firlt of his Attributes next

* his Being ? The Lord our God is one God. And fb the Unity of the Church is

* next the very ElTence of it, (b to be regarded and maintained: The Unify can-

* not be deftroyed without deftroying the Eflence ; and therefore many Truths and

* Duties muft be put behind the Churches Unity , when accidentally the ufe of

* them is made inconfiftent with it.

' 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 'from Infidelity, and their Baptifm before negleded) and the other half that were

* born of Chriftian Parents baptized in Infancy: And both forts lived in Peace and

* Love : and no Church Hiftory, that ever I read, doth give us any the lealt inti-

* mation that ever thefe two Sorts difagreed hereupon, or accufed one anothers way,

* or made it any occafion of a Divifion.' And will you advance Knowledge and

* Holinefs in the end of the World, by advancing Uncharitablenels and Divi-f fion.

* f. Bethink you with fobriety, as before the Lord, if you had lived in the

* Church in the fecond, third, fourth, fifth, fixth , feventh, eighth, ninth and ' 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 Ifawdoth

* 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-

* fulnefs of Infant Baptifm ; I fay, if you had then lived , would you have fepara-

* ted from all the Churches on Earth ? What I from the Univerfal Church in your

* Communion ? or would you have had all thefe Ages have laid by all inftituted

* Church Order and Worfliip ? The confequences of this would rile lb 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 inftituted

* Churches, Miniftry, Order, Sacraments, Nullities, that were ufed in all thole 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, M thefe were lojt in the Jpofiacy ? 2. And how eafily will a ' Papift trample you in the dirt, and laugh you to fcorn, when he puts you to prove

* Succeflive Church, and Ordinances, and Miniftry? 5. And what advantage give ' you the Infidels, and our own Remnants of Infidelity, to deny the Head by lb

* far denying the Body ?

' 7. Would you have a Unity, and do you ever expeft fuch a thing or not ?

* If not If you do, on what terms do you expeft it ? You can never with

' the leart Encouragement of Reafon expedt that all Ihould deny Infant Baptifmjand

* come to you. Thefe late years have given you as much advantage as you can ' well expe(5t,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 clofe 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-' 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-' ings : but it is becaule I would not negleft you, but Ibme one of them at Icafl ' may ftick upon you, of which luccefs (your lives declaring you fb honeftly, im-' partially, and happily difpofed to Love and Peace) I make no doubt. And now ' to your Objedions, which Ihould have been my whole Task, but that I would ' make fure the IfTue,

And

§8 JT T E N "D I X. Numb. IV.

* And I. to your firft Argument^ I ani'wer, i. It is againft yoUj and overthrows ' your Caufe: for as ordinarily Women were admitted to the PaiTover, without

* Circumcificn, but not without the Covenant: and as in extraordinary Cafes of-

* fered ( asof all i/r<ae/40 yearsin the Wildernels) the Males alfo were admitted

* uncircumcifed, fo 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

* Neceflity ot Infant Baptifm.

' ;;. Ceremonies have notfo much laid on them under the Gofpel, as under the ' Law. Mercy before Sacrifice is the Gofpel Canon.

' Ad 1'^, 2. That Command Matth. 28. commandeth the baptizing of Difciples: ' I doubt not but it commandeth thereby the baptizing of Infants, who areDilci-' pies, and made Difciples, while profelyted Parents enter them into the Covenant

* of God, according to his exprefs unrepealed Law and Proraife.

' 2. But (uppofe it did not command Infant-Baptifm; nay, fuppofe it had con-' fequentially forbidden it, it proves no more than that it is a lin , not a nullity. 9. But fuppole it had made it a Nullity, how are you guilty of other mens o-

* niiffion of Baptifm by holding Communion with them, when you may at your ' Enterance declare your diffent from them in that point. Your Argument would ' 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 Ghrift: becaufe you

* are bound to hold them. But when you have leave to do your own Duty, if you J will ihun all that you think do not theirs, you will abhor Catholicifm.

' Ad i", r. 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 ' thence exclude Infants from Baptifm, and the vifible Church, you muft needs

* fliut them all out of Heaven, but Cbrtfio dijjenttente, you fhall have none of Chrift's ' confent.

* 2. It i5 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

* how ? one only as a fign, and the other as the thing fignified : and therefore not ' as equally neceffary 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 orSa-

* crament, as the Oath was anciently called) is the thing here fignified to be ab-' folutely neceffary : and the Lifting or Colours, but as a fign for Order, and in

* Cafes of Neceflity difpenfable, and regarded but in order unto the thing fignified.

* Your Arguments from perfbnal Inconveniencies are none.

'Ad I", I. Do not you ftartleto hear theCatholick Church called the World?

* and a retirement into its Communion, called a Returning to the World ? I have ' read (Come out from among them) that is, the World j but not ( Come out of the ' Catholick Churchj.

' 2. And do you not ftartle to hear them call their way StriBneji^ and the other ' Locfneji ? If they mean a finful ftridnefs,fo every Vice, or many, may have a ftrid-

* nels. Malice hath a ftriftnefs, and Covetoufnefs and Oppreffion hach a flridneft,

* and Superftition hath a ftriftnefs. But if they mean it of a holy ftridnels, are 'not they the ftrideft that are likett toChrift, and moft conformable to his Will,

* and moft accurate in their Obedience ? And is not Love the new and great Com-

* tnandmtnt ? Are not your People loofe that are fo far from holy Love and Catho-

* lick Communion. God ii Love, and be that dweUeth in love dweUeth in God. They

* are ftrid then in oppofing God, and the Unity or fweet Communion of the ' Members of the Lord. Is it an honour to be ftridl Sinners and Deftroycrsof the

* Church and Holy Love ? Let fome take heed, leaft they be too ftri<ft to come in-' 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, ' that never were againft Infant Baptifm) whether do you think Chrift or the Pha-') ifees were the ftrider, when they condemned him for eating with Tublicans and ' Sinners, and his Difciples for breaking the ears of Corn, and him for Sahbatb-breaktng, ' &c. Sure he more accurately obferved his Father's will, even the bleffed Rule of ' Love and Mercy, though they were more fuperftitiousand ftrid, was it the weak,

* or the ftrongChriftians, Rom.i^. & 15-. that were the ftrider about meats, and

* drtnks, and dap ? The weak fuperftitioufly, but the ftrong did more ftridly ad-

' here

Numb.lV. AT T EN Ti IX. %^

' here to the Law of Chrift. Bo you think that Man that fhall lay Chrifb died

* but for half the Saints themfelves, to be ever the better for that ih'id: Opinion ?

* If you are for fuch forbidden ffridnefs of PradticCj why do you not ahfwer it ' in your Opinions about Grace ? d^c.

' 2* You have caufa to be much humbled before the Lord for bringing your ? People into this Snare and Milconceit , and ergo fhould not be guilty of condriu-*:iilig themin it, nor make the fruit of your Sin an Argument to go on inipeni-faently. 1 ' 5. So great a Truth and Duty as Ghriftian Catholick Love and Communion, i?

* nocto be hawked for fear of danger. Tell you of it plainly, and truft God with

* the Iffue. It's doubt, thofe that will turn Quakers, that is Infidels, or neiri 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 M.m fliould Vtfaink the better of his Spiritual ftate, becauie he flieth forthelf from the Catholick '.Love and Communion of Saints, that is, from the Church, ftom Chrili, from

* God, from Heaven.

".Adz") Your Communion with differing Saints, 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 t will have you away out of your dangerous Schifms into the Paths of Love and 'Peace. It is Uncharitablenefs and Separation that hath made the Rebaptized fo

* odious throughout the World, Love breedeth Love, as Heat breedeth Hear. ^The Chrirtian Charity that appeareth inyour Lives, 1 lenfibly 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, f hat 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, poffef^ ' fed their Profperity and unquietnefs. O! if days of Perfecution come, it will

* cat your hearts to think how you have refuled Communion with your Brethren in

* days of Peace. If we all by our Heads and Hearts and Hands together for God's

* Church and Caufe , it will be too little. My motion to you is, That you will ' joyn with us for a Brotherly Agreement between the Men of your mind and ours:

* The Articles fliall be but theie three.

' I. That all that can, being fatisfied in Confcience with their being Rebapti-

* zed, fliall continue loving Communion in the Church.

* 2. That thofe that cannot be brought to this, but will hold feparated Churches,

* fhall acknowledge us true Churches, and profefs their Brotherly Love and diitanc

* Communion.

' ;. That we all agree on fome Rules for the peaceable management of our

* Differences, without hardning the Wicked, enlnaring the Weak, hindering the

* Gofpsl, and wronging the common Truths which we are agreed in. If this mo-' tion take with you, I will (end you a Form of fuch Agreement: and get as ma-' ny as you can of your way to Subfcribe it; and the Affociated Minifters of this ' County, I doubt not, will Subfcribe it; and we will do our parts to lead ths

* World to Peace. Seek God's diredion, and return your Refolution to

Tour faithful Brotber, Novemb. 6. 1658. ^

Rich. Baxter.

To Mr. William Allen.

c

<

~^o JT T E N-D I Z~ Numb.lV.

Worthy 5<>j

' T Received yours of the 9th paft, wherein you areplealed to endeavour my Sa-

* JL tisfadion touching the Paffages in your Key, 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 1 was afraid would make worfe ufe

* thereof, than ever I am like to do, and fo receive more prejudice thereby : For I

* am not thereby fet back a Hair's Breadth in my earnefi defire to general Commu-

* nion ; but do fear the general Inclinations of fome others thereto are weakened

* thereby, and an Advantage taken by fuch who have a mind to oppofe an Agree-

* ment j and the Minds of miny prejudiced againl^ your worthy Propofals for Go-' vernment, and the reading of them. As tor Example, I was within thefe five

* Days, commending your wholly Common-wealth (and truly I defire with all my ' Heart a Government exadly calculated to your pradical Model) and there was

* one in Company, who is Author of a fmall Piece, called, A jober Word to a feriom

* Pepp/e, that took occafion to give a dajh to my Commendation, and to weaken the ' Reputation of your Writings, as if you were eafy in fuggefting and afTerting ' things upon Surmifes, or very (lender Information. Inftancing what you (ay of

* himfelf, in f. 332. of your jK«/, as infinuating him to be fuch an one as did not ' think as he wrote, but to be a Defigning Jeliiit : When as all that know him, *and have known him a Tradelman here in London, and in publick Impbymenc ' 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 Stubh of Oxford^

* (who is faid to have written Sir H. V. Vmduaticn^ &c. fiow true ic is I know not) ' is imployed to fcrape together fuch things out of your Writings, as may any wife

* refleft Difparagement. The which things I dill inform you of, for no worfe end

* than that you might avoid occafion towards thofe that feek 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 (elf 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 diflance from them as you may be, and am heartily glad to hear that his ' Interefl and fway in the prefent Hou(e 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 Popilh Party, &c. ' Sir, I fuppofe my Brother Lambe will (uddsnly be with yon, if he be not already, and therefore 1 ihall earnel^ly intreat you to caution him againft Extremes, ' to which his temper doth much addicft him. I heir yir.Gunmng (and what he is ' I prefume you knowj giveth out that Mr. Lamhe 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 Con>munion with Papiffs, as thofe that wifh ' him well do affirm. And he hath oft been fpeaking to me, how hard a thing it is ' to juflify 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.

' All againft Infant Baptifm, are not efteemed i\nabapti(ts; for then Turh and ' Jews would. Nor could you intend it in that Senfe about King-killing j for then

* there would have been no pbce for the Vanifts to have been another l^arty diftinA ' from them. Nor does an after owning of their k£t 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 difcovered as abundance of Wickednefs in (ome, io 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 People into right Order.

* Pray, Sir, excufe thefe contufed Lines, the Fruit of Hade and Diverfion of ' Thoughts. I had left at my Iloufe this Day, a large Manulciipr, Intituled Ro-' mantjm difaijjed ; or. An Anfunr to the Nine fir(t Art teles of II. T. bis Alanual of ' Contrever/ies, Scc Written by Mr. Jo. Tomhes. The Frinter that left it with my ' Wife in my Abfence told her, that Mr. 7ow/'t;defired me to write to you, to pre-' fixanEpiffie toit j but I have not fpokc with Mx.Tcmbes,nov the Printer about iti

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Numb. IV. ATTENVIX,

> , ■ ■ • ' ; -.

• or if I had, fhould be loath to befo bold to defire fucb a thing, unlefs I knew how

• acceptable it would be to you. Sir, the good Lord keep you and him who is

TOU R S^ London, Julyxz.

i^yj. ^ffeSimately to ferve jou,

Will. AUcti.

To bis "vtry Worthy, Good Friend, Mr. Rich. Baxter, in Kidderminften

Dear Brother,

* T Take my felf exceedingly beholden to you for yourlaft, it is fo plain and pure-' X 'y Friendly. And though 1 leem by my Reply to excufe thofe things,

* which I take it for a kindnels to be told of, I befeech you believe, that I fpeak but

* my Heart, and the truth of my meaning. The Author of the Sober Word I com-' mended : I never talkt of his being a Jejfiiit: His AfTertion forced me to conclude, *that cither he was of a very lamentable Underftanding, or elle he wrote not as he

* thought: One of the two mufl: needs be true. Judge you whether a Chriftian of J good Underftanding can believe that Chrifl came at 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 extinguiflied ! Is not this the

* next Step to Flat Infidelity ? Is not a Chrift that coines on fo low a Defign, and

* fettles a Church of fo narrow a Space and ftiort Continuance next to no Church ?

* Imuft profefs, if I believed this to Day, I fiiould be an Infidel to Morrow; Be-' fides the plainnefs of Scripture againft it. But that this Author is no Dullard, is

* apparent by his ingenuous Writing : I meet with few that err fo far, that write in

* fo clear and judicious a Stile ; So that I ftill pr.ofefs, be he what he will, I much

* value the clearneG of the Author. Being then in a neceffity of Judging him ei-' ther lamentably wcak(and worfe)or elfe to be one that thinks better than he writes, ' Reafon andCharity commanded me to judge the latter to be more likely : And that

* likelihood is all that I have afferted. But if he had rather that I judged much

* worle of him {viz,, that he hath as contemptible Thoughts of the Kingdom and

* Defign of Chrift as he exprelTeth) if I may know his Mind I fliall conlent. Will *you do me the Favour as to tell me his Name?

* To your other Objedions : i. Not Infidels, but yet all Chriftians v^ith us,

* that deny Infant Baptifm are commonly called Anabaptills, and in that Senfe I

* did intend it: But fo as that I diftinguifh between Anabaptifts and meer Anabap-

* tifts; fome are only Anabaptifts, and thole I diftinguifh from other Parties of

* their Mind ; fome are Anabaptifts and more, and thoTe are commonly denomina-

* ted from the greateft Differences. The greater Error in the Denomination is to ' carry it before the lels. And yet (E. G.) a Quaker pleading againft Infant-Bap-

* tifm, cealcth not to be an Anabapcift, becaufe he is a Quaker, but yet is to been-' tituled from the worft. And this diftinguilhed from meer Anabaptifts: This all

* know is the common Cuftom of Speech, and a Man Should not be well under-

* flood that departs from it.

' 2. An after owning proveth guilty, though not Agents: But I 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 belt that ever I knew of) the

* Anabaptift Churches petitioned for Juftice on the King, and laboured for Hands

* from others to it. I am loath to Name Men publickly, and ftir in this, leaft ic

* occafion Offence : But I intreat you freely give me your Advice in it. I purpo-

* led not to have anfwered Stubs i, Vindication, and the Minifters commonly were

* the Caufe by difluading me, faying none regarded it, and that I fhould exafpeiate ' Sir H. ^. againft chem 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 Hiftory that fpeaks againft them ' for my fake. Hereupon 1 have changed mypurpole, and wiit a plain Confuta-

* tion of Stubh Vindication^ Now 1 crave your Advice in Three Things, i,

M 2 . * Whether

* Whether indeed it be beft publiHj the Anfwer I have prepared or not (fuppofing it ' true and fatisfaaory). 2. Whether \ were bell take any Notice of the Offence of

* the Author of the SoheY IVord, and fiy as much to him only as I have here done ? » ;. Whether 1 were belt take notice of the Anabaptids Offence? I pray deal freely

* with me, and if it may be by the next Poft ; for I Ihall delay for your Advice,

* becaufe you know the Minds of thefe People better than I. My own Thoughts

* are, 1. To publilli that againfi Stubs, as necellary. 2. To fay nothing about the

* AnabaptiUs becaufe I mult name Paftors and People that petitioned for the King's

* Death, and fiich things that are utterly uniavoury to me and unfeafonable, and will ' increafe Difpleafiire; and I had father bear their Difpleafure as it is, than increafe

* it. 3. And as to the Sober Word, I am indifferent,

' I received yours but a little before Mr. Lambs s Departure ] but my own

* Thoughts had led me to harp on the fame Stiing that you directed me to. I was

* Very glad to find you jealous of that Extreme (that is in it (elf much worfe thaft

* Anabaptifm 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. 1 told him not ' of any thing concerning him in your Letters, but only afterwards I told him that ' I heard Mr. Gunning judged him of his Mind, but told him nothing whence I'

* had it.

' As to Mr. Tombes'Zook, I fliall much refer it to your Advice, i. I refJved

* not to meddle with it onlefshe fignify his Defire(for it would be an abufe of him

* to meddle with his Works without his Confent; I Ihould not take it well m) felf:) ' nor unlefs I firft fee the printed Sheets (which we ordinarily fee before we write

* Epiftles) but on thefe two Suppofitions 1 ftiould do it, not only willingly, but ' gladly : i. Becaufe I would further any Work againft Popery that is lollid ; 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 coir.mon

* Adverfary, and for the common Truths. But one thing only a little (crupks me

* (which I charge you to conceal from him and all Men) A great Scandal hath ' been long rajfed of him by Collonel Clieve, who about two Years ago put it by

* Letters into my Hands, and I caufed- Mr. Tombes to have the Knowledge of ir^

* but otherwife itifled it as well as I fairly could. But now CoUonel Clicve hath ' made it very publick, and told it the Commiflioners for Approbation, who great-

* ly relent it, &c. If you know not of it, you Ihall 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 j

* which you fhould not have heard from me, but that it's publick). My Confi-

* dence of your Fidelity makes me thus free and bold with you. '

'O, Brother! Muft we be all divided in this Day of Peril, when we are ready ' to beaffaulted by the common Enemy i O pray, and drive for Love and Unrtyj ' and if my Ignorance and Rafhnels hath done any thing againft it,' pray that: I ma^

* have Pardon and more Grace. I reft ■ ■

July 18. ToHrs unfafgneJl/^

1659.

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 {6 well

* JL that which I looked on as (bmewhat rude in my lelf, and was troubled aft«r the 'Letter was ot:t of my Hands, that I fhould give you any occafion of Trouble, ' by mcdling fo far as in my Letter I had done. As to Advile in the Particulars

* you mention ; I count my filf very incompetent for fuch Confiiltations, and do *know you are lo well able to make Judgment in itich Cafes, that if I fhould under-

* take to gratify your Defirc, it would fignify little. As for your anfwftring the ' Vindication, I do acknowledge Your RefiMution herein is attended with Difiicul-

* ties on both Sides. If you do it nor, you lye under fome Imputation, and it will

'be

' be taken for granted you cannot vindicate yourfdf. If you' attempt it and Aould ' not do it to the Satis^adion of Impartial Men, the latter Art would be thonghc ' worfe than the firft, unlefs you /liould do it only by way of Apology, flsevving

* by what you were induced (o to write, as in your Key you have done. But ray ' thought is you had better never attempt it than not to carry it clearly ; and if ' you do that, 1 confels it will be more than I did exped.

' And on the other hand, whether your Confutation be full or faint, when it

* comes abroad, it will provoke boch the Principal and his Adherents, many of

* whom are honeft Independants and Anabaptilis, prizing hini upon a Civil Ac-

* count (at ba(f in great parr) for his great Accomplifiiments for Civil Affairs, and *fo indifpofe them to conlider and receive your many worthy Propofals and Dl-

* reclions, tending to gather fuch as were coo much fcattered. And how far you

* may by fuch a thing exalperate him and his Confederates againft not only you

' but ether Godly Miniftersfor your fake (the thing you mention) is conJiderable*.

' But then again if it (hall be fuppofed that he is that way difpofed and in Refbki-

' lution ingaged to the length of his aim already, and whether he be or no I can-

* not fay, I would hope otherwife) then it will be confiderable whether it will not

* be a good piece of Service to weaken his Intereft fo far as rclateth to his Counfeis ' about Church Affairs, by difcovering his weaknelsand unlbundnels in things of

* that Nature. And how far your intermedling this way (I mean in relation to his

* unlbundnelsj in your own Vindication, may draw on youaSufpiciun of Uncha-

* ritablenels (if you Ihould do it) is hard to fiy. He is now in place of Power

* (whether upon better Terms than Nero or thofe under him will not be the Que-

* ftion 0 but how far it would have beleemed a Minifter of the Gofpel, and pub-

* lickly to have difcovered the then Rulers Unfoundnefi, would be a Qiieliion. I

* do acknowledge aUo that a great deal of Care and Tendernels of due belongs to

* the Reputation of your Perlan and Name in relation to your place and Office in

* the Church, as well as it does to another in refpeft of his place in the Common-' wealth. So that if you could heal the Wound which the Author of the Vindicati-

* on hath endeavoured to make, without wounding the Name, or touching the ' publick Authority now veiled in him (Sir H. F.) 1 think the cafe would be clear.

* But then this I think would be without difpute, that if you find caufe to print,

* that then you carry things with all Chridian Sweetnels, evidencing your Tender-

* nels to the Names of Men (b far as may poffibly confift with your Faithfulnefsco

* a greater and better Intereft. And I have he.ard the Author of the Vindication

* blamed by feveral of Sir H. V. his Friends, for his Edge and liitternefs. The 'lefs of that appeared, the more is gained in any Perfonal Conteffs: I Ihall pray

* the Lord to dired: your Thoughts, but do not think my fslf wife en^ugu to be

* pofitive in this Advice. As for that which concerns the Anabapdils Qlfence, I 'incline much to think the fafeA will be not to meddle in it for tiie prefint: And

* if you think good to Communicate your Knowledge of the Churches of the Ana-*bapti(lsj their petitioning for Juftice to be done upon the late King, 1 ihalj as I ' have Opportunity, acquaint them what you have in readinef: to make good your

* quarrelled Affertion, but that tendernefs to them, and Chrilfian Peace, hath for

* the prefent bound your Hands.

* As for the Author of the Sober Word, whofe Name is Mr. John Jackfon, for-

* rnerly Grand Treafiirer for the Excile, I think from the beginning of it to the

' Change of Government, and now in Commillion for bringing in all Arrears of^

* Excile, &-C. you will not need, I think to do any thing publickly, I meeting ' him lad Night at the Militia (where he and I had occafion to be) I thought' good ' to acquaint him with io much of your Letter as concerned him : And in return

* he hath promifed me a piece of his, which he will defire me to (end to you for ' your further Satisfaftion touching him as to be no Jefuitical Defigner : I think it's ' made againft the Quakers.

' For that which concerns Mr.Tombcs his Name, I had heard of it more particu-

* larly than you exprefs; and am troubled that fo little hath been done by himfelf

* towards his own Vindication, unlels more hath been done than hath come to my ' Ear. I queltion whether he will make it known fo as to be communicated to you

* to be his defire that you Ihould write an Epiftle, &c. If he Jhould, a Work cf that

* nature may receive your Countenance andAtteftation,if it dcferveit,withouc con-

* cernirig your felf in his Morals. You have (if my Intelligence be right) in your

* County, and in the County oiGloJcefier, armed Defi^nes brought almolh to the

* Birth, and are like to put you fuddenly into Trouble, if not made Abortive.

* Endeavours are on foot for Prevention: fome Relsrve of Horfe and new Arms

' have

AT T E N T> I K Numb. IV.

• have been made. I believe it concerns you, and fcch as you, to be mindful of ' 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 woiis ' if a turn ihould come by the Hand of War. Sir, Narrownefs of Opportunity •^ hath produced the too much undigeftednels of thele Lines. That the Lord

• may preferve you, and fill you with the Spirit of Wildom and of Power , is the ' fincere defire of

London, July 23. Youn faithfully ingaged in true

^ffeiiton to ferve jeu f

Will Allen. To the Reverend and b^ ■worthy good Friend Mr. Rich. Baxter w Kidderminfter.

SIR,

* T Thank you for yours of the 13th currant, which I have: and I do confefs ' 1 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 ' General Accord. And to anfwer your defire in Ibme account of the progrels of

* the Meeting on foot for Agreement. Be plealed to underftand, that however the

* Work went on merrily whilil Generals only were dwelt on, yet it's almoll put to ' a ftand when we come to (bme Particulars which were thought necelTary to be ' deicended to. That which hath troubled us molt, hath been about fending forth,

* or furnifhing the Nation with Preachers of the Golpel. Though we all agree, « I. That it's all our Duties to promote fuch a work: And 2. That the Perfqns ' imployed in it, muft be godly, found in the Faith , and apt to teach : And

* }. that they ought to pafs under fome trial for Approbation ; And 4. that a con-

* venient Maintenance for them fhould by all meet means be procured • yet by

* whom and how they Ihould be lb approved, as to be made capable of holding

* the Parifli places, we cannot hitherto agree. It was propounded at the Meeting

* this Afternoon, as an Expedient to ilTue this bufinefi, that confidering that Patrons

* of Pariih Livings claim a Right of Prelentation, the People of Election, theMa-

* giftrate of Approbation, and the Elderfliip of Churches, or Churches themfelves ' by them, and Power of Miffion and Ordination : And that fince the Magiftrate

* 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 themlelves ob-

* liged to further the propagation of the Gofpel abroad, and claim a Ihare in fend-

* ing Preachers for that end; I (ay. thefe Things confidered , and to fatisfie all ' Claims, and yet to make a competent Provifion for the fpneading of the Gofpel in

* all theParilhes, it was propofed, i. That the Magiltrate might be defired to be-' trult 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 ' two Parties. 2. Thar no Perlbn preiented by a Patron, or chofen by the Peo-

* pie, Ihould officiate as a publick Preacher, in any Parilli, without aninftrument ' ol Approbation firft obtained unuer the Hand and Seal of at leaft three or more

* of the Presbyters aforefaid. ;. That fuch an Inllrument obtained Ihould invdi

* the Preacher with power to receive fiich Maintenance as is or Ihall be littled by 'the State, orraifed by voluntary Contribution of the People. But alas, it was ' thought by fbme, that to interefs the Magillrate in fuch a Claim, will not ba ' found in the Scriptures i and to have a Hand in the inverting of a Preacher with ' power to fue T. r Tithes ( v-hether it were known, whether he would lb ufe it or ' no ^ is a thing not to be indured. And I doubt the Party that propounded this

* Expedient, is like to be looked Ihie on by his Brethren the Jnabaptifis for his la-' boar, as fit rather to be ranked among the ?nih]itmant , as bath bsen hinted to f him,

* Th©

Numb.l V. JT T E NT) I X. j^

'The bufinefs of Maintenance was moved by the Presbyterians again and again to be laid afide, they would truft the Providence of God with that, and that fbmething might be refblved on about the Magiftrates Approbationj in which we might agree, without which it was not thought probable to procure Co much a? 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 Magiftrates Countenance or Power, in procuring Maintenance. I may not enlarge to acquaint you what was offered on the by lor the Magiftrates Power (the Difpute of it hath hitherto been declined ) only lomething was hinted. That if Chiift is King of Nations,' as well as of Saints, then thofe that rule the Nations for him, are as luch chargad with the care of his Inteief^, and fo with his Minifters as thole in fpecial, by whom it is to be promoted. There were fome pretty large Conceffions at lafi: made by Ibme of the Anabaptiih, who I coiileft were not fo fteady in their Debate , as would have been wifhed, unlels it were in too much fliienefi of granting too much. And the unhappinefs is, that fome not Icaftly crochical among the Ana-bapciUs, 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 Gfff fas Ibme call hini) and fome others,- did earneftly move that that wherein they had agreed, might be improved for common benefit ; and ( which was agreed to ) that three or four of each Perfwafion ihould meet privately, to fee what could further be done, and that there fhould be no further Publick Meetings, till they were in a readineli to call them. I mufl acknowledge to you that I am many times fadly affefted, to hear and (eethe Itrange 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 wingi of a Dove to flee into the WiUerneji to be ac reit. And truly, by feveral hints which 1 have picked up, I cannot but expeA the ading of fome further force to fome Alteration or other , and what will be the end of thefc things I It will become fuch as have any true fence of the Jnterelt of Religion, to be incouraging and ftirring up one another to (laqd together, and to bear up againft the feveral AlTaults which on every hand aimoft are made againtt itj that if it be poffible 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, and far from Jefuitifin. I have now performed his defire by the hand of Mr. Pearfall, by whom alfo I have fent you Mr. Rogers and Needham's piece ; and a Copy of my Retradion, which I muft thankfully acknowledge was helped on much by your hand, and therefore if any good redound by his Publication, yoG are like to have a large (hare in the reward. You will. Sir, I hope, excufo my prolixnefs; Ifhall now put you to no further trouble, but beg your Prayers for Wildom how to carry it towards thofe, that at leaft at firft will be fomewhat provoked againft me, for attempting the raifing of the Wall of Separation, though 1 have done it with as much moderation and care to prevent offence, as I well knew how, and have very much Peace and Satisfa-dion in my own Spirit in what I have done.

SIR,

Sept.^o. lfif9. I am entirely yours,

Will. Allen.

To the Reverend and his worthy good Friend, Mr. Richard Baxter, Minijler of the Go-fiel in Kidderminfter.

SIR

J "P T E N 1> I X. " NumbJ

SIR>

Incelfawyou, I have perufed Mr. Kutherfard's Piece upon the Covenant; which minifters yet further oceafion, as I apprehend, to iecond my former motion to you of handling the Doitrineiof the Covenants in a more diiiind manner, then hath been done by any I have yet met withal. For if that which is proper to each Covenant were handled apart by it lelf, and the appropriate de-fign, end and ufe of each of them refpecftively, were but plainly let forth fo far as the Scripture will guide therein ; 1 cannot but think it would be of as great ufe as any one thing you c^n undertake; and it is not my opinion alone. For want of which it hath happened, that^Men haveinterwoven and confounded one Covenant with another, and great Miftakes have thereby been committed by many in ftating the Terras of the New Covenant, and the true Notion of Juififica-tion by Faith: and through fuch Miftakes a great part of the Apoftles EpiftieS have been oblcured, inftead of being expounded. As for inftance ; Whereas thdrb may be a fixfold oppofition eafily oblerved in the Apoflles Writiogs , in reference to the Doctrine of Juftification, (which being attended to the fcope and meaning of them, will plainly appear) there hath been afeventh moft infilled on; which is not, Ithink, there to be found. And this hattr come to pafs for want of un-derftanding the difference between the two Covenants, and for want of a di-IHncft confideration of the feveral falfe Opinions of the then prefent Jews about Juftification, which the Apoftles in their Writings engage againft. The Oppofi-tions I mean, are thefe:

* I. As the promife of Juftification and Eternal Life upon condition of Faith in the Promife relating to the Meffias before he came, is oppofed to the Promifaof Temporal Felicity upon condition of a due Oblervation of the Law of Mofes, Gal. 5. II, 12.

,' 2. As the Promife of Juftification and Life upon condition of Faith in the Promife to Abraham, is oppofed to the Errour of the Jews, who held that Promife to be made to Abraham upon condition of Circumcifion, and to thera as his Seed upon condition of a LitteralObfervation of the Law ol Mofes, Rom. 2, 5, and4ch Chapters, Gal. 2, ;, and 4th Chapters.

* ;. As the Promife of Juftification and Life upon condition of Faith in Chrift as crudfied, is oppofed to the Errour of the Unbelieving Jews , who held it pro-mifed to their Litteral Obfervation of the Law of Mojes, without Faith in the Death of Chrift, Heb. 8,9, and 10 Chapters.

' 4. As the Promife of Juftification and Life upon condition of Faith and Go-fpel Obedience only, is oppofed to the Opinior* of fome Judaizing Chriftians, who held the fame to be promifed upon condition of Faith in Chrift, and a Lit-jeral Obfervation of the Law of Mtf/^j, jointly, G^/. y. ABs ij. i, y.

' 5. As the Promife made to Abraham's Spiritual Seed, is oppofed to the Opinion 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 fo and fo qualified, is oppofed to the Jewilh Opinion of an abfolute and unconditionate Promife made to them in Perfon, 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 Chriftianicy, Gnollicks or other Solifidians, who held Juftification by Faith alone, without refereiice to or neceffity of a holy Ia^h, James 2. i Epift. John, Jude ;,4, &c. Thefe are the things to which the Controverfal Part of the Apoftles Writings in reference to the Point of Juftification, do relate. .' •, r

' But befide thefe, there is another infifted on, as if it were (till included and intended in the Apoitles reafbnings againft Juftification by Works of the Law, and that is an Oppofition between Faith and all Works in reference to Juftification, as well fuch as confift in Gofpel Obedience as the efTeft of Faith ffridly taken, 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 infeparable effeft of Saving Faith, is as well as Faithjand together with Faith, oppofed to the Works of Mojes's Law in point of Juftification. For fo I take it to be, where it is faid, Circumcifion (which by a Synecdoche is put for the Works of the Law) avaihth nothing, but faith -which vforketh bylo-ve: which is as much as to fay, which worketh by keeping the Commandments of

J God,

JNumb.lV. J T "F B N 7) I X. ^j

^ God, and by fulfilling the Law : lor [o Love is faid to be. Ye.i, Evangelical O-

^ bedience ( as comprehending Faith, no doubt) is by the fame figure of Sp3ech

, as before, oppoftd to the Works of Alofiii Law ; where it is faid that Circumci/icn

ts votbin^, and Uncircumcifion u nothing, but the kaping the Commantlmenti of God'.

The like Oppofition again is made between the Works of the Law and the New

Cre.iture ; which conlUts in a nev/ frame of Spirit, and cannot be confidered

* witliout new Obedience, in will and relblution at leaft, Gal. 6. i j. This Oppofition which fbme make between I aith and Gofpel Obedience in the Point of

' Juftification, leems like unto that ( if not the fame in Jude ) which was made by

' the Gnolticks, and which James oppoieth in his EpilUe, rather than any whicli

the Scripture any where maketh. And truly this Opinion, together with another

* as groundlefs as this, hath, 1 fear, been a great Underminer of the Power of Religion in the Hearts and Lives of Men, and a Betrayer of the Souls of many j

' and that is, that by Faith without.Works the Righteoufnefs rr Obedience of

* Chriltis not only virtually, ('which we all hold) but formally imfuttdto 7ts fvrrigb-^ nottfnef: fo that we are reckoned to have obeyed in his Obedience. Which, I

* think, hath not been the Dodrineof a few called Antinomians only, but of fo ma* ' ny, that nnt long fince he could hardly be counted Orthodox, that did not hold ' lb too. And it is to be feared that many that have been of thefe Opinions, have

* thought themfelves good Chriftians, and in a juftified Itate, though otherwife of '

* ill Tempers and of bad Live?. Whereas did they underftand that the defign of

* the New Covenant is to reltore the Humane Nature gradually to that reditude

* and perledion from which it fell i and that the terms of it are fb laid, that no ' Man can have any ground of confidence of enjoying the Saving Benefits of it, ' further then he knows that he fincerely endeavours in the ufc of means to recover ' that reditude , and to be perfeBmg holinejitn the fear of God ; they would be deli-' veredfrom thatdelafive Confidence, and confequently be put upon fuch finccre

* endeavours, or be deprived of the comfort of that delufive Confidence, by which

* while they are under it, they fuppdrt themfelves. All which canfidered, ( if re-

* ally true as I apprehend them to be) what I have humbly moved to you, cannot ' but be a moft worthy Work, and of great acceptation to very many> as well as

* of general and of moil important ufe unto all;, And in cafe yoa;/elolve on it, J « think to ule as much brevity as will confift with-plainnefs, and as much plainnels ' as the nature of the thing will bear, will be generally moft accepcable and moft

* profitable, and the more inviting to be read. o;

' I have made bold herewith to fend you fome Papers, which fbmetima fince were ' written for private ule, andfor trial of what might fairly be m^de out touching ' the Subjed 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 perfed Obedi-

* ence which Mr. Truman infifts on, or that fincere Obedience mentioned in thefe

* Papeis, was the Condition of the firft Covenant ? And whether the firft Cove. ' nant, as fuch, did threaten Eternal Punifhment to the Tranfgreflbrs of it j and

* the Curfe of what Covenant it was that Chrift redeemed us from, in being made a

* Cur[e for m ? For touching thefe things, I confels my felf not well refblved. The ' 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. 'Xbur obliged Servant,

^" 1671. ^

.'^ '■ Will Allen.

* Thole of the Separation that are more moderate do blame Mr. Baglhav, and * think you need not anfwer him • and his Temper is to have the laft word. If you t think otherwife, a calm Anfwer will be beli

N Dior

5,8 J T T E N'D I X. Numb.JiV.

Dear 5/r,

/

'T^ Received your Preface, by which you have been pleafed to add unco all for-'1 mer Obligations wherein I ftand bound. I have moved Mr. Simf?2o^f about

* printing the Copyyacquainting him with your Preface.but not with the Author ' of the Papers: but I perceive he hath no mind to undertake it j (ince when I

* have not Ipoken to any other. Sir, It hath been iometimes on my thoughts to

* draw up fome thing againft Separation more then what is in my Retradation, 'at lead to be publiTlied after my death, iffiirviving Friends ftiould think fit, but

* have forborn to publifh any thing of liiat nature hitherto, partly to avoid (ufpi-

* tion of ftrengthening the hand of Severity againft the Separatilts, to the doing

* of hurt to whom I would not be in the leaft acceffary : and likewi(e to avoid this

* fufpition of being afted therein by Carnal Motives. However Ibmething I have ' now prepared, and herewith fent you, prefiiming yet once more to give you the ' trouble at your leilure of cafting your eye upon it. And do pray that you will ' pleafe to corred:, or direcft me to correA what needs corteAion : and to give tne

* advice, whether it will be beft to make it publick, or to forbear. 1 confels,! have

* been induced to do what I have done at this time,upoh occafion of the Indulgence,

* as conceiving it not lefs neceffary nor lels lealbnable ("to fay no more) than it was

* before. And your motion of reprinting my Retradation, had its fhare in incli-

* ning me to this prefent Undertaliing. As I have been taken in the Snare of Sepa-

* ration for a time, fo I was in that of Antinomiantfrn, about ;7 or ;8 years ago, not ' long after my firft coming to London^ as not feeing able to withftand the Infinuati-

* ons of it, and yet to retain the Opinion of the Imputation >ofChrifis Righteouf-

* nefi in that Notion of it, in which I had been inftruded ; and never fully reeo-

* vered my felf till I heard IsAT.yohnGeodwm. The Experience of what I filtered

* my felf, and occafioned others tofuffer by my running intothoie Errours, hath

* put me upon doing more to warn others againft them , or recover thciB. out of

* them, then otherwife I fliould have-thought fit for me to iiave done. You may

* perceive in part how frail my memory waj, by my often blottings and iaterlinings. ' Excufe me for t-his time, and you are newer like to be troubled with aay of my

* Papers more, whether I live or die. The good God that hath, out ctf good wiU

* to the World, made you lb meet to be ferviceable to it, continue you long in it,

* and ftill ftrengthen you to fucceed, and profper you in hb Word : Sopcays ^

London, June 29. Tour very much oi>lfgcd

1672. -

jS0r%taif,

mil AU^n.

'l.\ive<ne\t the Griin-A^A» in Prhtce's-ftreet by Stocks-Market, and not at the Btttle

* in the Veuhrey.

Dear Friend, , .

* r This Day received and read yoi:r Book and knowing fo well the Author's Ex-*L periencc, Judgment, and Sincerity, it hath made a great change upon my 'Judgment ; -viz. Whereas I once thought that fome Mens Ufage of this poor

* Kingdom and Chrili's Minifters, and the falfe Reports and Reprefentations made 'of them, d^id'jihew ri6t only Charity, but common Honefty andHomanity, by

* which the^ civil tlifFer from others, to be with iuch Men very loiw • I Hn4 noiw^.t^y ' better Thoughts of thole Men much revived, by finding-tliat fo .gocwlia; ll^^4Bias

* you, cin in any Meafure in fuch a time and place fo far miftake the cale as you

* have done. But long Experience hath acquainted me with more of the Caufe

* than perhaps you have observed your felf: That is, i. All Mens Capacities are

* narrow, and we cannot look every way at once : Our thoughts are like a Stream

* 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, its like the

'Stream

Nutnb. IV, J T T E N 7) I X~

5,5

* Stream ot your Thoughts, run all chat way, and you Oudied more what was for

* you, than what was againft you : and now the Senfe of your Error hath turned 'your Thoughts the contrary way, I may judge by the Effeas, that yo'i think

* more what may be faid againft Nonconformity than what may be Uid for ic.

* 2. And Experience makes me take ic tor granted, that to judge hafHly before rhey ' fully underftand or hear the Caufe, is the common Dife^le of Man's depraved In-' telled, which few are cured of in r.ny great Degree. I would not be guilty of ' it while I blame it, if my Frailty can avoid ir, and therefore I will fuppofe that

* you have more Reafons for what you fay, that I yet underftand, and jhail only

* as a Learner, defire you to help me to underftand them.

' And I. Seeing almoft all your Book is againft Anaba^tifiry ancf Separation I de^ ' fire you fo acquaint me why you entitulec) it. An Addrefsto the Nomonform'tfts ? ' when it is certain that the ignorant Multitude, who have fbme fuch Thoughts al-' ready,will hence be more perfuaded that the Nonconformifhare commonly for Se-' parationjwhich being aCaiumny,I fuppofe you thus indiredly propagate it forfome ' Reafon which I know not. Falfhood and Hatied are lb befriended by common

* corrupted Nature, that they need no Books to be written to encourage them, li

* a Philolbpher wrote againft Mavtcbei^m and called ic An Adelrefs to the Chrifiians • 'Or a Papift wrote againft Anabaptiltry and Separation, and called ic An Addrefs to

* the Trotefiants, the Intimation were unjuft.

* (lueft. 2. Will not the Conformifts think that you prevaricate, in pretending

* to plead for a National Church, p. loi. and vvhen you explain your felf fpeak but

* of a [^Church Inorganicalj that is equivocally and ineptly fo called: feeing fortna di-' nominat, and the Word Church in the common Controverfy about [National Pro-'vincial, Diocefan Churches^ is taken for an Ecclefiaftical Polity and Society, and

* not for a meer Community : A Family without a Maf'rer, a Scliool without a

* Schoolmafter, a Kingdom without a King, and a Church without a Paftoral Re-

* giment, are equivocal improper Denominations a matenH; when you knew that ' the Nonconformifts have long asked which is the true conftitutive Ecclefiaftica!

* Head of this National Church ? When you were upon the Subjed it would have

* done well to have told them j for an accidental Head (the King) they confeis as

* much as other?.

' Quefi. ;. When you plead (b much for Parifii-Churches, are you therein a Non-

* contormift, and is your Addrefs to your felf? or do you take the Word [Chtirchl ' there alfo equivocally and improperly ? If fo, you ihould have faid fo. The Pfe-' latifts grant with Cyprian, that ubi Epifcopus ibi Eccle/ia ; and with Ignatius, that to 'every church there is one Bilhop with his Presbyters, &c. No King, no Kingdom "

* no Mafter, no School nor Family ; no Bifhop, no Church : Therefore the Pre-

* latifts hold that we have no true proper Church below a Diocefan, and that Pa-

* rifhes are not Churches but Chappels, or parts of a Church, and this is not the ' leaft part of our Nonconformity, who hold that Parifhes are, or fhould be true ' Churches, and not only parts of a Church in fini ordints, without any proper Bi-

* Ihop. Tell me better I pray, which fide you here intend to t.'ke.

' * Clueft. 4. Seeing p.\\\. &c. you very well plead for the Power of Kings in ' Determination of Parifli-Bounds, and Church Orders, as under the Jewifli Po-' lity, and the new way of the Conformifts is fb far contrary, as that they hold ' that if a Bifhop command one Time, one Place, one Tranflation, Metre, Cere-

* mony, Utenfil, &c. and the King another ; that the Bifhop is to be obeyed be-

* fore the King, bedule 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 Nonconformifts who ' in this Agree.

' Qufj}:. y. Some Words p. 124, 129. move me to ask you, whether fuch/^w^^^j/)-' tijts as you formerly taught and joined with, or the ignorant irreligious vulgar, as 'you then accounted them, were the better People .-• If the Religion of them thac ' mind little of God or Life Eternal, further than to join with the Church, be the ' true State of Regeneration and Holinefs, were it not more worth your Labour to ' write a'Book againit that which now we take for Holinefs (Jeeking firfi God's King-' dom and Righteoujnefs): But if other Wife and Pious Seiftaries be better than im-' pious Churchmen, were thofe times lb much better than thefe as you defcribe ' them, in which there was not one counted Religious (e. g. from 1625'. till 1637.^^ ' for Three that, I fay not for Ten or Twenty, that are now in moft places that £ ' have known.

' Q^iefi, 6. And I add, hath not Scotland kept out Scifts without our Conformity, ' more efre(ftu3lly Chan Conformity here kept them out'

N a Quefr.

joo AT T E N T> I X. Numb.lV.

' Quefi. 7. P. 129. Had you nothing but [Sufficion'] and \Ojiimon] to oppugn ? ' and muft that be granted you ? and i^ct have lived folong where you live.

* Quefi.S. BecauTe you talk fo much ci [Shifm finful in it felf'\ without ever ' telling us exactly how to knew it, I pray tell me if Mr. Sangar, Dr. Manton, and ' fiich others ilsould fay to thefe Parilhioi-ieri [we are in the Relations which wc

* were truly and julUy ftated in^ and becaule the Magiftrate hath given others the

* Parifh-ChurChes and the Tythes you feparats from' us^ and come not to our Affem-' blies J therefore you fet up a finfal Schifm, as Ibme did in the Churches of the ' Roman Empire, who adhered to Paltors put in by the Emperors, while the Peo-

* pie adhered to their former Paftors] How Jliall I anfwer them better than they do 'you.

' Quefi. 9. Your Queftion p. 1 jy. 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 paft had heard no Sermon but in the Parilh-Churches, and

* fo had heard none of the 2000 Nonconfoimills (orneerj that were (ilenced even

* in all thole Parifiies, where the reading of the Liturgy is the far beft andlikelieft

* means of the Peoples Good, and in all thole Parilhes, 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 faved by this means i If you think that all 'thefe 1800, or 2000 Mens Preaching hath done, and doth more harm than good, '■' had it not been a diredsr way to have written to them to convince them of it, ' that they might ceafs ? of which more anon.

''Fag. 161. You lay, \Jj mftead of this each Chrifiian of you bad keft to Parochial ^ Communion, and each outed Mwijhr bad kept their Kefidence among them, and Commu-' nion ivttb them as private Members in the PariJIj -way, and had alfo m a private Capacity ' joined with thofe Miniflers which have fucceeded them in doing all the Good they could in

* the Parifl}, at by a private Application and Improvement of the fublick Labours of their

* Mim(ier, together with Catechiz^ing and other perfonal Injtrucii07i and Exhortati-' on privately adminijlred to the feveral Families tn the Parijh, Scc]

* ^efi. 10. Will you do us the Favour as to anfwer firft thole Books that be writ-

* ten to prove our C)bligation to Preach fuch as Jof. Allen's Call to Archippus, and ' my Sacrilegious DiJJertion, &c. was not that to have gone before fuch Advifes as

* this ? If you fay Dr. Fullwood hath done it, I beg of you to tell me what Argu-

* mcnts of his you think have done it (while he yields the contrary).

*. Quefi. 11. Would you have all thofe Miniliers 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 Ad of Confinement had not been made but for

* Conventicles, we have no Proof of that, nor is the Occafion now any Remedy

* for the future.

' Quefi. 12. Do you not know that Conformifls will not endure us in this private ' Diligence which you fpeak of? I will give you in the end an Inftance from the ' Parifh where I live.

' Quefi. i;. Do you well know what fort of Miniflers areintoo many Pariflies of ^ England? I will not imtate the Glojcefler Cobler in gathering up their Faults;

* but only ask you if for Inftance Mr. Corbet that was turned out or Bremjlmt, had ' ftayed there where Mr. Hook the Patron hath o&en told me, that their Preacher

* was formerly an Ale-feller, and was fo common a Drunkard that he would be

* drunk in the Pulpit, could you have advifed him to do nothing but apply this

* Man's Sermons as you fay ? When I was young the firft place I lived in had four

* Readers fucceffively, fbme Drunkards, all my Mafters j the next place had in my ' time an old Reader that never preached, ( as had moff of the Churches round ' about us) his Curates were Ilicccffively three Readers, of which one never Praach-' ed, one Preached and was a Stage-Player, another (my Mafter alfo) a common ' Drunkard, never preached but once, and then he wss ftark drunk : when the

* Old Man's Eyefight failed (that was the chief Incumbent) he faid Common-Pray-' er by rote, and one Year a Day Labourer, and another Year a Taylor read the ' Scriptures, and we had no more. What Mr. Dance and Mr, Turner were at Kid-

* dammfter and Mitton Chappel, I (uppofe you know.

* ^«f/. 14. Would you have thofeMiniftcrs take theCourfc w/hich you defcribe,in the

* Parilhes, where the generality of the People muft be then untaught ? You know,

* I fuppofc, that a Man that muft go but from Houfe to Houfe can fpeak but to few ' Perfons in a Year: x. If all Families were ready and willing, how little a part of ' great i-'aiifhes would be taught.'' 2.People are commonly poor, and from Morning

* to Night about their hard Labour, and cannot hearu5. 5. They are unwilling that

Numb.lT^ AT T E N V I X. ~ ^

' we (hould come into their Houfes^and fee their Dilbrder,and Poverty and Unclean-' nefs. 4. Many Minifters are fo Valetudinary that their cold Houfes would deftroy ' their Health to talk with them there but anHour. j.By this way we muit be almoft ' continually fpeaking, and he that can preach once or twice a Week cannot preach ' four or five times every Day, without which it would be next to nothing ; One ' may preach to Two Thouland at once in Publick, when to lay the fame to thoie

* Two Thoufand by One or by Four at a time, mu(t take Five Hundred Sermons. ' 6. By this means Minifters (were there Bodies able) muft do nothing elle ; and ' whereas moft have little or no maintenance of their own, what time will you al-' low them to labour with their Hands to get Bread for their Families ? how fliall ' their Rents and Charges be paid ? 7.0r if they muft beg or live on othersCharity, ' where fhallthey have it, if they take your Courfe? If they teach but iiw, few ' will relieve them ; if they ftay from Cities and Corporations in poor Country Vil-

* lages, few are able, if willing to relieve them. Some that have done fo, and

* Preached too, have yet been put to keep Wife and Children upon little befides

* brown Rye Bread and Water. By what Law is both Stlcme and Famtne made their

* due? 8. You know doubtlefs that in fuch Pariflies as Stefney, Whitedappel, Al-' gate, Gtles Cripplegate, Sepalcbrcs, Giles in the Fields, Andrews Holbourn, Clement Danes, ' Martins, &c. it is but a fmall part of the People that can hear in publick: I fup-' pofe there may be Twenty or Thirty Thoufand untaught in the Parifh whence

* Mr. Read is gone to Goale for teaching. The People lay that this Pari/h hath ' Fourfcore Thoufand Souls; fuppofe it be lefi, when fcarce Tw o Thoufand can ' hear well in the Church. Are you rifen up now (b near the Silencers Opinion as ' that you would have all thefs Souls untaught and America tranfplanted into Lon-

* don ? Is the Gofpel grown fo indifferent to you, in Comparifon of your things

* indifferent ? can they believe without hearing, and hear without preaching? I ' am not yet grown fo delperate a Gamefter, as to caft away fo many thouftnd

* Souls to the Devil at hap hazard, for fear of hearing [Schifm, Schifm]. Why

* ftiould Preachers be lent to the Americans rather than to St. Martins, St. Giles, and ' fuch like places ?

^ Quefi. ly. How will you abfolve us from our Ordination Vow? even Papifts ' fay the Charafter is indelible : we were not ordained pro tempore, or on Tryal: If

* a Man may forbid us preaching to all, fave four;among a Thoufand , or Forty

* Thoufand, or Fourfcore Thoufand, why not alio to thofeFour ? If to all Corpo-' rations and Cities (where Churches only were planted at firft) why not alfo to the ' Villages? If where Souls need the Number of Twenty or Ten Teachers, all may

* be forbidden fave one, why not that one alfo ? How many hundred Years did

* prohibited Paftors teach and guide the Churches ? I befeech you clearly fatisfy us ' what it is that uilobligeth us all from God's dreadful Charge, 2 Ttm.^. j. 2. Before ' God and the Lord Jefus Cbrtfi, tvho Jliati judge the quick and the dead at hu appearing ' and bis Kingdom to preach the (Vord, be infant m feafin, out of feafon, &c. And ' why we may not as well be difobliged by Man's Prohibition from relieving the

* Poor that elfe will periih ? Yea, our own Children ?

^ Queft. 16. Might rjot Darnel then have forborn Praying, and may not, yea,

* ought not you if forbidden, forbear praying in your Houle, reading the Scrip-

* ture, or exhorting, and admoniibing, and teaching others; in your place and 'Converfe?

J.Quefi: 17. Is it likely to be of God which is fb pleafing to the Flefli, the Papifls '.and the Devil, as our ceafing to preach the Gofpel would be ?

* Queft. 18. Is it not the great Mark to know all falfe Seds and Sedmafters By

* that they are ftill for that which hindereth the Gofpel, and hurteth Souls. The ' grievous Wolves, though in Sheeps Cloathing, devour the Flocks: the Thorns and

* Thiftles have Pricks inftead of Grapes and Figs : And if the iilencing one faith-

* ful Minifler in the Churches NecelTuy be d heinous Crime, what are you turned

* to, if you would have near Two Thoufand filence themfekes ? They that filence ' us by a Prifbn, caufe notour fin, becaufe it is not voluntary bul: forced,- but you

* would make us the finful Doers of it our felves, which is far worfe.

* QuejJ-. 19. Is ic the way to prevent our threatned Judgments to call us all to Re-' peniance forprcadiing the Gofpel thefe Fourteen Years, and to callus all off from

* preaching it for the Future, that we might not call Sinners to Repentance for their ' Sins ? (how glad would the Papifts be if you could prevail but with a few that ' mofl moleft them ?) what a Lite have I to repent of if this muft be my Repen-

* tancc ? and at how cheap and ealy a rate, might I have prevented it ? muft I th.e

' have

' have hazarded my Life for many a fingle Sermon noV/ i-epehc of all ? what then ' can I take Comfort in of all my Life?

' Quefi. 20. Is it not as finful to Write and Ccunfel when prohibited, as to Preach ?

* and mu(t we repent of all our prohibited Writings to? if God blefs our Preach-

* ing 2nd 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 honellly wifh all undone again ?

' I pray yoU haOen your convincing Realons to keep me out of Prilbn, and fur-*"ther Guilt if this be criminal.

* ' Fag. 197, 198, &c. You fpeak principally to me. Which bids me further ask *'you, ^ue/f. 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 ?

* Quefi. 22. If I were able in this Parifh, or the laft I lived in (or the ejeded

* Pallor who liveth near me) to go from Houfe to Houfe, it would be many Years

* before he or I could go over half the Parilli. And do you think that to be taught ' once a Year, or in many Years, is enough to counterwork Sin,the Devil and hisln-' itruments ? Would you have no more, except for Two or Three Thoufand of all ' the Parilh.

' Oiiefi. 23. But are you not too fufpicious when you talk of fhrewdly fufpeBing '(p. 198, 199.) thofe that fupport the Minifters, unlcfs they would do it totheni

* that ceafe Preaching ? You mud needs know that in mofl Country Pariflies the

* People cannot fupport them ; and oth.ers far off are lefs apt to feel the Wants of ' diltant Perfbns ; 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 SinSj ' without the Guilt that you leem to lufpad.

' Quefi. 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. Allen's Life, en-' quire better in Lmden whether Mr. Sangar, Mr. Caughton, Mr. Reed, Mr. Doelittle^

* Mr.Titnier, Dr. /Inejly, 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 Ipeak to them one

* by one, doing that a whole Year, which lean do in an Hour ?

'You fiy, p- 205'. you fpeak not to aS alike, but to all in their (everal meafure you ' fpeak : And you'll fay all Parilhes be not fo great, nor all Minifters lo bad as fomfi ' in publick, norfo unable, &c. 1 anfwer, i. Nor do we behave ourlelves in all ' places alike : Not only I, but other more eminent Minifters of London (many) ' go to the Parilh-Churches, efpecially in the Country, and countenance honelt ' publick MinifVers to the utmoff, and communicate ordinarily with them. And ' many Minifters in the Country do as you advife, in living in great Love and < Communion with the Pariih-Miniders, fave that they ceafe not Preaching as you ' would have them, and they gather notdiftind 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-' riftes: 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 Miniflers

* lettle where the Churches are not full, and not in the great Pariflies. I an-' fwer, 1. That is becaufe they are driven out of the great Pariflies by force. 2. ' And People cannot come out of the great Pariflies to them, where they are, or ' elfe to the publick Churches the better when their Abfence maketh room.

' Pag. 182. You fiy If thofe formerly or more lately who defired fome Altera-

* tion in the external Form of Adminlftration ufed in our Church had not run fo ' high as to aflert things unlawful, which by all their Mediums they could never ' prove to be fb, &c. Queft. 25. Why then did not their Charity or yours fhew ' the weaknefs of what we took for Proofs, nor ever anfwer our three laft large ' Writings given in to them ?

' Que(t. 26. You (truly j contradid: many Writings of the (unanfwerable) Con-' formifts, who fiy that at IVorcefler Houfe, or in that Treaty we profelTed all that ' we oppofed to be lawful, and only inconvenient ? which of you (hall the ignorant ' believe ?

■' ' Quefi. ij. 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 {^Schtfm, and Separation^

' Qtfft z^. Did you ever lie or hear our Realbns to prove chat unlawful which we took for fuch? If not, how can you judge lb peremptorily of thein? If yea, of the eight Points that at thq Savoy w^e undertook to.prove great Sins, and of. Qiirty that 1 take for heinous Sins (iKould I commit them) which arc,now in ray Thoughts, I will only beg the Charity of your Arguments to prove the Lawful-nefs of theftf very few following, leaft by the number I diicourage you. .

' Quefi. I. How prove you it lawful to ^^rnt and Conjent to a doubled certainty that Infants baj)tiz,ed and dying before aitual Sm, are /a-ved? not excepting any infan-fant of Pagan, Turk, or Atheilt, or Infidel ? Were you certain of this by God s Word heretofore ? Are you certain now ? O then help us to certainty by your Proofs. May not a Man be baptized that is not certain that the Gofpel is true, if he believe it fo far as to venture Life and Soul, and all upon it ?

' Quefi. 2. Hovy prove you that I may affent and confent that no Parent ftall be Godfather for his Child, nor enter him at all into God's Covenant, by fpeaking one Word of Pramife or undertaking (nor faith the Canoaraay he be urged robe prelent) but that the only covenanting Undertakers or Prorailers Ihall be our Godfathers and Godmothers, who perfideoufly promile what not one of thoufands (that adopt not the Child) ever make any Man believe that they have any intention to perform, and tempt Anabaptills to take us all to be unbaptized, as not being covenanted for by any that had Authority to do it by God's Law.

' ^e/l: :;. How prove you it lawful to Affmt and Confent, to deny Chriftendom to all Infants, whofe Parents will not have them dedicated to God by the Tranfi-ent Image of the Crols? or will not have fuch God-fathers,the ib\Q undertaking Covenanters, but will openly enter their own Children into that Covenant them-(elves ? efpecially when the Liturg;/ faith, i. That theie Infants are certainly and undoubtedly faved, if baptized. 2. And denyeth them Chriftian Burial if thev dye unbaptized. Prove that a Minifter may Affent and Confeht to deny thetn Chrilfendom and certain Salvation, becaufe of this Judgment of Godly Parents.

* ^iejt. 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 ufmg the Power of the Keys doth Excommunicate ; and to aflent and confent fo to do (to the firft at leaft).

* ^efi. f. How prove you it lawful to aflfcnc and confent to deny Chriftian Communion to all that are not Confirmed by theRiJhop, or willing to hd (b ? though he were never fo willing to own his Baptilmal Covenant, and do all that a Chri-flian Man ftiould do. When the Reformed Churches have written fo much againrt the neceflity of fuch Confirmatioa

' (lue/t^ 6. How prove you it lawful to affent and confent that all the Atheifts, Infidels, Herecicks, and Wicked Men, yea, every individual Perfon in England, except the Ufibaptjfed, Excommunicate and Self-murdjerers ftiail at their Burial be Mi-nifterially pronounced Saved; -viz,. That God.of its, Mercy hath taken unto himjelf the Soul of this our dear Brother out of the Miferies, &c. as you read. And when Wj3 .are llifleid in a Goale our lelves as Scbifmaticks, unlei's a Man (ufually) excommunicate us, they will pronounce us laved.

'' Quefi. 7.. How pjQve you it lawful deliberately to publiftj ycwr JjJ.evt and Confent to that little grols Falfiiood, the Rule tp find out Eajhr-d^iy.

' I will trouble you with none of the many greater things. If you fay that you mean not to juftify all thefe and fuch like, i. Will not common Reafon think fo' by your Wordls, do they not imply it ? 2. If you think our Nonconformity our Duty, what meaneth your Addreis to ns as fuch, and your Counlels aforementioned ? and how cometh our Silence and forlaking the Preaching of the Go-ipe\ to be our Duty during the need of fo many Thoufand Souls ?

'As for unwarrantable Separation and Accufation of the Pa;ifh-Churches and Liturgy, we are many of us as truly (though not as far) from them as you. If what I have writtsn difpleafe you, it will but tell you that I prefer Truth and Gon(cencc and the Cfiurches Good before my very dear and much valued Friends Opinion or Will; and the Welfare and Peace of his own Soul, beiore the plea-fing of him : 1 am paft doubt thaf you do in Sincerity (eek the fame thing that I and others tio, that is^ the healing oi a divided People, and the Cuie of thofe Diltempers which have drawn many to finful Separations. Three forts of Schifm we diiclaim as w ell as you : i. Making Factions and Parties in a Church to the Hindiani-eot l.i-vi, Peace, and Concord. 2. Separating from a Church on the Account that its Communion is unlawful, when it is not ib. 3. Much more fe-

* parating

jo4 JT T E N T) I X. Mumb. lV."

' parating from a Church as no Church, and a Miniftry as none, when iris noc fo.

* In none of theferefjpefts dowe leparate or divide from the Church or Churches

* that we fhould hold Communion with. i. We feparate from the Catholick ' Church ; 2. Nor from the Church of Etigland^as accidentally headed by the King.

* 3. Nor as a number of Churches affociated for Concord; 4. Noras a meer Com-' municy, part of the Church Univerfal j 5. We feparate not from the Paii/li-

* Churches that have true Paftors, either as no Churches, or as holding Commu-

* nion with them in ordinary publick Worfliip to be fimply or commonly fmful :

* 6. Nor would we make any Divifion in the Churches by unjult contention : but

* that there are Separattjts that do fo, and deferve all your reproof, and need ali your ' 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

* great caufe to thank you, if truly you dodeteft any guilt of ours.as well as others:

* butif youhavedone much toincreale the Schifm, and made your felf guilty of it,

* you have croft your own end, notwithftanding your good meaning.

* I. We are not for building up any Walls of Separation; fome Maiters of Scbifin ' are.

' 2. We think that no Humane Churches have power to abrogate the Priviledges

* or Duties of the Churches of Chrift's own inftitution. Some Schifmaticks think ' otherwife.

' 5. We hold that Chriftians fhould live in holy Love and Peace, when tolerable ' Differences of Opinion placeth them in divers Congregations: but fome Schil-

* maticks think otherwife, and make (uch a peevifli unrealonable noife againlf all

* that do not meet with them, and (iibjecft themfelves to them, 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 (o they re-

* proach the Frailty of Humane Nature and the common Imperfsdion of Believers

* with calumniating Cenfures and Accufations, as if they were a greater evil than ' they are.

* 4. We hold that Love and Tendernefs and Self-denial fhould pardon honeft ' Chriftians, for choofing fuch Paftours, as are really raoft ferviceable to their Sal-' vation, and their own Experience find to be fo , rather than unliiitable ^ Men ( to fay no woriej that are thruft on them againft their wills.- and that other Mini-' flers fhould be glad, if they will live peaceably under others, and profit by them,

* though they choofe not rj&ew; but fome turbulent Self-leekers are of another mind ' and way.

* 5-. We think (as is faid) that the Parifhes are or fhould be true Churches, and

* we hold Communion with them as iuch : 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

* Schilm.

* I. Some of them make it Schifm not to obey the Pope as Univerfal Monarch.

* 2. Some make it Schifm not to be fubjedl to a true Univerfal Council, as the ' Colledive 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.

' J. Some (with Bifhop £rot«i6«fi and his Advocates, and others) would have the

* Pope to be Principium XJnitatts, and Patriarch of the Weft, and 16 it fhall be Schifm ' not thus to fiibmit to him.

' 4. Some fas Mr. Thorndike) would have thele Councils and Canons to rule us ' for Concord which were till the time of Charles the Great.

' y. Some are for Concord on the reception of the four firft Councils, fome of ' fix, Ibme of eight, Grottus of all well expounded.

* 6. Some hold that its Schifm to dilbbey the King's Church Orders, and to refufe ' any Bilhop or Minifter that the Kingora Patron choofe for us.

' 7. Some hold that it's Schifm to obey the King in the circa facra, as AforsiHd (in ' choice of Paftours, Time, Place, Tranflation, Meetre, &c. if the Bijhops or Bi-' (hop be againft it, and command the contrary ; and that thele muft rather be o-' beyed,

' 8. Shme hold that it's Schifm to feparate from a Parifh Church as no Church : ' others think it none.

'9. If the ArchbiHiop command one thing , and the Bilhop another, and the ^ Parilh Paftor another, and a Parent another, ( as when to Communicate, and in

' what

Numb.lV. AT T E NT) I X. lo-

' what Geftiire, Habit, &c.) they are not agreed what Difobcdience here is the

* Schifm.

* 10. Some take it for Schifm if a prohibited MInifter fpeak to God in Prayeif,

* or to the People in teaching them, in any words bat what a Biftop or Bilhops ' write them down ; or if he obey not a Bifliop never truly chofen by the Clergy ' or the People even in every commanded Form and Ceremony.

* II. Some think it Schifm if we hold Communion with thofe whom a Lay,

* Ghancellour Excommunicateth, orif wedeny our Communion to thofe that he

* abfolveth, yea if we publilh not his Sentence as in the Bilhops namcjthat perhaps

* never knew of it.

' 12. Some fay it is Schifm if we preach in another Man's Parifh, be there nevef

* lb great need, without his confent.

* ijt Some fay it is Schifm if we preach without the Bifhops licence, though we ' have the King's, or at leaft be Ordained even by the Bifliops.

' 14. Some fay, that if we be licenced, it's Schifm to preach to above four in an

* unlicenled place.

' If. Some fay, if Perfon and Place be licenced , it is Schifm to preaclr without

* the Common Prayer.

' 16. Some lay, that if the Bi/hop" command us rebus fie fiantibus to preach or

* meet only at midnight, or twenty miles off, or but once a month, or if they ' forbid all God's Publick Worftiip ( which yet Mahometans offer him fonie ) it is ' Schilin not to obey.

' But if the Bifliop do but fay the word, we may meet daily without Schilin :

* and the Place, Perfon, Exercife that before w.is Schifinatical, if iiedo but licence

* them, are prelently lawful. So that the Bifliop's word ag.iinii: the King's (yea,

* againft God's command to preach m feafiin and out) can make a thing Schifm,and his

* word Cin make ic none again in a moment.

' 17. Whether it be Schifm to go to a better Minifler in another Parifh in the

* fame Diocefs, though we feparace from no Church ( in their (enfe, the Diocefan

* being the loweft proper Churchj is not well agreed on.

* Faigning Schifns is making Schifm by turbulenc nolle and falfo Accufation?.

* 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 Allemblies, 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 belt, obey-

* ing Gods Command, (^ Let all things be dove to edification] and knowing b:'t what

* edifieth our felves, we luppole are farther from Schifn, than thofe that as from

* the Throne of Authority pronounce Schifhi, and never help us to underftand the

* fenle and reafon of their words j but ufe it as for the advantage of their Caufe: ' And as one lately writeth. Have led that Bearfo long about the j^rrtts, till the Boys

* lay by fear, and do but laugh at it. Nor are there many more etfedhial Cauies of

* Schifm, and that harden trui Schifmaticks againft all ConviAion , then wh;;i it is

* feen , that Men of Contention, Pride^and Worldly Intereft,hrft make the Schifm ' by fmful or impollible termsof Unity,andnextfalfly call the moft Innocent, that o-' bey not their Domination, Schifmaticks, and the greateft Duties ( even Preach-

* ing where many and manv thoulands have no Preaching, nor no Publick Wor/hip ' of God) by the Name of Schifm, as if we muft lee London turn Heathens for fear

* of being Schifmaticks. Dear Friend, though thefe things have thele 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 fliall heartily thank you if by

* true light you help me to fee any Errour which I yec perceive not.

' And feeing Experience hath )uftly taught you to dread Anabaptiftry and Sepa-

* ration, think further, i. Whether they tliat forbid Parents to enter their Children

* into Covenant with God in Baptilhi, and lay all that Oifice on thofe that have no .

* power to covenant in their names, nor fliew any purpole to perform what they ' promife , and deny BaptKin, as aibrefaid, to the Children of fuch as fubmit not to

* this and the Crofs, be not e^uantum infe Dcftroyers of Infant Baptifm (which is no

* Baptifm if there be no Covenant^.

'2. ('Againj Whether they be not Separatifts that both un-Church all the Parifh-' Chmchss quantum tn fe, and alio deny Communion with the Nonconformilfs

* Churches, as null or unlawful, even wjion they had his Majefties Licence? Be im-' partial againft Antipedobaptifts and Separatifts. I conftantly heard and communi-' cated with the P^rilh-Church where I lived; but the Conformifts ufually fly from

* the Nonconformifts Affemblies as unlawful: but if both fides were heard in their , Charge againft the other , I know which would have the more to fay. Accept , this freedom from the unfeigned Love of

Alajf 15. 1626. Tour much obliged Friend,

Rich. Baxter.

The Inftances fromijed you.

I. \XJ Hen I was call out at Kidderminfier, fand you know what a Minifter was VV there) I offered, while the Indulgence of the King's Declaration continued, to have baen 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 I offered him to preach only Catechiftical Principles to Ibme poor Congregation that elfe mud have none, he told me. It -wot better they had none thanme. My pretence at Kidderminjhr was thought fo dangerous, that Force was afligned to have apprehend me,and had I ftayed it muft have been in the Jail,and many another for my fake. When I was forced away,at Venmr\ 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 Inveftives againft the Rebellion, which my Lord Chancellour acknowledging, cauled my Lord fVind-for perfbnaily to bring me back my Letter : lo that I durft not write to them df 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 fo doing, (repeating Sermons, and praying and finging a Ffalm) 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 JBon, 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 Parfon law

them come into Church, he would fall upon them, &c. And not being able to

bear my little Endeavours for their In(lru<5lion, he caufed me to be fent to the Common Jail, (not one Witnefs or Perlon being fuffsred to come into the Room while I was examined and committed.)

III. I am now in a Parifh where fome Neighbours fay that there are Fourfcore thoufand Souls; (iippole they be fewer: Not above Two thoufand of all thefe can hear in the Parifh 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 pre.iched 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 expoflulate the matter : when yet many are baptized by Pa-piftPiiefb, 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 Totterrtdge, and elfewhere,(one of the firll 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 Ironi among them ; and yet have been ufually the firft fought after to be imprifbned or ruined in each affault: and was put to fell my Goods and Books to fave them from Diltrefs. Near me, in the flime Parilh, liveth Mr. Gabriel Sanger, the late Incumbent Paftor of the Parilh, a Man of Age and Gravity, great Moderation and Peace-ablenefi, and far from Fa<ftion or Turbulency ; who preacheth but to a few in his own Houf^i: And where fhould he ufe his Miniftry, if not in fo vaftaPari/h where i'o many Thoufands are untaught, and where he is not fure that his old relation is dilTolved, though the Tythes and Temple be given to another ? One Mr. Grove

(that

(that oft heard me) being lately dead, and his Widow Tick, flie fent for Mr. San-f«r to vifit her, who after a (hort Inftruftion prayed with her: while he was at Prayer, Dean Lampley the Parfon (or Vicar) of the Parifli came in, and heard him at Prayer, flaying till he had done in an outer Room, and asfbon as he had done, as Mr. 5<«w^er affirmeth, came in upon him, and fiercely askc him, What he did there ? He told him, Nothing but what be^-emed a Minider of the Golpel, to vi-fit the Sick when he was (ent for. And to the iecond Expoflul^jpHj told him. That he thought he fliould be thankful to him for helping hitn in iuch a Pari/h. To which the Dodor anfwered. That then he Ihould rave done it according to ths Liturgy : fiercely adding, Get you out of the Room. At which when he demurred, he more fiercely took him by the breaft, and thruft him, and faid, Ga you out of the Room: which to avoid unpeaceablenefs he forthwith did. I faw not this, but I think no Man that knoweth Mr. Sanger will queftion the Truth ,of his deliberate Affirmation of it.

In what Parifh of England fiiould a Man expeA leave to vifit the Sick, when Tent for, rather than in St. Aiarttns ? From what Minifter in England /hould one rather expeA leave than from Dr. Lampley, who hath fo many Thoulands more than he and his Curate and Lecturer canfuffice to teach and vifit? and who, I hear, is a very worthy Man, and a Teacher of more than ordinary diligence, and elpecially excelleth almoft 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 expect leave to vifit the Sick, or privately help the People , if not Mr. Sanger, who was lately the Publick Incumbent bimfelf, and is a man as unlikely to ftir up any Man to Envy or Wrath, as moft that ever I knew : I will'not parallel my own Cale with his: If I be unworthy of fuch liberty, might not fuch as he be tolerated lb far ?

This being our Cafe, will you be the Man that Ihall tell us 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 lived in England ? to make Men think that the Parilh 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 Golpel, 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 Ihall I look my Judge in the Face, who gave mc that terrible warning, 2 Tim. 4. i, 2. as well as Matth. 25'. A.nd did I think that ever you would have been one that Ihould publickly have perfwaded us to this. When it is the grand Work of Satan to Silence the Preachers of the Gofpel, and the great Charafter of all (brts of his Agents ( one way or other, on their various pretences ) to efFedt it: Papifts would filence me: Prelatifts would filence me: Quakers, Anabaptifts, Antinomians and Separatifts would filence me! and would my dear and judicious and experienced Friends filence me alio I Alas, how many Difficulties have we to overcome I while our weary Flefli, and too cold Love, and the Relicks of Sloth and Selfilhnefi, which loveth not a laborious fuffering Life, doth hinder us more than all the reft. But the Judge is at the Door.

r*A/r.W. Alien.

O 2 Number

i-jii...

Number V.

SIR,

' "W Find that in a Book of yours, defending Schilin againft Mr. Halis, on pre.

* I tence of oppofing it, you were pleafed to think many Paflages in my Wri-

* 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 afterj they would have been more eafily underftood. I underftand by

* your Book that you think that you are in the Right j which is the moil that I have ' yet learned out of it, unlefs it be alio that you think the Nonconformifts be not yet ' hated and afHi^ted enough j or that he thitfweareib.miA afcendby treading upon

* him that fsareth an Oath. I am in fome doubt lead: you have wronged our

* Prelacy by (b openly proclaiming the Enmity of fo great a Man as Hales againft

* them, and by enticing Men by your Nolle to read his Book which you contra-' did ; which if they do, I doubt your Confutation will not lave them from the ' Light. But the Realbn of my troubling you with thefe Lines, is only to crave ' (bme Sarisfadtion about two or three Matters of Fad in your Book, which would ' feem flrange to me, did I tiot find fuch tilings too common in Invedives •' againft the filenced Minifters, and did I not know that is part of Satan's Work 'to'pcrfuade the World that no Hiftory hath any certainty of Truth, that fo fa-' efeci Hiftory may be difadvantaged.

' 1. One is in thefe Words, p. ic i. IPhen they had in the gatid Delate gi-ven in their ' OhjeEliom to the Liturgy, [owe of the Brotherhood Lid prepared another Form, but a great ' fart of their Brethren cbjeElcd rnmij thtTigs againfi that j and never as yet did (as I hear ' cf) agree upon any other, nor I think ever vtil I crave the Jullice of you to tell us,

* which was that yoti call the Grand Debate, and who thofe were that difTented :

* or what Proof you have of any fuch thing : Either you knew what you fay, or ''not: If not, and pliblifhitin 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 (peak of the

* fVefiminJfer Affembly,' which made the Diredory, or of the Commiffioners in ' 1660. Notihe'firft fure, for none, I think, was yet ever vain enough to pretend

* that'they thus drew up,another Liturgy. It mufi needs then be the latter : Of

* which this is paft denyal by any but the—

* I. That the King's Commiffion under the Broad-Seal authorizing to make ' {omz\_Additional Forms^,

' 2. The late Archbilhnp of Ca7;ierh^itry., Dr. Sheldon., when we came according to ' appointrpent, to try hy Friendly '.Gonference, what Alterations each Party might *-yield tpfor onr defic^d'Coxicdrd; wJthout any injury to their Gonfciences, began 'with a'Dcclarat'ionV that we beir\g the Plaintifis, they would no farther proceed ' or treat with us, till we h.id given them*in entirely in Writing, i. What we bla-

* med intheLiiurgy, and our Reafons of it. 2. And what we defired as better. ' Mr. Calamy and others (aid, [Tliis was plainly to deny the Gonference which we ' were commiffioned for] and they would there have broke off, had it not been for ' me who requeited them rather to yield and undertake it, than give them occafion ' to charge us with Tergiverfation and Refufal of any lawful thing 5 though I eafily ' (aw 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 Forrm : But remembring

* the Bilhops Words [What we dejtred inficad'] I drew up a Liturgy. It muft needs 'be very iniperfed, being done (in neceffjry hafte) in Eight Days: Dr.Reignolds ' only thought that we fiiould be blamed for offering a whole Liturgy inftead of *'>i/^fV»^i|V'>Wi.] I told him, i. It was but to be added to the old if reformed. ' 2. An(f they might cut olf all that they thought fuperfluous upon debates, even ' all that the liifhops (hould except jultly againft ; for we did but offer it to them, ' profeding we were ready to alter any thing upon their Reafons: Hereupon ' Dr. Rtignolds yielded, and it was oft read over among us, only the Prayer for the ' King Ijeing thought too long, Dr. JVallrs was appointed to draw up a (horter ; ' which he did, all the reif ftanding as I wrote it: Ir was agreed to without one ' dilTenring Vote ; nor had we one Objcdion fent us in by any other. I was ap'

* pointed at a meeting with the Bifhopj at the Savoy, at once to deliver them

' them

' them this Liturgy, A Reply to their Anfiver to our Exceptions^ and A Petition for Peace

* and Concord, all which they had appointed me to draw up, and had examined

* and confented to. We waited for an Anfwer to all, and never had an Anfrtrer to ' any one of them ; but they kept them and laid nothing of them : I was efpeci-

* allydefirous to have heard their Exceptionsagainft ourLiturgy(when they thought

* we would have difagreed among our felves) and urged fome of them to it, and ' could never get a Word ot Anfwer, or Exception, which made me wonder as

* well knowing i. How very willing fome were to have found ic faulty. 2. And

* how hard it is in neceflitated hafte to write fuch a thing that fhal! not be liable to ' many Exceptions : Yea, when Roger L'Strange after wrote againft us, he laich lit-

* tie at all againft the Liturgy, Cive that we left Men at too much Liberty • to which

* we then faid. That impoling and reftraining was not our work, but the Bi/liops, 'who we fuppoled upon Debate, would have too much done ir. Now if this full '.Concord, and no Anfwer or Exceptions from them that extorted this Work from us ' be agreeable to the Report you make, or if you have dealt here like a Miniftero/ ' Truth, I pray you help me to difcern it. The Book with the reft was printed long

* ago, moft of them by fome poor Scriviners, that being uled in tranfcribing, had

* got a Copy, and did it for Gain.

* II, Another PafTage is P. 29:5. No/tnful Act being retjturedto mak: minjfltrial Cen-' formity unlawful^ [whicb if there had been, they or fome others would and ought to have

* dtfcovered it, and then, I doubt not, it would by Authority have been taken away, but ^ ' that being not donej.

'Here I defire you to fatisfy me in a few things: i. When even our Publick Re-

* ply and forefaid Petition, againft the old Conformity wer.e never anfwered to

* this Day, is it ingenuous to take this for a Confutation, barely thus to fay [;; « 'not done"\ fliould 1 fay [it was never yet dtfcovered that Epifcopacy ts lawful^ would

* you not have called me as long as Saravia, Eilfon, Hooker, &c. are unanfwered ?

* 2. Do you not know what abundance of old have though: they difcovered the

* finfulnefi of Conformity (Bradjhaw, Nicolas, Ame^, Parker, Jacob, Cartwright ' &c.) and what Aloundel, Salmafius^ Gerjum, Bucer, Didoclave, &c. have written

* againft Prelacy, and fome of late againft our Conformity, {Cawdry, Hickman ' and others, yet unanfwered) : And is this your dry Denyal a rational Confu-

* tation ?

' 3. Would not your Words make the ignorant believe that we have the Liberty

* of the Preis, and may do it if we "will ? and do not the Ad: of Parliament, and

* the levere Searches of the Prefi, and the Printers Refufal ihew how falfe fuch an ' Intimation is : It may be fome (mail Pamphlet may with much a do creep out j ' but fo cannot any thing that is full and fatisfacS^ory: Our Caufe is a meer Stranger

* to our Acculers; Cit feems even to fuch as you) becaufe we cannot have leave to

* print it: A few have heretofore when the watch was lefs ftriA got fomei\hat out, ' to little purpole (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 Impoftibilities.

* 4. It muftbe luppofed that you know thefe things, i. That the Law forbids us

* to deprave or (peak againft the Liturgy upon grievous Penalties. 2. That the Ca-

* non excommunicateth us ifjo fatlo, that is, fine Sententia Juilicis, if we do but fay

* that there is any thing that a Man may not with a good Confcience conform to.

* 3. And that our prefent Governors are againft it. 4. And that for doing it we

* are fure by Conformifts to be called dtfobedient to Authority, and Seditious, j-,

* ^nd that we are fo accufed by you commonly for Preaching when forbidden, ' which is as much our vowed Duty fure as Writing. And do you now tell us that

* )ve ought to difcover it if there be any finful Aii Commanded: Will you warrant us

* againit the Charge of Difbbedience, or do you drive us on that, which if we do, ' 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 fpeak, for

* our felves (which we never yet had as to the new Conformity to this Day) ; and

* yet we might petition for luch 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 •" Bifhops to beg it of them or any on my Knees, that we might but once publifh ' the Cife and ileafons of our dilfent. And is it not enough to be Fifteen or Six-' tean Years ejeAed, filenced, fcorned, accufed, as unworthy to be endured, and

* to be filently Patient, and nsver anfwer for our felves, nor have the common

* Juftics of being heard, but we muft have the additional Abufe, to bs told that

no A T T E N T> I X. Numb. V.

' we ous,ht to do it: Yea, many of the Conformifis (O, with what a Face!) have ' publillicd to the World, that we take not the things which v/e refufe for Sins, or ' dare not fay fo of them ; when even the far eafyer Conformity 1660. We did by ' Word and Writing declare to be f;nful, and in our Petition for Peace (Printed)

* protefted that did we not take it to be finful, and hazarding our Souls^ &c. We ' ftiould never have fVuck at Conformity to them. And it is no fmall Number of ' Sins fo heinous which we fuppofe fince impofed, that we dare not fo much as ' name them, leaft we difpleafe you, and make you fay that we render the Con-' formifts fuch heinous Sinners I But I will alledge your Authority when any of us ' are next blamed for difcovering the heinous Sinfulneis 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-

* briety : i. You know that th^Canon and Law isagainft it. 2. I fhall then in ' Juffice challenge you to make it good, and here promife you an account of my

* Nonconformtiy whenever you will procure it licenled.

* 6. And which way got you (b ftrong a Faith as to be paft doubt that did we dif-' cover any Jlnfulnefs, ■ it would hy Authority have been taken aivay.^ Make this true yet

* (after neer Two Thoufand Minifters have been neer Sixteen Years ejcded and fi-

* lenced, and many killed by f mprifbnment, and the People of the Land divided ' and diflraded by the training Engines) and you Ihall have the Honour of being ' the greateft healer of our Breaches, that ever rofe in ihe Days of my Remem-

* brance : But if it be not true

* III. The Third Paflage is p. 6^, 70. throughout j Thefe are great things to be

* fpoken fb boldly : i. Do you luppole your Reader one that never read Church-

* Hiftory ? What Work the Bifhops made for Arrianifm, for Ne^orianifm, for the ' Eutychidfts, and Acepbalites, againff Naztanzen, Chryfoftom, &c. for the Monothe-

* Ittes, about the triaCapitula for Images, againlf Emperors and Kings, fettingup the ' Pope, and decreed the Depofition of ail 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 itouc

* in the Streets for the feveral Bifliops, what work they made at the firft Council ' at Conflance, the firft and the (econd of Ephefus, the Council at Calcedon, and many ' another i* How many Ages they were, and yet are the Army of the Pope, tofub-' due Princes and Nations, Truth and Juftice, and fet up the Evil that now reign-' eth in the Cbriftian World. How even againft the Popes Will, they made the

* beft King and Emperor, Ludovicus Vim, as a Pennance, refign his Crown and ' Scepter on the Altar, to a Rebel Son, and fent him to Prifon. He that ever read ' but Baronius, Binnius, or other Epilcopal Hiftory will pity you, can you nameone

* 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

* Bifliops ? Innumerable Bijlwps faith Binniits, were in the Monothelite Council under ' Philipicas. Of all things that ever befel the Chrtfiian Church, I Icarce know any ' thing comparable in Shame and Mifchievous Effe<fts, to the horrid perfideoufnefs,

* Contention, Schifm and Pride of Bifliops; Curfing one Year by Hundreds all thac ' 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 Novatui, Aerius and ' Donatm ( which are all you name were the Beginners of any Schifm, how many ' hundred Bilhops were the Promoters of them all, (ave that of .^er/«f againft them-' (elves. And is it any honour to Epilcopacy that Arius, and Aerim ( an Arian ) ' were not Bifliops when they were laid to be Seekers of Bilhopricks, and to divide ' becaufe they could not obtain them. Sure they were Prelatical Presbyters: what ' honour were it to Epifcopacy that you are no Bifliop, if all thele, and fuch things, « were vended by you in hope of a Biflioprick or fome Preferment. / wtU never

* v/hilfi- I breathe trufl a Presbyter that Jets himfelf to get Preferment, no more than I -will ' truft a • But did you know, or did you not , that as for Novattfs and Novati-' an, one of them was an ill-chofen Bifliop of Rome, and the other a Promoter of ' his Prelacy i and that as for Donatus there were two of them, one of them a Bi-

* fliop ; and that the Donatifts Schifm was.meerly and bafely Prelatical, even whe-' ther their Bilhop or Cecilianus fliould carry it ? and that tlicir Re-baptizing and ' Re-oidaining and Schilm was becaufe they took none to have power that had it

* not from their Bifliop,as being their right^ (like our Reordainers> And are thele ' Inftrnccs to prove what you aftert.-'

' Were

Numb. VI. ATTENVIX. m

' Were it not forentring upon an unpleafing and unprofitable Task, I would ask

* you, 1. Who that JunBo of Presbyters was that dethroned the King ? was it they ' that petitioned and protelted againlt it ? 2. Whether it was not an Epifcopa! ' Parliament ( forty to one, if not an hundred) that began the War againft the

* King ? ;. Whether the General and Commanders of the Army, twenty to one, ' were not Conformifts? 4. Whether the Major Generals in the Countries were ' not almofl: all Epifcopal Conformifts ? (The Earl of S(amfprd was over

* your Country ). f. Whether the Admiral and Sea-Captains were not al-« molt all Epifcopal Conformifts ? (As Hey!m diflinguilheth them of Archbifhop ' Jbbots mind, difliking Arminianifm, Monopolies, c^v.) 6. Whether the Arch-

* bilhop oi Tork were not the Parliaments Major General? 7. Whether the Epif^ < eopal Gentry did not more of them take the Engagement ( and many Epifcopal » Miniflers ) than the Presbyterians ? 8. Whether if this Parliament, which made

* the A<fts of Uniformity and Conventicles, fliould quarrel with the King, it would

* prove them to be Presbyterians and Nonconformiits ? 9. Whether the Presbyte-

* rian Minifters of London and Lancajhire did not write more againit the Regicides « and Ufurpers, and declare againft them, than all the Conformifts, or as much ?

* And the Long Parliament was forced, and moft of them caftout before the King » could be deltroyed : And when they were reftored, it made way for his Reftora-

* tion. And Sir Thomas Allen, Lord Mayor, and the City of Londons inviting Ge-' neral Monk from the Rump into the City, and joyning with him , was the very « Day that turned the Scales for the King. But all thefe are Matters fitter for your

* better Confideration than our Debate. I reft

July 26. 1678. Tour Servant

To Mr. Long./ Exeter. Kk\\, BaXtCr.

Numb. Vl. AKefolutionof this Cafe'^ JVhat*s to be done when the Law of the Land commands Verjons to go to their VariJh^Churchj and Varents require to go to private Meetings,

Que ft. T^ H E Law of the Land commandeth me to go to the Puhlick Churches ; the X. Canon commandeth me to go Jo my own Fartjh-Church , and not to another Parijh: Both forbid me to go to Conventicles and filenced Treachers. My Father and Mother forbid me to go to the Publick Churches, and command me to go confiantly to a filenced Mi' nifier tn Meetings forbidden by the Law ! But Jpecially not to go to my Partfl} Priefi, (faying he « an wfufficient and drunken Railer ) but to a Neighbour Partp, if I wtS not obey thetr firfi Command ! 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 practice or fo to (peak, as fhall feem to accufe his Rulers and the Laws; but when thefavingof our own or other Mens Souls requireth it, there is no remedy. Our own filence, if wa ceafed Preaching, and our praBice contrary to the Law in Preaching or Praying, which is forbidden, do againft our wills unavoidably intimate that we fuppofe greac fins to be commanded us: And whether we preach or be filent, while we Subfcnbe not, Declare not. Covenant not, and Swear not,, and PraBice not, all that ts re<juired of us, this cannot be hid : Though our cauteloulhefs and fear of accufing our Govcr-nours or the Conforming Minifters, have given fome Men occafion to affirm, That we take not Conformity for a fin : or that no confiderable perfons among us d.ire jay fo ( we fpare the Authors, whofe publiflied Names are diihonoured by themfelves, when prefixed to (uch words, as he that will but read our Petition for Peace, and our Reply (unanlwered ) delivered to the commiffioned Bilhops 1660. will fay did ill be(eem a Dodtor, a Preacher, a Chriftian, or a Man). Weprofefs from the firft to this day, that it is a great fin in us to forbear our Minifrj, or to exerctje it in a forbidden manner, efpecially when fuch doleful Divifions and Calamities follow it, if it be not fin, that is required of us: and if it be not, many and heinous fins, our peace in fuffer-ing will havelbmelefs reafon to that, than we have thought it had.

There-

Therefore being urgedj I cannot in Confcience deny a plain Anfwer to this Que-ftion.But I defpatr of fatisfying thofe Men that rauft have that which Jugufiif7e faid he hated, viz. A (hort Anfwer to a long and hard Quefiion j and that cannot awa v' with diftinftion, when diltinft matters muft be fpoken to. Let fuch Readers cart this Anfwer afide, as being not fuited to their Wits and Difpofitions.

r. We muft diftinguilh 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 either Duty or Sin or Indifferent^ in it lelf by the Law of Godj and Mens thinking it to be fo, or not (b.

3. And particularly between a MiniRcr jufily filenced, and Veoplo^ufilj frohibited to meetj and thole that are unjuftlj fiknced and forbidden.

4. Between the Prohibition or Command of the Civil Magifirate, and of the Bi-Poop.

y. Between the Cowwawiof Laws or Parents, to hear liich and fuch Minifters, and their Prohibition not to hear others, nor joyn in fuch Atlemblies.

6. Between an Ad of Formal Obedience to a Comibfeod^ and an Ad of Prudence moved by the good or hurt that will follow.

7. Between guilt of Divine Revenge, and guilt of Humane PUnifljment.

1 make ufe of all thefe diftindions in relolving your Doubt by thefe following Propofitions.

L There is no Power but of God, and none above God, nor agiinft hi.r-j or a-ny of his Laws. All Laws are null to Confcience, as being no Ads of true Authority thereto, thac are againft the Laws of God, in Nature or Scripture.

II. Though only Rulers be Judges publickly to decide Controverfies, and punj/h Offenders, every rational Man muft judgedilcerningly of his Duty , what Gods Law and Man's require : elle we were not governed as Men but as Beafts, nor were accountable for our Adions co God, any further than whether we obeyed Men : And elfc all under Heathens, Mahometans, Papifts, Hereticks, muft bs of the Kings Religion. And then if the King and a Ufurper ftrive for the Crown , we muft not be Judges whofe part we rauft take : All which are intolerable Conlg^ents.

III. Eveiy true Minifter of Chrift is in his Ordination devoted and conlecrated 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 eled, and the Ordainers inveft them in it by deliver/. And as he that crowneth the King cannot depofe him, or he that marrieth Perfons cannot unmarry them, no more can any depofe a Paftor, and diflblve his Obligations to his Office, but in cafe of fuch Crimes as God's Law depofeth him for, and ena-bleth them to do it: Of which Birtiop Bilfon of Obedience /peaketh foundly,too large to be here recited.

IV. For a Minifter of Chrift to forfake his Calling or Work, while hit Voiv and the true mceljltj of Souls continue his Obligation, and this meerly becaufe he is««;«/?. ly forbidden by Man, is to be odioufly perfidious and JacrilegioM, and a Deferter of his great-Lord and Mafter's Work, and a Murderer of the Souls which he negledeth, as verily as Parents murder their Children whom they give not food to. And noMur-derer hath Eternal Life, were it but of the Body or Temporal Life; fuch being as Cain, of him that was a Murderer from the beginmng j and contrary to Chrift , who came to feck and fave the lofi.

V. The unjuft forbidding Chrift'sMinifters to preach his Gofpel, is a fin fo «x-ceeding heinous, as that no Chriftian fhould either concur in the Guilt, or be fo Icandalous as to feem to do itt Had I lived in Germany when many hundred Mini-fters were ejeded, 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 znd (bme good Men partly conformed to lave the Churches from ruine, and IlJyricus and more were Nonconformifts, I would not for all the Riches of the World appear before God in the Guilt of thole three Men that did Compile that Book (Julms Pfiug, Sidonim, and JJlebiui Agncola) or of thole that for it filenced or banilhed Chrift's Minifters. 2 Tim. 4. i, 2. 1 charge thee before God and the Lord Jrjus Cbrifi, who Jhall judge the ^uick and the dead , at hu appearing and bit Kingdom, Preach the word, be in(lant, injeajon, out offeafon, reprove^ rebuke, exhort^

with

Numb.VI. ^,5P ^(^.Ncpj^^.

:with all long-juffermg and doBrine. i Theit. 2. if, 16. Who both killed the Lord fejus

and theiv own FrophetSj and have fcrfecuted m ; a^d-.tb^f fleafe-not Gad , and are contxary

to all merti forbidding us to Jpeak to the GenttUsthat the]//flight, jfi fav/d^ to.fill up the^t

Jim alivayi^' for the ivrath u come upon them to the utttrmofi.' When they pfrfecute yiiit j^

one City flee to another. Shake ojf the dufi-of your feet agaivj^ thtm. ■ Itjhallbemoreiil's-

rai>k for Spdom and Gomorrah tn the Day vffudgwent f bun for that i^'f;. Match. id^Jjb^ I.S4 .and S3.*2,. .^aaim ^iQmhibcAho^'

3ia: ■: .

y}ll. Qp^bath (et proper works and bounds Self-Governmcnt, Family* i^e then pr'oper,Ends 3\i6, (hough a\\ have one ^(otfi^n^ End ^ xh^ pleafvng pfQod. ^e King it^hii rnanner and tneafure and to bU Ends (tte Rublick GooiJ) is the Rule? pi ^ll.Perfons, all Families, all. Pallors arid Gnijirj^es^£l[PhyGf;ian5^"Sij;,hpolMiu(i;efS, ^c. th4t isjtp fee all thefe do mQ\v otvp <^«<j j butp^t tp^tak? thqir Work from tY).^m Ai^n hjitif^lfJ not to<ak,e all Men from SelfgoiiernrK^mQi-^'^dv Tongues,Paf^aosL Aftions: not to take on him the part ot Parents, Pallors^ c^t. AniT no JRqpqcj Laws will acquit a Man before God from his Duty in any of thefe Relations while

; Vr. God hath much conioyued Inttrejl and Duty .■; No Man is fo xnucti concerni ed, whether I he Ja-vtd or damned, as I am myftlf/, And therefore my o.wn Choice and Self-government is firft and chiefly to-,b« uled fqKt;theiavingof my own Soul, without which no Manelfecan fave me. Therefore I am rnorq concerned than any Ma^ giftrate is, to the Counfel and Condud of what P^fifr-. 1 commit my Soul, and J have.the we^i'ty? and/r/f p(m'e>: in the Choice. \ There i> great Concroverlie in the World, Whether Subjetis have a Propriety in their Eftates, which is not at the will of Princes? And ic is commonly affirmedj That Propriety is anticedent to Rcriment which is but to order it for common gOod, and not to deltroy it. But I had rather quit my Claim to Propriety in all my Worldly Eltate, than of my Salvation or the necefjary means tiiereco. If the Law commanded me but to u(e a Phyfician that I thought unskilful in my Difeafe,and his Medicines pernicious, I would choofe a better if 1 could, though the King and Laws forbad me, and I would refu(e the obtruded Phyfician and his Medicine : lb I would do if they commanded me tp marry an ucterly unfuitable Wife: An^ I Ihould judge that as thefe matters are more my Interelt than theirs, fothey belong to my Self-governing power, and not to their Civil Government. And next my felf, while I am young, my Parents being naturally indued with (honger love to me, than Magiftrates are, the Choice in fuch Cafes more belongeth to their power than tothe ^Jagillrates.

VII. Accordingly it was for Seven hundred, if not a Thoufand years, the currant Judgment of theChriffian Churches, that a Biihop mult belec over a particic lar Church, by the EkBion or Conjtnt oi all the Clergy and all the People, and that he was no juftly called Biihop that came not in by the commsn conjent of the Flock : This is no: only proved in the ancienteit Writers, even Cleme?is ad Corinth, and others commonly > but by many Canons, and even the Popes Decretals, for many hundred years, and the contrary is an undoubted Innovation.

VIII. It is certain that neither Civil nor Ecclefiaftical Rulers have their Power for defiruihon, hat for edification, 2 Cor. 10. 8. and 13. 10. Rom. i;. 1,2, 5,4. Even Parents that give life and being to their Children, are julfly deltroyed if they de-rttoy them. It is no fingularity of Mr. Humphrey, that hath lately written , That Laws againft the Common Good bind not in Confcience to Obedience : Ic is the Judgment of the greatefl Cafuiifs; Gng. Sayrus, Fragopis, See. in whom you may lee many others :■ The ferwiwwfcntereth the definition of relations. It is not Authority (Jus regcndi ) which is not for the Ends of Government, tlie Common Good. The Magiltrate may 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 Godj as Bifiiop Bilfon aforecited often Iheweth, and Bi-Jhup Andrews in Tortura. Torti. I have more power from God to u(e needful means of my own Salvation, than any Man hath to forbid, me the ufmg of them.

IX. It is not another Man's faying, [That much preaching or praying u not nee^ul to we,] that will make or prove it fo, or excufe me from it. And there is (b 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 as a Boy fcith his Leffon, that no Man can make it my Duty to commit the PaftoralCare of my Soul to the latter, when the former may be had without a greater hurt thin the benefit will compenfate. Nor will other MensCroffes, Opinions, or Appetite herein, fuffice to fatisfie me againft niy Senle, Reafon , and my own and other Mens Experience.

\-

X. Yet a tolerable lofi rauft be born rather than publick Order violated. And feeing cur Laws and Church-Canons allow any Man when he will to change his^bi-fliop or Paftor or Congregation, if he will but change his Dwelling, the lofles of this muft rather be born, than any greater real detriment to our Souls or to the Publick Good. But ]^ives, Children, and fome others, cannot remove their Habitations.

XL An Infant or Child in minority in his Parents Houle, as he is not to be liip-pofed to underftand the Laws, fo c£teris paribus he feemeth to me to be more obliged 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 he is fick, fo here. The Magiftrate is an Officer of Toiver, Wt[dvm, and Love, but principally of Power. The Paftor is an Officer of Pojver, Wifdom, and Love, but eminently of Wifdom. The Parent is an Officer of Pov/er, Wifdom, and Love, but eminently of Love: And the works of Love to his Children eminently belong to his Care and Government.

XII. Yet when Children have the true ufe of Reafon, to dilcern what God and Man command them, they muft obey neither Parents nor Princes againft God.

XIII. In the circa facra or Circumftantials of Religion , fo much as (hould be commonly agreed on by all or moft Churches for the Common Good, the Prince by the Counfel of the Paftors, is the Judge of , and is to be obeyed before the Bi-fliops; unlefs he leave it only to the Paftors own Confent, and then their Confent in Synods muft be much regarded : C of which Grotim de Imperio Sum. PoteH. hath written excellendy, notwithftanding Bifhop Brumbalh difcommendation). But in the Circumftances that are not to be univerfally agreed on, but belong to thcPafto-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 comnaand: but-all lawful things belong not to their Office. Whether I Jhall eat once or twice a day, or once in two days ? what Meat I fliall eat, and how much? what Horle I /hall ride on? what Wife I ftall marry? what Phyfician, or Teacher Iftalltruft, and what Medicine I fliall takej d^c. belongeth more to my lelf, as is faid.

XV. Intolerable Minifters juftly forbidden to preach are bound to obey, and the People forbidden to hear them, ftiould forbear: But it no more Follows that the Cale is the fame to all others, than that a true Man may be hang'd becaufs aThief may: If we be unjuftly forbidden to Preach while Ability and Mens need continu-eth, we muft neither obey, nor rebel.

XVL A Man may go further in obeying the Civil Power that only fets up Pub-lick Teachers or Catechiz,ers, if they be unworthy,than thofe that fot up Church Pafiorsy to wfeom we muft commit the Paftoral Care of our Souls, ( if they be unfit ^ and receive the Sacraments from them : Of which Mr. Pbtlip Nje'i Papers now printed may latisfie you.

XVII. On fome occafions it is lawful to hear an unmeet Minifier; And his Sacramental Adminiftrations may not be Nullities, or invalid to the Innocent Receiver : We lofe nuc our right, when he loleth his reward : But it is not lawful to en-conri^e any intolerable Pcrfbn in his ufurping of the Miniftry, cither by ordinary

attending

Numb.VJ. jlTTENTflX. n^

atten^^g him, or by committing the Care of our Souls to him : tiiat is, i. To fuch as are intolerably unable in Knowledge or Utterance or Pradice ; 2. Or to fuch as are Atheifts, Infitlels, or true Herecicks j ^. Or to notorious Malignants, that do more harm than good.

XV'III. Though its a hard Quenion how far other Vices difi.iblige us from fub-mitting to fuch a Miniftry, e. g. Ferjury , Renouvcing^ Reformation and Repcfitancc, great Err ours, DrunkemieJ!^ hlkneji, and iuch like ; yet i.Hi that can without greater mifchief than benefit, have a better, should undoubtedly prefer liim. 2. And a Man that feeleth the need of a better to his own Soul, and knoweth how much a Scandalous Miniftry wrongeth Chrift and the Church, is very unfit to be perfecuted or troubled for preferring his Soul's benefit before a Humane Pariih Order: For Cyprian and an Jfrican Council, in the Caie of two Portugal Bilhops, have laboured to prove out of Scripture, That A Libellattke, and fo fucb like Jean Jalout Sinner, is un-capable of being a BiJJmp or Pajlor, an J ought to be forfaken by the People, though the Neighbour Btjhops own htm. 2. Pope Nicholas, and the Canons of fome Councils, Command that no one hear Maj^ of a Vrieft that liveth in known Fornication. And may not a Chriltian be tolerated in being but as ftridl againft Vice as the Papifis and Councils are; and being of the opinion of ib holy a Martyr as Cyprtan : and erring ( if he err ) but as he and that African Council did.

XIX. All this is but Preparatory : To the Cafe, I fay, you muft diftinguifh between the Command and the Prohibition of your Rulers and your Parents.

1. 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 Pub.ick Affemblies, is a lawful Command ( whatever iome fay without profit againft it ) and therefore you ought to obey it. And your Parents ara a lawful Power (for the many Realons which I publickly named) exprefly mentioned rather than Princes, in the fourth Commandment : And to Hear and Communicate in the Affemblies of Orthodox godly Chri-fiians 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 mult be obeyed as far as you can, at feveral fealbns: But you cannot be in two places at once.

2. Intending no difhonour to Authority, I muft not betray Truth and Souls, while it is my Office to refolve their Doubts propofed j with fubmiffion to better Information, I am part doubt, that bath the Prohibitions in your Caie here are lawful, and neither of them to bQ formally obeyed. That is, in general to take any true Minifters of Chrift for no Minifters, or Chriftians for no Chriltians, and Churches for no Churches, and fo to avoid them, or to take their Communion for finlul when it is not, is a heinous fin: He that thus avoideth lawful Communion as unlawful, re-proacheth tlie People and Worfhip of the Lord, and in a degree doth as it were Excommunicate all thole Churches, judging them unworthy of Communion. And if it be a great fin rafhly to Excommunicate one Chrirtian, what is it fo to Excommunicate whole Pariilies, Cities, Counties, or Congregations? Your Parents forbid you to hear m Publick : It is an unlawful Prohibition of a lawful thing commanded by the King and Laws, and you are not to obey it. You lay the Laws forbid you. to joyn with any Nonconformable Minifters and Chriftians in other Affemblies than the Parifh Churches: If they dofo, I humbly conceive that it is an unlawful Prohibition of a thing that God to fome commandeth, and therefore is not to be formally obeyed. God commandeth us not to forfjke the aftembling of our felves, Hebr. 10. He chargeth all true Minifters, to preach his Word, and be in-ftant, infeafun and out of jeafon ; and woe be to them that are truly called , and not lawfully depofed, if they preach not the Cojpel, when there is need. He that Ihall fay. That now in England there is not true weJof the joynt Labours of all faithful Minifters of Chrift, Conformifts and Nonconformifts, will but fhew that ignorance or unconlcionable indifference in the Matters of Salvation, as will warrant all wifs Men to fufpeca his Counfel, and all that know the Falfliood to rejed it. Chrilt requireth all his St.rvar.ts to live in purity, love and peace; and con(equently not to reje(5l Communion with each other as unlawful, when it is not lb, nor to go any further from each other than they needs muft; nor unjuftly to judge one Man,much lels Chriftian Societies. He that in the days of the Emperours of various Opinions {Conflantius, Valens, Theodefius Janior, Zeno, Anafiafius^ the Leo^s and others, that were fome for Images, and fome againft them, would have called the Paftors and k^imh\\Q% unlawful and unfit for Communion , becaule they were forbidden, would have been a guilty SepamiH. And lb may he be that feparatetb from forbidden Afjem-

P z bites,

bites, as well as he that feparateth froiii commanded ones ("by men). And ifGol^om-niand Love and Communion of all Chriflians, as they have occafion, as being one Bread and one Body, what God commandech and conjoynethj no Man may forbid or put afunder. Therefore I conceive you owe Obedience to both the poficive Commands, hut 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; and obay neither when it tendeth to your dellruAion. If Parents bid you joyn with Heieticks 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 Obedience ceafethj Piudence muft dired 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 moft that bringeth the moft intolerable Confe-quents, and prefer that which tendeth to the greateft Good. Some dwell where there is no Competition, all the Minifters being only of one way : Some when the ill Confequents are more on one fide, and (ome where they are more on the other. And Rituals give place to Morals; Go learn what that meaneth, I will ha-ve merci and not facrifice. You fliall anfwer for your own Sou's: Neither Parents nor Princes have an abfolute or a deliroying Power over them, nor any that divefteth you of the Charge or Government of your felves. Prudence therefore in fuch Cafes muft look to Order, to Fublick Good, and to your own Edification, and preferve all as far as you are able ; and God will accept you if you do your beft, though interefs'd Fadions be offended with you.

XXI. It is a great Doubt among Cafuifts, Whether and when the Breach of Humane Laws oblige Men to any other than Humane Penalties ? So far as God is offended and his Law broken by the breach of Mans, io far Punifliment from God alio is deferved ; but no further. And a Council at Toktum hath an exprels Canon, that left Subjects by the Churches Laws fliould have their Souls enfnared in Guilt towards God, it is declared that their Provincial Canons bind on\y ad pcenam, non ad culpam, to bear the Penalty, but not to conclude men Sinners. The Exprel-fions want skill, but the Meaning is manifeft.

XXII. The Perlbns belief that an evil Courfe is lawful, maketh it not lawful to him : The ajje is before the/cire; If Gods Law have forbidden or commanded; Man's Errour may enfhare himfelf in fin , but cannot change the Law of God.

XXIfl. Some that I love and honour, that have heretofore been enfnared in A-nabaptiihy and Separation, in the fenle of their Erro'jr (as is ufualj warp to the contrary Extream, and fear not the dreadful guilt of pcrfwadmg Chrifi's faithful Mi-ntflers to lay by the Sacred Office which they are devoted to ; yea , and would blind us to believe there ts no need, lave only to ipeak to particular perfons privately j whereby they fhould be a.year in Ipeaking to thole whom they may (peak to in an hour, and few be able to do it, and perhaps be thruft out with wrath by tiie Pari/h Minifters, as creeping into Houfes to feduce (lUy women, or reproached and fufpeded for it. Tliey lav truly, that he that hath gone their former way of unjuft Separation, is like one that in travel feeth here a Leg and their an Arm lye in his way, and therefore ihould fear to go on in djngsr. But I tell them further, he that readeth Church Hi-ffory and Ceunctls, what work Church Tjran?iy and driving to be greatefi-, hath made with Kings and Kingdoms, Churches and Families, and the Blood of an hundred thoufand Chriftians, for about a thoufand years .u leaft, is like one that in his travel feeth here a hundred Carkafl'es, and there an hundred, and there a ftream of Blond, and there a City ruined, and there a good King lurrendring his Crown as an Ad of Penance (as, Ludovicz/s Pius c\id), and there the Streets covered with the Blood and CarkalTes of Monks and others, and then caft into theRivers,by the wars and broils of contending Bilhops (as a.tAnttoch,&cc) and if this Man will go on, he overcometh another kind of warning than \_h(re a Let^ and there an Arm ]. Read but the Hiftory throughly, and judge. But what will not Ignorance make men fay ?

XXIV. Some think that if Sacramental Communion only were left free.it would alone heal moft of our Evglifli differences. I confels, I th.it think Men may be forced to hear and be catechized , do think the great Priviledges of Sacramental Communion, and a lealed Pardon, lliould be given to none by Cramming , or as a

Drench ;

Drenih ; I mean, to none againft their wills: none but Volunteers or Confen-ters being capable of fo great Benefits according to Chrift the Donor's mind: But this requireth many Cautions, and belongeth not to the Cafe in hand.

Numb. VII. A Letter of Mr, Baxter J abQut the Cafe o/Nevil Symmons.

SIR,

* r Think not the Confuting of any of the Calumnies that are caft upoh me by *1 Backbiters ( whether from Ignorance or Envy J worth any great care or la-' bour, were it not for the lake of the Guilty themfelves, and others whom they

* may draw into the iame Guilt, or hinder from profiting by my Labours, in the

* Calling that God hath placed me in. But I will not defpiie all thele fb much, as

* not to think them worthy the labour of a few Lines.

* It is not long fince feme Gentlemen at a Coflee-Houfe affirmed , That I had

* kill'd a Man in cold Blood with my own Hand, that is, a Tinker beating his

* Kettle at my Door, and difturbing me in my Studies , I piltoU'd hiin , and was

* tried at Worcefter for my Life. But thefe Gentlemen were io ingenuous as to ask ' Forgivenefs, and confels their Fault, and one of them openly to my Vindication. ' Though Dr. Boreman, Parfonof St. GtUis in the Fields, that in a printed Pam-

* phlet led the way, never did fo. (Yet lived three or four years Sufpended, or ' luppofing himlelf Sufpended , and fo died ). Another ( caiaderized James 3. )

* reporteth that I am (o hot a Difputant, that at a Gentleman's Table, I threw the

* Plate at him that I difputed with. The whole Story feigned j nor did I ever .' know the leaft occafion for the Report. The greateft Reproach that's laid on me, ' is by ConformilU 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 efieft with me.

' But now comes a new one ( my Sufferings are my Crimes) my Bookfeller, ' Nevil Symmons, is broken, and it is reported that I am the Caufe, by the excef-' five Rates that I took for my Books of him ; and a great Dean f^ whom I much ' Value ) foretold that I would undo him. Of all Crimes in the World I leaft ex-' peded to be accufed of Covetoufnefs. Satan being the Mafter of this Defign, to

* hinder the Succefs of my Writings when 1 am dead, it is part of my warfare un-' der Chrift to refift him. I tell you therefore truly all my Covenants a'id Deal-

* ings with Bookfellers to this day.

' When I firft 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 ReH to Thomas Underbill and France Tyton to print , leaving the

* Matter of Profit without any Covenants to their Ingenuity. They gave me Ten ' pounds for the firft Impreflion, and Ten pounds apiece, that is, Twenty pounds

* for every after Impreflion 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

* hath Loffes by the Fire 1666. They never gave me nor offered me a Farthing

* for any Impreflion after, nor fo much as one of the Books, but I was fain, out

* of my own Purfe , to buy all that I gave to any Friend or poor Perlbn that ask-

* ed it.

' This loofening me from Mr. Tyton, Mr. Symmons ftept in, and told me, That

* Mr. Tyton faid he had never got Three pence by nie; and brought v/itnefs.

* Hereupon I u(ed Mr. Symmons only. When I lived at Kidda-mmfter, lome had

* defamed me of a covetous getting many hundred pounds by the Bookfellers.

* I had till then taken of Mr. Underhtll, Mr. Tyton and Mr. Symmons ( for all fave

* the Saints Rest ) the fifteenth Book, which ufually i gave away ; but if any thing ' for Second Impreffions were due, I had little in Money from them, but in luch ' Books as Iwanted at their Rates. But v/hen this Report of my great Gain came

' abroad,

* abroad, and took notice of it in print, and told the World that I intended to

* take more hereafter; and ever lince, I took the fifteenth Book ( for my Friends ' and felf) and Eighteen pence more for every Rheam of the other fourteen ;

* which I deftinated to the Poor. With this, while I was at Ktdderminfier, I

* bought Bibles to give to all the poor Families: And I got Three liundred or Four

* hundred pounds, which I deftinated all to Charitable Uies ; At laft , at London,

* it increafed to Eight hundred and thirty pounds, which delivering to a worthy

* Friend , he pat it into the Hands of Sir Rohe'n Finer ( with an Hundred pounds ' of ray Wives) where it lyeth fetled on a Charitable Ufe after m. 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, I took

* about two third parts of the common price of the Bookfeller (or little more) and ' oft lefi: And fbmetimes I paid my felf 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 relblved ne-

* ver to lay up a Groat of it for any but the Poor.

* 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 i6 years diverted of all Ecclefiaftical Maintenance : I never had any

* Church or Ledure that I received Wages from : But within thefe three or four ' 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 Neceflary and Charitable Ufes j and if they that never took

* pains for it, have more right than I, when every Labourer is Mafier 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 Chrilt, giving freely

* five parts to a Bookreller,may not take the fixth to himfelf, or to the Poor, 1 know " not. But what is the Thought or Word of Man ?

* Dr. Bates now tells me, that for his Book called the Divine Harmony, he had ' above an Hundred pounds, (yet relerving the Power for the future to himfelf ) :

* For divers Impreffions of the Saints Refl , almoft twice as big , I have not had a

* Farthing: For no Book have I had more than the fifteenth Book to my felf anti ' Friends, and the Eighteen pence a Rheam for the Poor and Works of Charity, ' which the Devil fo hateth, that I find it a matter palt my power, to give my ' own to any Good Ufe ; he fo robs me of it, or maketh Men call it a bcandalous ' Thing. Verily, fince I devoted all to God, I have tbund it harder to Gi-ve it

* (when I do my beft) than to get it: Though I fiibmit of late to him partly upon

* Charity, and am fo far from laying up a Groat, that (though 1 hate Debt) 1 am 'log in Debt, &c. &c. &c.

SIR,

Tours,

R. B.

e

Numb.

Numb. VIII. A T T E N V I X. n^

Numb. VIII; The general defence of my Accujed fFritings, called Seditious and Schifmatical.

■M

Attcr of Right cannot be determined without foreknowing the following Matter of FaA.

I. There is an Enmity and War, through all the Earth, between Chrift and Satan : Chrift and his Soldiers flrive for Light , Love and Mercy or Beneficence. Satan fighteth for Darknefi againff Light, and for Hatred again ft Love , and for Hurting and Deftroying againft Mercy and Good Works, All Chriitians in Bap-tifm 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 wofully prevailed againft this Light, Lcme^nd Mercy, by hindering Preachers, partly by Pcdecutlon, and moflly by Ccrrupcing them. Till Chriit came as the Light or the World, the Darknefs of Ignorance and Idolatry overlpread the Earth. Three hun r; d ye^rs all Princes were againft che Gofpel: when Conjlantme owned it, the eft of the Empires of the World long refilled ; and to this day, all that receive it are but a fixth part of the World. And in che Ch-riftian Empire and Churches, the erroneous and corrupt Princes and Bilhops to.ok up Satan's S'lence-ing Wnrk : Confiancim and l^alens and the ylrrian Bilhops almoft excinguilbed the Orthodox Lighr: The Goihes did the like. The Macedonians , NefioriMs, Eutycbi-ans, and che Parcies for and againft the Qouncrl of Efhtfus , of Calcedon, the Tria Captula, the Monothdites, the Adoration and 17fe of Images, and the Councils for and againft Photius and Ignatim, &c. left but few Bilhops of Note in the Eaftern Empire that were nor by turns Condemned and Depofed by the contrary fide when it was up'permoft. The Pope himielf was an hundred years at once, renounced by a great part of Italy.

II. But the corrupt Ibrt of Popes out-did all others: They Silenced the Chri-ftians that reprovea cheir Critnes, and murdered ((ay Hifloriansj above a Million, calling them Herettcki. Hunnericus and the Gof/jj]/) Arrians had before kill'd many, and cut the Tongues of fome that after fpake by miracle : but the Pope made more general DeilMacion. In the Wars between many Emperours and Popes, Bi-fhops thn were for the Emperours were damned as Henrictan Hereticks , and decreed by Councils to be burnt when dead. General Councils decreed to Excom-municare and Depofe all Temporal Lords that would not Exterminate as Hereticks, all that we-e againft Tranfubltantiation,and fuch like.Divers Popes did fo notorioufly do Saran's Work, th^t they interdided the Preaching of the Gofpel, and all Pub-lick Worlhip of God, to England, France, and other whole Nations, for a Quarrel with che King. Robert Grofihead, the holy Bifliop of Lincoln, wrote to Innocent the Fourth, That the hindering of the preaching of the Gojpel was next the Sin of Luctfer and Anttchrtfl , the greateft in the World, and not to be obeyed by a-ny Chriftian, whoever commanded ir. As Reforming Light arofe. Papal Silence-ing and Cruelty increafed , till Inquifitions, Flames, MafTacres, in Spam, Low-Countries, Bohemia, Germany, France, Ireland, and England, had made thofe Murders and Devaltations, which no true Chriftian dare own.

III. At this day , the Light of clear found Dodrine is obfcured, and fuch Preaching filenced or cealed in moft of the Chriftian Churches on Earth: Befides the bloody Perlecutions which met thofe honeft Jefuits and Fryars that preached in Congo, Japan, China, and other Heathen Lands: In Abajfia, Egypt, Syria , JJJj-ria, Armenia, there is very little Preaching at all ; yea, want of Printing keepeth them without the nnly Scripture, which is rare and in few hands. Turkijl) Op-preffion hath (b debafed the Grtei Church, that found Preaching is rare among them. In all the Empire "I Mufcovj Preaching is long ago put down, left Men iTiould preach Sedition Among moft Papifts and Proteftants beyond Sea, it is turned too much into Invedives againft one another. This is the Succels of Satan's War.

IV. Being

IV. Being vowed doubly to Chrift ( in my B;ipHrm and Ordination ) I had been a perjured Trayjor againft him, if I ha^ not bated this Sin, and done my pin ifi my place againft it. " There is'no Ag9''or tand io good, where Chrift and Satan, Light and Darknefs have not this War s j(rd Secular IncerelVs or C^jrrels are made Satan's Advantages, who precer.deth to great Power iii Dilpofing of the' Riches and Honours of the World. This War ended not in England with Queen Mary's Reign. The unhappy Differencej of Frankford came over with the Exiles: One Party running into Extreams againft Epifcopacy and the Liturgy /and the o-ther forbidding not only them, but all Ordained Minillers, to preach or expound any DoArine or Matter in the Church or elfewhere , withoiw; fartiher Licence. I lived to fee lb much of the EfFedls of thele Differences as grieved my Soul:, Excellent Preachers, and of Holy Lives , miftakingly penlbrious againlt • fome ^ lavvful Things, and Silenced for it ; forne flying to America, and fome abfconding. here. I (aw the difealcd Paffions and Divifions thus cauled j and how much it extinguilh-ed Chrjftian Love : At laft we allfaw it break out into the Flames of an odious War. And even the IJlurperSj that by Silencers pretended their Provocation^ fell into the Crime which they Accufed ; and caft out many Learned Bi/hdp^, Po-dois and Pieachers, for refufing their Covenant, and their Erigagement, >nd theip Way of Worfliip, and for being againil their War. Thus Satan's Silencing,, work went on. <,_,,■] •,•,,.1'

When Experience and Smart brought moft Men to their Wits, and they had found that a divided Kingdom cannot iland, and that returning to Love and Unity mufl: be our Recovery ; I laboured with Minifters of each fide with all my power for Agreement, on lueh Terms as we vvjere then capable of: and thac was to joyn in the amicable pracftice of all that they were agreed in, and to bear with one another in the reft ( which were nonecelfary things) : On thefe Terms Wor-cefterjhtre and feveh or eight other Cc unties quickly agreed: Jre/<i«^ profeft confent: More were clofing : But the Diziifions of the UJurpcrs, and ths hegun Reconciliation oi the Peacemakers (or Pr£?e»^eri)pre(ently reftored theKing.

Men were then varioufly affeded, between hope of Unity and fear of DifcorJ, and of the old Silencing dt-viding Work. That we had one lawful King to Unite in who promifed his help hereunto, and declared his Judgment tor necelTary Indulgence, and that Lords and Knights printed their profeffed Renunciation of Revenge, and Dortors profeffed Moderation, did greatly raile Mens hopes that there would be no moie luch Divifions, as fliould Silence faithful Minifters. Buc they that knew how hardly Love and Moderation are reftored, after the Exafperati-ons ot fo odi(-us a War, and how few conquer Worldly Intereft and old Opinions, 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 b3 united by coming all over to the Opinions of each other: which Party fbever was in the right in all the Points called Indifferent by (bme^ and Sinful by others, I knew the Difference would continue : And it doth lb. I knew that thole that were moft obedient to God, would not do that which they judged he forbad them. I knew that if for this they were forbidden to Worihip God in Church-WorlTiip, they would not foibear, till Suffering dilabled them. I knew that there were io many luch, and the Suffering that dilabled them muft be lb great , that the Land thereby muft needs be divided into the JJfliSing and Afflicted Parties: And the more confciona-ble the more conftant would they be: It were well if moil: tmderjtood all things necejjiiry: But that all Ihould underftand all ;W;_^«re«f things (that might be commanded j to be indifferent, I knew would never be, ifall the Land were Dodors. It was ealie to know what Exalperations of Mind all this would caule , and what a Conqueft Satan would make here, againft Light, Love and Mercy, chat is againlt Chrift.

In the deep Senfe of this Danger I fet my felf to try , whether Terms of Pofi-X ^/e CoMcor^/ might be obtained : The L!;Wo» Minifters joyned : The King greatly encouraged us; Firft by his Declaration at Breda , and that againft Debauchery. Next by Peilbnal Engaging us in a Treaty with the Biftiops, and his Promife that he would draw them to meec 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 Bi(hops denied the Need of any Alterations, ajid dartit all our Hop^s: And the Convocation and Parliament caft by the King's Indulgence ; and iffued all in the A7 of Uniformity.

I

Numb. VIII. AT T E N "D 1 X. Til

. I was the more earneft to have prevented this^ becaufe I ]^new not but that moft of the whole Miniftry of the Kingdom might have been Silenced in one day : I knew what was faid againft much that is impofed : And I knew that near Ten thoufand Minifters had Conformed to what the Parliament had impofed , and moft taken the Covenant, and ufed the DireAory and not the Common Prayer. And how knew I that only Two thoufand would ftick at the New Impori ions, and Seven thoufand obey them (and Affentand Confent to the New Book which they (raoftly) never faw, it coming not out of the Prs(s till too latej.

V. While I was engaged in this Treaty by the King, the Bifhops denied all further Debates with us, till we had given them in Writing all the Faults that we found in the Liturgv, and all that wedetired in ftead, or as Additions: So that ws 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 contrary Reifons : which foms Scribes for gain after printed j I knew not who, with abundance of Errata.

VI. After this i66}. the King revived our hope in part by a Declaration of his Judgment and Purpoie for our Leave to Preach and Worfhip God.

VIL In this Cale I continued Silent as to any farther Suit or Plea, keeping con-ftantly in the Communion of the Parifli Churches where I lived, till in 1668.1 was impriibned 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 pleafiire, to Receive and Treat of fome Propofals ofiered for Compre-henfion and Indulgence j and appointed Birtiop Wtlkms and Dr. Burton, to Treat with Dr. Manten, and Dr. Bates and me, which required that we opened to them our Cafe. We came to a full Agreement, which Judge Hah, then Lord Chief Baron, greatly approving it, drew up in an Ad: to be offered the Commons j who Voted to receive no fuch Ad: and defeated the Kings Offer and our Hopes.

IX. In 1672. the King again declared not only his Judgment, but Relolution for our Leave to Preach, and gave us adually Licenles; But many Church-men oppoled if, and called it Schifm, and diffwaded us from ufing our granted Liberty, and faid we were bringing in Popery by it: And the Parliament was againft it, and cauled the King to reverie his Licenfes. And in this .time I wrote my Books againfl our Silencing in Defence of the Liberty granted by the King, though they were after printed.

X. After this, Bifhop Gunning of 'E.ly urged me to declare the Reatbns of our Nonconformity ; and iaid. 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, but durft not, left they that called for ic could not bear it.

XL And the Right Reverend Bifhop of London urged me to the fame; and faid, That the King took us as not Sincere, becaufe we fo long forbore Conforming, and declared not our Realons. To whom I gave the lame Anfwer.

XII. The Earl oiOrery told mc Billibp Morky propofed fome Terras for Concord to keep out Popery, and urged me to draw up for the faid Bilhop what we muft have granted : which I did, and had the Biihops fruftrating Anfwer.

XIII. Another time Dean Tillotfon and Dr. StiUingfleet moved us to a Treaty for Concord, as encouraged by Bifhop Mor/e^' and others: And we gave them all our Defires in termints j which they feem'd to confent to, if the Bilhop had not rejed-ed if.

XIV. After this I wrote a Book of the True way ofUniverfal Concord,3X\A direded it to to Bifhop Morlej and Bilhop Gunnings as the Men that I meant that had fru-

Q^ ftr3te<5

ftrated our hopes. On which Bidiop Gummg (ent Dr. Croivther to invite me to a Conference j and our Debate three days was , llhkh u the true -way of Vni'verfal Concord ? which he maintained to be by Obedume to the Legijlativc and Judicial Go-•vermng of the CoUedge of Pafiors. I drew up the Sum in three Letters to him, maintaining I7wii^er/a/Co ww«»zoWj but denying all Forretgnjurifdtciion, and the poffibili-ty of one Humane Soverasgnty, Monarchical or Ariflocratical^ over all Kwgs and ChuTches and all the World.

Xy. After and under all thisDifcourfe, Pulpits and PreO, by Men not to be defpifed, openly accufed us as Contriving and Deigning a Rehellion,hy continuing Non-conformtfis tvhen we had nothing to {ay for it. So' that now our Silence palt almoii into ijeeming ConfeJJion of an intended Rebellion-

Now I appeal to Reafon and Confcience, to Chriftianity and Humanity, Whether all thefe Calls of Kings and Bilhops, Friends and Accufers, juftirte not a Serious Account of our Cafe, after Fourteen or Seventeen Years acculed Silence.

XVI. Yet after all this I dur/i not, I did not write either any Jufltfcation of our ^Scruples', or any Reafons to piove the Impoftwm finful (five that I gaVc the Realbns for our not ceafing to preach , and againit a Ipurious (brt of Diocelanes of foms Innovators Defcription; But only barely named de fado, ivhat it was that we feared as fin, protefting over and over not to accufe the I.aw or the Confoimilts.

XVII. And that which on all thefe Provocations I have done in many Books, is but thefe two things :

1. To beg for Concord, and prove, and it never was nor will be had^ hy forcing all to profefs confent to numerous, dubious, unneceflary Things, but only on Terms few, plain, and neceffary, in which all found Chriftians are agreed.

2. To beg/cr mercy (not fo much to many hundred fuffering Miuifiers, and many ThOufand diffenting godly Chriftians { fuch as no Nation under Heaven, out of his Majefty's Dominion, hath better that I can hear of), but Ipecially for many Icore thouland needy, ignorant, untaught Souls: For I wrote with relpeci , i. To the Cafe of the whole Land, before I knew that Seven thouland of the former Incumbents would ftay in. 2, To the Cafe oiLondon in the dreadful Plague, when in-feded Men cried for help, and had no Teacheis, the Paftors being ned , and the Nonconform ids prohibited : And about a dozen that ventured ( and as Groflbead Ipake, obediently difobeyed ) law wondrous Succefi of their Labours in the Penitence of the affrighted humbled Crowds. 5. 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 Publick Worlhip moftly ceafed : And hundred Thoulands of undone Per-ibns fliould then have had fpecial Comfort and Counfel: But the Nonconformifls were forbidden ftill. 4. I had fpecial refped to the Cafe of Great Partjlies, fuch as Martins, Gila, Stepney, and many more , where Ten, Twenty, Forty thoufand peflbns have no room in their Parifh Churches, and Mahometans ufe Ibme Publick Worlhipj. And what Ihall all thele Perfons do ? who by Cullom exculed by Ne-cefltty, grow to live willingly like Atheills. In my Poverty I built a Tabernacle in Martins Parifh, and though I have the Biihops Licenle to preach in London Dio-:efs, I could not be fufFered to ufe it, though I would have had the Liturgy there ifed : And I thankfully and gladly accepted of Dr. Lloyd's Conlent to take it for the Pariih ufe. 5. I never beg'd leave for any to preach, but loyal, found, peaceable Men; and that only where there was plain Necellity, and for nothing of Salary, and only under Government and Laws of Peace. And 1 thank God that all the Paffions, Provocations, Temptations and Trials that have rifen, have drawn to Plots, or Rebellion, orDIfloyalty, no one Perfon that I can hear of, of all thofe that I was acquainted with, and for whom I then beg'd for Liberty and Mercy. And moff of them are gone out of a Malignant World, to their Everhfiing Reft.

XVIII. The contrary-minded, while they cried down Divifion as well as I, left us but thele "three impoflible ways to cure them.

I. To make all Men and Women lb much wifer than themfelves, as to know all their Things called Lawful to be fo indsed : (when we can get too few to undcrftand their Catcchifm).

2. Or

2. Or die to get all that fear God to obey Men in doing what they think God forbiddeth, and leaving undone what they think he commandeth.

;. Or elle to punifli thofe that will not do this, to utter Dilablement, Extirpation, or Death. The two firft ways I was fure would never prevail ; And I knew that the third would coft fo dear, as that no Ceremonies, Forms , or unneceffary Oaths or Covenants, would finally bear the Charges of it: The Blood of the faithful is of hard digeftion, and JuJas his Confcience hath an awakening Day, when his Companions in Guilt will caft him off: And God efteemeth fuch Blood precious : And when the Jobb is done by it, it leaveth an Everkfting Odium on the Doers, and Shame upon their Caufe: And their own Succeffors dilbwn 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 ( as Martin, &c.) And the Moderate muft come after to heal all, by crying Shame on the Cruelty of their PredeceiTors, as Salvian, Ckmangu, Erafmus, EJpencjeui, Cajjandery Grot tut, and fuch others do ; and fay as TertuUian y Solitudinem faciunt & facem'vacant. But the final Reckoning will pay for all.

Some (ay. We and other Countries have lived in Peace on the Terms that you call impoflible.

Anpuf. Its true, of (bme kind of Peace : So they do in Sfain, Italy, Turky, Mof-covy, &c. keep Men fo ignorant, that they ihall not know Duty from Sin, not-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 that can hurt their Bodies. But when Chrift batteretli this Garrifonof Satan, he breaks this Peace. And I knew that in England many fcare Thoufands would never return to this ignorant Peace.

. XIX. As I was fure that there was no hopss of l?eace, in any but the way of plain Chriflianity, fo I found that all the wifeft, and famoufteft Lights of the Church, and grearett Peace-makers, had ftill been of the lame mind. The Primitive Churches for Three hundred years did lay their Unity on this ground; and by Degree; Divifions grew up as'needlefs Impoifitions grew. Naz^ianzen, Hillary, Vincentius Lerin, &c. and.titicc Erajmas, Ferns, Calender , Grotitts, Acontius, Bergius, Junius, U/Jjcr, Hall, Da'venant-, Cbillingworth, Hales, &c. go all this necelTary way. And when my deareft Friend,' the Lord Chief JuflJce Hale, was not far 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 fmall Traftates before written, which I piitjiifliecr;-fhewing that aH our Divifions and Calamities come, by making that to leem part of Religion which is none, and that to be ne-ceflary which is not (0. ;:

XX. But left any racked words of mine\.!hould be interpreted to be for 5"^-Jition or Schtjm, thcfe being the things that my Soul abhorreth, 1 wrote near Twenty Books almoft wholly againft Schilm" and Sedition , and all the Principles and Reafbnings that favour them ; on all Extreams: I was diicouraged a while to find that the Stream of Philofophies, Politicks, CanoniOs, Caluifts , Papilts and Pro-teftants, and the greateft Lawyers that I could meet with, agreed that the People are the Fountain of Civil Power, aaJ ^ive the Soverai^n what he hath; and many fuchNotions: Ifeared tocontradid fdeha ilrcam as this. But being fatisfied, I firfl confuted it in Harrington 16^^. and then pundually in Richard Hooker ^though dedicated by a Bifhop to the King ) and then in many others of all forts. And for Church-Concord, no Man living hath written half fo much as 1. 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 Dcd:rine of Love, Unity and Subjedion hath its due part.

XXL The words which are mifinterpreted as Seditious, by feigning me to mean worle than I fpeak, leave me and all Writers to the mercy of Miftakers, which are moft that have ignorance and ill-will. I mean no more than I ipeak: If othQr Men lay that my words fignifie more, they thereby make them theirs, and not mnn: God only is the Judge of fecret Thoughts. Humane Converfe hath made thefe Rules of Expofition : Firft, That words be taken in the uiiial fence of Men that Treat on the 5m%^ that they handle, unlels the Speaker other wife expound them. Secondly, That the whole Scope and Context muft expound par-

Q. 2 ticular

ticulair words. Thirdly, That an odd ftrained Word is ttbt to be taicen contrary to the Author's Declaration of his judgment in many whole Copious Volumes • fiich as 1 have written againft Difloyalty and Schifm.

XXII. Almoft all the moft approved Writers fpeak far more fharply without Sedition. The words of Naz,ianz,en, Eufeblus, Chryfofiom, Hillary, Sahian , and many Fathers: the words oi Petrarch, Clemangu, Al'varui Pebgius, Erajm/s, Janfenins, "Gtafidav. Grotius, Jewel, Bilfon, I am ready tt) cite, far more ftiarply fpeaking of the Sins of Civil and Church Rulers than ever I did : befides fuch as Gildasy GroU-

XXIII. By luch Accufers meafures I am condemnable if I fay but the Lord^s Prayer, or the Common Prayer when I am coriirtianded. * They may fay that I ac-' cilfe the Church, when I fay, that [ we haije left undone the things that we ought

* 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 lay \_ Deliver us from Evil ]

* and [ Forgive our Enemies, Perfecutors, and Slanderers, and turn their Hearts J

* and \_ From our Enemies defend us, O Chrift ; Gracioufly look upon our Af-

* flidions: That we thy Servants being hurt by no Perlecution, may evermore

* &c. That God will defend us in all the Affaults of Our Enemiesj That the E-

* vils which the Craft or Subtilty of the Devil or Man worketh againft us b6 ' brought to nought]. If at the Sacrament a Minifter fay, £ If any be a hinderer ' of God's Word Repent, or come not to this Holy Table, lelt the Devil en-

* ter into you as he did into Judat, and fill you full of all Ihiquities, and bring

* you to Deftruftion of Body and Soul]. What Remedy have I, if any will fay that I mean Rulers by thele words as Silencers and Perlecutors ? Yea, or when I read all the dreadful Paffages againft Perfecutors in the Gofpel. There is bound up with our Bibles and Liturgies a Prayer for Families, which faith, [ 'Coftfdund Satan

* and Antichrift, with all Hirelings and Papifts whom thou haft already caft off

* iiito a reprobate fenfe, that they may not by Secfts, Schifms, Herefies, and Errours ' dilquiet thy little Flock. And becaufe, O Lord, we be fall'n into the latter days

* and dangerous times, wherein Ignorance hath got the upper hand , and Sataii by

* his Minifters feeks by all means to quench the Light of thy Gofpel, «^e befeeCh

* thee to maintain thy Caufe againft thole ravening Wolves, and ftrengthen all thy

* Servants whom they keep in Prifon and Bondage. Let not thy Long fuffering be

* an occafion to increale their Tyranny, or to difcouragethy Children,d^c.]. ThS Homilies have many Paflages liable to |iardIhterpretauojif,Theufeof nonebf thefe is Sedition. ' , ' .', ' ' .

XXIV. From i6fo. to 1660. I had Controverfies by Manufcript With fome great Doctors that took up with Dr. Hammond's and Petavms new fingular way of Pleading for Epifcopacy, which utterly betrayed it. They held that in Scripture time all called Presbyters wer6 Diocefan Bifliops, and that there w^s rto filch thing as our Subjeft Presbyters, and yet that^fevery Congregation had a Diocefah Bilhop, and that it was no Church that had not fuch a Bifhop, and that there are no more Churches than there are fuch Bifhops: And fb when Dioceffes were enlarged as ours, the Pariflies were no Churches, for no Bifhop had more than one : And that Subjed Presbyters are fiirce mide, and are but Curates that have no more power than the Bifhop pleafeth to give them. Dr. Hammond ih his Viti-dication faith. That as far as he knowCth, all that oWned the fame Caule with him againft the Presbyterians, were come to be of his mind herein. And we know not of four Bilhops 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 Jurildiftion, and for our Re-ordination, all looking the lame way, I thought they knew the Judgment of the fdw remaining Bifhops better than I did, and fometime called it, The Judgpjent of tie frefent Church here, that is, of thefe Church-men , and the EngUfti Diocefa'ns: but. proved that the Laws and Dodrine 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 tinges: Our Parifhes are no Churches for want of Bifhops: our Diocefans are no SucccfTors of fuch Apoftolick Men as were over many Churches, ours having

ving but one: And they are not like thofe that they call the Scripture Dioceians, for they ( fay thefe Doftors j had but fingle Aflemblies. Thefe Men I confuted in my Treatije of Epifcopacy, and other Books. But the Scribe or Prinrer omitting my Direftion, to put itill [ The fore-dejcribed Prelacy and Church ] inftead of [ Thi Englijli Prelacy and Church'] I Was put to number it with the Errata, and give the Reader notice of it in the Preface and Title Page, and have fince vindicated the Church of England herefrom.

XXV. I hear the angry Protefiant Recufants fay, [' It is juft with God that he

* that hath done more than all others to draw Men to the Parift Churches, and

* hath thefe Thirty years been Reconciling us to the Papifts in Do(5^rinals, and is

* now called Bdlarminus junior for his Arguments for Liturgies and Forms ; and in

* his Parafhrafe hath fo largely and earneftly pleaded for Charity to Papifts, as not

* Babylonifh or Antichriflian, rtiould be the firft that (hould liifFer by them, and ' that for this very Book that fo extraordinarily doth ferve their Interertj.

To which, I fay, take heed of mii^expounding Providence: that Errour hath coft England dear. If I be put to death by them , I Ihall not repent of any of thole Conciliatory Doftrincs and Endeavours; I have reviewed my Writings, and am greatly fatisfied that I fuffer not for running into either Extream, nor lor any falfe Doftrine, Rebellion, Trcalbn, or grofs Sin; but that I have fpent my Labour and Life againft both Perfecuting and cauJelejS Separating : And that I (hall leave my TeOimony againll both to Pofterity ; and for what could I more comfortably Tiiifer ? It is bj decrying their Perfecution and Cruelty that I have angred the hurtful Papilts, and by confuting their grofs undoubted Crimes, more effeeflually than you do by the Name of AntichriH, Babylon, and the Whore : And if their Cruelty on me fiiould prove my Charge againft them true, I fhall not be guilty of ir. Nor will their Sin abrogate God's great Law of Love, even to Enemies, and if ii hi pof[ihle,as much as in you Ijethji've peaceably with all men J follow peace with all men:. ikfl'ed are the peace-makers, Scc.

The difbrderly tumultuous Cries and Petitions of fuch ignorant Zealots for Ex-treams under the Name of Reformation, and crying down all moderate Motions a-bout Epifcopacy and Liturgies, and mdiing fiercely into a War, and young Lads and Apprenticesand their like, pricking forward Parliament Men, had io great a fwtln our Sin and Milery from 1641. till 1660. as Imuft give warning to Pofterity to iivold the like, and love Moderation. I repent that I no more difcouraged ignorant Ralhnefs, in 1662. and 1663. 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 fenle on my words, and call it mine: and fay, I meant the Rulers when I fpake of Popilh Interdi(5ts, Si-lencings and Perfecutions. And by that meafure , no Minifter muft fpeak againft any Sin., till he be liire that the Rulers are neither guilty , nor defamed of it, left he be thought to mean them : and fo our Office is at an end. If the Text aiid the general Corruption of the World lead me to fpeak againft Fornication , Perjury , ♦ Calumny, Lying, Murder, Cruelty, or atiy 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 Perfecution, and unjuft Silencing the faithful Minifters of Chrift, while I fay, that Rulers may juftly Silence all that forfeit their Commiffion, 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 Ambition and Tyranny of many Popes, Patriarchs and Metropolitans, while the humble Ibrt of Bi/Tiops and Paftors have kept up the Life and Power of Chriftia-fticy ? Or can any Man that maketh not Chrift and his Church a meer Servant to Worldly Intereft, think that this fliould not by all true Chriftians be lamented ? Let fuch read Nazianzen's fad Defcription of the Bifhops of his time, in ftrivingfor the higheft Seats, and his wifh that they were equal: And the fame wirti of IJidore Telufiota j and the fharp Reproof hereof by Chryfo/iom : Great Grotius expoundeth Matth. 24. 29. of the Powers of Heaven fiiaken, thus, [ * It is the Chriftian Laity , ' who after the Apoftles times began to be marvelloufly fliaken, by the Tyranny of

* the Prelates who lovsd Pre-eminence, and to Lord it oyer th§ Clergy by rafh

'Ex-

in others, not a few ; To which Optatus MeU'v. prudently afcribeth three Caufes, ■ Wrath, Ambition, and Covctoufhcls]. But how many fcore Canons, Interdids and Bloody Wars do prove all this.

XXVIII. And had not thefe Vices conquered Common Reafon with Chriftia-niiy in fuch men, it were a Wonder that lo unprofitable and caufelefs a thing, as forcing all ChrilHans to Unite on the profefl Approbation and Frailice of all the needlefs Things which fuch impofe, and denying them Communion and Peace on the Terms that Chrift prelcribed, for all his Servants to own and love each other on, fhould be thought a fiiffitient Juftificatipn of all that Dividing Cruelty of which it hath been guilty- And that Church-Grandees fhould make (uch Schiims, as are yet in Ealt and Wefl, and tlien hate and perfecute the Sufferers as Schilma-ticks: Sairh Grotms on Luke 6. 22. Scitum eji Veterum ^udaorum cujus Maimouidet memimt, fiquis Innocentem a. Communione arcuerit, ipfHm excidere jure Communionii : And Dr. SttUingfleet on ArchbiHiop Laitd^ and before him Chillingworth, conclude. That if a Church deny Communion to her Members, on thole Terras that give them Right to Communion with the Church Univerfal, that Church is guilty of the Schilm. Were it not more Chridian-like, eafie and fweet, to joyn all in the pradiceof the Laws of Chrifl, by which we (hall be judged, with the needful ufe of edifying Order and Circumftances , rhdt all Sizes and Ages of Chriltians might live in Unity and Love, than to cait out all that cannot Unite on Terms fo far beyond meer Chriftianity , as mofi: Churches on Earth require. When the Volume of Councils and Canons were unknown, and plain Familiar Dilci-pline was ufed in the open Church-Meetings, ChriOians were lefs divided : ( faith Grotius in Luc. 6. 22. \_ Apud Chn/iianoi Vetera prtefidtnte qutdem Epifcofo df Setiiorthus, fed Conjcia d^ Confenttente Fratrum multitudtne morum judicia exerceban-tur ). If Chrilfians be panial hear an impartial fieathen , Ammianus Marcelli-Ttus , who, fcandalized with the murder of Men kill'd in the Church for the E-ledion of Pope Damafus , concludeth how well it would have gone with Chriftianity , if thoie great Roman Prelates, had lived like the poor, humble, in-feriour Bilhops; See his words. But if faul'i full Decifion on Romans 14. will not bring us to neceffary forbearance, no Plainnefs nor Authority will feive.

Numb.

Numb. IX. jin JB for Concord by Reforming

Parifh Churches , and Regulating Toleration

0/ Dissenters.

I. ' ■ "^ H E Qualifica'don requi/iceto Baptifm in the Adult for themfelves , I and in one Parent at leait or Pro-Parents for Infants, is, Their under-JL- fianJing Confent to the Baptifm.il Covenant, in which they are Solemnly devoted to God the Father, Son^ and Holy Ghofl, as their God and Father , Saviour and Sandifier, Renouncing the World, the Flefh and the Devil, (b far as they are adverle : And the requifite Qualilication of the Adult for proper Church Priviledges, and Communion in the Lord's Supper, is. That they torfake not the (aid Covenant or Chrt/Hanitjr , but publickly own it, not rendering their Profellion invalid by any Dodrine or Praftice tncorijifient therewith. And that they under-ftandingly defire the laid Communion.

II. The Chriftian Churches have univerfally taken the Creed , the Lord's Prayer , and the Ten Commandments, as delivered by Chrift, for the Summary of the Chriftian Belief, Defire and Pradice , expounding the Matter of the Baptifmal Covenant: Therefore all Paftors (hall Exhort all Houfholders to learn themfelves, and teach their Families, the words and meaning of the Baptifmal Covenant, and of the Creed , Lord's Prayer, and Ten Commandments : And {hall alfo thus Catechize fuch themfelves as need their help, as far as they (or their Affif-ilancs) can do it.

:. IIL No Minifter {hall Baptize any Perfon , Adult or Infant, till the Adult for themlelves, and the Parent, or Pro-Parent, (who undertaketli the Education of the Child as his oww J have there profelTsdf their Belief of the Chriftian Faith, and their foredelcribed Con{ent to the Chriftian Covenant, in which they are to be folemnly devoted to God : And fuch they {lull not refufe. Nor {hall 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 Profef-fion that they refolvedly {land to their Baptifmal Covenant, in the fore{aid Belief of the Chriiflian Faith, and Defire, and Obedience to Chrili. Which Profef-fion {hall be made in the Church, or to the Paftor before fuflicient Witnefs, or to the Diocelan or Ibme other Pafltor, who {hall give Teftimonial of it. And if any {hall go from the Parilh-Church Pallor to be ContirmeJ by the Bilhop, or received by any other Minifter, without the Csrdficate or Content of his own Pari{h Pa{tor, the faid Paftor {hall not be obliged to admit him to Communion , till to him alfo, before Witnefj, he have made the faid Profeflton.

IV. Becaufe in great Pari{hes, and Cities, v/hare Perfons live unknown, and as Lodgers are tranfient, and too great a Number defire not Communion , and many Communicate only with other Churches, and it is needful for Order that all Paftors know their Communicating Flock from the reft, the Paltor may, for his memory, keep a Regifter of the ftated Communicants of hisPari{h ; and put out the Names of thole that deny or remove, or are lawfully Excommunicate , or that wilfully forbear Communion above fix Months, not rendering to the Paftor a Sa-tisfadory Excule. 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 Pallor's knowledge, or by juft accufation or fame, any Communl-cajit be ftrongly lUlpeded of Atheifm, Infidelity, or denying any Effential part of Chriftian Faith, Hope, or Pradice, or to live in any heinous Sin , the Paftdf' {hall fend for him, and enquire of the Truth ; and if he be proved Guilty, gently inftrud him and admoni{h him , and skilfully labour to bring him to Repentance : And if he prevail not, {hall again (end for him , and do the lame before ibme Wit-neffes: And if he yet prevail not, or if he wilfully refufe to come, or to anfwer him , {hall [ ofen bu Cafe before the Church Vefiry^ or Neighbour P aft on j ttnd if he be prefent (here , admomfl) him, and fray for his Refentance. And if yet he frevail not to

bring

i'rtng him to the frofeffion of (erious Repentance, he pall declare that he juJgetb him a Perjon unmeet for Church Communion till he Repent'^ and Jh all i/Uthen^ forbear to give him the Saerament; But when he profelTeth feiious Repentance, ihall receive him. But if after fuch ott Profeffions he continue in fuch heinous Sin, he fhall not again receive him, till aftual Amendment for a fufficient time to make valid his Pro-feflion.

VI. Orc^ination to the Priefthood fhall be a valid Licenfe to Preach : And every juft Incumbent being the Pailor, Overseer, or Redor of his Parilh Church, IhaU as fuch have power to Preach to them without any further Licenle , and to judge according to God's Word, to whom and how to perform the proper Work of his Office J on what Text and Subject to Preach , in what Words and Order to Teach and Pray. But if Canons alio be made a Rule , they (hall not oblige him againft the Word of God: And if for Uniformity , or fome Mens dilabili-ty, he be tyed to ufe the Words of prefcribed Forms, called a Liturgy, he {hall not be fo fervilely tyed to them, as to be punifhable for every Omiflion of any CoUeift, Sentence or Word, while at leaft the greateft part of the Service appointed for the Day is there read ; and the Subflance and Neceflary Parts of the Offices be there performed ; no, though he omit the Crols in Baptifm, and the Surplice, and deny not Communion to thofe that dare not receive it kneeling. And if any worthy Minifler fcruple to ufe the Liturgy, but will be prefent, and not Preach againft it, he Ihall be capable notwithftandingof preaching as a LeAurer or Afliftant, if the Incumbent Paftor do Confent.

VII. No Oath, Subfcription, Covenant, Profeffion or Promife ftiall be made NecelTary to Minifters or Candidates for the Miniftry, befides the Oath of Al!e» giance and Supremacy, and Sublcribing to the Sacred Canonical Scriptures, and lo 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 Ipeak only of Ceremonies, Traditions, and Bifhops), and the neceffary Renunciation of Herefie, Popery, Rebellion and Ufurpation: and the Promife of Minifterial Fidelity 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 Oaths, Subferiptions and Renunciations.

VIII. Let none have any Benefice with Cure of Souls, who is not Ordained to the Sacred Miniftry by (iich Bilhops or Paftors as the Law fhall thereto appoint for the time to come : But thole that already are otherwife Ordained by other Paftors, ftiall not be difabled , or required to be Ordained again. And let no Paftor, by Patrons or others, be impofed on any Parilh Church, without the confent of the greater number of the ftated Communicants. And at his Entrance, let Ibme Neighbour MinilleJs 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 Succels.

IX. If any Paftor beaccufed of Tyranny , Injury , or Mal-adminiftration, he ihall be relponfible to the next Synod of Neighbour Paftors , or to the Diocefan and his Synod, or to the Magiftrate , or whomfoever the Law ftiall appoint ; and if guilty and unreformed alter a firft and fecond Admonirion, ftiall be punifti-ed as his Offence deferveth j but only in a Courfe of Juftice according to the Laws, and not Arbitrarily : Nor (o 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 lew, 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 choole Paftors for all the Churches, are of fo different Minds and Difpofitions, that there is no certainty that none ftiall be by them Pre-fented, and by Bilhops Inftituted and Induced , to whom godly Perfons may juft-ly Icrupleto commit the Paftoral Condud of their Souls, whole Safety is more to them than all the World: And becaufe there may be lome things left in the Liturgy,

Numb.TX. AT T E NT) I X. ^

Liturgy, Church Government and Orders, which after their beft Icarch may be Judged linfu!, by fuch godly and peaceable Chriftians, as yet confent to tlie Word of God, and all that the Apoftles and their Churches praftifed: And Humanity and Chriltianity abhor Perfecution; and Human Darknefs and great DifTerence of Apprehenfions is fuch, as leaveth us in Delpair of Variety and Concord in doubtful and unnecefTary Things j Let fuch Perfons be allowed to affemble for Communion and the Worfhipof God, under fuch Paftors and in fuch Order as they judge bcft • Provided *

1. That their Paffors and Teachers do take all the forefaid Oaths, Profeflions and Subfcriptions, before lome Court of Judicature, or Juftices at Ssflions or the Diocefan, as /hall be by Law appointed ; who thereupon fhall give them a Tefti-monial thereof, or a written Licenfe of Toleration.

2. That they be refponfible for their Doftrineand Miniftration, and puni/hable according to the Laws, if they preach or pradice any thing inconfi/^ent with their forelaid Profeffion of Faith, and Obedience, or of Chrilfian Love and Peace.

5. That their Communicants pay all Dues to the Parilh Minifters and Churches where they live.

And if fuch JPedple as live where the Incumbent is judged by them unfit for the Truft and ConduA of their Souls, (hall hold Communion wich a Neighbour Pa-rifh Church, they Ihall not be punifh.ible for it; They paying their Parilh Dues at home: Nor fhall private Perfons be forbidden peaceably to pray or edifie each other in their Houfes.

XI Chriflian Priviledges and Church Communion being unvaluable Benefits ^ and jufl Excommunication a dreadful Punifliment, no unwilling Perlbn bach righc to the faid Benefits j Therefore none ihall 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, Imprilbned, or Corporally and Pofitively puniflied by the Sword meerly as a Non-Communicant, or Excommunicate and Reconciled, but as the Magiitrate Ihall judge the Crimesof themfelvesdelerve.

But if Non-Communicants be denied all Publick Truft in Churches, Univerfities or Civil Government , it is more properly the Securing of the Kingdotii, Church and Souls, then a punifhing of them.

But all Parifhioners at Age Ihall be obliged to forbear reproaching Religion, and profaning the Lord's Day, and ihall hear publick Preaching in fome allowed or tolerated Church J and (hall not refule to hz Catechized, or to confer for their In-ftrudion, with the Pari/h Minifter; and fhall pay him all his Tythes and Church Dues.

Xn. The Church Power above Parifh Churcbes, Diocefjn , Synodical, Chancellors, Officials, Commiffaries, c^iT. we prelume not to meddle with: But, were it reduced to the Primitive State, or to Archbifhop U^nr's Model of the Primitive Government; yea, or but to the Kings Defcription in his Declaration 1660. about Ecclefiaflical Affairs, and if alfo the Bifhops were chofen as of old ( for Six hundred years and morej it would be a Reformation of great Benefit to the Kingdom, and the Churches of Chrilf therein: Bat if we have but Pariih Reformation, Religion will be preferved without any wrong or hurt to either the Diocefans or the Tolerated : And if Diocefans be good Men, promoting ferious Godlinefs, and the Sword or Force ufed only by the Magiftrate, DilTent will turn to Love and Concord.

But if they may Sufpend, Silence, or Excommunicate, Arbitrarily, or accord-' ing to their prefent Canons (which Excommunicate //i/a/^ffo, allMen,Magiftrates, Minifters, and People, who do but affirm that the Book of Common Prayer con-taineth any thing repugnant to the Scriptures, or that there is any thing unlawful to be Subfcribed in the Thirty nine Articles; or Ceremonies, or that there is any thing repugnant to the Word of God in the Church Government, by Archbipwp, Bt(hep3, Deans, Arch-Deacons, and THE REST THAT BEAR OFFICE IN THE SAME} without excepting fo much as Lay-Chancellor's ufe of the Keys) And if Men Excommunicate mull, as continuing fuch, be undone and laid in Prifon, we muft be content with our Peace with God and Confcience, and good Men, and that we did our beft for more, and mourn under the calamitous EfTefts of the Publick E-nemies of Peace, whom the God of Peace will fhortly judge.

R T0

To the Right JVorJJoifful Sir E. H.

SIR,

* "TpH E Healing of Chriftians endangered as we are by our own Difeafes, is

* 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 aie now pleaded

* for among us: Of which two are Extreams, and much of our Difeafs.

* I. One is by the forcing Prelates, who would have all forced to full Confor-

* mity to their Canons, and other Impofitions j and none enduredj be they never

* fo wifej or godly, or peaceable, who think any thing in them to be finful. This

* way was long tried heretofore j and thefe laft Twenty years, it hath fhewed us

* what it will effed: The Shepherds have been fmitten, and the Flocks fcattered,

* about Two thoufand godly Minifters Silenced , adjudged to lye in Jail with ' Rogues, and to utter Ruine by paying Twenty and Forty pound a Sermon, &c. ' The People hereby imbittered againft the Prelates, and alienated from their Par-

* ty as malignant Perlecutors, and as Gnelpbes znd Giheltms, all in difcontent and

* dangerous contention,and on both fides growing worfe and worfe. And is this the ' only healing way ?

•II.The other Extream is thole that are too far alienated into unlawful Separati-

(

* confent to, were continued unreformed, that fo the beft People might be flill ali-

* 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-

* count intolerable Sin, and that in many Hundred thoufands, dellring it might not

* be reformed, and this on pretence of promoting Godlinefs; when once their Lea-

* ders drew it up as a Fundamental, That [_he that allownh others tn known fin cannot

* be faved'\.

' 2. It is certain that there Is no way lb orderly and advantageous to the com-

* mon Intereft of Chriftianity, as Reformed Parilh Churches.

* 3. The moftof the People that moll need the Minillry, will come to the Pa-

* rilh Churches, and will grow worle and worfe if they have not faithful Teachers i

* and we (hall pleafe a few good People till they are worn out, and for want of a

* ferious believing converting Miniflry, a Generation of ignorant Malignants will fucceed them. And we fhall come fhort of the main end of the Miniffry,

* 4. So many good and Icrupulous People will leave the Paii/h Churches, as

* will fet the Nation (or rather London) in an even balance, and increafe the envy

* of the other part, and one fide will talk more contemptuoudy of the Parifh ' Churches, and the Parifh Pulpits will daily ring with Reproach againft them, fo

* that the Common People, who will be in thePariih Churches, wilj increale their

* hatred againft the Tolerated, and they will live in a mutual and wordy War.

' y. The violent Prelatifts will by this have their end5,and will triumph over them »in thefe Contufions, and fay, Did not we tell you what w^ould be the EfFeft of

* Alteration and Toleration ?

' 6. When it is intended th^ this be but the Introdmftion of a better Settlement,

* the next Attempt will by this be dKabled, and they will fay. You fee that they

* are never latisfied, but are ftill changing, and know not where to reil.

' 7. The next Parliament having Experience of thefe Confufions will recall and

* and abrogate all their Toleration^. Thele things are eafily forefeen. And you that

* were One of the Eleven excluded Members, know what fuch Hands have former-

* \y done.

* III. The middle true way therefore is Parochial Reformation. This is neceffary < in it fclf: This is confiitent with the Intercft of thole that juftly defire Toleration. » In a well conftituted Chriftian Nation, tolerated Churches fhould be but as Houfes

'of

Numb.lX. AT T ENT) I X. 13|

' of Chanty,Z««o</oci6ij; Hofpitals for the Aged,Weak,Lame,Blind andSick.lt iicon-

* fiftent with the juft Epifcopal Intereft, and indeed is its mofl: neceflary fupporr, ' tor want of which a Succeffion of godly Adverfaries will be againit it to the end. ' Let us have Chrift's true DoArine, Worfhip and Church-Communion, and lee

* General Bilhops over us keep their Baronies, Lordihips, Wealth, and Honour. And

* we will be refponfible to them or any Rulers for our Mai-Adminilf ration. But lee ' them have no Power as Bilhops, but of the Church-Keys , Et valea ^uantumvalert

* fotefi : 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-

* gi/trates, and be not the Lidorsof Anathematizers and Homers by your Writs ' Je Excommuntcato capiendo. The Truth is, Civil and Church Government will be'

* well done, if we knew how to get ftill good iMen to ufe ir. And the chief Point ' of Political Wifdom is to fecure a Succeffion of fuch Men. Give us but fuch Dio-' cefans as Grindal, Jewel, UJher, 8cc. and let them be but Paftors, and not armed

* with the Sword, and who will expe(5t that they ftould hurt us? If Kings, that

* choofe Biihops, and Patrons, that choofe Incumbents, Ihould be always certainly

* wife and holy Men, and lovers of allliich, they would choofe us fuch: But if ' they be not ( and Chrift tells you how hardly the Rich are faved) they will moft-

* !y choofe fuch as are of their mind, or as Favourites obtrude i and bad Bilhops

* and Prielbare the mortal Difeafe of the Church: And if I tell King and Patrons

* that the Clergy and Communicants fhould have a Confenting or Diffenting Vote,

* and io the Door fliould have three Locks, ( the Confent of the Ordainers, Com-

* municintSjand MagiftratesJ I cannot hope that they ihould regard me. But I

* will repaat what Mr. Tborndike faith, (a Man as far as mott from the Nonconfor-

* mith) Treatife of Ferbearance, [ It is to no furpofe to talk of Reformation tn the Church ' unto Regular Govern-/ns7it, without rejtoring the Liberty of choofing BifJiops, and the Pri-' vikdge of enjoying them tn the Synods, Clergy and People of each Diocejl ; Jo evident a ' the right of Synods^ ^l^^gj '^''^^ People in the making of theje of whom they conjifi, and by ' wbom they are to be Governed, that I need make no other reafon of the ntgleSt of Epijcopacy

* than the neglect of it.]

' As for them that muft needs have all our Cure difpatcht in fewer words than ' this half ijheet of Papir containeth, they are unfit Men to do fo great a Workjand

* 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 (elf, 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 aqi (ure they cannot do mej but for Publick Good, which is the great Defire

* of

r

Ucv. 9. 1680. V Tour Servant^

Richard Baxter.

. ^ • .\:\y;, ,

T^he Reafons of thefe Jeveral Articles,

I. \"T 7 E cannot treat of the Government and Concord of Chriftians, till we a-VV gree what a Chriftian is, and who they are who are the Subiei^. So for theiR

nr. I. If Minifters be commanded to Baptize thofe Children who are brought by no Parent, or Pro-parent, who taketh the Child as his own, and undertaketh 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 Liturgy pleads for: But when it is laid [We fiiall admit none to the Sacrament but thofe that are Confirmed, or defire ;f3 it luppolethchat they inult give us notice of it,

IV. This is only for a liberty to help memory in great Parifhes, where it is im-poflible to remember all the Communicants; and avoid confufion by the unknown.

V. With-

V. Without this much power in the Parilh Minifter, the thing niuft be undone, it being impoffible for the Diocefan alone to do ic ; and the ancient Difcipline will be unavoidably caft out of the Church : But if the Billiops will not yieidtothis much, that will inftead of an Appeal from the Incumbent, take the whole Wok of Publick Admonition and Cenfureon themfelves. We /hall fubmit to the Obliteration of all thofe underlined Words, and thankfully ufe the Power ofSufpending our own Ads, and that alfo under the Government and Corredion after mentioned,

VI. I. How is he by Office a Teacher, who hath not Authority to Teach ?

2. We ask none of the Billiop's Office for him, but his own: We leave him under Government, and refponfible for his Mal-admini(fration.

3. No,Man's.Mini(tryisfafe, if hemay be SufpendeJ fornot faying hisLefTon as prefcribed juff to a Sentence.

4. This will make no Alteration in the Publick Offices of the Churches.

VII. Chrift hath made the Symbols of Chriflianity and Communion: And he that in thefe Things lerveth Chrift is acceptable to God , and approved of ( wife ) Men, Rom. 14.18.

2. Needlefs Oaths and Covenants and Profeffions are more ufeful to Satan, as Engines to tear, than to the Church as means to Concord.

;. But if under the Pretenfes of Renouncing Herefie, Popery, Rebellion and Ulurpation, Men will draw up enfnaring words, againft the Law of Nature or Scripture, it is no fuch Snares that will heal the Churches. To lay [I renounce all contrary to this Profeflionjis enough.Tothe Renunciation of Popery there needs no more than the Oath of Supremacy it felf, if to the renunciation of [Forreign Ju' rifdiihon] were but added [Ci'vil or Ecclefiafiical].

4. If the Church Articles were more exaft ic were better.

VIII. I. Thofe that cannot fubmit to a Legal Ordination, mnft be content with Toleration.

2. The queftioning of thofe already Ordained, need not make a breach, as long as no Patron is forced to prefent fiich, nor the major part of Communicants forced to accept them; nor the minor,if theydilTent, forbidden their Communion ellewhere. And this quarrelling at each others Oidination is endlefs, As the Bi-Ihopsfay on one fide, [None Ihould be Ordained without a Bi/hop]; fo they (ay on the other fide, [i. The chief Minilter of every Church isa Billiop: fpecially of a City Church. 2. That Ordination is valid which is better than the Papifts j ( For I. we Re-ordain them not : 2. Our Bifiiops claim Succeflion from them: ) But the Ordination ufed here after 1646. is better than the Papifts: For i. Theirs is to an unlawful Office, to be Mafs-Priefts: 2. It is into a falfe Church (that is, as headed by a pretended Univerlal Head). 5. And it is from the Pope, who as fuch hath no power: They protefs themfelves his Subjeds. 4. And the Roman Seat hath had oft and long Intercifions. j. They fay that Ordination is valid which is better than the Englip Diocefans: But, e^c i.The Englifl) Diocefans is derived from Rome, which wanted power, and was as aforefaid, falfe and interrupted. 2. They have neither the Eledion or known Content of the Clergy or People, but are cho-fen by the King. And the old Canons for many Hundred years null fuch Bifhops.

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 fliall have the Temples and Tythes.

Memorandum, Here wants the Reafons of the rQft of the Articles: if not fomething more to the Eighth Article.

FINIS.

ELISHAS CRY

AFTER

ELIJAH s GOD

Confider'd and Apply'd,

j With Reference to the D £ f £ ^ 5 £ of the late Reverend

Mr. Richard Baxter

Who left this Life Decemb. Stb, 1691.

And Preachy in Part on Decemb. iSth^ An. Eod. Being the L 0 /^ D's-D A T,

At Rutland-Houfe in Charter-houfe-Tard ^ LONDON.

By Matthevp Syhefter^ His unworthy Fellow-Labourer in the Gofpel there, for near Four of the laft Years of His Life and Labours.

^»d there ivd* much Murmuring Among the People concerning him : for fame [aid , He it x Good M*n . Others f/iid, nxy ; but he deceiveth the People. Job. vii. 12.

But thou hafi fuHy known my Doifrine, Manner of Life, Purpofe, Faith^ Long-fujfering, Charity, Patience, Perfecutions, Afflictions^ 2 Tim. iii. 10,11. 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 Iniquity. Mai. ii. 6.

My Father! my Father ! the Chariot oflfrAel^And the Horfemen thereof I

And hefaw him no more: 2 King. ii. 14.

Quiscohortari ad viitutem ardentius; quis a vitiis acrius revocare ;Quis

vituperare Improbos afperiws, Quis Laudare bonos ornatius, Quis

cupiditatcm vehcmcntius frangerc accufando poteft ? Quis moerorcm

Icvare miti\»s confolando ? Cicer. De Or at. lib. 2.

LONDON.,

Printed for T. farkhurfi^ J. Robinfon.^ J. Lawrence^ and

I

E L I S H A' SCRY

I's G O D.

•: King. ii. ^. r<in 5^H in'_^« _'r}pi^ miT rys

IF/;^rf w t/^e Lord God of Elijah r

TH 1 S Day is a great and Solemn D:iy indeed, made iuch by Pofitive Infliiiition, and by Providential Difpenfation. Iniijhed Creation : ComikAted iedcmftioK by theRcfu-relHono'our Lord ■ To which we may add ' the Ejfufion of God's Blefled Spnt in thofe Gifts and Giaces , the Fruits whereof, v/e fee and reap in the Stated AlTemblies of fuchdays, arc now to have their Solemn Celebrations. And the Fxecution of a brokeyi Law exemplifycd in the Dijfolution of our deceafed Prophet^ the Feva-tnd Mr. Hichard BaX' ter is this day to be contidered and improved, by this great and mournful Aflcm-bly. Nature, through Man's Apoftacy, is labouring and groaning under its heavy Curfe .• and in its Afpefts, Ufes and Eftefts, it bears the Charadsrs and clear Intimations of God's difpleafure towards Revolted us. Man (once Lord of all) by his Apoftacy from God, finds all in Arms againft himfelf. He falls by Death, and is refolved into his Original Duft ■• Bis Countenance is changed^ and he isfent aaay : the body dies, and rots, and mult be buried out of fight ^^ and his Soul goes to its eternal State ; Either to Heaven or Hell •, even to which it Ihall be found molt attempered by its difpolition aad deportment, whilft it was in this World and Body. The Death was penal •, and nothing but compleated mifery had been the certain confequence thereof ^ had not Grace interpofed. But Chrift has redeemed us from the Curfe of the Lm^by being made himfelf a Curfe for us.- and by his Mediation he open'; our way to Heaven, through Faith, Hope in him, and Holinefs before him. And God, for Chrill's fake, gave very early difcoveries, and comforta-i)l,e taftes of Grace; and early iliftances and pledges of our entire Tranflation in §Oul and Body to the Heavenly $rare. Fnoch and Eliai efcaped Deatk by a peculiar Indulgence, through the Arbitrary and Undeferved Grace of God. Chrift undergoes a-.id Conquers t)eath : Raifcs fomc from the Dead before he Dies, and, by his^Perlcnal Refurreftion , afTurcs us of his Power and Purpcfe, to Raile his Favourites and Members to an Immortal State of Blifs and Glory : And ( having a defire to fee his own in their Complearelt State ) he makes all the haftc that the Oeccncmy of Affairs will bear, to compleat the purpofc of his heart, in bringing us gloi jor.ity to our Eternal Reft. Man muft be Difciplin'd by God for Heaven: and n-ained up by manifold Providences for thofe moft blcfled Regions whereto he is conUcned bv God. And, as the Providence of this day concerns us all, and reaches'you and me, with all imaginable'aggravations ^ fo ( confideriig my Relations to God, to You, and to Hira that's now retired within the Vail) whilft I was ir-yl^a" what part of Sacred Writ 1 fhould form fomc pertinent Difcourfe up-" " ' ' A 2 fml

Eliflia^i- C %T

on tor you and mc jthisTcxc arofc uiili a coaiidcralxle S^.Tightfiilncls and Vigour: affeding ib much my owa hedic, as U) fix my purpofc to infift upon it. And the Lord aifift me to difcover luch Truths, to draw tuch Parallels, to muke fuch Inferences , and enter fuJi Memorials, as may both reach and ferve the truly uleful ends and purpofes of this Day's Providence and Text, in their belt References, to the benefit ot you, my felt, and otiiers, (.tj

The Claufe now read is fo impregnated with Senfe and Reach, as that to form it into a Doftrinal Propofition, would be prejiidiciai to my thoughts and purpofc : there being fo much weight, and fuch a vnc'^^ j even in every word. Whether you confider ( i. ) the Cod enquired after •, or ( 2..) the Perfon^ to whom God was fo evidently , fo eminently, and fo avouchedly related .• Or ( 3. ) the inqui/itive Prophet^ fo fenhble of the abfolute neceffity of the Prefence of ElijahA God with him: Or ( 4. ) The Time and C.j«/e of this Pathctical Inquiry after God : Or ( 5.) the ParAlel which this day's Providence hath drawn herewith : Or ( 6,) the Memorials which God thus enters as things of great importance to us ^ and requiring our anll^erable notice ot them -. Or ( 7. ) the fit Improvement to be made hereof,by (i.) all in General: (for it is a Pubiick 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 niuft accordingly conhder it. And vi/hile we infift upon it, the things to be delivered to you, fViali be reduced aud confined to thefe following Heads.

1. The Tranflated Prophet.

I. It was £/Jji2&, 2 King. ii. i. one oi the Inhabitants (^Hchr. Sojourners^ o^Gile-dd. A Man 0/Co^, as to his pkce and tryrs. A pcrfon 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 Confc-crated to extraordinary work, and to acquaint the people with what related to them, as to their Duty and Conierm. He had his Comminion from on high, his Office and Funftion 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 propcn-fions of his heart. He was imprinciplcd for God, and moved in his moft delight-fiiU Element, when bufied about the things of God. He was a trufty perfon, and, like a Faithfull Steward, he natarally minded the affairs andlntereft of that God that fent him. And he was a Man/«r God^ as to liis Refolutions, Endeavours, and Dcfignes. 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

(' « ) There is one difficulty in the Text not eafily to be refolved: And tliac is the Import of the Words, Nlin 3« which the 70 Render ^«-p» , or i-^^,^. Thcoiora ^.-sici, i xpJ^/©- jf-(«la/i/»5, yj? * UJh<Tiv r i»^«v tp|wfw<ATO». I- '"'=^'"5 hereby that he and others took it to import fomething hidden, or occuli. TiiC/nttW/nMry render it, EtUm ipfe, Eutn Hs: Sec-Heynfius. Prtlog. in A'0iirch. The Accent Athvicb, under the Word ini*;!* feems to put a period te that claufe , Where is the Lord God of EUjih f And then 1 in CD?'"I being net Copulative, but Con-vttfivc , refers thofc dark words to the following Claufe; and fo Read them, Even hi fmotc the Waters, /. e. Elijhi. TKey that judge otherwife, think, fsjin SH to be Emphatically exprcfTiTc of a Solicitous and Concerned Mind, in Thoughtful Agonies : Cur mn AivHuntur a({u.r, cum eundem colo Deum ac Elias? Vitib. The 70, by their Tranflating ^^.pd were either ignorant of the fig. nification of what they rendered thus; or apprehenfn e of fomc Myftcry tlierein, or of fome Scafc and reach thereof, which they cither were unable, or thought not fit to tell : ^, Domine Deui iomini met Elyx. Syr. Sujsipe Petitlonem meam Domine Deus Elidh, etium ipje. Targ. Dcprecationcm meum 0 JJeus, Deus Elia, Arab. Etiim ipji i. e. in gntiim. Elia, (-vel Elifae ut slii ) ut Senfvs fit ; etiim ipfe percuffh i-

quis. Munft. Vbi Dens ■//*, etium Ipfe? quifemper lien efifiJelis, Omnipoiens, (^ Invoantes fc exdu-diens. Lav. aon dubittt de prafcmit , aut potentu Dd ; fid mirdtur, ^ueritnr.iue dmi-ce de negui fibi cwlefti ope, T. but let tbit b« difmift without any fiinber Notice.

Inilancc

Inllancc of it abont the Widow'^b r.; u^ui'o was recovered upon ius io llnious Ad-dreft r.o Gnd for her and him, i J^in-^. xvii. 20—24. Sec alfo ~am. v. 17, iS. And how God owned him by fpcJal t'rovidcnce, is manifell by tiie extraordiaa-ry^Miniftry of the Ravens unco bis iiodily Nccellities, 1 Km^'s xvii. 6. But more difriiiaiy. He was a Man of Knowledge, to wiiom the Lord'imparted the things that did relate both to hi-. Soul and Fv.naica. He underftord liis God, Himfelf, and.the People of his Generation ^ and was every >vav fit and fiirnilhed to acquaint them, vath their Maladies, their Remedies, and tlicir Duty. He was a Man of CoiCrage^ w^ great Magnmhmty^ fit to enterpiize and encoi'nfrr the !!;reatcll Difficulties , whereto his God, by Providence, .-.all'd or exjjofcd him. He feared no Man's face whom he was ordcre 1 to Reprove. He dreaded no Man's wrath, that any way oppofcd God. He valued not his life unro the dcai:h, niit^ht he hut fulfill hrs Alhiijlery^andh:s Ccuyfe uil-bjo-y. He would Run, Ad,Speak, Warn, Urge, or Plead with any Man:, and valued no Man's Friend (liip or Protetlion, upon any terms,difhbnourable to his Gir.fe and God. He was a Man of very great: Severities^ as to Temperance and Converfation. He vahied not his fiefh to fervc his God ;, he could be/:(_// or empty^ naked or ciotkcd^ in houfe ou field : and would not cherilh an Enemy ( for pampered flelh is no better ; tlio', vet he would not ftarve a Friend This fi(fh) fo far as it might be fcrviceable unto God. He was a z.ealous perfin for Gods Jntereft^ againft the fierce and uuiverfal oppolitions of his degenerate Age, ' I Kings xix. 10. He was all Spivic, Life and Zeal for God. And what is Zeal^ but the Fervour of Love^ working by A>:per^ when what the heart is moft intent upon, and moft affeded with, is either riva^d or afiaultcd ? He is truly called the Tijhbite^ i Kings xvii. i. or the Com.'erter^ as'the word imports •, whence that Ex-preffion j Behold I ml! fend you Elijah the hophct before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. y-:nd he P:all 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, Curfi. Whence alfo tlic Evangelift tlvas reprefents John the Baptift^ as going before the Lord ./f^wi m the fpirit and power of Eltas ^ to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the Children , and the difobedient to the vcifdom of the juj} , to make ready a people prepared for the Lord , Mai. iv. 4. 5. with Luk. i. 17. And how deep and Faithful his heart was in his work, may be difccrned from, i King, xviii. 36, 37. where he thus breaths his fervent hearty Lord God of Abraham ^ Jfaac, andof Jfrael, let it be Inovm this day that thou art God in Ifrae!., anl that I am thy firvant ^ and that I have done an thefi things at thy word. Elear me , 0 Lord , hear me , that this people may know that thou art the Lord God., and that thou haji turned their hearts back again. His Funftion as a Prophet, his Unction as an infpired and accompliflied Prophet his diligent, ferveut, conftant management of Ms Undertakings, were things confpi-cuous in his day j and are as fuch upon Rccori with us. Nor did his Spirit and power want their full work and Teft, and n him we may fee fuch things as thcfe.

(1.) God's Provident Care to fit Men for thcwork he calls them to. For they {hall not want their clear Call, their full CommiOlon, their Competent Undlion and Accomplifhmcnts, their great Encouragemerts, and their meet Affiftances! They fhall not run before they arc fent;, they Ihall b; Authorized to do their work • and all the Abilities requifite to their work, fuchas Knowledge, and Utterance' they Avail not want: Nor fh;in they be dcftitutc of what may te'ftifie unto them God's prefencc with them, hisConcxvn for rhcm, his Delight in them, and his helping hand to Suit them to, Support them under,and carry them through what they are fent abcut. 1 Uuih^ when fent out, was both par ne^otio & oneri ferendo. His work did not exceed his Qialifications for it, nor was h'is Enterprizc unequal to his Strength.

•

(2.) The Coft and Difficulties of Prophetick Work. Elijah had tlie Royal Throne, the Prieftly-Robe, and the rude multitude iet againft him ; and all that tieni could any way refcnt, to make his Undertaking fiightful and uneafie to him every way. Hardened Idolaters, Apoftates, and TianfgrefFors are the ficrcelt Enemies againft the Prophets of the Lord : And it i not eafy for every one to encounter them ^ Nor vv'as that Counfel impertinent orufelefs, that the Apoftlc thought fit to back with fuch Enforcements and Encoiragcments ^ as we find in 2 Tim. ii. z— (4. And what fort of Perfous the Proph«ts of the Lord are liketo

hare

Elilliav C Kl

rv

bavc to do with :, the fame Apotllc fhevss us, Lk-.ip. iii. i.-- 5. Where he alfb fhevvs his own evident AccompUfhnienrs, Exeidies, and Exp<;rie;i:e,/^er/10.— 12. See alfo Chat<.i\. i. —8.

(3.) The Unconquerablenefs ofSanftifyed Refoh'.tioB, Col. i. 29. 2 Cor. xii. 7,—Ti. jRow. viii. 31.—39. Nothing could daunt this frophct^ no man, nor thing fubdued his Spirit. He well conlider'd the God that fent him, the Perfons he was feat unto, the Work he was fent about, and the Divine Hand that would attend him •, and having the grateful profpect: of what comfortable things would end and crown his faithful Conftancy, he valued notlfmg that could any way encounter or reiiit him in his Undertaking. This fixed and admirable Spirit we find Exemplifyed and aggrandized in that Great Apoftle of the Gentiles, inv^(!?jxx; 24— in. xxi. 13. I'Jim.x.-j. —12. Holy Men of God, and perfons fent 3-bout his Work and Embaflies, look not at things that are feen., but at things that arenotfcen:, and taking things into their intimate, comparative, and impartial thoughts, they quickly fee what's fit to turn the ballance ^ and what is moll worthy of their Vigorous (though perhaps very coftly ) profecution ^ and therefore are they the more rcconcil'd to all their determined Difficulties j becaufe of their promis'd and ex^fted Rccompenie of Reward.

II. His Perfonal Tranflation therefore, both in Soul and Body unto Heaven, was his glorious end and recompence, 2. KLig. ii. 11. Angels conveyed the intirc Man, Soul and Body, to his God. This was miraculous indeed;, a moft inftnidt-ive inflancc of Ma'iellick 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 Coiirfe, the Prophet's Soul and Body mufl have parted-, but he that binds us unto this Punifhment by Law , will not yet pan with his Prerogative. He that determines what's our due, when we tranigrefs his Laws, does not, de nomine., abfolute-ly bind hinfelf to execute that threatening, wherewith he guards his Law. The Law-giver thinks it not his wifdom to multiply difpenfmgs 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 Tranfiation of this Prophet hence, manifells and imports fuch things as thefc to us.

( I. ) That we have no continuing City here, Beh. xiii. 14. i Cor. vii. 29—31. 'tis but a Pilgrimage that we are in ; a Howling Wtldernefs., a Theatre ofyigonies., and of S-'icceirive Exercifes, and Appen'ances, to entertain Beholders with various Scenes of Spirits, Artions, and Co.rclufions ^ and neither Reft, nor Troubles, Eafc nor Pains, Sorrows nor Joys, Fultefs nor Emptinefs, can be long-liv'd. /-'/m/j's Courfe was fill'd with divers and formidable turns of Providence .• But now the tjedioufnefs of his Work and Pcrlecutions , is all over. He hath left thefe Stormy Regions ;, and he is no mor9t'b be as the Toft Ship upon the prci d Surges of a broken Sea: Nor has he an/ Tempeftuous Weather to work in. We fee, in him, that whatever this Worti may cxcrcife- or vex us with at prefrnt^ that cannot afFeft us when remov'delfewhere. We leave all this behind, v.hen we go hence ^ and the Tranfiation o.^ this Prophet exalted him above tlie reacli of Va-■nityand Rage.- all that could trouble him is now below him.

( 2. ) There's another Sta'e of things and beings better than this, H(b. xi. 16. For who can think that flUA was thus fetcht away to be dcftroyed by Miracle j or to be fhamcd by a defeated expe(fbtion of a.more G!orior:s Stare ? He was taken from thefe courfe, inconftant, and diflurbed Regions, with great Sclrmnity and Stare j and carry'd to fir better Manlions, Company, aud Employments. And he is now placed where Goa, his God, is all in all -, and where Theociaey is mofl: compleat, moft evident, aid illuftrious, and delightful. There's a vaft diileieiicc betwixt Heaven and Earthy and, what annoy'd him here, he meets with nothing of above-. There are nodak, confuled, miftakeuapprchcnfions^ no deceitful repre-fentations of what conccns him and becomes him ^ no fordid fpirits, no dillblutc and courfe tempers, nohiiitifh Appetites, no worldly principles and propenfions, no vile dcfigns, and no mworthy ends and aims .- Nothing but regent wifdom, holinefs and joy. All tiere is orderly, fuitable, and to great fatisfadtion ^ verry

cxpreffiv*

After ElijahV God.

exprelTive of God, beneficial to himfilf, and beautiful in the eyes of all. How clear and excellent a Miriour are the Conftitutions, Adminiftrations, Entertainments and Employments of the Heavenly State, of God himfelf ! No wonder that the Apoftle faid ( though in an Extafie, wherein the Rcprefentations of the Heavenly Glory, though excellent and taking, were far inferiour to what this Prophet no>.v beholds ) that he heard words unwordable ( (L^^^iia. e^ij^^la ) which it is -uof lawful ( or poflible ) for a Man to utter.

(3.) That Humane Nature is receptive of, and dctermin'd to obtain great things, wlien its great End and Author pleafes. Heb. xi. 5. This World ( when taRen at the belt •, Much more when it is lb courfe and bad ) is thought too mean and little fur the Sons of God; for his peculiar Favourites. It is highly probable, that this Trandated Prophet, as he went up, was gradually refin'd; and fo attempered unto the Regions through which he was to pafs fuccellively ^ until at lea-^th he was connaturaliz'd to his Glorious State and Manfion in the Heavens. What entcrtain'd him by the way, we know not, nor what a preparatory cnter-taiumeat the Convcrfation 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 ib tranfportcd 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 knovt how Stephcn\ Countenance was chang'd, when he beheld through the cloven Heavens, Cfc/'ii/J at his Father's Right-hand, in fiich a vilible pofture ready to own him, to abet his caufe he Paffered for, and to receive that Soul that did in Martyrdom fo willingly give up its Body. And Sacred Record tells us of Chrifi's Transfiguration in the Mount, when pleafed fo greatly with his Father's prefence and tefti-mony, and with the Converfe that lie had with A<fofes^ and with this Tranllated Prophet, when converfant with him, like Citizens of that bleffcd World above: But thefe things I refer to more judicious thoughts and heads.

( 4. ) That Humane Nature is very dear to God. i Job. iii. 2. Though it be doom'd to all that fitly may exprefs and aggravate God's anger to us ^ and to _, jvhat fully may exicrt the tellimony of our Senfes thereunto ^ yet God from Heaven now fmiles iipo:: us :^ and fends us thence both vnho and what Ihall greatly prove our dearnefs to himfelf. That fuch vile Flefh, and guilty Spirits fhould thus be taken up, chang'd and glorified ^ this fpeaks and proves us very dear to God in-aeed.

( 5. ; Wh>ii -ULiy Inffance;, and \ivcly Emblems of the Refurreftion-ftate God gave to Men , to raife up their Hearts, Aims, and Expectation. Enoch an I £lij.;b thus Tranllated, told Men froni Heaven betimes. That Earth is not all that is intended for tbcm :, would they be but true to God, and duly provident for them-felves in time. Eliflja^ and the 50 Men of the Sons of the Prophets, that were by Providence Witneiies of this Tranllation of the Prophet unto Heaven, were now convinc'd ( or might be fo ) that there is another and a better World than this ^ and they might all of them eafdy infer, from what they faw, thac there was room in Heaven for more than Enoch and Elijah^ aild that they two were not the only perfons that Hca/en fhould have from hence.

( 5. ) What Special Notice God will take of fpecial zeal, and faithftil fervice , iCV. XV. 58. iPef. V. 8.—10. Rev. n. 10. iTm.iv.6. —8. £///^0 is exalted like himfelf :. God's heart as warm towards him, as ever his heart could be to-w:-.rds God : Whilfl" l\e was here below, he really was f and Eli/h.i own'd him to be ) as the Ckiriot of Jfrael.^ and the Hurfimcn thereof:^ all ufefiilnefs, aftivity, zeal, and laithflilncfi in his day : And having fpent his time and ftrengtb, as in the fervours of warm and hulie Love to God and Souls ■., and in Zeal for truth, and a-gainll: Idolatry ^ So what more anfwerable to this fervent temper than the fiery Chariot and Horfes to mount him from hence to Heaven.

II. God's avouched Relation to this Prophet. * #

•L That God which call'd him to be what he was. For Prophets are raifed up by GodjDwt.xviii.i 5. And he calls himfelf a Prophet of the Lord, i King, xviii.22.

He

Eliftia'j CRT

He did not aft without Commiflion. Had he run of his own head, where had bcca his Help, his Peace, his Succouror , his Confideii e? He was not any way defeft-ivc in his Prophetick Unftion: 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 j and from the Original and End of every good and perfeA gift. What had he, that he had not received ^ and what he had received, was eminently Divine, both in the nature, meafure, and defigns thereof. Had not his Spirit been large and great, and his Tongue touch'd as with a Coal from God's Alcar ^ he had been daunted by his Enemies, and ftraitened in his own Bowels: but lie was like that other Prophet , full of power by the Spirit of theLord^ of Judgment und of Mighty to tell Tranf-^rejfors of their inifiities andjins^ Micah iii. 8,

II. That God, whofe Intcrcll and Glory he defign'd, and purfu'd, in his whole Prophetick Courfe. i King, xviii. 36, 37. He neither baulked nor datter'd any. He did not fear the frowns or rage either of armed or enrobed Duft : nor did he court the fmiles, protections, gifts, or honours of the Enemies of God upon difho-nourablc and mean Termes. He did not talk,nor acl deceitfully for G(xi. He did not feek himfelf in what he appeared, and profefled to do for God. God was the Lord his God ; as being moft intirely minded, moil highly valued, moft throughly ferved, moft intimately trufted, moft clofely followed, and moll abfolutcly delighted in by him. And his whole care, purpofe and work was this; that all he was, and did, in Spirit, Speech, and Praftice, might reach and witnefs his devoted-nefs and faithfulnefs to God. His whole felf was a daily Offering to God j and to the Concernments of God's Government and Name, he moft intirely and faithfiil-Jy facrific'd his all: as if he had known before, the urgency, and import of that Charge and Counfel, giren long after, in Rom. xii. 1,2. He knew the narrow-nefs and meannefs ^ the infignificancy , emptine'fs, 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 ad, were not his all devoted, and direded to that end, which is infinitely better than its fclf. He thought God's glory needful j but not his own Intercft, 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 kindled in his Breaft. God lleel'd his Countenance, and rendred it incapable of being daunted, by either the loftieft, or moft furly Looks. He feared not the face of y.'hab ^ neither could Jez-ebel cut him off, nor daunt him by her threats or grcat-nefs: And all her Prophets, under her Countenance and Protection, could not prevent their own Deftruftion at this Prophet^s Order. God preferv'd his Life and Perfon moft miraculoufly; and indeed, faithfiil Prophets, under Divine Proteftion, are Immortal till their Work be done. Rather than this Elijah Ihould want Food, the Ravens fhall fupply him : Nor Ihall the Crufe of Water fail, until this Prophet be rcfrcfh'd. The power and prevalence of this Proj-iiict's Prayers want not their Inftanccs and lUuftrations. Such as the Widow's Son rais'd by him from death ^ and the Drought and Rain that were fo anfwerablc to his Defires ^ together with that Fire that came from Heaven, which fo affeded all about him, as that £-lijab's Order more influenced the People to deftroy BaMps Prophets, than aU their Intercft in, and Rslatioa to, and Patronage from, that Idolatrous Court, could countervail or hinder.Should weinfift upon the Miniftry of an Angel ^ or on God's own fo awful, and yet fo appolite appearance to him j or on his E.vecutcd Doom upon Ahaxjah and his MelTengcrs ^ or upon his Wonder-working Mantle dropt upon £/j/7jd, after he was taken up from him •, all this would evidently Ihow, hovT much Elijah had God's Eye, Ear, Heart, and Hand, to fccond him in all that he ipake 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^ hi; Life was^ll'd with wonders; and his own Experienced Deliverances and Prefervations were fo manifold, feafonablc, and wonderful, as if God's Providence, towards him, determined to be a Seolible Comment upon his own Name,

IV. That

IV. That God who fo miraculoufly took him up to himfelf at laft, Neb. xi. 6,

That God that fitted him for Heaven, and made him value faithfiilnefs, and giory

more than any thing, at length rcmov'd him to himfelf, and plac'd him where he

long'd and laboured to be. " We are told, that God haa a dare to the works of his

own hand^ Jobxiv. 15. Which paiTage feeras to intimate, as if God long'd to

fee his Works in their determined perfection ^ efpecially his Favourites, wrought

with fuch skill and power, 2 Cor. v. 5. to fuch a glorious ftate as Heaven. And

what more congruous, and expcftable by Divine Conilitution and Indulgence, than

that Fiijah\ God who was his end, fhould be his reft, and his Eternal Joy '-' PfU.

xvi. 8. —II. How much of Miracle was in this thing, no Man can tell. This

we are fure of, no one, but God, could do this for any ; and none but Elijah's God

would do it for him, Heb. xi. 11, 16.

III. The Inquifitive Prophet after Elijah's Corf.

I. It was Eli/ha. One whom Elijah found at the Plow ^ and whom God ordered to fuccced his Mailer in his Prophetick Work, i Kittg.xix. 16,19. Whence feveral things may be obferved ^ as,

( 1. j Men lofc nothing by diligent attending upon their Calling. David wa> minding Sliecp, when he was fent for to be Anointed King : The Shepherds were in the Fields, when the Angelick Hoft faluted them with fuch joyful ty-dings, and were diligently looking after their Flocks there, .-imos t\ie Prophet was among the Herdmen of Tekoahj when God reprefeated to him Jerufalem's Doom. The Eunuch was on his way returning to his Miftrefs the Ethiopian Queen, when I-hilip 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 Employment.

( 2.) God chufes whom he plcafes to ferve the purpofes of his Church and Kingdom. All are alike to him, who ncedeth none. All the Accomplifhments Men have ( though wonderfiilly various and great ) they have from him. He doth not find his Inftmments fit, but makes them fo, to ferve his mind and purpofe. Wit-nefs his After-Prophets, Apoftles and other Minifters. He can clear the duUeft Eye ; open the clofcft Ear ^ and fet at liberty the Stammering Tongue •, and ordain greiit Strength for Babes and Sucklings. Mofes his backwardnefs to his appointed Enibafly, was founded upon but a trivial excufe^ when he pretendtd that he ■a>as hot Eloqumt^ 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 j and that tlic Lord that fent him was he that makes the Dumb, the Deaf, the Seeing, and tlie 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 Commidionated to go, by Gcd, I xod.'iv. \c. —16. And when another Prophet complained that he could not fpeak, in that he was a Child j God told him how unfit it was, for him to fay fo, feeing God aflured him of his own prefence with him, Jer^ i. 6. —8.

C 3.) God takes great care to fill up all the Vacancies which he makes by Providence, wlicn it maybeferviceable to his own Defigns. Elijah goes to Heaven, but Elifha rifes up, to do the Tranflated Prophet's Work. Thus Mofes dies, but there rifes up a ojhua to fucceed him. Nadab and Jbihu are carried off, but Elea-ZMr and Ithamar come up in their ftcad. Whilft God has work to do for Prophets i when Sins are ncceflarily to be jrcproved , and Souls to be inform'd converted, edifyed, and faved •, when Solemn Worlhip is to be preferved in Exercife^ and when People need their Guides ;, God takes care in all Succeffive Ages , to fend forth Labourers ( yea, to thruft them forth ) into theHarvefl.

II. It was endear'd Elifha to his Mailer, by that Mantle which fell from Elijah upon him, according to his hearts defire, 2 A'»«^. ii. 9. —14. Elifha lov'd him dearly, and cxpeded great things from him: Whence we may further note,

B ( I.) Any

( I. ) Any thing wins the heart which is appointed thereto by God ;, Word, Look, Touch, or Sign. God openeth the heart as he fees fit. Any thing does every thing, when it comes forth as in the Word of the Lord. EUjahh Mantle call upon £/'77w, ftrangely ftole his heart away. Something was done^ Elijha knew not what j and Eliiah fecm'd to wonder at the thing ^ Co back ^'gain ( faith, he ) for what have I done to thee ? So much was done, as that Ehp^i had no power to mind his other work, fave to attend Elijah^ and to Minifter to him, i Km^.xix. 19,—-2t. Wlierc is that heart that can withlland 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 fail to nim,and ftick at nothing.Eli/hit^ he left all j his Kindred,Flocks,and Iuteveft,to Minillcr and cleave unto his Mafter. So did the Apoftles, St. Paul^ and others, who have profefs'd themfelves to be Conftrained by Love. How urgently did Elijah prefs Eli/ha to be gone from him ? 2 J^iyjg. ii. 2—6» But he clave fafter to him. How urgently were the two Daughters in Law of Naemi preft to return each of them to their Mothers houfe? And yet hovv loth were they to leave her.? but afterward Orpah kift her only^ but Ruth clave to her, and warmly told her , that whitherfoever ihe went, (he would go with her •, the fame Lodging Ihould ferve them both , and that Naomi's God and people Ihould be her God and People too ^ that where Ihe dy'd, there v/ould her Daughter alio dye, and there would fhc be bury'd- and bound it with an Oath, that nothing elfe but Death fliould part them, Ruth.i. 11. — 1%. and Ruth loft nothing by it. God makes the fafteft Friends and Friendfliip : it is hhs work to joyn our hearts too clofe together to admit divorce : nor is it in Man's power to make one faft Friend to himfelf. And as nothing binds fo Ilrongly as genuine and fervent love •, fo is it in God's power to quench or kindle Mens AiFedions • and fo to cftablifli or diffolve all Friendftiip.

C 3.) Engaged hearts to Divine Services and Enlargements, look quite beyond all Secular Relations and Concerns, Gd. i. 15, 16, Majier (fay the DifciplesJ tpc have left all and followed thee. Chrift tells us plainly, Tliat we can be his Difci-ples, upon no other termes than thefe, vi^. 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 Chrijl ) having put hii kind to the Plow., and looking hack^ M ft for the Kingdom of God , Luk. ix. 62. How eminent an Initance, and Exemplar, of this thing, was the Great Apoftle of the Gentiles, JMs xx. 24. Flnl. iii. 7.—II. See alfo 2Cor.iv. 16.—18. Heh. 10. "i^.

III. It was Exercifed Eliftiah ^ under great Apprehenfions of his moft difficult Employm'^;nt, and of the want of fuch a publick help and trcifurc, a.- Elijah was , and might have ke« to him, 2 King. ii. 12. The Mantle in his hand; the Prophet 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 Solicitous Enquiry after Elijah's God. He well remcmbrcd what Mountainous Difficulties ( indeed infupcrable, without Divine Afllftance) Ehjuh had broke through to his thus Exalted State : and in whofe ftrength all this was done: and the great Intcreft that Prayer and Zealous Faithfulnefs had in God. And hence he well con-fidcrcd, how little Elijah'?, Mantle, in his hand, imported to him, without the prefencc 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 Predecelfor ^ he knew himfelf to be but flcfh and blood, and not fo different from his Maflcr, in the Charaftcr of being , a Man fuhjeil to like Paffions ( and Infirmities ) with the reft of Men, as lefs to need God's help and prefencc than Elijah did. We may well conceive him to be hill of thought, and great Solicitudes about the Revcrfious of his Work and Tryals: and that his Spirit Ihould be equal thereunto , was more than he durft promife to-himfelf, Or truft to, unlefs he could engage the Prophet's God to help him.

IV. It was Solicitous Elifha^ to imitate and equal the Spirit and Performances of his Tranllated Mafter, 2 King. ii. 9. Elijah's Oifer had been kind : Elijha's De-fires prove as large : and his Ncceilities feem as great ; but the requeft feems very dilflcult to be obtained; But the tiling at laft is granted, and an Experiment

quickly

After Elijah'/ God.

quickly made, as to the Virtue of the received Mantle. This good Maa thought

himfelf greatly inferiour to his Mailer ^ and his cafe more deplorable , tlirough

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 God. He

knew that proportionable wifdom, diligence, and fervour, vigour and patience

hereunto, was of necciTity to be had and exercifed. And no Pattern had he

known, more Exemplary and Succefsful than this Elij.ih was. And very loth he

was to Come behind him. Nothing did prefs fo urgently upon his heart as this j

thathk own Perfon jI Excellencies^ and Performances might be fuch^ as thaf the-work of

God thtreby be Uniform. And though the gift of Miracles v\as probably more

immediately in his Eye ^ Yet was not this his ultimate Dciire and Defign •, biit

ratiicr to have all advantages for a Reformation-work, by gaining greater and

more etfeclual Credit to his Miniftry. He would not culpably-come behind his

Mailer, nor be defeftive in any thing ordinabl* and advantageous unto the bufi-

nefs of his then prefent Day and Funftion.

V. It was Concerned 1 Itjha to come off well at laft, y^(!7^ x\'. 24. iTim.iv^ €. —8. He coveted fo to fulfil his Courfe and Funftion, as to attain,the moll ar-bundant entrance into that State whereto he faw his Mafter pafs. Great indeed Was the inftance which he lately had of God's Regard to Excellent Elijah -. and though he could not hope for being exaifed 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 Prefigured. Elijah had born his ample teitimony to the Name and Caufe of God, when the Baalitical Afofiacy had grown fo great. And he had God's Miraculous Teftimony to his Zeal and Faithfulnefs: And this might well provoke EH/ha^s. heart, to be folicitous about that prefcnce of Elijah\ God, which might fecure his perfeverance, and conllant fulfilling after God ; and his moll feafonable and delightful entrance into Elijah's State of Heavenly Joys, and Glory j for like his Mailer he coveted to be, both in this World, and in the next.

VI, It was Encouraged Elifha to expeft great things from God, 2 KingXu 9; -ri 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,z Sam. vii. 27— 19. Tfal.ix. 10. ffaJt. iii. 2—19. The great Experiences of Jzltjah., were gratefiil Explications of this Significant Relation •, and fmart Temptations, and Incentives to this Prophet's Prayer and Hope. He, that knew Elijah^ and had feen what Spirit acled him, what Power attended him, what Providence wrought for and by him, how all Spirits and Difficulties melted down before him , how great an Honour and Preferment was vouchfafed-to him, in being thus carried up to Heaven: he that was called, and charmed t« his Funftion and Employment by Divine Order, and El;lha\ Mantle : he that faw the late Miracle which this Mantle, wrought, in 2 A'fwjf. ii. 8. he that had the Sign given him of being gratified in his defired favour fiom Elijah : he that fo throughly confider'd what a Publick Treafure God had made El':]ah unto Ifr.id ^ and that had fuch reafon and pro]icnfion to believe God's generous kindncfs to his devoted ones ^ Yea, he that ( lallly ). felt, fuch E-nergies in his own holy Principles and Appetites, could not be deftituteof En-' couragements, ta expeft that God would own him and attill him in all that he had call'd him to; a Parallel to all which we fcem to have in Jer. i. 5. —10. All good Men love to know their Errand, and their Warrant, when they follicit for Great things from Heaven, Fancy's are but weak Foundations for great Expefta-tions to be built upon. Had not Eli/ha been thus CountenancVl by his Mailer, to ask (as it were) at large ^ he had been more modefl in his Suit.- but when the Prophet bid him ask (though his Rcquefl: feem'd hard ) yet did not that much dilcouragc him from expefting .what he long'd and begg'd for.

IV. Elijah'f great Enquiry and Concern.

I. God's Prefence was the thing enquired after,and requefted: and nothing can be done without it. Stt Exod. xxxiii. 12,—17- We need God's prefence with our Spirit?, with our Perfons, and our Entcrprizcs. Our Spirits mull b^ upheld, furnifhcd, fortified, and encouraged •, and every way prepared for, laid even with, and kept clofe to the bufinefs of their Day, Our Perfons mull be pro-

B % teded

lo Eliflia>/ C %T

tefted and maintained in their ufefulnefs and faiety, till their work be done. And our Enterprizes mult be fmiled upon, and attended with that Providential Prefence which fhall accommodate it felf to all Affairs, that arc, and ought to be Compleat-cd by our Miniftry. God's influencing Operative Pretence (call'd Kishmd ) mull be upon us, with us, and for us. There mult be in us holy Wifdom, Courage , Patience, Confidence, and Chearfulnefs ^ and there raufl be fuch a Providence as to make Second Caufes to ferve or yield to us, aiKl fpeak for us.

^. It was the Prefence of £/i;ir//s God. A Prefence fuited to a Prophet's, work, iCor.x. 4, 5. There will be Enemies upon their Thrones, in Arms, in Confultati-ons^ fighting againltGod and hrs El;p:a\ with their Thoughts, Tongues, Pens, andlnterelt. And Prophets mult encounter and endure all, Ephef. vi. 12. —18. Earth and Hell combine againlt them ^ and thefe want not laftriiments, Engines, Methods, and Pretences ^ to Patronize, Propagate, and Encourage Idolatries, Infidelity, Immoralities, and Cruelties, and all forts of Mifchief. And can thefe be grapled with and Connuei'd without E/;>/?'s God ? The Spirit of Elijjh nmfi refl upon FJifha: How otherwife can the Waters part, which are fo obltrudtive to his Dutiful and Profperous Motions? 2 Kin^s ii. 14,15. Or the unvvholefora Springs of Waters he heal'd ^ fo as that neither Death, nor Barrennefs refult therefrom? rerf. 21. Or the early (almoit Infant) Eruftations of Malignity and Scora be check'd and punifhed? ferf.2^, 24. Or the good King Jebo/j^hat be refrefli'd and profper'd ? 2 I'injr. iii. 11.—25. Or the Widow's Oyl be mul-tiplyed, as the miraculous owning of her former Husband's Godlinefs ? Chap. ir. I, —Y. Or the Shuna-y.ite's Son reftor'd to Life? Verfi. —37, Or Death re-mov'd from the Pot ? Fer/38.—41. Or an Hundred Men miraculoully Fed? Verf. 43, 44. Or a Naam.tn cured of, and a Gebai.i fmicten with the Leprofy ? Chap. V. Or the Sjn-ijns Chamber-Politicks detected, and all his Army Con-qtiei'd ? Chap. vi. Or Plenty brought to otherwife Starv'd Samaria , beyond e.xpeftation ? Yea, or this Eli/ha live fo defirably, and die fo honourably and la-mentcdiy as It' did , 2 Kin^. xiii. 14.—19. _ A Prophet's V/ork and Province needs that tlnftion, Prefence, and Encouraging reward, which none but an £-lijah\ Gnd can give, i King.xml 36. with 2, 3, 14—25. This makes a Prophet mighty both in Word and Deed, with God and Man, Ez.r. vii. 6, 9,10. Neh,

ii. 8. Eaei. iii. 8. 11. Jer.i. 18,19. And who can ftand before a Prophet

and his God ?

3. This prefence mull be evidently fuch to others. Let it be howa this day ( faith this £/<i«fc, whofc God Elijha is now enquiring after ) that thn art God in Jft'ael and that I am thy Servant , and that J have done all thefe things at thy word.

Hear wn', 0 Lord., hear we, that this People may know Then the Fire of the I^rd

fell., and confumed And when the People were Convinced that God thu";

fhew'd himfelf, and own'd his Prophet, then fell Elijah to his ordering of Baal's Prophets to be deflroy'd, i King, xviii. ^6. —40. And fuch a Prefence was £-lifj]a concerned to obtain, when as the matter might require it .• And flich con-cernednefs we find elfewherc, as Pfal. cix. 26,27. Exod. iv. 1.—5, This his Enquiry fecms to import thus much ^ Be thou fo much with me., as to conjlrain thofe per fans to rvho^n I am to Prtphefte., to fay., No Man could Prophefie., Aif., and Live., and thus fulfil his Charge^ and AUniflry., unlefs Elijah'^ God xs>m veith him. See JohWx.i. I Cor. ii. 4, ii. 3, 7. Heh. ii. 4. O Let Gifts, Grace, Power, Performances, and Succcfs bear tcllimony to me, that Eli]ah\ God is ever with me.

V. The Genuine Spirit of this Speech.

L Eliiah was yet greatly in EUJha's thoughts ^ they were but newly parted. What freih remembrances had this remaining Prophet :, both of the Perfon, Office, Excellencies, and endearing Converfation, of his retired and Exalted Mailer! The fliape and features of his Perfon ^ the Excellency of his Temper ; the Com-pofures of his grave Countenance j the wcightinefs of his Words; the manner of his Converfation ; the Severities of his Life j the undauntednefs of his Spirit •, the freedom of his Conferences •, the power of his Prayers • tl»e exemplarinefi of his Life •., the miraculoufncfs of his Experiences and Performances j and his extraordinary palFmg from hence to Heaven ; with all the good which had, and

might

might have iflTued from him, and been derived to hlmfelf and others, had but the Prophet continued here longer amongft Men : Such things as thcfe mnfl: needs affeft his heart, and exercife his thoughts, even at every mention of tltj,.ih ■. and fo far renew the pleafures of their former Intimacies, and Reciprocated-Friendlbips. Elijah was the Father, Friend, and Maftcr of Elrjha^ and ftood in near Relation to his God ^ and he wa^ thought on by the Prophet, as being greatly priviledged by that Relation : Otherwife, why not the Lord my God^ as well as the Lord God of Elijah ? This Man was written on his heart. Such are nmembred by their Intimates when ijoi fun ^ 'twas not in heart, but perfon, that they were parted.

II. Elt']ab\ God was now very powerfully upon E/f/^^j's heart. Elifn.?s thoughts were deep and bufy about great things, confidered by him as in reference to Elijah. He frequently and intimately confider'd, to what his God had called E/2>/j ^ what he had made him ^ a Alan ^ a good Man, and a Prophet: What an Unftion he had beftow'd upon him ^ what Encouragements he afforded him j what ready Audience he gave his Prayers ^ how he proteftcd him from what he feared ^ how he enabled him to do what he did; how he fupportcd him under what he felt; how he own d him publickly in what he went about ^ how he had tranflated him to what he long'd for •, and how he had placed him at laft amongft thofe that he had fuited him unto : He alfo thought what a God, this God will be to others, that was cKperienc'd to be fuch to his Mafter. O how did thefe things work upon Elifljo'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.

m. Elijahs bleffed State was moft affeftingly in Elifha's profpeft ; even in its place and meafure much what like that in Luk. xxiv. 52, 53. Elijah taken up thus vihbly in Solemn State to Heaven, and this too by the Lord his God, 2 King. ii. 5,11. cannot but minifter to great thoughts, even fuch as thefe^ ( i.^ What cannot God do if he pleafes ? Exod. xv. 11. Pfal. civ. i.— 5. cxxxv. 6. cxv. Bafc Earili, and iluggifli Flcfli mount up ^ Fire and Angels, they defcend ; Mortals become Immortal ^ the Living Rife ; the Dead are Raifed up •, and a Favourite fhall be lingled out from amongft Men to be indemnified from the ftroke of Death, and from the Inclofures of a cold Grave. ( 2. ) What will not God do for his Faithful Zealots in his Service ? he is not afhtimed to be called their God^ having frefar'd for them a City ^ and promis'd and engaged for their Tranflation thither, h'eb. xi. i<5. What the Earth cannot entertain them with, the Heavens Ihalh (3.) NothingcanbethoughttoomuchforGod, nor any thing loft indeed, nor counted great, that we are call'd to hazard, lofe, endure, or do for him, Heb. X. 4. 2 Cor. iv. 17,18. Elijah's Aflumption into Heaven foon made amends abundantly, for all his Sufferings, Pains and Loffes. (4. ) Eli]aV$ Cod is a\\ in all below to them, who have him for their God indeed, iTi'n. xiv. 17, 18. Heb. xiii. 6. rf. Ixxiii. 24.—29. Elifhah thought, that he who had born Eli]aJt through all his Agonies, Toils, Fatigues and Fears to Heaven, could do as much for liim ^ and why not therefore to be fcrved, eyed and trufted by him? ( 5. ^ What fo meet and needfiil, as an Heavenly Expeftation, Mind and Life ? Col. iii. 2. Mdit. vi. 19.—21. xvii. 3,4. We cannot think Eli]ah 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 : Tlierefore it was the Heavenly Countrey 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 J could not but fix E/</7jj'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 fcrious , quickening , and heart-refrefliing thought. By what ElifJia faw, he could not but expcft great things from God^ andmulG upon fwith great delight) what the Lord, E/<i^b's Cod, at laft, would make him, and whither he would, bring him.

iV. E«i4fc's

IV. EUyiV?, Work now wholly lies upon E///7w's hands, i King,xi:i.i6. He mulb now Prophecy, Inftruft, Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort, Reform, Endure, Encounter, and Engage againft all that fhall rival or oppofe God: All which is now conlidered by him, as quite above his Ihength and skill, unlcfs ^li\:ih\ God be with him. Men of the decpeft thought, of the greateft reach, and even of the ncblelt refolution to do their utmolt to promote God's Intereft in the WorId,yet tremble at their Work, when they confider the import of it, and the difficulties that attend it : and it fends there often to their Prayers and Tears, that God would not defert them, and leave them to themfclvcs. St. Paui^ that Great Apo-ftle, had been no ftrangcr to, nor Trifler in his Work j ner unacquainted with the Severities of Martyrdom^ nor of Small Proficiency, in the Vigours and Experiences of Chriftian Godlinefs ^ when yet in the piofpcd of approaching troubles , he fo concernedly addreft himfelf to Heaven by Prayei", 2 Cot. xii. ?• —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 ^ and fortifycd his Courage to with-Iland all Enemies, and Obftaclcs in his Ck)urfe'. This was the Armour he ran, and Fought in ( might I allude to that Olympck Game which the^' called otr/\/r» /leo/U®-, whereto this fame Apoftle feems to allude in y?(!?. xx. 14. 2 Tim.hr. 7.) Tis no fuch eafie thing to deraolifh the ftrong holds of Satan, to calt down all the Rcafonings, and Imaginations that lie fo oppofite to God's Intereft, in the Idolatrous, and Profcffmg Chriftian World ^ nor to tread down every thing that exalts its iclf 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 weapons of this warfare muft not be carnal j for then they would prove to be too weak : and if they be mighty arid fuccefsfiil, it muft be through God: as 2 Ctr. x. 4, 5. Such thoughts as thefe may well affedl E//)Z>*i, when he bad no YMph at his hand to help him.

VI. The Errand and Memorials of this Text and Day.

I. As this Day is now our Sabb.itb-day ^ fo let us remember the Lord E/>j.?fc's God, as refting fi'om Creation-work, and calling us to the Commemoration both of the Monuments of his vifible Power, of thcpleafure that he took therein, and of the Signatures of his moft reverend and Holy Name irapreft thereon, Exod. XX. 8.—II. \ Ckion. xxix. 10. —13. iVf/jem. ix. 5, 6. Dcut.x. 14. Jonah'i.p, This vaft Fabrick is fo expreflive of God's Name, fo worthy of his Providence, iand 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 asd Reverence. Tlie Univerfc being vaftly great, fhould be coniider'd as the Produd of his Almighty word and thought: for it declares the £rtatnefs oi his Power:, and yet it is comparatively but a faint hint of what he is able to produce and do, by his own Powcifiil Word *. The wife contrivance, and apt harmony of this Stately Fabrick, fhews the great wifdom^ and JLll-comprehending-thouglir of its fo glorious Builder, Ffal. civ. 24. Prov. iii. 19,20, Jer.x. 12. O what a variety of Spheres, Regions, Globes, and Vortices • of Animate and Inanimate Creatures ( to fay nothing of thofe Innumerable Myriads of Spirits above ) with their rcfpeflive Situations, Afpefts, Diftances, Influences, Furniture, and Mutual Dependences, hath Infinite Power produced under the Conduft of thatWif-dom, which hath fo Accurately, and lUuftrioufly fhew'd it felf, in fuch abundant Variegations, as may challenge and endure even our fevcreft fcarch and obligation, to Admiration and Amazement! Again, the Furniture and Provilions of this World, and of all the parts thereof, are equally Dtmonftrative of the Riches of God's goodnefs thereunto, Pf. civ. 24.—28. All the Chambers and Apartments of this Edifice, are filled with ^precious and pUajant Riches , Prov. xxiv. 4.

/(offl. i. 10. How fit a Pirtiphr.ife this Text may be of Pfal. civ. 2. let the JwdkioiiS »nd Lcaril-cd judge as they fee caufe, upon deliberate and uiacure thpught.

Pfal.

?f. cxlV. I 5, 15- All parts are helpfuU each to other j and every thing aptly contributes I fuitably to its Capacity, place and meafare ) fomewhat to the advantage of the whole.- and every thing derives more benefit from the whole than it can communicate thereto. And O what apt applications, accomodations, and addrefles, doth Univerfal Providence make of its Concerned and Communicative Self, both to the entire Compares of Heaven and Earth, and to the Capacity and Concerns of every part thereof! At laft comes Man to be the Lord and Pofleiror of thefe things ^ but yet as widtr Law to Ctd ^ as the DJcerner of .Cod'i Eminence^ as a rotary to his Jf7//|,andas the rccifient of God's Comumc.i'ive£oodmfs. God makes him appre-hcnfive, fenfible, and ufefuU, intelligent. Voluntary, and aftive •, ( i ) That he might difcern the CharaClas and hnpfjes of his God, upon the Vifiblc World, and his own felf ^ and his Relations and obligations unto that God who made him, and all the World about Lira j and the trtie reference of all Things and Beings, and ofhimfelf, to their great Original and End. ( 2. j That he might fee and relifh Gods goodnefs to him, in thofe 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 accommodated for his full, Pradical Devotednefs, and FaithfuU fervice to his God: And as God made him an Emhodyed Sprit-^ and thereby Capable of manifold fenfations for the fiillcr Entertainment, Tryal, and Employment of his Soul ^ fo he had a glorious and well furnilhed World to Miniftcr fenfibly to the improvement of his mind, the Eftablifliment and Refrefhment of his heart, and the full Exercife of all thofe Enfjrgy'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 objefts 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 Feilowfhip and Social Converfation; for Government •, for Propagation •, and foe Family-Religion and Concerns. All this, and much more doth this day mind us of, as a Sabbatical memorial of the God of Nature, Ihining fbrth in the Vifible Creation ■• Though by the Miniftry of Angds unto Adam , an higher State and Order of Beings was more than hinted. And for a fharc in all the benefits, fervice, and pleafure, of this fo well formed and furnilhed World, Comes in Eli)ah in his proper Courfe. The Body and Spirit of EJij^fo ^ 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 E/jjafc dwells •, all things and beings that mini-ftrcd to 'Eli).ih\ fatisfaftion, and advantage here ^ the Angels who conveyed him hence •, ( fee Ff. Ixviii. 17. ) and all the jEtherial ( or what ever other ) Materials of that Chariot, and thofe horfes which carrycd him on high ^ with all thofe many many Myriads of pure and unembodyed Spirits ^ and all the glorious and delight-full treafures which entertain him there;, O Let all thefe be thought on, as the Works and Prodiifts, and glorious Memorials of E/ijab's God. Thus may we re-prefent him like himfelf to us, fo as to Engage Acknowledgments, and Improvements of his own for him .■ for it is of, and through, and to, E/jjafc's God that all things are.

2. As this Day is the ior^fs-Day; So let E/»i^ib's Friend and Anti-type be re-mcmbrcd ^ even the raifcd Lord of Life •, O let him have your liveliell and moll thankfull thoughts, ?/[ cxviii. 2.2—24. Epfcf/ i. 19—23, i Pet.'i. 3—21. He ( even l.li]ah ) may thank God for "Jefus Chriji^ and he may think Chrijl ( though before he was Tranflatcd, he might know but little of him )for all that Providence, grace, and power, that wrought and brought him fo effcftually and miraailoufly to his Heavenly State and Glory •, and fo may we, Heb. vi. 17—20. Eli'yh knew not then fo well as now he doth ( nor as perhaps we know ) by whom and how he was thus to be privilcdged. Col. i. 26, 27. Eph. iii. 9—n. Chrift Rifcn from the Dead, broacht ail the Springs of Life, peace joy and hope: he open'd all the Treafures from whence our Succours and Accompliihments muft be derived. The upper Springs ifliicd through Chrift upon all his Minifters and Members -^ but feeing' tis E//ji.'fc as a Prophet., which we arc here confidering •, fo may we well Confider our raifed Lord and Head, as one by whom all Minifters and Prophets are over-Ihadowed from on high, in order to their furniture and power , for the Difcharge of their great Truft, and Work below: for we are all by the fame l,ord gifted ( though not equally ) for the great things that we are fent about ^ and we are all

actuated

aftnatcdby the fame hope of the fame blclfed State above, as our Encouragement to pcrtifl; in what we undertake.- and all this by the fame Redeeiiwr. Chrift yet abides the fame, and will take Care, that all his Faithful Minifters want not that llnftion, nor that meafure of it, which their important Fundion calls for. O Let this therefore Ihame and Check our immoderate Refentments of the recefs of iiich as this Eli]ah was, though Excellent and ufeful Prophets. And ( rather than pour out our Tears abundantly upon the Fiearfe, and Memory of retired Prophets to their Eternal home) let us rejoyce that Chrilf is gone to Heaven ^ that our removed Prophets are now with him^ and that Chrift hiiniclf e're long will biingand keep us altogether with himfelf, 2 Cor. iv. 14, 15. i Thef. iv. 13 — 18. Joh. xiv. T—3. and, l^er.28. Wherein we fmd Chrift pleading clofcly, and rcproviag their immoderate Griefs for his Departure, in thefc words, Te have kurd ijow I [aid toyou^ I go away and come again to you. If ye loved mc.^ ye would re]oy:e bccaufe I faid., 1 go to the Father., for my Father if greater than J. Cluilt hereby tries the temper of"their Love, and minds them of the regular management of that Central Grace, and tacitly upbraids tkem 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 ^ and about their accommodations for their approaching Work an«lTryals, than for the plcafures that refultcd from a grcfeut friend on Earth, though in were Chrift himfelf in Flelh. And one would -think, the Apoftlc Paul himfelf was more than toucht with the fenfe and favour of this pallage, by what he has left upon Record in ii Cor. v. 16. Where he thus Vents himfelf; Wherefore ( faith he) henceforth know we no man after the Fltf}j:^yej. though we have known Chrifl after the Fle/h.^ yet now henceforth know we him no mo e: The In-forccments of which Charge and Gounfcl you have in Ver. 17—19.

5. As this is a Providential Day for Funeral Thoughts and Sorrows,bccaufe of God's heavy hand upon the WVWand Church.^ my Self and Tou.^ by the Removal of E/»J4fe's lively Image, The Reverend and Excellent Mr. Richard Baxter : So we have to cxetcife our prefent thoughts, ( i. ) The Prophet's Charader and Exit. ( 2. ) God's Voice to us thereby. ( 3. ) Our Great Concern to have God's pre-fence with you, and the Prophet's Mantle with me ( if fuch a thing can be Expected by me ) to our bcft benefit and advantage.

( I. ) As to the Charailer of that Proph et, whofe Soul is gone from us to Heaven : Mr. Richard Baxter was a perfou defervedly of great Fame and Clia-rader in his Day. He feem'd to be a Tranfcript of what is left upon Record concerning Sx. Paul.^ Sylvanus ., and Timothy .^ in \ Iheff.u. \,---\2.. 'Tisevident he was a Man of God , a Gofpel-Frophet. He was furnilhed for, fervent in, painful about, and faithful to bis Minifterial Truft and Work : And extraordinary in the evident acceptance and fuccefles of his Minifterial Labours A Man of clear, deep, fixed thoughts •, a Man of copious and well digefted Rcadiiv^ ; a Man of ready, free, and very proper Elocution •, and aptly cxprcfiive of bis ov?u t!:oughts arid 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 llnwife: He had a moving tta'Aoj , and ufeful Acrimony in his words :, neither did his ExprelTions want their Emphatical Accent, as the Matter did require. And when he fpake of weighty Soul-Concerns, you n^ghi; find his very Spirit Drcnch'd therein. He was pleafingly convcrfible, fave in his Studying-hours, wherein he could not bear with trivial dillurbances. He was fparingly facetious •, but never light or frothy. His heart was warm, plain fixed ; his Life was Blaraelefs, Exemplary, Uniform. He was unmoveable, where apprehenfive of his Duty ; yet Affable and Condcfcending where likelihc/od of doing good was in his profpccf. His Perfonal Abftinence, Severities and Labours, were exceeding great: He kept bis Body at an under j and always fear'd pampering his Flefli too much . He diligently, and with great pleafure ir.indcd his Mafter's Work within doors and without, whilft he was able. His Charity was very great-, greatly proportionable to his Abilities -. liis Purfe was ever open to the Poor •, and, where the Cafe requir'd it, he never thought great Sums too much: he rather gtiVG CumuLitim thsin. Denariatim., and fuited what he gave to the NiccUaues and Charafters of thofe he gave to : Nor was his Charity con-

fin'd

lin'd to Parties or Opinions. He was a Man of manifold and prefiing excrcifes-and of anfwerable Patience und Subraifiion under the hand of God ^ and thouj^h he was feldom without pain, or licknefs ( but KiolHy pain ^) yet never did he murmur j but us'd to fav, It if but jlefh. And when 1 have askt him hov/ he did ? His ufual Anf^cr was, Either Almoji well .• Or, F.cuer than I dcfirvc to be ^ but not fo well M J hope to he. Once, I remember, when 1 was with him in the country at his Requeft: he, being in the Extremity of Pain (and that fo exquifite as to appear in the fudden and great Changes of his Countenance ) rais'd himfelf from his Couch whereon he had laid himfelf j and thus exprelt himfelf, IVhatevsr the World thinks of tnc^ I can truly fay .^ that Ihuveferved Cod xinth umghtrwfi of heart and that I never Spake any thing that J took not to be 1 ruth^ and at that thne to be tny Ditty. He was no ways clandeftinely rigid, or cenforicas as to others. When he told Men to their faces of their faults, he would hear what they had tofay,aud then reprove them with as great pungency as he thought their fault dsferv'd : but yet behind Mens backs he was always ready to believe the belt ^ and wli;itcrer he could think on that might extenuate their Crime ^ if there Wv^sany likelyhood of truth therein, he would be fure to mention that: So great a Friend 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 alTaulted or difturbed. I have often heard him greatly lament himfelf, in that he felt no greater Livelinefs in what appear'd fo great and clear to him, and fo very much defir'd by him. As to the iiitlueiice thereof upon his Spirit, in order to the fenfible refrefhment? of it, he clearly law what ground he had to rcjoyce in God ^ he doubted not of his Right to Heaven •. He told me, He knew it Ihould be well with him when he was gone. He won-dred to hear others fpeak of their fo fenlible Paflionately ftrong Dedres 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 latisfadion as they could have, that his Soul was fafe : and yet could never feel their Senlible 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 he fo. But I have often thought, that God wilely made him herein ( as in many other things ) conformable to his Great Mafter '^jefm Chrifi ^ whole Joys we find Commonly the fruit of deep and clofe-thought. Chrifl: argu'd himfelf into his own Comforts. Which thing is evident from Scriptures not a few ^ Take for atafle, Pf xvi. 8—ii. Heb. xii. 2. The teftimony of his Confciencc was ever Jiis rejoycing .- like that in 2 Cor. i. 1 1. He ever kept that tender •, zviA. gave fuch diligence to vvi^ his race, fulfil his Miniftry, and fo to make his Calling and Eleiiion firm and clear, as that I cannot but conclude an Entrance was miniftred abundantly to his departed Spirit into the Everlajling Kingdom of ( Elijah's and ) his God and Saviour; and that it will be more abundant to his raifed pcrfon when the Lord appears. The Heavenly State cofl. him feverc and daily thoughts, and Solemn Con-remplat ions; for he fet fome time apart every day for that weighty work. He knew that neither Grace nor Duty could be duly aftuatcd without pertinent and ferious meditation. What can be done without thought ? And as he was a Scribe JnftruBed to the Kingdom of Heaven., fo he both could and did draw forth out of his Treafitres things new and old., to his own fatisfaSion and advantage, as well as to the benefit of others. Self-unconccrnednefs ( be it in Study., Preaching., Prayer or Con-fmnce ) 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 Minifbcrs? How little he eftcem'd the World;, or Flefh or Men ( fave as they arc of, and undcr,and for God)is every way too evident to need iafifiing on.He neither valued nor fear'd any man fo much as to be influenced into Sinful Dillances from, or Compliances with them, in wrong to God, and to Soul-Concerns. But I naullnotbe too Copious here, left it be thought that my relations, or afteSioas to him have deceiv'd or brib'd my Judgment.

After much Labour in his work, and troubles from Informers, who caus'd him to be Convided, diftrain'd upon and imprifon'd, becasfe he durft not negled what he thought God had bound him to: when Liberty was granted to DilTenters, and he himfelt was fetcht from prifon ^ after his injurious Confinement thereunto for iiis book caU'd His ParapWafe on the Ntv Tejhament^hz fevkd in ChartirkoHfe-Tard.,

C i*

in Hutland-Houfe fwhere I then lived, and had gotten it to be Licenfcd for PreaLh-ing-work ) and bcftovvcd his Minifteiial-Alliftance ^)\<rj5 upon me. TiiereupoE he attended every Lord's-Day in the Morning ^ and every other Thurfdjy Morning at a Weekly Lecture. Thus were we yoked together in our Minifterial Work and Trult, to our great Mutual Satisfaction : and becaufe his Refpeds to me Living and Dying were very great ^ I cannot but the more refent the Lofs. I had the benefit and pleafure of always free accefs to hini, and inftaht Converfation with him ^ And by v/hom could 1 profit more than by himlelf ? So ready was he to Communicate his Thoughts to mc, and fo cle-jrly would he reprefent them, as that I may truly fay, it was greatly my own fault, if he ielt mc not wifcr than he found me at all times.

When after about four years and a half he had contina'd with me, he was then difabled from going forth any more to his Minifterial-Work ^ fo that wliat he did, he perform'd it all the refidue of his Life, in Im ovon Hired-houft .- where he open'd his Doors Morning and Evening every day to all that would come to joyn in Family-Worfhip with him: to whom he Read the Holy Scriptures, from whence he Preached the Kin/do7n of God^ and Taught thofe things nhiib concern the Lord jcfuf Chrifi with ail confidence^ no man forbidding him ^ even as one greater than himfelt had done before him, ^djf. xxviii. 30, 31. But alas his growing Diltempers and Infirmities took him alfo off from this, confining hiia nrl't to h'ls Chamber^ and after to his Bed. There, though pi/j« ( for he had a very great Stone in his Kidney ) and Sicknefs^ his Body wafted ^ bnt his Soul abode rational, ftrong in Faitli and Hope, arguing it felf into, and preferving it felf in, that Patience, Hope, and joy, through Grace, which gave him great Support, and kept out Doubts and Feai"S concerning his Eternal Welfare.

On Tuefday Morning about Four of the Clock, Decemh. 8. 1691, he Expired •, though he expcftcd anddefired his Difiblution to have been on the Lord's Day before, which with Joy, to me, he call'd an High Day^ becaufe of his defired Change Expefted 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, cfpecially about Juftification , and the Covenants of Works and Grace, tire;. And being ask'd at my requeft, whether he had changed his former thcuglits about thofe things •, his Anfwer was, T> at he had told the World fujfciently his Judgment concerning them by Words and Writing^ and thither he rtferr'd A-'cn. And then lifting up his eyes to Heaven, he uttered thcfc words j Lord, pity, pty,. pity the Ignorance of th'vs poor City.

On Monday t\\Q. day betore, about Five in the Evening, Death feat his Harbinger to Summon him away. A great trembling and coldncfs awaken d Nature, and extorted Strong Cries from him for Pity and Redrcfs from Heaven : which Cries and Agony continued for fome time, till at length he ccas'd thofe Cries : and fo lay in an Obfervaut, Patient Expectation of his Change. And being once asked by a Grave Matron, and his Faithful Friend, and Conftant Attendant upon him in his Wcaknefs (Worthy and Faithful Mrs. Bujhel his Houfc keeper ) Whether he knew her or no, Requefting fome Signification of It if he did : he foftly Cryed , Death, Death : And now he felt the benefit of las former Preparations for fuch a Trying-Time as this. And indeed, the laft v/ords that he fpake to me ( being iuform'd that I was come to fee him ) were thefe, O J thank him, I thank him : and turning his Eye to mc, he faid. The Lord teach you to dye. He,*a few days before, had thus exprell his heart tome: Sir, I have done what I could for yoH. Should 1 recover ( wliich 1 cxpedt not ) 1 Ihould Statedly give my Pains to none before you. He f truly ) judg'd my Flock to be Sober, Peaceable, and Loving, and far from Fadtioufnefs and Cenforioufncfs.

Thus Liv'd and Dy'd this Excellent, and Holy Perfon: fo eminently fiirnifh'd for, fervent in, intent upon, and faithtul to, his Minifterial Truft and Work: Wherein his Labours antl Succefs were very great. His Perfon was Tall and Slender, and ftoojicd much : his Countenance Compos'd and Grave, fom.cwhat inclining to Smile. He had a piercing Eye^ a very Articulate Spcah, and his Deport-inent rather Plain than Comi)lemental;. He had a great Command over his Thoughts. He had that happy faculty, fo as to anfwer the Charafter that was given of him by a Learned Man Dilfenting from him, after Difcourfc with him; which was, that,/yc could f^y what he would^and he couldpruve xvh^t hefaid.Hc was molt

intent

After EiijahV God. ly

intent upon the necelfary things. Rational Learning he moll valued,and was an extraordinary Mailer of. And as to his ExprefTive Faculty,he fpake properly, plainly, pertinently, aai pathetically. He could fpeak iuitably, both to Mens Capacities, and to the things inliftcd on. He was a Perfon wonderful at Extemporate Preaching ^ for having once left his Notes behiad him, he was furpriz'd into E.Ktctnpo-rate thoughts upon ( as I remember) Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an htgh-

Priijl- Whereon he Preach'd to veiy g,reat latisfaction unto all that heard

him : And when he came down from the Pulpit, he asked me , // / wm not fi-reP. I faid, With what? He faid, W'fb his Exiemporate Vifcourft. 1 told him , That had he not ckdur''d it, J beheve none could have difcovcfd it: His reply to me was, That' he tmught it very needful for a Minijier to have a Body of Divinity hi hvs head. ■ .

(i.) As to God's Providence, in removing him, God^s Voice is Lond from Heaven to us. And what the Voice is, and what it fpeaks in the General, you may partly difccrn from thefc following padiiges of Scripture, Zach. i. 5. Htb.

xiii. 7,— 9. Rev.m. 3. \ Thef. iv, i. Jam.v.S. —11. Jf<!?. xx. 18. 21,

and 32. Such thoughts as theife are very pertinent unto the Vifitation of our day. Have we been mindful of him.' Have we been thankful for him ? Havie we been faithful to, and fruitful under, the Advantages of his Minifterial-Day j? 'i Thefs.i. 3. —lo. Should vou not bemoan your ignorance, heedleisnefs, and barrennefs ? . Sliould you not take up new refolutions to improve the Mantle which he hath left behind him ; and to prepare your felves to meet Elijah and his God^ Mr. ^^.rfer, and his returning Lord in Peace, 2 Pet. i'li. 11.—14. You have known the genuine, conftant tendencies of his Labours, Prayers and Spirit; all looked towards, and much refembled what ye find recorded in i Thefs. iii. 12,1 3. You have had in him, whilft with you ( who was longer a Preacher unto you, than Chrifi was to the "j'ervs ) one of the beft of Cafuifts, Preachers, Patterns, Supplicants, and Companions in the World. And have wc Sinn'd him from us ! his Death tells us, we mull; not be ordinary in our Acknowledgments, Improvements, and Attainments : nor always think that it will be day with us.

(3.) Our great Concern and Cry this day fhould be about,and after the Lord God-of Elijah: The God whom Mr, Baxter:■vvm'd.,-lov'd, fear'd, ferv'd, and preach'd. Nor muft FlijaFs Mantle be forgotten. As to me ^ the Prophet's Mantle is far more valu'd, and delir'd, than Expected. I never look to Tithe his Excellent Gifts, and Graces, And as to Tou and Me j the fpecial Prefence of Eltjahh God is greatly needful with, and for us, Elifha in feveral things out-went his Mafler ■, ( fo muft not I ) but he was not Traaflated as Elijah was: For he afterward fell fick and Dy'd, 2 Khigs. xiii. 14. But yet- with very ample teftimony of God's peculiar refpcdts to him. But I ahi woh-Eliffla. And may I Hand amongft the meanefb of God's Faithful Prophets, I Ihall account it great. And though I cr.nnot look to be Flt]ah, Elifha^ or like to him that's lately gone : Vet all that Uncltion, Countenance, and Special Prefence which my Soul-Work, and Miniftry doth require, let it this day ( and ever, whilft we live ) become your joynt Concern and Cry with me, to God, that I may have it, and that you may reap great bencf.t thereby. As to kj all: O how deUrable is the Prefence of the Lard God ofVAt'uh with us! That fo the Prophet's Prayers and Labours be not loft upon us, wTjV his God fct againft us, nor his Heaven be deny'd us, nor himfelf at laft call'd cut to tefi-ifv againft us when Chrift Sits in Solemn Judgment upon us.

And for my Self-, ifany of the Prophet's Friends forfakc me, may 1 but have the Powcrfnli and Gracious Prefence of his E/«j^^//s God, it will Suffice me. My prefeat Civamift.'^nces as to Employments, Infirmities, Exercifes, and Concerns, muft need extort fuch Cryes and thoughts as thefe,from my Solicitous snd anxious Soul:

( I. ) Where was our Eli]ah once? Was he not in his Mother's Womb, retire frcm hrman View and knowledge? Was he not after in his State of ignorant Infancy and Childhood ? HVas he not in a mortal body, and uncomfortable World? Was he not once as little furnilli'd with knowledg, Godlvnefs, and utterance^ llnftion and iifefulnefs as my fclf ? ( 2.) Whence had our Eli].ih all his Gifts and Graces, A(riftances,Encouragemnts and Succcfles ? Were they aot all derived from the fame God with whom 1 have to do ? T 3- ) Where is our Eli]ah now ? Is he not with God in Heaven, to whom the Spirits of Good men. have been gathered

to tliis day ? And (hall not our Souls ( and Bodies ) mount ere long as Ms liath done? (4.) Where haih he left Elifha^ Even in this World and Body, and under obligations to his Minifterial Work f but far below hitri in abilities and grace for fervice) and in his Militant, and Pilgrim-ftate, whilft heie. (5.) Where is our Eli]ah''s God ? Not out of all fight and hearing. Not where he jnay not be addreft unto nor Commun'd and pervaded with, about and for things needful for an Indigent and Craving Prophet. ( 6. ) What mull 1 do to get (though but a fragment or fomc fmall corner of) ov.r E//)jfc's Mantle ? None cf his extraordinary meafures for fpecial fervice cun^ or do I look for. But Study, Medication, Prayer, and Faithfulnefs through the Mediation of his great friend and mine (Chrift at the right hand of the Father ) fo much may be delired, endeavoured after, and expefted (through grace ) as may esable me fafely to train up Souls for God. 2 Tim. iu I s- T 7-) What muft 1 do to meet with our Eli]uh and his God in peace ? 2 Tim. iv. 1—5. 1. iv. 14— 16. Jit. xx. 18—31. What is the Courfc that I muft take? Muft not ray Eye be inward, upward, forward, backward, round about? Muft I not endeavour to know my Errand, Warrant, Difficulties, Duties and Encouragements ? Muft 1 riot know what 1 fay ? Confider what I know ? believe what 1 confider ? tell what I believe ^ Prove what I affert ? Praftice what I Preach ? And promote the Chriftian lutereft with all wifdom, diligence, and faith-fiilnefs ; as my PredecelTor did before me? Let rae then beg your Prayers to God for me, as the Great Apoftle did for him, Co/, iv. 3,4. Rom.xy.^o —32. Effc. vi. 19. Your Prayers, and the Supply of the Spirit in thofe great Inftances, in 2 Tim. i. 7. will do my Work to purpofe. .

F / N I $.

yf« Alphabetical I n d e x Ifoth o/Persons ^«^ Things an Account xiphereof ts to he ?net with

in f/;/> N A R R A T I V E.

TbefirH Number intimates the Part; tieficondthe Page. A.

Sir Thomas Alien i.icf

Mr. William AHen,z.iSo. ;.i8o.Letters between him and Mr. Baxter. Appendix Nunib.4.

Mr. Jokph Alien 2432

Dr. Richard Alltftree 1.3

Anahaptifis 1.41. 2.140,141

Whether it be our Duty to (eek Peace with them ? 2.181. How a Pacificatory attempt with them might be moft fuccefsfully ma-naged 2.183

Their Infolence after CromwelTs Death

2.206

Dr. Annejley, 3.19. His Charafter ;. 95-

Marquis of Antrim. A particular Account of his Commiflion from King Charles the Firft.for what he did in the Injh Rebellion

3-83

}nCigz Archer 3-59

Army. Of the new modelling the Parliaments Army, i. 47. S^^c. of the Temper and Principles which prevailed amongit them in 164). when Mr. B<*xrer firft came to them, x.jo,&:c. how he came to go into the Army, and letde there as Chaplain to Col. V/anllefi Regiment, i.f 2. and how he behaved himfelf there,;'.)-3. how itwas turn'd almoit entirely into an Army of Seftaries, i. j9- the King hook'd in by them, 1.60. and their treatment of him,

p.61. Of the^ange fall of the Parliaments Army at laft i.ioj. 2.214

Mr. Arthur 3- '3

Mr. Simeon/^//j, 1.42- 2. ^H. i»9,230i2 3'i 276,307. HisDeath and Charader 2.430-

3 94

Alderman Aphurfi, 2. 290, 302. 3. 17. 3.182.

Ajjembly of Divines at mfiminfier: an "Kc-count of them i-73

Of Mr. Baxters Preface to their Works upon a new Edition of them I.IZ2

Mr. Atkins 2-373

B.

A yjR. Edward Ba^gjhaw, 2. 378. 3. 72,8f,

Mr. Jofeph Baker. His Charader 3.?©

it^ Earl of Balcarres and his Lady; • 6^ 1.121

Mr. Thomas Baldwin Senior, 2. 374, 376.

392

Dr. Bates, 2.214,229,283,303,30^,307,337, 340,346. 3.13. A Letter of his to Mr. Baxter about the taking the Oxford Oath by le-veral Nonconformifts 3.14.3.94

Mr. Benjamin Baxter. His Charader 3 91 Mr. Stephen Baxter >btJ.

Major Beake 2.207

Alderman fie<»r<i 360

Col. Beddmgfield a.290

ThQ Bebmemfis I.77

Sir John Rimard 3.^0

Dr. Bernard 2 218

Major General Berry. An Account and Charader of him 1-57)97 Mr. Berry 3-98 Mr. Biddle 1.79 Mr. Adoniram Btfield 1.42 Col. Birch 2-281 The BijJ)ops. The Proceedings againft them in the Long Parliament,!.26,27. the Cau-fes of the Averfion of lerious People a-gainft them, at the beginning of the Civil War 133 Their carriage to the Minifters at the Savoy Cot\ierei\ce, 2. 30^,339,337,363.'— of their advifing King Charles the Second to call in his Licenfes, and rigoroufly to execute the Laws made againft Proteftant DifTenters 3-if3 Major Blood. An Account of him; and of his ftealing the Crown 3.88 BOOKS. Mr.Baxter's Account ofhisfeveral

fioo>&j and Writings. His Aphorifms of JulUfication and the Covenants 1.107 His Saints Everlafting Reft i. 108 His plain Scripture proof for Infants Church-memberfliip and Baptifm ihtd. The right Method for Peace of Confcience, and Spiritual Comfort, in 32 Diredions,

1.109 His Judgment about the Perfeverance of Believers !• no His two Affize Sermons ibid. His Apology ibid. HisConfeffion of Faith i.i ti M Dircdions

The TA'BLE.

Direftions for Church Reformation and Peace i. iii

His Sermon againft making light of Chrift,

ibid.

His Sermon of Judgment i. 112

His Sermon of Catholick Unity ihul.

The true Catholick and the Catholick Church defcrib-d ibid.

His Chriftian Concord ; or the IVorcefierJIme

Agreement

ibid.

The Grottan Religion difcovered at the Invitation of Mr. Thomas fierce i. 115 Five Difputations about a Right to Sacraments ihid. Four Difputations of Juftification i. 114 A Treatile of Converfion ibid. A Call to the Unconverted ibid. Diredlions and Perfwafions to a (bund Converfion I.'I If A Catechifm ibid. Gildas Sal-vianus, or the Reformed P^ttor,ibid. The H'orcefierlkire Petition and defence of it,

ibid.

The Quakers Catechifm i.u6

The Safe Religion tbid.

The Unreafonablenefs of Infidelity tbid.

A Treatife of Crucifying the World by the

Crofs of Chriff ibid.

One Sheet againft the Quakers ibul.

A Winding Sheet for Popery ibid.

One Sheet for the Miniftry, againft Malig-

nants of all forts i. 117

A fecond Sheet for the Miniftry ibid.

Direttsons for Juftices of the Peace, efpecial-

ly in Corporations, for the Difcharge of

their Duties ro God ibid.

A Letter to Mr. Dmy for Pacification ibtd.

A Treatife of Confirmation ibid.

A Difcourfeof Saving Faith ibid.

A Treatifs of Self denial ibid.

Five Difputations about Church Government

ibid. A Key for Catholicks i. 118

His Holy Commonwealth ; the occafion of writing it, its Reception,e^c. ibid.

A Difputation of the perpetual vifibility of the Church i. 119

His Univerfal Concord ibid.

A Sormonof Repentance i. 120

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 tbtd.

The Mifchiefs of Self ignorance, and Benefits of Self-icquaintance tbtd.

The Divine Life ibid.

The Treaty at the Savoy 1.121

An half Sheet forthofe that are fick or in danger of the Plague ibtd. Two Sheets for poor Families i. 122

Jf^is Chrilliati Directory

tbid.

Direftions for weak Chriftians 1.12;

A Difputation of Univerlal Redemption, ib. Divers Treaties then unpubliihed 1.125 His R.eaibn5 of the Chriliian Religion 5,61 His Djrediions for weak Chriftians , Lite of Faith, and divers other Treatife? ibid. His Metbodus Jheologia 5.69,181,190

His Apology for the Nonconfoi mifts ;. 70 His Cure of Church Divifions ibid.

The Revocation of his Political Aphorifms,or Hrjly Commonwealth 5. 71

His more Realbi^s for the Chriftian Religion

3 90 The Nonconforiiiifts Plea for Peace 3.180 His Catholick Theology 3. 181

His Hiftory of Councils ibiJ.

Offevcral otherof his Writings ?-i8j

His (ccond Plea for Peace 3.188

His Moral Prognoftication ibid.

His Search for the Englilh Schifmatick ibid. The poor man's Family-Book 3.190

The certainty of Chriftianity-without Popery ibid. Compaffionate Counfel to young men ibid. The Catechizing of Houlholds 3. i9r A Treatife agrtinft a Forreign Jurifdidtion

3.196 Cam and Abd ibtd.

His Defence of Catholick Communion,;. 198 Mr. Baxter's general Cenfure of his o^ct Works and Writings 1.124

Dr. Boreman 2.377

Mr. Edward Boucher 3.92

James Boucher. The Husbandman ibid.

Mr. Edward Botvhs i.y6. 2.284

Mr. William Bridge 1.72,103

Col.John Br;V^« T. 88,io|r^7i

Sir Orlando Bndgeman. His Chara<ae''73.22 Mr.Thomas Bromwicb. His Charadkr, 3.91 Sir Robert Brooh ■ ' 3. i8

Mr. Brooks 3 19

Bifhop BroTvnrigg,2.1 j2. His Judgment about Church Government in a Letter to Mr, Baxter 40^ ^-^IS ■

Dv. Bryan, 1.44. His Charafter 3.93

Mr.Jarvis Bryan 3 91

The Duks oiBuckingham 3.2i,22,&c.

Mr. Burdall 3.93

Dr. Burgcf ' 1.42.2.26y

Mr. Anthony Burgef 1.44,107. 3.9;

Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs 1.73,103

Mr. Burton 3.24

Mr. £«f;o», 3.36. His Charader 3.96

C.

MR.Calamy, i.63,105'. 2. 214,217,218, 229,23o,232,265-,274, 276, 277, 278, 281,283,503,307,333,33.6,384. hisimpri-fbnment 386. 3.94

Mr. Car^ 3.13

Mr. Caryl 3.19

Mr. Criltopher Cartwright 1. 10"

Mr.Ctf/e, 2. 229,303,305'. 3.94

Mr.Caughton 1.67.2.431

Ceremonies. Propofals made to K. Charles 11.

about

The TA'BLE.

about them by the Presbyterian Minillers

2. 255

Mr. ChailvJtck

3-4

Chaplains to the leveral Regiments of theParli-amenrs Army,when they firfl Tice out. 1.42. toKirjgcVWcj the Second immediately after his ReflaiKation 2. 225)

King Charles I. His treatment after his delivering himlelf up to the Scots, till he was forc'd to fly to the JJle nf JVtgbt, i 60, 61. His Trial and Execution 65

Of his Letter to the Marquis of Antrim, giving him order to take up Ai ms in Ireland

King Charles II. Of his having the Covenant impoleJ on him in Scoiland,bti'ore lie could be admitted to the Succeflion, 1.6 f. Mr. Baxter's CeniuTC upon it, 66. His march with an Army out of Scotland into England, and his Defeat a: Worcejhr,i.6%,6c). His Re-fburation, 2.217 218. His treatment of the Miniffersujjon their addrefling them-felves to him p Jently after his Return^ 2. 2;I. His; >;:cla'-ation concerning Ec-ciefiaiHcal Affiiirs, 2. 2^9, &c. His Com-miflionfor the 5i«f(yConference, 2.50 3,&c.

Wir.Chefier 3.2,19,95-.

Dr. ChjncU ■ 2.197

Mr. Church 3. 94

Church Government.

The feveral C oncioverlies about it in the late rimes, 2.159. the fmlcs of the Dio-cefan form of it, 2. 141. the f^.uUs of the Presbyterian way, 2. 142. the faults of the Independant or Congregational way,2.145 Archbilhop l7/7;tr's Mod;! for a Temperament, 2 238. a Letter of Mr. Vtnes's to Mr. Baxter about Church Government, 2.147. a Letter of Bifhop Broivnriggs to Mr. Baxter., conraining his ]udgm:int a-bout It, 2.17J. Propofals about it made to King Charles the H. riuic1<ly after his Return by the Presbyteiian Minifters, 2.

Sir Ralph Clare 1.94. 2.15'7.298,299.5oo N'!- Samuel C/i;/^ 2.503,30^,307.3.13

\\:. Clarkfcn 3. 97

1 ■. CoHim 2303

Common Prayer. See Prayer. Of a Comprehe^ifm 2.454. Propofals in order to it, made by Mr. Baxter and others, . to the Lord Keeper Bridgman , 3. 24. A • Treaty about it , with Dr. Ttliotfin, Dr. St'Hingfiea ana orhers, 3.15"^- An A A for Healing and Concord then agreed on, 3.

Dr. Cofxpton Bifhop ot Lo7idon 3 178

Dr. Conant 2.503.3.13

Conformifts. Their leveral Principles and

Pleas far them 2.588.&C.

Conformity. Mr.Baxter firft fludies the Con-

troveifies relating thereto, at Twenty years

of Age _ ^ i,f3,&c.

Con-vocamn.Ths choice of it in i66i. 2353

Mr. Cook of Roxhall ^ i. 5'6,5'7

Mr. Richard Cook of Kinver i.8i

Mr. Cook of Cbefier 2.432. 3.98

Mr. Cooper 2.303,305. 3.13

Mr. John Cor^ef, 3. 72j-85". His Charafter, 3.96. His Death 3-189

Dr. Co/ins Bilhop of Durham, 2.274,276,277,

305,340,3^7,363 The Scotch Covenant. The Judgment ot the Aflembly of Divines about the word Prelacy in it, 1.48. how 'twas explain'd when taken by the Lords and Commons, i. 49. it grows out of date, i .64. King Charles U. islorc'd to take it in Scotland , i. 6y, 66 — about the obligation of it, on all that took it 2.4c8j6cc.

The Court. Mr. Ba.\ter went thither when he w.ts young, and wh.u heobferv'd there,

I. 11 Mrs. Coxe ;■ 1S9

Mr. Crad:>ck 3. 97

Mr. Crandon 1. 110

Dr. Creighton filenc'd in the Pulpit by a (ur-prizing altonifhment 3. 36

Mr. Crofton 2.288. 3. 7!

Oliver Cromwcl. What hand he had in getting the Earlof E^fx latdafide by the Parliament, I. 47. his Intereff in the new modoli'd Army, 1.49. he invites Mr.Baxter to be Chaplain and Padour to his Regiment when he was forming it into a Church, i.fr. his (ubde management of the Army under F<z/>-/i^\-, i. ^7. a further Account of hisIiHieagues as to the Army, I. 5'9, 60. how he endeavoured to delude the Parliament by a def:gned Falfitv, ^9. he turns all out of the Pailiament by main force that weie for an Agreement with the King on honourable Terms , i. 63. and brings the King to his Trial by a pretended Court of JulHce, ihid. How he carried it about the time of the Kings Execution, ibid, of the impediments to his ambitious deligns after the King was taken off, 1. 65'. He marches into Scotland, i.6j. His fuc-cefTes there, 68. H^ returns into England^ and defeais tlie King at tVorcefhr, 69. He dildainfully turns off the RumpParliiment vvlien he had no further ends to lerve by 'them, 70. His further Incrcgues to fidle himfelf into the Supreme Government, 70,71. at lengfh he becomes Protectpur, 1.72. His carriage afterwards, 1.74. His Death and Charader 198,99,100

Difcourfe between him and Mr. Baxter \n privat(;, after he had preach d before him,

2.205

Richard CrowwW fucceeds his Father, 1. 100.

an Account of his Depofition i. loi

Henry Cromwd i. 74

Mr. John Crofi, a Miniver, falfly accufedof a

defign to Ravilh a Woman. The VHlany

was detetSled 1.24

Mr, Crof died of the Plague 31

D. Mr.

The r A'B LE.

V.

MR. Vavif 2. 378

Mr. Dell, 1.^6. HisCharader 1.64 Remarkable Deliverances Mr.Baxter met with in the courfe of his Life; as from the Temptations of a Life about the Court j and l.'om being run over by a Waggon j and in a Fall from an Horfe, and from the Temptations of Gaming, i. ir, 12. from the malice of the Rabble of KiJderminHer, 1.24,40. fiom under great weaknefs, from fiidden Accidents, and dangers of thrcat-ning Diltempers, 1.80,81,82. from a threat-ning Accident ac St. Dunffans Church, 2. 301. from a Musket Bullet, fhot into the Room where he was, 2.441. from another thrcatning Accident over St. James's Market Houfe, &c. ? IJi Diocefan. An Account of the Diocefan frame of Government as fettled in Etigland,2 396 the Execution of it, 397. ReHetlions upon it 2,3^8 Mr. Thomas Dooltttle ?'i9>95' Spiritual Doubts that exercifed yir.Baxter many years j with their proper Solutions, 1.6 Dr. Calibute Downing 1.42 Dr. Drake J. 67. 2.303. 3.94 Dunfiani Chuxh. A fudden Conlternation amongft the People when Mr. Baxter was once preaching there 2.301 Mr. John Dury i. .117 The Dutch. Of our War with them in 1666. \.i6. of their burning our Ships at Chatham, 3. 20. of our licond War with them 3. 99

DR. Earls. His falle Report concerning Mr. Baxter, 2. 381. his Letter to him

by way of Excufo 382

EJgebitl'^ight 1.43

Mr. John Elliot of NewEngland, 2. 290. a

Letter of his to Mr.5<7Xf(;r ^•*9?

Mr. Tobias Ei'-i 3.9^

The Engagement. Or Oath of Fidelity to the

Rump 1.64

The Eraftians. A Ccnfurc of them,2.i 39,141 Eai 1 of Ejjex. Of his being laid afide by the

Parliament 1.47

Captain Ex'frari 1.78

The Countefi Dowager of Exeter,i6o. Her

Charad;er 3'95'

Mr. Eyres of Salubury I. I n

■\yf R. Richard Fairclougb, 3.72. His Chara-

^^ aer 3.96

Sir Thomas Fairfax. His Character 1.48

his great Perplexity, I. 63. and refignati-

on 64

Mr. Falketier 3.108 Of the Farewel Sermons of the filenc'd Mini fleis 2.303 Dr. Daniel Featly 1.7? Mr. William FeMwer '• ^3 Mt. Ftncber 3-91 Of the F;re of Lowiow 3.16 Mr. Giles Firrpun 3.74,1 oz Mr. Samuel F«/?Kr 3.98 Mr. Richard Foley 1.13 Mr. Thomas Ftf/e;, 3.71. aCharafter of him,

Mr. Ford of Exeter 3. 97'

Serjeant Fountain. His kindnefs to Mr. Baxter 3.86 "Dr.Fowler 3.85' Mr. Henry Fowlis 3,90 Mr. Franklin 3 2,19 Dr. Freoyf» Archbilhopof 2ori4 2. 30^ Mr. Froyjell 3. 94 Dr. Fulwood 3. loz Fundamentals. A Committee of Divines cho-ien in Oli'ver's time,to determine the number, and fix the limits of them, 2.197. Mr. Baxters Judgment about them in Jhort,;^. &/». 198. the Proceedings of that Committee i99,&c. Funeral, h. remarkable Funeral Sermon preach't by Mr. Baxter at Bridgnortb i. 20

M^

ij

\K.VT3ncisGarbett Dr. G(ji«^e»,Bifliop of Exeter, 2217,2 r8^

276,305,363 Dr. G»U ,78

Dr. Gibbon 1.78. 2.2of

Mr. Thomas Gilbert 3.98

Mr. Jofeph Glanvile 2. 378

Dr. Thomas Good, 2. 149. a Letter of Mr. Baxter's to him 3-148

Dr. Thomas Goodwin 1.73,103. 2.197. ?''9 Church Go'vernment. See Church. Mr. Thomas Gouge, 3.17,94. a Charade^ of him, 3.147,148. His Death 3. 190

Dr. Grew of Coventry, 1.44. His Charafter,

3'9? Mr. George Griffith ^•^93- 3.19

Mr. Grimes 3. 2,19

Mr. Thomas Grove 3.86

Mr. Grunman 3, i

Dr. Gunnwg, afterward Bifhop of Ely, 2.276,

277>337'346,349,3j6,3y7,363,364. a Pri.

vate Conference between him and Mr.

Baxter, 3' 104

D

H.

R. Hackett Sir Matthew Hale.

Mr. HaL. alias Church Mr. Thomas Hall Mr. John Hampdtn

2.276

His Charader, 3.

47,175,181

3.15

3-9?

1.17. 3.177

Mr.

The TA "B LE,

Mr. Richard Hampikn 2 448

Mr. Robert Hamilton ;. 88

Dr. Hammond, 1.61,^^. 2.149. a Treaty between him and Mr. Baxter, about an A-greement with the Epifcopal Party, jult before the return oiK Charles II 2.2o8j&c, Cx)\.Edwiv<i Harley I,j9

Major General H<jmyo«. His Charafter, 1.

'*'■<- Mr. Heatb 3.94

Sir Nathaniel Heme 3172

Mr. Samuel HtUerJIiam 5.5)8

Dr. Hincbman, Bifiiop of Salisbury,2.2j^,2j6^

277,278,3oj.?6; Mr. Hinckley of Norfield 37?

Mr. Hinks 59^

Mr. Hodges 5 96

Dr. Hold/worth 1.73

Mr. HoUtngivorth 3 180

Mr. Hooker ^.ij

Mr. William Hopkins. His Charader 5.91 Dr. Hvrton 2.305,307

Mr. Horton tbid.

Mr. John Howe 3-I3j97

Mr. Hughes of Plimoutb 3. 97

jf. 7.

DK.Jacomb, i.ioj-. 2.197,214, 303, ;of, 307*? 37;346' 3*3jI9 His Gharaftir,

3'9j Mr. Arthur 7<»c>&/o», 1.67. 2.2i8,;o3. 394 Mr. Henry Jackjan * 3 8 3

Dr. Jane i'^ll

M.r.Janeivay,:^.2,i^. His Character 3.9^ Mr. Jenkyns, 1.67. 2.229. 3 94

Mr. Peter/«« 2.432.3.97

Indefendant s. Their Chara^er, 1.102,103, 104. 2.140,143,387. a fiiiitlels attempt of Union with them, managed with yir.Nye,

■ 218. Another of the lame kind with Dr. Owtn, 3.6i,<52,5cc.

Infidelity. Mr. Baxter's Temptations to it, 1 2 r

Mr. Martin Johnjon^i.ijc). Letters between

him and Mr. Bitxter, about theNeceflity or

■ no Neceflity of Epifcopal Ordination, and an uninterrupted Succeffion in the Church, /ippendix Numb.2.

Mr. William Johnfin , the Papift. An Account of the Difference between him and Mr. Baxter 2.2i8,&c.

Mr. Jutce 3. 91

Dr. juxton, Archbifhop of Canterbury, i ,2f

2.435

XT' Edermtn/fer. Mr. Baxter's firft feitle-Jl\. ment there, 1.20. of the Sequeftration of the Living there, 1.79. Mr. Baxter's great Pains and eminent Succels in that Town, 1.83,84,85'. the Dilcipline that he kept up there, 1.91. His fruitlels endeavours to return thither,after hisEjedment,

2.298 &c. He goes down thither,but could

notbeailowd tolfay there,2.374.how the

poor People there fared afterwards, 3 7 f ,3 76

lorneof them grew very hot and fiery,3,73

Dr. Kendal. His Character i.lio. 2.206

Dr. King Biftiop of Rcchefier 2. 3of

Mr. Simon King ' 3.98

A4^R. Lamb,2.i8o. 3.180. Letters between

him and Mr. Baxter. Append.Namh'^. Dr. Lamplugh, Biftiop of Exeter ■,',3.178

Dr. Lany, B\(hop of Peterborough^ 2.3<Jf,3}7J

3.38 Mr. Laptborn 1.26

Mr. Edward Lawrejice 3 94

Mr. George/.dui/aw S.?.r.<^:,. .' 1.1-67

The Letters contain'd in this Volums, are thele following :

One from Mr. Vines to Mr. Baxter, 2. 147. One from an unknown hand to Sir Ralph Clare, containing certain Queries, the Solution whereof was defired from Mr. Baxter, 2. If I. Mr. Baxter's Anfwer, 1^3, 8cc. a Letter of Mr. Baxters to Sir Ralph Clarei 2.157.3 Letter from the Minifters oilVefi-moreland and Cumberland to thole of Wor-cefterjlnre, 162. their Anfwer to it, 464. a Letter from the hijls to the fVorceJterfinre Miniftcrs, 169. their Anfwer, 170. Afe-cond from the Iri^s Minifters, 171. OnQ • of Mr. Baxters to Biftiop Brownrigg,2..ijz. His Reply, i74,&cc. One of Mr. Baxter's to Mr. Nye, 2.188. two of Mr. Baxter's't^ the Lady Jnne Lindfey, 2. 221, &Cc. one of Mr. Baxters to the Lord Chancellour, 2. 282. One to Mr. Baxter, from the Court and Government of JVeu' England, 2.291. Another from Mr. Norton, 292. Another from Mr. Elliot, 295. Mr. Baxters Anfwer to Mr. Elliot, 29y One of my Lord Chan-■ cellour Hyde's to Sir Ralph C/<»r^,about Mr. Baxters return to Kedertninlier,2.2t)(). One of Mr. Baxter's to Dr. Earls about a falfe Alperfion, 2.382. One of his to an honourable Perlbn about a Comprehenfion, and Indulgence, 2.434. a Letter to Mr. Baxter from Monfieur Amyraut, and ano^ ther from Monfieur Solltcoffer, 2. 442. a Letter from my Lord /ifljley to Sir Jobrt Tre'vor, with a Cafe of Confcience, to be folv'd by Mr. Baxter, 2.44 f. 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 anAddrels from the Presbyterian Mlnilters to the King,3.36. One from Dr.Owen to Mr.Baxter about the Terms of Agreement with the Indepcndants, 3, 63. One from Mr. Baxter to the Earl of Lauderdale, 3.7^. a fecond to the Ear! oi Lauder dale ^^.-jj. One of his to Sir Robert Mur-T rcy.

Tk TA'BLE.

rey, 78. One of his to the Earl of Orery a-bout a general Union of Proteftants, 5.109. One of his to Dr. Good Mafter of Baltol Colledge in Oxford, 3. 148. One from Dr. TtUoijon to Mr. Baxter, 3 i f?- Letters between Mr. Baxter and Mr.JohnJon, Jfpetid. N.2. —between Mr. Baxter and Mr.Lamb,

append. N.;. between Mr.Baxter and

Mr. Allen, Append.'H.^. a Letter oiMv.Bax-

ter to Mr. Long oi Exeter , Ap. p. loS. a

Letter of his to a Friend, about the Cafe of

Nevil Symmons the Bookfeller, Ap. p. 117.

a Letter of his to the Right Worfhipful Sir

£. H. about General Concord, Ap. p. 130.

The Levellers. Their temper and rile, i. y4.

their Infurredion and Suppreflion 61

Mr. Lewis 5.15

Tit. Ligbtfoot 2.303,50^,507

The Lady Anne Lindfey. Her Sedudtion by

■ the Papifts, 2. 219. Two Letters of Mr.

Baxter to her 2. 2 2ij&c.

The Liturgy. Propofals of the Presbyterian

' Minifters to King Charles ILaboucitj2.234.

More OBjedions againft it 2. 25-4

Mr. Long of Exeter. A Letter of hit. Baxter to

him, Ap. N y. Dr. Wi'liam Lloyd 3. 179

M.r. Lead 3. 13

Mr. Chri [gopher Lovt 1.67

Mr. Lovel 3 92

The Lord L«r/jif 3.84

• si f\

W

M.

■R. William Madjlardoi Bridgnorth i. 15-

Mr. Maiden oi Ntwport ■ 3-94

'Ea.vXoi Manchefier i.io^. z. 2j6,zS(f,SiCc.

Dr. Manton^ 2.197,214, 218, 229, 230,276,

^■'283,303,3oy. 3.19. a Letter of his to Mr.

•"Baxter about an Addiefs of the Minifteis

to the King, 3.57. His Imprilbnment, 3.

74. His Charadier, 3.95. His Death^3.182

Mr. Stephen Marfiial 1.42,62. 2,197

Dr. Majon 3. 177

Mr. Mayo • ' 313

Mr. Robert Mayet. His Legacy of 660 L to

Nonconformift Minifters V^^

Melancholy. Some Advice to fuch^PeiIons as

are troubled with it ' 3.8^,86

Militia. Tlie Gontroverfie about it between

' KingC'wr/^i I. md hisPari;-!ment 1.30

TheSrJniCed Mtnifhri. in gis^c hopes of an

lr)ouif»encd'or Comprehcnlion in 1663.

" '2.433. hew balelv thevwere difappointed

•■'^i.43^. fome^oftl*eni j.reacii in tie City

Ghiirches in'tht* turtle'ol" rhe Sicknefs, 3,2.

Twenry of th^m cake the bxfrd Oath, ^.

13. thcY fiHt open their lepai-ace Meetings

prefendy altertlie Fire, wht.r! mofl of tlie

Churches were burnt vown, 3. 19. they

are conniv'd. it in their Meetmgs for a

while, 3. 22. they make an Addrels of

Thanks to the King for his Clemency,

3.36, 8cc. fome of them privately wait on

his Majeffy, 3.87. Characfttrs of diveisef them, 3.90.&C. to p8. they have Liberty given them in 1672. by die King's Declaration, 3.99. their Licenles a;e call'd in, and the Laws requir'd to be put in Execa-tion againft them 3 'H

The Fifth Monarchy men. Their Iniurre<5ti-on 2.301

Major General Monk i.69,ioj.2.214

Mr. Moor ^x*/ ffW>y~/^^ fo. 1.41 Mr. Sunon Aloor •' 5 9 j

Dr. Morley, firlt Bilhop of Worcefier ; atepr-wards of W:ncbefier, 2.218, 274, 276, 277, ^78,3oj.337.3?8,339,34o,343, 347,347'

c- ,Tr.„. 3 W>?63,375,384. 3.84 ..iy6

Sir VViUiam Morrtce i.ioy

Mr. Morton iaz

Dr. Morton 2.96

Louis Du Moulin, i. no. his Jugulum Cauf^e

3.8y

N.

"Xvf R. James AT^/fow, 1.42,67. His Death, and Characfler ^'43'• 3-94

Mr. Nanfen '^•'i7i

Najehy Fight I. 50

James Nayler. The Ringleader of the Quakers I. J J Mr. Needier g.pj, Msr-England. An Account of the Affeirs of that Plancaiion 2.290 Mr. Matthew Ncwcomtn, 2.23,2,281,303,307 Ml.,Newton oiTaunton 3,1^ NofKonformi/rs. 1 heir feveral Principles and Pleas - • 2.394,&c. M''yNorman of Bridgwater ^'4Z^ Mr.;Philip Nye, 1.73, loi, 103. 2.197,430; .3.19.3 Debate |)?tween him and M:Bax-iUr abput an.Uiiipp vyith theIndependants, ..(i il iv-' Unii • .rrl ;• .. - 2.i88,i89,&c.

M'

O.

R. Oajland of Bewdley, 1,95'. 2.383. Mis Charader : 3.91

Oathi.Oi the ^tcatcra Oath impofed in 1640.

Reafons for and agsinft the taking of it, r.

:, I J, &c. of the Oath to the Rump call'd

, ^fh^ Engagement, 1.64. of the 0<jfi ofCa-rtonicaf Obedience, 2. 42 j. of the Oxford Outh Reafons againft it 3.1J'

Qr/lv). Mr. Baxter Epilcopally ordain'd,i.ij;

Mi,Overton 3.1 j

Dr. Owen, 1.64,101,103.2.197. 3. 19, 42. a Treaty between him and Mr. i?^A«r about an Union between the Presbyterians and Independants, 3.61,62. a Letter of his to Mr. Ba.xter abou,c that matier,63. the Iffue of this Treaty 3. 69. 3.73

?.Sir

The TA'BLE.

p.

S\K }oh.T\?ackington 2.298,301

Pafifis. Their hand.in the Death of K. Charles I. 2-57J

Whether it be lawful for a Proteftant to marry a Papift ? z. 44y,&c.

Their carriage prefently after the Fire of Loftden, 3.20. great fears of them in 1673. 3.106. their Plot in 1678. 3.18;

Mr. Parker 1.78

Dr. Samuel Parker. His Ecclefiaftical Pohcy,

Parliament. The Proceedings of the Long

Parliament, 1.18. the different tempers of

the Members ot it, and a further Account

of their Proceedings i,2f,&c.

Mr. Parfons 3.94

'Mr.Pafion 3. 93

Mr. Pateman 3. 97

(^^T^Patrick. His Friendly Debate 3.39

^i^illiim Pen. A Conterence between him

and VIr. J^axter ? I74

Mr. Perkins 1.42

Sir Francis Paer 3.18

Dr. Pierce. H.s tafb Accufation of Mr.B^.v/cr,

2.279. His CharaAer, 2 280 —344, 349,

346

Mr.Pigof 3.98

Dr. P».«.;/>.«, 2 337,346,347,349,357,364

Vinner sHjU Lecture, ihe quarellbmnefs of

the Independants there at its tirft eredion,

3:103. Mr. B«:K.ter horribly dcfam'd by the

Fa?9:ious on the Account of his Sermons

there S-'H

Mr. Pirf 2.376

The Plague'm the Year i66j. 2.448. 3.1

Mr, Man hew Fco/ 3.1394

Dr. Pordage and his Family 1.77

Mr. Porter ot Whitchurch. A Chara<Si:er of

him 3 94

Mr. Vavafbr P>ii>el 3.72

Prayer. Remarkable Anfwers of it 1.80

Common Prayer. Excej)tions againft it,2.;o8

Exceptions .1 gain ft it mat were delivered

in by the DilTenting Miniilers to the Com-

miflioners at the Sa'voy Conference, 2 316

Presbyterian Minifter;.. Their Trouble on the

Account of their fidelity to K.C/6<jr/ej, 1.67

OvSome of tliem made the Kmg's Chaplains

upon his Reiteration,2 229. their waiting

upon his Mdjeity, ana treatment by him,

'^.^tt3o,23 '..tlicir firfl Propofals to the King

■ afeout Concord, 2 232. leveral of them re-

fufe Biihopricks jnd other Preferments, 2.

283, 284. they prefent an Addrels uf

Thanks to the King, for his Dedaiatinn

concerning Ecclefialticai Aff'irs, 284,&c.

they hold a Contierence at the Savoy with

the Biftiops, and (everal of their Divines,

2.3cj,&c. their Peti(ionto the King alter

that Conference, 2. 366. Multitudes of

ihemfilencd on Bartholomew Day 1662.

2.384. See filenc'd Mtniflai. Billiop Frideaux

OF the Quakers , 1.77. their Relblution under Sufferings 2.436

DR. P.ainbow 1.^4

The Ranters 1.76

Mr. Raii/linfon 2. 303,305". 3.94

Mr. Joleph iRM</, 3.92. his Imprilbnment,

3.176 Of Re-ordination, 2.422. Reafons againit con-

fenring to it, 3.30. [falfly pag'd 38J. Dr. Edward Reignold's, 1.64. 2.229,230,232, 26^,274,276278,281,282. he accepts a Bifhop.ick, 2,283,303,305,307,33^,364 Mr.John Reignold's 3.92

Mr. Reyner 2.197

Dr. Ri-ve 3-46,48

Mr. Roberts 3.2

Mr. Joleph Rock 3.93

Mr. Roles 3.1;

Mr. Ro/e 3 9f

5.

MR. Sache-verill 2-4?*

Mr.Jo. 5<a^/« 1.64

Mr. SaltmarJJ} 1.^6

Mr. Sangar, 3.94,178. His Death 3.182 Dr. SaHnderfon, BiftlOp of LJ«<ru/« 2.30^,3 5" 7,

563 The Savoy Conference. A large Account of it,2.303,&c. Of the furrepdtious publication of it 2.379 Scotland. The DiffatisfaAions there in King Charles the Firlt's time , i. j6. Cremwel's march thither , i. 68. a great change of Affairs there in King Charles the Second's time 3 147 The Scots. Of their firft coming into England^ 1.17. of their coming a (econd time into Englavd to help the Parliament, i. 49 of their adherence to King Charles the Second upon the taking off of King Charles the Firlt , . i.6j,6^ Seiiaries in the Army, i. 53. in "the^fiiwlii^-ment, 1.63. Oblervations about their growth, I. 97. An whole days Difpute maintain'd with (bme of them by Mr.Bax-ter zl y^gmondejliam ^'^i Seekers 1.76 Dr. Lazarus Seaman, i. 62. 2.229. 3•^3)94 Mr. Otuiiiah Sedgwick 1.42 Mr. John Sedgwick ibid. The Learned S el den, no Hobbift 3.48 Mr. Richard Serjeant, i. 79,88. a Charader of him 3.91 Tlie Earl oi Shafttbury J-'o? Mr. Sheffield 3.1 j Dr. Sheldon , firft Bifhop of London, then of

Can-

The r A'B LE,

Canterbury. i. 62. 2.276,50^

The Stcknef in the year i66f. 2. 418. 3. i Siknc'd MinKiers. See Mimjters. ■ Mr, Sil-vellcr ?• 9"^

Mr. Smith 3-13

Mr. Samuel Swtr-6 .^-9

Mr.5o«fA*s mislortune when preaching before

the King 2- 3S0

The Earl of Southampton 3-5

Mr. SouTjd. A Character of him 3-93

Dr. Sparro-w 2-3 3 7'34"^

Mr. Ambrofe ^/i^rr/, 2.385. HisCharader,

3-91 Mr. John Spilsbury 3 9^

Dr. Spurfiojv, i. 42. 2.229,230,276,303,5oj,

3-97 Mv. Stancltffe 3 13^96

Mr. James StamfeU 2.37;

Dr. 5fer»e, Bilhop of Carltp , afterwards of

York 2.309,338

Mr. Peter Sterry. Sir Benjamin Rudtard'sCba-

raclerofhim. J-7S

Mr. Stoope i- 380

Mr. 5r«W/. A Charader of him, 3.9J. His

Death 3189

Mr. Nevil Symmons. The Cafe between him

and Mr. Baxter ftated in a Letter to a

Friend, .Ap.N.j. Mr. S-waine 3-98

Mr. Sidrach SjwpJ^w i- 64> 73'^°3-2-J97

M'

Mr. Vaughan 3.96

Venner 2.301

Mr. Vennirg 3.95-

Mr. Riehard Vtna, 1.^4,62,6^. A Letter of his to Mr.Baxter 2.147. 2.197

Mr. Thomas F/»ce»f, 3.2;r9. His Charader,

59? Mr. Nathaniel Vincent 3.19

Archbifliop U/i'jfr 1.29,62,73.2.197

Of Mr.Baxter's acquaintance with him, 2. 2c6. His Judgment about Univerfal Redemption ; and about the validity of Presbyters Ordination, il»J. His Redudion of Epifcopacy, or Model of Church Government at large,2.2 38. This wasoflfer'd King Charles the Firft at the IJJe of Wight, 1.62. and ofFer'd to King CA<jr/fi the Second upon his return,, by the Presbyterian Miniders.as a ftanding Form of Church Government 2.234

r R. Francis Talents. A Character of him

394

Mr. Taverner 3'3^j97

The Teft. Debates about in Parliament's. 167 Mr. William ri&ow<i^ 3-^3

Mr. Thorndtke 2- 3 ^4

Mr. John Tombei, i.88. The difference that arofe between him and Mr. Baxter , and their Difpute at Bewdley i 96

Mr. Andrew Trifiram 3. 9^

The Triers of Minilters 172

Dr. Tuckney a.303>307- 3-97

3ir WiUiam Turner 3-48

Mr. Turner 3.2,19,99

Dr. William Tifz/e 17 3

Sir HeniyTrfwe. His Chara<aer,i.79. His Bravoury at the time of his Death, 1,76 ^hzVant^ts. His Followers 1.74

The Lord Chief julfics Vaughan 3.59

M'

W.

■R. U'adfworth, 3. 19. His Charader," 5.

9?,i78

Mr. Humphrey ?i^<jWer» 188,92

'Dv.lVallu, I. 107. 2. 229,1^0,276^277,303^

3Of>307 Ralph WaUu, the Cobler oiGlocejler 3.23

Dr. Walton Bilhop oi Chejhr 2.309,340

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. John Warren 1.107. 3.97

Dr. WarmeHry 2.307,149

Mr. Thomas Wattfon i.6j. 3.19,95

Biihop WefiforJ 1.75

Col WhaSey ~ ^-5^,5^

Mr. John White 1,19

Mr. Whitaker 3.9^

Mr. Richard Wtckjteaet 1.4,11

Judge Wild 3.99

Mv. Wildbore 3.13

Dr. Wtlkms 3.2+

MuWiUs 3.93

Mv.Wilfon. HisCharader 3.96

Mr. Willsby 3.92

Dr. Wwcop 1.73

The Lord Wind/or 2.377

Dr. Winter ^ 2,169

Mr. Benjamin ^oo^^n'-sfj^e 2.303,307. 3.98

Mr. Woodcock 3.94

Dr. Worth 2.232

Mr. Woodward 3.36

Mr. Thomas Wright of Kinnerflej 3.94

FINIS.

Ibit Table is to he placed lajl of all, and the fir fl Signature fliould be S.

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