15 / 26- «4J T#» 'idwiusurtu Go -V//jC ^ >l_ CHRIST ON HIS THRONE. O R. ChriftsChurch-governmcnt brief- ly laid downc ; and how it ought to bee fct up in allChriftian Con- gregations. Refolvcd in fundry Cafes of Confciencc I E K. 6. 16. Thus faith the Lord ; Stand je in the wayes , 49 d fee and aske for theold paths .where is the£oodway x andwalhjhcre- #», andyefhallfnde refifer jour fifties. LVKE 19.27. But theft nsine Enemes , which would not that I fhould raigveever them* hrmg them hit hir and flay them before me. Printed in the yeare \6\o. *L sc ^-#To mwwmmmwww ^VvvV* THE PREFACE To the Reader. T if an obferioation at true as anient , that Jucb yporkes of God as are done immediatly by bimfelfe alone , though for their excellent greatneje farre fur- pafjing not onely mans apprebenfiondut erven admiration itfelfe^yet are done by him without any rub be or difficulty at all. Such was that glorious and ma^nu ficaB ycorke of Creation. But fueh workes as God doth by inftrumentall meanes^ as by wan, the grea.er they be, the ereattr difficulties they are attended wit lh and met t with, many impediments, jind this it mofl feeue in^reat and ge- A 2 neraO THE EPISTLE A&15.I& Ezra s&. Nehem.^ tier all Reformations of Churches or States. Even Chrifi bimfejfe, The oncly Potentate , the Mighty God, when bee came to refiore and re-ereft the Tabernacle of David, which was fallen dolrne,to % his fair ituall Tern. pie or Church > what oppofition did bee meet withaU?wbatfweat did itcoftbim y before hee could finijh this gloriow and wondrous worke ? In which refyeft the iAntients Were wont to fay * That God with bis werd alone created the Tborld ; but it cofttbe life of bis onely begotten fonne to redeeme the world 'for thu was oppofed by DeTpiBs and men. Andfo it Was with the type of Redemption y If raels deliverance from Egypt , Tbbere Gods mighty wonders and plagues upon Egypt found a proud and bard hearted Pharaoh^ififr his blinde Egyptians ob« ftinately refifting to the Very la ft. So in the reparation of the Temple in Jerufa- lem y thtre wanted not mo ft malignant jpirits* en^iouifntn^A TatnaijShether Boznai/Tobiah, and Sanballat>W>6> mocked TO THE READER, mocked and accujed the lewes to the King, and by force fought to hinder the worke. And therefore can Tbee wonder, when in the proceeding offo great a Worke of reformation as we fee begun in our dayes (nothing inferior (ad circum* fiances considered) to that deliverance from Egypt, or to the refiauration ofre* ligion after Baby Ions captivity) difficul- ties and impediments both great and many have and doe interpofe them- f elves ? which when Wee fee Tbeefljould not be difcouraged rfor difcouragement in fuch cafes is an argument and confe- quent of a mind too much relying upon outward meanes , vbicb while they pro- filer y they are cu a good gale filling the faylcs of our hope to attaine the wifhed Port. TSut when an adverfe winde be- gins but to whiftle a little up<> we are af- flicted, and are ready to ca/l away our hope, being left as ajhip without an An- chor floating, and without a rudder dri- ven with every winde, ready to beefplh on every rocke orfhelfe. r But in fuch a A } cafe* CumrefUvit aflk9*m*r k Cicr mtm THE EPISTLE cafe&e muftju in the fir ft place look up unto Qoa the great m after of the winds, yea and merger of the minies of the vio- lent men : So herein behold and obferVe the beaten tbayes of the Lord, hole bee u pletfed in all fab great 7t>orh toju§er bimjelfe and bit people to beeoppofed. x^ndthw be doth for jpeciall reafons* a* to Jbew forth the dtepewij dome of bis providence y ia eircumventing.hu advtr- faries, to crojfe and thwart them even in tbofe great and good iborkes which bimjelfe will have to be done, and cer- tainly purpoftth to accomplijh* iff which be calleth them unto 5 and cjmmandeth them to does that fo he mty take tbewoff from trufting in the outward meanes* though never fo f aire* and might teach them flil I and (tedfaftly totruft in bk belpe y in bu ftrengtbdn hufaithfulnes^ and not to ceafe to call upon him and de- pend on hupromtfe^ who will cert ainely faVe y and fully anfwer the prayers of his people^andin^he happy ijjueofthework, that his glory may in adjhine forth the more TO THE READER more clear ely y lob en nothing/lull be left in man to glory in 5 but that yve may give all the honour and praifeof the worke to him alone* Jgaine^ in allfuch great workes of general Reformation* efyecially of Re- ligion y the difficulties prove to be the greater j by holo much the although the corruptions befogrofje^and offo high a nature , as they proclaime tbemfelves intollerable grievances* no longer te bee borne * but doe by a kinde of necefiy prcffe to a Reformation : yet there /lands THE EPISTLE ft andsfo great a gulf c intbe way, as tin* till it be removed, orfo made up* as to be made paffable J it will be found no eafie matter to compiffe fo great a fyorke. Now thu gulfe u ignorance j and that of a long {landing , cent ratted partly through a general I jecurity and flotb, and partly through the Tvant of mtanes, while through tbefubtilty of the Pre- lates, and colpardife cf their inferiors, the Light hath been put under a Bu/bel. So a* though tbefenje of our ALgyptian burthens hath at length let m fee in a great me afure our mifery , yea> and though God in hit great mercy hath put into our hands fuch an opportwtity cf Reformation, eloen armed with a kinde ofnecefiity to worke it : Tet how unre- fohedare many men of the manner and meafure of this Reformation, and what God requires at our hands herein ? Tet can We not be otherwife pervaded , but that all good men would joyne together, quickly to goe through with thu great Tborke, did they but apprehend it to bee as \ TO THE READER. as well a matter of Confciencc^s of grie- vance. For uhich caufeyl hayein thefeftraits of "time* thought it one part of my duty Tthicb I o^e unto Cbrift\ and to his Churchy to propound, and briefly torefolvt {as God hath enabled me) fome important Cafes of Qonfcience y which {hoping they may conduce to the furthering of the great bufineffe now in agitation concerning Religion) I haye adventured mo ft humbly to recommend unt$ the ferious confideration of this meftjuft y fage and grave Senate, as to which not only I , but all the people of the Land dot owe our beftferyice y and for whofe happy fucceffe of all their, grave Qounje Is , we are all bound daily y and that in a more than ordinary man- ner tofolicite(as Tvcftill doe)the throne of ^Gr ace, that the Spirit ofQmft may be abundantly poured forth upon this moft Noble u/ijfembly, in all wif dome ^ and under (landing , and in all judge - menUzjale, courage? conftancy, unity, unamity in the loye of the Truth y that a fuch THE EPISTLE,&c. fuch a perfeft Reformation miy be wrought as Cbrifi at this time ^ alhth fur y as bis wofd appointeth y as all tyds people eyery vhere thirft after \ and as the Tohole Antichnftianfatlion is afraid of thatfoy wbenChriJialoHtfball befet upon his Throne oyer our Joules y to rule m accor ding to his word > and to dwell among us by his Spirit jht Kings throne may be for erer eftabliftfed in juflice and j udgemenu and Gods people in this Land may enjoy both inward and out^ ward peace ufa&th? day ef(hrift> and jo ourpofierity after us rhay bleffe Gcftt* and for eytr cillth^ Parliament, The blcffed Parliament. — i — . 1 • Let the Reader correQ as here he fees caufe. Errata. ID Age 4Jint x» reade iJ)Httdred> \* r % blot out i » •*■ f%X*ifrfoJfihlv bc> \aoz>iU is ufitalL p/7»Uo* r, m*j be pnved. pj i Xx qj* truly ancient* p a 5, \fcj>rderfal>£* Uult,r .offal fe* \>J.oXioj.ofPre+ lutes, $>l6Xi 1 J* forme of Lftt*rgte>p. 2j*r t w the Tejt. \i6%x*Comm*nd*metits of men* p,2&J # 2$j t grtiva'"ces. p.31 J*i ^.accommodate, p»g4» I«X i»mW isfurefl, p^SXvWKt of the way p,?0» \n6f>f*id Arttclcs. ^66.\^r^vtd laj>p t 6jXi whereof one or moe were let over their feveral con- gregations refpe&ivcly ,as we clear- ly rcade, Tit.u ^r-Aft.io. \7-> t8. So iAS.\^. 23. compared with Pbi- B Iip.i. <*) lip.x i. So as Presbyters &c Bifliops in Scripture are convertible tcrmes ; every Presbyter a BiQiop, and every Bifliop a Presbyter. Secondly, Becaufe all (uch prela- ticall jurifdidtion and domination as our Diocefarts ufurpe andexer- eHe, is exprefly forbidden by Chrift himlelfe, as JAM. io*>ij>i6. Mark.io. 41*43. Luke 22. 1 53x6. Thirdly , Becaufe the Apoftles condemned all fu chjurifdi<5tion and domination as our Prelats ufe; As 2 Cor. !. 24 2 £V. 11.20. 2 Theff.i.^. iBet.^.yiJph.^Ao. Fourthly, B^aufe Apoftles them- ielves, whoftfucceffors Prelats pre- tend to be,never ufed any fuch juris- diction as the Prelats doe^neither in Ordination of Minifters, nor in ex- communi ation, (both which they doe moftgrofly abufe) norm ma- king ofGanons^orfetting up or im- posing ofCcremonies,bothof meer humane invention which the Apo- ftles (3) files utterly condcnuied>9*/ 4.9.10. Fiftly>Bccaufe the Prelats are ne- ver able to prove by any demonftra- tion from Scripture, that their jurifc didtion is of Divine authority :thcir allegations are meerepervertings of fcripturejas they alledge fii ft,Chrifts ordaining twelve Apoftles, and (e- venty Difciplcs ; here was an ine- quality (fay they) Ergo a fuperiority of jurifchdtion. But neither can hce prove here any fuch authority r as they pretend jOr much leffe anyfub- ordination of the feventy, unto the Twelve; for the Twelve neither or- dained nor fent forth the Seventy. Secondly ; they alledge the port* fcripts after the lecond Epiftle to TV- .mothy ; and after that to Tfrw/. which fay, That thofe two were Bifhops. But 'tis clearc^hat thofe poftferipts are no part of the Text,as Bc\a well fhewcth. Nor are they to be found in the vulgar Latine tranflation, B 2 which SoD.J&iZin his Booke of Epifcopacie. (4) u which was at tkc lcaft an hundred yeares after Chrift. Timothy and 17- tm were both Evangelifts, not red- dent any where, but as the Apoftles called them from Country to coun- try^ we read in Pauls Epiftlcsrand if they were to bee called Bifhops, according to the fcripture they muft have beene Bifhops over one Con- gregation refpe&ivcly. Thirdly, they aledge thofcicven Angels,! %e- yek t & 3. Thefe (fay they) were £• ven Bifhops. This they can never prove. And if Bifhops* yet Dioce- fansthey were not, feeing for fome hundreds of yeares after, there were XH>fuch Diocefle extant. And our laftTranflation, in the contents of the feeond Chapter ofthe Revelation calls thofe Angels; the Minifters of thole Churches . And for the Angel to be meant of one fingle man,doth imply many abfurdities^asrhat God fhould doftrxjy a whoiefChupch for one mans fake : for God thrcacneth the (\ (5) the Angell of Ephefis, if hec repent not,to remove his Candlefticke out of his place, co wit, that whole Church. But God never doth fb j there is not in all the whole fcripture any one examplc 5 that God ever rooted out a whole State or Church, generall or particular , for one mans finne,bc he Magiftrate or Governor • And if God for one pre- tended Prelates fin, fhould remove ordeftroya whole Church? as that ofEphefusjas there he threatens the Angell, who alone is charged with one onely finne,which was a decli- nation from his firft love : Then what ftcurity or fafety can the whole Church or State of England long promife to it felfe, fb long as it harboreth in the bofbme and bow- els thereof fuch a crew and confe- deracy of mod notorious and apo- ftatifed Prelates,who have not now declined in fbme degrees from the faith formerly profeffed, but have openly (0 openly opprefled and perfceuted the Preachers and preaching of the Go- fpchand that even unto bloud ? And againe, to goc about to proove the lawfulnefle of Prelacy by the Word ofGodj from a word of a darke and figurative fignification,againft cleer and cxpreffc teftimonics of Scrip- ture to the contrary, is mofl abfurd and too prefomptuous. For/or An- gcll hereto fignifieaPrelate^cannoc po(Ttbly 5 becau(c the Scripture clfc- where (as before) damneth all Pre- lacy in the Church of Chrift. And there be many other reafbns to con- fute them, that thefe Angells were nofuchBifhopS) other than Scrip- ture Bifhops,as aforcfaid : and chat which wasfpoken to one, was by a Senechdochx fpoken to alhas is uiu- ally in Scripture, and cfeare in all thofe icven Epiftles. SixtIy,The wifeft and learnedeft of the Prelats at this day among us, doe warily decline the Scripture in this (?) this point, & dare not ftand to their authority, as being point blanke a- gainft them : but they fly to Cuftom and antiquity>as the Papifts doe for all their unwritten Traditions. 3 CASE II. Whether the next jige immediately fuceeedingthe Apoftles* be not.ajufficu ent warrant for Prelaticatt jurifditti- on>Jecing it may be mooted (fay they) that ther ewer e then Bfhops. THe Anfwer is negative : fir ft, becaufe it is not a diffident warrant to build the govern- ment of the Church upon any Hu- maine examplc,which hath not cx- prefle warrant from Gods Word. Secondly, Becaufe thole who were there called Bifliops,cannot be pro* ved to have been Diocefan fiifhops, or (8) t Theflf.2.7. or to have had or exercifed fuch a jurifdi&ion as our Prelates ufurpe. Thirdly, could that be proved, yet being not according unto* but dire- ctly againft the Scripture, we ought not to regard it. Fourthly, the very next age after the Apoftles,produced many grofle errours and fupcrftiti- ons,as Eufebiut tells us,andas the A- poftles premonifhed,/4#.io.29.yea, they complained of it in their own times,while they yet lived : For the myfterie of Iniquity (faith Paul) doth already *toorke> ife for eDery caufe ? Chrift gave no indulgence at all, but reduced that antient abufe among the lewes , to the primitive inftkutionof God in Paradife. Secondly, The matter in hand is of higher moment, than to be regu- lated by any humane ordinance, or reduced to any antiquity ,other than the Scripture it felfe. For the thing here in queftion concernes no lefle than the honour of Chrifts King- dome,andhis royall prerogative in the government of his kingdome, as we fliall further fee. Thirdly, that which is originally vicious, cannot by tra& of time bee made good . Cuftome,we fee, hath not made Prelates better,but worfe andworfeinallagcs. Anevilegge brings (II) brings forth an evill Bird. And Chriftfaith, An evill tree cannot bring forth good fruit. And y Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit 3 [ball bee he^oen do'Vcne andcafl into the fire. And Every plant M hich my heavenly Father hath not 'planted , fb&ll be plucked up by the roots. And, Either make the tree good, and the fruit good ; or make the tree evilU and the fruit evill. If there- Tore the tree of Prelacie be original- ly, and in its owne nature evill , as having no foundation in Scripture, as being none of Gods planting y it ought to be Co far from being a pat- ternc for its antiquity, as it ought ut- terly to be rooted up, as being a no- velty y and not antiquity : for that only is truly currant, which is anti- ently true* C 2 CASE Mat.7.17. <**) CASE IV, But if the Prelacy be plucked up and quite taken amjjvbatgoyernment jbatl be lejtfor the Qburcb of God ? Or refblution whereof wee are confider thefe ncceflary F to things: Firft>That that Go vernment alone be (et forth, which Chrift himfelfe hath left us in his Word . For who but the King and Law-giver of his Church and king- dome of Grace, fhouldgive Lawes, and appoint how it fhall be gover- ned ? Secondly, we are not to think that Chrift , who was the Law-gi- ver of the Old Teftament, was not alfo the Law-giver of the New, and hath left usfumcient direction ther- in for the government of his people both for faith and manners. Now in d3) in the Old Teftamcnt all mud bee done according to the Patttcrne fliewed to SMofes in the Mount , e- ven to the leaft pin in the Taberna- cle. So alfo for the Temple and the forme thereof, David received all in writing by the Spirit ofGod, i Qbr. 2 8.1 2.19.N0 place is lefc,nor power given to men to invent any thing,or impo(e the leaft ceremony in the worfhip of God. So in the New Teftament is layd downe a perfeft platforme of wholfbme words, Tthicb it profitable for dottrine,for re- proof e y for corrtBion , for inftruftion in righteoufneffe > that the Man of God may beptrfett, tbrMghlyfurnifhedan* toelperygoodvorke. 2Ti.i.i?.& C 3 CASE V. .(14) I I mm m*: ** CASE V . But m fee great difference in mens opinions concerning that forme of Go- vernment which Chrift hath left in his Word ; Whmhenjbali We do in thiscafe, or What is that forme of Governement which we/ball pitch upon ? FOx anfwere hereunto : firft, however allfuch governement as is contrary unto, and exprek ly condemned in the Word of God, fuch as the Hierarchy is,ought in no cafe to be admired or maintained. Secondly, as wee cannot doubt but that Chrift hath left an exait pre- fcript forme of governement in his Word, for the Church of the New Teftament; fo we ought diligently, in the ufeof all good meanes,to en- quire after that good old way , and to 0>) to findeas much of it as wee can, and to follow what we know. Thirdly y if after all our fearcfa, there be not a full agreement in all godly mens judgements , in fome things which feem fom what more difficult or doubtfull j we muft not therefore either rejedi lb much as is cleare, or yet breake Communion and fellowfliip with thofe Chur- ches which differ from us in judge- ment or pra&ife, Co long as they maintaine not any government which cannot be warranted by the Word of God : holding that rule of theApoftle, Let us (faith \\t)cu many cu beptrfeft, be thus minded , God frail reyeale even thi* mto you. Neverthe- leffe, thereto we have already attained y let us Ttalke by the fame rule Jet us mind the fame thing. Phfl.j.x5,i$ CASE VI. \ (16) CO Ier.23.32. CASE VI. Hthan true Mi- nifters ; for which caufe the Books of Ordination calls them Priefts : whereas true Minifters are never called in the new Teftament priefts. Secondly /They ordaine no true Mi- nifters of the Gofpell ( if wee may beleeve their pra&ife) but rather a fort of dumbe Priefts : for when they have ordained a full Minifter, (as they call itjhaving put the Bible into his hand, faying, Take thou au- thority to preach the Word of God - y yet for all this hee may not, muft not preach at all , till he have obtained the Prelates Li cenfe,which he muft purchafe for a good fee. Again,they make fuch Priefts as are dumb dogs and cannot barke y being raeere Ig- D nora- (n) (i8) „ noramufes and Sit John Lacke -La- tines; abufingthofe words, Receive thou the holy Qhofl: And, Take thou au- thority to preach the Word o/God. And laftiy,They make no true Minifters ofChrift, feeing they bind all with the Oath of Canonical! obedience, to be fubjeft to their lawlefle laws, in the execution of their Miniftry . Secondly , There is no ufe nor need of Prelates for inflidting of Cenfares. Their power & pradtife of Excommunication is altogether unlawfully meere ufarpation, and contrary to Gods Ordinance ; and that in many refpedts. Firfl^becaufe the Prelate is not the Paftor of that Congregation whole member is cut off by Excommunication. Be- caule the Prelate doth it alone, hee or his Surrogate . and this perhaps either a Lay-man^or a dumb prieft, without any content of the people. Thirdly,hc excommunicates a man for every triviall cau(e,&that with- out (I?) out due fummons > & rafhly^and for his fee abiblves him without any repentance or reformation^ with- out fatisfa&ion to the people offen- ded.Whereas excomunicationisthe higheft cenfure , fie is to be done by the Miniftcr & congregation joynt- ly,after much means ufed to reclaim the offedor>& for grievous icandals- & not to be reftored without hearty repetance 3 in a (ad,(erious & fblema maner. Laftly,ifPrelats forthecau- fes here alledged be of no ufe for the high cenfure of excommunication, how muchlefle need is there of the for inflicting corporallor criminall punifhment upon reputed Delin- quents, as deprivation of liberty by impriibnmet, of the miniftry by de- privationjdegradation/ufpefionjde- privation of means and livelihood, by impofing of intolerable fines, and retraining men from the exer* cifc of their particular Callings the undoing of them and theirs. D i Thirdly, (*>) Thirdly , for calling of Synods, cannot this bee without a Prelate ? may not this be by a Law dormant, giving liberty when occafion (hall be, to have a Synod , for the better ordering whereof? a Moderator for the time being is by votes ele&ed? Fourthly , For determining of doubts arifing in matters of Faith, what need is there for Prelatsl Are they fit or competent Iudges in fuch things ? Yea , arc they not herein e- gregious ufurpers , prefumptuous and arrogant men ? Yea Anti- chrifts,in fitting thus in the Temple of God , over mens confcienccs, as Lords over men s faith ? Is not this a meere evacuating of the authoritie and (ufficiencie of the Scripture , which is the fole judge and rule of Faith ? Yet this Prelates prefume to doe , and challenge as their proper right : Co as in the twentieth Arti* cle 5 which is of the Authority of the Church, thefc words have beene of later (") later dayes foifted in> namely, that the Church hath authority in Con-, troverfies ot faith. Fiftly , Neither in appointing of Ceremonies are Prelates needfull : Yea,for prelates or Church, or any humane power to ordaine and im- pofe Ceremonies to binde the con- ferences in the worfhip of God, this' is expreflely condemned and for- bidden both by Chrifthimfelfe,and by the Prophets , and by the Apo ftlcs. Man may not impole the leaft Ceremony in Gods worfhip : if hee doe, he therein denies Chi ift, C°^ lm 19. he holds not the Head. And yet the aforefaid Article boldly affirmes faying,The Church hath power to decree Rites and Ceremonies. So as this Article , whether meaning by Church the Prelates (as they mcane it ) or any other humane power, ought to betoChriftians no article of Faithjor binding any mans Con- fciencc. D 3 Sixt- Matj 5.9, Ecc.29,13, Col.2.8.18. _(22) Sixtly 3 For orders fake : for what order-fake are Prelates necefTary, or any way requifit ? what order they keep all men know : Sc what order can there be in a Babylbnifh gover- nment, astheprelatical altogether is? 7. For confirmation ofchildren: This alfo is a Babylonifii Sacramet $ as if it did confer fome grace ex opere operatopx fbmc vertue dropping out of the Bifhops Lawn fleevc. Indeed this confirmation is a pretty knack to win credit to the Prelacy fro the blinde Vulgar, which to evcrie wei taught Chriftian is both fuperftiti- ous and ridiculous. 8 For dedication of Churchesjthis is a mod notorious Romifli,Popifh fuperftition,& is rather a meer pro- phanation,than any dedication, ex- cept it be to fuperftition & idolatry, as they at Rome do ule their Tem- ples : & they* would make the world beleevcthat by their many fupcrfti- tious ceremonies, in croflings, cen- fin gs, C*3) fings,adorations, & the like,which they u(e in their dedication , there goes forth a vertue, by which holy- nes is infufed into the wals & pews, efpecially into their facred chanceh Ninthly/or the form of Liturgy,if we goc no farther than our Service bookc y which is an extract out of Romes Latine fervice , Miflall, or Maflc-booke^ as it is confeffed in the Bookc of Martyrs, the Romane Latine being turned into Englifh : if there were no more in it than this, that it is the forme of Romes Wor- fliipjand fo(as King lames once cal- led it) an ill fayd Maffe 5 it might a little ftartlc fiich Chriftians , as hold that Chriftianity to be the pu- rcft , which hath lcaft conformitie with Antichnftand hisfuperftitios. For if wee be commanded to come out of Rome, & to have no commu- nion with her idolatrous fervice ; let it then be well confidered, whe- ther Chriftians may with a good Vol.2, p. 66 j. print.ed.1631 con- 1 Gal.4.P 5 TO. Col.2.16. (24) confciencc be prefent at the Englifh Liturgy 3 which is for the maine, the Mafle turned into Englifli. For al- though it be obje6ted, that it is pur- ged from the -Popifli drofle , yet if itfhould be brought to the Touch- ftone , or tried in the Text , let the wifeft then judge how free from Popifh drofle it is , when therein they fhall finde Romifli fuperftiti- ous Ceremonies maintained and preft upon mens confeiences? as the Surplice, Crofle in Baptifmc, knee- ling at the Sacrament, (landing at the Creed 5 attended with their (eve- rail fignificatioas , as if man had a power to fet up any fignificant Ce- remonies in Gods worfhip, when as wee finde all kinde of figncs and ceremonies in Gods (ervice under the Old Teftament , though ordai- ned by God himfelfe^o be utterly a- bolifhed by Chrift j and forbidden to Chriftians under the New Tefta- ment : and much more all (uch as are (*5) are of humane invention:all which are of chat nature } as the Apoftle cals Gai.5. 1 them, the Toke of 'Bondage ,to fuch as are intanglcd therein ; exhorting all Chriftians toftand faft in the liber- tie wherewith Chrift hath made us free. AndC (*7) Church of England ? What of fo many carvings of Scriptures into E- piftlcs and Gofpels,with their feve- rall Collects , for the maintenance and celebration of Saints d£ys, cal- led Holydayes ? What of the lame and incongruous, yea (enfeles tranH lations of tho(e fundry Scriptures with the Pfalmes ? What of prayers attheburiaJloftheDead ? What of Churching of women, alias, Their Purification , as fome call it i and which anfwers to that under the Law ? What of Prieftly abfblution ? with many more particulars , too long here to rehearle. And in a word, What of fo many prayers in- joyned to be read, enough to blunt the edge of any true devotion , and fo to tyre out the ftrongeft fided Mi- nifter , as hce hath neither ftrength nor time left for Gods Ordinance, namely the preaching of the Word. And (to fay the very truth)this kind of long Service was devifed by the E i Popes (28) Popes fucceffively, to that very end, namely to entertaine the people with a blinde devotion* and to re- tains them in ignorance , when now no'roomc was left for preach- ing , which was by this rneanes thruftby the head and (holders out of their Churches. And thus what a deale of pretious time is taken up with a long 3 dull,and dead forme of prayer, which might and ought to befpentto the edification of Gods people on the Lords owne Day, which fhould be f an&ified not in humane devifes, but in Gods owne Ordinances , to the glory of Him - who is the Lord of the day, Ifaya- gaine ( for I fpeake nothing defini- tively 5 as pa(Ting myne own private judgement of thefe things ) let this wife and grave Senate (nowaffem- blcd for a thorow-reformation^and removallof all at>nfes and grievan- and primarily in rhe matters ofGod and of Chrift ; maturelyJHdge. CASE (*9) •AAAAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA A CASE VII. ' Whether any fet forme of a Liturgie or publique Grayer be neceffarie to bee ufed in the publique Worfhip of God ? FOr anfwer : Indeed if it bee ne- cefiary to have unpreaching Miniftcrs,and dumb dogs over the people of the Lord,who can nor preach nor pray, then it will bee no lefTe neceflary to have Come form of Booke prayers or Liturgy for fuch to officiate by. And for this cau(e the Prelates have had fome reafon to hold up their Liturgy to the full, as without which there had beene nothing for their Mutes to do i n the Church. Now though dumbc Priefts have need of (ucha Liturgy, yet it doth not follow, that therfore able godly Minifters > that know how I ThefT. 5, I Cor. 14.15 (30) how to fit their prayers to all fuch feverall occafions as do continually prefent themfelves (which a fet prayer in a booke cannot do) fhould be tied to any fuch precife fet forme. For otherwife, this were to quench the (pint of prayer 3 and to muzzle the mouth of prayer, and to ftoppe the courfe of Gods fpirit , which doth wonderfully improve it felf in all thofe both Minifters and people, on whom God hath powred the Ipirit of grace and fuppli cation, and who do by daily cxercife grow un- to fuch a habit ofprayer,and which dothpowre it felfe forth in fuch a life and power ? as is not poffible for any fet read prayer to exercife or have. For true, fervent, effe&uall prayer is that which is the hearts expreffion by the Spirit of God. As the Apoftle faith, J will pray frith mp Spirit. And (Phillip.) Prayer Uf up- plied by the Spirit ofjefus Cbrift. This is that prayer which is firft in the heart, (3 heart, before it come to the mouth, and is dictated by Gods fpirit , be- fore it be uttered with the lippes ; whereas a read prayer is in the mouth before it can come unto the heart,which in prayer is a [peaking unadvifedly with the lips 3 before the heart hath firftdigefted and lug- gefted the matter. This is an abor. tivc birth which never had a ri°ht conception, But a godly Minifter that is beft acquainted with the ftate of his flockcand of the church of God , can accordingly foinlarge and apply his prayer i by the fupply of Gods fpirit , as may be mod ufe- full to the Congregation, as beeing mod accommodate to their fpirits, when they finde the matter of the prayer to be that* the want whereof they arc moft fencible of:ib as there is here a concurrence of the fpirits both of the Miniftcr and people, which caufeth a prayer to bee fo much the more effe&uall, lively, power- m ■■; powerfull, and operative, and that not onely with God, but in the hearts of all thofe whole joint prai- er it is. Whereas a read prayer is in comparifon,adead and dull formal ( prayer , without any life or power either to prevaile with God , or to profit [he people : as beeing fuch a prayer as fuits only fuch Readers as ^redeftitute of the fpirit of Grace, and fupplication, and of faith and fan&ification, andtherefbrefuchas God regardeth not. So as a true Mi- nifter of Chrift ought not to be tyeor can be Co lively andpowerfull as that prayer which is not tied to a fet forme of words . From fuch a prayer as is ut- teredby heart (as we fay) the me- mory is more exercifed J than the underftanding and affe<5Hons with- in him • there beeing now a fufpen- fion of that workc of the fpirit of (upplication and grace, which brea- theth forth with a lively power in a conceived prayer,wherein notthe memory fo much, as the whole mindjfbulc^irit, & affc<5tions,havc their joint operation. Butitmaybeobje&ed, That the Reformed Proteftant Churches be- yond the leas have their (et formes ofpublique prayer and facraments. 'Tstrue : but I take it that the Mini- fiers are not tied to thofc forms, fur- ther than they will thcmfelvcs. As we lee the Minifters of the Kirke of F Scot- (34) Scotland now in England , ufe no fee formes of prayer, but doe d'\C- charge the duty of prayer with an excellent freedome of fpirit,& with fuch an apt accommodation thereof to theprefent condition of the hea- rers,and oftheftate of Gods church, as that it ferves greatly to the edifi- cation and raifingup of the fpirits ofGods people fyrnpathifing with .h 3 and is firft (of all other kindes of prayer ) to fpeed with the Prayer- .hearing God, who beft knowes the meaning and language of that fpirrt of his, by which fuch prayers are poured forth. And furely were this well exercifediby our Minifters in England, in pubtique, as I know it is by many both Minifters & peo- ple in private, it would no doubt much facilitate and haftcn the ac- comphfhmcnt of that great worke of athorow-refotfmation? fc happi- ly begun 5 and hopefully proceeded in j if flefh and bloud bee not too much (3 5) ' much confalted with, and humane policy( which fliould have no hand in letting out or authorifing any de- viled forme of Gods worfhip 7 im- pofed on the confeience) too much relied upon. &&* CASE VIII. What is the mofl ready andeafie *%>ay or Method \ of finding out or obtaining Qhrifls government ? FOrrefolution : It is ufuall with thole that Hand for th>e Hierar- chy, to flop all ways of finding this out, by laying many Humbling blocks in our way. But if we will goe roundly to worke, firftofall 5 of necefllty all falfe government , as that of the Hierarchy, muft be quite taken out of the way , as the maine ftumbling blocke. As hce that in- F 2 tends (30 tends to build a new houfe in the place where the old ftandeth, muft firft pull downc the old, and rafe it from the very foundation, that hee may lay a new foundation to beare up the new fabricke.But becaufe he that thus intends to build 3 doth ufii- ally make a draught or model of his houfe before namcdifb it is thought neceflary by fome> that a modcll of Ch rifts government be firft drawn up,according to which the new fa- brick may be in a readineflc to bee erected prelently upon the removal of the old. This indeed ftands with good rca(bn 3 efpecially for the fetisfa&ion of all doubts, and for the better ac- commodation of the Church , and as a preparation of the materials to the more fpeedy letting forward of the worke of Reformation. And yet this I dare fay , That if in the firft place the Hierarchy, with all the trumpery and baggage of -their Ce- remonies (37) remonics & will- worfliip in Gods fcrvice, were quite abandoned and taken away,(b as the ground where thefe degenerate plants doe grow, were cleared and purged, that not a root of them were left, the work of Reformation were more than halfe done ; (b as Chrifts governement c would cvcnjpontefua, of its owne / accord come in 3 and be let up with- j out the noyfe of fo much as a ham-/ mer • efpecially in all fuch Congre- gations where godly and dilcreet Minifters are. Yet not fo , as that we can expe&fucha peife&ion at the firft,fpccially in this land,which hath been Co long peflered and cor- rupted with the tyrannous and li- centious prophane government of the Prelates , and where godly Mi- nifters are lb fcarfe, and mod men through long cuftome 5 and want of meancs^as before) are not 5 by reafon of ignorance ( though perhaps too quicke figlncd in worldly matters ) _F 3 fo (3«) fo well fitted to apprehend, and to entertain fuch an exaft government as God requires, and his Word pre- fcribes. 9 CASE IX, Whether y though the Prelacy with its ufarped]urifdiBion>Lordjhips y Tempo- ralties, Po^er^Pompe^c. be quite re- moved out of the ypayes y yet it be not ex* pedient at leaft y ifnot necejfary y to re- taine the name ofBi/hops, as a title ap- pointed to thofe fvho are to be the prin- cipal! among y and aboye other Ecclefia- flicallperfons in the government of the Qhurch ? FOranfwer : Firft,we ought not to abufe thofe titles which the Scripture appropriates and ties v to the perfbns and office of the true l^Paftors of the Church^by impropri- ating (3£) atingthem from the true owners, and transferring them to fuch, as at thebeft (beeing confidered as Pa- ftors over their ieverall Congrega- tions refpe£tively) have but a com- mon right with other Paftors , and no peculiar title as proper to them- felves alone And wherefore fliall iiich onely be ftill called Bifhops more than others ? As having the only overnght over all other Chur- ches, and their Miniftcrs , and that by being inverted in a perpetuity of fuch a dignity ? What is this , but a clipping of thofe wings, and a pay- ring of thofe clawes,which will in time grow againe, * Can the ALtbp- pian change bis skinne? or the Leopard hU ftots ? Can we Co quickly forget, what fpirit the fpiricuall ambition ofthefe men is of ? Or can we ima- gine that they will leave their old haunt 5 in frequenting the Court,and in courting the favor of great ones ? and from whole corrupt flatteries not Tcr. (4°> Hcb. 12, l Sam. I King. not the eares of the beft Princes can plead an exemption ? And may wee not juftly feare* that if but the ftump of this banefuil tree be left unftubd up by the roots,{b as not Co much as the bare longuforped name thereof do remainc , may not the root ftill fpread it fclfc under ground infcnci- bly ? and the ftem through the lent of water put forth fiich fprouts and fruits , as by the bittcrnefle thereof therof the whole land may be trou- bled ? And may it not be juft with God , yet againe to bring more plagues upon this State, by its diffe- ring of fuch mifcreant remainders, when hce had given Co fairc an op- portunity to cut them off, root and branch ? Did not Saul Cot (paring one l/I gag loCc his kingdomc? And did not Ahab for (paring the life of his falfe brother ^Benhadad lofc his ownc life ? And were not thofe Ca- naanites thornes andprickes in the Ifraclites eyes and fides ? Nor is it fo fmall (40 (mall a matter to alienate the pro- perty of a name or title from the right owners, to whom alone God hach made it peculiar and proper : for Juch an alienation i>an alterati- on not onely of the true property of the name j but alio of the nature of that office to which it was firft gi~ ven of God. For (as is (hewed be- fore,) the name of Bifhop is proper quarto modojLQ every Paftor over that Congregation to which hee is law- fully called: and the name Epifcopm or in Englifli, Bifhop or Over-feer, fets forth the office of fuch a Paftor over his fiockc. So as to take away this name from the Paftor } and to appropriate it to one fingle man fct over other Minifters, to wit i one that is by man ftiled and denomina- ted a Dioccfan Bifhop ; What is this but utterly to pervert & overthrow Chrifts ordinance , and the nature of his true Church,and the office of atrue Paftor,who being ftripped of G his — ' I- <4>) ipet.5.4. iPec.2.25. his proper tide , is withall ftript of his office, and Co of his flock,wher- of another now is made the Over- feer or Bifhop, and the title and Ok fice of a Curate onely is left him, adt cording to the Collect for Bifliops and Curates. Or if there be a men- tall refervation to every Minifter of a congregation , of the office of Pa- ftorfhip^yetwhen the title of Bi- fhop is given to one above him, even thus alfois aninvafion made upon Chrifts o wne tkle andprero- gative,who is the onely ! Ap^^oi^'vi the chiefe Shepheard or chiefe Bi- fliopof his Church, befides whom and above whom all the Paftors ac- knowledge none. And if of Pa- ftors,(bme onely be called Bifliops, and the reft not , here aifb Chrifts flidepehooke is -wrung out of his hand, as where he is called the Shep- heard and Bi/bop of. our fiules. So czfit a thing it is by the alienation or im- propriation of a name,to fet up fitch an (43) an office and government in the Churches wherby Chrifts govern- ment &c the proper office of his true Minifters, are caft to the ground & trampled under foot. * •Moreover > if ever this governe- ment of Biflhopsyfalfly fo. called, fliall bee fet up or continued in ma- ner aforefaid , yet far re bee it from thole Worthies of tie land , vvhofe juftice is Co cleare and unpartiall in other things* and namely in the cut- ting offof all Monopolies in the ci- vill State, to ere<3: or ratifie, or any way to countenance (uch a Mono- poly in Chrifts kingdome, fo dero- gatory to his incommunicable pre- rogative, and to that ftile and office wherein he hath fo highly dignified and intruded all faithful Miniftcrs. For what a Monopoly is this , to take away the title wherein the Of- fice of all true Paftors is compre- hended, and to transfer it to one a- lone among many ? G 2 Ob. (44) Ob. Buthereitmaybcobje&ed, That the Reformed Churches be- yond the feas,as even Geneva it felfc, have their Overfeers,which is a title and office equivalent to our Diocc- fan Biflhops, Epifcoptu fignifying'an Ovei feer : why then is it not as law- full to have the like in England > I anfwer : The cafe is farrc diffe- rcntTorfnchOverfeers or Modera- tors^ in other reformed Churches ; they are called ( as in the Kirlce of Scotland) arechofen by the Mini- fters and Elders , and that but for oneyeare 5 and whole office is to call the Synods at certaine fixed times, and to colled the votes, & the like. But fbme fay, that our ufurping Bi- fliops fhall bee perpetuall for their lives • and how farre the power of their place and dignity may be ex- tended , efpecially when they have their ele&ion from the Court, ei- therimmediate and abfolute jte/-/^ t or by the means of a Conge de lev as ..-whom (45) whom Co defigned abovc/hcMini- ftersofthcDioccfle(in fteadof the Deancand Chapter ) are bound to eledt.Or if they be but Triennial, & fo to come under the vifitarion of a Trienniall Parliament ; yet who knows but fuchipffrits may Co work as in time caattake Parliaments as geafon as heretofore ? when fbme of them have confeffed 5 that they never dreamed to fee a Parliament againe. Or if they (hall be continu- ed from three yeare to three yeare, yet this is alfo more than is uled m f9rreine Reformed Churches And however, for them to retaine the naraeof BifhopftiU (as before) is . a^ainft Gods Word, and not onelv derogatory to Chrifts true Mini- fters for the pre(ent r but a!(bvery prejudiciall to their liberty , when inch Bifhops holding their favor in Court, and their nterencife to the Chaireof State,may by that means growawfulltothoierheir Curates, G \ among w (40 am who by the Word of God preached, arefe- parated from the world and the reigning lufts thereof, and declared to be fuch by the open profeffion of the true and right faith, and by the converfation of Chriftian life con- formable thereunto. Such is a par- ticular vifible true Church or Con- gregation 5 and Co is (as farre as wee can judge) a true branch of the holy Catholique Church, which is invi* fible, comprehendingthe number ofGods Eleft > and is apprehended only byfaith,¬byfight. Now every fuch particular Congregation as aforefaid, confifting of profefled bcleevers of the knowne truth of God,according to which they frame the courfe of their life and convex fation, is in it felfe an abfbliite Church, (5 3) Church 3 whole onely Governor for matters of faith, and the true wor- fhipofGocUsIefus Chrift. He it is that as King reigneth in this congre- gation,and in all the members ther- of , they acknowledge none other Governor for matters of Religion, but Chrift onely. For herein ftands his kingly Office ; and the Laws by which this King reigneth, and go- verneth his Church, is his written Word. And his Vicegerent , by whom Chrift is alwayes prefent with every one of his feverall Con- gregations^ the holy Ghoft,which whofb hath not is noneofChrifts. Now having thus defined what a true Church of Chrift is, namely a congregation profeflfingthe known true faith^every member thereof be* ingable in iome meafureto give a reafonof the maine points of faith, and to make proofe of their profef fionby walkinginaholy courfe of life : hence it appeares who they be H ; that Rom. 8, (53) A&2<5. that arc not admitted to bee mem- bers of this congregation or church of Chrift , thereinto participate of the holy Sacrament,untill their re- pentance and reformation • namely all ignorant and prophane perfbns, which neither bclceve aright j nor live accordingly. For the congrega- tion of Chrift is called the Commu- nion of Saints , being fan&ified by faith in Chrift,and by his word and Spirit. The fecond thing is, to enquire and confiderhow this Church of Chrift is to be governed. To finde this out is no difficulty. Firft> fure itis^hatnonebut Chrift is fupreme and immediate Lord 3 King,and Go- vernor of his Church, whether of the Catholique, or ofevery particu- lar church or congregation rightly conftituted (as aforefaid) fo as no power on earth hath any authority to prefcribe Lawes for the governe- ment of this Church, whether for do&rinc m (59) do£trineordi(cipline, whether for faith or worfhip, butonely Chrift, whole written Word and Law is the onely rule of this government • which Law all Princes (who are therefore called Cuftodes utriuffo Ta- buU ) are bound by him , whole Vicegerents they are 5 to fee well ob- ferved both by Minifters and peo- pie. Here then wee will fpeake of the Officers which Chrift hath appointed over every Chriftian con- gregation : and thofe arc either Mi- nifters or other officers of the peo- ple. Firft for the. Minifters>they arc called by fundry titles,as(d)Bifhops or Presbyters, (b) Paftors and Tea- chers, (tOMinifters,^) Labourers, and the like. Their principall office is to * pray xo preach the word to adminifter the Sacraments. And thefe Minifters , however ftiied in Scripture 5 are all ofequall authority, not one over another, nor one over many, nor many over one 5 each be- * A ft. 20. tk.t-.5j7. tfF-PI14.II. fl-uk.1.2. 2 Cor.11,29 it will become the duty of all the churches, in a Synod or otherwise to convince the parties offending , and if obfti- nate 5 to complainc of them to the civill Magiftrate. Thus it is with a congregation as it ftands in relation to other Churches>and in afubjc&u on to the civill power. Now for a congregation confix dcred in it felfc, if a member therof do offend in any kind e, what is to be done, or who fhall cenfure it ?■ I anfwer : If the offence bee againft thcLaw ofChrift) or his governe- tnent over that congregation , then the fame congregation hath power given from Chrift to cenfure the Delinquent • when after all due I PCt.2.14. means (62) means he remains obftinate and in- corrigible ; as i Qor^. But ifth c of- fence be a^ainft the law of the civil State, he is then punifliable accord- ingto that law, by the civill Magi- ftrate. But here another qucftion arileth, Whether the Miniftcr or Paftor of the congregation alone have power of cenfurc committed unto him, or together with the congregation ? I anfwer : Together with the congregation; which therefore ele- deth certaine officers , fuch as are moft eminent for integrity, gravity> holinefTe, knowledge , and judge- ment in matters of the congregati- on , to reprefcnt the congregation, and to affift the Minifter in govern- ment and corre&ion of manners : And who fitter to take knowledge of home-delinquents , thaa fuch as beft know them ? And who are likclieft to ufe mercy ^ compaffion, and moderation in fuch cenfiires, and sss (*3) and better means of the delinquents amendment , than fuch as are their godly neighbours ? And thcie officers, either for the gravity of their yeares or manners, arc called Elders.The*Prelats can- not endure the name of lay Elders ; but in Scripture we find them. For TfeaQvTtf®; an Elder,is taken both for a Miniftcr of the Word, and for a Lay Elder,as they call it : as>i Tim. 5.17- Let the Elders that rule well, bee accounted Toortby of double honor -> ejpe- cially they ^bo labour in the Word and doftrine. Where Elders plainly fig* nifie both fuch as rule, and fuch as preach 5 d*ftin<5t one from the other, SoRom.ii. 6 5 7>8. Hetbatruhtb is a diftinft officer from him that tea- cheth & prophecicth. And io,i Cor. 12.28. After Prophets or Teachers, are (ct Helps jgovcrnmeniSjOr helps, in government, as our T ran (W ion hath it. Thefc Governors ther (im- ply confideredo were not MiniQei s of D.Hall, m his Epifcopacy by Divine right. (*4) of the Word, but Lay men, as they call them. We could produce fome Anticnts that fpeake of thefe lay go- vernors or Seniors ; butatprefent for brevities lake wee omit them. The antient Church of the Iewes hadfuchElders,as we readc, called Mafters of the Synagogue,^ 13.15. And if antiently,in and after the A- poftles time , there were not fuch Elders, how came it to paflfe after- ward under Antichrift, that the go- vernment of every particular con- gregation was delivered unto thole of the Laity ,whom we call church- wardens and Side men, who are to affifl: the Miniftcr in matters of the Church , though not in matter of cenlurc , which the Prelacy hath wholly ulurped and monopolized to it felfe, having thruft out and ut- terly exterminated , as much as in themlicth, the very name and me- mory of Lay Elders, had wee not lome records thereof in the lafting monu- (*5) mdnumcnts ofthc Scripture ? Yea, let the Prelates tell us, how all that LayElderftiip ( as I may call it) of Chancellor$,Comm«iflaries,and the reftj came to be let up, but to (lipply (in Tome fort) thole antient Lay El- ders,vvhom the Apoftlcs had let up, and whom Antichrift puld down, as being the main hinderance ofthe letting up of his Hierarchy ? For how had the Prclacic mounted to that height of power over the whole Church, had the Lay Elders ftiil continued in governing 1 with godly Miniftcrs, the leverai congre- gations refpe&ively ? So as the re- moving ofthe Lay Elders, and the bringing in of Churchwardens and other Lay Officers into the church, all fubjedtte the Prelates jurifdi&i- on 3 and made their fworne vaflals, was the very upsetting ofthe Anti- chriftian Throne in the Temple of God. And this is that order of go- vernment, without which the Pre- K lates (66) lates cry out , There is no order. Whereas that order which the Apo- ftlesleft, in governing the Church byMinifters ann Lay officers^ the onely true Order. Thofc words of Chrift , Goe tell it to the Chureh y doc fticw, That cenfare of incorrigible faults was in the power of every Congregation. So- 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. In the fecond placebo the former queftion concerning the ordaining of Miniftersin every congregation, in cafe there be neither Dioccfan Biflhops,nor Synods to perform it : I anfwer, firfr, That moft men doe greatly miiiake that here which they call Ordination of Minifters. The Romanifts havefcrued it upto one of their feven Sacraments, ma- king the Impofition of hands upon the Priefts head by the Prclatcto be the outward figne of that inward grace,which ex open operators they fay) is conferred upon the Prieft. And (*7> And even many Protectants are of opinion,that Ordination cannot be performed but by a Prelate ; or at leafl by Minifters onely 3 as without whofe imposition of hands it were no Ordination, or as if it did confer fuch an order. Whereas the prime and proper conferring of this Order is by Chrift himfelfe, inwardly cal- ling and gifting a man for the work of the Miniftry. Secondly then, what is that ^ g/ - j>orov/a,ordaiaing and appointing of Minifters ? and falbaa% roi x ei f **> ^ 1C Impofition of hands , which the Sctripture fpeakes of? I anfwer : ^-//oTov/a, Signifying properly a ftretching out of the hand 5 it was ufed either in lifting up of the hands in token of fufferagein ele&ion ofofficers, or in ftretching out of the hand upon the head of the man chofen , for confirmation. Alio when it was ufed by the Apo. ftles, it pleafcd God to beftow ther- * K 2 with w Aa.8.17. Mar.i<5.i8. with the gifts ofthc holy Ghoft,and on fomc recovery of health. This was very frequent in the Apoftles times : But afterwards in fuccef. five ages there was nofuchgift an- nexed to the laying on of hands. Se- condly, Therefore it was of ufe ac- cording to its antient and ordinary cuftome in fufferages in elections of officers 5 to declare altent and appro- bation of thofe for fuch and fuch places , when after prayer hands were layd on them. But by whom was this Impositi- on of hands uled at the choice of Minifters ? I anfwer, By thofe who gave their fufferages or votes tokhe election: and thofe were fomctime the congregation itfelfe^andfome- time-others attheirreqiieftjcyriing with them : as we reads, Att.cap.6. % 6. AndallEccleiiafticallftories tell us, that antkntly thecik£tion^ bf Minifters was by every congregati- on refpcdrively. So as to themaffo of to) of right belonged the laying of their hands*as a token of their approbati- on and confirmation of him that was fo choien to that office. And though we readc in one place, That the Apoftlelayd his hands upon Ti- mothy [ as 2 Tim. i . 6. yet in another wereade, (asiriw.4. 14.) that the Presbyterie layd their hands upon him. Which Presbyterie compre- hends as well the Elders of the peo- ple, as thole of the Miniftry. Ac- cordingly, wee exclude not the El- ders or Minifters of other neighbo- ring congregations from joyniog in that worke, for affiftance eipeciaily inprayer, for a bleffing upon the newchofenMinifter. For fo farre muft we be from excluding any in this kinde 5 that wee highly com- mend confociation and communi- cation of gifts for aflfiftance, where it may be conveniently had Onely referving to each congregation that peculiar intercftand right, which K 3 every 1 (70) every true Church ofChrift hath in chufing their owne Minifters, and other Church officers. And thisftands with. good rea- ion : for not onely antiquity both in and from the Apoftles times plea- deth for this , but even natural! rea- fbn and equity. For reafon willeth that fuch as chufe fliould ratifie. Secondly, Thofe who give the maintenance fhould chufe the Offi- cer. Thirdly, Who have commonly better Minifters than thofe Congre- gations, that upon goodadvice and counfell chufe them thcmfelvcs. Fourthly, Where is greater love betwcene Miinifter and people, than where the liberty of fuch a choyce is enjoyed. Fiftly, What vcrtlieat any time doth a Prelates impofition of hands addc to Minifters fo ordained by him ? Or what bee thole Minifters whom Prelates ufually place over the (7i) the people ? And I would askc any reafbnable Chriftian, whether hee would not rather have the appro- bation, prayer, and impofition of hands, of the pooreft godly man, than of the moft glorious Prelate ? Yea> though hee were ftiled even Grace it felfc ? For as fames faith, the effettuall fervent prayer of a righ - iam.5. i<*. teousmanpre^ailetkmucb. It is not fayd, The prayer of a great or lear- ned man. CASE (70 . 1 CASE -XII. Howfar may and ought true refor- med Qbriftian Congregations to hold communion among themfehes^and^ith other Reformed Churches ? FOr anfwer in generall : Firft in generall, it is agreeable to good and approved examples in Scripture, to make firme leagues and faithfull Covenants for the maintenance of the true faith and religion of Chrift. See for this, 2 Chron. 15. 12, 13. and Chapter 34. 31 y 32, 33. S^ra 10. 3, Nebem. cap.9 .'38. ScWsfehin particular ; It ftands cT ^T r ' both (7?) boch with Chriftian piety and pru- dence, for all the members of a par- ticular Church or congregation, to enter into a firmc covenant among thcmiclvcs,to maintain a holy com- munion together in the profeffion of the truth , and pra&ife of a holy life,as becommeth the communion of Saints. Thirdly , It ftands with the like Chriftian piety and prudence , to hold a fweetand inviolable bond and communion with all other churches or congregations rightly conftitutcd, as we conceive, accor- ding to Chrifts ordinance,and wal- king according unto it. Fourthly, Ifthcrc be any Chrifti. an Churches that doe in Ibmc fmall circumftanccs differ from us,in that forme of government which wee conceive and belceve Chrift hath ftt up in his Word % Co as therein they may feem to come Abort of that exa&neflfc that it required , nor yet L are \- Mark.c.40, (75) arc able to attainc unto it, either in regard of fome outward difficultie or human imperfc&ion and frailty, the judgement being as yet not fully enlightncdand perfwaded (concer- ning which the Apoftles rule is, X** eycry man bee fully per/waded in hi olone minde) wee do notwithftand- ing not with-hold from them the tight hand of fellowship -, but hold communion with them as the churches of Chrift,they holding the Orthodox Truth, and the fubftancc ofthc government, which is futea- ble to the Church of Chrift,and joy* ning with us againft the Common Adversaries of the Gofpcll : conclu- ding with that excellent faying of our SaVior Ckxi& y Theythat are wtfr gainftut, are on mt^mv ■ ' ([ ' THE (74) - -f The Epilogve , or Qonclufion. X HAving thus freely and faith- fully (though briefcly , a$ the pretent ftraits of time would permit ) declared what I have and doe conceive and belcevc concerning Chrifts kingdome, and that forme and frame of the govern- ment thereof in his Church, as I finde it recorded in the Scripture, whereof I am in my confcicnce ful- ly perfwaded : as my carneft prayer andtruftis,ThatChrift by his /pi- nt and Word willleade his into all truth neccflary to (alvation j fo my hope is^that however pcrhapsthofe things which I hare here delivered according to the fimplicity of my L 2 con- (7*) confcicnce* will not fo bee reliflicd of all, but that they wil fccm bitter, cfpccially to the ignorant and car- nail minded , who favour not tht things of Chrift : yet my confidence is, that all the wife hearted and wel affe<5ted to lefus Chrift (For , // any man lore not the Lord Ieftis Cbrift* (thatis,love not to havciefus Chrift fet up as Lord over their foulcs) let. him be Anathema JMaranatba) will embrace Chrifts yoke , and to the uttermoft of their power labour to advance his throne in all Churches • or if that, through Sathans malice cannot bee effe&cd \ yet that they will fet him up as fole Lord and King over their ownefoules, andfb will joynein communion with all thofethatdoeor (hall defire hecre to fcrve Ielus Chrift according to that purity of confeience which is required in every true Chriftian (as the Apoftlc profefled of himfelfe) and in that way wherein the name of i (77) ofChriftflialtbeenioft magnified, and his kingdomc exalted heerc on earth. And this (hall the better be done, if a Law be made this prefent Par- liament , that as Antichrifts king- dome in the Prelacy fliall and muft be cafl out,(b Chrifts kingdom may bee freely let up in this kingdome> while his people ( even as many as vyill ) are fuffercd freely to enjoy (thrifts Ordinances in their pu- ritic , and fo may at length re* cover that Chriftian liberty where- with Chrift hath made us free, and for which his precious bloud was poured forth > and whereof this Land by the Hierarchy hach beene till now deprived : it be- ing our hearts defire > rather to live under Chrifts governement in this our owne native Coun- trcy * than for want thereof, bee forced to flye into forrcigne parts j where how can wee fo — — « (78) fo fweetcly enjoy Ghrift, toith> out the bitter remembrance of our Native Soilc, which wee ftall never ceafe to wifli worfe unco? than to pur owne Soulcs. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA FIN I S. www wgjfis^g '£*£*£*£ SE^fiREfiE I 41 J - vu I ttfO we will hear thee again of this matter. Howbeit certain men clave unto hm, andbelteved, &c. We doubt not but there arc many within the Province 5 whofe hearts ffo Lord will open,to attend to what is here [aid. Our defirc is to do good unto all, even unto thofe that are our grea- teft ad verfaries^and not to be overcome of evil 7 but to over- come tvjl with good. If they mock at us ( as they did at MM- P4»/)yet furely, our judgment is with the Lord, andoAr work with our God^Ht that is filthy ^ let him be filthy Hilt - and he that is unjufi,let him be un)ufiftill : But we hope f better things of you, that have fubmitted to the Pref- byterian-Government. For whom we pray, That the God of peace jhat brought again from the dead our Lord Je- fusChriftj that great Shepherd ofhisjheep, through tht J *- l 9> l0t bloud of the everlatfing Covenant, would make you per feB in every good work) U> do his Will ^ working in you, that which is weli-pleafingin his fight, through Jefus Chriitj to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen, Subfcribed in the Name,and by the Appointment of the Aflembly, George Walker, Moderator. Roger Drakeficubi. ^Arthur ^ckson y 7 _ - Endad r BUck$cell£cxfo*. * . "' EdmmdCaUmj, £Affeffors. V FINIS. uniuion. . t b 6 hc r DEadcr, be pleafedfaff unwilling f~~ — «.«^< i- V/tf every *w/ir-'tv' - Jlil -? th C f; v* , -J t M;-'-»«ad *uvift\ ,nht^*"- J ' -..^a ry. perthcPrelatical -.Jib // (V