>^N^. ( ). __^-' . . L _ t - OP THE Theo'logieal Seminary, PRINCETON, N. J. C(ise,J^^(^ DlvisjAn ■ Shelf," 1 Z <^><. Section ; . ;.... . Book, K T' «r---^ 0. . . , ^ A DONATION FROM Beceived /Vj , ^ / ^I^CS. iMLmA i^i/ r ;fi^:% \v mt^—mf DEFENCE OF MODERATE NON-CONFORlVPfY., A N S W£Ro,o TO THE '%^i?.*v^„i4^; REFLECTION O F Mr. Ollyfe and Mr. Hoadly. On the Tenth Chapter of the Abridgment of the Life of the Reverend Mr. Ricb.Baxter, PART IL With a Poftfcript, coikainingan Anfwer to Mr. Hoad- ly s Serious Admonition ; and fome Remarks on a Let- ter of a Namelels Author, faid to be a Congregmonal Miniver in the Country. ^ By EDM. CALAMX, E. F. & N. LONDON: Printed for Tho. Parkhur^ at the Bible and T^ree Crowns in Cheat>[ide, near Mercers Chappcl ; ?o». Rthinjon at the Golden-Lion in St. P^?. / V i Ji i ! ( i" ) THE PREFACE HAving in the firft Part of* my Defence^ Confider'd the Head of Ke^ordirjati- oh^ about which there nave been fuch watm Debates among the Confer mi fls and Non-Conformijls ever fince the A£i of ZJniformity took Place, I proceed in this Second Part to the other Terms of Mmijierial Conformity. I have Compared the Senfe of the Minifters who were Si- lenc'd, with the Reprefentations of Mr. OUyffe and Mr* Hoadly^ and laid open the Grounds, upon which I judge the former preferable: And can fay upon the whole^ that I have not defignedly over-look'd any Thing A 3 of iv the PREFACE. of Moment, that has been fuggefted by thbfe Genitemen. The following them from Poinc to Point through fiich a Variety of Particulars, is too Laborious to have been the Matter of my Choice, if. I had not efteem'd it needful to pre- vent Complaints, either that things .were not rightly taken, or yiflinSjy 'UQdejrftbcd : And that tlJhfnc^d riSk'e " my WoHc iwell nKer my Hfands, cannot appear furpnzing to ajny, 'that obferv^ how much of theit Writings, I hav^ by taking this Me^ thod, been forc'd totranfcribe. But fliould any Replielf make a Rejoin- der neceffary, 1 fhould go a much fliorter way to Work. I have a Third Part yet to follow, which in Anfwer to Mr. Hoadlys Second Part, will contain a Vindi- *cation of our Fathers, for pcrfifting in the Miniftry alter they were ' Si- leiKdi *ind 6i the Rcafcns of their Adhe- The PREFACE, Adherents for encouraging rhcm in it 5 and of the charitable Meafure of thofe of them, who were for maintaining Occafional Communion with the Church of England^ cm en while they were forc'd into a Stated Separation from it. This is already well advancd, and I hope in a few Months may fee the Light. I (hould have been Glad I mufl Confefs, to have been more Speedy : But no Man that confiders, how I ara fta- redly Employd, can think my De- lay needs any long Apology. The Introduftion, which I have prefix'd to this Second Part, fliould rather have been before the Firft j .and had been fo, had I then confi- der'd, as I have done fince, how much the diflinft Canvaffing the General Principles, which each fide goes up- on, gives light to the feveral Parti- culars, on which the Difpute runs -• But as it is, I hope it may be of ufe to give fuch as will be at the Pains A 3 to VI Tfje PREFACE. to perufe it, a dear View of the Ceritrai Point of the Controverfie; of the different Aims of the conten- ding Parties ^ and of the Confidcra- tions, by which thofe who are con- tern d, are feverally mofi: fway'd ancl influencd. I have fubjoin'd an Anfwer to Mr. Hoadlys ADMONITION^ and to the Letter of a Pretended Congregational Minifler in the Conn- try: And tho' I have left nothing, ■ Ithat I could think material in either of thpfe Papers unconfider'd, I have yet avoided what I tho't might heat and exafperate : And fliall only fay, that if any, I have to do with, will but treat me with a like Temper, I fhall never think I have any great Reafon to Complain. In a Letter from a Nameleft Perfon, I have been lately Charg'd with Two Miftakes in the Firft f^Tt of my Defence, of which I The PREFACE. vii think it not improper here to take Notice. The Gentleman appears much di- fturb'd, that I fliould declare in Page 30, that, after the late happy Ke^oliition^ the DiiTenters had Liberty granted them by Lajv^ by the Three Eflates of the Kealm^ Kiftg, Lords^ and Commons, As to which I fhall only fay, that if he'll either blot out the Three EJiates of the Realm^ and read it only, by King^ Lords and Commons : Or if he 11 blot out by King,^ Lords y and Commons^ and read it only by the Three EJiates of the > Realm^ he either way has my free Concurrence, and it will Anfwer my Intention in that PafTage j which was not to enter upon a Political Con- troverfic, but to intimate the firm- ne(s of the prefent Liberty of the Dijfenters^ which before was FrecJ^- rious. A 4 His vlli m PREFACE. His other complaint is about the Cations of 1603. For in Fage 26^ I have this Expreflion. By Vertue of thefe Canons ( which were not Con- jirntd by Parliament neither ) fome hundreds of Worthy Miniflers were fuf- fended and EjeSed. Jn which I fliould think, any Man might undcrftand it to be my Meaning, that the Canom We^re not confirmed by any Subfe- quent A^ of Parliament. And I am fo unhappy, as to run into the fame fault again in this Second Fart, for want of better Light, which yet I ihould be ready to borrow from any Man, that will lend it me. I hope, I may in this be pardoned, if it be con- fidej^'dj ' tiot only that this hath been a comtnon Complaint of the Sufferers by thofe Canons^ from the Time of theii^' fifll Appearance, that they fliouM fill under thhn, tho' they had not a Parliamentary Confirmation ; but that it hath been boafted by thofe, who were fis Jibely to be acquainted with The PREFACE. ix with the Rights of the Church as any Men, that they neither had nor need- ed any fuch Confirmation. Tho' the former was over-iook'd, as a Confe- deration of little weight, yet I fhould think the latter might deferve fomc Strck, In proof of it, I fhall at pre- fent only refer to a Speech of Bifhop Hallos made in Parliament, in De- fence of the Canoris of 164 1, in which are thefe remarkable Words. J fuppofe it can ne*ver be pjow'd^ that ei/er any Ecclejzajiical Canons made by the Bijhops and Clergy in Synods ^ Ge- neral^ Nattonalj Fro^vvicial^ were ei- ther offer d^ or requtrd to be conjirmd by Parliaments : Emferours and F.rin- ces^ by rvhoje Autority thofc Synods were call'd^ ha of Evading this Confider^d^ p. 171, ^c. '■ - AhtiSig'm.thap. 10. 5^^. VII. Of the Obligation to Vfe the Sign of the Crofs, p. 179. Mr. OlIyfFe'j way of Evading this alfo Confider*dy p. 183. Mr. Hoadly'j Flea for the Ufe af the Sign of the Crofs ^;?/Tr'frW, p. 191. Abridgm. Chap. 10. SeEt. VIII. Of the Obligati^ on to Kfje£t all fnch from the Communion^ as will not receive it KnQclingy p. 197. Mr. Ol- lyffe'j Plea for Kneeling at the Commmion confider^d^ p. 200. Abridgm. Chap. 10. 5^^. IX. Of the Allowing and Approving that Ajfertion^ that Bilhops, Priefts, and Deacons have been Three Difiin^ Orders, even from the Days of the Apofiles^ p.207. Mr, Ollyffe'j Glo/s ftpon this Matter Con- iciv The CONTENTS. Confider*d^ p. 209. And Mr. Hoadly'i, p. 211, &c. Abridgm. Chaf* 10. SeB.X. Of the Promimcing aU Sa.Y'd that are Bviry^dy except the Ujibap- tiz'd, Excommunicate, and Self-Murderers, p. 217. Mr. OllyfFe'x Plea upon this Head^ tmd his foftning Methods conjiderdy p. 220, 224, &c. A Reply to Mr. Hoadiy'x "^^f^^* fiions upon the fame Head, p. 227, &c, Abridgm. Chap. 10. SeEl. XI. Of the Rule for finding out Ealler Day, p. 237. That Rule with the Remarks made upon it by Mr. Ollyffe and Mr. Hoadly farther Confiderd, p. 238. Remarks upon Mr^ Wright'.^ xoay to dear this Matter '^ hy tfr Friend j p. 241. Abridgm. Chap.' 10,. SeSl. Xll. Of the Pjtkick Reading of ApoCryphal LelTons, p. 245. yWr. Ollyffe'i Ghjfes upon, this Matter Confir- (ier*d, p. 247. And Mr. Hoadly V, p- 250, Abridgm. Chap. 10. SeB. 1^111. Of the Mif-tran^ JlationoftheFidtltQY^ p. 25.8. The yindication of ity hy Mr. OllyfFe, and Mr. Hoadly Confix der'di p.. 259 J <^c.. Abridgm. C%. 10. >£f.,XlV. 0/ Aflenting rf»^ Confenting to the Damnatory CUufes of the Athanafian Creedy p. 26^3. The GroHndtefs"'' Tiefs of Mr. OllyfFes Infinnations upon this Heady p. 264, &c. Mr. Hoadly V Suggefii' ons confider'^dy p. 257. Abridgm. Chap. 10. SeU. XV. Of the Necejfuy of Epifcopal Gonfirniation to Admiffion to Communion-, p. 268. Mr. OllyfFe conjtaer'd upon The C O N T E N T S. xv upn that Head^ p* 25p. And Mr. Hoadly p. 270. Abridgm. Cha^. 10. Cha^^ XVI. Of the Oath of Canonical Obedience, as obliging the Clergy to he flatedly Subje^ to the Canons, p. 272. Remarks upon Mr, OllyfFeV Acconnt of that Oathj p. 2.74. His comparing it with the Oath of Abjuration conpder*d^ p. 276, &c. And with the Oath of Freemen of London, p. 281. Our Senfe of this Oath cleared from the Ahfw' dities which he charges upon ity p. 285. Mr* Hoadly'j Senfe of this Oath confiderd^ p. 289, 290. An Hifiorical Account of this Oath^ fince its intrance into the Churchy p. 297, 298, &c. Abridgm. Chap. 10. SeEt, XVII. Of the Canons of i<^03, p. 307. faljly Pa£d^ 337. General Remarks on thefe Canons, p. 308. Of the %th Canon, p. 310. Of the 6th Canon, p. 311. Of the jth Canon, p. 312. Of the Sthy 9thy loth and iith Canons, p. 313. Of the ijth Canon, p. 315. Of the iSth Canon, p. 317. Of the s^th and $jth Canons, p. 318. Of the ^^th Canon, concerning the Surplice, p. 319. Hifiorical Remarks upon it^ p. 320. Of the 62th Canon, p. 321. Of the ^id Canon, p. 324. Of the 112th Canon, p. 325. Of the Three Lafi Canons, p. 328. The Cafe of * Minifter as bound by this Canonical Oath, compard with that of a Jufiice of Peace^ p. 332, 333- A farther ObjeEtion againjt this Oath, taken from the Chancellours Courts, &c. p. 338. A Re- ply to Afr. OllyfFe'j Suggeflions upon this Headj p. 342. And to Mr, HoadlyV, p. 348. The xvi The CONTENTS. The ConciHpott of the Remarks on Mr. OUyffe, pi 350, 351, faljly Va^d^f 319, With a Serious Admonition to him and his Brethren.^ in Words borrowed from Mr» Hoadly, p- 353« "^ Abridgnii Cha^. 10. SeB. XVlII. Of Aifjaring the Solemn League and Covenant, p. 354. faljly Pag^d^ "^ll* A remarkable Matter ofFaEl relating U /f, p. 356. Abridgm. Chaf. 10. SeEi. XIX. Of the Political Declaration concerning the Vnlawfulncfs of ta- king Arms againjt the King upon any Pretence whatfoever, p. 357- The Anfner to Mr* Hoadly'i Admonition^ p. Animadverftons on the Letter from the Congre- gational Minifler in the CoHHtry-^ with a So* Imion of his JDifficHlties, p. 39I• E R R A T A. iefides a few Literal Slips-j for which any Candid Per fan will make Allowance^ the Reader W'ic/t- fird to Correct the fo^Ilawing Mifiakes, ^ PAge 28. Line = B 2 And 18. ' 4 TI->^ IntrodkSlwj, And when the fame can be made appear in the Cafe of any of thofe Regulations or Conftitu- tions that are ufually term'd Ecclefiafiical^ it muil be own'd that thofe Perfons would fiie in the Face of the Great Lawgiver, who refus'd Compliance : But till then, I can't fee how they can be juftly liable to a Charge of that nature. V. >A^ithout all doubt Chriftianity would have flourifh'd in the World exceedingly, had things been fufFer'd to continue, as our Lord and his Apoftles left them : And could Men but have been contented with the facred Scriptures, as the Rule of their Faith, and Worlhip, and Difcipline : But alas, it was not very long be- fore they who profefs'd to be the Followers of Chrift, entertain'd a Fancy that they could im- prove his Settlement, by Alterations, Additi- ons, and Amendments. They were for Coin- ing new Articles of Faith, under Pretence of Explaining his Dodrine ^ for adding Ritual Ob- fervances, in order to the greater Ornament of his Worfhip j and for framing Canons and Ec- clefiallical Regulations, in things unneceflary, under Pretence of Promoting the Peace of the 2Thefr.2. Church. This Myftery of Iniquity was workw^^ 7. while the Eyes of the Apoftles were fcarcely clos'd y and long before the Papacy appear'd : But it exceedingly increas'd, as the Bifliop of ^ome prevail'd. He took upon him to Aft as our Saviour's near General : Tho' no Footfteps of his Office are to be trac'd in Holy Scripture. He tho't it equally necelfary to fupply the De- fed of Divine Discoveries by his own Tradi- tions J to cover the Nakednefs of Worfhip, by a Variety of Decent Ceremonies ^ and to im- prove thofe Plain Rules and Meafures of Go- vernment, which are to be met with in our •facred Oracles, by numberlefs CQ?iciUary Con- Ititutions, The lutrodnSimj, ftitutions, and Powfz^f^/ Decrees. .Andthefeat length fo increas'd, that the Chriftian World grew weary ^ and groan'd under their Heavy Bondage, Crying earncltly to God for Deli- verance. VI. Their Cries at lafl were Heard ^ and it pleas'd God, after various Attempts of the Picards, Bohemians^ Waldenfes^ and Albigenfes^^c* ( now near upon two Centuries agon) in a re- markable manner to Spirit fundry of his Ser- vants in thefe Weftern Parts, to Attempt a Deliverance of his Church from the Roman llfurpation and Tyranny ^ and by a Reformation to feek to recover our Holy Religion to the State it was in at firft, when it came out of the Hands of our Blefled Saviour, and his Difciples. And their Succefs at iirft was great : But many- things afterwards concurr'd to hinder 'their in- tended Progrefs. As to Faith indeed, it muft be own'd a very Conliderable Advance was made •, and as to Worfljip alio, flat Idolatry was purg'd away : But as to the Ecclefiafiical Regu- lations and Additions, which before prevail'd, a Fondnefs of them had in feveral Countries taken fuch deep rooting, they were fo agree- ble to that Defire of Power and Empire over others, which is natural to thofe who think themfelves capable of a (hare in Government ; and they were fo confirm'd by Cuftom, which in all Cafes is apt to fway a Major Part ^ that no Confiderations could prevail for any great. Alteration, excepting that the Power was in each Country taken from the Pope, and put in- to the Hands of the Civil Magiftrate. In other refpects, the Bottom continued ftill the fame. But till the Holy Scripture will pafs for the fufficient Rule or Law of Faith and Worihip j and till it be agreed, that all EccleJiaftical In- B 3 ftitutions, ^ The Jritrodu^ion, ftitutions and Regulations, as well as the Power they are bottom'd on, be try'd by its Autority ^ it be muft expected there will be a Number, that will ftill be earneft for a farther Reforma- tion. VII. As for our Saviour's Settlement, none need to be at a lofs about it, that will but fearch the Scriptures. He hath fix'd the feve- ral Parts of Worihip, and hath not as to them given any ?vIortals a Power to add or take away : But as for the Circumftances thereof, he liath left them undetermin'd. He hath fix'd Oihcers in his Church, whom he hath im- power'd to Minifter in Holy Things j and with whom he has intrufted the Care of his facred Inflitutions : But as for the Method of their Management, he hath left it free to be vary'd, ' according to Times, Seafons, and Circumftan- ces, agreeably to the General Rules of Scrip- ture. That he hath left many things Jndijferem-i cannot be deny'd. Thus he hath fettled two Sacraments : But ?s for the Circumftances of them, they may be vary'd, without any Danger. He hath required, that all that Profefs to be his, with their Children, fhould be folemnly Baptiz'd in his Name : But whether that fhall be, by Sprinkling, or Dipping, or Pouring, he hath not determined : No, nor at what Day, and Time, and Place, that Ordinance fhall be Adminiftred. He hath alfo fix'd it as a Rule in his Houfe, that his Followers ihall Thank- fully- commemorate his Dying Love by eating and drinking at his Table : But whether the. Communicants fhall take the Bread themfelves, or receive it from others ^ whether they fhall receive the Cup from the Minifter, or from a Deacon, or from their next Neigh hour j whether the Bread fbaVi be Leavened or not \ and whe- ther The IntroduSiiofi. J ther the Wine fhall be Red or White,- Mixt 6r Pure, he hath no where Deterniin'd : Nor has he tho't fit (abfolutely fpeaking) to declare, what Ihall be the Pofture at this Ordinance j whether Handing, or Sitting, or Walking, oi- Leaning, or 'Kneeling. In fuch things as thefe. he has left his Servants at their Liberty. He hath plainly jignify'd his Will, that Prayers and Praifes fhouldbe publickly offer'd up in Con- fort to the Creator and Redeemer of Mankind', and that the Great Truths of our Holy Reli- gion Ihould be publickly made known, and ex- pounded, and urg'd and prefs'd ^ and he hath appointed an Order of Men to Ad as Officers in that refpeft : But the precife Time, the Manner, the Method, the Gefture, the Habit, that is to be us'd in this Cafe, he has left indif- ferent^ provided the General Rules of the Word be but obferv'd : And particularly, provided that as to Circumftances of this Nature, every Rom. 14.' Man be fatisfy'd in his ownMind^ and no Man 5, 13. judge another about them. Vin. Our Saviour's Settlement being fo plain, and attended with that Liberty for Different Sentiments and Ufages, which is necelTary in order to the General Prevalence of any Infti- tution that is not back'd with Conftraint and Force •, it might reafonably have been expected, that thofe who pretended to a Superlative Re- verence for him might have been contented. And 'twere well they had been fo : But the Church had been fo long us'd not only to a Rigorous Determination of Indifferent Gircum- ftautials, but even to the Adding fuch Rites, as had not the leaft footing in the facred Scrip- tures, and making them either Subltantial Parts, or at leaft neceflary Appendages of Divine Wor- fhip, that many whofc Endeavours were highly B 4 Laudable, 8 The Introdn^ion. Laudable §nd exceeding llfeful to the Church, as far as they went, were not to be perfwaded herein to Alter the fornier Courfe % but tho't it eno' to lelTen the Number of Ancient Im- pofitions, and reprefented all thofe as needlefly .Innovating, who were for returning back en- tirely to the Original Platform. And this has occaflon'd Hot Debates ever lince. The Points Debated have been Principally thefe two : Whether there be any Real Necefllty of Ge- neral Fix'd Regulations about the Circumftan- ces of Divine Worfhip ? And whether .lln- fcriptural Ceremonies, Rites or Ufages, may be warrantably impos'd, or comply 'd with ? Thefe Qiieftions are really Diftind. For tho' feme Circumfiances relating to the Worfhip of God, muft be Humanely Determin'd, yet it by no means follows, that Ceremonies may or muft be therefore Appointed. Tho' we may Deter- mine in thofe things, which muft be determin'd. one way or other, or Divine Worfhip can't be kept up \ yet from thence to Argue, that we may Add any thing that is new to thatWor- ihip, which was inftituted by our Saviour and his Apoftles, is neither Rational nor Chriftian Logick. However I fhall rather choofe to com- prehend the latter under the former, than to enlarge by Confidering them feparately. And indeed, if I can make it appear, that even Cir- cumftances (tho' they muft be Determin'd one way or other) are not to be forcibly and ri- goroufly Determin'd for all Liyihg within fuch a certain Corapafs, I think no Man, can refufe to Grant me, that Unnecefrary Additions are much lefs to be at all made,; or Parts of Wor- fhip Added, tho' they fhould in themfelves be comparatively minute and inconfiderable ^ and ^$ to the matter of them undeniably Lawful. ) !X. The The IniroduSiion. IX. The Queftion then to be Debated is this: Whether there be any Real Neceflity of Ge- neral fixed Regulations about the Circumjftan- ces of the feveral Parts of Divine Worfhip ? Whether it be requifite they fhould be Deter- min'd one way ? Or whether it were not bet- ter that they Ihould be fufFer'd to continue in the State in which our Saviour and his Apoftles left them ; any farther at lead than as each Worfhipping Society agrees together for their common Convenience ? Each fide of the Que- ftion hath warm Advocates : And a great ma- ny Particular Debates arife in the Management of the Controverlie. They who are for the Af- firmative, go upon differing Grounds. For fome do really apprehend it befb, that even in thofe things which our Saviour has left indif- ferent, there Ihould be fix'd Regulations in every Nation, back'd with inforcing Penalties. While others, tho' they had rather enjoy the Liberty which their Great Mafter has not de- ny'd them, yet apprehend that for the fake of Peace, and to prevent Difturbance, when fuch Regulations are once fixed, they are bound to a Compliance, if they cannot prove them Sinful in the Matter of them. Thefe are two Hypothefes of Diflind Confideration. The one fuppofes a Power warrantably exercis'd in ad- ding Particular Impofitions to our Saviour's General Settlement ^ nay, and will have their Brethren own it too, or elfe they are for dif- carding them : The other, without inquiring into the Power of Impofers, goes upon the Ne- celfity of Compliance for the fake of Peace. ^. To begin with the Aflertors and Juftifiers of an Irapoling Power, which they think war- rantably exerted in things that are in them- felves indijferfm -, the Capital Argument they ■ .■ Urge, lo The IntroduSlion. Urge is this : That there is an abfolate necef- lity of Order in the Church of Chrifl, and that a Liberty in Religious Matters would be at- tended with unavoidable Confti lion. This is.an Argument that has been extreamly applauded, J. and reprefented as unanfwerable. I'll give it Parhr ^^^ ^"'^ force, in their own Words. There is Dr Gmd ^^^^ they)'^« abfolute Necejp.ty there jhoidd be Or- man and '^^'^ ^^'^ Decency in the PHblichWorjliip j bnt Order Others. ^''^^ Decency there cannot b-Cj rr^ithout the Deter- mination of fome Indifferent and Particular CircHm- fiances : Becaufe if every Man were left to his own Fancy and Humour there could be no Remedy againfi eternal Follies and Confufions. And again i Without fuch a Determination there could be no fuch f^/;/^ («^ Uniformity, which is fo Beautiful i^i it felf^ fo Honourable to God, and fo Creditable to Religion j and the want of which is fo Mif- chievous. An Argument in which, after all the mighty Boalls that have been made of it, I mufb confefs for my Part I can fee no great ftrength. It runs upon Decency^ and Order j and Vnifar- mityy which are Words that bave a Charming Sound indeed, but not Force eno' to fiflen a Gonviftion, uiilefs their Senfe is clear'd, and the Truth of what is afTerted.is provM in the Senfe that is Determin'd. As for Decency and Order, they are requir'd by St. Paul .- But I can- not find •Vniformity m his Direftory, after the utmoU' Search for it. But what is thcDecency and Order that he requires ? Does it amount to more than the ablence of Indecency and Diforder ? Cannot Divine Worfliip be manag'd Decently and- in Order, unlefs fome, after Chrilland his Apoflle's, have a Power to add what they may think wanting to makeup the Beauty and Har- mony of it? Canthere be no Decency and Order, xvithout Pompous Ceremonies, and an Unifor- mity 'the IntroduSiro?i. 1 1 mity in them ? Let the Apoftolical Prefcripti- on be fearch'd and fcann'd, and it will hardly be found to amount to more, than the avoid- ing Indecencies and Confufions : And by com- paring the feveral Places together, where he hath Hints of this Nature, it will appear that Charity and Forbearance is the way to Order, and that Pride and Imfoftion was with him the Spring of Confifion. But that this Matter may be fully clear'd, I defire the following things may be impartially confider'd. Xi. I. Vniformity it felf, which is theavow'd Defign of thefe Regulations, is not Neceflary : And if fo, tho' it were own'd that fuch Regu- lations would efFedually Contribute to an Vni- formity^ ( which yet is far from being felf evi- dent ) it would not follow, that they were fa . neceflary as is pretended. Peace and Brother- ly Love is moft certainly neceflary, 'tis what alt Chrifl:ians are bound to maintain : But if it were not Confiflient with Differences in circum- Itantials, What Age of the Church could avoid Condemnation ? Can there be no Order in the Church, unlefs Men be of a fcantling in their Judgment-s? No Brotherly Love, unlefs there be Vniformity in every Pundilio ? What Evi- dence is there of it? Nay, how can it be prov'd, that fo exaft an Agreement is a thing pofllble, and attainable? Has God any where promis'd it ? Or do they underftand Humane Nature that exped it ? Is it fuppofeable, that when there is amongfl: Mankind fo great a Dift'erence as to natural Capacities, as to the manner of conceiving Things, as to the make of their Minds, their Gull and Inclinations, their Way of Education, and the Company they moft: converfe with, they fhould after all be bro't to jump in the fame Sentiments and Praaife, 12 The IntroduSlion : Praftife, in things own'd to be extra-eflential ? And if this be not a thing rationally to be fup- pos'd, I think they don't much confult the Cre- dit of Religion, who reprefent it as Neceflary. Where do we find a ftrefs laid upon it, in thofe facred Records which are our Standard ? Nay, is not Forbearance in Minuter Things both as to Judgment and Pradife there often urg'd, as an important Duty ? How could this be, if Vniformity were neceflary ? Withal, the Beau- ty of the llniverfe to a well made Spirit, do's not appear one jot the lefs remarkable for its Variety : Nor is the Divine Wifdom with re- ference to Man ever the lefs obfervable, for his having made Men of different Size and Sta- ture. They that to pare off Unevennefs and heighten Beauty, would go about to reduce all Men to a Size, would but make themfelves ri- diculous •, nay, they would difcover an Impe-y rious and Tyrannical Temper, which would make them with the Infamous Procrnftes the Objeds of general Abhorrence. Religion of all things detefts any fuch Methods 3 and they that difcover a Fondnefs of them, fhew them- felves fb far Strangers to its great Defign. The Aim and Drift of our Holy Inftitution, is not to bring Men to an exad Agreement and Vniformity in all Particulars ^ but to diffufe among us a Noble Spirit of Love, and infpire us with fuch Moderation and Condefccnfion, as that notwithltanding a Diverfity of Senti- ments and Pradife, we may yet carry it as Brethren, and keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace. Men were not without diffe- rent Apprehenfions in the Days of the Apo- 111 es, nor was their Pradife even then exadly alike. Some were for the Jewijh Rites^ and others againft them ; Some were for obtruding the The tntrodtiHion. 13 the Ancient Ceremonies upon their Brethren, and others for withftanding them : And a third Sort for complying Occafionally with them or forbearing them, as they were led by different Circumftances. We don't find the Apoftles made one fort a Standard for the other, or urg'd Vniformity^ fo much as CoQdefcenlion and Forbearance. Herein they are fit Patterns for us to imitate : And our treading in their fteps, would be more for the Honour of God, and more for the Credit of Religion, and would tend much more to Order and Peace than a ri- gorous urging Uniformity. A Mutual Agree- ment ( fays the Celebrated Dr. H. More^ in his Preface to the Myltery of Godlinefs ) in bearingwith one another s Dijfents in the Non-Funda- mentals of Religion^ is really a greater Ornament of Chriflianity^ than the mofi exaSh Vniformity ima- ginable : It being an eminent Exercife of Charity^ the fioxver of all Chriflian Graces \ and the befi way at the long run to make the Church as Uni- form as can j^iftly be defir^d. XII. 2. Were Particular Regulations in Mat- ters meerly Circumftantial, neceflary in that Degree that is pretended, it would be hard to give a fubftantial Reafon, why our Bleffed Sa- viour fhould himfelf have made no Provifion about them. Certainly the Gentlemen that lay fuch a ftrefs on this Argument, can't pretend to be more fenlible of the Necefhties of the Church, or more forward to confult them, than he was. Had he been of their Mind, how ea- lie had it been for him to have fixt fuch De- terminations, as to all neceflary Circumftances as might have univerfally taken Place. He not having done it, it looks as if he did not efteem it neceflary, that it fhould be done. To fay (with fome ) that fuch a Provifion at firft was impof- 14 Ifjs IntrodnSlion, impofiible, becaufe of the different Circumftan- ces of Perfons aid Places, and the Changes that would be frc^quent in fucceding Generati- ons, helps not at all to clear the Matter. For there were none of thefe different Circumftan- ces or fucceding Changes, but what were with- in the forefight of our Bleffed Saviour : And if he forefaw them, certainly we mull have but a mean Opinion of his Concern for his Church, if we imagine he would not have fix'd general Regulations fuiting all thofe Changes as far at leaft as was polTible :, leaving a plain Commif- (Ton with full Power to fome proper Perfons, to make fuch Additions or Alterations, as were afterwards neceflary from Age to Age. Till it can be made aj^pear he has done this, it looks a little Odd for Perfons to talk fo much of NecefTity in the Cafe ^ it feems Over-Offici- ous in any under-Servants to appear fo con- cern'd, about what the Mafter of the Family hath not tho't deferving of his Cognizance. We know that Mofes^ tho' he was but faithful as a Servant^ was very Particular in the Settle- ment of the Levitical Oeconomy, not overlook- ing the Minuteft Matters : And can we fup- pofe that our Saviour, who was faithful in his own Honfe as a Son^ would have given only Ge- neral Rules, had any more been Neceflary ? Would he not have been as exad in Regulating his Church as Mofes in fettling the Service of the Tabernacle, had there been a like Necefli- ty ? Why can't we allow our Bleffed Redeemer to be the Propereft Judge of the NecefTities, (nay, and real Conveniencies too) of his own Church ? Are our Lord's Inftitutions defective, that we muft Add to them ? If fo, where's his Fidelity to his Commiffion and Truft ? Or, if they are not Defedive, why can't we be con- tent The LjtroduBion, 1 5 tent with them as he and his Apoftles have left them ? Are we wifer thari he ? Who can deny* that he, partly by himfelf, and partly by his Apoftles, hath fettled all things needful ? Why then fhould Men contend for the impofing things not needfiil ? Or are things needful now that were not fo at firfl? Could this come to pafs without his forefeeing it ? Or could he forefee it, and not make Provifion, by giving to fome others a full Power to fupply/ the De- fe(fls, that Ihould appear in fucceeding Gene- rations ? Was any clear Commiffion of this Na- ture ever produc'd from the Holy Scriptures ? For my Part I am fully fatisfy'd, that our -Lord hath not only fettled all things needful, to be univerfally fetled ^ but all things that would be moil for the Good of his Church ^ and to own as much feems but a Piece of due Refpecl to our glorious Redeemer : And therefore they appear to have too good an Opinion of them- felves, who think, they can improve his Infti- tutions by their Additions. XIII. 3. 'Tis no eafic thing to Ihew, why our blelTed Saviour Ihould leave more Power to any Mortals in what concerns Divine Worlhip, than in Matters of Faith. To make Articles of Faith, is by the Learned StilUngfleet^ prov'd Rational utterly unwarrantable. He fays. That the Pre- Account tence of the Romanifts of a Fewer in the Chnrch of the to define Matters of Faith^ is PrefamptHOHS and Gromdsoj Arrogant ^ being the higheft Degree of Lording it ^^ ^^j^' over the Chrifiian World. And is not the pre- V^"^ tending a Power in the Church authoritatively (^^ \ to prefcribe Modes of Worlhip, and to add p^g. jS, fuch Circumftances, as are neither needful in thcmfelves, nor to be trac'd in our Rule, fome- thing Parallel ? efpecially if we add a Lordly impohng them, with a Denial of Communion to t6 The IntroduSlidn. to thofe who are diflatisfy'd with iiich Addi- Page io#tions ? Again, fays lie to his Antagonift T. C If your Church had kept to the Primitive Simplici- ty and Moderation^ and not offered to define Mat- ters of Faithy the Occafion of mofi of the Coniro- verfies of the Chrifiian World had been taken away : Efpecially, if fhe ( nor others in Imitation of her ) had not offer'd to impofe needlefs Cere- monies in Divine Worfhip, and needlefs Ca- nons for Polity and Difcipline •, in which as the true Primitive Simplicity and Moderation, has been as far from being kept to as in Mat- ters of Faith, fo have the Divifions thereby See his occafion'd been to the full as remarkable. To vindicati- which I may add, that faying of Archbifhop Ottofhim- Bramhallj which is very agreeable. The tranf- Jelf and forming of indifferent Opinions into necejfary Arti- fc] ^^^^ "^ Faith, hath been that infana Laurus, or Rt cursed Bay-Tree^ the Cattfe of all our Brawling and gy, c. p. (^^^fg^fif^^ . Except only (I would add) fuch as have been caus'd, by the transforming Indiffe- rent Ceremonies, and Arbitrary Canons and Pre- fcriptions, into Necejfary Rules of Worflnp, and Difcipline. However from fuch Declarations as thefe, I draw this Argument. If there may be as great an Agreement among Chriftians, as really is neceffary, in Points of Faith, without any Power lodg'd in the Church of adding to the Scripture Settlement, nay, or even Defining Articles of Faith, as Dr. Stillingfleet expreft it : it follows, that there may be as great an Agree- ment as to Worfhip and Difcipline alfo, as is really neceflary, without any Humane Impoftti- ons back'd with inforcing Penalties. XIV. 4. If it be really Neceffary that the things which our Saviour hath left indifferent^ fhould be fixedly determin'd for all the worfhip- ping Societies in a Nation, why not for all the Churches 141. the TntroduSlion, Xj Churches in the Chriftiail World ? If Vmfor^ mity be fb beautiful in a Chriftian Kingdom, it muft needs be much more fo in the Church llniverfal : And if it be fo neceflary, as to re- quire pofitive fixed Regulations in one Cafe, why not alfo in the other? This is indeed but agreeable to the Roman Scheme. But why Ihould we be fo fond of the Principle it is bot- tomed on, unlefs we'll be free to purfue it, in all its genuine Confequences ? Methinks, 'tis unhappy to fee Protefiams giving the Papijhs an Advantage, when they may eafily avoid it j and at the fame Time charging the Doing fo upon their Brethren, when they themfelves are much more Guilty. The Vnity of the Church is made ufe of by our Brethren, as an unan- fwerable Argument for the Necefilty of Subje- dion to our Diocefan Epifcopacy : And 'tis pleaded as ftrenuoully by the Romanifts^ ( froni whom they learnt it ) for a Subjedion to the Papacy. And fo Vniformity is pleaded with us^ as an Argument for the NecelTity of a fixed Re- gulation of indifferent Circumftantials in all the Churches of a Nation : And 'tis pleaded as ftrenMOufly by the Adherents of Kome^ for the Neceffity of a fixt Regulation of fuch Circum- ftantials, in all the Churches in the Univerfd. Where fhall we ftop ? Or how ihall we exadly ftate the Difference ? What greater Necefiity is there, that all the Minifters in England begirt at a Time, wear the fame Garments, and read juft the fame Chapters out of the Word of God •, than that it be the like in France^ Hol^ Und^ and Germany^ alfo •, nay, and in all the four Quarters of the World ? If it be pleaded, that it would be fo difficult and inconvenient to fix one uniform Settlement in different Countrys, that it would be vaia to attempt C it J i8 The IhtroduSlion, it : *Tis Reply'd, that no Difficulties ought to Difeourage, ifit be reaWy Necejfary. If Diffi- culties would ward off Necejfity^ there is fuffici- ent Room for that Plea in a large Country, that comes under the Notion of a National Church : For the Particular Circumftances of all the Congregations in a Land are fo various, that they cannot without great Difficulty, and manifeft Inconvenience, come under an uni- form Determination. But if there be Necejfity in one Cafe, there is in the other : Or if the Difficulty of the thing takes off the Neceffity in one Cafe, it does it in Both. It might al- fo be farther argu'd, that if there be a Necef- iity of Vniformity in one Circumftance, there is fb in all, unlefs a juft Difference can be af- lign'd. If all Minifters muft necefiarily ufe the fame Garments, read the fame Chapters, and repeat the fame Prayers Verbatim \ why is it not as neceflary, they fhould all at once Preach from the fame Texts too, and in the fame Words? This would much heighten Vniformi- ty^ and be a great Additional Beauty to the Church, upon the fame Principle. XV. 5. The Worfhip of God may be per- form'd Devoutly, Serioufly, and Acceptably, without any general Determination of indiffe- rent Circumftantials : And therefore fuch a Determination of them cannot be neceffary. Among the Primitive Chriflians in the Days of theApoftles, and for fome Time after, noftrefs was laid upon Garments, and Poftures, in the Worfhip of God : No Ceremonies were im- posed upon all the Churches in a Country in Order to Vniformity: A Man could not go from one City to another, but he might ob- ferve different Eccleliafticai Ufages : And yet I don't fee any Reafon to believe any otiicr, than The IntroduSiion. '^ ip than that God was worfhip'd asidevoiitly, feriou- Ily, and acceptably among them in thofe days, as in Modern Times,when we are grown fonice and exad, for the fake ofVniformtty. If indeed there were any thing requir'd in the Word of God, which could not bedulyperform'd,withoutfome general uniform Regulation of Particular Cir- cumftances, it could not be deny'd to be necef- fary that fuch things be determined : But this would be vainly pretended. For the Circum- ftances to be Regulated, are either Natural^ or Religious. As for natural Circum(i-ances^ which unavoidably attend all Adions, whether Sacred or Civile they muft be determin'd in the Cafe of every worlhipping Society, ( as we fhall fee in the Sequel) but there is no necefllty the Determination fhould reach any farther. And tho' the Pradice of thofe Worlhipping Socie- ties that are neareft to each other, fhould here- in be different, it yet doth not follow^ but that the Worfhip may be as Devout, and SeriouSj and acceptable in one fuch Society, as in ano- ther. But as for Religions Circumfianccs^ i. e. fuch as can reafonably be fuppos'd to contri- bute, to make Worihip acceptable to God, or convey to us the Benefits thereby intended to be fecur'd ^ they are already Divinely Deter- min'd. And how it can bs neceilary, that there fliould be any general Additional Regulations, when they cannot add any thing to the Wor- ihip, that would make it more acceptable to God, or more profitable to Men, generally con- lider'd, is hard to conceive. XVI. 6. There is a Degree of Liberty to which our Saviour hath left all profefTmg Ghri- ftians fo plainly intitled, that to violate and break in upon it, can never be truly neceflary^ unlefs his Settlement proves inconfiftent wittl G ^ it 20 The IntroduSliorj, it felf. The Apollle Paul requires Chriftians Gal. ^. I. to fland fafi in the Liberty^ wherein Chrift hath made them free. There is therefore ( fays Dr. Pag. 124. Barrow on the Pofe's Supremacy ) a Liberty which we mufi. maintain^ and a Power to which we miift not fubmit. Tho' fome have here run into ex- travagant Notions, and pleaded for that as ne- ceflary to Liberty^ which could do no other than iflue in a general Confufion, yet it do's not therefore follow, but that there is a Liber" ty to which Chriftians have really fuch a Right, as that it can neither be invaded nor betray'd without confiderable Guilt. Of this Liberty^ I look upon this as no fmall Part^ that all profefling Chriftians have a Right to all Go- Ipel Ordinances, upon the naked Terms on which Chrift hath left them to Mankind, in what Part focver of the World their Lot is caft : They have a Right to all Divine Inftitu- tions, without any Humane Additions. Now if any by Impolitions ( in things unnecefiary ) encumber that Communion with divers Clogs, which every Chriftian hath a Right to, with- out any fuch Confinements, ( which is the way of thofe who are zealous for a general Deter- mination of things indifferent for the greater Order and Decency) they violate this Chri* ftian Liberty : To do which cannot be necefla-^ ry, unlefs Chrift hath left fomething wanting that is conducive to the furtherance of the Sal- vation of his Followers. XVII. 7. Determinations of this kind have created endlefs DifTerencesin the Church. The Judaizing Dogmatizers even in the Apoftolick Age determin'd it neceflary, there Ihould be a Conformity to the Rites of the Mofaick Law: Others withftood them, not thinking it fafe to yield. Thus was the Church divided even in its The IntroduSlion, its Minority. Could the Judaiz,ers have been contented to take things as our Saviour left them, or to have follow'd the Diredion of the Apoftles, the Contention had eafily been avoi- ded. In the following Age, the Bifhop of Rome was lb peremptory about the Time of keeping Eafiery that nothing would fatisfie him fhort of Excommunicating all Dijfenters. He fpent his Zeal with all imaginable eager- nefs in the Quarrel, without once debating the NecefTity of any fuch Solemnity at;all, till he had fet the whole Church in £^7?^ and Wefi m a Flame. By the fame Ri ht, the fucceeding Popes bro't in a whole Lirry of Superftitious Obfervances, which thofe who were concerned to keep their Purity and Integrity, tho't them- felves oblig'd to oppofe. And let the Hiftory of the Church be confulted from Age to Age, it will be found, that the impofing doubtful Terms of Union and Communion hath been at the Bottom of molt of the Quarrels, that have been on Foot. And is not this then a rare Method to fecure Peace ? While Tome are zea- lous in impofing fuch Things, others appre- hend themfelves oblig'd to Hand out \ and no other can be expeded : And of thofe that in appearance yield, fome comply in one Senfe, md others in another, is not this the heighth of Harmony ? When therefore it is fo evident, that fruitlefs Contention hath ftill been the ifliie of this Method, for any to fay, that fuch Detei-minations are neceflary for the Peace of the Church, is much one as to fay, that a Bone of Contention muft neceflarily be thrown in, that fo Peace may be the more eifedually fe^ cur'd. Indifferent Things fuffer'd to remain according to their Nature, were never the Qccafion of Divifion : But indifferent Things C 3 enforc'd 2 1 2^ The hitroduSiwn, enforc'd by Laws, have ever caus'd Divilions in the Chriftiaa World, and ever will. XV^III. Lafily, It is not an eafie Thing to fay, who hath the Right to fix fuch a general Determination of fuch Things as thefe, as is pleaded for. Had it been our Lord's Intenti- on, that the Things he left Indiferent^ fliould be afterwards pofitively Determin'd, fo as to be generally obliging, throughout each Di- ftrid, Country, or Kingdom*, 'tis hard to fuppofe, but he would have left it very clear, with whom he had intrufted fuch an Autority, When and where did any wjfe Legiflator ever appoint a Matter of fuch vaft Concernment to thofe who were fubjeft to him, as the making neceffary Regulations in order to their Peace and Union, and exprefs no more of it than Chrift hath done in this Cafe ? For where hath he given any Men any fuch Autority to impofe Circumftantials, as that all within fuch a Di* ftrid, Ihall be oblig'd to acquiefce and comply? The utmolt that is pleaded, amounts but to a Paflage or Two of Scripture, that had a quite different Aim and Intention, and which muft be forc'd and wire-drawn, before they'll at all ferve the Purpofe for which they are bro't. The warm Contenders for theimpoling Power, at the fame Time differ Itrangely among themfelves, about the Parties with whom it is Lodg'd : Some afcribe it to the State^ and others to the Chnrch ^ and 'tis to this Day undetermined, which of the Two fhall carry it. Nay, they don't feem at a Point, but vary with different Seafons and Circumftances. Let the State but Humour them, and it fhall bid fair for carry- ing the Caufe : But if it be fo unhappy as to give them the lealt Jealoulle, then truly this Power is tho't fafeft in the Hands of the Church ; The JntroduSiion, 23 church \ that has the great Truft refign'd to it, and the State is left to fhift for it felf. How^ ever, the Difference on this Head is fo conli- derable, that the Power it felf may be very fairly Debated and Queftion'd, the Seat of which is fo difficultly Affign'd. XIX Several indeed on each Hand, (if we can but be content to take their Word ) will aflure us the Cafe is clear. The Right with- out all Doubt fays one fide, is with the Civil Magiftrate. It belongs to the Sovereignty, to have the ordering of all indifferent Religious Matters. It being (fay they) fo clearly evident from the Experience of Mankind^ and from the Nature of the thing it felf that nothing has a ftronger influence upon the Publick Tntercfis of a Nation^ than the well or ill management of Religir c«, its Conduct mufi needs be as certain and infc parable a Right of the Supreme Power in every Common-wealthy as the Legijlative Autority itfelfy without which it is impojfible there jljould be any Government at all. Thefe Men annex the Go- vernment of the Church to the Civil Power, or indeed drown the Church in the State: They feem to give the Magiftrate a Power to manage the Worfhip of God at Pleafure ^ but we miftake them, if we think they mean he fliould keep it, if there appears any Danger, he (hould ufe it to the Difadvantage of the 11- niform Settlement, of which they are fo infi- nitely fond : No, no ^ they can then unlay all again ^ and tell the Magiftrate to his Face, he muft keep his Bounds j and not touch their Copy-hold upon his utmoft Peril. There are others, ( not lefs fond of their own Shibboleth ) who being afraid of Tricks of State, reprefent the entrufting the Magiftrate with fuch a Pow- er, as a betraying the Church j which muft fay C 4 they 24 T^Ijs htrodnBion. they be Independent, or it can never be fafe. By thefe the Regale^ ( l. e. the generally Ac- know ledg'd Right of Sovereigns in Matters Ec- clefiaftical) is inveigh'd againft as the greateft hardfhip imaginable, as the very Quinteflence of Popery-y tending to all Manner of Diforder and Confufion. The former was the Common Language of our Triumphant Eccleliafticks in the Reign of King Charles the Second, as well as in the Reigns foregoing. The Latter was the Senfe of fome few formerly, and is grown Modifli, fince that Happy Revolution which bro't our glorious Deliverer King WUlUm to the Throne, and procur'd us our Prefent Set- tlement, in a Proteftant Queen ( whom God Ipng Preferve ) and a Protefiant Succeflion ^ to- gether with a Legal Toleration for Dijfenters. I Ihall a little confider each of thefe Claims. .-, XX. As to Civil Magiftrates, 'tis paft Dif- pute, they cannot be unconcern'd Perfons in the {leligion that is profefs'd in the Countrys that are under their Government. We find David, Solomon^ Afa^ Jehofaphat^ Hez.ehah, and Jofiah^ and other Princes among the Jews of Old very adive in Religious Matters : Carefully impro- ving their Power and Autority, to engage their Subjects to obey the Laws of God, and to Dif- courage all Difobedience to them. It is alfo Ifai.4p. promis'd, That Kings Jhall he nurjing Fat hers y and 23. Queens nurfwg Mothers to the Church under the New Teftament. To be fure therefore, they muft be oblig'd to do what in them lies /or the Defence, Proteftion, and Propagation of true Religion^ and cannot want a Power of contributing confiderably to the promoting of Piety, Purity, and Peace : But it being com- mitted to them by God, it muft to be fure be limited : And it is well worth pur while to en- quire, what thefe Limits are. XXI. The JnfroduSlion. 25 XXL Searching for them, we may eafily obferve, that in all the Different Fundions ^ which the Subjefts of a Civil Government can any way be call'd to, they are under the gene- ral infpe(^ion of the Superior Powers. Thus in all the Family Relations, of H sbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Mafters and Ser- vants, there are fuitable Duties to be difcharg'd; the Phyfician,the Husbandman and the Tradef- man, have each a Diiferent Occupation ^ and all in common, are under the Supreme Magi- ftrate. 'Tis the like with Minifters and Chrif- tians who make a facred ProfefTion of a Joint- Devotednefs to God, for certain Purpofes fpe- cify'd in his Revealed Word. But tho' in all thefe different Offices, the Civil Magiftrate hath a Right of Infpeftion, and may warrantably call to an Account and Punifh fuch as fail in their unqueftionable Duty, as far at leaft as re-, lates to the Common Good ^ yet it would be an intolerable Burden to him, and an infupporta- h\p Grievance to the Subject, to fuppofe the one bound to give, and the other to receive, certain fix'd Meafures in Indifferent Circumftances, which either need not to be at all Determined, or are beft Determin'd according to the Conve- nience of thofe concern'd, who are fitteft to judge in their own Cafe. All indeed are bound in their refpedive Places to revere the Magi- ftrate, as fix'd by God to be a Terror to Evil- doersy and a Praife to them that do "well : And yet are not bound to take their Meafures from him in all Matters really indifferent \ no not tho' vvhat he requir'd ihould not be flatly finfiil. We have no need to have Recourfe to the Ci- vil Magiftrate in Domeftical Affairs, about the number of fet Ideals \ the Time of rifin'j and going to Bed •, the* laftruftion of our Children, the l5 The IntroduSiion, the Difpofal of them in the World ; the em- ployment of our Servants, or the Food that ftall be given them> or the like: In fuch things as thefe every Man muft ufe his own Difcreti- on ; and fo nothing be done to the publick Mifchief, the Magiftrate hath no concern to ifltermeddk. The Phyfician Adminifters the beft Medines he can to his Patients ^ the Huf- bandman lows what Seed he thinks beft and fitteft in his Ground ; and the Tradefman ma- nages himfelf and his Affairs in his Shop, ac- cording to the beft of his Skill, without con- fulting the State : And why then may not Mi- nifters and Chriftians manage themfelves in their feveral worfhipping Societies according to the Word of God, which is their Diredo- ry, without Particular Order from the Magi-' ftrate, what Garment to wear, and what Ce-^ remonics to ufe, when to Read, and when to Sing> when to Stani up, and when to Bow ? Exad Particular Regulations are as little to be Accounted for, in this Lafiter Cafe as in the Former. XXII. The Magiftrate, 'tis true, is bound to- confult the Peace and Welfare of his Subjeds both in Civil and Sacred Matters. If the feve- ral Heads of Families in their Domeftical Ca- pacity, or if Phyficians, Husbandmen, orTradef- men in their different Occupations, manage themfelves and their Affairs in fuch a manner, as that they really are a common Nuifance •, if their Methods be luch as create Broils and Tu- inults> or are notorioully Detrimental to the Health, or Wealth, or Liberty of his Subjedis, 'tis his Duty to interpofe by way of Prevention. So alfo if Miniftfers or Chriftians, under a pre- tended facred Profefllon,' che/ilh or fp read Pro - ianenefs, and openly dilturb the Civil Pea^e,- it is The IntrodnSiwn. 27 is certainly his Duty to put a ftop. But then the Hazard muft be Evident and Notorious, that will reconcile fuch an Autoritative Inter- pofition with Governing Prudence. For as it little concerns the Magiftrate, tho' his Sub- jefts are divided about matters of Phyfick or Philofophy, and fome are are for Alkalis^ and others for Acids ^ fome for Arifiotle^ and others for Defcartes ^ fo neither has he any need to be concern'd at the Difference of his Subjefts about the Apendages of Religion : And they have more Zeal than Wifdom, and more of Fire in their Tempers, than either of Religion or true Policy, that would perfwade the Magi- ftrate to interpofe with Autority in the Cafe of Contefts among his Subjeds about indiffe- rent Matters, in which the EiTence of Religion '^ is fo far from being concern'd, that they can- not one way or other contribute to the making them either better "Men or Chriftians, or Sub- jeds. XXIII. But to come to the Merits of the Caufe. If the fupreme Magiftrate, and he a^ lone, has the Power of Determining the Qr- cumftantials of Religion, and 'tis neceflary he fliould Determine them, what a fad Condition was the Church in when the Magiftrate was againft it ? It could not then have what was neceffary : So that our Saviour muft be De- feftive in his Care of it *, which is abfurd for Chriftians to fuppofe. Again *, If the fupreme Magiftrate really has luch a Power, and all under his Government are bound to aquiefce in the Ex^rcife of it, if the things required are not flatly finful, I Query how he came by it ? Na- turally he could have no fuch Power : For his Make doth not neceflTarily diftinguifh him from other Men. He muft then have it cither by Direa; l8 The IrjircduBion, Direft Commijfton from Gody or by Vertae of that Comfa^ which is the Foundation of his Govern- ment. If he hath a Commijfton from God^ let it be ihewn, and it will be prefently yielded to ; and there need j9»#"be no farther Controverfie. Rom. 13. Tislaid, Every Soul is is requir'd to be SuhjeEt I. to the Higher Powers. 'Tis true^ Obedience is our Duty, in all things that God hath fuhjeEted to the Higher Powers : But it does not thence fol- low, that Religion is fo far fubje^kd to them, as that Compliance with their Prefcriptions becomes a Duty, tho' they have neither Ne- ceility nor Expedience to inforce them : It does not follow, that they may fettle Terms of Church-Communion, and that it is a Part of the Subjedion that is due to them, for us to Acquiefce. The Text muft have gone^thus far, had it contain'd a full CommifTion in this Cafe. And he that pretends it does, would find him- ielf hard put to it to prove his Aflertion. XXIV. However, tho' a Plain Divine Com- miffion in this Cafe could not be Produced, if yet it could be made Appear, that it is an Ef- fential Part of the Original CompaSt upon which Civil Government as fuch is founded, that the Ma^iftrate fhall have fuch an Autority in fa^ cred Matters, it is freely own'd it would de- ferve to be well conlider'd. But even this is a Task that requires a more than Common Ca- pacity. For when the feveral Fathers of Fa- milies at firft refign'd their Natural Liberty, and join'd together in forming Civil Societies for tbc Common Benefit, that they fhould fub- . jeft their Strength and PofFefiions to the Auto- rity of thofe whom they fixt on for Rulers, was necellary for the Cortimon Security : But it Avas.not fo neceffary they fhould. fubmit their Wilk^W.thcir SQV.ereigas with rgfped to Reli? r.iICi gion. J'he IntroduBion, aj? gion. This is evident to any Man that con- iiders the End of Civil Government -, which is BO other than the Procuring, Preferving and Advancing the Civil Interefts of Mankind. Where thefe are Violated, the Magiftrate i$ Arm'd with the Force and Strength of all hi^ Subjeds, in order to the infiiding due Punilh.- ment for the Common Security. But inl^eli- gion every Man is under a Superior Order^, and Afting' according to his Confcience has none to See The Controul him, as long as the Civil Intermit? ofPirfiUt* Mankind ( which lie in their Life, Liberty, ^^ f<"** Health and Property ) remain Untouched. M ^JT^"^. for things that are in their own Nature mdif- J^*^!^ ferem^ the Civil Interefts of Mankind cannot ' require that the Magiftrate ihould trouble; the Church about them one way or other. ..k^pjOy cerns not the Common-wealth (as fuch)i what Ceremonies be us'd or omitted in Publick Wprr fliipping AfTemblies. No Advantage nor S^ifr judice can arife either way to the LiveS|^ Li- berties, or Eftates of the Subjects, which it if the great Defign of Civil Government to pre-- ferve and fecure. The Magiftrate therefore can have no Power to impofe in fuch things convey'd by the Original Compa£t. Nay, Tie add, Every one by being a Member of a Civil Society has as clear a Right to be Proteded in that Mode of Religious Worfhip, which he apprehends to be moft agreeable to the Will of God (as long as the Civil Peace is not endaa- ger'd )»as in any Matter whatfoever. XXV. But tho' this Bound- lefs Power, which fome in a See an EJfay^ CQacermng the Complement (tho' at the fame ^on>er of the Mmfrate, Aid time with a manifeft Sdfijh De- tkRights oJMmmdfnMat^ figyi) afcribe to the Magiftrate, rersofmtmmnu^^^ bi Contefted, there is ftill as ^^^^ BcfT. Wp:^/»« O^^. much %0 The IntrodnSlion. much Autority left him, with reference to the Concerns of ^^%/o», as canreafbnably be defir'd, or could anfwer any valuable End. Thus far then is Agreed : The Common and Obvious Principles of Natural Religion are to be guard- ed againft manifelt Contempt and Violation. AH open Immorality and Profanenefs is to be punifti'd, as tending to the Ruin of Religion in General, and Civil Society at once. Such Writings as the Magiftrate, after due Enquiry, believes to contain God's Revealed Will, He is to Preferve, Publifh, and Recommend by all fit Means •, tho' not to enforce the Acknowledg- ment of them by Penal Laws : And much lefs to make Additions to them. He may no doubt, or indeed ought, to provide the belt Means he can. Legally and Regularly, for the more pub- lick Opening and Applying them : As alfo up- on Occafion to call together the molt impartial and proper Perfons folemnly to Conlider im- portant Controverfies in Religion, and to offer their Deliberate Judgment thereupon, together with their Reafons, which he may make as Publick as he pleafes ^ but not enforce Submif- fion to them by Penal Sandions. He fhould, Bo Queftion, take care, that in thefe or, other Religious AfTemblies nothing pafs contrary to the Publick Good, or his own Juft Autority. He may oblige his Subjeds ordinarily to attend the Solemn Worlhip of God in the way they profelledly choofe, or againit which they don't fo much as pretend Matter of Confcience* When he finds it agreeable to the Generality of his Subjefts, and that they are Confenting by fuch as are Regularly intrulted to Adt for them. He may or ought to fettle a Legal Maintenance and Encouragement for a Publick Miniftry, as j a Proviiion for thofe, who would elfe get aone Th& IntroduBion. 3 1 hone at all, or as bad as none for tliemfelves j and alfo for that Generality of the Subjeds, who are fuppos'd to acquiefce in the Pablick Provifion. Here indeed the Magiftrate Ihould in Reafon make the Terms of Admitting Mini- Iters and Members, as large and free as will confift with l*e main Ends of Religion, which are indeed like to be belt attain'd by making no more Duties or Sins than God has mad^ In fhorf, all may be held by the Magilh-ate to the Difcharge of their Acknowledged Duty, fo far as it fairly falls under his Obfervation and Cognizance \ and they are therein to be prb- tefted : But the Church, by Law eflrablifh'd and endow'd, is to be more fpecially infpeded, in Ibch way and by fuch means as agree with the General Rules of Divine Revelation, and may beft reach all the Good Ends and Purpofes de- fign'd. They that not content with this, car- ry the Magiftrates Power farther, do it in hopes of having it their Property, and ufing it as a fupport to their own Grandeur : But when thejr find fuch Hopes fail or abate, they can be as well content it Ihould be limited as their Neigh- bours. Nay, and when they have made a miglt- ty Stir about the Necefllty and Compliance with unneceflary Impofitions, becaufe prefcrib'd by Autority, they leave the Government to fliift for it felf ^ and arifwer for its Impofitions to God, Confcience, and the World. And in tbis refpe6: a Celebrated Divine, even of the Church * Prote- of Efjgland* hzth charged Dr. Stiilwgpet him- l^^nt Re* felf, notwithftanding all his Inveftives againft: <:onciUr^ Separation, with Leaving our Riders in the ^^^ ** Lurch. .F^^3- XXVI. And after all, if the Magiftrate has a determining Power in Religious Circuraftanti- I als" if he thinks fit to abate the Exercife of it; the 3!i The IntroduEiion. the Sub)e52. ktve not that Qaufe. Nor is it to be found in the At calCd Synodalia in Bentiet ColUdge m Cambridge, where ther^ is an Original of the Articles^ as they vrerc fttbfcrih'd. Nor is it in that Imprejfwn of the Articles^ An. i^yr. in which Tear Sahfcription to the Articles rtas reqmrd by A^ of Parli^.:r.ent. Bnt Dr. Heylin fays., it Tvas Printed in the Latin and Englijh Impreffons^An. [562. and in all Imprejjlons after the Tear 159:5. Excepting Dr. Mocket'; Tranjlation of the Articles, An. i6ij. and another Imprefjion, An. 16^6. at Oxford. Pojfibly it might be inferted in fome later Seffions of the Convocation, An. 1562. a^ter the Sttbfcription of the Members. This is the more probable, becaufe it may be ea/ily prov'd, that aftsr thaty the Articles n'cre in divers Places changd and ak^r'i. ^ The IntroduBion. BiKt this Proof I doubt won't go far. For as for the ^/?o/?/w,whatroever they did to bind the C/7/irc^«, they did by fpecial Divine Warrant : But their Example can neuer prove, that the Church hath the fame Warrant in all Ages, Autoritatively to fix General Regidatlons^ any more than their Practice can prove, that others v^^ho come after them, may add to the Canon of facred Scrip- ture. And tho' God requires, that all things be done to Edification^ Decently^ and in Order \ yet it does not follow ,^ that the Church has an impofing Power. She may indeed recommend or dilTuade, as Ihe fees occafion : But it can never be prov'd from hence, that fhe is allow'd to Ad Autoritatively in indifferent Matters \ or that fhe is able, by a Command, to make thofe things neceUary to Edification^ Decency and Or- der^ which before the Command had not a ten- dency that way ^ and yet much lefs, that fhe is impower'd to make Indifferent Ceremonies Terms of Communion. My Lord of Sarnm al- fo, in his Elaborate Expofitjon of the Thirty Nine jirticles^ is very fparing of Proof upon this Head. Indeed, as for thp Power of the Church, which is Aflerted in the Article, he rather takes it for Granted, than Proves it ; and Dilates upon the Meafures of Obedience : Saying, That the only Qucfiion there mufi be Law- ful or Vnlavpfid. For Expedient or Inexpedient ought never to he hro't into Uiiefiion-, as to the Point cf Obedience^ fince no Inexpediency whatfoever can hallance the breaking of Order^ and the Dljfolving the ConftitHtion and Society. But, with fubmif- iion, I think Expediency or Inexpediency neceffa- rily comes into theQueflion, whether I ought to Comply with impofed Ceremonies, lince they are pretended to be impos'd as Decent. And the Power and Autority, that is pretended for impofing The IntroditHion. 35 impofing them, being only tli* Power of im- pofmg things that are for Decency, I miift be convinc'd of their Decency or EKpedieney, which is the fame thing, before I can be con- vinc'd that I ought to comply with them. Tho' Lawful or Vnlaivfidy be the only proper Que- ftion in things that are Agreed to fall under the Autority of the Comnidnder-, yet till that appears, every one concern'd has a Right to enquire into the Expediency or Inexpediency of things requir'd, for hfs own Satisfadion. For tho' I may, in fome Cafes, Lawfully do what is requir'd of me, by thofe who have no Autority in fuch things to command me, yet if what is requir'd appears to me upon fearch Inexpedient^ it would be hard to prove I am at all oblig'd. Nor is it a Breaking Order-, &c. in fuch a Cafe to forbear : 'Tis rather a following the Con- dud of Right Reafon. XXVIII. There are fcveral things in this Cafe thaf need to be clear'd, before the Princi- ple is well ellahlifh'd. It mult be fliewn who the Church is, that has this Power to decree Rites and Ceremonies. If wc arc there at ^ lofs, the Principle is ufelefs. It muft in the next place be Ihewn, how the Church came by this Power. To fay, the Jewijh Church exercised it^ therefore the Chriftian Church has a Right to it, will not hold. For the Jrwifh Church might exercife it, and not have a Right to it: And if fo, the Chrifiian Church might this way be argu'd into a great Irregularity. To fay, that the Church mult have this Power, becaufe it is neccjfary to Vnion and Agreement^ which is the thing that our Saviour has mo^ folemnly and frequently enjoin'' d^ is to ufe an Argument that is eafily inverted. For it may upon as good Grounds be Aflerted,that our Bleiled Redeemer D 2, hath 36 The IntroduSlwJ. hath convey 'd np fuch Power to his Church, and therefore it cannot be necefTary to that Union and Agreement, which he fo folemnly and frequently injoin'd. Again, It muft alfo be Ihewn what are the Limits of this Power. For if it is Arbitrary, and altogether illimited, it muft neceflarily be a Grievance, unlefs the Church that manages it be perfeft and infalli- ble. If it be limited to Lawful things only, what muft be done, when the Lawfulnefs of the things injoin'd is queftion'd, becaufe of their Abfurdity and Indecency ^ which is no impof- fible fuppofition. But inftead of "^^ A certain Noble Lord clearing fuch things as thefe, took occasion once to declare ^g commonly walk in the in the Ho4c of Peers that Dark, which is a little odd.* r/e^«/.m^jf r^. C/;«^^^^ Particularizing. The Prin- ts very dark: and either . , . ^ n P ^l t-l comradias it flf, or fays ^jple IS ufually taken thus : The nothing, or what is con- Church may impofe whatever traryyothclnownLamef is Decent : And the Church the Land. — See a Letter is Judge of wh^t is Decent j from a Perfon of Qnality, tho' in the mean time , who &c. in the Collechon of the Church is, is not fo cer- State Tracts, p. $o. ^^in. XXIX. Some mean the Governors or Bijhops of the Church. With them they lodge a Power of Determining indifferent things in their re- fpedive Diocefles : And if you won't yield to it, they tell you, there will be no end of Schifms and Divifions. An Argument that is the lefs forcible, I muft confefs, upon me, becaufe urg'd by the Roman ifts for their Infallibility^ and miferably baffled by thofe that have oppos'd them. Others, by the Church, underftand either the College of Bifjofs, or the Reprefentatives of the Church in General Councils, or National Synods. They only are the proper Seat of this Power The IfitroduSiiofi. 37 Power in their efteem ^ and if you offer to re- iiife Obedience to their Canons and Injundions, you are guilty of the fame Crime with Korah, Dathan and Abiram. But the Gentlemen that go this way, are generally fo furious, that I hope their Followers are but few. Tie confi- der the firft of thefe two Hypothefes clofely and diftindly ^ and touch alfo upon the laft. XXX. The Principle then is this : That the Bilhops of the Church have a Power of Deter- mining indijferent things in Religion, in their refpedive Diocefles, fo as to oblige all that in- habit in them, in Point of Confcience, to obey and comply. 'Tis Query'd, how they came by jj^^^u^ this Authority ? 'Tis Reply'd, They have it, ^ Reafona- they received the Care of the Church from their Henefs of Predecejfors. But if their Predeceflbrs had no Conformi- fuch Autority themfelves, they could not cer- ;>, Parti, tainly convey any to thofe that came after p. 67. them. And therefore the Qiiery returns, How came their Predeceflbrs by iuch an Autority ? If it be faid, they had it from thofe in whofe room they fucceeded, and fo upward ^ the Mat- ter will at laft ifl!ue here : That Bilhops have their Autority, as they are Succeflbrs of the Apoftles, which (I fuppofe) is the thing in- tended. But how far are they the Succeflbrs of the Apofliles ? Do they fucceed them in the Plenitude of Apoftolical Power, or in the infal- lible Divine Condud, which attended them in all the emergent Difficulties of their Minifl;ry ? This would indeed be much to the Purpofe: But I can hardly fuppofe that any will aflert it. Wherein then do they peculiarly fucceed them ? 'Tis reply'd, yls they are ohlig'd (as they • were) to take the moft ejfeBital Methods for the ^'^IQ., Prefervation of Order and Decency in the pHblick Worjhlf of Cod. -As they are Judges of what D 3 conduces 3^ 'The hitroduBion, eotrduces to this End: And as thcy have a Title to the Obedience of the People under their Care, in whatfoever does not contradlEt the Laws ef the Society y by which they are all to be Governed, But 'tis worth our while to confider, how the Apoftolical CommifTion runs, when we are en- quiring after the Power of their Succeflbrs. The Charge given by our Saviour to the Apo- Matt. 28. ftles jpuns thus: Go^ and teach them to obferve ip, 20. all things^ wha^^oever I have comrHanded you'. So that even the Apoftles themfelves were not im- power'd to iinpofe or require any thing, but what either Chrift had hjmfelf commanded \ or what they fhould be led to, by the fpecial Gnidajce of his Spirit. If then Bifhops do Hicceed the Apoflles, they muft Aft by the fame CommiiTion : But how can that Juftifie their requiring things, as to which thcy can neither pretend, that Chrijl has comma-nded thcm^ nor that they fix'd upon them under the Con- duct of the Holy Gh^fi ? Befides, we don't find that the Apoflles requir'd any thing but what was necejfary : And why fhould their Succeflbrs herein afFed to go beyond them ? When the Apoltles were met together, to confult about healing a Breach, and fettling the Church, they A(Ss I "5. requir'd only necejfary things : Things which 2°' Circumftances made necellary before they re- quir'd them : And it was becaufe of that, that they infifled fb much upon them. But it's widely different firom this ; for Bifhops to make necellary, by their llrid requiring and urging them, things which Antecedently were fo far from any fort of necefTity, that the bell that could be faid of them is this, That they were hidlfferent. Ibid- XXXI. 'Tis pleaded. It refnlts from the Na- tHre of all Societies^ that the Governors of them jhonld The IntroduEiion. 3P (hoftld have a Power of Ordering-, what feems to them mofi for the Beauty and Advantage of thenjy i&c. But this needs Reftridion. In meer Civil Societies, the Argument will undoubtedly hold good, as to fupreme Governors •, unlofs fuch a Power be excluded or limited in the Original Compaft, on which fuch Societiss are founded : But it does not follow, 'tis the fame as to fub- ordinate Governors. So in the Cafe of the Church, the fupreme Governor, the Lord Jefas Chrift, has moft undoubtedly a Power of Order- ing what fecms to him mofi for the Beauty and Ad- vantage of it : But as for fubordinate Governors, they have no farther Power than he has been pleas'd to Communicate to them. The Natnre of fuch a Society will not allow them any more. They are no rarther Judges of what may be for the Beauty and Advantage of the Society, than he has made them fo. The meaneft Chriftian, till it can be made appear, that the fixing fuch Regulations in Matters indifferent is in their Commiflion, has a Liberty left him to judge for himfelf Their Judgment no farther binds, than as it is back'd either by Divine Autority, or by fubftantial Reafons. And tho' 'tis faid, Jt refiilts from the Nature of all Societies^ that the Governors jljonld have a' Title to the Obedience of the People under their Care, in whatever does not ContradiEh the Laws of that Society : Yet in the Church, (where the Will of Chrii is the De- cifive Rule ) none that take the Place of Go- vernors are entitled to Obedience, any farther than as they can make it appear Credible to fuch as are under their Care, that what they recommend is really the Mind of Chrift. And tho' when they obtrude their Regulations with inforcing Penalties, debarring from Chriftian Communion for want of Compliance, they D 4 pre- 40 The IfjfroduSiioTt, pretend they do not contradiB: the Laws of the Society \ yr^t till fuch a Power be difcover'd in their CommiiTion from the Chief Governour of the Church, it is fufficient to evidence the contrary, that the new Terms are confefledly an Addition to the Scriptural Laws of the So- ciety ;, and therefore in efFed appoint, that notwithftanding Chrift has fixt only fuch Terms, Perfons fiiall not be admitted, but up- on fome farther Terms and thofe too fuch as in the deliberate Judgment of thofe upon whom they are obtruded, are efteem'd neither NecefTary, nor Expedient, nor for their Edi- fication. So that a better Plea than this mufl be produc'd for the Epifcopal Antority in this Cafe, or it is impleaded. XXXII. And indeed, as for thofe who do Aflert a Power in the Bifhops to determine Circumilantials for all in their Diocefes, fo as that they Ihould be bound to Acquiefce in their Determinations, it may very well be cxpeftcd they fhould give good Proof of it. For it lies upon all that Aflert, to prove : And the Proof in this Cafe Ihould be Clear and Cogent, be- caufe the thing Afferted is important. For Men pofitively to affirm over and over that it mufl be fo, fignifies nothing till 'tis prov'd. To argue from their being SuccefTors of the Apoftles, will go but a very little way : For fo are all Minifters of Chrift. They are all im- power'd by Commiffion from Chrift, to teach what he has commanded them : And no Eccle- fiaftical Minift,ers of an higher or lower Rank, can prove that their Commiffion Authorizes them to make Laws to bind the Church m things indifferent^ unlefs they can make it ap- pear, that Chrift has commanded them fo to GO. In other things, indeed they may give their The IntroduEiion. 41 their Judgments, as Perfons that have the Grace to be faithful : But their Judgments are no farther binding, than according to the Co- gency of the Reafon that backs them. And tho' a great ftrefs is in this Cafe laid on the Pre-eminence of Bifliops aboVe other Minifters, yet it deferves to be coniider'd, that that Pre- eminence depends either upon a Divine .Settle- ment, or upon the Agreement of the Church, or upon Humane Laws. If it depends upon a Divine Settlement, it will eafily be fuppofea- ble, that there may be fomething of a fuitable Autority attending it : But this is yet to be prov'd. For tho' there was a Pre-eminence of fome above others in the Gofpel Miniftry in the firft Settlement of the Church, yet it do's not follow, that that Pre-eminence was necef- farily to continue in all future Times : Nay,, the contrary has feem'd rather probable to fome Perfons of Worth and Note in the ProtC' ftant Churches, from the withdrawment of thofe fupernatural and miraculous Gifts, upoa which that Pre-emince was founded. Suppofe we then, that it has been agreed in the Church, that Bifhops Ihould in their refpedive Diocefles have the Power of determining Circumftanti- als, ( tho' fuch an univerfal Agreement, is not altogether fo evident as is pretended ) it yet gives them no proper Autority fo to do, un- lefs it be prov'd to be the Mind of Chrift that fuch things be uniformly Deter min'd for all within fuch a Compafs. And if the peculiar Epifcopal Power depends upon Humane Laws, it would be hard to make it appear, that Chri- ftians are bound in Confcience to fubmit to their Determinations j till it is prov'd, that Humane Laws are capable of conveying fuch an Autority, without any thing of a Refledion on Chrift, 42 The IntroduSlion. Chrifl^ the great Lawgiver of his Church. Heb. 13, Tis urg'd. We mufl obey thofe that are over us %7' in the Lord, And 'tis granted 'tis a Duty, as far as the Lord hath fet them over us : Tho' not fo far as it may pleafe Men to fet them over us. We are not at Liberty, but are plainly oblig'd to fubmit to the Doctrine and Difcipline of the Gofpel, which they who are the Minifters of Chriffc deliver to us from him, and produce his warrant for : But it do's not therefore follow, that we are obli^ to fubmit to thofe Laws or Conftitutions, by which they attempt to bind .our Confciences in things meerly Indifferent \ or that they are really au- thoriz'd or impovver'd to make flich an At- tempt : It does not follow, either that they may exercife that Lordlhip that is exprefly for- bidden, Lu\e 21. i'^. or that we mult neceHa- rily yield to them if they do. While they keep to their Gommifllon, we are oblig'd to re- gard them: But if they ei .=^ed it, as far as they. do fo, we are free. This is fo evident, that fome who have afferted a proper Legifla- tive Power in the Church, have yet been forc'd to own, that when the Church do^s any thing be- yond her Commijfion^ Jhe do's no -way cblige the Confciance^ neither AUively nor PaJJively. And * D»SF. of thefe the celebrated Bilhop Jeremy Taylor * Dubit. p.' is one. ^66. XXXin. But befides, the fuppofing fuch a Power in Bifhops in their feveral Dioceifes, is the way to create more DifFerencs than its like- ly to compofe. For either it muft be exercis'd with Presbyters, or without. If the Power be in the Bifliop folely without his Presbyters,, Peace may indeed be pretty tolerably preferv'd, but it will be in a way of Ecclefiaftical Servi- tude j which will hardly be longer born, than NecefEty The IntrodnBion. 43 NecefTity Forces. Or if Bifhops be oblig'd to A(9: in Conjundion with their Presbyters, fo as, that their Confent and Concurrence fhould be neceflary to make any Determinations binding : We fee by our late Contefts, what room is left for Heats and Feuds, and how great a Flame a fmall Spark may kindle. And farther, either this Power is dependent on the Civil Magiftrate, or it is not. If it depend on the Magiftrate, the Bifhop has only the Name, while the Magiftrate has the thing. For he that can warrantably controul, hath unquefti- onably the greater Power in the things that are fubjecl to his Controul. If it be Inde- pendent on the Magiftratc, 'tis Jmfermm in Im- pp'io, the very thing that is fb much dread- ed *, and it threatens endlefs Feuds. And what Ihall be done, fuppofe the Bifliop of the Diocefs is of one Mind, and the Civil Ma- giftrate of another ?• Bilhop Taylor -]- indeed j. j^^ carries it clearly for the Prince *, but others go jyli^i^^ g[ another way. What if the Bilhop will have 5. Ch. 5I Salt and Spittle in Baptifm *, Holy Water for p. 567. Purification at the entrance of all Churches, &c ? And pleads that the People are bound to obey him, as long as the Things requir'd can't be prov'd unlawful or forbidden ? While in the i mean Time the Civil Magiftrate declares, that he will have his Subjects difturb'd, with no fuch trifling Ceremonies ? Which muft carry it ? If the Magiflrate is liften'd to, the Autori- ty of the Bifhop becomes contemptible : And if the Bifhop be comply'd with, the Magiftrate ( whofe Difpleafure is likely to be fooneft and longeft felt ) is certainly incens'd. Or let us fuppofe feveral Bifhops in the fame Country to have different Sentiments, and a Fondnefs of various Modes of Worfhip, what becomes of ' Vniformity f 44 Th^ IfJtrcduSiion . Vnlformity ? Suppofe we here in England^ that fuch Men as Billiop Goodman of G beefier^ and IBifllop Cartxvright of Chefier^ Bilhop Parker of Oxoft, and Bifliop Crofts of Hereford ^ or but the Two Archbiihops Land and Williams^ fhould have us'd their 'Autority toTpread their diffe- rent ways of Worfliip to which they were themfelves mofl: inclin'd •, Vnlformity had pre- fently been at an end. Tho' really it looks but oddly for Men to argue from the inherent Power of the Sifhop, in defence of fuch a Con- ftitution as ours in England^ which leaves him but little fpiritual Power in his Hands to boaft of: And if the Civil Magiftrate would be con- tent to let it fhift for it felf, and ftand upon its own Bottom, without any Ad of Unifor- mity to fiipport it, I doubt that little would ibon be loft. XXXIV. But inftead of clear Proof of the Principle Contefted, we have a mighty Argu- ment drawn from the Inconfiftency of thofe who conteft it. As if the Bilhops muft there- fore have Power to determine Rites and Ce- remonies for all in their Diocefes, becaufe they who deny them that Power, neither agree with themfelves nor with one another. But fup- pofe the Charge true, where lies the Confe- quence ? What if fome of the Minifters ejeded in England for Nonconformity, could have comply'd wit^ fome Impofitions while they m-- veigh'd againft others \ do's it therefore fol- low, that the Bifhops have an impofing Power, which was the thing to have been prov'd ? When therefore Mr. Hoadly tells them, that after all their Exclamations againft Imfofitions Part I, p. and New Terms of Communion^ many of them 67. would have joined with the Bijhops in impofintr and frefcribing fome things-^ he only Shifts the Scene, The IntroctuStio?t, 45 Scene, and Attempts to prove them guilty of a grofs Abfurdity, inftead of proving the Epif- copal Autority aflerted. However I'll confi- der his Argument as far as it goes : Tho' I think 'tis rather a Prejudice, than a proper Argument. This then is the Charge: Many of Ton Ejected Minifters Grant-, That the Cover- ^^%^ 74' nours of the Church may imfofe a Litnrgy^ and prefcribe the Time for performing Religious Offices ^ for you would join with them in thefe Trefcripti' ons^ and would not feparate from the Church in order to witnefs againfi thefe Jmpofitions. Now (fays he) we cannot hut wonder ^ how you could P^ge 78, pojfibly agree with one unnecejfary Impofition^ and yet argue fromyfuch Principles againf: others^ as lie direElly againfl: all as well as fame. Which Charge contains a politive AlTertion of a Mat- ter or Faft, advanc'd without Proof. The Per- fons aim'd at are not Nam'd. But Tie fup- pofe, he meant the Managers of the Confe- rence at the Savoy j not being able to guefs at any other Perfons he could have in his Eye. 'Tis plain to all, that take the Pains to read their Papers, that they were Men of Modera- tion: and fo fearful of the Mifchiefs that would attend freih Divifions, that they were full of Zeal in purfuit of Healing Methods. Had they in this Cafe gone too far, and been over-feen, Ibme Allowance might have been made for. Circumftances. It do's not follow, that they are herein to be imitated. Had they un- happily betray'd their Principles, do's it fol- low, that others muft do fo too, or how do's it appear that they would ? But that the Fad is true, that thefe Gentlemen did betray their Principles is dcny'd. 'Tis on the contrary af- ferted, that the Managers of that Conference, did openly difown the Autority of theBilhops to 46 The IntroduSlion, to fettle or keep up any Impoiltions in the- Church in things indifferent. And this Tie nbt only Aflert, but prove : And could do the like alfo, in the Cafe of thole who were afterwards concern'd in the Endeavours us'd in the Reign of King Charles^ for Accommodating Matters by Corner eh en fion^ if it were needful. XXXV. Abundant Proof in this Cafe may be drawn from the Tranfadions about thefe Mat- ters after the Reftoration of King Charles^ be- fore the Pafllng of the AB: for Vnlforrmty^ which have fince been Printed : So that any Man may judge of the Truth or Falfhood of the Charge bro't in. In the firft Addrefs of the Minifters Cwho were afterwards Ejeded) to the King, «See54^- they told him indeed. That they yj^yq fatisfy'^d ter's Life iff their Judgments concerning the Lawfuhiefs of a in Folio. Liturgy^. But befides other Limitations, they p. 234. inliftcd on it, That it might not be too rigoronjly ''Ibid, impofed^. And sls to Ceremonies, they dcclar^dy p. 235. That they were willing to be Determined by Auto- rity, ( /. e. the Civil Autority, as appears from all their Papers ) in fuch things as being meerly Circumfiantial ^ are common to Humane AStions and Societies, and are to be Ordered by the Light of Nature, and Chrifiian Prudajce, according to the .1 . J General Rules of the Word, -which are always to be * obferv'd^. But they earneftlyd efir'd,TW icT^ff/- ^* ^* ing at the Sacrament might not be imposed on fitch as fcrupled it ', and that the Vfe of the Surplice, and Crofs in Baptifm, and Bowing at the Name Jefus, rather than any other Nume of his, might be abolijhed', and that Innovations in Ceremonies might for the future be prevented ; that fo the ** Ibid. Pablick Worjhip might be free, not only jrom Blame, p. 235. but from Sufpicion.^ And afterwards, in the Ex- ceptions againft the Bojk of Common Prayer, wnich they deliver'4 in to the Commiflioners on The IntroduSliofj. aj on the other fide, fpcaking of the foremen- tioned Ceremonies^ they thus expreft themfelves: We cannot but dcjire^ that thefe Ceremonies may not be imposed on them^ who 'fudge fitch Jmpojitions a notation of the Royalty of Chrifi^ and an Impeach^ ment of his Laws as infnffcient : But that there may he cither a total Abolition of thcm^ or at leajt fuch a Liberty^ that thofe who are unfatisfy'd con- cern'.ng their Lavofulnefs or Expediency^ may not be compel d to the France of them, or Subfcription to them : But maybe permitted to enjoy theirMiniftcrial ¥unB:ion, and Communion voith the Church, without ^ Ibid. them'. And tho' they were for Reforming the p. 320. Common-Braycr Book, and could have been con- tented ordinarily to have us'd it when Re- form'd, yet, even then, they were againft the Impofing it : Of which he that perufes their Earneft Petition for Peace, then prefented, can hardly remain unfatisfy'd. Nay, the very State of the Cafe, as it ftood between the Minifters and the Btjloops in that Conference, will give any Man that conliders it fufficient fatisfadion. For the Minifters were Defendants againft their intended Impofitions. They were upon Com- manding their Compliante, or they fhould be excluded the Conftitution. They defir'd them to prove their Autority from God to make fuch Impofitions : They urg'd them to ihew how they came by their Power ; and frankly told them. That if they refused, they gave up their t tt^M Caufe^: And yet they could not hear any Proof p l^< alledgd. Nay, Ur. Baxter in particular, de- *^^ lird any of the Commiffioners on the other fide, to prove from Antiquity, that ever any Prmce did impofe one Form of Prayer^ or Li- turi^y, iOY Vniformity, on all the Churches in his Dominions ; yea, or upon any one Province w Qountry under them : Or that ever any Council, 48 The IntroduSfion, Council, Synod, or Patriarchs, or Metropolis tans, did impofe one Liturgy on all the Bilhops * Ibid. ' and Churches under them s. And in their Re- P- 340. ply to the Anfwer of the Bilhops, to their Ex- ceptions againft the Book of Common Prayer^ they tell them in fo many words *, That they might as well think to make a Coat See the Papers that f^y. fijg Moon^ as to make a LitHr^Vy pafsd between the Com- that flwHld he [Hificiently fnited to miuioners at the Savoy: ^, -^ . r n/ ^"d Accidents, "Without the liberty of intermixing fiich Prayers and Exhortations, as Alterations and Diverjities require. And afterwards they have thefe words : Js it not Work eno* for pis and you, to obey the Laws that Chrifi has made ? Why made he none for Pofiures, and P^efiures, and Teaching Signs, if he would have had them, &c ? If he had but told Hs, that he left any Officers after his infpird Apo" files, for the makitjg of Ceremonies, or New Laws of Worjhip, or Teaching Engaging Signs for the Ibid. Church, we would as gladly underfiand and obey p. 8 1 . his Will in thefe things, as you. Thefe things I mention thus particularly, not as if I at all fup- pos'd, that had thefe Gentlemen gone too far, we that came after them were therein bound to agree with them : But that indifferent Per- fbns may the better Judge, whether they can be fairly charg'd, with yielding to the Impofing Power of Bilhops ; which was the thing mainly Contefted. XXXVI. Let us then fee the Argument drawn out in its ftrength. As far as I can take it, Hoadly. it Hands thus : Tou EjeEted Minifiers would have Part I. joined with the Bijhops in the tmpofing fome things : pa^e 07. And therefore they had Autority to ipjpofe fome things. 'Tis reply'd : It neither appears, that the Minifters would have joiu'd with the Bi- lhops The IntrodtMion, 4^ ihops in impofing things that were not ante- cedently neceflary : Nor if it did, Would the Autority of the Bifliops to impdfe fuch things, be thiereby prov'd and clear'd. Or \€t us take y the Argument as he himfelf has ftated it, thus: Jf the Bijhops have Autority to prefcribe in One Cafe^ Page 62io then in Anoihet. It is granted, if both the One and the Other be within their CommilTionj otherwife not. But I Ihould have eXpeded it to have been prov'd, that they had a Power to prefcribe and impofe what is not antecedently Neceflary or Expedient in any Cafe, before it fhould be attempted to draw an Argument from one Cafe to another, which could not be likely to contribute to Conviction. But that We may the more plainly difcern the ftrength of his Reafoning upon this Head, when he was aiming to prove the Autority of the Bijhops to prefcrwe the things ivhich are fo grievonjly com-'' plained of^ Tie Venture to put my felf into the Very Cafe which he propofes. Tie fuppofe my felf one that could ufe the Common Prayer^ if it were alter'd, (I won't fay, as I wohIo. have itj but) fo as to leave no jult Ground of Scruple to a Confciencious Perfon, either as to the Mat- ter, or Form of it : But it does not therefbfe follow, I fliould think it Lawfnl to join with thoft (jovernors who impofe one^ if by that he mdaiiSj Owning their Autority rigoroufly to impofe it» For tho' I might comply ordinarily to ufb i Form, yet I mull have more Light, before I could yitld, that any are Authorized by God to tie me up to it j and hinder me from endea- vouring tofuit my felf to that Variety of Oc- cafions that offer, as Circumftances may i-eqiiirefi Well then, what does he infer from hence? Why the Caffe is this : if I can comply with-i Form of Pr^yer^ he thinks I that Wdy ^s mufeh ijo The IntroduSiion. exclude Perfons that fcruple all Forms, as if I comply'd with the Ceremonies^ I fhould exclude thofe who queftion'd the Lawfulnefs of them. I take the Hint : And for that Reafon ftiould be loth fo to oblige my felf to a Form, as that I Ihould not be left at liberty to omit it, if I were call'd (tho' perhaps it might not be the matter of my Choice) to Officiate in a Congre- gation, the Generality of which were againit all Forms. And this Anfwers all the Particu- lars of the Parallel he draws. Suppofe there- fore I am free ordinarily to ufe the Reform'd Common Prayer Body in the Office for Baptifm : He lays. Whoever will not have his Child Baftiz^d with fuch Prayers^ as are there contain'd, is as much excluded^ as he that fcrnples to have it Bap- tiz^dy hecaufe the Sign of the Crop is HS*d after Baptifm. Very well Hinted. And for that F^eafon, tho' I could ordinarily ufe a Reform'd Liturgy, yet I fhould defire to fee more Cogent Arguments than I have yet met with, before Icouldbepre- vail'd with, fo to bind my felf to the Ufe of any Form of Baptifm^ as fhojild oblige me to refufe Baptifm^ where the life of that Form is fcru- pled. And I lay the like for any particular Form, for the Holy Communion alfo. And by this means I think I efcape the Danger of thofe l»ag. 6^i Clamours, which Mr. Hoadly mentions, and that 70. with much more eafe, than, as far as I can per- ceive, any Man can do, according to the Pre- fent Settlement. ^ XXXVII. And as for the Time of Adminift- ring the Sacrament of the Lor£s Supper y on which *^3g. 7i> Mr. Hoadly fo freely dilates, tho' I look upon 72, 75- Noon to be ordinarily the moft proper Seafon, yet I know of no Autority of the Governors of the church to appoint that Time, exclufively of any other, for all the Worfliipping Societies in The IntrodnSiion. ^t in a Nation. In many Places, the Evening may be more convenient. When any Worfliipping Society really finds it ^o^ I fee not what Right any Bifhops or Church Governors have to de- bar them of that Liberty of Confulting their own Con fticiiLi, in fo indifferent a Matter, ^v«^^<^**<^^^ which Chrift, the Head Governor of the Church, has left them. Nor is there any ill Confequence arifing hence, that is comparable to what would follow upon the other Suppolition. For let a ferious Chriftian, who apprehends the Evening the moft proper Time, apply himfelf to a Mi- nifter, who ordinarily Adminilters the Sacra" ment at Noon, he need not caft him off with Contempt, as one unfit to be communicated with : If he cannot prevail with him to ac* quiefce in the Time which has been Agreed oa in the Worlhipping Society which he belongs^ to, 'tis but referring him to another Minifter^ with whom he may receive at his own Time. If there happen to be none fuch within a con- venient Diftance, it may perhaps put him ta fome Trouble: But that's no juft Reafon of his being deny'd his Liberty. And if we take the Matter thus, the Complaint which Mr. Hoadly has pleafantly transferr'd from the Pofture of Kneeling at tht Sacrament^ to the Time of the Adminlftration of it, becomes needlefs and groundlefs, and indeed ridiculous^ And yet I can't fay but there would be room for fuch a Complaint, were all Minilters lb bound up to any One Time, as that they could not Admi- nifter the Sacrament at another Seafon, in Com- pliance with the Scrupulous ^ (efpecially if there Were a Number of them:) but mult rathet all with one Confent leave them to live without that Ordinance, than comply with their Weak- nefs* But after all j that Bijhofi have Antority £ 2 t0 5 2 The IntrodiMioit. P^S' 74> to prefcribe things antecedently necejfaryy under' the 7^' highefi Penalty ^ and to make them Terms ofCommu* Tliofi^ and demand Obedience, is yet to be prov'd* XXXVIII. 'Tis urg'd on their behalf, That Pagk 78, they have Ordered nothing, but what, if all vpopdd 79' ferioufly comply with, is certainly for the Good of the Church : And therefore they have done their Duty, and cannot be charged with Sin. As if it would juftifie an Ufurper'^ that his Adminiftra- tion was manag'd for the Good of the Commu- nity. To be fure in any Cafe, that will make Power much the more tolerable : - But how , 'twill prove a Rights 1 cannot fee. Nor can Mr. Hoadly himfelf difcern it, in the Cafe of Minifters amonft the Nonconformifts, who had not what he calls a Regular Ordination. Sup- pofing therefore All our Epifcopal Impolitions were highly Beneficial, it does not follow, they are impower'd for them by their CommifTion. But that they are fo Beneficial, is not felf- evident^ and therefore Ihould have been prov'd. 'Tis eafie to name more than One ill Confecjuence of Compliance with fuch Arbitrary Prefcrip- tions of the Englijh Church : But lince One he intimates will do -, I defire it may be confider'd, that this would cherifh an Impofmg Spirit, which is ftill growing, where-ever it is indulged to^ and which hath prevail'd fo long in the Church of Chrifi, that it hath quite defac'd it ', and made it fo unlike the true Primitive Churchy 5hat it can hardly be known, if Judg'd of ac- cording to the beft Defcription of it. This is a Confequence, thatinmy Apprehenlion tends to a Mifchief, much greater than the Good that could ' te fuppos'd to refult from a General Compliance. And yet farther^ Were the things required as Be- neficial as is Pretended, the Difproportion of the P malty h Unaccountable. To fay, The Govern nors The IfjtroduSiiofu 53 vors of the Church can in join nothing \ if this be Pag. 7p. infifted on, is only fairly to defire to be exxus'd from Proof of the Autority contefted. For that they can injoin any thing that is ante- cedently unnecelTary and inexpedient, under the Penalty of Exclulion from Chrifiian CommH- nion^ is the thing deny'd : 'Tis particularly de- ny'd, that their enjoining this f articular Time^ or this f articular Liturgy^ in fb rigorous a man- ner, as not to allow for a Variety of Circum- ftances, is to be juftify'd. And an Argument is drawn from the Difproportion between the fuppos'd Crime, and the Penalty. An Argument, not to be Anfwer'd by unprov'd AITertiqns. If Church Governors are obliged to refifi Irregularity^ p g^^ Diforder^ and an ignorant Contempt of all Autority \ fo are they alfb, fay we, to avoid impofing things unneceflary, and deftroying Peace to a(^ fert their Autority. The Excluding Perfons the Communion of the Church by unwarrantable Impofitions, is fo far from being a Fence againfi Diforder^ that it is it felf a very great Diforder, and the Bane of Charity : And they that fuffer under fuch an Exclufion, have the fatisfadion of a Court and Judge to appeal to above, where they may upon good Grounds hope to be Ac- quitted, tho' they are here Condemned. And if they but Ad in the Integrity of their Hearts, they need not fear, but that will another Day redound to their Honour, which is now cfiargU upon them as their Weaknefs. XXXIX. I add farther, if Bilhops and Go- vernors of the Church had not fufficient Auto- p - , rity at firft to fix fuch Impofitions, as are com- g^^o^"^' plain'd of-, much lefs had their SuccelTors juft ^' * Reafon to retain" and infift upon them. For, by woful Experience, looking back they might perceive the Mifchief they haddone^ the ftrangq ' E 3 Divifions, 54 T7?^ IntroduBion. Divifiotis, and uncharitable tteats and Feuds they had creeated : What Snares they had prov'd to many Pious Perfons \ What Matter of Joy to our common Enemies, the Papifis ^ and what a Cutting Grief to many Upright- hearted Protefiants : How many Ufeful Minifters had, upon their occafion, been worryM fufpend- ed, and excommunicated, to their Impoverilh- ment and Ruin ^ and the depriving of many Thouiands of Souls of their Valuable Labours : To what Hazards and Dangers, Church and State had been thereby expofed •, and what Hindrances they had been to Unity and Peace: Neither could they reafonably exped any other for the future. And therefore, if after fuch fair Warning they would return to thofe Me- thods, which would draw Violence after them towards thofe who ought to be fufFer'd to live in Peace, they might well think they would be (Chargeable with the Difmal Confequences. So that if they in this Cafe argu'd as Mr. Hoadly reprefents, their Plea was Unaccountable, Groundlefs, and Falfe. They could not, in Confiftence with Truth, have faid. That many pf the Dijfenting Minifiers would have comply'd with their jiutority^ in any of the Impofitions complain'd of. They knew the contrary. For they call'd upon them, with great Earneftnefs, to prove their Antority \ and till then, openly refus'd Compliance. They had no ground to fay. That in order to a Coalition, they muffc give Hp their Liturgy -^ and aU Liturgies \ fince the ordinary Ufe of the Liturgy, when amended, was offer'd \ provided the Sublcription, and the Rigorous Impoiing it, and the Oath of Cano- nical Obedience, was but wav'd *, which was no more than King Charles himfelf offer'd in his Peclaration. That they ihould ajfert their Au* tority T'he IntroduBioft, 55 torlty by retaining their Impo/itions^ they might indeed fay j but they had done it with much more Advantage, had they firft prov'd, that they received it as a Truft from Chrift. To fay, that by their ftifF adherence they fhould tefiifie againfi unwarrantable Separation, was ridi- P^S^ 87. culous J when they had as good Aflurance gi- ven as the Nature of the Thing would bear, that by but waving a few Things, which they could not fo much as pretend they were ob- lig'd to infilt on, on the Account of any real Neceflity or intrinfick Goodnefs, they might have prevented the Separation that followed : So that they forc'd the Minifters upon a Sepa- ration to fecure the Peace of their Confcien- ces, inftead of teftifying againft it, in that way that might juftly have been expeded, from Perfons fuitably concern'd for the Peace of the Church. Neither could they this way really eheck-, no they would rather cherifh, thofe Prin- ciples which bro*t Confujion and Diforder into this Church and Nation. For the Principles which by Experience had prov'd fo Ruinous, were not the Averfion to Impofitions, and ear- neftnefs for a farther Reformation \ but an imaginary Infallibility and real Perfecution; Which tho' the very Quinteflence of Poperyy had deeply infefted our Protefiant Hierarcny in thofe Days ^ and flew at all, till they flung both Church and State into the mofl: dreadful Convulfions that could be conceiv'd. And a little fore-fight would have help'd them to have Difcern'd, that inftead of refilling, they were much more likely this way to promote the Defigns of evil Men, wi(^ made ufe of their warmth and Fire *, as a ftrange Advantage to them in their Endeavours to overturn the whole Confiitittion : Of which fome of them were at E 4 laft 5^ The JntroduSlion. h& convincM, when it was too late to have prevented it, had not a wife and merciful Pro^ yidence, in ways that were little tho't of re^ liev'd and fav'd us. XL. It appears ffrom the Premifes, that the Principle of the Eplfcopal Power ^ to make Things indifferent, Terms of Communion, may very fafely be rejeded till better prov'd. But there being a confiderable Negative Argument againft this Power, drawn from the 14th Chapter of the Eplftle to the Romans, Mr. Hoadty has at- tempted to weaken it : And yet after his ut- inoft Aflaults, it remains firm and ftrong, Church-Governors are in that Chapter re^ quir'd to receive Dijfenters\ and ufe forbear^ ance, and not make Matters that were indif- ferent the Occafion of Cenfure or Contempt ; and much lefs, Exclufion from Communion ; They are forbidden to Command fuch Things, any further than might ftand with an hearty Reception and brotherly Communion. If fo \ this pretended Epifcop^l Power vaniihes. This is an Argument fo forqible, that there's no evading it, if the Fad alferted be but clear'd ; And therefore various Ways have been taken to give it a different Glofs and Turn. But when they have faid all they can, the Text do's not limit the Injunftion at all, and there- fore we fhould not. As for thofe that will li- mit it to Perfons and Times, let them Ihew that the Text defigns thofe Limitations, If they expect to be regarded. However feveral have difcover'd their good Will in the Cafe. See the Some have faid, that the Difcourfe in thi$ Pmejtant Chapter refers to ^ivate Perfons, and not to Reconci- Governors. But "it be the Duty of Private Chap'^T P^J"fons, fb to 6ear with the Weak Chriftian$ * * ^' nientionM , notwi^hltaading their differen; Judgments, The InirodhSiion. 57 Judgments, as not to Cenfure them, or refufe Communion with them, if muft be the Duty of Ecciefiaftical Governors much more, becaufe pf their greater Concern to promote the Peace of the Church, in order to which the Forbear- ance, that is here prefs'd is reprefented as la neceflary. It has been pleaded by others, that this Precept of Forbearance, was but a Tempo* rary Provijion. But methinks, it is liable to the Apprehenlion of any Man, that of all the Times that could be pitch'd upon for the ur* ging* this Forbearance, that was the unfitted, when they had the Apoftles at Hand, and might freely repair to them to receive Dire- ^ion as Occafion requir'd. They had a Plenary Autority fufficient to warrant all their Injun- dtions : So that there was lefs Reafon for this Forbearance then, than at any Time flnce. And befides 'tis obferveable, that the Reafons with which it is enforc'd, are of a Moral and Perpe- tual Obligation. This forbearance is therefore urg'd, becaufe God receives the Parties con- cerned, they are Brethren ^ Chrift dy^d for them \ &:c. which Reafons have equal Strength in any fucceeding Age, as in the Time particularly referred to, Such Forbearance therefore will ever be a Duty, Others have laboured to li- mit the Extent of this Duty. The Apoftle fays, A weak Brother is to be received, but not to doubtful DifpHtations : And fome have givea this Glofs : He is to be inform'd of the Law- fulnefs of what is impos'd, and if he is after- wards unfatisfy'd, he is to be rejed:ed, not as a Weak^ but a Stubborn and Obfiinate Perfon. But this Glofs overthrows the Text. For the Apoftle reprefents him as a Brother, tho' he remains unfatisfi'd j and prefles the owning and receiving him as fuch ; He tells us, he is to be tolerated, 58 The Introdu^ion, tolerated, and not contended with ; nor di- fturb'd with Difputes about Things in them- felves neither neceflary nor expedient. XLI. But Mr. Uoadly takes a new Way to Part I. Evade the Argument, and lays, That it is very f,2S. unfair to apply, what St. Paul fays in one Cafe, to Cafes not at all Paralel to it. He fpeaks of fnch groHndlefs Scruples, as were fx'd in the Minds of fome Perfons by the Religion they profefs^d, be- fore their Conversion to Chrifiianity : Such ground' lefs Scruples, and fnch Differences of Opinion and Practice, as are perfectly confifient with their join- ing together in one uniform Manner of Publick Worfhip '^ and of Perfons, who for what appears were ■ferfeEhly difpos'd to agree in the fame Cufioms, fire. But certainly a Cafe may be fomething Paralel, without agreeing in all Circumftances. Let it then be obferv'd, that the Apoftle here fpeaks of different Sentiments and Pradice, without any difcernable regard to the rife of the Difference ; and without any conlideration of the Degree of their Confiftency or Inconiiltency with the uni- form Obfervation of Publick Cuftoms. Without laying any Strefs on fuch Particularities as thofe, he inculcates Forbearance, and forbids a rigo- rous impofing of things Indifferent, where there was a diverlity of Apprehenfion concerning them. There's not the leaft Intimation, that if People came by their Scruples in fuch a way, or would thus far comply, they were to be for- born ; otherwife not : But the Command is of this Import : Which way foever thefe honelt People came by their Scruples, and how much foever they differ from you, in things really indifferent, forbear them, receive them, em^ brace them as Brethren, and don't attempt to impofe upon them ; for it could not be jufti-' p0^e 8^. fy'd. But fays he. The Apoftle Paul was net againfi The IntroduBion. 5 9 againfi Prefcriptlons^ reUtirJi^ to the Bthavionr of Chriflians at the PMck Wbrjhip, Who thinks he was ? And yet it do's not follow, that all have Autority to make like Prefaiptions, who may have an inclination. We know very well that he hath given fbme General Prefcriftions : viz. That all things be done Decently^ and in Order^ and to Edification^ &c. And as for Par^ ticular Prefcriftions^ we are fenfible he was fujffi- ciently Authoriz'd \ and, that he had the fpe- cial ConduiJl of the Divine Spirit to direft him, in fuch things as were delign'd for the life of the Church- in all Ages : But that others who have not the fame Conduft of that Spirit, may therefore of their own Heads, impofe what they think good upon the Difciples of Chrift, under the fpecious Pretence of Order and Decency^ by no Means follows. This is plainly here foi bid- den. That he Ordred, that Women flionld he p-'^d^q^t^o* lent at Publick Ajfemblies % and that they Jhould he veild in the Church ^ and, that the Prophets whS^ had any thing reveaCd to them Jhould wait with Pa^ tience^ and obferve a due Order in their fpeakingy &c. is readily agreed : But then it is to be ob- ferv'd, that neither were thefe things properly Indifferent, nor did he aft without plain Au- tority. Thefe were things not properly In- different. They were things that were really Expedient: They were founded on Moral Reafons. They were alio inforc*d with an Apoftolical Autority that was well Attefted. And if this be well confider'd, there will ap- pear no room for an Inference, that therefore Ordinary Church Governours may warrantably, under the Pretence of Decency and Order^ pre- fcribe things indifferent, {6 as to Exclude fuch from Communion who refiife compliance, St. Paul has in this Chapter plainly interposed with his Apo- 6o The IfJtrcduBion, Apoftolical Autority, againft fuch a Pradice. Page 91. When therefore Vix.Hoadly fo pofitively de- clares, that St. Paul m more tho't in this Chap' ter of Scruples relating to mens Behavionr^ at Pub^ lick AJfemhlys^ than he tho^t of Contradicting him- felf: He would have done his Caufe good Ser- vice, had he prov'd that it implies a Contradi- clion, to fuppofe the Apoflle fhould elfewhere give Particular Prefcriptions about the Circum- llantials of Divine Worfhip, being duly Autho- riz'd thereto, and having a fpecial Aflifbance of the Holy Spirit to dired him ^ and yet fhould in this Chapter forbid others, who had not the fame Autority or Afliftance, to break in upon the Peace of the Church with their un- neceflary Injundions, to the caufing fuch to be rejeded, as ought to be receiv'd and own'd as Brethren. But till then, he rather expofes him- felf by fuch Infinuations, than the Argument drawn from this Chapter, againft the Impofing ^ower, of which he feems fo fond. The Law- fulnefs of laying down Rules and Prefcriptions about the JBehaviour of Chrifiians at Publick AJfemblieSy need not however be Difputed ^ it need not be . argu'dfrom the Example of St. Paul ^ For let the Autority of the Regulator be evidenc'd ^ or fuch Reafons be bro't for the Rules laid down^ as are really cogent \ or fuppollng they are Matters dubious, and not decided by Scriptural Autori- ty ^ let Liberty be left to fuch as are unfatif- iy'd, without Cenfure or Reje(^ion, and we ea- fily Agree. The Queftion is not. Whether Modern Church-Governors may not give their Advice, and Offer Rules and Meafures back'd with as ftrong and cogent Reafons as the Mat- ters will bear : But the Grand Queftion is this, Whether, when the Rules, and Prefcriptions laid 4fiwn-j ^re ojfily aboHt things profefs d to be la^^ffe-" renty The IntrodnSlion, 6x rent, arid not in forced with any Moral Reafoni^ they tnay Warrantahly he fo impos dy by fnch as cannot trove they have a like A^ttority with the Apofiles^ at that fuch oi fcrufle them and' refufc Compliance^ JJjonld infiead of being forborn and received, be de- ny*d the Benefit of Chriftian Communion ? This Queftion we apprehend is in this Chapter de- cided wholly on our fide. That Prefcriptions Page gil miifi be wholly laid afide, ifth%y come to be fcrn^ fled as unlawful, is not indeed here aflerted ', for they that are fatisfy'd in them, are at Li- berty ft ill to follow them : But if it is not plain in this Chapter that they are fo far to be laid afide, as not to be urg'd on Perfbns diflatisfy'd, or infifted on to the A?/Wr^»ce of Chriftian Com- munion, it will be hard to underftand this or any other Part of Sacred Scripture. And if the rigorous impoling of one indifferent Rite or Ceremony be here declared unlawful, it will eafilybeacknowledg'd, that the impofing other Rites or Ceremonies, (be they who they will Pagepj; that were forward to concur in them) would be equally unwaiTantable. XLII. Mr. Hoadly here interpofes with a pa^eo^- Pleafant Inftance. He fays St. Paul prefcrib'd ^ ^^ that Women Jhould be Jilent in Pnblick j4jfembliesy meerly becaufe it was Decent : I ftiould hardly •fay meerly for that Reafon -, becaufe^ 1 believe, the Particular Command of his Mafter might be another Reafon. The Bifhops alfo (he fays) prefcrib^d Kneeling at the Communion, meerly be- caufe it was Decent : I could hardly fay meerly here neither, becaufe 'tis plain they had a De- lign this way, to Ihew their Autority, which ought not to be excluded Confideration. Sup' pofe now ((ays he) fome Women jhould have been fo ■ weak, as to have tho't it unlawful to have obefd that Jnjnn^ion of St. Paul's, thinking they were €on^ 62 The IntroduSiion, coftjf rained hy the Sprit to fpeak^ and JHdging thelf Sileme to be a Crimea would you produce this i^th Chapter to the Romans, to prove that St, Paul, teas againjt prefcrihing or retaining any fuch Rule ; or that thefe Perfons were to be receivedy and not Cenfur*d ? The Gentleman hath the liberty of his own Suppofitions *, tho' really this is pretty Remote from the Purpofe. He might eafily have fuppos'd the Anfwer would be in the Ne- gative ^ and there is very Good Reafon it fhould be fo : For Women thus difpos'd, would have refused Subjeftion to the Plain Commands of Chrift, coming diredly from him, thro' the Hands of his own Apoftles, which to be fure could not be juftify'd. But when Bilhops rigo- roufly Prefcribe, Kneeling at the Communion^ or any other Ceremony, which our Lord hath left indifferent, fo as to refufe the receiving here re- quir'd, if there be not a Compliance, the Cafe much varys *, and this Chapter direftly confronts them, and therefore, I think, I may urge it to very Good Purpofe. The Apoftleihip of St. Taulvjz.s abundantly attefted v and his Faith- fiilnefs to his CommiiTion many ways evidenced* Finding him then fo pofitively requiring , 1 Cor. 14. 34. that Women fhould keep filence in the Church ; and again repeating it in fo Au- torative a manner, i Tim. 2. 12.. I fujfer not a Woman to teach : I thereupon conclude, that he receiv'd this Command from him who gave him his CommilRon. And that the rather, be-* caufe in another j^afe (which was at that time important) I find he only gave his Judgment, without pretending Autoritatively to deter- mine. The Cafe I refer to, is that of f^irglni^ ty ^ as to which he makes this Declaration, 1 Cor. 7.25- / have no Commandment of the Lord : fet I give my Judgment -^ m one that hath obtained Mer^Jf I The IntroduSiion. ^2 Mercy of the Lord to be Faithful. And he adds in the laft Verfe, / think alfo that I have the Spi^ rit of God. His Different Carriage in thefe two Cafes plainly intimates, that he had a Command in the one, and not in the other. Now if Per- fons wont comiDly where there is a Command of Chrift, nothing can influence them ^ nothing canexcufe them. And till Ordinary Church Governors can as to what tliey prefcribe, af- fert a like Divine Warrant with St. P^«/, for his Order of the Silence of Women in the Church, I ihould think they had better imitate his Carriage in the other Cafe, as to the mat- ter of Virginity : 'Twere much better they fhould give their Judgment, and leave every one to Judge for himfelf j which would put an End to the Controverfy. But if inltead of this, th^y will take upon them to impofe as Autoritative- ly as St. Paul in the other Cafe, without a like warrant. His Example will do them no Service. Nay this very Chapter of his Condemns them, as refufing to receive their Brethren upon the Account of their not complying with fuch things, as they are hereforbid to Command and impofe upon them. XLIII. And if fair Reafoning won't upon this „ ^^ Head fuffice for Convidion, the Pradice o& ^ others is hardly like to go far. The mention- ing therefore of the Pradice of the Independents and of Mr. Baxter, in the Cafe of Impofitions, might very well have been forborn. For tho' both the one and the other Ihould have over- ftot themfelves, it does not follow, but that Perionsmay warrantably complain, when they have things impos'd upon them by fuch as have no Right to do it. But Ihould I fay nothing to the two Cafes referred to, I might polTibly be ciiargd with an unpardonable Omiffion/ As to P4 *J^^^ IfitroduSiion. to the Independents therefore, I have this to lay, 'that 'there are many of them not liable to his Charge. If any of them do make an Agree- ment to any Covenant but what is NecefTary to the being of aChrillian,a Term ofCommunion, I muft Confefs, I could never be their Advo- €atc» For the Pradice is Unfcriptural. Noth^ ing is to me more Evident, than that all who foberly profefs an Adherence to the Baptifmal Covenant, have a Right to all the Ordinances bf Chrift, in any Church, in any part of thef Earth where their Lot is Caft. And this 1 know ( and could prove if need were ) to have been the fenfe of feveral, who have gone under the name of Independents. And tho' it were to be wifh't, that fome of them were lefs forward to encourage that among themfelves, which they condemn in others ^ yet I muft Declare, I can- not but think there is a wide Difference be* tween a ftridnefs in the Admiflion of Members to the Lord's Table, in order to the engaging them to all pofFible Serioufnefs^ and the oblig- ing Perfons, when admitted to Communion, to comply with things that neither have any thing of Religion in them, nor the leaft tendency to promote it ; as alfo between agreeing on mea*-. lures for themfelves in a particular Congregati* on, and pfefcribing meafures to others. Should p» 07. ^^ call this a Courting thefe Gentlemen with a Brotherly jife^ion^ it Would little affeft me. I am as free to declare againft an impofing Spirit in any th^t fepardte from the National Confti- tution, as in thofe who belong to it : And yet I have a Brotherly AffediOn left, for thofe of the one and the other fort. I won't join with one, in what I feparate from the other for : But will rejoice in any Indications that appeat of aii Abatement of former Rigours in ^ny num- The Introdu^ion^ i< > ber of either. And as to Mi% Baxt^r^ tho' ! were unable to jultifie him in what has occail- on'd Mr. Hoadlyh Cenfure, yetcari I not dilcern that needlefs "Impofitions would thereupon be ever the more juftifiabl^: But were the Cafe well weigh'd, I can't tell whether it would ap- pear fo highly Blameable as it is reprefented. That Excellent Perfon did indeed refilie t6 gratifie a Particular Gentleman, who infilled upon having the Sacrament Kneeling, and at a diftinft time from the reft of the Parifh. But how far did he refufe receiving him ? He did not deny him a Liberty of going elle-where, where he might have had that Ordinance in his bwn way; He did not himfelf refufe tb give it to him Kfietling^ ( tho' that was a different Pofture from what was us'd in his Congregation) if he would but hear his Reafons firft againll it, and fee whether they wlDUld not fatisfie him. And if he infifted on it, that he Ihould firft own him for his Paftor, and fubmit to Difcipline, (which, by the way, confifted of no other things than what all Parties concur'd in as agreeable to the Woixi of God ) he yet fell fir Ihort of the Gentlemen of the Church of England-^ whd require a Compliance with their Terms of (jbm- inunion upon their own Word, before they make them appear to have any footing in the Word of God. But be that as it will, let fome among the Independents^ nay let Mr. Baxter himfelf ( as much as I Honour his Memory ) do what they will, it ftill remains a firm Principle,' till bietter difprov'd, that unfcriptural Impofi- tions are unwarrantable. They are fo alike iii all Parties. And tho' a great ftir hath been made about a Peculiar Right of eath Bifhoji in lUsDiocefsi yet unlefs I could bring better Proof to fupport it, than has as yet been al- F kdg'd.; 66 The IntrodnSlioff, ledg'd by its moft Zealous Defenders, I (hould really be alham'd to plead for it. And fince the giving them a I<»gbt to demand Obedience to their unnecelTary Impofitions, is in effed an im- povvering them to make Men Schifmaticks at their Pleafure, I fhould think the defending of fuch a Power, no Argument of an Extraordina- ry Chi iflian Temper. ; ^ XLIV. But what if we lodge this determining Power with General Councils, and during the In- terval of fuch Councils, with the governing Part of the Univerfal Church, z'iz.. All the Bifhops in a Regent Coll edge, governing the Chriftian World per Literas FormatasJ This i$ the Scheme of the two Celebrated Primates, Land and Bramhall^ and of Bp. Morley^ Bp. Gunnings and Bp. Sparrow ^ as alfo of Dr. Hcylin^ Dr. SayroeU\ Mr. Dodwell^ and others. A Proper Scheme eno' to reconcile the Church of England with the Galilean Church \ but never Calculat- ed to fecure or Promote a Scriptural Reforma- tion. It tends to advance his Holme fs the Pope of Rome to the Patriarchate of the Weft ; but w'^W by no means contribute to thefecuring the *5eej^j. Rights, of our Lord Jefus Chrift, as Head of Baxter ?,' ^ Church. It is liable to all the Objections Treatife ^$^'hich have been mention'd before againft the againrt Pretentions of Particular Biihops in their re- the Re- fpedive Dioceflcs ^ and to many more : Of volt to a vvhich this is none of the leaft, that it plainly Foreign r^j-g ^p ^ Foreign Jurifdidion, againll which ^ nn ^^e Nation is folemnly Sworn. * I'S ^LV. If then the Church has that Pown of Dcdicat- ^'■^^^'^^^^i Rites and Ceremonies.^ Vi\\\Q\\ is aflertecl ^^ to in our 20th Dodrinal Article ^ The Right of Arch-bi- framing fuch Decrees muft, at laft, lie in the fliop Til- Church Reprefentative of this Nation, met in lotjon. Convocation. And this is indeed the way of fome The IntroduSliort. 67 / fome •, who afTert, that a Convocation binds in Ecclefiaftical, in the fame manner as a Parlia- ment does in Civil Matters. But the ftrange Debates that are yet on fobt on this Head, would make it very odd to fix here, till they are come to a Final Decifion. How is a Con- vocation the Church Reprefentative, when not only the Laity are wholly Excluded, ( and the Prince and Parliament among the reft, who are certainly a very valuable part of the Church ) bat the Parochial Clergy are put off with a fmaller number of Voices than the Cathedral Dignitaries ? How can that Affembly truly re- prefent the Church of Chrift in a Nation, that entirely Ihuts out all but fuch a particular Par- ty, to which the Church of Chrifl cannot be confin'd, by any but Bigots ^ Perfons that have more Zeal, than either Knowledge or Charity? But let it pafs for the Church Reprefentative j Whence comes it to have a Legiflative and Coercive Power in Religious Matters ? If it can make Laws that are binding, it mull be either by Vertue of a CommilTion deriv'd from Chrift^ or by the Grant of the Civil Magiftrate^ or by Vertue of the Confent of thofe whom they reprefent. As for a Commifllon from Chrift, the great Law-giver of the Church, there is none appears. The Grant of the Civil Ma- giftrate, can convey no more Power, than he is himfelf intrufted with ^ which has been be- fore confider'd. And to make this the Foun- dation, inftead of promoting Order, creates Confufion , if the Magiftrate fhould either de- ny, or revoke the Grant *, or fo limit it as to make it ufelefs j Or there Ihoiild be a Debate between the Convocation and the Prince, con- Gcrning the inherent Power of the one, and the Prerogative of the other j which is a thing may F 2 " b«? o8 The htroduSlioff. be very eafily fuppos'd. And if the Confent of thofe who are reprefented be the proper Foun- dation of the Power of a Convocation, then thofe who are not reprefented in it, are free : And let but all fuch be excus'd in Fad as well as Obligation , and a Convocation may take its own way , and go as far ' as it can, and not do much Damage. Thofe who have none to reprefent them in fuch an Aifembly, are upon this Suppofition, at Liberty to Judge for themfelves. Tho' what is requir'd be Law- ful^ if yet according to the befb Judgment they can frame of things, it appears to them inexpe- dient^ the Judgment of a whole Convocation, has no Autority to oblige them. But between a Parliament and a Convocation^ there is this valt Difference. An Ad of Parliament, (when not manifeftly againll the Publick Good ) binds all the Subjeds by Vertue of the Original Conftitu- tion, on which the Civil Government of the Nation is founded : Whereas we have the Ori- ginal Conflitution of the Government of the Church in our Sacred Records, without any In- timation of fuch a Power belonging to a Convo- cation, or indeed any Reprefentcrs of tlie vari- ous Members of which the Body of the Church is made up. And withal \ I think what was fuggefted by the Epifcopal Divines after the Re- Itauration of King Charles^ in Anfwcr to the firft Propofals of the Minifters of Loudon^ in Order to Peace, deferves to be conliJcr'd, viz., * ♦ That the Final Rcfolntion of all Ecclejiajiical Power Life in ^^^ Jurtfditlion into a National Synod^ feems to he Folio, p. defiruElive of the Royal Supremacy ^ in Caufes pic- 244. cle/tafiicaL XLVL' The Minifters of Chrift without doubt may and fhould meet together in Synods for Unity and Concord; And by Agreement, they The IntrodhSlmt. 6^ they may bind up themfelves in things of mu- table Determination, when Circumftances evi- dently require it : They may tie themfelves to their proper refpeclive Duties ; and Animad- vert upon and Cenfure Negleds : And they may by their Grave Admonitions and Exhorta- tions, enforce the known Laws of Chrift, on all that are under their Care : But that Synods have a Right to Exercife any Proper Power and Legiflation, Ihould be prov'd by thofe who af- fert it. Lawyers, Phyficians, and Merchants meet together about the Affairs of their refpe- ftive Funftions, and fo do Minifters : And as the Determinations in which the Debates of the Former ifPue, are inforc'd by the Confent of the Parties Concern'd, upon Evidence that they tend to the Common Good ^ fo mull it be good Evidence alone that can be expeded to prevail for a general compliance with the Determina- tions of the latter, upon any other bottom, un- iefs where the plain Laws of Chrift deliver'd in the Scriptures are inforc'd. Tho' to be fure it will become particular Perfons when they differ from fuch Bodys, to fufped themfelves, and be the moreftrift in their Enquiry. If there were any proper Power in an Eccleliaftical Synod, to inforce any Determinations not plainly con- tained in Scripture, ^twould certainly be in a general Council: And yet the Church of Eng- land has determin'd in the 21ft Article, that fuch Councils may err^ and have fometimes err*dy even in things Pertaining to God. If fo, we can- not nec«[farily be bound to Acquiefce in their Determinations. The Apoftles indeed when met in the Council at Jcrnfalem might with a very good Warrant lay, it feemed good to the ^fts 1 5, Holy Ghofi and to us : And when any others af- 28. ter them can do fo top, they may claim a like J? 3 regard JO Dr. Bur- gefesKt- joinder to the Reply to Dr.yWbr- :ons Ge- neral De- fence of Three Nocent Ceremo- nies, p. 75. * Bellar- min. de ejf'cEl. Sa- ctxm. L. 2. C. qr. T6e Inirodu&ion. regard. But when it is undeniable, that that may feem good to an Ecclefiaftical Synod or Convocation, with which the Holy Ghoft has no Concern, the Autoritativenefs of that Coun- cil in its Determination, is no Warrant for o- thers in an affeded Imitation. KLVII. The Grand Plea is taken from that Apoftolical Rule, let all things he done Decently and in Order^ i Cor. 1 4. 40. And let all things be done to edifying, ver. 16. 'Tis own'd, that this is the only place in the Nevo Tefiament^ by which Divines conclude^ that a Tower is given to the Churchy ( met in Convocation) to corifiitute fuch Rites as Jha'l be needful to Edification^ JDecen- (ry, and Order ^ becaufe jlie is commanded to fee that all things be fo done : IVhich^ in refpe5i of the va- riety of Terfons^ Tlaces^ Times^ OccaJtonSj and Opinions of Men cannot be fo done^ unlefs in thofe things floe may law f illy make and repent certain Laws or ConfiitHtions thereabout. But 'tis much this Power which is of fuch mighty Confequence, fliould have but one place in all the New Tefla* ment to fupport it. And if this be the only place to be met with to that Purpofe, I fiiould exped it to be very plain and clear, fo as that any that fhould queftion whether this were the real intention of it, Ihould eaiily be prov'd to be Litigious Cavillers : And fo as that any that ihould abufe it to the encouragement of an Ex- orbitant Power, might be eaiily Confronted. But is it fo in this Cafe ? This PafTage of Sa- cred Writ, is bro't up at every turn by the Ad- vocates for the Church of England^ and it is urg'd as ftrenuoufly by Cardinal Bellarmine , "^ to eftabliih ^he Whole Popiftj Service, and the Ceremonies of the Church oi Rome. And if the Right of judging of the tendency of Ceremo- nies to Edificatiorfy Decency and Order^ be in the Church, The IntroduSiion, 7 1 CKurch, I can't fee why the Cardinal had not as much Right to urge the Place, as the Advo- cates of our Church. 'Tis hence inferr'd, that the . Apoftle doth grant a general Licence and Autority to all Churches to Ordain any Ceremonies that may he fit for the better ferving of God. But- before this Reafoning can have any force in Par- ticulars, it muft be made appear, that thefe and thefe Ceremonies , which are requir'd by a Church .Reprefentative or Convocation, are fit for the better ferving of God. And if the Judg- ment of the Church be fuiEcient to Evidence this, it muft be fo in the Church of Rome^ as well as in the Church of England : And fo all the Papal Superftitions are efFeftually fupported. But if Chriftians are left at Liberty to Judge for thcmfelves in things not determin'done way or other in Scripture, then is this place in vain produc'd in Proof of a Power to Decree Cere- monies in the Church Reprefentative : For when a Convocation has done its utmoft, each private Chriftian has a Right to Judge for him- lelf as to the Canons it frames, nay 'tis his Duty to judge of them : Aye and to rejeft them too, if upon due Examination he finds they would enforce things that are not Decent, orderly, and Edifying, or meer Humane Inventions ^ whereas the Apoftle had his Eye on the well- ordering of things, which were really of Divine Appointment. XLVIII. But after all, it is pleaded by fome ; That tho' there may be difRculties attending the afcribing the Power of determining Cixr cumftantials in Religion, either to Church or State fcparately, yet when both agree, the Cafe is plain : We are -then inexcufable if we don't comply, provided we are not able to prove the things impos'd as to the matter of them linful. F 4 Bu? ]J2 The IfJlrodnSliort. But if neither Church nor State really has this Power feparately, 'twould be hard to prove they acquire ip by Joining their Forces together. But iince this is pretended, I think it ought to be iliewn, how they derive it from Chrift j How fSiY it goes, and where it flops. It ought ta be Ihewn how they derive it from Chrift. For Social Corapaft will not lay a Foundation for this mixt fort of fpiritual Power to bind the ponfcience, the regulating and giving Meafures to which, was one great Defign and Intention of the Sacred Scriptures. And if this Power really comes from Chrift, we may well exped to find fomething of it in that Sacred Volume. And we are indejed there told, ( as has before been m9ntiQn'd ) that we mu^ be fubjeEh to the Higher Powers for Confcience fake ^ and that tve. tniifi obey them that have the Rule over m in the Lord ; Butftillifthe Prince and the Bilhop, the Parlia- xnent and the Convocation join together to re- quire, what God hath neither fubjeded to the, former noi^ fubmitted to the Rule of the latter, an Obligation to Obedience is wanting. And if we are no.t obligM, we are at Liberty : Be- iides 2 How far does this mixt Power go, and where doe's it ftop ? 'Suppofe I fhould yield in three of four Ceremonies, becaufe I can't prove them in themfelves Unlawful -, How know I, but in time, I may be requir'd to comply with thirty" or fi:)rty •, till the Decent Ceremonies that are added, a^ length come to fpoil the fpi- ritualky of my Religion? If'I yield to Pray conftantly , C notwithf^anding the frequent change of ^ CirCumftances ) by a Form in the £)esk,what Aflurance can be given me, I mayn't be requir'd ere long to do the like in the Pul- pit ?" bJay'and in iny Family too ? But if our tord has not requir'd, that fuch matters fhould ^■"•''— --^ " : ••■•' ^' ■ ' ' '^ be The IntroduBzon. j:^ be uniformly Determin'd, either by Church or State feparately, or by both jointly, ( which I think I may juftly fuppofe , after the foregoing Difquifition, till fuitable Proof is of- fer'd ) I fee not but I am at Liberty to Order my own Adions in Divine Worfhip, as feems to me belt ^ moft agreeable to the Sacred Scrip- tures, and the Nature of the feveral Ordinan- ces of Divine Worfhip •, and moft to my own Advantage and Satisfadion. XLIX. How far indeed Perfbns are oblig'd to a Compliance in fuch things as are not lin- ful, for the fake of Peace, is a material Enqui- ry : Tho' I muft confefs it feems very hard, that it fhould be fo much infifted on, that the Regard to Peace fhould be on one fide only. For if the Peace of the Church be really an in- valuable BlelTing, Superiors fhould as well fhew they elteem it fuch, as recommend it as fuch to inferiours : They fhould fhew their regard to it, by tendernefs ia impofing, where there is no Necelfity requiring j as well as the others fhew their regard to it, by their complying, where they have not weighty Reafons to hin- der them. While this is wanting, to recom- mend Peace fo warmly to the injur'd Parties, whom our Saviour has exempted from needlefs Impofitions, favours more of the Politician than the Chriftian. But whether the Church, or the State has that regard to Peace that it ought to have, yea or no ^ I'll eafily grant every Chri- ftian is in his Place bound to be tender of it- Butltill there is fomething, that muft take Place of it. For the Wlfdom that is fiom ahove^ i^ fi''fi James 3. ^ure^ and then Peaceable. Whence it is natu- 17. x:ally inferred, that the firfl: Care of all Chri- fl:ians ( and therefore to be fure of Minifters ) Ihould be for Purity ^ and that, that is prefera- '* • ^ ble 74 ' The IntroduSiion. ble to Teaccy tho' to be fought and purfu'd in a"; Peaceable Way. Befides, it has a mpft abfuid. appearance, to have the Pefec^. of the Churchf^ reprefented, as depending upon Things unpro* iitable. And yet farther, if a Compliance with fome fuch things be requifite for the fake of Peace, who can fay where we fhall'ftop? Muft we for Peace fake comply .lyith all Things that" are requir'd, that are not in themfelves-fihfu.1:?'' If fo, we may not only have the feverelb Part^ of the Jemijh Yoke reviv'd-, but it might be made much more infupportable, by the vagrant Fancies of fuch as take Delight in fhevving their fruitful Invention and Autority. Or if the Ob-^ ligation reaches to fome Things only ', 'twould; be hard to fix juft Limits, and give Reafon's fof them when we have done. Let us fup|)ofe,^ that as fome for the fake of Peace require a Compliance with the Order for ufmg the Sur- plice as an Emblem of Purity, the Crofs in Bap- tifm as a Dedicating Sign, and the Pofture of Kneeling at the Lords Supper in token of Re- verence, an7» 8 1 in themfelves Lawful, bot alfo whether the Compliance with them, that is reqnir'd, be Law- ful. If the things reqnir'd be in themfelves Lawful, we may indeed be bound in Confcience todifcover that it is our Senfe of them, that they are fo : Bu if that Compliance with them, that is reqnir'd, be Unlawful, we are bound in Confcience to d'ifcover that we efleem it fo, by refuiing it : Ncitlier can St. Panl be juftify'd iri the Cale mention'd, upon any other Suppoliti- on. For any to pretend to heal Divifions, by an Unlawful Compliance with things Lawful, is in the ftrideft Senfe, a doing Evil that Good may come. "♦ LIL Mr. Hdadly feems diftiirb'd, that fomfc p^^t j^ among us Diffenters, who he apprehends look*. 8i. upon the things prefcrib^d in the Church to be LaW" fid^ don't cur felves CCimply mith thefe Prefcrif- tionSy and endeavour to con'vi'nCe others^ that they ought to do fo too. To which an eafie Anf\ver offers from thePremifes. Tho' fome among us perhaps may look upon the things prefcrib'd to be as Lawful, as Circumcilion was in the Days of St. Paul.) we yet dont comfly in that fort or Degree he defires we fhould, becaufe we ar5 convinc'd that fo to do, would be as really un- lawful, as it would have been for that Apoftle conltantly to have apply'd that painful *Rit$ to all his Gentile-Converts. Neither can we endeavour to convince others^ till we are herein convinc'd our felves. But that we -^lufb there-^ fore inveigh a^ainfi Governors^ and add Life and Strength^ to the unreafonable ScrUfles of otheri\ and fatroniz^e.thofe who feparate upon groundUfs Prejudices^ and with grofs uncharitabienefs ", and run-down an Autority^ which we tut feiyei^ Ac- G kntw ledge 8^ The IntrodnSiidn. knowledge in the Church upon other Occafions^ 8fC. is an Infinuation th;u difcovers not either the Charity or the Candour, of which he defiresto maintain the Reputation, and which has ap- pear'd upon fome other Occafions. LIII. But why may not I^fhew my peaceable Difp.'fition in communicating occaiionally, with thoie, a Total Compliance with whofe Impofi- tions I judge Unlawful, without bein^ charge- able with Hypocrifie ? My Aim is vifible •, I don't feek to conceal it ^ nor is there any need I fhould : I would Ihew my Charity to them, tho' I dare not own their Autority, or encou- rage their encroachments. Why fhould I for this be Evil fpoken of? Did I think the things requir'd linful as to the matter of them, I fhould not dare to yield to any Communion in them : But when I only think them iii them- felves inexpedient, finfully impos'd, and there- fore unwarrantably fo comply'd with, as would be to the Prejudice of a farther Reformation, which all ought earneftly to deiire and aim at in their feveral Places, in a Regular and Peace- able way j why may I not fhew my Charity to them, by giving them fometiraes my Company ? As for my Principle, I keep to it firmly. For tho' lam fometimes with them, yet by my Stated Se- paration, I difcover my Diifatisfadion with the Bottom they ftand on, and my Senfe of the unlawfulnefs of my Acquiefcing in it. Neither do I betray this Principle, by owning fometimes by my Prcfence in their Worfhip, that the things they have added are not in themfelres Unlawful, tho' unwarrantably impos'd : For it appears from what has been faid, that thefe two may be very confiftent. But for any to fay, The IntroduSliofi. 83 fay, that if I am with them at all, I mull: be with them always ; is as if a Man Ihould tell me, that if I can once to fliew my felf Sociable, and to fhew that I don't count the Food Poi- fonous, eat of a certain Difli of Meat, which fome are extremely Fond of ^ I mull have it at every Meal, or I Ihall fhew my felf an unpeace- able and diforderly Man. But where's the Confequence ? If I tho't the eating of fuch a Difh Unlawful, I would never taft it : But however, tho' it be Lawful, yet it mayn't be fo agreeable to me. Perhaps the frequent ufe of it might prejudice my Health, and fpoil my Appetite, and at the fame time encourage thofe who herein think fit to prefcribe to me, tq proceed in other things to deprive me of that Liberty, to which God and my Rational Na- ture have given me an undoubted Right. And therefore tho' a Law fhould be made, that I muft never fit down to Table, but I mufl; eat of fuch a fort of Food, I don't know that I am oblig'd to regard it. I may perhaps eat it now and then, to fliew that I am willing to have a fair Correfpondenre with thefe Gentlemen that are fo fond of it : But I won't eat it always, not only becaufe 'tis lefs agreeable to my Con- ftitution than other Food, but alfo that I may Ihew thefe Gentlemen , that I know of no Right they have to impofe upon me. But for any to tell one thus difpos'd, that if he can at all eat this fort of Meat, he muft do it always, that he mayn't create Difturbance, by differ- ing from his Neighbors, who are refolv'd to give him no reft, if he won't Humour them, in doing as they do ^ that if he can bear the Tafl: of it, he Ihall have it at every Meal ^ or that if he won't cat it, it IhaU be cramra'd down his G i Thioat^ 04 T^^ introduSiion, Throat ^ and that if he refiifes, he fiiall have hard Names given him, and be look'd upon as unfit for any Publick Favour, and unworthy any Refpeft in the Common Wealth : This certainly would be very hard Meafure •, and whatever fair Glofles were put upon it, it would neither recommend the Food to general Efteem, nor conciliate any Refped to thofe who were forufing fuch Violence, in a cafe where every Man loves, and has a Righx to Liberty. LIV. As far as I can Jndge, I am neither by what has been hitherto fuggefted, pleading for Diforder and Confufion, neither has the Prin- oiple I go upon any tendency to it. I hope there is room fufficient for all the Order and Harmony in Ecclefiaftical Matters that is Ne- ceflary, tho' the impofing Power that has been {o muchtalkt of, be laid alide ; and tho' all have that Liberty continued to them, which our Sa- viour has left them. To give every particular Perfbn indeed a Liberty to bring his own Fan- cy and Humour into Publick Worfhip, would be ftrangely ridiculous : And to fuppofe the Neceflary Circumftances of Worfhip, not de- ter min'd for each worfhipping Society, would Gccafion endlefs Confufion. But tho' it be own'd Neceflary that time and place, and Ibme other Circumftances, without which Divine Wor- fhip could not be kept up in Publick, muft he Determin'd for each worfliipping Afl^mbly: Yet it does not therefore follow, that 'tis Ne- ceflary there fhould be a like Uniform Deter- mination of fuch Circumfl:ances, for many fuch Societies ; and much lefs, that 'tis Neceflary that all the Circumftances of Worfliip fliould be fixedly Determin'd for -any. The more La* .jj:.,***. * - titudc The lntroduB:ion, 85 titude is left, the lefs dan2;er will there be of Dillurbance, and the more likelyhood of Peace. But, that each worfhippins; Society mult deter- mine for it felf, what it finds NeceiTary to be determin'd, is with me a fixed Principle. I fay not, that thtY may decree Rites and Ceremonies: I think for them we may be fatisfy'd with the Regulations of Scripture : But as it is Evident even by the Light of Nature, that 'tis the great Duty of Mankind to meet in Society for Divine Worlhip, fo is it the fame way to be Evidenc'd that every Company of profelling Chriftians that agree to do k>^ have a Natural Right to Order the Circumllances of their own Worfhip, in a fubferviency to the Common Good, under the Limitations, and with the Reftriftions laid down in Scripture. As each particular Church may determine, who of thofe that are in the Minillerial Office, Ihall Officiate among them in that Capacity, fo is it fittelt alfo it Ihould be fettled by agreement at what time, and where, they'll meet in order to Worfhip: How long time they'll fpend in it^ and in what Order (as far as the facred Scriptures have not determin'd ) the feveral Duties of it Ihall be manag'd : Whether they fhall Sing with Read? ing or without ^ whether the Lord's Supper fhall be Celebrated at Noon or at Night, and the like. They who are upon the place, and belt know the particular Circumltances out of which the expediency of a Determination of fuch things as thefe one way or other arifes j they who fee Conveniencies and Inconveniencies that mayarife on either fide, are certaialy the molt competent Judges in the Cafe. To take the Inftance of Tirne^ which is as obvious as any. 'Tis plainly Necelfary, that tl^ere fhoul4 G 3 be 86 The IntroduElion, be a Determination concerning it. If the time for Worfliip be not fix'd, People cannot know when to come together. This therefore mult be fettled. A certain Day is fix'd in Scripture for Publick Worlhip : But the time of that Day that fljall be fpent in this Worfhip, is left nndetermin'd. A general Law as to this time won't Suit all in a City, and much lefs in all the particular Churches, in a Thoufand Miles Cir- cuit. It may be manifeftly more Convenient in one place to have the Lord's Supper at Noon, and in another at Night. And therefore in this Cafe 'tis plain, 'tis fitteft that each Congrega- tion Judge for it felf. LV. How far the Power of each Congregati- on to determine Circumftauces goes, is a mate- rial Enquiry. As to which, it is eafie to be Obferv'd, that if they have any fuch Power, it Kiuft extend to all thofe things the Determina- tion of which one way or other, is ordinarily Neceflary or Expedient. But as for things which there is no Neceffity of Determining at all, they were better left at Liberty. This I take to be the Cafe of the Pofture at the Lord's Sup- per. I can't fee the Neceflity why any Congre- gation (hould determine for the Pofture of Sit- ting, fo as to exclude fuch as rather choofe to Kneel, or the contrary : Nay, I don't think this conld be juftify'd. For this were a pre- tending to confine, where our Saviour has left Liberty : 'Tis a proper making Terms of Com- munion, for which the great Legiflator of the Chufth has not impower'd them. There is in- deed a great Difference between Perfons deter- mining for themfelves, that they will ufe cer- tain Ceremonies that cannot be prov'd Unlaw- ful, The TntroduBiorr. 87 ful, and their having fuch Ceremonies impos'd upon them by others, who have no Right : And yet I am fo fenfible that it is the Duty of all worfhiping Societies to leave the Communi- on of the Church open to all that offer, upon the naked Terms of the Gofpcl, that I dare not undertake to Juftifie fuch an Attempt in any particular Church. What others may be able to do, I cannot Judge till I fee their Argu- ments. LVI. If any rcprefent this as a meer Indepen- dent Scheme, they are at their Liberty. For my part, Words and Names affeft me little, when I am once fatisfy'd in the Grounds I go upon. But whatever Name is given it, that which much Confirms me in my Adherence to this Principle, is this ^ that it fecures to all their undoubted Rights. It neither breaks in upon the Paftoral Office, nor upon each private Chriftians Judgment of Dilcretion : It neither excludes Synodical Aflemblies or abates their ■Qfefulnefs ^ nor does it leflen the Autority of the Magiftrate •, which is more than I can dif- cern can juftly be afferted of any other Method. Let but this Principle Hand, that each wor- fhipping Society muft Determine for it felf in all Necefiary Circumftances, and each private Chriftian has his Judgment of Difcretion left untouch'd. For he is no way oblig'd to com- ply with any Determination of a Circumflance, which he redly Judges not Necelfary to be De- termin'd. The Paftoral Office alfo remains un- invaded. Each Paftor is ftill free to purfue his Commiffion, to teach whatever Chrill has Com- manded, and to preferve the Purity of his Sar cred Inftitutioas. Synods ftill have their Ufe, G 4 ia 88,^ The JfitroduSlion. in a way of Cpnfultation, Admonition and Ad- vice to reprefs Diforders, determine Differences, and regulate by Confent fuch things as are of common Concernment. And as for the Magi- ilrate, he is ftill left Ciifios. utrlnff^ TakitU, and iii the full Exercife of all that Autority with which Chrill has intrufted him for the good of t^e Church. And if the Magiftrate fee fit to manage his Part in reference to the Church by Sup'erintendents or Bifhops, I know of no folii Arguments either from Reafon or Scripture, to 4ifcourage fubmifTion to them, provided they impofe not upon Confcience. Tho' I tliink fuch Porfons would be more properly Archbifhops than Bifhops. r- JHoadly. LVII. But 'tis faid, that this partyicitUr Time Part I . ^^d Place in exclufon to all others are not abfoltite^ pag. ^8. (y Necejfary ^ and fome honefl Men mill fret end theyt ' 4ye jhtit out fiom Communion by impojing them. It is reply'd, that tho' no one particular time and piace can be pretended to be abfolutely NecefTa-. ry, (excepting the time of the Lord's Day, fix'd by Divine Appointment ) to the exclufton of others, yet that fome particular Time and Place be fix'd on is abfolutely Neceflary, in the Cafe of each worfhiping AfTembly of profefle4 Chriftians. Siippofing then, that time or place were fo fix'd by Agreement in fuch a Society^ as that any honefi Men were jhut ontj tho' , it fnight bear hard upon them, and be attended ivith real inconvenience, yet does it fall fai; fhort of the niifchief that would inevitably arife from general Regulations, fixing Terms .of Communion.' IPor there's a great deal of dif-' ference between not being able, Convenieinl^ tp Communicate with this part^icular Con^re- ' " ■ ' ~ ■ ' ' ■ ■ ' 'gatioii; The IntrodnSlion, 89 gation, becaufe of the unfuitablenefs of their time of Worfliip to Perfons Circumftances, or the diftance of the place of Meeting from their Habitations, and an exxlufion from all worfhip- ping Aflemblies at once, by the National Con- ftitution. A Man whofe Circumftances won't well allow him to Communicate Ordinarily at Night, is not properly (hut out from Commu- nion by that Chriftian Society, that finds the Celebrating the Lord's Supper at that time, mofb for their Convenience : But his Circumftances making that Inconvenient for him, which is Convenient for them, naturally Dired him ra- ther to join with fome other worfhipping Af-r fembly, whofe time is more fuitable ^ as to -. which none has any Right to debar him of his Liberty. It muft be granted indeed, there is nothing but what may be abus'd : But 'tis eno' if this is not liable to fo many or great Abufes, as any other Methodor Suppofttion^ Which to me is plain. , ., ., LVin. Neither is all PoiTibility of a National Church this way excluded. For by a National^ Church I can underftand nothing elfe, but a Confederation of the fcveral particular Churches, which are under one and the fame Civil Go- vernment, for the joint promoting. Purity and Peace, by their ading in Concert. Now fuch a- National Church as mr as it is defireable, may be compafs'd upon the Principle advanc'd. , I fay, as far as it is defireable ^ becaufe there is a fenfe in which a National Church appears to nj^ neither Neceflary nor Defireable. For I am not afhamM to own it my Real Judgment tac- cording to my prefent Light, ( tho' I am fr^^ to alter upon good Evidence) that -it weu^ ' much po The IntroduEiion. much better, more for the Credit of Religion, more for the Advancement of Chriftian Chari- ty, and a more likely Method to promote the true Peace of the Church, for each worfhipping Congregation in the Land, to manage it felf in an entire Independency, than to have a Natio- nal Church of one fort or other with Tenal Laws, The plaufible Pleas of Uniformity, and Decen- cy, urg'd on the contrary fide, are with me far from overballancing the real Damage to Charity, which the Penal Laws that might be defign'd to fupport either an Epifcopal or a Presbyterian, or any other Conftitution, ne- cefTarily draw after them. And this appears to me the more likely to hold and bear Scan- ning, becaufe I find it has been the common Senfe of all, when it might reafonably be fup- pos'd their Judgments were moft free ^ and when they have not had Power and Intereft, and a Profpecl of Preferments to biafs and warp them. It cannot be deny'd, but that each Party when upper moft, has been more or lefs for Afluming and Impofmg. And for that Reafon, I think 'tis the lefs fafe to truft any with fuch a Power for the Future. 'jXis too great a Venture for Wife Men to run. But the great Ends of a National Confederation may be reach 'd without it. If each Chriftian worfhipping Society have the ordering of their own indifferent Circnmftances by Confent : If each Ads in concert with all the Worfhipping Societies in the Nation : If Communication is tnaintain'd between them, by the choofing of Deputies, fiift for fmaller and then for larger Diftrids : If they meet together in each, as of- ten as is generally judg'd Convenient ^ and if they agree together iH fuch Meetings about Mat- The IntrodnStion. 9 1 Matters of common Concernment: If the Civil Magiftrate hath an Infpedion over all, and if nothing of a Civil Nature be touch'd upon ia fuch Meetings, without his Confent and Ap- probation : I can't fee, but this Method would as far fecure a National Churchy as is neceflary to any valuable Purpofe. LIX. But upon the whole, that we who ftand out, and refufe to fall in with the pre- fent National Conftitution, may not be tho't fo unreafonable as fome reprefent us, I'll make a fair Motion. Let us but have good Evidence upon a few Heads *, an Evidence proportioned to their Weight and Importance •, and that will fupport the Confidence that is fo ufual and common with the Gentlemen that are fo zea- lous for Uniformity, and I dare undertake for a confidcrable Number, that they'll be bro't to a Compliance. Let it in the firft Place be clearly prov'd from Scripture, that our Savi- our has given a Commilfion to any to fix ge- neral Regulations in his Worfliip, belides Ne- celTary, or at moft Expedient, Circumftances. We may very well exped the Proof of this Ihould be Scriptural j bccaufe, if there be any fuch CommilTion from Chrift, it muft be known by Revelation. We may very well exped al- fo, it fliould be Clear^ becaufe there is fo much depends upon it. Let the Bounds of this Cora- miflion be plainly fix'd and limited \ fo as that it may be known when 'tis us'd Regularly, and when 'tis exceeded. And let the Perfons to whom this Commiffion is given, be defcrib'd in their neceflary Qualifications ^ fo as that we may be able to fay, thefe are they that are thus impower'd ^ but as for any others, they are ^2 The IfitroduSlion. are meer Pretenders. And lince it is fb warm- ly Aflerted, that Eccleliaftical Regulations arc to be obey'd, let it be Ihewn diflindly what thofe Ecclefiaftical Regulations are, that are to be obey'd, and what Obedience is due to them : And let it be prov'd, that fuch Obedi- ence is a Duty. LX. What the Ecclefiaftical Regulations are that are to be obey'd, is firft to be confider'd. 'Tis fenfelefs to Debate about a thing., of which we have not a diftinft Idea. We may well de- lire Light in this Cafe, becaufe the Gentlemen we are concern'd with, are not themfelves agreed about it. Some fay, they are the Laws of the Civil . Magiflrate about Sacred Matters that are to be obey'd : Others, that the Orders of the Bifhops in their refpedtive Diocefes are chiefly to be obey'd : Others, that the Regu- lations of the Church Reprefentative in each Country, ( according to the Laws thereof) are the Primary Objed of Obedience : And others, that none of all thefe fo firmly bind, as the Canons of a General Council, reprefenting the Church Univerfal. They have all their Rea- sons. And each fortment expofes the weaknefs of the Reafons of others. And they who fe- dately weigh what is alledg'd by all, may per- haps be fhrewdly Tempted to fall in with none of them. And yet they will have it, that.they are well agreed, becaufe they can hide their Difference under a common ExprefTion ^ fay- ing,.. that Things indifferent in the Church are to be comply 'd with ^ and Eccleliaftical Regu- lations to be obey'd. In the next Place, the Obedience to be given to thefe Regulations is to be ^onliderM. Let it be Ihewn how. far it i^ to The tntroduBion, 93 to g6, and where to ftop: Whether we are to obey in things Lawful tho' inexpedient, not- withflanding, that the Apoftle feems fo evi- dently to advance a contrary Principle, when he cries out, j^ll things are Lavoful for me^ bnt * ^^« ^» all thinq^s are not Expedient. Let it be fhewn, ^ ^ where' the Judgment both of Lawfulnefs and ]^ ^"^'^^ Expediency lies : And whether He that Com- ^* mands, or He that is to obey, is to pafs the Judgment: And 'what muft be done where they differ. If Superiors are to Judge, Let their Right be well Evidenc'd % and let it be conli- der'd, whether Inferiours won't be bound to a blind Obedience. If Inferiours are to Judge, Let the Neceflity of their judging uniformly • be EvJdenc'd : And let the Obedience that can be expeded from them be fairly ftated, fup- ' pofing that they Queltion, whether the things their Superiours require, are Lawful •, or are fatisfy'd of their Inexpediency. And then as for the Proof, that fuch Obedience, as is de- manded, is a Duty, let it be Dired, rather than meerly Confequential : Or if an Argument is drawn from the Confequences of the refufal of Obedience or one fide, let the oppolite Argu- ment from the Confequences of yielding fuch an Obedience, be weigh'd alfo on the other fide : And lince this Obligation if real, mult arife from the Will of God, let that be evi- denc'd in a Degree of Plainnefs, that may bear fome Proportion to the Degree of Poiitivenefs with which it is Ailerted. Let it be prov'd, that Order, Harmony and Peace, are over- thrown, or fo much as Damag'd, upon Suppo- fition each Worlhipping Chriftian Allembly, regulates its own indifferent Circumftances : And that true Unity might not be as effe(^ual- Jy P4 The IntroduSiion, ly promoted by a voluntary Concert of thefe Worfhipping AfTemblies, ading by their De- puties in Matters of common Concernment, as by the moft pompous Uniformity. Let it be prov'd, that this Method which will equally fuit any Form of Civil Government upon Earth, is inferiour in Worth and Excellence, to an Eccleiiaftical Conftitution, which is applau- ded by its greateft Admirers, as fuited to one form of Government only : Let thefe Things be clear'd by fedate Reafonings, and folid Ar- guments, abftrafting from Prejudices and Pre- poflefllons ^ and it will be found we are open to Convidion. Let this Method be taken, and it will fooner Work upon us, than the moft fubtle lallmutions or the vvarmeft Iix- vedives. A 95 A DEFENCE O F Moderate Non-Conformity. ■ ■ ■ ■ PART II. [Taken out of the Tenth Chapter of the Abridgement of the Life of the Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter, ] II. /' B " " A ^ ^ Y were requir'd to de- Secft. III. B clare their unfeigned Ajfent Eletttherii H and Confent to all^ and eve- (i.e.Hick- H ry Thing contain^ and Pre- ^^^f ) m fcrib'd in and by the Book ^/^J^J^j. Common Prayer^ and Jldminifiration of the Sa- ^ • • " craments^ and other Rites and Ceremonies of the [^^fj^ '* Church, together roith the P falter or Pfalms of jq^^yi^ " David *, and the Form or manner of Aiaking^ formfiis, "■ Ordaining, and Con fe crating of Bijlwfs, Priefis Paqj^ 14, ^' and Deacons. And they mull alfo ( and 15. *' that ex Mimo ) Subfcribe thcfe Words : " That p6 A Defef7ce of Part IL , '^ That the ^ook of Common Prayer^ and^f Orr- PI ^-T^^ *' darning JBlJhopSy Priefis and Deacons., contam- Peace o " ^^^ ^" ^^ nothing contrary to the Word of God-\ 207 ' " '^^'^ ^^^^ ^^ may lawfully he ufed : And that His En^- " ^^^y themfelves Tvould^ ufe the Form in the faid lifh Nm- " BooJi frefcrih^d^ in Pitblick Prayer^ and Ad' conformi- " minifiration of the Sacraments^ and no other, ty (latei . ' . andarguA, Page 23. Ani Troughton'^ ^pofogy for the Non- conformifts, Page 56.' '^ The Ad of Uniformity requir'd, that this *' Declaration fhould be publickly ntadc • by "Word of Mouth, by All that would keef) " their Places, on fome Lords Day before -*' Aftg. the-24th, 1662. And by All that af- *' terwards were prefented to any Ecclelialli- *' cal Benefice, within Two Months after they *' were in Aftual Pofleflion of it. And the *' Subfcription— was as peremptorily requir'd, *' as the Declaration. But they could not "herein concur for Two Grand Reafons. . '_;^ ♦ • " I. Becaufe very few of them could fee the '" Book, to all Things in which they were to *' declare their AfTent and* Confent, before " the Time limited by the A£l was expired. " For the GommonVprayer Book with the • " Alterations and : Amendments, ( for ib *' they are call'd, how defervedly I enquire " not) made by the Convocation, did not " come out of the Prefs, till a few Days be- *' fore the 24th of Augiifi. So that of Ttbef " 7000 Minillers in England., who kept their' " Livings," few except thofe who were ; in or " Yitzr London-^ could poflibly have a. fight of *' the Book with its Alterations, till after they *' had declar'd their AlTent. and Confent to it- ,** This was whathoaeft Mr.- Steel., and .tmany " . . " " others part If. Moderate Non-Conformity, py *' others of the Nonconformifis warmly com* " plain'd of, in their parting Sermons, when " thevtook their Farewell of their People at *' the Time of their Ejedion. And whatever " it might feem then, when Perfons were in " a manifeft Heat j at a Diftance, it appears *' fuch a hardfhip, as that it is rather to be " woTidred, that fo many could Ad in fb " weighty a Matter, upon an implicit Faith, *' than that fuch a Number fhould in fuch " Circumllances (tand out. But, " 2. When they had opp6rtunity to perufe " the Book,they met with feveral Things there, *' which after the ftrideft fearch they could *' make, appeared to them not agreeable to the " Word of God : For them under this Appre- " henfion ( which it was not in their Power *' to alter ) to have gone to declare their Sa- *' tisfaftion, that there was nothing contrary *' to the Word of God, and nothing but what " they could both Aflent to ( as true ) and " Confent to (as Good and to be ufed) and to " have Subfcrib'd this with their liands, had *' been doing Violence to their Confciences, " and attempting at once to impofe upon God " and Man. " They Could not but obferve the Compre- " henlivenefs of the required peclaration. *' There muft be not only Confent but jijfent: *' too : And that not only to all in General^ but *' to every Thing in f articular contained iny and " prefcriPd by the Booh of Common Prayer, *' Words could fcarce be devis'd by the Wit ofj.^ j-^^^ *' Man more foil, and more fignifkant-f, where- tnfnm a " by they might teftifie their higheft Juftificati- Minifier to a Per- son 0/ Qtfality, fheningfome Reafonsfor his Nonconformity. A loofe Sheet, Page i. H « on pear du- bious, we follow that fide of the Doubt that is freeft of Hazard. Which is fo common a Rule among Cafuifts, that I hardly fuppofe it will, rn the general, be Contefted, whatever may be Ob'jeded againfl: its Application to Particulars. Thefe things being allowed, Mr. Ollyjfe\ Rule is admitted. Charity {he iays) obliges us to fut the befi Con- pag. I J, jlrHctiori on Words and ASiions. 'Tis granted. But then this Charity has its Bounds. I can't apprehend it any part of the Charity that is due to Governors, to fuppofe or imagine they intended to leave me at Liberty, when they not only declare their intention to bind riie up clofe- ly to fuch a Particular Way and Method, but make me formally bind my felf therein to com- ply with them. - He Confirms his Rule, from the NeceflTity of w^i^. Allowance in the Cafe of all Suhfcriftions^ which I have no inclination in the general to Conteft. All Humane Gompofures will have their Impei*- fedions : And if fo, I think it is but Reafona- bk we fhould allow for 'them. Nay, 1 can join lo6 A Defence of Part IF. Part I. in with Mr. Hoadly^ in declaring, that I cannot pag. 43» hut account it a thing of very iU Confequence^ and a piece of fublick Dijfervice,^ to deal very hardly with Declarations and Subfcriptions, to firetch them heyond -what the Original Defign of them^ or the Words in which they are exprefs^dy will fairly and honefily b€^.ry in Order to make them appear as rigid and unreafonahle as poJfiUe. But then I muft add, I cannot but take it for as great a piece of Tuhr lick Differvice^ fo to Ibften Publick Declarations and Subfcriptions, a-s to tempt People to mulr tip! y Engagements, with a tacit referve for a fort of Liberty, which thofe Ei^gagements were defign'd to debar them, off. . ; I'm afraid this hath been a Snare to many, Mr. Oily fe lays a mighty Strefs upon the Sub- fcription of the Nonconformifts to 36 of the 39 Articles, in order to their being capable of the Benefit of the Ad of Toleration : In this he intimates, we could not comply, if we did pag. 1 5« not put the befi ConfiruElion on the Articles, that .: . the -Words will bear. Upon- which occalion I ihall not ftick to declare, that finding Sub- fcriptions fo apt to create Debates inftead of compofing them, I care not how few of them I meddle with. The freer I keep my felf, I reckon I am fo much the fafer. But when I do Subfcribe to any Humane Compofure, I do it only to the Subfbance, and what appears to me the Defign vand I am very ready to put the beft Senfe upo 1 any Phrafes that are feemingly harlh, that the Words will bear, aiid which is not otherways precluded : And Fie own that a like Method is but reafonable, as to the Terms of Conformity. But then, as I would never Sub- fcribe the Articles if I did not think them fair- ly reconcileable to Truth '■, or would give my Senfe in matters that were dubious before I Subfcrib'd Part 11. Moderate Non-Co f^f^rmity, i6f Subfcrib'd them^^ (wliich by the way, many of us did:) So neither would I bind my felf to compliance with the Terms of Conformity, if I were not fatisfy'd in every Particular to Ad: agreeably ^ unlets room were left for a Difpen- fatioft? which is what I cannot obferve-. Hq very pleafantly will fuppofe, that I had Ibid. forgotten that we Non-conformiiis had Sulbr fcrib'd the Articles. But had He afted accord- ing to his own Ruie„ of interpreting '^ords^in the mofl favourable Senfe^ He'd have fpar'd that infinuation. For tho' I from Mr. Baxter and others, bring in,^n Objeftion againft the D^w?^ natory Claufes of the Athanafian Creed^v^\\iQS\Cr^ed, is,,'Snbfcrib'd to in the 8th Articie V yet Jie mignt," without theleall ftretch,/liave been i^ fo favoiifable as to have fuppos'd, that \l look'd upspn thpfe Damnatory Claufes as not belonging to the ^iibfcription. And I here give , it. Himi -. -^ . .^ under my Hand, that ^bad I not been fatisfy^d "'■'•- as to that, nothing would have ' prevail'd with • > \i.^x me to have Subfcrib'd that Article,- And doe^ .14^ »3£(X yix folly ffe really think there is no Difference between the Creed, the Cathollck.Fait'h-, znd thofe Damnator^y Claufes that f re as the Hedg- es of the Creed ? Is the^e not a^ exprefs Dif- itindion made ? After the Prefatory- Intfodu^*- on, it is faidj 71?^ Gftholick Faith^ is this, &c. That Faith, we throughly Receive. But cerr tai.nly this is femewhat different^, from being oblig'd by an unfeigned Affent and Confenf to ixiQ this Creed, with itS' Introdudory and Conelu- fory Sentences, in the Worfhip of God : Which will hereafter be Confider'd. And what tho* we have alfo Subfcrib'd the Third Article ? Are we therefore inconlifteat? \ profefs I difcern not the Confequence. W& ar^ told, that the Cambridge M. S. has a Claufe that to6 4 defence of Part II. that intimates, that by Defcending into Hell in that Article, we are to underfland Defcending into the Hell of the Damned, But I can't fee, th^t we need go to Cambridge for the Senfe of that Claufe. For he that by //^//underftands the Hades^ (which is the very Word us'd in the Creed) fufficiently acquits Himfelf. Now, that our Lord took Poffeflion of the Hadesy and af- terwards kept the Key of it, is plainly intimat- ed to us, Rev. I. 1 8. Tho' we tranflate it Hell^ yet I fhould think it were more properly ren- dred, the State of feparated Souls. Which being obferv'd, Mr. Ollyjfe\ Remarks on this Article with an Eye to us, quite loofe their force. But the jijfent and Confent^ and Subfcriptieny which are under this Head touch'd on, are a Principal Part of the Debate. And therefore they deferve to be diftindly Confider'd. I begin with the Subfcri^tion. As to which pag. 20. Mr. Ollyffe declares, that he does not find that this is much contefied. And Mr. Hoadly tells us, that Fart I* fjg fieijer heard that this was efieem^d any confide^ T*S* 4^' rable difficulty. This, to me, fhews the Necefllty of joining Hiftory and Arg^ument together, withr out which frequent Miftakes will be unavoidable in a Debate of this Nature. I fliall therefore Beg Leave here to look back, and give a fliort Hilborical View of Subfcriptons in Ihe Church of JEnglandy which will make us the better ac- quainted with the Ecclefiaftical Scheme, and the fitter Judges of feveral Particulars that be- long to it. In the Days of King Edward VI, there were Contefts and Debates about the Habits, Rites, and Ceremonies j but I can't find, that any Subfcription was required, to the Book of Com- mon Prayer, the Articles of Religion, or any tiling eife. The Liturgy was for the moft part us'd Part 11. Moderate N.n-Conf or mity. lOj us'd *, and what was matter of Scruple, was Omitted. And had every one been left at Li- berty, to omit what was againft his Confcience, or to alter as there might be Occafion, the Troubles which afterwards enfu'd might have bvCn avoided. But at length an entire Subjefti- on to Ecclefiaftical Impofitions was agreed on, or no Quarter was to be obtain'd. And there has been an Attempt to Advance farther and farther, and make the Confinements ftraiter and clofer from one time to another, very ob- fervable •, till after the Reftaurationin the Year i5(5o, foon after which the finifhing Stroke was given, which produc'd that Perfeftion, as hatli made many to think any farther Amendments needlefs. But this was a work of time : And we may obferve feveral Gradations. 1. The Firft Suhfcriftion that was requir'd, was only to the Articles of Religion, drawn up and agreed to in the Convocation in i $62. All the Members of that Convocation were firft re- quired to Subfcrihe ^ and all the Clergy after- wards : Tho' there was neither Law nor Can- non for it. This was refus'd by the Famous John Fox the Martytologift, who declar'd he would Suhfcribe to nothing but the New Teila- ment, in the Original. Generally however, it was at firft readily agreed to. But fuch Chang- es and Alterations were afterwards made in thefe Articles, that many even of the Body of the Clergy refus'd to Suhfcnbe them a fecond time, in the Convocations in 1 566 & 1 571. 2. In 1 554 a Sahfcription was requir'd to the Advertifements^ or at leaft tO the Protefiations, For this Year came forth the Advertifements^ ■partly for the dne Order in the Pnhlick Admim" jiration of the Sacraments \ and partly for the Af- parel of Eccleftajlical Terfons. Am»ong thefe Ad" vertifemcnts 1 1 A Defence of Part If. vertifements there v/ ere Eight Protefiations^ to be made, Promised and Subfcrib'd by them that fliould hereafter be admited to any Oince or Cure in the Church, or Place Ecclefiaftical. Upon this Occafion Mr. William Whittingham^ Dean of Durham^ wrote a large Pathetical and Argumentative Letter to the Earl of Leicefier^' deiiring him to interpofe with the Queen, that they might not come forth, or not be Execut- ed. In this Letter he tells him, " That the *' great, things pleaded on the behalf of the *' things injoin'd was their indifferency : But ", fays he, He that will perfwade this, mullal- *' fo prove, that what is requir'd tendeth to *' God's Glory, confenteth with his Word, edi- " fietfi his Church, and maintaineth Chriftian *' Liberty : Which conditions and Circum- *' ftances being wanting, the thing which by *' Nature otherwife is indifferent, doth degene- " rate, and become hurtful. But whatever He and others could figgefb againft it, hinder'd not the ftrift urging of this Subfcription : And Mr. Thomoi Sampfon , Dean of Chrifi Chnrch Oxon^ was depriv'd for refuiing it. And it is fcarce fuppofable^ that a Man of his Ability, Ufeful- nefs and Intereft, Ihould fall alone. 3. In 1 571, The Parliament, to ftop far- ther Rigors, made an Ad requiring the Cler- gy to Subfcribe to thofe Articles only, that con- cern'd the true Chriftian Paith, and Dodrine of the Sacraments. And this Subfcription palfc fmoothly. This Ad was delign'd, by the Par- liament, to put an end to the feverity of the Bifhops : But it was far from anfwerjng the End intended. For, 4. That Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, ill 4. That very Convocation which iate at the fame time, made a Canon to oblige to a Sub- fcription to all the Articles, as well thofe re- lating to Rites and Ceremonies, Order and Polity, as thofe that concern'd the Chriftiau Faith, and the Dodrine of the Sacraments. And this wasrefus'd by many, becaufe of what • was added in Art. 20. and becaufe of the 34th, 3 5th, and 3(5th Articles. 5. In 1573, A Subfcription was requir'd by Arch'bifhop Parker and feveral other Diocefans, to 3 or 4 Articles of this Tenour. 1 . I acknowledge the Book of Articles agreed upon by the Clergy of this Realm, in a Synod holden Jn. Dom. 1562, and Confirm'd by the Queens Majefty, to be Sound, and according to the Word of God. 2. The Queens Majefty is the Chief Gover- nor next under Chrift of this Church of England^ as well in Ecclefiaftical as Civil Caufes. 3. I acknowledge, that in the Book of Com- mon Prayer, there is nothing Evil or Repug- nant to the Word of God, but that it may well be us'd in this our Chriftian Church of Eng- land. • • 4. 1 acknowledge, that as the Publick Preaching of the Word in this Church of England is Sound and Sincere, fo the Publick Order and Admi- niftration of Sacraments, is Confonant to the Word of God. Thefe were the^ molt common Heads then requir'd to be Subfcrib'd. But they were vary'd in feveral Diocefles. For each Bifhop added what he tho't Good to the particular Form he fent to His Clergy. The Articles which thofe Three Noted Perfons Mr. Dearing^ Mr. Greh^ ham^ ^ndMr.Johnfon, were call'd upoa-Xp Su^- fcribe. no A t>e fence of fart 11. fcribe, which I have Con fider'd and Compar'd^ difFcr'd in feveral things one from another. ^ See ^ 6. In 1583, A Subfcription was fequir'd* to n^^^'u ^^^^^ commonly call'd Whitgiff^ Articles, C&«rf^- -which were thefe following;. Hifiory : ^ pal 1^0 ^' '^^^^ ^^^ Queen had Supreme Authority ^ ^' ' ' over all Perfons Born within her Dominions, of what Condition foever they were ^ and, that no other Prince, Prelate or Potentate, hath or ought to have any Jurifdiftion, Civil or Ecclell- aftical, withiil Her Realms or Dominions. 2. That the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordination of Bifhops, Friefts and Deacons, containeth nothing; contrary to the Word of God, but may lawmlly be ufed \ and that they will ufe that, and none other. 3. That the Articles of Religion agVeed oil in the Synod holden at London in the Year of Our Lord 1 562, and Publiflied by the Queen's Autority they did allow of, and believe them to be Confonant to the Word of God. Or as others exprefs it •, that he acknowledgetk all and eve- ry the Articles therein contain'd being in num- ber 39, befides the Ratification, to be agreeable to the Word of God. This was much more univerfally preft than any former Subfcription, and it created great Troubles. The Puritans were generally free to Sublbribe the firft Article *, and the third, con- cerning the Doctrinal Articles of the Church according to the Words of the Statute : But they ftuck at the Second *, and they, who have fucceeded then! have done fo ever lince. They duft not Siibfcribe that there was nothing con- tained in the Book of Common Prayer, and of Ordination, contrary to the Word of God. Upon Ocealion of the urging this Subfcription, there i^artli. Moderate Non-Conforniity. ill there were a great many Petitions and Suppli- cations from the Minifbers in the feveral parts of the Kingdom to the Arch-bifhop, and to the Lords of the Council, feveral of which I have feen and perus'd : But they availed little. A confiderable number were Ejected for their re- ftifal. They amounted to 5o in SHJfolk ; 64 in Norfolk'^ 21 in Lincdlnflnre-^ and 38 in EJfex '^ as I find afferted in a valuable Manufcript, re- lating to thofe times now in my Cuflody : And we may very well conclude there was a propor- tionable number in other Countys. It muft indeed be own'd, that by fpecial Fa- vour, fome Particular Perfbns had their Sub- icriptions qualify 'd. Thus for Inftance, I have feen a Form of Subfcription Sign'd by 1 5 Mi- niflers o{ London^ bearing Date, fV^. 13. 1583, It ran thus, " The Perlbns under-written do Subfcribe " in this fort. Firft, They do acknowledge " Her Majefty to be Supreme Governor of the " Church oi England^ in Manner and Form as' " in the Firft Article is Miniftred unto us. " And for the Book of Common Prayer^ We areJ *' content to ufeit for the Peace of the Church j " or if we be found offending in any Pare " thereof, to fubmit to the Penalty of iu " Thirdly, We do confent wholly to the Book " of Articles^ agreed upon by the Archbifilop " and Bilhops, for fo much as concQrneth Faith '** and Sacraments therein. But all this while, a Subfcription of this fort, tho' fo many were by the Epifcopal Power ejed- ed for refufing it, was not, as I can find, re-^ quir'd by Law or Canon : But, 7. In the Convocation in 1603, a dariOri WIS made that requir'd a Subfcription to thefe ^ Articles* In Canon 36, after the Recital of I th* 112 A Defence of Part II. the foremention'd 3 Articles to be fubfcrib'd, thefe Words follow. To thefe 3 Articles whofoe- ver will Subfcrihe^ he jhall^for the avoiding all Am^ . higuities^ Snbfcribe in this Order and Form of Words^ fetting down both his Chriften and Sir-Name^ viz. C / N. N. do willingly^ & ex animo, fttbfcribe to thefe 3 Articles above-mention^ d^ and to all things that are contained in them."} After this Canon (tho' I can't find it was con- Erm'd by Aft of Parliament) this Subfcription was urg'd with yet more Vehemence than be- fore ^ and many more were Silenc'd for refufing it. Some few indeed had ftill Particular Con- nivance, upon their Reading the Greateft Part of the Common Prayer^ and avoided Subfcribing : But they were comparatively very few. Many all along the Reigns of King James the Firft, and King Charles the Firft, for omitting fomc Rites and Ceremonies Prefcrib'd in the Common Trayer-Booliy were harrafs'd and worry'd in the High Commijfwn and other Ecclefiafhical Courts ^ •as may be feen in the Hiltory of thofe Times at large. And this is the very Subfcription which is to this day requir'd. Several Hundreds of Pious Minifters have been worry'd and ejeded for re- fufing it, and yet Mr. Hoadly fays., he never heard it was efteem^d any confiderable Difficulty. 8. At Lad, to Crown all, and for the furer Work, this Snbfcripion mult be back'd with a Verbal Declaration of Affent and Confem^ that fo no room might be left for any Perfons in the National Settlement, that could not yield to Compleat Conformity. Let's obferve then the Progrefs in this Affair Step by Step* In King £^TP^r/s Reign, if a MiniflerPreach'd •Sound Dodrine, and liv'd Regularly, and us'd the Fart 11. Moderate Non-Conformity, 113 the Common Prayer, he was Subject to no Mo- ieftation. 'Twas the fame alfo in the begin- ning of the Reign of Queen Eliz.4beth. But af- terwards this would not do. You mult give the Church good Security of your Compliance with Her Autority. A beginning is made in Dodri- nal Matters. The Convocation requires, that the Articles be Subfcrib'd. Well Wont that do ? No, a Liberty of Practice in things indif- ferent, tho' allow'd by the Apoftles, could not feem tolerable to their Succefibrs. An exa<^ Conformity as to the Celebrating the Commu- nion, and alfo as to the Apparel that was Or- dered muft be formally agreed to, by all that fhould be allow'd to Officiate in the Church of England. When this created Stirs, the Par- liament interpofes, and PafTes an Aft, obliging ' to a Subfcription to the Dodrinal Articles, but to nothing farther : Neither to the 20th Ar-^ tide, that Aflerts the Autority of the Church, nor to any of the reft, which contain'd matter of Scruple, to fuch as infilted on a farther Refor-* mation. But the Convocation were not content with what the Parliament gave them. They mult have more, or the Defign is fpoil'd. They foon after made a Canon, obliging to Subfcribe all the Articles without Exception. Nay in a little time the whole Common Prayer Book mult be Subfcrib'd : All mult be engag'd by their Hand-writing pundually to ufe it, and it mult be own'd, to contain nothing contrary to the Word of God. Many refus'd and were Silenc'd- Some few were allow'd to Subfcribe with their Own Reltridions and Limitations. But it being oft Complain'd, that this lattet Subfcription was a meer ftretch of Epifcopal Autorit^equir'd neither by Statute nor Canon, the ConvocatioQ in 1603 enforc'd it by a Canon, which was 1 a toefence of Fart II. ftriftly purfu'd in the Reigns of King James and King Charles the Firft, except in the Cafe of a ve- ry few, who thro'i particular Favour were Con- niv'd at. At laft when King Charles II. was Reftor'd, even the Subfcribing ex Animo to the ufe of the Common Prayer, and no other would not do : But every Minifter mult publickly in the Houfe of God, Declare his unfeigned Ajfent and Confem to all and ever thing contain'd and prefcrib'd in the Book of Common Prayer, &c. And now there wants but one Step more •, and that is This : Let all that Officiate in the Efta- bliih'd Church, be bro't under an Engagement, (which it is well known was once atttempted) never to yield to an Alteration of any of the Rites and Ceremonies now in life ^ and that would be a yet more effectual Purge to rid the Church of the encumbrance of thofe who are not of a Temper fufficiently Submiflive. Page 20. I now Appeal to Mr. Ollyffe^ whether this Siibfcription has been mnch Contefied or not. If he'll be at the Pains to trac^ it from the firft time of its being requir'd, down to this prefent time, he'll find it has been Contelted, and re- fiis'd too, by Men as Eminent for their Piety and Ufefulnefs, as any this Nation has produc'd. Pag. II. But he and his Neighbors it feems mufi tell me^ that it doth not follow^ that the Terms of Conformi- ty were Sinful and Vnlawfnly becaufe fuch Good and Holy Men fcru^led them. Very well. But I hope he'll allow this to be as good an Argu- ment on one fide, as the Conformity of fo ma- ny Perfbns of Worth and Eminence, or of the Majority, is on the other fide. And that the rather, becaufe the one fort Swam againft, the other vi^h. the Stream : The one fort had a Profpect of Hardfhips and Sufferings, the other of temporal Emoluments \ tho' I will not fay, they Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity. 115 they made them their main End, when yet they might be fway'd infenlibly thereby. Let him grant me but this, and I have as much as I aim at. However, if this SnbfcrlpHoa hath not been fo much Contefted of late as formerly, 'tis on- ly becaufe the Debate about ^Jfent and Confent (which comprehends the other under it) hath made a Particular infilling on it the lefs needful. For if I can unfeignedly A^ent and Confent to all and every thing contain'd and prefcrib'd in the Book of Common Prayer, &c. I think I fhould be very unreafonable to refufe to Subfcribe ex Animo to the ufe of the Book. But if the De- mand of Ajfent and Confent were wav'd, he'd foon find, that this SHbfcription was as much Comefied as ever ^ and that even by thofe who have no Enmity to Stated Forms as fuch, but. reckon they might have their ufe in the Church of Chrift. But about this Ajfent and Confent we are not Agreed. We are told by Mr. Ollyjfe^ that they P* 21, 22. are Law Terms : And that the Laws ufe thofe Words promifcHoitJly to mean the fame thing. 'Tis added, that an abfoliue Ajfent and Confent is not requir'd : 'Tis eno' if there be a RefpeUrive and Comparative Ajfent and Confent: i. e. if Perfons judge it more eligible to ufe the Common Prayer^ and the injoined Rites and Ceremonies^ &C. than. ' lofe the Legal Opportunity of exercifng their Mini" j^ry. And tho' this unfeigned Ajfent and Con" fent is to be declared to all and every thing contain'd and prefcrib'd in the Book of Com- mon Prayer, &c. yet this, we are told, is con- p^gg 25, tinually Aflferted to be underftood only of all things injoined to be Vs'd and Pra^is^d by them who make the Declaration, And for this it is larg'd,* that the Declaration is thus exprefs'd : contain'd and prefcrib'd ^ aot contaia'd or pre- .1 3 fqib'd li6 A Defence of Part II. fcrib'd. So that if things be contain'd, but jiot prefcrib'd, the Aflent and Confent does hot reach them. And 'tis added as a farther JProof, that the verbal Declaration, is in the Kh for Vniformlty Ulher'd in with thefe Words : That every one fhall publickly Declare his un- feigned AfTent and Confent fto the life;] of all things contain'd and prefcrib'd, in thefe Words Part I, and no other. Mr. Hoadly herein agrees ; and Page 37. adds ^ that the .A5h does not leave m at Liberty^ if we would never fo fain^ to make this Declarati" on in our hard Senfe ^ for it requires m not to do ity but to give both Aflent and Confent to one thingy even the {Vfe"} of this Book. And after- page 45. wards : The Declaration of Aflent and Confent, cannot fojfihly be extended to any thing but the life of this Book. This is indeed very Pofltive : But let us Sufpend our Cenfure till the Matter is Canvaft:, -which (I think) is but an equitable Demand. Let the following things be but fairly Confi- der'd, and then let any indifferent Perfon Judge, whether the Conformifl:s or the Non-Confor- jnifl;s, in this refpecl,go upon the firmeft and the iafefl; Grounds. 1. Then, 'tis well known, and appears from t:he foregoing fliort Hifliorical Narrative, that the confl:ant Vfe of the Forms prefcrib'd, was requir'd long before this A^ for Vnifirmity V^as fram'd. It was particularly requir'd by the Subfcription injoin'd by Ca/i. 36. of the Convocation in 1503. And if this verbal De- fclaratibn aim'd at no more than a bare Vfe of the Book, it is fcarce fuppofable fo much fliir would have been made about it. If it be faid, that this additional verbal Declaration, was to engage air Minifl;ers in the Efl;ablifli'd Church to ufe all and every thing contain'd and pre- fcrib'd Part II. Moderate 'Non-Conformity. 1 1 7 fcrib'd in the Book of Common Prayer, with- out omitting, changing^ or altering upon any Occafion as had before been ufual : I muft de- fire it may be remembred, againft we have Oc- cafion for it, in the procefs of this Debate. But tho*, I muft Confefs, I'm apt eno' to believe that this might beonedefign of this Declarati- on, and of its being fo ftrongly worded, (& that the rather, becaufe the High Commiflion, which before us'd to keep People in Awe was no longer allow'd \) yet I can't apprehend, that this was all that was intended : And I cannot but look upon it, as a molt grofs Refleftion upon the Framers of it to flippofe it. Certainly they were fagacious eno' to be aware, that many would underftand the Words they us'd in this Declaration, as looking farther than a hare Vfe of the Forms prefcrib'd : If then, they were ftill for adding this Declaration, without aim- ing at any Thing farther than the Vfe of the Book of Common Trayer^ what Other Notion muft we have of them than this, that they aim'd at dividing the Church under Pretence of Unifor- mity. This cannot be efteem'd an unbeco- ming Refledion, upon this Suppofition. But, 2. The Legiflators themfelves have declared againft this Senfe ; and therefore I can't fee, how the affixing it is either Fair or Candid. To put all out of doubt (fays Mr. Baxter^) ^ See his fince this Ad, the Parliament made another ^^f^^^^^' Ad \ to which while Provifo's were ofFer'd, ^'"^ ,P"^o^ the whole Houfe of Lords fent it back to the ^^^° Houfe of Commons, with this Provifo, That thofe that declared Ajfe?it and Confent to all and every Things &c. fwptld be obliged to iinderfiand it only as to the life of what was required of them., and not as to the Things in themfelves conjiderd. The Commons refus'd this Provifo ^ and the I 4 Houfes ii8 A Defence of Part IF. Houfcs had a Meeting about it, in which the Gommons deliver'd their Reafons, againft that Expofition of the Declaration : And in the end, the Lords did Acquiefce in their Reafons, and confentcd to caft out the Provifo. So that the Parliament have expounded their own Words \ They fay, that the End of the Decla- ration is not Anfwer'd, by Perfons underftand- ing it only as to the Vfe of what is requir'd : And for any after this to take upon them, to interpret that Declaration only of the Vfe of the Common Prayer Book, and plead Candor, and Equity, and Charity for fo doing, and fay 'tis not pofTible to give another Senfe \ is neither refpedful to the Legiflators ^ nor a Credit to the Caufe, which is this way endeavour'd to be fupported. A Friend of Mr. Ollyjfes^ hath herein pleaded for him. -^^^^^"'7^0' (fays he) Mr. Baxter faith^ The Commons "V V " ^^j^^^^ ^^^^ Clanfe^ fent to them from the Lords^ M lohn y^^ there is no necejfity to conclude from thence^ that Ollvfte ^^^ Reafon thereof was^ becaufe the Parliament in- tO'Ach ri? tended thmt the Declaration fionld mean more than theDccla- A Confent to IJfe the Service. But the true Reafon ration of may he very well conceived to he this ^ that the Afjtnt Matter was fo -plainly exprefi and limited already dttd Con- iyi the Preamble to th^ Declaration^ and in other fnt, &c. Places in the ^B^ as alfo in the very Form of the f.*g« 5- Words in which the Declaration is made^ that there was no need to infert thofe Words into the Decla- ration it felf What this Gentleman may mean by the tnferting thofe Words into the Declaration it felf J I cannot fay. Mr. Baxter mentions not any Propofal of that Nature. The altering the Declaration, was not the Thing proposed or Debated, but the true Senfe in which Per- sons -Ihould be oblig'd to make it. Say the Loxds, Let.it be eno' for the Aflenters and i ',", .'. '.^ ■■'•»- 1 ' ■■■■:■ ■ Con- Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, up Confenters, to underfland only the Vfe of the Book in this their Declaration : Let this fatis- jie as the true Senfe of it : Let them be elteem'd as anfwering the Law, if they come but thus far. No, fay the Commons, by no Means. They were againft that Expofition of the Declaration. Certainly this could not be, becaufe no other Expofition could be given of it. The Lords Propofal imply'd, it was du- bious. Their Motion was bottomed on the Debates concerning the Senfe of it. The Commons refufe to concur with them. They are againft their Expofition, they meant fome- thing farther : And draw over the Lords to their fide-, and fo in efFeft both Lords and Commons declare, that to underftand the De- claration of Aflent and Confent only as to the Vfe of what was required, was not eno' to An- fwer the Law, or the Delign of the Legifla- tors. This being a Point of great Moment in this Debate, I have made ftrift Enquiry into the Matter of Fad, and have receiv'd an Account, which may be depended on as Authentick. The Cafe was this : July i8. 1663, A Bill was fent up from the Commons to the Lords, inti- tuled, j^n ui^ for relief of fuch Ferfons as by ■Sichiefs^ or other Impediment were difabled from fuhfcrihifig the Declaration in the A6t of 'Unifor- mity^ and Explanation of Part of the faid AEt. At the fecond Reading in the Houfe of Lords it was committed. Some Alteratioi^s and A- mendments were made by the Committee, and a Claufe added of this Tenor : And he it Ena- Bed and Declared by the Antority aforefaidy that the Declaration and Snbfcriftion of Ajfent and Con' fent in the faid A^ mention^ dy Jhall be under flood only at to .the Pradice, and Obedience to the faid Ad, and not otherwife. T^iis Additional Claufe I20 A Defence of Part II. Ciaufe was agreed to by a Majority : But 1 2 Lords protefted againfb it, as defirnEtlve to the Church of England, as now Eftahlijlid. When the Bill was fent back to the Commons, they defir'd a Conference, which was yielded to by the Lords. The Commons vehemently de- clar'd againfl; the Amendments and Alterations of the Lords, and the Additional Ciaufe •, and it was openly declar'd by one of the Managers on the Part of the Houfe of Commons, that vphat was fent down to them touching this Bill^ had neither Jufiice^ nor Prudence in it. When the Conference was over, the Lords Voted an A- greement with the Commons, and dropp'd the Additional Ciaufe before recited. I Ihall make no farther Refiedlious on this Matter. This Account comes to me for Genuine in fuch a way, that I can depend upon it. And if any Man can obtain leave to Publifh what Hands in the Journal of the Lords concerning it, this Account I am inform'd, would be found fully confirmed. Part I. This being confider'd, Mr. Hoadlyh inftance p. 38. from Dr. Bates and others, who took the Ox- ford Oathy appears no way Parallel. He tells us, they fwore they would not endeavour an Alteration in the Goverment, either in Church or State, upon a Publick Declaration of the Lord Keeper, that it was unlawful Endeavour that was meant. Upon which he thus argues : That if it were reafonable upon the Autority of a fingle Perfon to confine the Word Endea- vour to lawful Endeavour^ it is much more war- rantable upon the Autority of the Ad it felf, which requires this Declaration, to apply both Affcnt and Con fent ^ to the life of the Book, I Anfwer, the Lord Keeper was Authoriz'd - by his Place, to give an Interpretation of the Law, Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity. 121 Law, or otherwife he had hardly veiitur'd up- on it : And if he might warrantably affix a Senfe, much more may Lords and Commons, affix a Senfe to their own Laws. And if they have done it in any Cafe, by particular De- bate, for any to pretend to give a fofter Senfe, at the belt is over Officious : If any will Ad: upon a different Senfe, and encourage, and perfwade others fo to do, they mull anfwer for it to God, and their own Confciences j but for my Part, I am at a lofs for their Warranto But, 3. There is that in the Ad for Uniformity it felf, that plainly Confronts the Senfe given by thefe Gentlemen, and do's not well allow of applying the Declaration barely to the life of the Common Prayer Book^ &c. What is Af- ferted, is indeed thus far true \ the Declarati- on of Affent and Confent is in the Aft ulher'd in with thefe Words : That every one jhallpiblicUy declare his unfeigned Affent and Confent to theXiS'Q, of all Things contained and prefcriFd, &c. And yet, when the Cafe of LeBnrers is afterwards dila- ted on in the fame Ad, the Matter is exprefs'd very differently. 'Tis then required, that eve- ry fuch LeBnrer^ fliould publickly and openly Declare, his Affent unto^ and C Approbation 3 of the faid Booh And a few Lines after, it is re- quir'd that after open and publick Reading of Common Prayer, every fuch Perfon Ihould be- fore the Congregation, declare his unfeigned Af" fent and Confent unto, and {^Approbation"^ of the faid Book:' Why LeBurers fhould be more hard- ly put to it, or more clofely confin'd than Par- fans or Curates, I cannot iay. But if their Cafe was the fame. Approbation of a Bool leems to be more than a bare Vfe of it. The Com- inon Prayer wa« for the molt par-t us'd by the Old 122 A Defence of Part II. Old Puritans, who yet would never have de- clared their Approbation of the ftrift Impofi- tion of it. If it be faid, an Approbation is re- quir'd of fuch Things only as are to be us'd ; 'tis anfwer'd, that an Agreement to ufe fuch Prayers as were liable to no jufl Exception, (upon which Condition feveral were before ad- mitted into, and kept in the Church) had been much ealier to fome, than the declaring their Affrobation of the whole Book, and all its Rites and Ceremonies, which without any Force at all might feera to them to allow the juftifiablenefs of requiring Compliance with them, as a Term of Admillion to Sacred Mi- nillrations : Which is a thing might be fcru- pled by Mcnof noinconfiderable Latitude. And, 4. Tho' there appears in the Ad no Foun- dation at all for the Diftinction between an Ahfolute and a Comparative Affent and Confent^ as Mr. Ollyffe has explain'd it^ y|t, even a Comparative unfeigned AJfent and Confent to the life of all things prelcrib'd in the Common Prayer Book, muft Neceflarily imply a Satis- faftion in the Truth and Warrantablenefs of all things prefcrib'd there to be us'd. He that unfeignedly AJfents and Confents to the life of all the Forms prefcrib'd, had need be fatisfy'd in the Damnatory Cla^fes of the Athanajlan Creed \ which are as much to be us'd, as the Catholick Faith it felf. He had need be Satisfy'd to Jay of every one to be interr'd, that he hofes he rejis in ChriJJ-j &c. And the like is to be faid as to the Apocryphal Lejfons, and all the other things, which were fcrupled by the Minifters, who were Ejected. For Perfons to give an unfeigned Alfent and Confent, that they may get into the Eftablifli'd Church, and yet be as much dif- fatisfy'd with fuch Things, as thofe, who for that part II. Moderate Non-Cofiformity^. 123 that Reafon, kept out of the Church, is what I mull Confefs, I cannot hitherto underftand v tho' I would judge Charitably of thofe who think they do. But let us particularly Confider the Words in which this Famous Declaration runs. I, u^. B. do here Declare my unfeigned Ajfent and Con- fent tOj all and every thing co7itaindt and prefer iy^ in and by the Book Intituled^ the Book of Common Trayer^ &c. I . It muft be an unfeigned Aflent and Confent. This Word unfeigned looks as if it had a Re- trofpedion to former Times, when Perfons Pro- fecuted in the High CommilTion and other Ec- clefiaftical Courts^ comply'd to ufe fuch things as they reckon'd unwarrantably impos'd upon them. Many of the Old Puritans us'd the Sur- plice^ the Crofsy and Sfonfors in Baptifm, and ^ Kneeling at the Communion, &c. becaufe they ^^^^. did not look upon them as linful in themfelves, ,^/„ ^iiS- and without them they could have no poflibi- ed. mivi- lity of Service. But they were earneftly defi- ^^f . »*<*» rous of their removal : And this forc'd Com- «^'''^P^^*- pliance was their Burden-, which they com- y^^|f/^^ plain'd of upon all Occalions. The Excluding 0Me*J>i7(i- Perfons of this Temper was manifeftly aim'd at bie made in the Settlement in 1662. Neither were ^i^^^on- they who were upon the Secret, and who had ^fjj r'^„jj the framing of this Declaration, backward to ,jE,^f *^^ own as much upon Qccafion. Such as could the Sj/Uabie only Vfe the things Prefcrib'd, but did not ap- Un in Un- prove them, they look'd upon as feigning ^ f^*f^J.. Compliance in which they were not Hearty. "^ had been As far as I am able to Judge this is fo far from left out, he being forc'd, that it is extremely Natural. As could have to the bare ufing prefcribed Forms and Cere- ConfoM monies, Feigning could fignifie nothing : No %JZh^ guard was there needful. Their Practice would x^eigbbor$i betray 124 -^ Defence of Part IL betray them if they did not keep their Word. There could be no room for Feigning^ unlefs it refpeded an Approbation of the Rites and Cere- monies to be us'd. Mr. Ollyffe indeed fays, A Page 2 J. Jlfan may make a feigned Declaration or Profejfion of his Ajfent when he does not really do it. *Tis granted he may do fo, if the Approbation of the things Aflented to be intended : But if ( as is pleaded) the Vfe of fuch things be all that is aim'd at, fuch a feigning would expofe inllead of relieving ^ it would foon be difcover'd by their Practice. But I hope Mr. Ollyjfe won't be angry with me if I frankly declare, that I Ihould never give my unfeigned Affent and Confent, Pag. 2. in the Worfhip of God, to what I had no Heart nor Will to the continuance of: Nor fliould I have any Heart to encourage or prefs others to an unfeigned Agreement to fuch things, as I had my felf after fuch a Declaration, done all I could to remove. 2. There mull be both an Ajfent and a Con^ fent. A Confent is fuppos'd to have gone before.^ For the Subfcription is an Engagement to ufe the Common Prayer. What need of the Affent if that implies no more ? 'Tis faid, they are LawTerms. Suppofe they are, yet when the Legiflators \y}^ put them into my Mouth, and. I mult be oblig'd to ufe them with Solemnity • in the Houfe of God, I think I may very well enquire whether I am able to ufe them, accord- ing to the molt proper, and at the fame time molt Common and Ufual Senfe of them^ They are indeed Law Terms^ as being us'd in Law : And fo are moft E'ngUJh Words * But they are not Terms peculiar to the Law, as Mejfuage^ Chattel^ Fee Simple^ &c. We have no need toi go to Law Lexicons, to learn what Ajfent and Confent mean. We all know what is meant by thofe Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity. 125 thofe Words in common Difcourfe. It's faid, both words are of the fame import in u46i:s of Parlia- ment. Be it fo : Yet the Jljfent and Confent of the Majority of Lords and Commons, implies their Approbation of the thing enjoin'd and prefcrib'd by the Law to which they lb AJfent and Confent. But be it as it will as to that, when I'm to make the words mine, I think, I can't be charg'd with forcing or (training, if I take them ac- cording to their common import : And fo I am fure they are different. Neither is the In- Itance of the Oath of Abjuration produc'd by Mr. Ollyffe at all Parallel. 'Tis true, there are _ feveral Words there us'd, viz.. I do fncerely ac- "S* ^2* knowledge^ profefs^ tefifie^ and declare : But in this Cafe there can be no difficulty. For all the World agrees, that trnfyj and fincerely ; and to acknowledge, and profefs, teftifie^ and declare ^ ; are words of the fame Import. They are fo in common Difcourfe, when we would give any Man an AfTurance : But this cannot be faid as to Ajfent and Confent , which all the World knows are Different. 3. This AJfent and Confent muft be to all and every thing: The whole 'and each Part, That is contain d and prefcrib^d in and by the Book of Common Prayer^ &:c. That is, fay thefe Gen- tlemen, fo contain'd as to be prefcriFd. I have no Heart to ftay upon the Critical Difference between contain'd and prefcrib'd, and contain'd or prefcrib'd : (A Nicety, which I am perfwad- ed the Legiilators were not aware of: ) But I think it is eafie to be obferv'd, that there is a Difference between contained and prefcrib^d in the Suhfcription^ and therefore I think its but Reafonable to fuppofe, that it Ihould be the fame in the Declaration alfo. For the Second of the Articles to be Snbfcrib'd is this : That the 1^6 A Defence of Part Ih the Book of Common Prayer, &c. Ccontains^ tjo' thing contrary to the Word of God : 'Tis added,' That it may Lawfully \_he ns^ct] , and that they will ufe that and no other. So that all that is con-^ tain^d in the Book of Common Prayer is to be approv'd as agreeable to the Word of God, by the Sabfcription^ as well as what is to be us^d : And it would be fome-what Strange, if th© verbal Declaration fhould not amount to as full an Approbation as the Subfcription. All I fhall add is this : If the Jljfent and Confent was on-' ly to be given to what is prefcrib^d^ the Word' contained had much better have been left out ; becaufe it tends to Confound. That the Com- mon Prayer Book contains more than it frefcribes no Man can ^eny. Had then the Ajfent and Confent been confin'd to what was prefcriVd, this Difficulty had been remov'd : But when I mull Ajfent and Confent to every thing contained and prefcriFd^ without being at all chargeable with forcing Words, I think I may rery well require good AfTurance, that fnch JJfent and Confent would not be interpreted, an approv-^ ing of every thing contained in that Book, as well as what is prefcnVd. And therefore I mull needs fay, upoil the cooleft Conlideration of the whole Matter, I don't fee, that either Mr^ Ollyffe^ or Mr. Hoadly^ have any fuch Caufe of Triumphing over the Ejefted Miniflers upon this Head, as they feem to imagine. For fuppofing it to be an Hyper- bole in the Gentleman whom I quoted, wha fays, that Words could fcarce'be devised by the Wit of Man more fully and more Significant ^ &c. Suppofe I Ihould own it to be a pofllble thing to have exprefs'd a Cordial Approbation of the Contents of the whole Common Prayer Book more fully than is done this Declaration j yet if Part If. Moderate "Non-Conformity, 127 it does not follow, that the Senfe thefe Gentle- men put upon it, is fo clear^ ib natural^ {o un- forc'd^ and /^/r, as they reprefent it. At belt 'tis dubious and ambiguous. And if the Vfe of the prefcribed Ceremonies be all that was meant by the Declaration^ 'tis exprefs'd very oddly and darkly '■, and it rather looks as if they who fram'd it were defirous to leave room for Hefi- tation, than to be diilinftly underftood by all Part i. concern'd. Tho' by the way, Mr. Hoadly need p^a. 30, not have call'd that, my Comment^ which if he ^ had confulted the Perfon I Cite, in the Margin, he would have found I exprefs'd entirely in another Man's Words. But becaufe Mr. Ollyjfe feems to Qiieflion it>hether, excepting Dr. Swadlin, / know of any p^g. 20, one Conformifi in England, that ever made the Declaration in the Senfe we put upon if^ I fhall, for his Satisfadion, give him a known Inftance in the County of Effex. 'Twas Dr John Sherman^ Parfon of Bradwell, who, ^pril the 3d i56"4, made a Publick Recantation of his Declaration and Suhfcription before a large Congregation. Any Man that Reads it, will ealily fee, in what Senfe, he made this Declaration and Suhfcription. upon his Conforming. Tie be at the Pains to Tranfcribe the whole of it ^ excepting his Rea- fons that back'd it, which are too large to be here inferted. It was thus exprefsM* 'Whereas I have fome-time heretofore openly •' in this place, declar'd before you, my Vnfeign^ * ed Ajfent and Confent to all and every thing con- * tain^d and prefcrtb^d in and by the Book of Common * Pr^^er,&c. I do now Acknowledge my felf to * have done rafhly and incOnfiderately in fo do- * ing : And do therefore, here, before you all, 'Declare my unfeigned Renouncing a.nd Recanting^ t that my former Declared yifent and Confent K ' t» a8 A Defence of Part II. *• to all and every thing contaiti'dand frefcrib^d in ' that. Book. Becaufe, tho' I ftill highly ap- * prove of that Book for a great part thereof, * and fhall continue to ufe it, botbopenly in the ' Church, and privately in my Family, and to ' Conform to moll of the Rites and Ceremonies * of the Church ^ yet upon fecond tho'ts, I have * found feme things contain' d and frcfcrib'd in that ' Book, which I cannot u4ff'ent and Confent unto : * Some things being very offenlive and dange- * rous, other Ibme untrue and finful. Belides, ' that it feems to me an Honour too high for * any Book but the Book of God, the Sacred ' Scriptures, to have unfeigned AfTent and Con- * fent given to all & every thing contain'd and * prefcrib'd therein : As if any Humane Writ- ' ing (efpecially of fuch Bulk & variety of Con- ' tents as this) might be prefum'd to be with- * out Errour and Miftake, throughout, and in ' every particular matter and thing thereof. ' And whereas alfo, 1 have Subfcrib*d a certain * Declaration and Acknowledgment, and after * Subfcription read it openly before you, I do ' now renounce & recant my faid Subfcription, * and my Reading that Declaration & Acknow- * ledgment Subfcrib'd : Yet as to the Particu- * lars thereof, only of Conformity to the Litur- * gy of the Church of England^ as it is now Efta- * blifh'd by JLaw j and that only as extending to * all and every thing contain d and f refer ib'd therein. Mr. Ollyfe may hence fee, that Dr. Sv^adlin was not the only Man, who in Conforming to the Eftablilh'd Church, yielded to the Subfirip- tion^ and Declaration of Affent and Confent^ in that Senfe, in which the Ejeded Minilters tho't themfelves oblig'd to refiife them. And if they will do him any Service, I don't doubt, but I may have more Inftances for him, by that time he comes to need them. . But Part ir. Moderate Non-Conformity, i2p But there is one thing at which Mr. Ollyfe^ (i) Page (i.) and Mr. Hoadly (2.) both, are extremely -, p*-' difturb'd : And that is, at my Quoting Dr. ,. p. ^.^ Swadlin upon this Head, and mentioning his Opinion, that the Common Trayer Book rvas diEtat^ ed by the Holy Ghofi. Mr. Hoadly^ in Particular, is very Smart. Mr. Ollyjfe tells us from Wood^ that the Doftor was, in a manner Diftradted : in which I can eafily believe him, tho' no other Evidence could be given, than the Paf- fages cited out of him. And Mr. Hoadly fays. That fuch Stories tend to vilifie and ridicule the Common Prayer Book^ and to fet hs at an irrecon- cileable Difiance' from one another. But why fb angry Gentlemen? If the Dodor was in a manner Diilraded, I hope it can't be laid up- on me. And if fuch a Palfage be a ridiculing the Book of Common Prayer^ why was not the Author cenfur'd, and his Book (in which there are a hundred as ridiculous Things as thofe I quoted out of him ) fupprefs'd ? For my Part I muft declare, I can't fee any migh» ty tendency fuch Stories have to fet us at i greater Diftance. I fhould rather apprehend, that if the extravagant Flights of fome in Commendation of the Common Prayer Book^ and of others in decrying all Forms of Prayer, as Antichriftian and Unlawful, were more freely expos'd, it would fooner bring Men of Tem- per together, than fet them more afunder. I could tell them of feveral other Pallages^ fomething agreeable to this of Dr. Swadlin^ but for the prefent. Two Ihall Content me. The firlt is in the Learned Dr. Beveridge^ his Difcourfe of the Excellency and Vfefulnefs of the Common Prayer, which he extols in the high- ell degree t, and afterwards obferves, the extra- Page 46, ordinary PrUdencey as well as Piety ofoitr Fir ft Re^ K 2 formm-i 130 A Defence of ?art 11. formers^ who firfi Compiled the Bo^Ji of Common-' Prayer^ fo exactly conformable to the Word of God j and that ^pofiolical Canon QLet all things be don6 to edifying .3 This (fays he) / cannot but afcrihe to the fame Extraordinary Aid and Ajfifiance from Gody whereby they were afterward enabled to fujfer PerfecHtion^ yea. Martyrdom it f elf for his fakcy and fo to Confirm what they have done with thei^* Blond. This carries the Matter pretty high. " The other is a Writer for the Church, who hath cry'd up the Liturgy to that height, as not to ftick to fay, That the Wit of Men and Angels * Avhot could not mend it \ and that it is a fujfcient Dif- ^'^^"l^. charge of the Mwifter^s Duty but to read it ^. Th is forfder I call /^o//2:^>^. Mr. 0//y/^ asks, What if Men jarj e /. ^^^^ made an Idol of Conceived Prayer, mufi we ^^ ^' therefore reje^ it ? I anfwer. No, by no means. But I think the life of that Word f IdoUz^e ] might be allovv'd me in the Cafe, when fuch a Man as Dr. Pocklington, in his Sunday no Sabbath^ charges the Puritans with Idoliz,ing the Sabbath y and tells us. That they looked upon it as an mage dropt down from Heaven : And that it was the great Diana of the Ephelians, as they usd it. Part I. As for Mr. Hoacdyh Motion, that they may Page 41. hear no more of fir etching their Conferences in this Point j I am not aware, that it is needful '. For I don't know that they have heard of it y at all from me. I pretended not to Charge thofe that have in this way given their Affent and Confent : I can freely leave them to God and their own Confciences. All I aim'd at was to flievv, what they had pleaded in their' own Defence, who refus'd it when this Ad* took Place \ and that they adted upon Princi- ples that may be juftify'd. And upon compa- ring both lides together, every Man mult Judge for himfelf. I. The j^art II. Moderate Nofz-Conformity, 131 v^^^ I. The Subfcription and Declaration re- Se6t. IV. *^iquir'd, they found would take in the Do- '^aftrine of Real Baftifmal^ Regeneration^ and *^' certain Salvation confequent thereupon. " And that, whether the Perfons Baptiz'd " were qualified Subjeds of Baptifm, yea, or *' not ; It would be an Approbation of the *' Kubrick at the End of the Publick Office for 'f Baptifm, where 'tis faid, it is certain by Gods '^ 1 Wordj that Children which are Baftiz^d^ dying *'^.y before they commit aStual Sin^ are undoubtedly '' faved. It would have been well, if they "ihad quoted the Place-, for the DiflTenting *^- Minifters freely confefs'd their Ignorance, '' >that they knew of no fuch Word in Scrip- "., ture : it would alfo be an Agreement, to 'f ufe conflantly after Baptifm that thankfgi- " ving ^ we yield thee Hearty Thanks, moll "■merciful Father, that it hath pleas'd thee, *f to Regenerate this Infant with thy Holy " Spirit. Now when they (hould be oblig'd " to Baptize all Comers, witliout a Liberty of " refufing the Children of Infidels^ or the molt '\ fcandalous Sinners ( provided they had but 'tvSponfors ) to blefs God prefently as foon as " the Office was over, for regenerating them 'biby his Spirit^ and lay it down as undoubt- *i edly certain, that they were fav'd if they 'V, Dy'd, this was what their Light would not " fuffice for^ and therefore till then, 'twas **ritheir undoubted Duty to avoid Concurrence. **i.For who can fo much as Queftion, Whether *^ or no, it would have been a Sin in them, to "blefs God with Confidence for what they " did not believe was Real *, and to lay that *^j dov^n as undoubtedly certain from Scripture, ^' of which they faw not there the leaft Foun- '^ dation. They found the Children of the K 3 L'. wickedt 13?^ 'A Defence of Part II. '* wickedelt Parents ( of Whores and Adulte- '^ rers living openly in all notorious Sin, and " wholly without God in the World ) Bap- "^ tiz'd without Scruple : And many of them *' dy'd foon after Baptifm : Now how could " they pretend to be fure by the Word of ^' God, and paft all Doubt that all fuch went ^' to Heaven, when God fo Pofitively declared "' in the Second Commandment, That he would '' fHnijli the raicjiitties of the Fathers upon the *' Children unto the Third and Fourth Generati' ^^ on ? This at leaft might make the Matter " dubious to them. Suppofe a Chriftian King ^' fhould conquer a Country of Pagans^ or Ma- *' hiimetans^ or Jews^ or compel all their In- " fants forthwith to be Baptiz'd, and fome of " them immediately expire, at leaft before " the Commiflion of adual Sin, is the Salva- " tion of all fuch Sure, and paft all Doubt •, " And this to be made out, and clcar'd by " the Word of God ? Is it in the Power of ~" Man to make Infants fure and certain of " Salvation ? It is in the Power of Man to kill " a poor Infant, and to choofe his Time for ^' doing it. Many Whores murder their Babes ** before Baptifm, and they might as well do *' it immediately after, and fo afluredly ( up- *' on this Hypothefis) fend them to Heaven^ ^' whither they ihall never come themfelves, " without bitter and forrowful Repentance. *' And fo might the aforefaid King and Con- '' queror (after he by Baptifm had given '' them their fure and unqueftionable Pafsport " for Paradice ) even in Charity and Kindnels '* immediately cut the poor Infants off, and f' fo v/ithout any farther Hazard, give 'them • ^' Poffeflion of Eternal Blifs. But our Mini- ff fters could not tell how to apprehend, that ' ^ !' any Pare ir. Moderate Non-Conformity, 133 " any Mortals had fuch Power over Souls, as *' this would amount to. " It hath been pleaded by fome in this " Cafe to mollifie the Objedion, that the af- " ferting of a Baptifmal Regeneration, was '' what was mainly intended j and that herein " they had the Concurrence of many of the " mofl: Celebrated, Reformed Divines, and of '^ many even of our own moft admired Wri- " ters J tO/ which they had this obvious Re- " ply : That the Thankfgiving after Baptifm, " mentions regenerating with the Holy Spirit ^ " which carries the Matter farther then the '' Sign, and feems to denote the thing ligni- " fy'd, as actually given to each Baptiz'd Per- " fon. Belides, the Senfe of the Chuixh in. " this Point is fufficiently clear'd by the Of- " fice for Confirmation, in which the Bilhop *' who Officiates, in his firit Addrefs to God, " exprefles himfelf thus. Almighty and ever^ " living God *, who hafi vouchfaf^d to regenerate " thefe thy Servants by Water^ and the Holy *' Ghofl^ and hafi given unto them forgivenefs of " all their Sins^ &c. This faid with Reference *' to all Comers. (as to which 'tis well known " there is very little Care ) gives ground to " all Concern'd to think themfelves fufficient- " ly Regenerated already^ and to apprehend, '' ,That the Church doth not think their aim- " ing at any farther Regeneration needful, " when once they are Baptiz'd and Confirm'd, " This was a thing that appear'd to our Mini- '' Iters of fuch dangerous Confequence, that " they durll not concur in it, or any way ap'- " prove it, for fear of contributing to the " hardening of a Multitude of vain, loofe, '^ carelefs, fecure Creatures in a fatal miftake *■}, a^out the fafety of their State j neither could K 4 t they 134 ^ Defence of - Parti It^ The Let- " they fee how they could Anfvver for it tQ.^ ter from u God another Day. li^H a Mini- d fier to a Per/on of QiiaHty, fhevping fonie Rec.fom for hii Noncon- '\ ^ formity. page 3, ^.Qorhtls Remains, p. 174. ^kort Survey of theGrand Care of the prefent Minijl-ry, pag. 15. Vt2LyLitx.'s Non- conformity Stat- ed, andArgnd, pag. 48. His Plea {or Peace, pag. i6g. H>^ De- fence of the Plea for Peace, pag. 16, and 137. at large. -■■J *P. 26. -^ In this Paragraph, which UwOllyffe will^^ Of Bap' Jiave to bebottom'd upon a Miltake, I refer to-'^ nfmalRe- -phree Things. The Kubrick at the end of gemrati- ^j^g Office ior Baptifm ^ the Thankfgiving in the Office immediatly after Baptifm *, and the Office of Confirmation as referring to Baptifm Preceding. Take them altogether, and they difcover, that Laxnefs upon the Head of Bap- tifm, as a Regenerating Ordinance, as may prove a Temptation to many, to think that Ordinance a fufficient Paflport for Heaven, and that the bare Receiving it, is an abundant Evi- dence, that Perfons are the Children of God, as much as they need defire to be fo. As to the Rnhrick^ he fays, it is no part of •what is prefcrib'dfor t/'/f, and therefore neither jif' fent nor Siibfcription reaches to it. As to which, ^ny Man may judge for himfelf from what has "been faid : But I have heard of feveral Gentle- men in the Houfe of Commons, that were fond cno' of the Church, who exclaim'd againft it ^ faying, if it were requir'd of them, they could not Subfcribe it. Sir Lancelot Lake^ One of the Knights for Mlddlefex^ Son to one of the Secretaries of King Charles I. and that had two Bifhops for his Godfathers, I have been in^ -- fprm'd, was One. This looks as if they tho't ^^2 the Subfcription reach'd it- But if the Rubrichnh is not to be us'd, the Thankfgiving is, and the ^ " > piSi(^Q iox Confirmapon to be fure approv'd : 'I'-^f •■ ' '■ ' \ • " Aii4 Pa r 1 1 1 . Moderate Non-Conformity] 135 And both are bottom'd upon the Dodrine of Real Regeneration as a NecelTary; Attendant of Baptifm, which Good Men might very \vell Scruple. But Mr. 01. will Argue about the Kubrick : And becaufe I faid the Diflenting Minifters knew of no fuch place in the Bible as it referr'd to, He mentions a place, viz,. Mark 10. 14, But leaves us as far to feek for Proof 4s we were. The thing Aflerted in the Kubrick is, that it is certain fiom God's JVordj that Children rvhich are Ba^tiz^dy dying before they commit aBual Sln^ are uridouhtedly fav'd. Now the Queftion V7ith thofe that Scruple this, was not whether iit was ppflible for fuch to be fav'd ? No, nor whether their Salvation were a thing hope- ful ? But whether it appear'd undoubted from the Word of Qod, that if they were Baptiz'd and dy'd before they comraited ad'ual Sin they were certainly Sav'd? This was the thing they demur'd about : Now to this he replies, that it appears from the Text Cited, that fome Children are undoubtedly Sav'd. He is Angry " that the Ejeded Minifters fliould underftand it of all Children : And chafes at a mighty Rate. 1 fhall only return him this : That be need not Pelt at Axioms before they arc bro't to him ^ and if he will Underftand only fome Children as meant by that Kubrick I can't help it : But if fuch as are Dif-interefted, un- derftand that Kubrick otherwife than the Si- lenc-d Minifters, I Ihould think itStrange. He intimates, that nothing more is exprefs'd in the Thankfgiving referr'd to. and in the Of- fice of Confirmation, than is exprefs'd in the Articles, which the Non-conformifts have Sub- fcrib'd, as well as thofe who have Conform'd. — Now the Words of the Article are thefe: Bav^ tifm 1 3 (5 A Defence of Part II. P. 31,32. tifm is not only a Sign of Profeffton^ but is alfo a Sign of Regeneration or New-birth^ whereby^ oi by an Infirumentj they who receifve Baptifm rightly^ are Grafted into the Churchy and the Promifes of the forgivenefs of Sms^ and of our Adoption^ to be the Sons of God by the Holy Ghofi^ are vifibly Signed nnd Seal'd. Upon which Mr. 01. adds thus : Here all the Phrafes excepted againft, viz.. being regenerated^ and adopted^ and this by the Holy Ghojly and the having forgivnefs of Sins ^ are all exprefi to be meant of Sacramental Signing and Sealing of them: So that no Scruple feems to be left. — But hold : As in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we know there is no fuch Connexion between the Sign and the thing Signify'd, but that many may now Eat and Drink in the Pre- fence of the Lord, and yet be at laft difown'd: So neither is it to be juftify'd, that we fhould ulfe fuch a Method of Expreflion as to the other Sacrament of Baptifm, as fhould tend to encou- rage Perfons to reft in the outward Admini- llration, without due Care about reaching that inward Purity of which it was intended to be a Badge. This is the great Exception in this Cafe. Arid here the Article is Clear, and the Common Prayer Book Blame-Worthy. 01 Def ''^^^ Pleaded, that the Scripture ufes the p. 28 29. ^^^^ Expreffions as the Common Prayer Book ' ' ' upon this Head. For that Baptifm is call'd the haver of Regeneration \ and we are faid to be Waf?d and Pnrg'd : And the Children of a Be- lieving Parent are faid to be Holy^ &:c. and in the )fU' V y^^^ Scnfe as we imderfiand the One may we under" ofi^ oT -^^^^ '^^ '^^^^^' ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ "^y Reply from Bp. \ht\9. ^'^^^^h ^ who thus Exprelfes himfelf, The Articles. ^^'^^ ^^d Pnrpofes. of Baptifm are Two^ The one «■, J>a^. '^02. ^hat we are admitted to the Society of Chriftians^ 303. and to all the Rights and Priviledges of that Body^ which Part II. Moderate "NonXonformity, 157 which is the Church.' ■ A Second End is^ Inter- nal and Spiritnal. Of this St. Paul fpcaks in high Terms^ when he fays^ we are faved by the waflnng of Regeneration^ Tit. 3. 5. He alfo^ elfe where., makes our Baptifm to refrefent our being dead to Sin^f and bury^d with Chrift^ and our being rifen and quickeii'd with him. This is the inward EffeEb of Baptifm. It is a Death to Sin ^ and a New Life in Chrift in imitation of him, and in conformi~ ty to his Gofpel. The former does indeed belong to to Baptifm : . It makes tis vifible Members of that Body into which we are admitted by Baptifm \ but that which faves m in it, mufi be a thing of another Nature. This is not to be believed to be of the na^ ture of a Charm, as if the very AB of Baptifm carry^d always with it an inward Regeneration.-— Here (fays he) we mufi Confefs, that very early fome Do5lrines arofe, upon Baptifm, that we cannot be determined by. The Words of our Saviour to Nicode- mus were expounded fo, as to import the abfolute Necejfity of Baptifm in order to Salvation. Ano- ther Opinion that arofe out of the former, was ths mixing of the outward and inward EjfeEhs of Bap- tifm : It being believed that every Perfon that wot horn of Water, was alfo born of the Spirit ', and that the renewing of the Holy Ghoft did always accompany the waging of Regeneration. — Which Opinion he folidly refutes from i P^f. 3.21. Now this latter Opinion, theConfequencesof which are very Pernicious, our Ejected Miniflers look'd upon as favour'd in the Common Prayer Book, tho' not in the Articles : And that it is fa- vour'd in the Common Prayer Book, I cant fee how any can deny,that will but compare that Paf- fagc in the Thankfgiving immediately after the Celebration of Baptifm, We yield thee hearty Thanks mofl merciful Father, that it hath pleas'^ d thee to Rege- nerate this Infmt with thy Holy Spirit j with the 2d» Anfwer i^jS ^ Defence of Fait ll Anfwer to be given by every Child according,,- to the Catechifm i My Godfathers and Godfathers^ in my Baptifm \jvhcrcin I was made a Memher of Chrlft^ the Child of God-, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven."} Efpecially if he will add hereto, the PafTage in the Office for Confirma-^j tion, to be us'd with reference to all, who be-^.^ ing B3Dtiz d in their Infancy, can when they^. are grownup, fay the Lord's Prayer, the Cree^ and Ten Commandments, &c. Almighty ancT^ everliving God: who haft vouch fafed to regenerate.,^ thefe thy Servants by Water and the Holy Ghofty^ and hajh given unto them forgivenefs of all their ^ Sins. ,j In fliort then, the Complaint made, is notfj that the Phrafes us'd in the Common Prayeq^ Book upon this Head are blameable, for they^ are Scriptural, (tho' indeed we may find faulty with the ufing Scriptural Expreffions in fuch ajj manner as Ihall carry them befides the Scripture,^ Senfe, which is the Cafe in Biddle\ Catechifm:) ; But the Grievance is, that they are fo promif- cuoufly apply'd, as to encourage many to think,., that they are accepted by Vertue of their In-,^, fant Dedication in Baptifm, without laying.^j that Strefs upon the Anfwer of a good Confcience , in fuch as are grown up, as is Neceilary to keep it from being a meer empty Ceremony. pasr. 2p. Mr. Ollyffe fays, that a Sacramental Baftifmal Regeneration h therein imply d. This is not deny'd : But the Queftion is, whether fuch Ex- preflions fhould be usM, as it may ealily be forefeen, will be likely to prove a Temptation to think, that that is all the Regeneration that is needful. And tho' he wonders an Objedion fhould be jiiade againft that Claufe in the Office . pag. 30. for Confirmation, Thou haft given to them for- givenefs of all their Sins 5 yet I think he'd have very Part 11. Moderate Non-Conformity, 139 very little Reafon, if he did but Conlider, of what fortof Perfons that is often fpoken. When a parcel of Lewd Boys are ofFer'd to be Con- firm'd (a thing not uncommon) that ExprefTion is us'd. And hearing that God has forgiven them all their Sins, they prefeiitly apprehend they are in a fafe State •, and when they are caird to an hearty and unfeigned Repentance, and told, that they mufl be Born again ^ be Born of the Spirit as well as of the Water, or they can never fee the Kingdom of God, they'll very freely deride you. However, that Bap- tifm is for the Remiffion of Sins is granted j and that Remiffion of Sins is Sea I'd Conditional- ly to all : And this we think Perfons when they grow up fhould be minded of: And ra- ther be put upon performing the Conditions on which the Bleflings of the Covenant were made over to them ; than at all encouraged to exped Remiflion of Sins and the confequent Bleffings, without a fuitable C.re about their Condud. In Ihort, all that Mr. Ollyffe can make of the Matter, is this j that inward Spiritual Regenera" tion is the thing fignify'd in Baptifm j and the Sign, is calVd by the thing fignify''d^ and whether this is to be allow'd without due Explication in Publick Offices, that are defign'd for promif- cuous and common life ^ whether a Method fo likely to be enfnaring to many (who are natu- rally apt by Baptifm to juftle out Repentance, and to fubftitute Parental in the Head of Per- fonal Dedication) be to be Affneted and Con- fented to is the Queftion. The Ejeded Mini- fters apprehended this would have pernicious Confequences : Nor can I fee, that what Mr. Ollyjfe has fuggefted difproves it. Mr. 140 A Defence of Part 11. Part I. Mr. Hoadly is fomewhat Larger. He vindi- ;>. 45,-46'. cates the Ri^bric excepted againS : And Pleads, That Baptifm admits Ferfons into a State of Fa- voitr with God ^ and that if they Die without ha- ving done any thing to pnt them out of this StatCy they Jhall be fav^d. But then he confines it to fuch as are didy Baptiz^d^ and admitted into the Church according to Gods Will : And adds, That we can never prove the Words to be incapable of . this Senfe^ or that any other was ever intended^ or fo much as tho^t of^ by thofe who placed them here. To this I fhall give the Reply of Mr. Baxter /^ See his m his own Words. * For the New Claufe of Zife in^ the Salvation of Baptized Infants as certain by Jb//o,pag. the Word of God, the Scruple were the lefs, if ^ it were confined to the Infants of true Believers : But our Church adjnitteth of all Infants^ even of Infidels and Heathens without DifiinEHon^ if they have but God-Fathers and God-JHothers ; and the Canon enforceth Minifiers to baptiz^e them all with-- out Exception. And when in our publick Debate with the BijljopSj I infianc^d in one of my Parijhi-' oners that was a profejfed Infidel, and yet faid^ he would come and make the common Profejfion for his Child for Cufiom-fake : Dr. Sanderlbn the Bi- jjjop of Lincoln anfwer^d me^ that if there were God-Fathers^ it had a [undent 'Title \ which Bi* Jhop Morley, and others of them confirmed. Now thefe God-Fathers being not Adopters nor Owners^ we cannot fee it certain in Gods Word^ that all thofe are fav^dj whom they prefent to Baptifm : Noj nor when ungodly and hypocritical Chrifiians prefent : For how can the Covena'nt fave the Child^ ' as the Child of a Believer^ which faveth not the Parent as a Believer him f elf : So that while un-* meet SubjeEls are Baptiz^d^ we cannot fubfcrib& to this Ajfertion. And afterwards fpeaking of the Limitation, that is endeavour'd to be af- fix'd Part II. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, 141 fix'd to this Rubric, he adds : C Children, Bap- tiz'd, dying before -adual Sin] is equal to CAll Children Baptiz'd. 3 '^onr Confciences mnfl tell yoHj that if yon limit it to fame only^ you crofs the Senfe of the Compilers of the Liturgy. J am fur e^ Dr. Gunning who bro^t it in^ hath fuhlickly ex' trefs'd his Senfe^ for the Salvation of all fuch Irt' farus. Whether he will adhere in this Point, to Mr. Baxter or Mr. Hoadly^ the Reader mult choofe for himfelf. But it being intimated, that a Text of Scrip- ture was wanting to prove what was yet ^flerted ^^^^ 4^- to be undoubtedly certain by the Word of God i Mr. Hoadly thus exprelTes himfelf. Indeed^ if you demand fuch a Text of Scripture for the Salvation of fome^ whom you fay^ our Church ad"- mits to Baftifm^ as you produce for their Damna' tion^ we acknowledge we fljall never be folicitous to produce one. But what becomes of this Piece of Wit, if there was no Text at all produced for the Damnation of Infants ? No Sir, we are not fo forward to damn Perfons as that comes to. We are for giving the Mercy of God its full Latitude and Corapafs : And yet think there's a great deal of difference, between a pofitive Dooming any to Hell, and a giving them a certain Pafsport to Heavea. How the former can be inferr'd from the Denial of the latter, I am yet ,to feek. I do indeed here mention, the ThreatningClaufe of the Second Commandment, wherein God declar'd, that he would punijh the Iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children^ unto the third and fourth Generati- on ^ which was often urg'd on this Occafion by the Ejeded Minifters : But it was not cited as a Proof of Infants Damnation ^ but as an Argu- ment, that we had not a pofitive Certainty, as to all that were Baptiz'd, and taken out of the 1/^2 A Defence of Part II. the World in their Infancy, that they were acceptedof God unto Salvation. For if God in fome Cafes was ^o difpleas'd with Pofterity, as that upon the Account of the Sins of Progeni- tors, he would not admit them fo much as into the Congregation of his People for fome Gene- rations (asinthe Cafe of Baftardy, JDeut. 2^. i.y How do's it appear, that the Application of the outward Seal of the Covenant, would cer- tainly have entitled to the fpiritual BleflingS of it ? And if God under the New Difpenfati* on of. his Covenant, renounces Communion with fome on the Account of peculiar Provo- cations, how can it be certainly clear'd from Scripture, that he accepts their Pofterity up- on their being Baptiz'd ? If we may argue probably in the Cafe from the Mercy of God, yet that will not amount to a polltive Scrip- ture certainty. For tho' it be own'd, that pag. 47* God do' snot determine the future State of any Per- fon^ hy the Behaviour of another : Yct ftill, where Parents forfeit the Bleflings of the Co- venant for themfcives, and their Children too 5 that God will return them to their Children, upon their bare Admiflion to Baptifm, is not fo evident as not to be fairly queftionable : And they who are pofitive in afferting it, ihould give good Proof of it. But Mr. Hoadly flies high upon the Cafes fuppos'd in this Article of my Tenth Chapter. Ibid* He is at a lofs vrhat fo fay ^ and utterly furprizJ'd, If he'll accept my Help towards the Abatement of his Difturbance, I'm free to give it. I'll Only call in the Help of a Remark of Dr. Com-^ bcr. 'Tis this. That either all Baptizi'd Children are really accepted of Gody or none are. That I may do the Dodor no Injury, I'll repeat his Words as they ftand coimeded, and then draw my Fa r 1 1 1 . Moderate Non- Conformity, 143 my Argument from them. Speaking of the Thankfgiving after Baptifm, and that Paflage in it that has been above recited, he tells us, St. Amhrofe mentions a Parallel FalTage in ufe in his Time, "the Priefi (lays he) /^o^-^ to the Perfon Baptiz^'d In this Mminer : God the Fa- ]^^^^q^ ther Almighty, who hath regenerated thee, ^J.^^^^J^" by Witer and the Holy Ghoft, and forgiven y^^ j^^_ thee thy Sins, &c.^ Which (lays ^^')fl^ews^pi^.^(,Q^^ that the Ancients did not Onejlion the Ejfeth of the (^iq^ "iSacrdment\ no not in Perfons of Age^ until theiy future Convcrfation declared they had brohe their Covenant : How much more then ( lays he ) ought we to believe this^ in the Cafe of Infants^ who can. tilt no impediment to the Grace of God^ and are all alike^ fo that cither all or none receive thefe Blef- pngs. Mr. Hoadly^ I'm apt to think, was hard- ly more furpriz'd at any of the Suppolition? produc'd under this Head, out of one of the Authors cited in the Margin, than I Ihould have been at this Paflage of Dean Combers^ had I not apprehended, that the Expreflions us'd in the Common Prayer Book would have born him out j and that he had really hit on the true^ Principle on which they were bottom'd. If all Children are alike, and the Parental In- terelt in the Divine Covenant m^kes no Diffe- rence, then Baptifm as Baptifm, the meer out- ward Ceremony, by vertue of the Divine In- ftitution, and that Grace which infeparably and unalterably attends it, is fufficient to fe- cure the Salvation of an Infant, dying fuch. And if this will hold, then will the forc'd Bap- tifm of the Children of a conquer'd Country of Pagans or Mahiimetans^ be as available for Salvation, as the molt regular Baptifm in A Chriltian Country : And whereas, 'tis more than a Thoufand to one, that fuch with whom L Chriftia- 144 "^ Defeuce of Part II. Chriftianity is the meer effed of Force in their Infant State, will, when they grow up, returi) to the Superftitions and Impieties of their Pro-? genitors ^ it were to them an Ad of Kindncfs for a Conqueror immediately to difpatch them. It would to them be an Aft of Kindnefs, tho' in fuch a Conqueror an Aft of great Barbarity : Becaufe, tho' he fatisfyM his Bruitifh Lufts, he would yet fend them fafe to Heaven, whither in all likelihood they would otherwife never have come. And this way I think, the refult will in ITiort be this : That as for as it is in a Per- Ibns Power to difpatch Baptiz'd Infants, 'tis fo far in their Power, to fend them fafe to Heaven \ where there is Reafon to feat not one of many Baptiz'd Perfons that live to Ma- turity, ever come. Nay, I'll go on ( feeing he puts the Cafes ) a good Chriflian bringing his Child to Baptifm fecures its Salvation alfo, provided it be but fo Happy as to Die an In- fant : Aye, and a Feaver that carries it out of the World, is inllrumental in fecuring its Sal- vation too, provided it come in Infancy. And I don't fee how this is avoided, if Children are therefore certainly fav'd becaufe Baptiz'd, and the Cafe of all is alike. While Mr. Hoadly therefore takes leave to inveigh againll fuch fort of Objeftions as unac- countable, ! hope he'll give me leave to make ufe of his own Words, and fay ^ That 'tis this fondnefs of all Rites, Forms, and Ceremonies, that have been cultomary \ aye, and even un- wary and obnoxious Expreflions too ^ The ftrefs that feems to he laid upon them^ and the Study with which they appear to have been fought /or, that make fome in the World fo apt to fufpe^-, and fo forward to declarfy that no u^grceme^it can ever hop'' d for. As Part 11. Moderate Non-Conformity. 145 As for what follows in Mr. Hoadly relating to tHe Nature of Baptifm, I refer him to my Lord of Sarumh Expofition mention'd above. Tho' he can't diltinguifh between a Regenerati- pag. 49. 0;/, and a real Regeneration *, yet I hope he both can, and for the future will diftinguilh, be- tween the Application of the outward Sign^ and the real reaching of the Bleffings fignify'd : I hope he may take from that Learned Prelate, what would not fo well go down when it came from us ^ that the outward and inward EfFeds of Baptifm are not to be mix'd. And tho' he tells me, he do's not fe^arate the waflung of Rege^ neration, and renewing of the Holy Ghofl^ Tit. 3. 5. Yet I hope he'll diftinguifh between the putting away the filth of the Flejh ^ and the Anfwer of a good Confidence. And I cannot but hope, that what fo Reverend a Father of his Church fuggefts upon that Head, that is before referred to, may abundantly fatisfie him. I muft do him the Juftice indeed to own, that he do's add, that he do's not in this Cafe fie^arate between wafi)ing and renewing^ in fipeaking ofi the whole Chri- ftian Church. But I remember alfo, that we are fpeaking as to Particular Perfons ^ and fo is the Head to be all along underftood. For tho' there are fome, in whom the outward wafinng is ne^er attended with a real renewing *, and fb it becomes a meer outward Ceremony : Yet that both wafit- ing and renewing are not feparated in the Cafe of others, is not Queftion'd. Tho' what is offer'd under this Head is real- ly very little to my Relifh, I yet can freely be- lieve, that Mr. Hoadly herein wrote his Mind at that Time : But as much as he would wil- lingly be tho't to out-do the Non-Confiormifis in Charity, he can hardly perfwade himfielfi^ that pag. 50.* we believe as wc fpeak-y when we fay ^ that we are L 2 afraid 146 A Defence of Fart 11. afraid to concur, for fear of contributing to the hardfiing of carelefs Men in the O^inion^ that they are regenerate^ and need no farther Care. Here- in I can only fpeak for One : 'And if he will Credit me, here give it him under my Hand, that that is my prefent real Senfe. For tho' I'll freely grant *, that the letting Perlbns un- derftand, that all the Bleflings of the Cove- nant were in Baptifm made over to them, ai;d are affuredly theirs, provided they live agreeably to that Sacred Bond they then came tinder ^ is <« Verfvoafwe Argument to the greatefl Care and Diligence : Yet to encourage them in confounding the outward and inward EfFeds of Baptifm •, and to perfwade them, that the wapiing of Regeneration^ and renewing of the Ho- ly Ghofi are mfeparable ^ is to bolfter up ma- ny in Security whom the Scriptures brand, and to tempt them to be fatisfy'd with being No- minal without due Care to be real Chriftians. So to do, is not an imitating St. Faid^ but an unhappy running Counter to his Defign. His fpeaking glorious Things of all profefs'd baptiz'd Chriftians in general ( at a Time by the way, when the outward and inward EfFeds of Baptifm went together much more generally than in our Days ) was to encourage them by the reviving Profpeft of what was certainly be- ftow'd on God's Part, provided they were true to the Engagement made on their Part : And this is a ftrong Argument for Care and Diligence: But how it can be faid to be the fame, when all promifcuoufly, becaufe Baptiz'd, arealTur'd of the Bleffings of Baptifm ^ when it is well known^ that many fo alFurM, are not faithful to the Engagement they then came under, I am not aware. U Part IT. Moderate "Nojt'Conf or miij, 147 In fliort, thp' this Office was Frarn'd for a pag. 51. Chrlfiian Country^ yet it fhould fuppofc, that too great a part of the Inhabitants of it, have only the names of Chriftians. For my part, I'm far from charging it as a fault on the Churchy to allow Baptifm in extraordinary Cafes-y Hpon a fo- lemn undertaking the Good and Chrifiian Education of a Child \ and yet I can't approve. the encou^ raging this Notion, that a Real Regeneration is needlefs in a Baptized Perfon. And tho' Mr. Hoadly does not know, that Baptifm may not. According to the Church of England^ be deny'd to the Children of Atheifis^ Jews and Jnfdels ♦, yet I fuppofe He knows, that if Spon- ibrs arc provided, a Man cannot Anfwer for his refufal in the Ecclefiaftical Courts. And To I difmifs this Head. " 2. This AfTent, Confcnt, and Subfcriptir Sc£l. V. " on, was among other things to the ufe of " Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptifm, to the " Exclufion of Parents. " This they Efteem'd Sinful ^ not only be- " caufc it juftled out the Parents Right to de- *^ vote their Children to God in Baptifm, which " is the thing upon which the Adminiltration " of that Ordinance to Infants was primarily " Founded ^ but alfo, becaufe it open'd a wide " Door to the Prophaning of one of the molt " Awful Solemnities of our Holy Religion : In " as much as Godfathers and Godmothers are " neither requir'd to be chofcn with due C^re " and Caution •, (and in the Cafe of many Per- " fons, 'tis really impofTible to procure any " Serious Undertakers^) nor are they ty'd '* to bring the Children of Chriftians only, *' nor only fuch as they take for theiv own, but " without any difference, may bring the Chil- l 3 " drea 1 4? A Defence of Part IL *' dren of any jithelfis or Sedducees, Jews or /«- " fidels at Pleafure, without taking any farther '^ Thought or Care about them. Withal, *' thefe Godfathers and Godmothers Perfonate " the Child as believing in Chrift, and re- *' nouncing Sin \ and that without any Au- " tority for it, either from any natural Right, *•*■ or pofitive Law. And the Ordinance of *' Baptifm will feem to be put upon that in- *' fufficient Bottom, by any one, who fedate- " ly compares the Office for that purpofc, with *' the Church Catechifm. " For the Promife of the Godfathers and " Godmothers in the Child's Name, is in both '' Reprefented as the Foundation of Baptifmal *' Dedication, and the Ground of the Claims " of the Benefits and Blefllngs thence arifing. " Now our Minillers fenfibly found, that this " would not bear Scanning. In the Church *' way this Ordinance is fo manag'd, as if the " Godfathers Faith were Beneficial to the " Child, and not the Parents: When as God *' requires no Faith or Repentance of Infants, " but only, that they be the Seed of Penitent " Believers, and Devoted to him as fuch : This " alfo was an Offence to many. And then they " found , that Godfathers and Godmothers *' were generally bro't to the Font^ to avouch " a great Untruth, and make themfelves ob- *" noxious to Lying and Perjury in the Face of " God and the Church. For Experience Ihew- ** eth, that what Appearance foever there is *' of Solemnity at the Engaging in fuch a Pro- " mife, yet they never (or very Rarely) per- *' form it. Some of them never fee the Child " more after the Chriftuing Day, nor ever en- *" quire more after it. Yea, tho' they Solemn- " ly Engage oil the behalf of. the Infant, yet 'f they Part 11. Moderate Non-Conforwity. 149 *-^ they hold themfelves rearlly Bound to no- " things but look upon all as ameer Ceremo- " ny and Compliment. Suppofe a Parent fhould " afterwards Challenge his Goffips, and fay ^ " you promised when you Hood Sureties for *' my Child at the Fom^ to call upon him to mind " his Duty, to hear Sermons, &c. and to fee " him well inftrufted in the Rudiments and " Principles of Religion ; but you have not '^ done it, and through your Negled, he doth " not hear Sermons, he is not Catechiz'd, he " does not Renounce the Works of the Devil, " but is in the High-way to Ruin, notwith- " ftanding your Engagements ? What would ^' be the Anfwer of thefe Perfons to the Pa- " rents of the Child, but this ? Should we •' look after him or you ? Whofe Child is he, " yours or ours ? He is your own proper Charge, " notwithftanding our ftanding at the Font j " He is commited to your Truft, and there- " fore, if he do otherwife then Well, for lack " of your Care, the Blame will be yours, and " his Blood will be upon your Head as the on- " ly Criminals. And indeed hardly any thing " can be more obvious toObfervationthan this, " that the Blame is not laid upon Godfathers " and Godmothers if Children be not well " Difciplin'd and Educated, neither do they *' Blame themfelves, or fhew any Confcience in " this matter; altho' 'tis Evident, that if they *' perform not their Covenant to the utmoft of " their Power, they break their Faith : Oa *' which Accounts, they durft not, by any *' means, Confent to Encourage fo Corrupt 4 " Cuftom. ^ L4 What* Baxter's Noncm- fomity Stated ani Argued, p 57. f/is Plea for Peace, p. 167. ffU Defence of the Noncortformifii Plea for Peace, p. 26. The Letter from a Mhifierto a Perfon of Quality, fhewittg Jome Keafonsfor bit Nonconformity. Corbet*i ijmmst p. 156. Baxt. 2^,TrM Def* of the meerNonronf. C, 12. p. 1^7. pag. 32. 1^0 A Defence of Part IT. Of theafe Whatis here fuggefted as to the Cuftom of or Godfa- Godfathers and Godmothers^ as it is manag'd ill thers ^W^he Church of England^ has been the Scnfe of H^ many ever lince the Reformation ^ who have not been againfl cautionary Undertakers for the Education of fuch Children as are Baptiz'd \ but have reckon'd the bringing in Covenanting Sponfors over the Parents Heads, to be a grofs Corruption. Mr. Ollyffe however, is pleas'd to Charge me with loading this Praftice, with di- vers odd A^ifreprefentations^ that I may expofe a 1 Eite^ in which the Proteflant Churches are fo gene- rally agreed. I muft again remind him, if they are Mlf-rcprefentations^ they are none of mine, as they ftand in my Abridgment *, they belong to thofe Worthy Gentlemen of whom, upon fome Occafions, he gives fo good a Charafter. And if the Rtte^ that they are againfi^ be what the Protefiant Churches are generally agreed in ^ 'tis a little Strange this could never be dif- cern'd by thofe of us, that have been abroad, and feen, and obferv'd their way and Method. But I doubt it is rather defir'd, that we might feem to agree with them, than apprehended, that there is a real Conformity. That the Pro- teftant Churches abroad have Witncjfes at Bap- tifm, who are to mind Perfons afterwards of their Baptifmal Covenant ^ nay, that they have cautionary Undertakers for the Education of the Baptiz'd, upon Suppofition either of the Death, or the negleft of Parents^ nay, that fome Emi- nent Perfons have given their Judgment for fuch undertakers, in Cafe of the unfitnefs of Parents to Educate their young Ones, cannot be deny'd : But as for Covenanting Sureties , that Aft as Parties in the Fasderal Stipulation, in order to the fecuring the Bleflirigs of the Covenant to ^^ptized Infants, the Foreign Churches know nothing Part IT. Moderate Non-Co?2forwity. 1 5 1 nothing of them, and it had been happy if the fame alfo could have been faid of the Church of England. It being objected, that this jufbies out the Parents Right •, Mr. Ollyjfc utterly denys^ that Parents are excluded^ or jufiled out by the ZJfe of Godfathers^ but (fays) their Right is Secur^dy and their Benefit Confulted thro' the whole. He lays, PagQ 55; that Godfathers are Witnejfes of the Parents Faith and ProfeJJion j and Sureties to the Church., that the Children jl) all be bro't up in the Profcjfion of the true Religion. And He need not ask what hurt Parents can receive by this ? For it is freely yielded him, if this were all, there would be^'^ ^^ no jull Ground of Complaint. But the Grie- vance is, that tlrefe Godfathers and Godmo- thers, according to the Method of the Church, are taken in as Parties, in the Faederal Stipula- tion, between God and the Party Baptiz'd, which is not eafie to be Accounted for. It is otherwife indeed in the Office of Baptifm for fuch as are of riper Years : There they are ex- prefly calFd Witneffes : The Parties Baptiz'd are told they muft Promife^ &:c. in the Prefence ofthefe theirWitneJfes : And in the Addrefs after- wards to the Godfathers and Godmothers, they are told, that thefe Perfons have promised in their Prefence: And againll this, there is no juft Objedion. But in the Office for the Publick Baptifm of Infants, the Godfathers and God- moth^s, are told, that the Children have fro- mis'd by them their Sureties. And this is very different from the former. Witneffes all admit: And Sureties to the Church for the Education of Infants are very defirable : But what is this to Sureties., by whom Children Promife faithful- nefs to the Baptifmal Fow ; while the Parents Itaad by for Gyphers. This is the CoiTuption com- 152 A Defence of . Part If. complain'd of, not only by the Ejeded Mini- fters, but by many, even in the Church of Eng- land : And I'm forry that fuch a Man as Mr. Oliyfe- Ihould fet Himfelf at all to Plead for it. I have a better Opinion of Him, than to fuppofe he heatily approves of the Canon, that laith, the Father Jha/i not he Hrg'd to be prefent. That looks as if the Godfather, who at beft, is but the SHbfiitHte^ were more NecefTary in this Affair, than the Parent, who is the Principal, But tho' this Canon is no part of the Liturgy SftbfcriFd to^ it yet is the Senfe of the Church of England Reprefentative^ met in Convocation ; and not certainly to be made light of, by thofe that own the Autority of fuch an Aflembly, in decreeing Rites and Ceremonies^ according to Art. 20. Its a poor Evafion for him to ask me, whether I think the Pre fence of the Father is of Nc" cecity to the Adminif ration of Baptifm ? I Re- ply ; 'tis fo requifite, where it can be had, that I know none, but the other Parent can fupply his Place, in proper Covenanting with God for the Child : But if he mayn't be ur£d to be prefent^ 'tis a Sign more ftrefs is laid on the Surety, than on the Father. If he mayn't be urg'd to be prefent^ 'tis a Sign, his Covenanting for the Child is not reckon'd needful : For otherwife , nothing but abfolute Neceffity would be a Difpenfation for his Abfence. But let us fuppofe a Minifter of the Chnrch of Eng- landy when a Father gives notice of the Bap- tizing his Child, to dcfre his Prefence^ as Mr. Ollyffe fhys he may do •, the Father may refuie it, and tell him he has nothing to do there j He can't, by the Canon, be mg^d to be prefent ; He has fome Friends or other that will Anfwer for his Child, and when that is done, will have no part II. Modaate Nin-Conformity, 153 no farther Concern : A Miniller in fuch a Cafe muft be forc'd to reft contented. And fi- Pag, 35. nally^tho' the Sponfors are chofen by the Parents, ( who yet are, generally, necejQitated to take fuch as they can get, not cuch as they would choofe) yet are they ftill excluded from the Solemn Stipulation in the Ordinance of Baptifm, which is devolv'd on their Subftitutcs : So that tho' they may be Prefent, yet they are not allow 'd what is their proper Work and Office J and this is the Exclufion complain'd ofj and hard to be juftify'd. And till Mr. Oliyfe can juftifie to his Superiors the allowing Pa- rents to Covenant for their own Children at the Fontj whether he will agree to it or no, they are Excluded. But whereas it was farther Objeded, that the way of the Church in ufing Godfathers, feemt to put Baptifm on an infnjjicient Bottom^ Mr. Ollyjfe very roundly cannot think, that I can believe my felf in this AJfertion. I can't, however, herein fay he is very injurious ^ becaufe I am not aware that I had given my own Senfe in the Matter : But why they, who made this Objedion, might not believe that there was abundant ground for it, I muft profefs, I can hitherto fee no Reafon. Why fhould they not ? The Rea- fons are thefe. Becaufe, the Right of the ChiU dren to Baptifm is Antecedent to the Choice of God" fathers : And Baptifm is declared full and fuff" cient without them. But I can find no force in thefe Reafons. For tho' it be own'd, that the Right of Children to Baptifm is Amecedent to the Choice of Godfathers, yct it does not therefore follow, but that they, who make Godfathers the Covenanting Sureties, put Baptifm on a yvrong Bottom. Their Antecedent Right is, ^ixXiQV from their Parents or fiom the Church. If fiom 1^4 A Defence of Part II. fiom their Parents^ Why is their Baptifm bot- tom'd on the Covenanting Engagement of the Sureties? In the firft Addrefs to the Godfa- thers, there is this Paflage \ Wherefore after this Promifc made by Chrifj this Infant mnfi alfo faithfully^ for his party promife by yony that arc his Sureties^ (until he come of JigCj to talie it upr- on himfelf) that he will renounce the Devil and all his Works y &c. This plainly fuppofes this Promife by the Covenanting Sureties to be that on which the Benefits of the Covenant are fuf- pcnded : Without it, no AiTurance can be given, that the Promife made by Chrifi will take place. And in the Catschifm there is no regard at all in the affair of Baptifm to Parents,or their Covenant Intereft in the Divine Favour, as af- fording the true Foundation of their Obligation to devote unto the Lord their Infant Seed : This is wholly over-look'd : and all the Strefs is laid upon the Godfathers and Godmothers. The Child is told, that they, when he was Baptiz'd, did Promife and F'ow Three things in his Name •, without any farther Account, how he came to be Baptiz'd. They Engagd for hnn, and ^Q he (lands Bound. This is a wrong Bot- tom ^ when the Right to Devote him, and confequently to Bind him lies in the Parent or Proprietor at leaft : Neither can he transfer that Right, if Himfelf be capable of Afting ac- cording to it. Or let us fappofe the Church to have a Right to offer fuch Children to Baptifm as have no Parental Right, (which is what I am not dif- pos'd to call into Queftion) yet to have the Admiffion of fuch afcrib'd to the Covenanting of their Sureties for them, ftill appears an 'in- fufficient Bottom. Unlcfs it could be Evidenc'd, that fuch Covenaiitiiig of the Sureties, gave the Part If. Moderate Non-Conformity. 155 the Infants an Intereft in the Covenant between Chrift and his Church, which I cannot but Efteem a groundlefs Fancy. And as for the other Realbn, 'vi:^. That Bap- tifm is full and fafficient without Godfathers and Godmothers^ it will come to be confider'd under the next Head. . But yix. Ollyffe will have it, that I confound Pag-. 3^, the Childs Obligation to the Terms of the Covenant^ with the Godfathers Declaration 0/ it before the Congregation : And therefore undertakes to fet me Right. Which is a very kind Office, for which I am Thankful. 1 ihould be glad to fee the matter well clear'd. In ofder to it, he gives me to underftand, that the Ground and Pag. 3(J. Foundation of Infant Baptifm is twofold, i. On God's Partj His Gracious Promife to Believers^ and their Seed^ by which he comfrehehds their Chil^ dren within the Bond of his Covenant. 2. On the Tart of the Children^ their Obligation to the Tef'mfy and Conditions of the Covenant. This is confec^uent on the Former^ the Covenant being mutual. Well, this being granted, what follows? Why the Office of Baptifm fuppofes the Child's Right on the Account of the Covenant of Grace^ extendirig- to Believers and their Seedj and accordingly is intend- ed to Reprefent and Declare the Stipulation and Profnife on both Parts j what God Promifeth to the BaptizJdy and the Baptized Promife again to God, But I would gladly know how the Office of Baptifm can fuppofe the Child's Right on the Ac- count of the Covenant of Grace extending to Believers and their Seed, upon Suppofition the Child is not the Seed of Believers.VJ Ou\d not this be SLRinfuffici" ent Bottom? He goes on: The Minifter^ Authorized by the Lordj Rcprefents his Divine Majefly^ declares his Promifcy Sac. As to which there is no difficulty. Then the Godfathers^ Authorized by the Parents, Repre* 156 A Defence of Part If. refrefcnt the Children^ AB in their Name^ a?id de^ cUrt the Promife that the Children are hound to. Here let it be obferv'd, the God-Fathers, not only declare the Children Bound whom they refrefent in Baptifm, but they adually bind them. And therefore in the Catechifm it is lb put. Qu. Dofi thou not thinh^ that thou art hound to believe and do^ as they have promised for thee? Anfw. Tes verily. If the Children are bound by their Promife., there is more than a Declaration in the Cafe. And befides. Chil- dren being then confidered as a Part of their Parents*, as it is thro' them that the Children have a right to the BlefOngs of the Covenant, fo 'tis they that are to put in their Claim to them ^ 'tis they that are to bind them to the Duties of the Covenant : Neither can I per- ceive any warrant for them to authoriz^e Subfti- tutes herein to Aft for them. But when, in- ftead of Parents Covenanting for their own Children, and binding them to be the Lords ^ here are Subftitutes that have no Right to bind them; and they Covenant for them •, and the Children as they giow up, are taught that they are bound by their Promife ^ and this Promife and Vow of theirs in their Name, is in the OHice reprefented, as that on which ' their Intereft in the Bleffings of the Covenant is fufpended : I cannot fee, how Mr. 0//y/f's endeavours at all clear the Matter, or prove, that this Affair ftands upon a right and a found Bottom. And the' it fhould be own'd, that there is not now that unanJlwerable Pretence of the God^ Fathers being beneficial to the Child as formerly ^ yet there is ftill more than can be jaftify'd. In the former Common Prayer Book-, when Faith and Rfpentancg were faid to be required of Perfons to be Part W.' Moderate Non-Conformity. 157 be Baptiz^d^ and it was Query'd, Horo Infants then were Baptized? 'Twas anfwer'd, Becaufe they perform them by their Sureties. This was a plain affirming, that the Sureties Faith and Repentance was theirs. But now 'tis altered and faid, becanfe they Promife them both by their Sureties. Which as it is a plain affirming, that the Promife of their reprefenting Sureties, is the Foundation of their Infant Baptifm : So it at the fame Time ( when the Anfwers made by the Sureties are Perfonal ^ / do believe^ I will, endeavour to obey : ) Leaves room for a Sup- pofition that thefe Promifes of theirs, fupply the Place of actual Faith and Repentance : And ^o they have been by many reprefented. Dr. Comber "^ is very exprefs. We ought ( fays he ) * -^^ ^" to believe till the Child be capable^ the Faith of its Companion Sureties is fo far accepted for ity as to entitle it -^ ^ f to all the Blejfings of the Covenant. eo<; * In fhort then, I return this Gentleman his own Words. How far preconceived Notions may hinder Mr.OllyfFe from Vnderftanding this^ 1 can" not tell : But whofoever fedately compares the Of- fice of Baptifm, with the Catechifm, muft needs feCj what is faid to be very clear. Lafily^ To the Objection of the Prophanati- on, to which this Pradice of God-Fathers and God-Mothers as manag'd in the Church of Eng- p. 38, 5(7. land opens a Door : He Replies, 'tis nothing but Mifiake and Mifrcprefentation. Glad Ihould I be it were fo. But here the World muffc judge : And will do fo, let one fide or the other fay what they will. He owns indeed. That there is too great carelefsnefs in God-fathers AS well as in Parents., as to Baptized Children : And I'll as freely own as he can defire me, that I don't doubt, but fome God-Fathers have beea more careful iu the Education of fomc 158 A Defence of Part U. fome Children they have flood for at the Font, than many Parents : I have no doubt of the Truth of what he cites from the- Reverend Dr. Bray : But ftill, that this keeping up of God-Fathers and God-Mothers in the way of the Church, is one great Occafion of the ge- neral Prophanation of this Ordinance, I am fully fatisfy'd. But fays Mr. Oliyfe^ our ^Jfent and Cenfent to their life, hath no manner of Re-^ ference to other Mens Abufe ofthis^ or any other Part of their Work. A poor Excufe is fome- thing better than none. He would do well to confider, whether it is in his Power to do any Thing towards the preventing an Abi^fe^ when he once Confents to- the 'Stat[ed> Vfe^^ t^ the way of the Church £»/ England. Gaii' fie ob-J iige the Parents, ( nay,' tho' he has a Canon to back him, that requires all Sponfors fhould receive the Sacrament) to bring fo much as Ibber Perfons to bd God-Fathers and God-Mo- thers ? Can he refufe to admit the lewdeft Per- ■fons in his Parifh, to (band for their Neigh- bours Children ^ and Anfwer for his Refufat when he has done? Nay, if he were fix'd m one of the Out-Parifhes in London, where there are a fort of Men, a Part of whofe Live- lihood arifes from their gain, by ftanding God-^ Fathers for thofe who are not otherwife pro- vided, could he keep off fuch ? Nay, could he allow a fober Parent to Anfwer for his owa Child, rather than a loofe and carclcfs God- Father ? If not, to fay that the Abiifes are Perfonal, is meer trifling. And tho' fuch a ?^ge 40. a Man as Mr/ Ollyjfe may fpeak his Heart, when he fays he difclaims and abhors them^ yet it may be Query'd, Whether he did his Duty in put- ting it out of his Power to any Purpbfe-to oppofe them ? And whether he is not'charg^- able Part IL Moderate Non-Coftformty. 1 5p able with encouraging a corrupt Cuflom ? And whether by favouring a Subftitution of God- JFathers in the room of Parents, He do's not contribute to the Su];)port ofall the Abufes, that have been this way introduc'd ? This may at leaft deferve his Conlideration. Tho' he is . pleas'd to fay, Jam too large and free in my Accu- "S- 3^' fat ions jl charge him not. And yet to give my real Senfe, the notorious Scandals in the Church upon this Head, would have juftify'd as much freedom as is us'd in my Abridgement^ had it been purely myown: However when I reprefent- ed the Senfe of thofe, for whom Mr. Ollyfe and his Neighbours profcfs fo great a Refped, and that in their own Words, it falls out unhap^ pily, that they wound their own Friends thro* my iides *, which yet would be a fmall Matter too, if they did no damage to Truth, by at- tempting at all to extenuate, what really can- not be Palliated. But I pafs to Mr. Hoadly. He complains j that Page $2; the Matter is not fairly and tmly reprefented^ bnt exprefi fo as hefi ferves to raife and encreafe the Averfion of the People to the Church. As to which, I am content that others Judge. In- ftead of proving his Charge, He prefents me. with a fet of Queries, as upon the Head of Ordination. Tho' the Solution might be fetch'd from what I have return'd to Mr. Ollyjfe, yet I Ihall Reply diftindly to his Queries as they lye^ And Ihall put the Anfwer in my own Namcj as defigning it Ihould contain my own Senfe. That Parents are ( according to the Method of the Church ) to provide the Sponfors, is not to be denied : But that they in this way pro" perly them fe Ives devote their Children by Baptifm to God, is what I cannot difcern ', at leaf!:, 'tis What the Ghiireh takes no Cognizance of. That M 'ti9 i6o A Defence of Part II. 'tis as much their own j^El and Deed^ as if they had no Sponfors, I deny. For if they had no Sponfors, a foleiTrri expiicite Covenanting for their Children would be required : Whereas I doubt not, but Sponfors are provided by Mul- titudes, that krxow nothing of the Covenanting Part •, that think fuch Sponfors are only to un- dertake for the Education of Children *, nay, and I doubt, there are Multitudes that go not even thus far: But look upon the whole as a cuftomary fort of Ceremony, a Formality to help the Nurfe and Midwife to a fpill from the Goflips, and the Infant to a fmall Prefent. And this I think I may in a great Meafure, charge upon the Office of Baptifm. For tho' it is true, the Charge upon thefe GofRps is very ferious, yet is there no due Care taken in the Office to clear this Matter as to the Cove- nanting Part ; and to make it appear, by what Right the Baptized Infant becomes bound by; . the Sacramental TranfaSiion at the Font. With- out all Queftion, any Chrifiian may engage him- felf folemnly for the good Education of another : And his wiliingnefs may give a Right fufficient to do it^ with the Parents Confent : But it is not pAge 53. another Perfon's promifing to take Care of the Education of my Child if I fhould Die, that I except againft^ if that is infilled on for the more abundant Caution, it may do well : But another Mans Perfonating one-while Me the Father as dedicating my Child to God ^ and another-while reprefenting my Child as belie- ving, and engaging a iincere Obedience ^ this is what I cannot underftand. I fee not what Right any Man can have to this. It feems to me altogether Foreign to the Inftitution. That the Parents own AEt {.where there are Parents ) in Offering the Child to Baptifw^ and providing the Sponfo ors. » i Part II. Moderate 'Non-Conformity. 16 i Sponfors is fuppos^d in the Office^ I cannot gain- fay : But that it is there at all fuppos'd, that the Aft of Dedication to God is properly theirs, I cannot difcern : If it were^ the Pa- rents would certainly be admitted to the En- gaging Part, arid the undertaking the Care of the Education of the Infants Baptiz'd, would be figni^d to be the only thing devolv'd. upon the Godfathers. That therefore the Faith of Parents is the fnppos^d Ground according to the Churchj of the Child's Baptifm in all Ordinary Cafesy to me is far from being clear. For I know not how to reconcile this with the Canon, which fays, that no Parent jhall he admitted to anfwer as Godfather for his own Child. And what thatConfideration which Mr. Moadly has added, that the Country is Chriflian^ fignifies, I cannot fay. For tho' I have Latitude eno' to fuppofe the Church may have a Right in a Chriftiail Country, to Baptize Infants, whofe Parents liave no Right to offer them to God in Bap- tifm, (as in the Cafe of Baftards fuppofe, and the Children of Perfons Excommunicated, &c!) yet where the Parents have a Right, I think it ought to be clearly infifted on i and where iny are admitted to Baptifm Upon the Right of the Church, I think tneForrh and Method 6f Management ought to fr^'difFerenti and if it be not, we (hall inevitably rUJi intoConfufion. And Laftiy ; Tho' the grojjcfi "Jibufe of an Infli'tutibnT, that has a Divine Original, is nht a fujfcient Argument againfl the Infiithti'on it fctf i Yet where an Inftitution is pnrely Humane^ and is ordinarily fo manag'd as to interfere with what is really Divine^ tho* it might be of ufe if duly regulated, I cannot forbear looking iipori my felf as oblig'd to Declare my felf againft it, till that Regulation is fixt, which ihall keep the M 1 Diviner i62 A Defence of Part 11. Divine Inftitution fafe upon its true and pro- per Bottom. But fmce he goes on, Tie freely follow him. T)b How a Minifter can juftifie his re- fufal. ' For my Part, I have perus'd the Canons Univerfally, both thofe that are ufefuly and thofe that are liable to Exception \ and tho' I can- not find near fo many of the Former fort as I ihottld have tho't I might have expected, in the V Cafe I Fart 11. Moderate Non-Conformity, 163 Cafe of a Church, whofe Purity and Perfedion is fo much applauded ; I yet could not over- look that part of Canon 29, which requires, that none be admitted as Godfathers and God- mothers, before they have received the Holy Com- mnnion. And I read it with Pleafure, and fhould be glad it were obferv'd. But Mr. Hoadly him- felf has very much abated my Satisfadion, by furnifhing me with a Query, which dafhes all my Hopes from that part of the Camn, For when he comes afterwards to fpeak of the Ca- nons \ he puts this Query, Are they not fuch as Part i . are generally difits'dy and that difufe not Clandefiine^ p. 157. hut knorvnj and Connived at by all in Aiitority ? Truly this I find to be the Cafe of this part of this Canon. Therefore I think his Anfwer muft take place : If they be^ they concern not the frefent Minifiers. All that I can fay, is, I'm forry for it. For methinks 'tis odd, that fun- dry of thofe Canons that are moil liable to Ex- ception fliould ftill be binding ^ and thofe that might be moft ufeful, fhould be vacated by di** fufe. In this Cafe, I think I may juftly fay, due Care is not taken, becaufe the moft unquali- fy'd, cannot be refus'd. And that a wide Door ^_ , is ofen^d to the frpfaning this Solemnity, is as Evi- dent, as it is, that the Sponfors very common- ly come to ftand for Children at the Font, ^ out of Courtefie, and in Civility, nay and fometimes they are hir'd to it ^ without any difcernible re- gard to the Fsederal Nature of the Ordinance, and the Serioufnefs it requires : And afterwards, (as Dr. Combert has obferv'd.) ^ They pah off ^ Com- the Charge again, and ajjlgn it over to the Parents, panion And if Mr. Hoadly is fo jhort-fighted, as not to to the difcern this, I am forry for it : But, that it Temple. more tends to the profaning this Ordinance^ than the P^i' ^i^' Adminifiring it vfithoHt Sponfors^ is pUin from M 3 heace, 1^4 ^ Defence of Part II. hence, that more Perfons contrad Guilt. If a Father when ferioully admonifh'd, trifles in this Solemnity, 'tis very fad : But if he not contented to Sin alone, calls in others, who Itaveas little Senfe of Divine Things as Hira- felf, to come and ad as Parties concern'd in fo great a Solemnity, & trifle with him ^ (and what elfe can be expefted from fuch Perfons ? ) And they muft, inreturn,dothe like for him, upon the fame Occafion j the prophanenefs this way mightily fpreads, and the Guilt is extremely heightened. Again •, I think I am not unjuft in taxing the Church with jufiling Parents out of their Right ; when if they are fit and willing, they are not allow'd to be the Exprefs Covenanting Parties in that Solemnity, as I am firmly per- fwaded they ought to he. And \vithal j tho' the Faith of the Parents fhould in Ordinary Cafesy he the ground of the Adminiftrati^n of this Rit^ of Baptiftn in a thrift ian Country ^ yet when I find that that is comparatively- overlook'd, and the flight of the Church to fubftitute Covenanting Sureties in the room of Parents, (as well where they are fit ■ as where they are moft unfit ) is fo much infilted on, I fee not where the Fault lies in charging this upon the Church as an Irregularity. And when thefe Sureties, that are introduc'd, are not only to promife a due Care of the Education of the Children Baptiz'd, But alfo to promife Faith and Obedience in their Names, I think I have good Re^fon to enquire, by what natural Right or pofttive Law^ their thus Covenanting in their Names is war- ranted : And I fhould be glad to have Satis- fadion in it. And as to the arguing from the Carelefnefs of Godfathers^ againft the ufe of them '^ \ would not be miltak,en. ' I am entirely againft ihe Ufe, of Godfathers ^S Covenanting Sureties., Pare II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 1^5 with reference to Faith and Obedience ; But Godfathers as Sureties to the Chuixh for the Pious Education of fuch Children as cannot fo \ fafely be trufted with their Parents, or as have no Chriftian Parents, I readily approve. But then I think it lies upon the Church to infift upon having good fecurity in the Cafe. And while any Perfons that offer are admitted for fecurity; it becomes fo trifling a Ceremony, that I think it were better laid afide. But as for Minifters owning their Minifterial Obliga- tions, or Baptiz'd Perfons, their Baptifmal Ob- ligation, there is no Parallel between their Cafe and that of Godfathers and Godmothers \ any farther than this comes to •, that to allow Per- fons that are known to be unlikely to fet them- felves to Anfwer fuch Obligations, ( as long as they are fo) with a feeming Solemnity, to pre- tend to take them upon themfelves, is a real bringing them , to avouch a great untruth in the Face of God and his Church. But tho' the pOr fitive Proof of the Sincerity of other Perfons, is difficult in one Cafe or in another ^ yet to p allow thofe to take upon them the Minifterial *^' Calling , who betray a profane and carelefs Spirit as to all Sacred Matters \ or to allow thofe publickly to take upon themfelves their Baptifmal Engagement, who manifeft an uncoa- cernednefs either about the Bleffrngs defign'd that way to be fecur'd, or the Duties to which they were to be that way bound \ or to allow thofe to be Publick Undertakers for the Chri- ftian Education of Baptized Infants, who are known to have np fear of God before their . £yes •, thefe are things 1 muft delire to be excus'd from at all Encouraging ; for I cQuld not do it with a fafe Confcience. M 4 If %06 A Defence of Part II. If it be hard to intimate, that the Method of Godfathers entourages Parents in a necrleB abont their Children^ I Ihould be glad if Obfervatiou difcover'd there were little or no Reafon for it That the Church cannot taJie off any part of their Duty from Parents^ I am very fenfible : But that our Church is defedive in her Publick Office, in imprefllng their Duty upon them, is what many that have not wanted Refped for Her, have complain'd of. And that Ihe has more f/- feEhually provided for their Children's Advantage^ is fooner faid, than prov'd. If Good Parents can^t take Advantage from this Inflitution to he un- natural and carelejs of their Children *, 'Tis be- caufe they are Good^ and for that very Reafon, they need not this Inflitution ^ they would be fufficiently Careful without it : And the Church needs not demand fuch Security iu their Cafe, For the Senfe of their Duty, will make them Faithful while they Live, and Careful to make fuitable Provifion when they Die. And as for bad Parents^ tho' they would have been as carelefs without Godfathers^ yet when the Church ad- mits the fecurity they pi'oduce as fufficient, whq can fay, that this won't, nay that it often doii't prove a Temptation to them, to think that their Negleds may the more eafily be difpens'd with. But, that their Children would have been in a much worfe Condition without Godfathers^ is far from being Evident : For bad Parents fel- dom procure Godfathers and Godmothers that are better than themfelves. While Mr, Hoadly then bewails the little regard many Godfathers have * to the ferioHs Part of their Office^ I mult defire him to give me leave |;q bewail the grofs Cor- ruption which is this way crept into the Solemn Ordinance of Baptifm, which according to the Ecclefiaftical Conftitution, Minifters can do ^ ■ ■ little Part 11. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, \6j little or nothing to re(^ifie in their refpeftive Cures. And tho' there are fame Godfathers are fo fenjthle of their Obligations^ as to omit no oppor- tunity of doing their Dnty^ Yet while thefe are ^o few in number, (and there remains no Hope, as matters Hand, it will be otherwife,) He mult excufe me, if I don't think they'l much Credit the Inftitution. Befides \ The Queftions in the Office for Baptifm, deferve fome particular Remarks : They are not eafily to be Accounted for. They are either defign'd for the Infant or for the Godfather. The Infant ask'd whether he will he BaptiTjd cannot Anfwer : And to fuppofe the Godfathers to defire to he Baptized is meer Trifling. Mnfculas ^ fays, that this "* ^"^ Cuftom of Interrogating Infants is fo abfurd, ^f^^-f^- that it cannot be defended. Queftions were ^^' ~5 indeed in former Ages put to fuch as were of ^^^ J^^^- Years upon this occafion : And thofe Quefti- ons were; afterwards drawn to the Baptifm of Infants, either by the Negligence or Superfti- tion of the times that follow'd. The Learned Spariheim'\~ lays, that this Mimical Prof ejfion of the f Vide Sponfors^ which is afcrib^d to the Infant ^ will fear ce Ejus Ex- be found to have taken place before the Sth or 9th petitum ^ge, when Superfiition prevailed. And were J"*i|5^" there any thing to be found in the Common r{^^j-^^^ Pradice of the Diffenters, as odd, or unac- Andica- countable, as this of putting Interrogatories to no. Op, the Sureties, to be anfwer'd as in their own Tom. 2' Perfons, on the behalf of the Infants Baptiz'd, p. 128^. .1 doubt not but we Ihould have it vehemently ' Exclaim'd againft. I have fome Reafon to be- lieve this Cuftom hath confirmed feveral in their Averfion to Infant Baptifm : And cannot but yvonder to find fo many great Men pleading for it, and endeavouring to defend it ^ efpe- cially when fo little is faid to fupport it» •' ■ - '^ ' Mr, 1^8 A Defence of Part II. ^ See his Mr. Corbet ^ has exprefs'd himfelf very Judiqi^ Remains, oufly upon this Head. That form (fays he), of pag. ^'y^' fpaking to the Infant by the Sureties : Dolt thou Renounce, &c. doft thou Believe, &c. wilt thou be Baptiz'd, &c. wilt thou Obediently keep, &c. and the taking fcveral Anfwers from him by the Sureties^ is not a form of Words expref" fing ones being devoted or hro^t in to God^s Covenant by another^ but of ones own profejfed aBnal Believ- ing^ de fringe and Vowing. If it be faid^ this if fpoken of the Sureties in the Childs Name^ and ^tis a declaring of what the Child undertakes by his^ Baptifm. J Anfwer^ the Child is not capable of doing any thing in the Cafe^ and the Child doth not and cannot undertake any thing by another as in his name ^ To fay the Infant does thefe things Vaffively^ (ind that he doth paffively accept the Covenanty is that which I do not underfiand. J grant j that Bap- tiz,ed Infants are under a Vorv of Dedication to Cody hut not a Vow made by Themfclvesy but by thofe whom God hath Authori7jd to Dedicate themy and by which they are bonndy as much m by a Vow a^ui ally made for themfelves when they are capable. In ihort y I am not averfe to Bilhop Sifiil- lingfiect\ Diftindion, of admitting fome Chilr dren to Baptifm in the Right of their Parents, and others in the Right of the Church. But then I think the way of Management, and the Office ought to be different. In the former Gale Godfathers are not fo Neceflary : In the latter they are requifite. Not to pretend to Cove- nant for them -y but to eive the Church Secu- rity for the Education of the Infants fo admit- ted. And then there ought to be due Care, that the Security be good ; and fuch as may be rea- fonably depended on : In which Cafe, the having recourfe to a Canon that neither has nor can have any Effcd, while all that offer them- ftlves Part II. Moderate Nort'Conf&rmity, i6p felves mufl; be admitted, is far from giving Satisfadion to any but thofe who are extreme willing to be SatisfyM. And I think the Par- ticular Interrogatories fhould be referv'd for grown Perfbns ^ and no Queflions be put to the Godfathers, but about their willingnefs to look after the Education of the Child. " This u4Jfe>jt^ Confenty and Subfcriftlon^ would Seel. VI. " have oblig'd the Miniflers, to have deny*d " the Ordinance of Baptifm to fuch as had not " Sponfbrs, altho' they had a real Right to " that Ordinance, and to be thereby Solemn^ " ly Recogniz'd as Born Members of the Vi- " fible Church. Some have herein Queftion'd '^ the Reality of the Obligation v but as far as *' appears upon very weak Grounds. For the " Canon Subfcrib'd, obliges in Exprefs Words " to ufe the Form prefcrib'd and no other : " And the Rubrick declares, there Ihall be for tc every Male Child, to beBaptiz'd, twoGod- ^' fathers and one Godmother ^ and for every " Female one Godfather and two Godmothers. " Confequently all that would Officiate in the " Eftablilh'd Church, mufl by verbal Declara- * Some it *' tion and Subfcription, bind themfelves * to ^^/ ^'^ « deny Baptifm to all Children of Godly Pa- ^^""^ " rents, that have not Godfathers and Godmo- if'^^. *' thers, even tho' the Parent be ready to do "'^ " his own Part, Profefllng his Faith, Dedir fhem- *' eating his Child to God, and promifing a fdyes a " Religious Education. ' " Such L^mWe; hut how far they cohU jftfiifie it, wohU be a pretty dofe Enauiry. I remem- ber in Mr. Henry's Life, there is a Pajfa^e vphicn deferves noting upon this Occafion. One of the Parifhior.ers of Dr.'F. of Whit- church, defirei him to give way, that his Chili might heBaptiz,ed by another mthout the Crojs, and Godfathers, if he muld not do it himfelf He refnid both ; and by a Letter return d this Anfmr. For my part, {faith he\\ freely profefs my Thoughts, that the ftria 170 A Defence of Part 11. ftriift urging of indifferent Ceremonies, hath done more harm than good ; And pofTibly had all Men been left to their Liberty therein, there might have meen much more Unity, and not much lefs Uniformity. But what Power have I to difpenfe with my Self, being now under the Obligation of a Law, and an Oath ? And he Concludes, I am much griev'd at the unhappy Condition of my Self, and other Minifters who muft either lofe their Pariilii- oners Love if they do not comply with them, or elle break their Solemn Obligations to pleafe them : This freedom and openefs mai certainly more honefi^ iko' joind mth a feeming Stiffnefs, than Per- fons pretending to difpenfe mth themfelvesy when finder the mofi So- lemn Bonds. *' Such an Agreement our Minifters appre- '' hended SinfuL They durft not caufelesfly '' deprive Souls of vifible Chriftianity, much " lefs damn them for want of an Humane un- *' necellary if not corrupt Invention. They *' durft not make a Covenant to Rob Chrift and " the Church of vifible Members for nothing j " and confign thofe over to the uncovenanted '^ Mercy of God, whom he (they well knew) ** was ready to accept for his : And fb con- " cur in fetting the Will and Advice of Man " againft Chrift, who laid, forbid them not ; and " was angry with thofe, tp^<> forbad them to come to *' him. And it feem'd to them very odd, that the *' fame Perfons fhould be fo forward to deny f^ Baptifm to Poor Infants for want of a Forn'ia- '' lity, when yet they apprehended it would *^' give them a certain Aflurance of Salvation, " as hath been hinted before. One of them, ** thus Exprefles himfelf upon this matter : ^' Shall a Minifter dare to withold fo mnch Good '' fiom-, and endeavour fo much Evil to^ the Souls " of poor Infants in denying them their Chrifien- " dom\ meerly upon the Account of fome jiccejfo^ " 7-iesj and fcritpled Accidents invented and im" ^' pos d by Man^ md not at all of the Ejfence of « Bap- Fart 11. Moderate t^on-Conformity. 171 *' Baptifm it felf ? Bejides the impiety and irre-^ *' ligion of fuch a proce/s^ the Minifler {according *' to his own Faith ) would be mofi Cruel and Vn-^ *' merciful in fo doings and de fervid, if pojfible^ *' to be Vnchrifined himfelf again^ and turned a- " mong Cannibals^ as one more deeply Dipt and ** Baptized in their Barbarom inhumanity than any *' of themfelves : And yet if he be a true Son of *' the Churchy and punBually obferve his prefcribji " Rule^ he mufi not Baptize any Infant with God- *' fathers and Godmothers^ whether it be Sav'd or " Damned. This was what our Fathers could " not Swallow or Digeft. * -^Baxter's Noncon-' f or mity Stated and Argued, pag. 6p. His Plea for Peace, pag. 174. Defence of the Plea for Peace, pag. 30. The Letter from a Minilier to a Perfon of Qftality, &c. Under this Head, Mr. Ollyfe, Arerts him- ,^f '^!!'y' felf to be at Liberty to Baptize Children with- ^%^ ^^^ out Godfathers and Godmothers, and fo thinks A'^^' ^ he has Anfwer'd what was fuggefted. ^^^ „g^ * The Ground He goes upon is this. The Codfa- Subfcription, is to the Ufe of the Form prefcrib^d thers and and no other-, i. e. ( fays he ) no other than what Godmo- the Common Prayer Book prefcribes. Now there thers. is in the Common Prayer Book^ a Form to Bap- P^^^^o^ tiz.e without Godfathers, viz. The Form for Pri- vate Baptifm : which is ordered to be uid, when there Jhall be any great Caufe or ISfeceffity ; or when p _ . - needjhall compel : And of this the Minifier is left to be judge. And that if Godfathers cannot be got- ten^ or Perfons do imrnoveabley Scruple them, this is, ; the general to Uni- for- Part II. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, lyp formity, I fliould not think my felf at Liberty '^ SeeBp. in Particulars^ at lealt, unlefs I had the Difpen- ^/ I*'"" fation of my Diocefan. And this Mr. OUyfe is coln'sri- fo far from having, that the Bifhop of his Dio- ^'*"'"' cefs, has publickly declar'd his Diflike ^ and p*^^/' given a contrary Charge to his Clergy. * P §• 3- That Mr. Hoadly is of the fame Mind, I con- Part I. not fay : Tho' it feems to look this w^ay, that p. 56^57. he pafTes this matter by, on which Mr. OUyfe lays fuch a fbrefs ; and only juftifies the Impo- iition of Godfathers and Godmothers, among Terms of Communion. And what he lays upon the Head of Impofitions has been confider'd in the Introduction, and need not be here re- peated. *' 4thly, This AJfmt and Confent^ and Snh- '' fcrifuon^ oblige to Sign the Infents in the *' Adrainiftration of Baptifm with the Tranli- " ent Sign of the Crofs^ and to deny Baptifm *' to the Children of fuch as refufe it. '' As for the ufiog the Sign of the Croj}^ in *' Baptifm, fome were much more againit it *' than others : But the generality of the Si- " lenc*d Minifters regarded it as a Sacrament " fuperadded to that which our Blefled Lord " had inftituted. For there is an ontward vifi' " hie Sign ^ a tranfient Image of a Crofsy made " by one that afteth as a Minifter of Chrill:> *' and receiv'd in the Forehead by the Baptized. " ThQ thing Signify* d is both the work of Re- *' demption purchafmg Grace, and the Grace " given as the Fruit of that Purchafe. Can. 30. *' Thus Exprefles it. The Holy Chofi by the *' Mouths of the j4pofiles^ did Honour the Name '' of the Crofsfo far^ that under it he comprehended " 72ot only Chrifi Crncifiedy hut the ForcCy Effe^s, '.' and Merits of his Death and P/tJfiQttj with all N 3 " f^« |8d a Defeftce of Part !!• *' r^tf Comforts^ Fruits^ and Tromifes which tp'e re- " ceive or exfeEi thereby. The Church of Eng- *' land hath retain d fiill the Sign of it in Baptifmy " following therein the Primitive and Afofiolical *' Churchesy and accounting it a lawful outward ** Ceremony^ andhonourable JBadge^ whereby the la- f' fant is Dedicated, to the Service of him that ** died on the Crofsy m by the Words of the *' Common Frayer Book may appear. Which " Words are thefe ; We Receive this Child into ** the Congregation of ChrifFs Flock, and do Sign *' him with the Sign of the Crofsy in token that he *' Jhall not be ajhamed to confefs the Faith of Chrifi Crucifiedy and Manfully to Fight under his Ban- ner, againfi Sin, the World and the Devil, and to continue Chriji^s Faithful Servant and Soldier Hnto his Lives End, Amen. So that the thing Signify'd, is Chrilt Crucify'd with the Bene- *' fits of his Crofs. And the Image of the *' Crofs is appointed to work this Grace, by *' way of exciting Signification. And it is ex- *' prefly made Mans covenanting Sign, by which *' he bindeth himfelf to Fidelity •, engaging, ** that he will not be ajham'd to confefs the Faith ^' ofChrift Crucify dy &c. All Covenant Duty *' that is Requir d on Man's part is hereby pro- *' mis'd : And the Canon Declares, it is a De- •* dicating Sign. So that it feemeth a Sacrament f* of Mans, added to that of Chrift. And tho' it be a Bond only on Man's part, and have nothing in it of an Affurance on God's part, which is what hath been often Reply'd , yet *' taken fo, it feems no fmall Reflexion. For *' it looks as if Baptifm, as Chrift had Appoint- *' iedit, were efteem'd a Bond hot liifficiently *' Firm and Strong, and therefore needed fomc '^ Addition, whereby Men might be ty'd the " fafter to ^im, and bound tl5 more firmly to ' " •' their «c AC part II. Moderate "Non-Conformity, i8 1 " their Duty. Our Fathers, who knew any " thing of this kind would be refented by an " Earthly Prince, could not underftand upon *' what juft Grounds we might prefume to make " more Bold with the Great Law-Giver in the *\ Chriftian Church. And tho' in the Form of ^^ Words us'd, the Sign of the Crofs is faid to be •' in token he Ihall not be afham'd to Confefs " the Faith of Chrift Crucify'd, yet the gene- ** rality are apt to Underftand it, as if it had ^' been faid, that in Vertne and Power of this " Sign the PerfonBaptiz'd fhould not be adiam'd j" to Confefs the Faith of Chrift Crucify'd *, ** but fhould Fight Manfully under Chrift's Ban- ** net againft Sin, the World and the Devil. " Now they durft not Concur in giving even an *' Occafion (knowingly) of fuch a Mifunder-^ ■^* ftanding to the Vulgar and Injudicious. '"^j;/' Tho' Chriftyjjjis in the Primitive Times ff^* might make U^ of the Sign of the Crofs^ yet ''** the very fame Reafons which might put them " npon that life with a Reference to the He^- *' thens^ fhould in the Judgment of the Silenc'd *' Minifters, have mov'd us now wholly to dif- ** uf^ it, with Reference to the Papifls, Pro- <** feflbrs then Sign'd themfelves with the Sign ^f" of the Crofs^ to diltinguifh themfelves from /** the Pagans^ who Scorned the Crofs, with '^** every Sign and Token of it : And with Pa- " rity of Reafon the^ tho't we fhould forbear /' now fo doing, to diltinguifh our felves ft-pm /*♦* the Idolatrous Papifis *, who fuperftitioufly V ^' Adore the Crofs, foolilhly Signing themfelves "^** with it upon every Occafion, thinking thpm- /^.*' felves no good Catholicks without fo doing, ^'f' and putting no little hopeand Confidence in "Ij** it, to Free and Proteft them from all Evil, ^'^^ and to furjiilh and inveft them with all good. 1 82 A Defence of Part H^' " Now that they might Witnefs their Diflike " and Detef!ation of the Vanity of the Paptfis " herein," they could not unfeignedly Ailent '' and Gonfent to the Retaining of this Sign. " But their Offence at it was niuch the more " heighten'd, la that the Ufc or Negled of it, *' was not left to the Minifters Difcretion, but *' wherefoever it was refus'd Baptifni was to '' be deny'd. For the Subfcription that was '' requir'd, exprefly oblig'd to nfe m other Form, " (therefore to be fure not ill the OfRce of *' Baptifm ) than that in the Book. And the " Form of Baptifm there inferted, could not *' be ufed by one who omitted the Crofs. They *' could not herein agree, becaufe they found, " that fuch a Promife and Covenant as was " requir'd always to life that Sign in Baptifm, " was a confenting to the altering the Terms " of Chrill's Covenant, andipacrament, and to *' contradid one of his Fundamental Laws. *' Baptize, faith Chrifl, all that are made Dif^ " ciples *, all that Repent and Believe. No, " faith the Convoccttion^ Baptize none that are *' propos'd, tho' they have all that isNeceflary '' to make them Difciples of Chrilt, unlefs they will take the Tranfient Image of a Crofs, for their farther Obligation. Here was a! ^* manifeft Encroachment upon the Kingly Pow- *' er of our Saviour, in making New Terms of " Communion, which they durft not Concut* *^ in : A turning the Keys upon thofe whom *' they knew Chrifl was ready to Receive : And *' a Pofitive rejeding fuch as he required theni *' to Baptized 'And this (as light as others *' made of it ) was in their Efteem a Sin of * Baxter's <' an high Nature, arid fo would be their con- jVo«(ro«- « fenting to it alfo, ^ ' Mir. jormity . i St Aid And A^guedi pag. 72, 75. His Plea for Peace, pag. 116. His Defence part 11. Moderate Uon'Co?7formify. 183 Defence of the Plea for Fenciy pag. 3p. The letter from a Mini- (ler to a Per/on of Oti^lityy fhem)lg feme Reafms jor his Noncon- formity. Corbcts Rcmainsy p.^ 150. Trc)li^^■]tons apology for the Non- (Conform ifts, page 35. AlfbpV Mifchief of Impoftms, pag. 86. Baxters Second True Defence of the rueer Ncn-Conformi{ls, Chap. 10. page 153. Eleutherii (1. e. Hickmanni} apologia pro BjeWi' in. Anglia MinijiriSj page 102. Mr. Ollyffe hath the fame way to evade the Obligation to a conftant life of the O-^?/}, as of God-Fathers and God-Mothers. He won't be- lieve that he is obliged. A Minijler omittivg Pag. 43. any part of the prefcrilPd Offices fcandalonfly and . ^f ^^ contcmptuoufly^ he owns doth lay himfelf open to '^g^^fthe Cenfures : But that a Minifter dannot ufe a Format ^ojs, where upon urgent Reafons^ without fcandaly he omits one fmall Part j or that by fuch Omiffion he breaks his Snbfcription^ to life no other Form ^ He cannot underftand : Nay, he thinks I'm the firfi- Man that ever Afferted it. But what fays pag. 44," the Law ? It I'uns thus : To the intent that every Per fan within this Realm^ may certainly know the Rnle^ to whichj he is to conform in Pttblick Wor- jhipy and Adminijlration of Sacraments^ and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England. Be it Enacted^ That each Minifter fhaH be bound to fay and ufe the Morning Prayer.^ &C ; and fhalL epenly and publicUy declare his unfeigned Affent and Confent to ally and every thing contaitt'd and prefcriFd in and by the Book intituled the Book of Common Prayer, and Adminijiration of the Sacrament Sy and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Churchy &c. It is hence obvious to any Mans Obfervation, that the Act of Uniformity aims at obliging all to a Conformity to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Churchy as Well as to the life of the Forms in the Liturgy : And there- fore the Affent and Confent is to Rites and Ce^ remcmsy as well as to Forms ^ and according ^ to 184 A Defence of Part U. to Mr. Ollyffis own Concefllon, that AJfent and Confent is to be extended to every thing fb contain'd as to be prefcrib'd ^ ( which is the Cafe of the Crofs in Baptifm) and how after all this it fhould be left to the Minifters Dif- cretion, whether he'll ufe or omit it, I mufl: confefs, Pm wholly at a lofs. But fure ikys Mr. Ollyffe^ he may npon urgent Reafons^ and without Scandal omit fuch a Matter as the Crofs f I Reply, the Conftitution of our Church knows no urgent Reafons, but prefent danger of Death. Every Man is refponfible that omits the ieaft Ceremony. He can't without fcandal omit a Ceremony pofitively prefcrib'd : For that is either a fetting up his own Judgment, in Op- polition to that of the Church ; or a bending the Publick Settlement ( than which nothing can be more inflexible) in compliance with the Scruples of his Parilhioners. If the Subfcripti' on herein leaves any Latitude, ( which I muft confefs I cannot difcern ) the AJfent and Con- fent takes it away again, and allows not of an Omiflion of the fmalleffc Ceremony. As for what he repeats as to the Office of Private Baptifm, where the Sign of the Crofs is not prefcrib'd, I refer to my Anfwer under the foregoing Head, as to God-Fathers and God- Mothers. And tho' he is pleas'd again to call me to Repentance^ for exaggerating Exprejjijons grounded on unproved Affertions ; yet I fhall cool- ly let him pafs with this Requeft : That for the Time to come he*ll avoid fuch Flights for the fake of Religion \ if not, for the Credit of thc^ Caufe he is engag'd in. For when thofe things* are charg'd as Crimes, which upon fearch have another Afped j and Men are call'd to Repen- tance before a jult F'oundation is laid for their Coavii^iiQn) it may prove a Temptation .to many Part II. Moderate Nc7i'Cofiformrty, 185 many, to think the more flightly of the Call of "Miniiters to Repentance, and defpife the Gaufe that is fupported by fuch Methods. But Mr. Ollyfe can't fatisfie himfelf without defending the life of the Crofs^ notwithftan- ding that for his own Part, he feems as willing 'it Ihbuld be laid alide, as us'd. I'll confider his Reply, to what the filenc'd Minifters obje- dcd. He fays, that the Vfe of this Sign is not pag, 44, ' in Baftifm^ but after it. Be it fo, it makes no mighty Difference, if it equally excludes the Children of Perfons who are diflatisfy'd. But whereas 'twas objefted by feveral, That the Crofs feentd a Sacrament^ fuferadded to that which our Blejfed Lord hath inftituted ^ He lays, pag. 45. 'tis a heavy Charge^ but manifefily Vnjnfl : And thereupon flies out and charges the grofs Igno- rance, that many live in as to the Nature of Sacraments ; nay, and the Socinlan Errour too, that has dwindled Sacraments to meer Signs, upon this Notion : And whether this Charge (upon Men whofe Piety and Worth is elfe- where fo much applauded ) be not more heavy and more manifeftly VnJHJt^ than the other, let any indifferent Perfon Judge. Well : He'' II prove to all Hnbyafs*d Perfons^ that no one thing proper to a Sacrament is afcrib^d to the Vfe of this Sign in the Church of England. And I'll follow him. Three Things^ he fays, are proper pag. 4^, to Sacramental Signs, I. That they be Signs from God to Man-i of what Grace he will give or prO' mife. 2. That they be a Means appointed to re- ceive this Grace J and fanBijyd to that End. And 3. That they be a fledge or Seal to the worthy Re- eeivery that the Promife Jhall be made Good. Eor my Part I'll frankly own, that the Word Sacra- ment being manifeftly of Humane Rife, I am not for laying that Strefs upon it one, way or ano-f i8(5 A Defence cf PartiL another as fome may do. The Senfe affixed to if is Arbitrary : And when Perfons frequently uie it, in different Senfes ; Gontroverfies may be eafily mnltiply'd, but they are not much to my Edification. Howevet, when Perfons tell ws diftindly in what Senfe they underlland the Word, we may be the better able to judge, , how far according to their Notions, any thing is made a Sacrament among tliem. But then this cannot be deny'd, that one and the fame thing, may have nothing in it of a Sacramental Natwej according to one fet of Notions ^ which may bid fair for being a complete Sacrament^ according to the Notion that others entertain of fuch a fecred Solemnity. Pag; "47. Jt is never pretended by the Church of England ( fays Mr. Ollyjfe^ ) that the Crofs is any Sign from God to Man of any Promife made by him : But it is a Sign from Man to Man^ notifying what the Congregation expels from the Baptiz.€d Perfon. In this I contefs, I am not fo clear. For tho' the Words in the Common Prayer Book^ might pof- libly be fairly eno' reconcil'd with this Notion, yet I can't fay the fame of feveral Expreffions in that Canon^ which was delign'd to explain this Matter, upon Occafion of which this Gentleman fo much infults. For 'tis not only Can. ^0» there faid, That the Holy Ghofi by the Mouths of the Apof^les^ did Honour £the Name of the CrofQ fo far^ that under it he comprehended not only Chrifi Crucify^dj but the Force^ Efe^Sy and Me^ fits of his Death and Paffion^ with all the Comforts^ Fruits.) and Promifes which we receive or expert thereby: But 'tis alfo added under the next Head j and this Vfe of the Sign of the Crofs in Baptifm-t "^^^ ^^'^ ^^ ^^^ Primitive Churchy as well by the Greeks as the Latins, with one Confentt and great jippUitfe : uit what time if any had op' fos'd^ part II. Moderate Non-Cof^ormhy^, 187 pos'd themfelves againfi it^ they would certainly have been cenfur'd as Enemies of the Name of the Crofsj and confequently of Chrifi* s Merits^ the Sign whereof they could no better endure. Mr. Ollyffe need HQtgo pag. ^, a fide and half of for this latter Paflage, for 'tis in the fame Page with the former. And lince the Sign of the Crofs is here faid to he the Sign of the Merits of Chrifiy 1 think what he aflerts cannot hold, ihat it only notifies^ what the Con" gregation exfeSis from the Baptiz.ed Perfony and not Yf hsit God Promifes. For if the Crofs be a Sign of Chrifts Merits^ it reprefents that on which all the Promifes of God are bottom'd. 'Twould be a poor Shift to fay, that this is fpoken concerning the Primitive Churchy when it is fo exprefly added in the latter Part of the Canon ^ that the Church of England hath retain d fiill the Sign of the Crofs in Baptifm^ fol" lowing therein the Primitive and Apofiolical Churches : Plainly infinuating, that tho' they differ from the Popijh Church, yet the Church of England has the fame Senfe of this Matter as the Primitive Churchy which is Connexion iwi-- ficient, tho' Mr. Ollyjfe was not aware of it« But to put it out of all Queftion, that more was hereby intended, than the notifying what the Congregation expeEts from the Baptized Perfon^ 'tis farther added, that the Church of England accounts this a lawful outward Ceremony and ho- nourable BadgCy whereby the Infant is [] Dedica- ted "^ to the Service of him that dy^d upon the Crofs. And if it be a Dedicating Sign^ at the lame Time as it is a Sign of the Merits of Chrift-y it looks as if it were intended to carry in it, fomething of an Alfurance, that an Intereft in the Merits of Chrift thereby figniffd^ was con- veyed to him, who by this Sign was folemnly Dedicated to his Strvict* It is a Sign from Man to 1 88 ^ Defence of Part H. V to God, as it is a Dedicating Sign *, and from God to Man, as the Merits of Chrifi arc there- by fignify*d, and thofe Promifes ratify'd, which God only can fulfil. This is natural, thq* the Word Sacrament or Sacramental^ fhould be' intirely dropp'd. "\ Pag.4p. But (2.) Mr. 0//yf^ farther AfTerts, that'thl?^ Crofs is not pretended by the Church of Englang. to he any Means ordained for the partaking of Gracei nor is any Efficacy or Vertue afcrib^d unto ity or, any ufe thereof And it' having been objefted from Mr. Baxter^ that it was appointed to work Grace by way of exciting Signification^ he ftrange- Page 50. ly Triumphs, and challenges me to Name one fin*, glc Perfon^ of any tolerable Vnderjlanding^ for, thefe hundred Tears pafl^ that ever fo tho't or fai^^ I hope he won't lay ftrefs upon the very mdw vidua! Words, but will yield it fufficient to afl^ intents and purpofes, if I can produce him the. lame in Senfe exprefs'd by others of his Church j and upon that Condition, I accept his Chal- Cmpanion lenge ; and refer him to Dr. Comber j in vi^hom to the j,g yyiii ^^^ |-hefe Words, when he is explain- Teffiple,^. ing this Sign of the Crofs. It isajhame to fol- °^^* low fitth a Leader^ with a faint Hearty or to fly from thefe happy Colours^ when we have fo good Af* furance^ that if we keep clofe to them [[ in this Sign "2 '^c Jhall overcome j the Crofs doth Jhew our Captain died for us^ and therefore it doth finciteT us to follow him unto the Death^ ftriving againB Sm. If this amounts not to what Mr. Baxter advanc'd upon this Head, I'm wholly at a lofs for the Senfe of it. Why Mr. Ollyffe Ihould fix juit a hundred Years in this Cafe I can't ima- gine, unlefs it were to exclude Mr. Hooker^ who is io generally Cited with the Charadef of Judicious j who is herein diredly againll him.. But I Ihall cite his Words, notwithltanding ihey Part n. Moderate Non-Co ft for mity. 189 they were Written above a hundred Years ago. Speaking in Vindication of the Sign of the Crofs ; he calls it, That Holy Sign^ which bring- Eccl. Pot, eth forthwith to Mind^ whatfoever Chrifl hath Book 5. wrought y and we vowed again ft- Sin. It cometh P^g- 24S. hereby to pafs^ that ChriSlian Men never want a moft effeEhualy tho* a filent Teacher^ to avoid what- Jhever may defervedly procure Jhame. In my Ap- prehenfion, this is the very iame thing that Mr. Baxter aflferted, at which Mr. Oilyffe is fo An- gry. And it is the more remarkable, becaufe Dr. Hammond writing a good while after upon thefe Matters, refers to what was faid by Mr. Hoohr upon this Head, as fully Satisfactory * * See hit fb that we may reckon we herein have his Worh.^ Senfe, and Mr. Hooker'' s together. Let any Vol. i. p. Man conlider this, and then Judge, whether 370« the Ground of Mr. Baxter^ Objeftion upon Se^,2gi this Head, was as Mr. Ollyjfe pretends, contra- ry to the good Rule of Charity and JuHice at fir ft laid down. But, 3. He fays. The Crofs is not a Seal or Fledge Page 5a of Grace. But whereas it was Objedted, That it is made a Bond on Mans Tarty and the Canon de- clares it a Dedicating bigtt j and it looks as if Bap- tifm were not esteemed a Bond fHJficie?2tly firm^ but needed fome Addition whereby Men might be tfd the f after j He fays, the Canon declares. That the Sign ufdy doth add nothing to the Vertue page 51. und Terfcction of Baptifm, nor being omitted doth detraB any thing from the P^ertue of tt. And if this were adher'd to, methinks aMinifler ihould be able to anfwer for the negled of this Cere* mony : Which yet if we judge by paft Ecclcfi- altical Proceedings we may very well Quellion. But however, tho' it fhould not be afTerted to be abfolutely unwarrantable, for us upon Occafi- on, fignificaatly to exprefs our Senfe of our Engage- Ipo A Defence of Part It. Engagements to be the Lords, (which is the Thing Mr. Ollyffe contends for) yet to fix fuch a Ceremony, as but an Appendage to a Di- vine Inftitution, requiring a Compliance with it from others, does not therefore inftantiy be- come warrantable \ no nor a Compliance with pa?'. , 668, does not effeB.^ and then introduced into the Solemn IVorjhin Pare /I. Moderate Non-Conf or tnity, ip Worjhip of Gody is fo like thofe vain Imaginations and Reprefentments forbidden in the Second Com^ mandmem^ that the very fufpicion is more againfi Edification^ than their Vfe can pretend to. And tho' I won't Cenfure thofe that ufe it •, yet I fo far infift upon my Liberty, (which I know no Mortal that has Power to debar me of) that I could not Satisfie my felf to come under an Obligation ftatedly to ufe it. For tho' I won't fay 'tis to all unlawful to ufe it, yet to deny Bap- tifm to Infants whofe Parents Scruple it, is an unfpeakable Hardfhip, and not to be juftify'd. And thus far I under this Head heartily, and as far as I can judge, with very good Reafon, Concur, with the Minifters who were Ejed- ed. "T " 5. This Affent^^ and Confent^ and Subfcrip- Sca.VIIL tion^ would oblige them to Rejed all fuch " from the Communion, as would not Receive " it Kneeling. " That it would have herein Oblig'd them '' is plain, in that the Canon forbids Minifters, " upon pain of Sufpenflon, to give the Sacra- " ment to any that do not Kneel, which Ca- " non explains the meaning of the Rubrick in " the Liturgy, and intimates that, give it to " them Kneeling^ is equivalent to, give it only to " fuch. ICwas indeed Afferted by X^iQ Difpu- " tants on the Church fide at the Savoy^ that " the Liturgy only requlr'^d it jJwtld he given *' Kneeling^ but did not forbid the giving it to '* others. But it was generally contradided by " the other Commilfioners, and particularly " thofe, who were upon the Secret. Indeed " this would be to fet the Liturgy, and the Ca- >' nonsat Variance j whereas they are really all " of a piece. O 4 *' Thus cc ipS J Defence of Part II. " Thus to ex'clude all that (hould refufe " Kneeling at the Communion, was what they " could not Confent to : Becaufe it was a " making New Terms of Church Communion ^ " a contradifting Chrift's appointed Terms, " which require all Chriftians to Receive each ^' other in Love and Concord, and not to '' doubtful Dirput:ations: A depriving Chrift's ^^ Members of their Right •, an Ufurpation up- *' on Mens Confciences ^ and a tearing the " Church by dividing Engines. Even thofe of " thfem who could not charge Kneeling as iin- " ful, and who could themfelves have com- " ply'd with it, were yet afraid of excluding *' others upon fuch an Account as that, by Rea- " fon it was far from being a Neceflary mat- " ter. And withal Perfons might have very *' good Reafons to be backward to yield to the . " altering of that Pofture that was ufed by our *' Saviour in the Adminiftration, and to be Shy " of feeming to Symbolize with Idolaters, in uling that Pofture which is well known to be ufed by the Papifisy with an intention of *■'• ^doratiouy as to the Elements ^ which, tho' *' difclaim'd by the Church of England^ is yet *' apt to be milinterpreted. Suppofe a Man *' fhould, upon fearching Chtifch Hiftory, find *' that the Pofture of Kneeling at the Com- *' munion was never requir'd in the Church, '' till the Dodrine of Tranfubfiantiation was •' Eftablifti'd \ this alone, (tho' he fhould have '' nothing farther to Allege ) might be a va- *' lid Reafon for his being (hy of that Pofture : " But for Minifters to enter into any fuch " Combination, as to be oblig'd to tell fuch a " Man when Offering himfclf to Communion. " Truly, Sir, while you are under this Scruple, ,1* tho' I may pity you for your Wcaknefs, yet cc Part 11. Moderate Non-Conformity] ipp " I can't own you for a Chriftian i this they *' tho't hard : And the more fo, in that equal *' Care was not taken to keep off from the " Communion, Perfons evidently unqualify'd, " and unworthy, cither thro' Ignorance or Im- " morality ^ unlcfs by fuch a Method as was " likely to do more Hurt than Good. " This of being bound to Rejed from the " Communion, fach as durft not Receive it " Kneeling, was the only Point Canvafs'd in " the Savoy Conference. The Minifters Aflerted " this to be Sinful : And they not only A Jert- *' ed it, but advanced in Proof of it fuch Rea- *' fons as thefe. Becaufe it would be an Oblig- " ing them to deny the People the Communi- " on on the Account of their not daring to go " againft the Practice of the Apoftles, and the " Univerfal Church for many Hundred Years " after them *, and the Canons of the molt Ve- '' nerable Councils : Becaufe it would be an " Obliging them to deny the Communion, to *' fuch as the Holy Ghoft had requir'd them to *' Receive to it : Becaufe it was an impofing *' on the Church, things antecedently unnecef- *' fary, upon the higheft Penalty, viz.. Exclud- " ing from Communion: Becaufe it was a '^ crofling that Great Rule of Charity, / will " have Mercy and not Sacrifice : And a ufing " that Power to Deflruftion, which was given * *' to be us'd to Edification. * He that defires v r * ' " to fee thefe Reafons purfu'd and drawn out, ^^^cm- " may Confult Mr. Baxterh Life in Folio^ P^gQsg^^i"' " 34^, 347. and 3j we deny : For the Rnbrick needs no Explanationy but the Canon hath added fomething more. To which I reply, that I think the Kubrick did need Explication, and if the Canon did add fomething more, 'twas by way of Explication j and twas added by way of Diredion to all that came into the Conftitution ^ and that by the Church of England Refrefcntative^ who according to that Conftitution has Power to make any fuch Explications, when they feem needful. That the Kubrick did need Explication, I think I can eafily prove. In the Common Prayer Bookj fet forth in King Edvoardh time, jin. 1 549, this was a Rule given ^ As Touching^ Kneeling, Crojfmgy holding np of Hands, knocking on the Breafi^ and other Gefinres, they may be us'*d or left, as every Man^s Devotion ferveth, withoHt Blame. "^ This Rule was afterwards left out, * 5-^^ and the Rubrick in the Common Frayer ran thus ^ Ham- Thenjhall the Minifier firfi receive the Communion monL* in both kinds himfelf, and next deliver it to other Strange, Minivers if any be Prefent, and after to the People his Alli- in their Hands Kneeling. And thus it continued ^nce of in the Days of Queen Eliz.abeth. So that m Divine King Edvpard's Days People were left at Liber- ^#^^» P» by whether they would Kneel at the Commani- 5*3j on or not : But in the Days of Queen EUz^abeth, tho' Kneeling was Ordinarily requir'd , yet fome were dubious whether it might not be warrantably and fafely wav'd : And the Con- vocation ill 1^03, in the beginning of King Jama's 2 04 A Defence of Fai't 11. Jameses Reign, to put it out of all Doubt de- termia'd, thaXno Mimfier^ under fain of Sufpefi" Jion^ Jhoiild give the Sacrament to any that did not Kneel. Explication was needful in this Refped ^ beeaufe it might feem dubious whether upon the Omiflion of that Rule in King Edwards Common Frayer Book, all were oblig'd to Kneel : But when the Revifers of the Liturgy after King Charles^ Reftauratiori, took the Rubrick as they found it, varying very little, and faying, affd after that to the People alfoy in Order, into their Hands, all meekly Kneeling, they plainly fuppofe the Canon to remain in Force, and to pafs for an Explication : And why it ihould not be allow'd for as good an Explication of that, as the other Canon of the Crofs in Bap- tifm, I cannot imagine. Had thofe then Com- miffion'd to make Alterations had any other in- tention, without doubt they'd have reinferted the Moderate Rule foremention'd,which left this and other Ceremonies indifferent, as they did fome other particularities out of King Edward^s Common Prayer Bool. As for thofe of them, who at the Savoy Conference exprefs'd their Senfe otherwife, they only intimated their Defires and Wifhes, in which they were over-rul'd by the Major Part ', who taking the Canon for an Explication, I think it ought to pafs for fuch with them, that will embody themfelves in that Conftitution. Mr. Ollyffe need not then have minded me, that 'tis the Affent to the Common Prayer Book we are upon : For I was very Senli- ble of it : And therefore exprefs'd it according- ly. And cant fee how our Ejeded Minifters,could have AJfented and Confented to the life of the Common Prayer Book, and all its Rites and Cere- ,8. monies, without obliging themfelves to rejed fuch as would not Kneel, and herein feveral of his Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity. 205 his Brethren Concur. Tie mention one in ftead of many ^ and he is one with whom perhaps Mr. O/lyffe may have fome Acquaintance. Jt cannot (fays Irenasus Junior) hnt frcfs hard up- pag. 15. on the Hearts and Confciences of many Faithful Aft' Tiijters of the Churchy upon the highefl Pains and Penalties it can infiiB^ to be forced to deny Children their Breads to expel and drive them away from the Lor£s Tahle^^ he their Converfattons never fo agreeable to the Gofpel^ meerly for their Nonconfor- mity to a Rite.) which the Impofers themfelves ah'- flraSied fom their Autortty^ allow to he indifferent. And if he refers us to the Canon, as to the Crofs in Baptifm^ we may with the fame Reafbn refer him to the Canon about KneeU?jg ^ and yet leave him full Scope, to fay, what he has Occalion for, in an^Lhcr place about the Canons in general. To talk of a Minifiers weighing things when he is in danger of Siifpenjion.^ for ad- mitting Perfons to the Sacrament without Kneeling *, and Confulting his Bijlwp^ &:c. is in this Cafe meer trifling. For if this is a part of that Uniformity which it was the Delign of the Law to Eflabliih,' (and if it were not, there can be no room for a tho't of Sufpenfion) And if it be the Senfe of the Church, that requires Kneeling^thdit all Ihould Kneel^ and thhKneelingz'i requir'd by the Church, be one of the Rites and Ceremonies Ajfented and Confented to.^ then mult the Declaration and Sub for ipt ion made in Com- pliance with the j4El for Vniformity^ be an Agreement to exclude fuch as refus'd Kneeling j which our Minifters durft not Concur in. As for Mr. Hoadly^ He^ fays he finds nothing Part i, aUedgd in my Abridgement againfi Kneeling at pag. 66. the Communion^ but rather a great deal for it. *Tis a Wonder Mr. Ollyffe^ could not find it too. Tho' really 1 fhould take it fot a Favour, if 2o6 A Defence of Fart 11. if Mr. Hoadly in his Next, would let me know where it is that he finds fo much in my Book, in Favour of this Ceremony ♦, becaufe, for my own Part, I profefs my felf at a Lofs for it. But I obferve He doth not in this Cafe any more than as to the other Ceremonies, plead with Mr. Ollyfe for the warrantablenefs of Omidion upon Occafion. Nay, inftead of that, he jufti- fies the impofing luch Ceremonies, which is coniider'd in the Introduftion : And fo if Mr. Ollyjfeh Diftinftion be good, between Impfers and Submitters^ he as properly belongs to the former Clafs, as Mr. 0/lyffe and his Neighbours to the latter. My own Senfe of this Matter, in fliort, is this. The Pofture in the Communion, I take for an indifferent Thing. Mnow of no Divine warrant any can Produce, that gives them Au- tority to lay fuch Strefs on any outward Cir- cumlfance, as to refufe to admit thofe to the Communion, who refufe to comply with it. And therefore, tho' I Ihould rather iTw^^/, than live wholly without the Lord's Supper, if I could not have it otherwife-, yet if I can help it, fhall think my felf oblig'd to be Cautious of any Adion that may be liable to be Interpreted as an owning fuch an Autority. And tho' if a ferious Chriftian Ihould prefer Kneeling before any other Pofture, I know not by what Auto- rity I could prohibit it ^ yet to confine my felf to Adminifter the Ordinance to none but Kneelersj (Which as far as I can Judge, is the Intention of our Ecclefiaftical Conftitution) I cannot agree to it : JPecaufe it is an Encroach- ment upon Mens Confciences, and an undue Confinement of an Ordinance, which our Lord has left Free and Open to all his Followers. Nor could I do it as an inftance of Obedience where I fee no juft Autority to require it. <5. Fart 11. Moderate Um-Confotmity. ^oj " 6, This Aflent, Confent, and Subfcripti- Sed. IX. *' on, would be an Allowance and Approba- " tion of that AfTertion, that BijlwpSy PrUfisy *' and Dtaconsy are three diftindt Orders in the *' Church by Divine Appointment: For in *' the Book of Ordination, which was as much " to be AfTented and Confented to, as the " Common Prayer Book it felf, It is Aflerted, *' That it is evident to all Men diligently reading ** the Holy Scriptures and ancient Authors^ that ** from the jipofiles Time^ there have been thefe " Orders in Chrifis Churchy SijhopSy Priefisy and " Deacons^ as feveral Offices. And indeed the *' whole Book of Ordination is bottomed upon *' that Suppofition as its Foundation. " Now many of the Ejeded Minifters were " Confcious to themfelves, that they had di- *' ligently read the Holy Scriptutes, and con- " fulted ancient Authors, arid yet they could *' not fee Evidence of Three Orders and Off' ** ces : And therefor^ to have yielded to that *' Declaration and Subfcription, which would " have imply'd the contrary, had beea grofs " Prevarication. They alfo thought, they had " good Reafon to believe, that Oalvin^ Bezjty " and many more of the firft Reformers 5 and " that fuch Men as Blonddy Salmaflus^ Robert *' Parker^ Gerfom Bacer^ Calde-:-wood^ Cartwrigh't^ " John Reynoldsy Ames-, Amfveorth^ and many " moire fuch eminent P'^otefiants i, who hd " quite different Apprehenfions of this Matter- " had diligently read both the Scriptures and '^ the Ancients, as well as their Neighbours. *' Neither could they fee any Reafon to be *' Confident, that fuch Men as Seldeny Stilling' *' fleet (at that Time When he wrote his Jre- '' nicum ) Bifliop Edward Reynolds-^ and many " others, who tho'c the Scripture inftitutcd ^ ^ ' p « no ao8 A Defence of Part II. " no Particular Form of Government, had " been , altogether unconverfant either with '' Scriptures or Fathers. Nor did they think *' it 'Necefiary to run down fuch a Man as ^' Arch-Bilhop Vjher^ as a Novice in either, '' tho' he often profefs'd it his Sence , that • " Bijhops are not a different Order ^ but a dif* * Spel- " ^^''^^ Degree in the fame Order. Nay, they manni " found, that even the Church of England wai Concil. '' formerly of another Mind, as m-iy be feen Vol. I. p. " in the Canons of That 1 18 A Defence of Part 11. " God took away fuch Terfons out of this World *' by Death in Mercy ^ in grcAt Mercy f In ?IS " much as, at the fame Inftant, they were ta- " ken away from all pofTibility of Future Re- " pentance and Amendment of Life. They " tho't in fuch Cafes it might rather be fear 'd, *' That God took them away in Wrath \ provok'd " by the long Abufe of his Patience, and their • " own Impenitency. Yet neverthelefs, the " Priefl: muft not only fay, That God took a- *' way all fiich Perfbns in Mercy ^ in great Mer- ** cy ^ but alfo pofitively affirm, that God took , *' them to himfelf% i. e. into Heaven. , Where- *' as the Scripture faith exprefly, that neither " Adulterers, nor Fornicators, nor Drunkards ** fhaJl ever go to Heaven : Yet hereby muft ** they have oblig'd themfelves, in perfeftOp- " pofition, when they Bury'd any known Adul- *' terer. Fornicator or Drunkard ^ to declare *' and avouch, that hi^ Soul was ajfuredly gone '^^^ thither. They could not fee, how Charity *' would excufe dangerous Errors and Falf^- " hood. By this Means, they faw they fliould *' be neceffitated to pronounce many Saved at *' the Grave, whom in their Pulpits and Wri- " tings, they tho't themfelves oblig'd to Gon- •' demn. They fhbuld hereby be in Danger of *' fpe^king falfly for God, mifreprefenting his " Word, and hardning the Ungodly and Pro- " phane in their ^^ Hope of coming off fafe at *' Lafl:, altho' they perfifted in their difTolute ** and licentious Courfe. Now they durft not " Damn a known Adulterer, Fornicator, *' and Drunkard, while he was Living, and " yet Uyq him when he was Dead. Nor yet " again, could they commit his Body P9 the *' Ground^ in afnre and certain Hofe of a IJ^appy ^ Refurre^ion unto Eternal Life, WhicH Words ' « muft Part 11. Moderate Non^Cofjformity, o. i ^ *' muft neceflarily be fpoken with Reference <* to the Perfon then Interred, in as much as *' they are the Continuation of the foregoing M Declaration : viz,. Gods tnhng his Soul to him- « felf. Belides it follows (which puts it out *" of Doubt ) in the laft Colled or Prayer, ** That when we jliall depart this Life we may Refi *' in him, ( viz.. Chrift ) as our Hope, is this our «t Brother doth. Now they tho't it were eafie « to forefee fandry Cafes, in which they would U^ be fb far from having ayiy fare and certain «' Hofe of a Happy RefmreSlion imto Eternal Life « and Salvation, that there would rather be a ■ ^* fitre and certain Fear of a doleful RefiirreBion ' " unto Eternal Death and Daynnation. And *' withal, it feem'd to them to be but a wild ** and fanciful fort of Charity in thefe Men, ** that they fhould have fuch Hopes, as to *' Perlbns dying under fuch grofs Sins, as Mur- " der or Adultery, Rebellion or Blafphemy ** without Repentance, while yet many of .** their Conlciences were too tender to allow ** the Office to Biffenters, becaufe they were ^ tetter «*. hopelefs Schifmaticks. ^(j^f .^ * Mmfter to a Perfon of Quality, (hewing /owe Reafons for hii Nm Gnfor- m'lty. Baxter's Non-Conformity Stated and Argued j page 83. His Flea for Peaccy page 187. Corbets Remains , p. 161. When I obferve, what is fuggefted by both Of the my Animadverters upon this Head, I can't for- J^^^^i^l of bear pittying thofe that are in an Eccleliafti- ^"^ ^'^^f- cal Pound : To me it has an odd Appearance to find them boaft, this they can do, and thete they are not oblig'd, and thus far they arc at Liberty, and I know not what *, when all the while 'tis vifible to all indifferent Standers by, that they are encompafs'd with a high Rail, which keeps them from advancing one way or other ^20 A Defence of Part 11. other beyond Bounds, unlefs they either Climb over the Rail ( which will Tempt the Loid of the Manner to make it higher for the Fu- ture,) or have the Door open'd to let them out* But he that loves a Pound, and applauds it, '^nd prefers it before Liberty, e'en let him have his Choice fay I *, but then let him give me my Liberty, and not tempt me to renounce it, to come and take part with him in his Pound. The Office for the Burial of the Dead is a Part of the Ecclefiaftical Enclofure : And the Gentlemen fo commend it, that one would ^ think they were hugely fond of it ^ and yet when all's done, they fay they are not confin'd. Cet them but ftick to any thing, and we fhall know where to find them. This Service re- quires great Charity to the Dead in Minifters , 'twere well the Minifters would Ihew fomc of it to the Living. The Grand Objection of our Fathers was this •, they durft not oblige themfelves to pro- nounce all Sav'd.that are Bury'd, except the Unbaptiz'd, Excommunicate, and Self-Mur- pag. 6 1* therers. To which Mr. Ollyffe Anfwcrs, They were never put to zV, nor were thofe who Conforrrid neither. If this can be made appear, then they were ftrangely miftaken, to think they were in a Pound, when there was not the leaft Rail to keep them in, or reftrain them of their Li- berty. But the Proof is put upon me 5 I am pag. 54. ask'd, hy what Word, er Pafage of the Liturgy^ they would be obliged and necejfitated to life the Office, in the Cafe of fuch as were liable to juit Exception ? I Reply, the End of the Law was Vniformity : For the fecuring of that End, all that came into the Conftitution' were to fubfcribe, that there was nothing in all the Common Prayer Book contrary to the Word of God \ and Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 0.11 and if fo> nothing, but what they would ufe in all Cafes, in which it appear'd the Defign of the Conftitution it fhould be us'd : And, that there might be no DifFormity after this Sub- fcription, all were to j^jfem and Confem to ufe every thing Prefcrib'd, &c. Now this Of- fice for the Burial of the Dead is not barely contain^d^ but jR) contaiti'd as to be prefcrib^d ^ 'tis inferted to be us'd, except in Cafe of want of Baptifm, or Excommanication, or Self- Murther : The Kubrick by putting in that Ex- ception confirms a Prefcription in all other Cafes ^ not leaving the leaft room or Scope, for the Minifters Dilcretion to bring in any other Cafe fuppofeable. And leaft after all there Ihould be any Doubt remaining, the Con- vocation in 1^03, the Church Reprefentative comes ^^^' °^*i with a Canon, requiring. No Mlnifier to refttfe to bury any Corps^ that is hro't to the Church or Church'Tard^ in fuch Manner and Forrn as is »rf- ^ fcrib^d in the Book of Common Prayer. And if he jhall refufe it, except the Party deceafed were de- nounced Excommunicated Majori Excommunica- tione he Jhall be fufpended by the Bijhop of the Di- ocefs from his Afinifiry, by the fpace of Three Months. And if after all this Men will pre- tend to come in to the Conftitution, and nive all poifible AfTurances of their Submiffion to it>^ and yet pretend either to Wave this Office in' any Cafe not excepted ^ or to change and al- ter it, as if the Matter were left to their Dif- cretion, they ad not fairly. They ufe fuch manner of Dealing with the Chiirch, as would not be allowable between Man and Man ^ and which themfelves could not pretend to juftifie, but by affixing a ditFerent Senfe to the Things than is ufual in other Cafes. But this Pafling with thefe Gentlemen for a Mifreprefemationj ru 2 2 2 A Defence of Part if I'll take the ffeedom to tell thenl a PalTage, which I have from Two Perfons of Note and Worth yet Living, who had it direiflly from that Excellent Perfon, the Late Archbifllop Tillotfon. The Paflage was this. That Great ^4an taking an Occalion, in a Publick Sermon to f):eak of the Dijfenters, was fo frank as to own, that they had fome plaufible Ob)e6i:ion$ againft fome Parts of the Common Prayer. This at that Time made a mighty Noife ; and it was not long before Archbilhop Sancroft fent for him to Reprimand him for it. Dr. THhtfo^t did not fly back and cry Peccavi, but flood t6 what he had Aflerted. The Archbiihop ask'd him, which Parts of the Common Prayer Book, he meant, when he faid that the Dijfemers had plaufible Objedions againft them. He freely mention'd in the firft Place, this Office for the Burial of the Dead. Upon which the Arch^ bifhop being open to Convitflion, freely yield- ed ; telling him, he was fo little fatisfy'd with that Office himfclf, that for that Very Reafon, he had never taken any Paftoral Charge. I leave it to thefe Gentlemen to make then* Reflexions, and in the mean Time Ihall confi* der their Suggeftions ^ tho' I ftiould think, if no more were added, thus much might ferve to juftifie the Minifters who were Eje<^ed, as to this Head. Pag. 55. Mr. Gllyjfe mentions the Canon, but asks. What is this to the AJfent^ and Co?ifent to the Li- turgy .? 1 Reply, when the Church in Convoca- tion has explain'd her Senfe, as to any Part 6f the Liturgy, if a Man don't turn a Convoca- tion into a meet Cypher, I think he's obliged either to give his Jijfent and Confem \n their Senfe, or not to meddk at all with it* Let him then if he plcafes, Tah his fiorfc and ride Vut Part IT. Moderate tJofi-Conformity. 27^ of ToTvn^ as he mentions, (tho* by the way, I fhould rather have chofen to ride away from the Subfcription than from my Compliance with it afterwards) when a Corps is ofFer'd, over which he can't be fatisfy'd to ufe the Office ^ and let him ride to his Diocefan^ and fee whe- ther he can juftifie himfelf in thus turning his Back upon his Work. If he's pleas'd with this Method, and it anfwers his End, I am far from • grudging at his Satisfaction : But he mull give us leave to think our own Condition more Eligible, who are never at that rate put to our Shifts ^ 5c who are free to Ad according to our own Light, without having any to impofe upon us. Or if hel rather ftay at home, and leave out that part of the Office that he Scruples upon fuch an Occa- lion, We maft leave him to his Diocefariy to whom he's Accountable, But when he tells us he is peremptorily forbid to ufe the Office over Ver- pag. (J^. forts dying ofenly Impenitent^ he muft excufe us if we can't fall in with him. To the Judgment of his Dean^ whom he Cites in this Cafe, I oppofe not only the Canon, but the Judgment of the two great Perfons mentioned above, who were fucceilively Arch-biihops. Tho' I think it were eno' if there were only the Canon. For when that fays exprefly, that the Mmifter is not to refufe to ufe the Office for Burial^ except the Tarty were denouncd Excommnmcate^ C Ex:GOm- municatione Majori,] for any Man to pretend to fay, he may ftill refufe it", in the Cafe of a Perfon that was not fententially Excommuni- cated by an Ecclefiaftical Judge, is but the fet- ting up his own Senfe in Oppolition to that of a whole Convocation. Fafs 2^4 A Defence of Part II. Pafs we then to the Office it felf, and lets pag. 6'^. try Mr. Ollyjfe\ foftning Methods. But by the way, tho' I can eafily allow for Perfonal flips that need foftnmg •, yet if I were of a Church, that is applauded as the Beft and Pureft on Earth, I fhould think it a Refleftion upon it, to own that its Offices, (after their amendment has been fo earneftly defir'd for fo many Scores of Years) do ft ill need foftning. Well then 'tis Query'd, how a Minifter can fay as to many that are offer'd to Chriftian Burial, that he hopes they refi in Chrlfi ? Mr. Ollyjfe Anfwers, it u Evident there are fever al Degrees of Hope : and the Minifter may^ by a Proper Accent on his Wordsy exprefsa lower degree of Hope 04 to fome^ m well as a higher as to others. But how many are there die, of whom, according to Scripture, there is no Hope f And the reprefenting the leaft de- ■ gree of Hope^ in whofe Cafe is highly dangerous to By-ftanders z" Andfuppofea Man endeavour to vary his Voice, and fo to fignihe the diffe- rent degree of his Hope^ how can he be certain he's taken rightly, and does not Minifter to the Deceiving of others, who may think their own Cafe hopefidy lince that of others was fb, whom they knew to be as bad or worfe than they ? Or if it be, difcover'd by his Voice, that his Hope was but low, is not that likely often to prove Offenfivc to furviving Relations ? And were it not much better for a Minifter to fay nothing of his Hope concerning the generality of fuch as die, than to run the hazard of Offence or Mifchief one way or other ? 'Tis farther Que- ry'd, Suppofe it b^ a Loofe-Liver, that is gone to his Long Home, without any Sign of Repen- tance, How can a Minifter give Thanks for his Deliverance fiom the Miferies of this finful Life ? 'Tis Anfwer'd> we onght in all things to give Thanks^ jPart il. Moderate Non-Conformity. 225 Thanks. 'Tis tindoabtedly true-, and yet as it founds Harfh to hear a Man giving Thanks for the departure of a near Relation, of whofe Happinefs, in a Future State, there is no dif- cernible ground of Hope \ fo is it alfo odd for a Minifler to give Thanks for that as a Deli- verance from prefent Miferies, which it may be very juftly fear'd, is an entrance upon thofe t Miferies which are infinitely greater. Again, 'Tis Qiiery'd, how a Minifter can fay in the Cafe of a carelefs Wretch, who appear'd to ail, that knew him, to have no fear of God before his Eyes , that he commits his Body to the Ground^ in fnre and certain hope of the ReptrrtEtion to eter- nal Life ? 'Tis reply'd, that this is not ffohn pj^^ ^g^ tvith reference to the Per fan interred. And as an Evidence of it he fays, that a RefurreEticn was in this place after the Reftauration turn'd into the Refurre^ion-^ which I had over-look'd. I grant I was not aware of it. But he fays, it is a very agreeable Senfe to commit a, Body to the Gronndy in ynre and certain Hope of that great Article of our Faith^ the RefltrreSlrion of the Body^ viz^ of the RefurreBion m General., and of our own Refurre- Uion in Particnlar. 'Tis reply'd, tho' there lies no Objection againft it, when a Pious Perfon is interr'd \ yet fuppofe we, the Party, to have been a no'torioufly Vitious Perfon, it grates up- on a fenfible Mind to commit his Body to the Ground in fure and certain Hope of our Refur- reftion. For what Relation hath otir Hope to their Cafe ? Tho' they Ihould to perpetuity lie rotting in the Grave yet we, if the true Followers of Chrilt, fhould be rais'd to Life ; And to an Eternal Life, in a Blefled Seafe, which none of the Wicked will reach to^ tho' they alfo Ihill have an Everlafling Duration. On€€ more, 'tis Qiiery'd, how 3 Minifter can Q, a fay 126 A Defence of Fart 11. fay as to every Man that dies in his Parifh, that It hath pleased Ahnighty God, of hu great Mercy^ to take Hiito himfelf the Soul of his dear Brother departed ? He Anfwers, there's a twofold taking of Souls to himfelf. The one a receiving them to himfelf, to live and dwell with him. The other a fi4mmomng them to himfelf, to be judged by him Jjk to their Eternal State. Which he proves from Scripture. Well, but is it not ealily fupofable, that many a carelefs Wretch hearing his Mi- iiifter fay of thofe, who were his Companions in Wickednefs, as they die, one after another, that God has taken them to himfelf', he fhould by this means be harden'd ? And Ihould not this be avoided, even tho* the Expreffion were capable of a found Senfe ? But fuppofing a wicked -Wretch to be taken by God to himfelf, {o as to have his everlafting State unalterably fixt, ^ how can this be laid to be a great Mercy ? 'Tis pag. oP' Anfwer'd, 'tis a. great Mercy in as much as it prevents farther t>iii \ and 'tis a Mercy in as much as Men are to ftand before a Juft and Righteous Tribunal, &c. Poor Shifts ! For is it not ftill a Judgment for Men to be cut off in their Sins, and lent from under Overtures of Grace into certain remedilefs Damnation ? I profefs, I Wonder that any Mortal Ihould not be alham'd of fuch an Evalion ! And therefore I can't think itftrange,thathe Ihould be fo fenfible of the weaknefs of his Pleas as to return to his pag. 70. firlt Anfwer *, but whether or no that will fcrve, is left to the Reader to Judge from the Yxp- mifes. V, '• The grand Objedion againft this Office lay here -, that it was fo worded as that it feem'd to encourage carelefs Livers to prefume upon Mercy at the lalt. In Anfwer to it, Mr. Ollyffe refers to the Doihine of the Church, But be that as t^' Parti], Moderate Non-Conformity, 22 j as it will, if its Forms and Offices are fo Exprefs'd as to have a dangerous Tendency towards the encouraging prefuming Sinners, that can be no Security. That it is fo as to this Office, many that have been in the Church have freely own'd^ and 'tis amazing it has not been alter'd. . To fay, that it fuppofes DifcitUne^ is a poor Excufe. If that would have folv'a the Bufinefs, the Ufe of this Office might have been forborn till the Bifcipline^ it fuppofes, was reftor'd, and then the Objections of the Ejeded Minifters, under this Head, would have been Anfwer'd^ but otherwife, they appear to unprejudiced Perfons very ftrong and conllderable. But let's turn to Mr. Hoadly^ and fee how he Pleads upon this Head. His beginning is ex- tremely Fair. He fays. He vron^t trouble us or Part i. himfelf with fearching out fame fojfible found Senfe^ pag. 112. in which fome of the Pajfages in this Office^ which we excepted againfi may be underftood. I think verily 'tis the wifeft way. He goes on •, Could I Jhow you, that God may be faid to take even a very wicked Man away in Mercy^ and^ that we may give him Thanks for it in a jufi Senfe^ yet I do not love to go againfi the firfi Defign offuch Fiiblick Forms. I Confefs, I think it ought to be the like with all that Conform. After all (fays he) tho'^ thbfe Expreffions might fojfibly be Hs'd of Perfons of whom we had not the leafi Hea- fen to hope well ^ ( which is odd and harlh ) yet . thefe words, [^as our hope is this our Brother doth"} in the lafi ColleEt, can in no Senfe be apply'd to fuch. It muft therefore (he fays) be own^d, and p^ jj*^ it is too plain to be deny'd, that in the cafe of Men cut off in the midft of Notorious Sins, Drunkennefsy Adultery, Murder^ &c. this Office is wholly im- proper : Therefore he moves , that by the Care of the Church, the ground of the Objefti- 0,3 o^ 3 38 A Defence of Part U, on may be taken away. I thank him for this. But after all thefe kind Words, he muft vindi* cate the Office. And Firft. As for that Chufe, For as much as it hath f leafed jilmighty Gody of his great Merey^ to take nnto hivtfelf the SohI of our dear Brother here departed, &C. He thinks h^mfelf pblig'd to vindicate it, notwithftanding he had intimated but a little before, that he would neither trouble himfelf nor hs with fearching OHt for fame poffible fonrtd Senfe of it. However, upon fecond Tho'ts, he clears it from Eccl. 12. n4' ?• and thus Argues: If the Sprits of all Men may in a found Senfe be faid to return to Gody then it may alfo be faid in a found Senfe^ that God takes to himfelf the Spirits of all .Men when they die. But when it is fuch a way of taking as is fignify'd to be a great Mercy , 'tis hard to apply it to all that Die ^ which makes a great difference between that Text of Solomon and this Paflage in the Common Prayer Book, tho' Mr, Hoadly fays, the fame Obje^ions lie agatnfi the manner of Exprejfion in both. But fecondly : He piuft alfo plead for the committing the Body to the (jYOUrtd in fare and certain hope of the RefurreEtiott unto eternal Lifc^ &c. Nay, and fuppofmg it to be the Body of a wicked Man too, he thinks it very jufti^ble, for Chrifiians to commit it to the Earth, not as Men whu believe the Bodies thii^ laid in it Jhall remain there for ever ', but as Ver- . fons fully perjwaded, that there will be a Refurrecti-r on of the Bodies of all Men at the lajt day ', which he is fwe is the true Interpretation of the Words. But here, he fays, he finds thefe words \jl happy Refur- Te£tion'J, put in fiead of [^the Refurre ^' Cmrch of Damnation. England It being further intimated, that this PafTage ij^^u, * of a fnre and certain hope of the Refurre^lion to 1^02. p. Eternal Life^ mufl be fpoken with Reference 37, ^8. to the Perfon Interred, becaufe it is a continu- ation of the foregoing Declaration, viz.. God's taking his Sold to himfelf'^ and alfb, becaule of what follows in the lafl Colled, That when we Jhall depart this Life^ we may refi in him^ ( viz. Ghrift) 06 oHr Hope is this our Brother doth : He wholly drops the former of thefe two Confide- rations, ( for^' what Reafon I cannot certainly tell) and exclaims pretty freely upon Occafion of the latter. He replys, that the ufing of this word (Hope) in the lafi Prayer is fo far from putting n, n^, this out of donbtf that it does not fo much as make it ProbAble : Nay there 77ot being other Evidence for this \ it appears to him rather to prove the con' trary. Let indifferent Perfons Judge, fay l. The Office feems all of a Piece, from the firft beginning of the committing the Body to the Ground. 'Tis the fame as to the wickedeft Man living, as it is to as the moft Pious in the Whole Parilh. It is firft declared, that it hath pleased Almighty God to take u7Jto himfelf the Sod 0.4 of 7^o A Defence of Part 11. of our Dedr Brother departed, and therefore his Body is committed to the Ground, in fure and ccr""^ tain Ho-pe of the RefurreUion unto Eternal Life* Frefently afterwards Almighty God is addrefs'd to, as one vpith whom live the Spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the Souls of the Faithful are in Joy and Felicity \ and under this Notion Thanh are given him, for delivering the departed Brother out of the Miferies of this fm- ful Worlds &c. And in the next Prayer, 'tis begg'd, that when we jha/l depart this Life, we may refi tn him, as ^tis hop'd this our Brother doth. Who fees not, that in tljis OiEce all along, there is a particular Reference to the Party De- ceas'd ', and that all the general Hints are de- lign'd to have an Eye to liis particular Cafe? Or at leaft will be fo interpreted by Stsnders- by ? On which Account certainly, if no more could be faid, ExprefFions likely to do fo m.nch Mifchief ought carefully to be avoid'^d. The p. 117. Words in t\\Q Burial at Sea, are indeed lefs lia- ble to Objeftion in this Refpeck -, and fo is the Office for Private Baptifm lefs - exceptionable than that for Publick ; and yet I can't fay, that we can certainly interpret the one by the other; and much lefs, that a Minifter has Liberty to exchange the one for the other, to avoid Ob- jedions. But after all, I'm little conccrn'd in this Affair. For fuppofing Mr. Hoadlyh Senfe be admitted as to this PafTage, There's eno' from his own Conceffion left, to make this Ojfce wholly improper, to be us'd in the Cafe of ma- ny that are Tranflated out of this World to another. Which being ovvn'd, if the Ejefted Minifters would upon Conforming have been generally oblig'd to ufe it, they had good Rea- fon to be Pofitive in their Refufal. But this is what the Gentleman Qneftions ; Nay he at- tempts to prove th^ .contraryc He Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 231 He fays. He verily thinks^ that a Mmifier in P. 1 17. the Church of England is under no Obligation to ufe the Exprejfions which are the ground of this Ob" je^ioHy in fitch Cafes as are mention' d^ over noto-^ rioHS impenitent Sinners : Nor ever likely to fuffer the leafl inconvenience for omitting them. He lays. He defigns not by this to teach any Perfons to flay Tvith what ought to befacred amongfi Chrifiians ^ or to make light of Declarations and Subfcriptions : (this certainly aims at fome Body y but I pre- tend not to fay who : ) And he adds, that // what he fays (in this Cafe) cannot be demonf rated to be perfeSlly conftftent with aH the Obligations a Conforming Minifler is under ^ he renounces it. Well then, we are to expeft a Demonfiration, that fuch as Conform are not oblig'd in the cafe of notorious wicked Perfons, to ufe the Exprefli- ons in this Office that are Scrupled. 'Tis a fair Undertaking : Lets fee how the Perfor- mance Anfvvers. His Demonltration is fupported by Twop. ng. Principles. The firft is this : That the Omif- fion of thefe Sentences^ in fuch Cafes, is not contrary to the Original Defign of the Church, in prefcribing this Form, but more agreeable to it than the ufing them. For the Office fuppofes DifcipUne, &c. Iknow 'tis commonly faid •, and there is a Pub- iick Wijh there were fuch a thing as Difcipline : But when the Ufe of this Office is not fufpended till this Difcipline is reftor'd ; and when the Convocation without any vifible regard to that Difcipline, hath threatned every Minifter with Sufpenfion, who refufes to Bury any Corps that is bro't to the Church-Yard, in the very Man- ner and Form Prefcrib'd in the Common Prayef Book j (which, by the way, implies there muft be no Omiffion or Variation ) I mult Confefs, t cannot fee how a jVlinifter can be at Liberty. Since ^32 A Defence of Part II. Sinc€ then he asks me, to what part of his Vow is he Falfe^ who either denys the Office to thofe of whofe Acceftance with God there cannot be the leafi Hope^ or omits the Exprejfions which render the Office improper ? I reply \ I cannot fo diftindly fay, what he may meaii by falfenefs to his Vow j But I think he neither Ads agreeably to his Snbfcription^ nor hh Declaration of AJfent and Con- fent. For when he has Subfcrib'd ex animo^ that there is nothing in the Common Prayer Book contrary to the Word of God \ and, that he will ule it ^ which is tantamount to his ufing it without any Variation \ He refufing to ufe this Office, breaks his Subfcription by which he was engag'd to the contrary ; and in efFed vilifies the Common Prayer Book, by reprefenting it as contrary to the Word of God, if he ihould ufe it in this Cafe, for which there is there na Exception allowed. And when he has before a . whole Congregation, ( according to the Command of the Act for Uniformity) de- clared his unfeigned Ajfent and Confent to the Vfe of all things in the faid Book contain d and prefcrib^dy for him to' Ad as if this Office was excepted, or any Expreffions in it, when they are as much contained and Prefer ibU as any others whatfoever, is really little lefs, thdni a making light of Decla- tions, which is the very thing Mr. Hoadly de- clares he would not teach. And feeing he fur- p. up. ther puts this Qiieftion : Can the Canon, which refpeUs this, be fuppos*d to Command the ufe of this For in, any otherwife- than as- it wot defign^d by the Church ? I add, that the Canon, not making the leaft allowance- for any exempt Cafes, ex- cept fuch as were excepted^ in the Book of Com^ mon Prayer^ plainly intimates, that it was the defign of the Church, the Office ihould be usM ProiT^ifciioufly.- -When ^he further asks,^ did'any of Part II. Modsraie Non-Conformity, 233 of their Governors ever infi(t upon Obedience to the better of this Canon in fkch Cafes ? I Anfwer, they may do it when they Pleafe. And they have done it in Cafes as liable to Exception as this. As for his faying, that if they did in- fifi upon it^ he would venture any Penalty rather than obey '■, hecaufe hii Confcienee would not let him ' fay, that he hop'd the dead Perfon refted in Chrifl^' when there cannot be the leaf- ground of Hope j I think him highly to be commended for it : But maft needs fay, I fhould apprehend it better not to come under an enfnaring Bond, than to break it afterwards to fatisfie my Confcienee. For as to his other Reafon of refufing to life the Office ia fuch a Cafe, tho' it were infilled on, viz., hecaufe he could not reconcile fuch an Obedi' ence with the Obligations he was under to the Churchy it might very well have been fpar'd. For his Obedience, would be much more reconcileable with his Obligations to the Church than his Refiifal : And his Refufal, ( after fucli Obli- gations to the Church) could only be juftify'd by his Regard to Confcienee, and his Obligati- on to th€ Supreme Governor. As for his other Queftion, which he has thus worded \ Bid it appear., that it was the defign of this Churchy And of the Governors of it^ to oblige thofcy who Afini^ fier in it, to declare in Publick^ that they hope common Swearers, Drunkards, Adulterers^ Mur- therers, &c. dying without any fign of Acceptance with God, refi in Chrift- ', what Man who had the leaf fenfe of Religion could Conform oi a Mmifler ? I think he has exprefs'd it hardly. However, rie Anfwer, that I am far from thinking Con- forming argues there is no Senfe of Religion, while a Man in his own Pradice goes upon true' Principles of Confcienee : And yet it is lb mu^h the commoa Pradice, without Controul, to 12 34 ^ Defence of Part II. to ufe the fame Form as to all that die pro^ mifcuoufly •, and it does fo evidently appear by the Canon, that it was the defign of the Church and its Governors it fliould be fo, that I can't underftand Conforming, with an intention ei- ther to vary it or wave it ^ or ( as fbme have Exprcfs'd it, to fet up for a Pofe in the Parifh,^j and) fend fbme to Heaven^ and others to HelL As I can't fee that a Minifter has a proper Li- berty of excluding the moft unqualify'd from ' the Lords Table, but is bound to take all Comers •, and let the moft diflblute Perfon ir; his Parifh come to take the Sacrament to Qua- lifie him for an Office, if he fhould refufe him, it will bear an Action ; And as in the Cafe of Baptizing, a Man can't refufe any Child Bora in his Parifh, if ofFer'd to be Baptiz'd, accord- ing to the Form in the Common Prayer Booky without running apparent hazard if Complaint be made : So in this Cafe, I can't fee, that 'tis left to the Minifler at all to judge as to the Qualifications of the Perfons Deceas'd ^ but he's to ufe the Office promifcuoully, upon pain of Sufpenfion. Whatever the Church Defign'd, this is the Nature of the Conftitution. Did the Church defign to encourage all manner ofdif^ folate Perfons to take the Sacrament ? 'Tis a very fair Queflion. And an Argument lies on which fide of the two foever it be determin'd. If the Church did defign to encourage them to come to the Lord's Table, even in the height of their Wickednefs ^ what inconfiftency is there, in fuppofing fhe might defign to encourage others to entertain hope concerning them, if they dy'd in the fame Condition? For cer- tainly 'tis not to be fuppos'd any Church fhould admit fuch to the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per, as fhe couid encourage no hopes concern- ing Part 11 . Moderate Non-Co^fformity. 235 ing in Cafe of Death. Or if the Church did not delign to encourage fuch in coming to the Lord's Table •, How comes it, that Minifbers cannot Anfwer to their Governors, for refufing fuch ? But be it as it will, a- to that, Where's the Demonftration Promis'd ? Thus ftands the Areument : Conforming Minifters cannot be oblig'd to Ulc the Office for Burial as to all Promifcuoufly i becaufe the Church could not defign to oblige them. 'Tis Reply'd , the Church aftually has oblig'd them, and there- fore could defign it^ and they can't anfwer for their Negled j they lie at their Diocefans Mer- cy as to Sufpcnfion, or rather, are at the Mer- cy of the Lay Chancellour j anci therefore, to be fure, muft be oblig'd. And if the Demonftration be not clear'd by this firft Principle, I doubt the fecond, that is bro't to back it, will give it but little force in the Cafe of the Ejeded Minifters, with whom he is fuppos'd to be Arguing. For what figni- iies it in their Cafe to plead, that fome Conform' „ ing Minifters^ will not allow this Office to DiffemerSy under the Notion of Schifmaticks ? By mention* ing this, you tell us of one unjuftifiable thing as a Plea for another. But how does this prove^ that they, who fall in with the Conftitution, are not oblig'd to ufe this Office, as to profli- gate Sinners ? Suppofe fome, who can jirain at a Gnat and fwalloxQ a Camel ^ reckoning the Dif^ fenters worfe Sinners than either Drunkards or Adulterers^ fliall freely ufe the Office in the Cafe of the latter, while they refufe it to the former \ does it therefore follow, that others art unoblig'd to ufe it as to either ? But fays "h'xi' Hoadly^ if this Office may he denfdto any^ certainly to thefe j meaning profligate Sinners : 'Tis very certain : And there's force in his Ar- gument I20. ^^6 A Defence of Part IL gu'ment a§ it ftands in OpiDfcifition to forrte high- flown Blades, whofe Zeal is more level'd againft thofe Who comply not with the Laws Ecclefiaftical, than aeainifc thofe who moft vi* fibly violate the plain Laws of God : But it hath not the leall force in the Cafe of the EjeA- ed MiniJlers, who could not perceive, that if they had Gonfbrm'd, they could have been ex- cus'd from ufing the Office oVer all that were offer'd to Chriftian Burial* So, that I think verily Mr. Hoadly upon thife Head has gone too far. I applaud his Zeal in being againft declaring his Hope as to the De- ceafed , in cafes where there is no Hope •, therein I heartily Concur with him : I have the fame Apprehenfion with him, that this Office is very improper to be us'd in the Cafe of many that are ofFer'd. But, that a Minifter, in fuch Cafes, is free either to wave or alter the Office I cannot Difcern •, I am herein of the Mind of the Ejeded Miniflers moft fully : And therefore mi'ft Declare, that till this Office were either alter'd, or Liberty was left as to the uiing Or forbearing it, according to different Circumftances, (which yet I fhould be very unwilling to have left to my manage- ment, becaufe of manifeft Inconveniencies j ) This alone would efFeftually keep me from Con- forming, tho' all things elfe, were aGcoramo- dated to my Satisfaftion. \ N. B. The Bifhops and Dodors that met at the Bi^Op of Lwcolns in Wefirhwfier^ in 1641.; about Alterations, were for altering the Phrafe in this Office, Qn fure and certain hope of the Refurreftion to Eternal Life] and putting it thus: Cknowing afliiredly that the Dead fhall rife again.] a. Thgy Part II. Moderate "Non-Cojiformity, 237 " 2. They could not Confent to a falfe Rule " for finding out Eafler Day. In the Com- *' nion Prayer Book there is a Rule for find- " ing out che moveable Feafts and Holy Days. " Eafler X".: 1 ( on which the reft depend ) ii ^" always the fl ft- SH/iday after the firfl Full Moon, '*^ whith happens next after the one and twentieth '' Day of March : And if the Full Moon happens " upon a Sunday, Eafter-Day is the Sunday af- " ter. The freqtient falfity of this Rule may " be fcen by confulting the Common Alma- " nacksi ^ and by comparing it with the Table " that follows afterwards in the Common '^ Prayer Book, to find out Eafler Day for " ever. So that here was a Book to be Af- ** Tented and Confented to, that was inconfi- " ftent with it felf. How could they Ajfent '' and Confent to all^ and every thing contained in ' " this Book, when J:hey found in it among *' other Things a Table, and a Rule that " Clafh'd, one determining this to be Eafler " Day, and another another Day. If the Rule *' be true, the Table is falfe. If the Table " be true, the Rule is falfe. And they tho't " it a grievous Cafe, that they muft be turn'd " out of their Livings, becaufe they could not " AlTent to both j tho' in many X^ars, they " were diredly contrary to each other. Tho' " this in it felf was but a Trifle, yet for Per- " fons to be obliged to Confent to that as true, " which in many Cafes they knew to be falfe, Baxtefi " was no fmall hardfhip. Noncon- formity Stated and Argitrd^ pag. 8r. His Plea for Peace, pag. i6o. His Defence of the Plea for Peace, pag. 8i. The Peaceable Defi^n: Bein? a /fiode/i- Acconnt of the Nonconformijls Meetings^ ys>ith fome Reajonsfor their Nonconformity^ Oit. 1675. pag. 26, 27. Whe- 538 A Defvice of Fart 11. Of the Whether this Rule holds or not, is a Matter Rule for with me of fmall Account. If it do's hold I'll Eaftcr grant, it was a miftake in the Ejefted Mini-' ^'^y- fters to objeft againft it. And if it do's not holdj I think 'tis not for the Credit of the Church to keep it in the Common Prayer Book. That it \s-3iS freqnemly falfe^ was afTerted by the Minifters Ejeded. Mr. 0//yjf^ fays, that he pag. 70. and his Neighbours fuppofe it depends npon fome little turn of a Minute or Two^ between Two Days in which the Moon change thy in which there feems great Difference and Vncertainty amongfl: skilful Afironomcrs. Be it fo \ it is therefore certain- ly not very fit, that this Ihould be made a Rule for the keeping up Uniformity \ nor is it to be pleaded for, as fuch. That it frequently fails ( he fays ) is utterly deny'd. As to which any Man may make a Judgment by comparing. But, pag. 71. ^^y tve not ( fays he ) Confent to ufe a good Rule that generally holds Good^ hecanfe in a Revolution of Scores of Tears^ it hath been found to have fome Exceptions f 'Tis Reply'd \ there is no Danger in confe?iting to ufe a good Rule^ that generally holds good ^ if that be all that is required to be confented to : But to require a Man to Con- fent to this, that Eafter Day is C always 3 f^ff firB Sunday after the firfl Full Moon^ &c. if it be only fo Cfbmetimes] of if.it ever fails, is hard and unreafonable. And to urge Scripture in this Cafe, as Mr. Ollyffe has done, appears to me a real Abufe : For tho' Figures in Com- mon Difcourfe with Relation to Matters of Fad were ever allowable \ and the Scriptures as well as other Writings abound with Inftan-* ces : Yet thence to argue for Mens confenting to a Rule as certain, which it is confefs d do*s Ibmetimes fail, would if done by a Diffenter^ I doubt not, be counted juft; matter of Reproach and FartlL Moderate Nan- Conformity, 23^ and CenHire. And I mull needs fay, to find Mr. 0/lyfe at every turn endeavouring to fup- port the Ceremonies, and obnoxious Parts of Conformity, by Citations from Scripture, nei- ther tends, as the World is generally difpos'd, to heighten that Veneration for thofe facred Writings, which it ought to be our Common Bulinefs moft ftudioufly to Support -, nbr do's it look like one, that has no Hearty nor Will to P^ge 2; the Continuance of the Im^ofitions. Mr. Hoadly fays, He jhould not doubt to jhew^ Part l>. that fuppojing this Rule falfe^ a Man may with a pa. 12,2* very fafe Confcience both declare his j4jfent, and '■:■ Confent^ and Subfcribe j but he not having at- tempted to Ihew it, 'tis hard to fay how far his Ability in the Cafe extends. But he fays, he'll omit this for a better Reply^ which if it is found to have Truth in it^ mufi for ever remove this Reafon for Nonconformity. For my Part I'm heartily contented, nay Ihduld rejoice that ilot only this, but all other Reafons for Noncon- formity were remov'^d : For as foon as ever it ceas'd to be Rational^ I can undertake for a ve- ry confiderable Number, that they'd in thdt Very inftant be as ready to Defert it, as others could be to defire it of them. The Anfwer then is this : This Obje^ion is wholly founded iipon a Miflake. The Rule neither contradicts the Table in the Common Prayer Booh^ nor the Common jilmanacks^ which agree with the Table. Thisis what any Man may judge of by ocular Infpfe- ftion *, and therefore pofitive Affertions one way or other turn to no great Account, t'^br the Readers Satisfaction, I'll here give h'lm a View of the Seven Laft Years mentioned. in the Table of the Common Prayer Book in (5c,' &c. According to the Rule, and according to the Calctt- [^iation of the Table-^ and our Common Almdnavh. K Tears-' ^40 A Defence of Part It Tears. this Tear the 20th 0/ March, Tvhich fttdhs the f^ariation fo con/ide- rahle. 1694. 1595. 1 696. 16 91' 1598. 1599. 1700. Firft FHll\EaflerDzy Moon after the 2ilt of March, March 31. AfrlL 19. Afril 7. March 27. ji^ril 15. Afril 4. March 23. according tothe^«/(?. Afril I. Afril 21. Afril 12. March 28. -^pr?7 17. -^pr// 9. March 24. £^y?f >* Day according to the Ta* ^/tf,and our Common Almanacksi April 8. March 2^'^ April 12. April 4. -^pr// 24* April 9. March 31. pa. 123. Any Man that fhould judge by this Ihort Scheme, would conclude that this Rule mifles, oftner than it hits *, and that therefore there's no Dependence upon it : And that it is very unfit to be laid down as a Rule by a Church, that lays fo much Strefs on Uniformity. But Mr. Hoadly fays, The Thing is thisy we judge of the Moon by the Common Almanach, rohich are there fet down according to the Reformation of the Kalendar ^ and the Rule fpeaks of the Moons^ as they are to be- found in our own Kalendar^ accord'^ ing to the Account in Vfe before that Reformati- on^ when this Rule was firjh fettled. That we judge of the Moon by the Common Almanacks is true ^ and if the Rule fpeaks of Moons in a different Senfe, I think it is not fit to be any longer a Rule \ becaufe its Language is no long- er intelligible. However he will have it, The Rule is true^ if we underfiand it aright. I can't tell whether it be or no : I'm for ftanding by the Moon in the Heavens : And let the Moon in his Calendar, or according to his Rule Ihift for it felf. But be it as it will, as to that, it cannot Part IL Moderate Non-Conformity, i^i cannot be a Rule to ^adj^afier for ever, when it depends upon a way of Calculation, that is not now any longer in life : And therefore 'tis not fit any ftrefs Ihould be laid upon it. For my part, I'm for {landing by the Moon in the Heavens •, and let the Moon in Vix.Hoadlyy Calendar^ or according tp hi$ Rule Ihift for it felf. : But fome of our Brethren being difpos'd to Triumph upon this Head j I fhall here fubjoin fbme more Particular Remarks, fent me by a Worthy Friend, which, perhaps, may give fome Satisfadion to Candid Enquirers. ' In what Mr. Hoadly has Suggefted, very ' Briefly and Darkly about the difference of ' the Moon in the Calendar^ and in the Heavens, ' he feems to have had his Eye upon that way * of folving the difficulty about Eafier, which ' has been lately dilcover'd, and is at length * fomewhat farther Open'd and Publifh'd by * Mr. Wright^ in his Pofifiript to a Book Inti- * tul'd, A Jhort View of Mr. Whifton's Chrono- * logy of the Old Teftament, &c. Whether Mr. * HoadlyvjtxQ not then fo fully Mafter of the * New Invention, or did not fo intirely de- * pend on it as a juft Anfwer to the Objedion * made to the Rule for finding out Eafier for ever^ * I know not, but however, Mr. Wright migh- * tily "Triumphs over Mr. Baxter and his Dif- * fenting Brethren for a great piece of Ignorance^ * which yet appears not to have been peculiar, * but common to them with his Conforming * Brethren, and perhaps himfelf too, till of * later Day, this New Light has broke out, * by the help of which they (and perhaps we * henceforth j may know how to look for Eafier * in the Common Prayer Book^ aad not in the R 2 Al' 24- * A D-efenee of Fart II. * Almanacks only. And ' yet poflibly, 'tis not ' altogether fo clear, whether we may not look * for it in Vaiii, in the Rule for finding out * Eafter for ever. Sure I am, We might, if '. that Rule had been given any where clfe al- *. moft but in the Common Trayer Book:, but fee * the ftrange Force and' Vertue of that Book ' by the help of good Management ; it can, it * feems, tranfiibftantiate a Rule, which is, in * it felf, ar plain and convided Fallhood into a * juftly meafur'd Truth j and, which encreafes * the Wonder, can do it by the help of another * Fallhood \ and as two Negatives make an Af- ' firmative, fo thefe two Rules, which are feve- * rally Falfe, being Artfully put together, com- ^ pofe betwixt them one true Rule for the * finding out of Eafter : Yet I am afraid, we * muft riot ftill venture to go on and add the *^finifhing Stroke in thefe Words /or eyer-^ * kft the World Ihould happen to continue be- ' yond Expectation , and the fuperannuated * Direftion Ihould begin at laft to faulter. For * by the like Reafdn, as the jiuthentick Cycle of * New Moons ( as Mrv W. is pleas'd to call it ) ' does now confefTedly fall too late for the true * New Moon ( the Faithful Witnefs'in Hea- >"ven) Four Days arid fbme Hours, muft it not * in a fufficient Trad of time,^ ceafe to be our *' cenain^xxXc for Eafter ? And of this Mr. W, -* iHimfelf;^ feems to • be aware, when he well * and warily fays, that it yet is our certain Rule, '- b'ut-not that it would be the certain Rule for 'finding out Eafter for ever^ how long fbever ' the' World Ihould laft : But our Author may * indeed fafely prefume, -he fhallnot live to fee ■^'dt fail,' nor any of his Contemporaries j yet ■'^ -it may' bear a Qiueftion, whether we may Af- '•^4ent -to. that as a true Rule /<^r ever^ which ' muft Part II. Moderate Non- Conformity, Q43 mull fail if the World fhould continue" till the prefent and growing Errour of Four Days and odd Hours is enough advanced, or Ihould however unhappily fo mifplace the New Moon, as to carry its full Moon out of due Compafs. And may we then take our Oath ( as Mr. W. fays ) that Eafier Day falls exaftly according to the Full Moons, that are to dired us to it, unlefs he means to limit it to us^ who are now living, and how fair that is without fpeaking more plainly out, let the World Judge ; when as Cws] muft be underftood according to common Ufage in like Cafes, Us and our Pofterity, or.rathej: Us and others in all fucceeding Ages.'^ -\* . ' This Author's Solution of the difficulty feems to Center here, that the Rule is to b? Underftood, not abfolutely, as if it ftood alone, but as it is fuppofed to ftand related to the firft Column In the Calendar of the Common Vrayer Book *, and this he would have us to believe, becaufe, that Rule (he fays) was Eftablifli'd by the Council of Nice^ toge- ther with an Authentick Cycle of New Moons for the conftant keeping of £<«/?-^r throughout the World. Not to Difpute either the mat- ter of Faft, or his Inference from it, that the Rule is related to the Cycle, and was, at leaft then, to be underftood of the Full Moons pointed out by the New Moons, which were to be learnt from the firft Column of the Ca- lendar j there remains, however, this very material Objedion to his reafoning from the Sence and Deiign of that Council, that theu the Full Moon fhew'd by the Calendar, and in the Heavens were all one, and confequently the Councils meaning in that Rule, was what Mr. Baxter and his Diflentiug Brethren R 3 * ap' 3 44 ^ Defence of Fart 11. apprehended, viz,. Eafter Day was to be reckon'd the firft Sunday after the firft Flail Moon Hreally fo in the Heavens^] after the 2ift of March. And if the Council thought, that becaufe the Calendar and the. Heavens did then, and were like long to agree, that they would always do fo, all I can fay, is. That the Council might be better Divines than Aflronomers , and certainly were no more infallible than thofe Fathers who con- demned the Opinion of the Antipodes for an Herefie. But I have that Perfwafion of the Honefty and Integrity of the Council, as to perfvvade my felf, that had they liv'd to fee their Authentick Cycle vary from the true New Moon, they would have thought it at leaft good Manners to correft the firft Co- lumn ot. their Calendar, and to have redify'd it by the Moon in the Heavens, and not have left their Suppofed Full Moon to contend with the real One, which Ihould be follow'd in Underllanding the Rule ^ or elfe, that they would have fo hx alter'd the Rule, as to have told us plainly, that by the Full Moon, they did not Defign, that in the Heavens Ihould be always Underftood, but, that when that fliould Vote for one Eafier Day, and the Full Moon fhew'd (tho' but confequentially from the New) by their Calendar fhould befpeak another, this latter ought to have the pre- ference. Had our Parliament, or Learned Convocation pleas'd to have done either of thefe, We had not been left to an almoft ine- vitable Danger of Underllanding the true Full Moon, when as it feems, we Ihould have taken that or another falfe one, as occalion requir'd, and the Calendar, as we are now at laft told, does dired. But how fliould f 'poor Pare II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 245 T^oov Mr, Baxter and his DifTenting Brethren, who had ftudied more their Bible than the Common Prayer Book, be aware of this Impor- tant Miftery 9 when if they could have feen any occafion to enquire what Full Moon was intended in the Rules, the Parliament and Convocation both would moft likely have Anfwer'd, what fhould be meant but that, which every Body may fee in the Heavens ? Nor does it look fair to Underftand it of the Moon pointed out by the Calendar, but up- on the Suppofition of the Council of Niccy that it afterwards would, as then it did, and more ordinarily does fall in with the Full Moon in the Heavens, or fo near it however, as to make no difference in the fixing of Eafier by it. And after all, if the Lame Rule, tho' thus help'd out by a Lame Calendar, fhould not be capable of holding out to the end of the World j Can we Solemnly u4Jfent to it as a Rule for the finding out of Eafier for ever^ without opening a Door, and giving too much colour to Mens making too Bold with Truth on many other Occalions where their Interell is concerned ? cc cc 3. They muft Confent to Read Apocry-fSe(a.XII. phal LefTons in the Publick Churches, which " they could not agree to, bccaufe of fuch fa- " bulous Legends of Tobit and his Dog 5 Bell *' and the Dragon ^ Judith and Baruchy &C. " Thefe they found were not only to be Read *' wholly and intirely. Morning and Evening *' Two Months together, l)ut all of them un- *' der the Notion and Title of Holy Scripure, " For fo in the whole Lump together, they '*■ are ftiled in the Order, without any Note of " Difcrimination to make a diftinction between R 4 ' " one 2^6 A Defence of Part IT. " one and the other: In the mean time, while " in the fame Order, (as appears by the Ca^ *' lendar^ fome Books of the Sacred Canon are " wholly left out, and never to be Read : Some " of them within a very little ; fome of them *' but half to be Read, and many oif them " mutilated and Gurtail'd as to feveral Chap- *' ters. " This was what they could not, by any " means, approve of For tho' they could. " freely own there were many valuable things " in the Apocryphal Books with all their *' Faults, yet could they not have fuch a de- *' gree of Refped for them, as to think them *' fit to be Read in Churches in the room of " the Holy Scriptures. They were herein *' Confirm'd by finding even the molt Cele- " brated Bilhops and Dodors of the Church *' owning there were many Relations inferted " in them, that were Falfe and Fictitious. And ** they were afraid of contributing to the mil^ *' leading of a great many weak and ignorant *' People, (of which there are but too many iu *' the Nation) to fancy them of equal Autho- " rity with the Holy Scriptures^ of which *' there is therefore the more Danger ; becaufe *R vfAr'c " ^^ ^^^ Order of Reading the Leflbns, the M^ol' " '^^^1^ ^^ ^°^y Scripture, and Old Tefiament formity " is given to the A^ochrypha. * Stated & ' ' Argttedy Mr« pag. 86. Hii Plea for Peace, pa^e i66. Coxbti^ Re*nains, page 139,. 7 he Letter from a Minijl-er to a Per/on of Qitality, fhevfing fome Reafonsfor hli Nonconformity. Troiighton's vfpo/o^ for the Non.- conioxvmih, page 31. Elemherii ( i. e. Hickmanni ) Apohpd jpro Ejects in Anglia Minijlrif, ■^^2^t 50". &c. Part II. Moderate Nt^n-Conformity. 247 Mr. Ollyfe here fays, that there isnothini^ to Of the imply a Prefcriftion of thefe apocryphal Lejfons^ '^itf^'r htrt^ that they are found in the Calendar. And ^^^^ ^v is not that eno', where there has been AffentJ^^^' and Confent given to every thing contain'd and prefcrib'd in the Book of Common Prayer ? Is not that Calendar introduc'd thus : The Order hovo the reft of the Holy Scriptures is Appointed to he Read. If it be Appointed it ftiould be read thus, then I fhould think the Method of the Calendar for reading the Scriptures, ( and the Apocryphal LeflTons among the reft) was fb contain'' d in the Common Prayer Book as to he pre' fcri^d. And if the Apocrypha be at the fame, time prefcri^d to be read, in an Order how the refi of the Holy Scripture is appointed to be read ; Methinks the Danger is Obvious, that fome may be tempted to reckon the Apocrypha a part of Holy Scripture. Mr. Ollyjfe Anfvvers, It is common in all Speech^ pag. 72. for the lejfer and meaner^ to go under the Denomi- nation of the greater and better Part, An Anfwer, I muft needs fay, which favours not of that pe- culiar Refped for the Holy Scriptures as I fhould have expefted from a Man ot his Gharafter. I grant however, that his Rule takes place com- monly eno' in things of the lame kind ^ but where they are of two different Kinds ^efpeci- ally where the difference is fo great as between Books Divinely infpir'd, and Books that have all the marks of Humane frailty, 'tis hard, 'tis dan- gerous to allow the fame Denomination of Holy Scriptures. But he adds, That the Church in the Sixth Art tele ^ by the Holy Scripture^ nnderfiands only the Canonical Books. And what then ? It may ftill tempt many to equal the Apocryphal Writings with the Canonical Books^ when they find them Appointed to be Read as Leflbns in Common 048 A Defence of Part II. Common with the Scriptures ^ and that by an Order, Entitul'd, j4n Order how the Holy Scrip- ture Is to be Read. He fays farther, that tho* there might he fome ParticnUr Reafons^ why the Compilers might let the Apocryphal Lejfons fiand in the Calendar^ which might be peculiar to that time^ and novo forgotten^ yet might they not intend them to be read in Churches : Which I take to be all one as if he had told us, he would have de- fended them in this Cafe, had he but known how. But he mentions a PafTage, in the Pre- face to the 2d Book of Homilies^ which inti- mates, That a Minifier might change a Chapter P3g« 73' of the Old Teftament for one of the New, ;/ he tho^t it more to Edification^ &:c. To which I Reply, that tho' there was Liberty left at firft in this and many other Refpe6:s % (as particu- larly as to the life of the Crofs in Baptifm, and Kneeling at the Communion^ as has been before obferv*d) yet afterwards, the Confinement was made ftraiter. That it was fo particularly in this Cafe, appears by Canon 14, in which 'tis declar'd, That att Minifier s fliall obferve the Or- ders^ RiteSy and Ceremonies^ prefcrib^d in the Book of Common Prayer^ as well {jn reading the Holy Scriptures'^ as in faying of Prayers and Adminifira^ tion of the Sacraments. So that he, that wont follow the Order there laid down, for reading the Holy Scriptures, had better keep out of the Church, than attempt to come within its Enclofure, as matters now itand. If Mr. Ollyffe^ after all, wont grant.f that the Order is to read them-, 'tis much at one to me. I leave him to his Diocefan. But for him to lay, perhaps Mr. Calamy, may here have Subfcrib^d as far as any Conformifi in the Land^ is a little rafll. He Qiiotes upon me the 6th Doftrinal Article, in which, after the enumeration of the Canoni- cal Part II. Moderate J^onXonfermity, 249 eal Booh oit\iQ Old Teflament^ thefe Words are added : And the other Boohy (as Hierom faith) the Church doth read for example of Life^ and in-" firuSlion of Manners'^ hnt yet it doth not apply them to efiahllfh any Doctrine. But with his good Leave, 'tis one thing for the Church to Read the Apocryphal Books % and another thing to appoint and approve the reading of them in the Church. The Church may read them, that is, allow of the Private Reading of them among her Members : But , that fhe may ap- point the reading them public kly in the Houfe of God^ is far from being agreed to by thofe, who Subfcribe the Articles ^ who only alTert matter of Fad. St. Jerome ( as the Canon intimates) does allow the Church to read Apochriphal Books : But the Fublick reading them in the Church, is forbidden by the Council of Lao- dicea ; which, by an exprefs Canon,* delivers ^Can.'^^l the Catalogue of the Canonical Booh^ as we do, 60. decreeing, that thefe only Ihould be read in the Church. Now the Canons of this Council, were afterwards recciv'd into the Code of the Canons of the Univerfal Church : So that (in the Opinion of My Lord of Sarum} we have here ^^P¥^^' the concurring Senfe of the whole Church of God in ^"9jjf^, this matter, \fesofthe But how can he lay, perhaps Mr. Calamy may Church have SubfcriFd as far as any Conformift in the of Eng- Land? Does he think I ever Subfcrib'd, that land. ^.' there was nothing in the Common Brayer Book 8^, contrary to the Word of God ? Or, that I, this way tacitly approv'd of all the Apocry- phal Leflbns prefcrib'd in the Common Prayer Book as agreeable to the Word of God ? This, in my Apprehenfion, he has done: But for iny part, I iatead not to do it in haft. His 2^0 A Defence df Part II. , Pag. 74. His Hints in the Clofe^ are not more Momen- tous than what went before. For what, tho' the Calendar hath only the Holy Scn-ptures for Lef- fons on the Lord* s Days ^ does it therefore follow, that it may fet by the Sacred Scriptures for jifocryfhal Lejfons on the Week Days ? And Ihould what he fays be true, that if a Holiday^ having an apocryphal Lejfon fall on the Lor as Day, that Afinifier well deferves the cenfure of negleSt of Diligence in his Office^ who Jhall wilfully lay afide the Lord's Day Lejfon^ and choofe an ApO" cryph4 one: Then I think it will follow, that the Church deferves Cenfure in that it has wilfully laid afide any part of the Holy Scrip- ture, chooling the Apocryphal Books infteadof it. And when he adds, that every Minifl:er^ being a Treacher^ when he begins or end!s an Apo- cryphal Lejfon, may tell the People in what words he fees ^ood, that it is Apocryphal , arid thereby prevent all Abnfe ^ He brings to my Mind the Story of the Minifber, who in former Times read the Book of Sports as he was Order'd by Autority^ and when he had done, read alfb the fourth Commandment ; and then very fairly told the People, that they had diflinftly heard the Command of the King, and the Com- mand of God, and he left it to them whether of the two they would Obey. Part I. , Mr. Hoadly very frankly tells us, he won't p. 1 24. J'*', ^g^infi his own Judgment fo much, as to plead, for the retaining any one thing in the Phblick Ser- vice, that u jnfily fufpeBed to be fabulous. I Thank him ': And yet he Queries j Is it unlaw- ful to read any Books in the Church, in which there are very many Vfeful and Excellent things, as well M fome few Relations fufpeSled to be Fabulous t Fa- vourably ftated I Profefs. Why mayn't I as well give it a different turn, and ftate it thus ? Does Part li. Moderate tJon-Conformityl 251 Do's he think it fitting, or for the Credit of our lacred Records ( for which 'tis hard to have, too high a Veneration) that by a fixed Order for Reading the Holy Scriptures, Apocry- phal Books, in which tho' there are fome ufe- fiil and valuable Things, there yet are fo ma- ny impertinent and triflin-, as well as notori- oufly fabulous Relations, fhould be preferr'd (as to the Reading for Leflbns in the Publick Churches ) to fuch Books as are univeiTally own'd to be Canonical ? Should ' thofe Books, that oft pretend to fpeak in the Name of the Lord, while thofe that penn'd them were real Strangers to Infpiration'j be preferr'd before Books own'd to be written by Holy Men, as they wer Amoved by the Holy Ghoft ? When he has aniwer'd, my Queftion, 'tvyill be Time eno' to think of anfwering his. He further asks. Whe- ther it is unlavofnl to tell a fufpeEhed Story in the Pulpit ? And argues, that if that be not unlaw- ful, neither can it be fo, to read Apocryphal Chapters : To which I have only this to fay, that neither the one nor the other can have my Approbation. To his Confiderations, I oppofe contrary Confiderations, as more mo-i mentous ^ and tending more effedually to clear the Matter. Let it then be confider'd, that tho' the Church hath in her Articles, declar'd the Diftindion fhe puts betweeh Apdcryphal a.nd Canonical Books, yet 'by her Pradife, in join- ing' them together in one rank as Publick Lef- fons, Ihe takes a Method to ^ abate that pecu- liar Veneration for the Canonical Books, that ought to be moft carefully heigHten'd. And tho' no Chapter of the Apocrypha is appointed to be read in che Service on Sundays^ yet on other Days many Chapters are appointed, in the room of much more Venerable Writings. And tho' there 252 A Defence of Part IL there is in thofe Afocry^hal Booh^ fame excellent Lejfons and InfiruBions^ fnch as it is good for the People to he acquainted with j there yet are Other Pafiages alfo, at which 'twill be hard to keep their Countenance*, and others that diredly interfere with the known Word of God. And pa. I2<. *5 highly as they have been always efieem^d in the OjHrchy it was forbidden by the Council of Lao^ dice a (as famous as mod Councils in the Anci- ent Church ) that they fhould ever be read in Churches. And what tho' Lejfons are appoint- ed out of the Nevo Tefiament^ at the lame Time as thefe Apocryphal Chapters are to be read ; are they for that ever the more fit to be yok'd with Canonical Writings? If he can't think we Judge it a Sin^, to read thefe Writings in the Publick Service of God^ who can help it : Pofli- bly Ibme may, and fbme may not. But as for dividing the Church under this Pretence^ 'tis a groundlefs Charge. For they are the Divi- ders, who impofe, or juftifie the impoling. Things unnecellary. pa. 125. He feems to wonder, that any can fuppofe^ the Church fhould read thefe Books under the No* tion of Holy Scripture^ when fhe has declar'd her felf fo exprelly in her Articles. 'Tis granted, the Article is plain : And yet ftill the Common Prayer Boo\ is exceptionable. And it's not im- polTible, for a National Church, whofe peculi- ar Conftitution is meer Humane Contrivance, to be inconfifient with it felf^ in more Things than one. 'Tis not pretended, that the Apo^ crypha is any where exprefly call'd the Holy Scripture. And yet when 'tis appointed to be read, by an Order, that is ftil'd, The Order how the rejl of the Holy Scripture is appointed to be read^ I hope without Offence it may be faid, that Order is not juftifiable. 'Tis a mcer Ihift to Part il. Moderate 'Non-Conformity. 253 to fay, the Apocrypha is not nanCd. For we have the Thing, tho' not the Word. 'Tis nam'd in efFed, when it is faid in that Order, And to 'know what Lejfons Jhall he read every Day, look for the Day of the Month in the Kalendar following^ and there ye fha.ll find the Chapter Sy that fh all he read for the Lejfons hoth at Morning and Evening Trayer. And to find in the Rubric the firp^ Lejfon, faid to he a Lejfon out of the Old Tefia' ment^ while fome of the firfi Lejfons are out of the Apocrypha, makes the Matter ^o much the worfe. To fay, that an exaEt nicenefs was not At all neceffary in this Cafe, is very odd. I Ihould think the exaBeft nicenefs necejfary in any Cafe, where an exad Uniformity was rigo- roufly infifted on. And if the Ejeded Minilters and thofe who fucceed them, muft for think- ing this deferves fome Strefs, be reprefented as very fever e indeed^ and ftrongly inclined to find pa. I !']» fault ^ I cannot but think it hard ; and an In- dication of a greater Averllon to Reformation, than can well be reconcil'd with that peaceahlt Temper, and forwardnefs for Abatements that is Ibmetimes profefs'd. When it has been faid by the Ejeded Mini- flers, that thefe Apocryphal Booh are read in the room of Holy Scripture, and that fome Canonical Boohs are omitted, curtailed, and mutilated, I can't fee but 'tis ftridly juftifiable. Thefe are not Phrafes to Prejudice, but the real Truth of th« Cafe. If fiich Phrafes leave afirong Imprejfton 'tis well : For they Anfwer their End : But what fhould hinder this from being fair and reafona" hie ( if it be in any Cafe fo, to give a true Re- prefentation of the Methods of the Church ) I cannot imagine. That the Reader may judge in this Cafe, I'll add an Account, of what is omitted in the Commoa Prayer Book of the Canonical 2 54 ^ Defence of Part IL Canonical Books ^ and what is added out of the Apocryphal. ■] 'Tis not a fmall, but very conljderable Pari' of the 0!d Teftament that is omitted to make room for the Apocryfha. The Kalendar has left out, the loth, ii, and 35th Chapters of Cenefis. In Exodm ^ it has left out Part of Chapter the 5th, and the 24th, 2^, i5, 27, 28^ 29, 30, 3^ 35? 3<^5 377 38, 39, and 40th Chap- ters entirely. 'Tis the like with the 17 firft Chapters of Leviticus \ Asalfo the 21ft, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27th Chapters. The 10 firft Chap-^ ters of Nnmhers are omitted : Together with the 15th, 18, 19, 26, 28, 29, 33, 34th Chap- ters of the fame. The 23d Chapter of Deute- ronomy is pafs'd by ^ And from the ioth to the 23d Chapter of Jojhua. But as to the 2 Books of Chronicles they are entirely difcarded. Tht 2d, 8, and loth Chapters of Ez.ra are left out ^ and the 3d, 7, 11, and T2th Chapters of Nehe- tniah : The 30th of Proverbs : And the whole Song of Solomon. And in the Prophefie of £2:^- l/f/, the ift, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 1^, i5, 17, ip, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33d Chapters. And as for the New Teftament, tho' all the reft of it is ap- pointed, yet as to the Book of Revelations^ it had been entirely difcarded, had it not been for St. John\ Day ^ on which the firft and 22d Chapters of that Book are appointed, and all Saints Day, when Ch. 19. is appointed to ver. 17. But as for all the reft they are' Wholly pafs'd by. ; > . ' , In all, there wants b^t one or two of TWo Hundred Chapters of the Canonical Books that are omitted : Too large a Part methinks of thofe ineftimable Writings, to be reflected onj ^ its being injinuated, as if there were none of filrt IL Moderate Nofl-Conformity, 255 of all thefe but what were impropery and «;?/««*• Pag; 128, telUgible ^ fnch as are of very little Concern to the Chriftan People -^ wholly out of their reach: Of little Advanta^e^ Either to the informing their Minds in any important Matter^ or to the raifmg of their Devotions Herein I mufl confefs I think Mr. Hoadly has exceeded. I cannot but much pre- fer the modefty of Mr. Mafon^^ who has thus "^ See his exprefs'd himfelf upon this Head. Neither is it Sermon our meaning to advance the Apocryphal which we f^pon the ready above the Canonical^ which rVe rend not : For ^J*thority all Canonical being the facred Oracles of God^ have L ^ , incomparable preheminence of Excellency ^ yet no- o. ' thing doth hinder but that fomething in it felf of p^^^^^'j far lejfer excellency^ may be familiar for Popular ifj ^{jg Capacity. Bat if thofe Canonical Parts of Scrip- Green- ture that are omitted, are incomparably more Yard at excellent than the Apocryphal Chapters that Norwicli are fubftituted in their room, I think it may ^^^ Third pafs for a good Reafon againft that Subftituti- ^^"^^y'*f-' on, that it will tempt People to prefer in their '^'" V^^'l Eftimation, what they find the Church prefers _ ^7 2!" in her Publick Service j which we find has ^' actually been the Cafe. . In their ftead, we Have In the Kalendar^ Apocryphal Leflbns appointed for Two whole ^ Months together. The Book of Tobit^ except the 5 th Chapter. The Books of Jadeth^ Wif- domy Ecciefiafiicus ( except Chap. 25* ) Baritch^ and the Idol Bel, and the Dragon, And lome Parts of the fame are appointed alfb^ as pro- per Leflbns for Holidays. And to have it af* ferted, that many of thefe Apocryphal Lejfons are truly of more Vfe^ and more to the Edification of the People^ than C^wy] °f ^^°f^ Chapters which are omitted^ delerves a feverer Cenfure than I am willing to pafs upon it. 'Tis not indeed to be wondred at, that they they who are of this S Mind 256 ji Defence of Part 11. Mind fhould be zealous for reading them, while they omit the other : But the Eje(9:ed Minifters had different Sentiments *, and why then Ihould they be herein impos'd upon ? And tho' it be call'd a poor Injinuatlon^ that the People are led by this, to thinJi the Apocryphal - Booh of equal Antority with the Holy Scriptures^ yet as Poor as it is, I think verily it ought to have its weight with eonfiderate Perfons. For whatever Difference is alferted to be between the Canonical Books and Apocryphal, when the People find them not only bound up together in their Bibles, ( an unhappy Cuftom, which were much better laid afide) but requir'd joint- ly as Leflbns in Publick Worlhip, under the Ti- tle in the Kubrick of Lelfons out of the Old Te- flament', and when they are direded to them by an Order, that is ftil'd, aft Order how the Ho- ly Scripture is to be read ^ efpecially, when fuch a Man as Mr. Hoadly fhall alfure them, that the Apocryphal Lejfons that are prefcriFd are truly of more ufe^ and more to the Edification of the People^ than ANT of thofe Canonical Chap- ters which are omitted, I think it is a great Temptation to many to go too near equalling the one with the other: And that efpecially, when it is not one of many of the Common People, that ever read the Articles to fet them pa. 1 29. right. He fays, we cannot prove this ', that this has been a Temptation to any, and that he never knew, nor heard of an Jnftance. But if he has not, others have. I can tell him of one who no longer ago than in that furprizing Storm of Wind, for which theLaft Year was lb remarkable, being under great Concern, and deeply affctted, took a Bible, faying, that he would read a Chapter in Scripture, and was for reading the Apocrypha under that Notion : A I*art il. Moderate Non'Conformity> l^f A Minilter prefent, telling him of his miftaiceii Apprehenfion, he declar'd to him, that he took the Apocrypha to have been as truly the Holy Scripture, as any that was bound up iil his Bible. He that would fee the Reafons at Large a- gainfl the reading of Apocryphal Leflbns as or- . der'd by the Chwch of England^ would do well to Gonfult the Abridgment of the Reafons df the Minlfiers 0/ Lincoln Diocefs ♦, being an Apology for themfelves and their Brethren, that refafe the Subfcription and Conformity that is re- quir'd j Printed in 1605. And the Secofid Part of the Defence of the Minlfiers Reafons for i-efufal of bubfcriftlon and Conformity to the Book of Com" mon Prayer^ Printed in 1608. This was one thing that was particularly in- ^ The filled on in the Conference at Hampon Court. Summ Dr. Reynolds urg'd this as a Reafon againftSub- oftheCdn-^; fcription, "^ that the Common Prayer Book m-ference joinM Apocryphal Leflbns to be read in the before^ the Church, albeit there are in fome of thofe Chap- ^'^^. -^ ters Appointed, liianifell Errours, repugnant ^/^/y* to the Scriptures, of which he gave Inftanees; ^l(^[^(^^. The Bifliops and Dodors could not difprove „ ^^. ^ him: But the King laid, he wonld have fome of the jipocrypha read : Elfe (fa id he) why it ere nj^. i$il they Printed ? A moft admirable Argument I But in the Year 1^41, when the Areh-biflidpj of Armagh^ the Bifhop of Lincoln-i Dr. Pridedux^ Dr. Ward^ Dr. Brmnrvrigg^ &C; met at the; Bi- (hop of Lincoln % in Wefimiftfier^ ^mong Other things^ in which they defir'd an Alteration, they mention'd this for one, that they troiild have Lejfohs of Canonical Serif tMre^ in ftead of the Apocrypha. And yct when the Minifiers iii 1661^ defir'd but thus much, they could hot be gratify'd,- tho' their Defire was expr^fs'd witH S ?. grest 2^8 A Defence of Fart 11. Baxter's great Modefby. Jn as much (fay they) as the Life in Holy Serif tures are able to make m wife unto Salva* Folh. p. fig„^ fg Jjtrnijh us throughly unto all good Works^ S^*** and contain in them all things Necejfary^ either in DoBrine to he heliev'd^ or in Duty to he Praxis' d j whereas divers Chapters of the J^pocryphal Books j appointed to he rend^ are charged to he in both re -^ fpeEls^ of duhiota and uncertain Credit : It is therefore dejir^d^ that nothing he read in the Church for Lejfons^ but the Holy Scriptures of the Old and ^ew Teftament. I Ihall only add, that the Learned Spanhelm^ in his Cenfure on our prefent Debates in Eng- Vide Ex- i^^^t declares, that thefe Apocryphal Leflbns rtetitum ' ^^V ^^ juftly reckon'd Relicks of the Papifiical Judicium Superfiition. And, that whatever Plea is drawn Super from the African Cufiom m the time of Auguftine, Dijfidio or from the reading of fame of the jipocryphaL Anglic. Books as Ecclefiafiical, yet were not all Publickly then Op. Tom. read, as are at this Day ^ nor are all the Practices 2. pag. ^j^ flj^f j^gc (g jje imitated ; fame of which, after- ^ 200. Tpards, caused great jibufes : And it was by this PraUice, that thefe Books at length became Cano- nical, §. XHI. " 4* They muft Confent to the Miftranllati- *' on of the P falter. '' lL)[\tP falter is particularly mentioned in " the verbal Declaration requir'd df every In- *^ cnmbent. It muft be Ajfented and Confented " to, as having nothing in it contrary to *' the Word of God. To this they could not *' Agree, becaufe they found feveral Miftran- *' flations in the Old Verfion of the Pfalms ^ *' which was indeed more Accommodated to *' the Septuagint, than to the Original Hebrew. " In Pfal. 105. 28. Our Pfalter reads the Words ^* thus, and they were not Obedient to his Word : " Our PartU. Moderate Non-Conformity, 25^ " Our Bible reads them, ^^d they rebelled not " againfi his Word. Thus therefore they Argu- " ed. One particular contain'd in the Book of *' Common Prayer is the Tranflation of this " Text. But if the Tranflation be true in the " Pfalter^ it is falfe in the Bible : And if it be " true in the Bible^ it is falfe in the Pfalter. " How could they give their Jljfent, that they " Rebelled^ and rebelled not? 'Tis the like in *' fome other Cafes. Now they could not Ap- *' prove of that Pfalter as entirely agreeable to *' the Word of God, in which fbey found fun^ •*' dry plain Miftakes. Mr. Oily fe fays, the Ejeded Minifters vverepag. 75. not rcquir'd to Confent to the Miftranflation of ^T^he the Pfalter ^ they were only to Confent to the ^iltran- ufe of the Pfalter^ { fnppofng that tobefo.) ThhJf^''^^J. is what I am not for contending about : Tho', [^^ •'*^*' if in our laft Tranflation of the Pfalter w^ have not improv'd, 'tis hard. And if our New Tranflation be better than the Old one, 'tis hard to be oblig'd to the conftant Ufe of that which is the worft. But he conceives^ that there P^S* 74' is no Order for the reading the Old Verfion^ in our Ordinary Parijl) Churches. For tho' the Decla^ ration mentions the Pfalter^ yet it is only be- caufe it makes a part of the Title Page, which runs thus. Together with the Pfal(er or Pfalms th Article that has been Suhfcrib^d is this : That this Creed onght [jhorowly'] to be received, for it may be proved by moft certain Warrant of Holy Scripture. I Reply : That fuppofing the Declara- tion only r effects the Affent to the ufe of this Creed^ it yet takes it, as it is in the Common Prayer Book with its Appendages : And this was the thing our Minifters Objeded againft : But the 5 th Article, tho' it intimates, that the Creed ought phoroHghly to be received, yet it does not neeefla- rily follow, that it takes in the Appendages. For I may thoroughly receive the Subltance of that * Ceed, and yet abhor the damnatory Claufes, This has been own'd by feveral of the Church of England themfelves. And, that it is not de- vis d to ferve a prefent turn, may appear from hence ^ that this very Senfe of the 8th Article was given in by many of us as an Explication of our Subfcription, before we could be Satis- fy'd to Subicribe. And particularly, l^/iv.Baxtcr'^ who upon this Article, has this Glofs. Art. 8. The Three Creeds^ viz. Nice Creedy Athanafius Creed, and that commonly calCd the Apoftles Creed, ought {jhoroHghly'2 to be received and believed COmnino.] Expof. Richard Baxter's Senfe of the Suhfcrib'd Articles of Religion, p. 6, frlmU for Benjamin Cox in Lndgate-jireet, i6^p. Qji. i66 A Defence of Part 11. Expol*. Rightly 'Underftoody viz- i. That by 12 God of God^ very God of 'very God ] be not meant two Gods. 2. Nor the damnatory Claufes taken for part of yithanaftui's Creed, tho' they be part of the Liturgy Affented and Confented to. And now we are willing to return Mr. Ollyffe his Pity : Sure the Reader will pity him for writ- ing thus loofely Hand over Head^ and taking things thus upon trufly withoM ever examining them^ &c. What need was there (good Sir) of this In- fulting ? And when you were in the next Page, . -. coming in with a Diftinftion, why that poig- r^ nant piece of Wit upon me, {Mr. Calamy will ^ o' * Anfwcr with U4 now he knows that he has Sabfcrib^d it / ) I hope you did not think I Subfcrib'd in my Sleep. Why mult you Flout at me, and infult me at fuch a rate with Ifs and Ands ? Why if he knew what he did when he Subfcrib'd the Articles ? Why fliould he make an /jf of it ? Or why Ihould he fuppofe / faw with other Mens EyeSy in what I own or in what I condemn ? * That's a Crime I think verily never to be charg'd by a Conformift upon a Diflenter. For ' there is a fort of Ductile Obfequioufnefs ( ab- ftrading from a fearch into the Grounds and Reafons of things and their Prefcription) that is common with the Former, to which the lat- ter is a Stranger. Dijfenters may be dudile too, perhaps under the Conduct of fuch as they Re- fped: But 'tis far from being fo common. But rU check my felf, tho' I -have fair Scope, in Refped to fo good a Man. Tho' the Gentleman hath taken the Pains to te^ch me how to Diftinguifh ^ for my part, I have no Heart to give him Thanks. He mult apply the damnatory Sentences as he fees Good. 1 have nothing to do with them : Nor do 1 ever Fart II. Moderate Non-Conformity. l6j ever intend to meddle with them. If he de-p. 8i. lights in Quibling, he may take his Courfe. 1 mention'd not the word ptnthtaUy as fuppollng it in the Greed ^ Nor was I ignorant, that the Word was f^*' and not o'^w'. But I hope the next time he fo freely paffes his Cenfures, he'll take more care of the Grounds he goes upon t leaft he expofes himfelf, inftead of thofe he deals with. Mr. Hoadly faltens upon this Exprefllon : That the Ejected Minifters efieem^d this Creed an Part i. excellent Explication of the Boclrine of the Trinity, p. 132. Ton mean^ fays he, agreeable to the IVord of God and to Truth. 'Tis own'd, If it be rightly un- derftood : From whence fays he ) / argue , If this Explication be true and agreeable to the Word of God, then it is a good general Propojitiony that whofoever does not believe it, JhaH be condemned at the lafl Day. But this I am far from being clear in. For tho he fays, that this is only the fame p, j 3,^ thing in other Words ', yet I muft Confefs, to me, it appears widely different. I may own a great many Truths, as agreeable to the Word of God, and yet not think an explicite Belief of them neceflary to the Salvation of all Perfons in all Capacities and Circumftances. And when he afterwards compares this matter with that great and eflential Point of Faith in Chrifi, I cannot concur with him. For tho' the Scripture is plain, that whofever belicveth not in Chrift (re- veal'd to them) fl^all be condemned, yet it nei- ther is fo, nor warrants our being fo, as to all other Truths ; till it can be made appear, that they are of equal Neceffity with this. When he moves therefore, that I would make the fame allowance in one Cafe as in the other : I am at a iofs for his Reafon. For 1 muft Confefs, I irake a mighty difference between Faith in Chrift a^8 A Defente of Part U, Chriffc as a Saviour, and the belief of fome Particular Doctrines which he hath Reveal'd \ of which I am apt to make an eftimate, from the influence which they refpedively have up- on Pradlice •, and befides, the Words in the Damnatory Claufes of the Athanajian Greedy don't feem fo capable of bearing fuch an Allowance, as the FafTage of Scripture mention'd. For iny Part therefore, I muft declare my Self a- ^ Viii ex- gainfi the Damnatory Glaiifes of the Athanafian petit. Jh- Creed in any Senfe. dk. Sup. An(} I fiQ(J |;he Learned Spanheim of the fame Diffid. Mind. * Nay, I agree with Mr. HoaMy., that Anpic. ^fj^ DoEtrine of the Trinity wmld he better fecnr^d^ "■ ■ and this very Account of it better received, without t>V 1 i2 f'^^^^ Sentences^ than with them. \tk XV " ^' "^h^y "^"^ AJfcnt and Confent to this *" Kubrick, at the End of the Oifice for Con^ " firmationy that f^one JJjall be adm'ttted unto the " Holy Commmnon^ until fuch time as he he Con' '* firm'dj or he ready and defirous to be Confirm' « ed. " Now tho' many of the Ejeded Minifters *' were very defirous to have Confirmation Re- ** llored, and tho't it would be exceeding ufe- ** ful, if manag'd with a becoming Gravity and " SerioufnefS) yet to deny Perfons the Com-' *' munion for refufing to be Goniirm'd in the " Epifcopal way, was what they knew not how " to Juftifie. They found it was a Thing " fcrupled by many Perfons t And were their " Scruples juft or unjuft, while the fame Per-. *' fons were willing to own their Baptifmal " Covenant underftandingly and ferioufly be- ^ *' fore the Church, and their Own Paftorsj *' and to know thofe that Laboured among " them, and were over them in the Lord^ and ^ eiteem'd them in Love for their Works fake^ Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 16^ «' and to be at Peace among themfelves, they « they durft not for fcrupling this Diocefan " Ceremony caft them from the Communion " of the Church of Chrifb. And therefore " they durft not declare their Approbation of *' the Order that requir'd it, nor j4jfent and ver you \, following *' with a glad Mind and Will their godly Admoni" *' tions^ and fuhmitting your felves to their godly *' Judgments? The Anfwer to be return a is, " / will dofoy the Lord being my Help. An Oath *' alfo is adminiftred to the Ordain'd, of this *' Tenour '-, I A. B. Swear that 1 will yield *' True and Canonical Obedience to the Bijlwp of *' N and his Succejfours in all lawful and ho-' *' neft Things* " Herein they could not comply for the " Reafons following. *' I . Becaufe, as all Obedience hath an Ef- ** fential Relation to the Laws and Mandates *^ of thofe whom Perfons are bound to obey, " fo the Canons of the Church, fettled in its *' feveral refpedive Convocations, are the " ftated Laws of the Ecclefiaftical Government : " And therefore the Oath of Canonical Obedi^ *' ence.. Fart n. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, 7J% " ence, which hath a Reference to thefe ftated '* Laws or Canons of the Church, appeared to *' them to carry in it a plain Obligation to " comply with them, and fubmit to them, *' in their Itated Praftice, where they had not " a Difpenfation. And tho' the Obedience, " that is in this Cafe fworn, be limited to " Things Lawful and Honefi^ yet it is evidently " fuppos'd and taken for granted, that the " Canons which are in Force do require no " other than fuch Things, without leaving " Perfons at Liberty ,which Canons they'll obey, " and which they'll refufe : Which was a La- " titude, which they had not found any Bi- " Ihop in the Land free to allow to any of *' their Clergy. So that, tho' in the Oath " there be a Limitation in Words, yet they " plainly faw it was only to be extended to " future Commands^ while an Obligation to " comply with the Things antecedently re- " quir'd by the Canons as Lawful and Honeftj *^' was fuppos'd and taken for Granted : For " certainly, the Church Reprefentative in its " feveral Convocations, could not by thofe, " who profefs lb great a Reverence for all " its Didates, be fuppos'd to require Things " of any other Stamp or Charader. Now " perufmg the Canons ^ they could not be fa- " tisfy'd, that many of the Things therein " Requir'd, deferv'd that Gharader : Nay they " were not Convinced, but that many Things, *' by thofe Canons requir'd to have been the " Matter of their conftant Pradice, would " to them have been Vnlawful and Dijlwneft ^ " and therefore they durfl not come under any fuch jenfnaring Obligation. T i M^ (C a 74 -^ Defence of Part II. Of the Mr. Ollyjfe tells us, that this is a Head of yet Oath of greater Mifiahs and Mtfrefrefentations, If ^o^ Canonical j agree with him, 'tis fit they fhould be refti- 0^frf/e«(rf£y7^j. p^^^ I ^^^^ be freely open to Conviai- ^* on : But where an Oath is concern'd we had need fee to it, that the Bottom we ftand upon be firm and fafe. As for the Oath of Canonical Obedience^ I mufl Confefs, I look upon it as a thing which to this day much wants to be con- fider'd and clear'd. And I fhould have been glad if the Gentlemen I am concern'd with, had better confider'd its Rife and Foundation. However, what they have fuggelled muft not be overlooked. If the Grammarians y and Lexi- cographers^ and difinterefted Ecclefafiical Writers^ might be allow'd to determine the meaning of Canonical Obedience ^ I'm pafl doubt they'd de- fcribe it as an Obedience to a Spiritual Superior^ according to the Ca?jons of the Church : And yet, when I added fomething to that Purpofe, to explain the word Canonical, Mr. 0/lyffe is offend- ed at my Ambiguom Words ^ and fays, / put them in to ferve a firarge Tpirpofe, Good Sir, not j[b Angry. The F::rpofc I intended to ferve, was only to explain the word Canonical : This can be no firange Furpofe to one that does not love Obfcurity. If it does not explain it, or gives a wrong Senfe of it, 'tis juftly liable to Excep- ' tion : However, I think, according to the Ca- nons of the Church, might have been allow'd as an explication of the Word Ca?wnical, till a truer, better, or clearer Senfe of that word had been given •, which will hardly be done in hafte. If there be any Ambiguity, it lies here: That it is not Obvious to every Underftanding, what Canons are now in Force, and how far they are fo :, But (till, what Courfe foever we take to get that niatter clear'd, I fhould ex- pca Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 275 ped it would be allowed, that the Oath of Cano' nical Obedience does oblige to obey the Ordinary^ according to fuch Canons as are yet in Force, as far as they are fo, provided the things they require be not unlawful : For if this ben't the * intention, 'tis both abfurd in it felf, and ut- terly contrary to the Antient Ufe of the Word, for this Oath to be term'd Canonical. Mr. Ollyfe owns himfelf prejndic'd againfi this P. 58. Reprefentation, in that he cannot meet with any one Perfon that ever had fuch a thing in their Tloo^tSy or at Icafi, that ever pnblijlj'd fuch a Siippofitionj till Mr. Baxter's Nonconformity Stated and Argued, came out in the Tear 1689. That's • • ftrange. Did all till then think that the word Canonical in the Oath fignify'd nothing ? Cer- tainly that cannot be I fuppofe he had not ^ttw the Bifhop of London s Epifcopalia^ which was Printed in i(585. If he had, I hardly think he'd have come with this Inlinuation. He next Confutes me out of Mr. Baxter^ or pag. 87. rather feeks to Confute Mr. Baxter from him- felf. To which I can only fay, if that Excel- lent Perfon faw occafion to change his Mind, (which has been commoa with the bell of Men) I know not why any Ihould grudge him the Liberty which they would not be deny'd themfelves. The laft tho'ts however, we commonly reckon belt. Now, in the laft place, (that I know of) where he has given his Senfe of this matter he thus exprefles himfelf. The Reafons (faith he) Large zvhy the Oath Hf Canonical Obedience is Scrupled by Life, Fof, the l^. C. are thefe : Becaufe they take the pag. ^^f^. Power it felf to which they are to Swear to be fpe- cifically Evil^ and againfi the Word of God ; they dare not Swear Obedience to Bijhops^ leafi they take the name of God in vain'f Scandalonjly approve ofVfw" T 3 pmon 'l']6 A Pefeftce of Part II. tion in Chrifi^s Kingdom^ and encourage Vfurpers in p, 425. infolent Novelties and Corritpions. And when 'tis pleaded (as now by Mr. Ollyff'e') that the Oath is on- ly taken inLkltis & Honeftis: He Anfwers, That •the Obedience mull be according to the Canons which is their in Licitis & Honeftis. And if Mr. Ollyjfe was really fo much offended with Mr. Baxter^ for changing his Mind as to the Re-r ^ lation of this Oath to the Canons^ he'd have done well to have llgnify'd it to him in his Life time ^ which had he done, 1 am paft doubt he would have found, that that Great apdGood Man ( as he is elfe where pleas'd to gQ Stile him) could have given him very coniide- P^S-»»- j-ableReafonsforit. His next Anfwer is a Pl^afant Turn. He gives it, us in thefe Words. Mr. Calamy's Ac- cnfation in this matter turns in fidl force npon him- felf^ and upon thofe whom he pretends to be for ^ and he can no ways extricate himfelf fi-om the force of ity but in the fame way hemnft (iays Mr. Ollyffe) let us, mt too. That's pretty much I mult Gon- itis: I'm fure, if it be fo, I am far from be- ing aware of iti and Ihall not be able to reft till I get the matter clear'd. But how was it, tjiat \ came into this Snare ? Why truly Mr. Ollyff'e is. fo Charitable as to believe I have ta)^Rt\\.t Oath of Abjuration J which at the feme time as it binds to a Submiffion to the ^nccejfon Legally Eftabliih'd ^ is alfo an Oath of Allegiance to Queen Anne, which Allegiance is an Obligation to Legal Obedience ^ And there- fare hath a Reference to the Stated Laws and Canons, of the Church as well as of the State, which therefore by that Oath^ I am bound to comply with, &c. This Mr, Ollyffe feems to. take for a good Argument ^ or at leaft for as good aa Argument of jmy bemg bound by the Part If. Moderate Non-Cofif or mity, lyy Oath of Abjuration^ to a Submiflion to the C«- nons of 1603, as what I alledg'd from Mr. Bax- ter^ was of his being bound to a Subjedion to thofe Canons by his Oath of Canonical Obedience. Had I not Reafon to believe He was a true Englijh-man^ and a hearty lover of his Country, and his Religion, I profefs, I (hould be fhrewd- ly tempted to take this for a Banter on the Oath of yibJHration^ by which we are Sworn to the Protcftant Succefllon. For any to pretend, that that thofe who take that Oath are Sworn to the Hierarchy^ and to thofe Canons by which it is Eftablifh'd, and advanc'd to fuch a height, is in reality to difcourage many of Her Majefty's good Subjefts from taking the Oath z, which I am confident there are multitudes would ftiffly refufe, did they apprehend there was any ground for fuch a Glofs. For which Realbn, (if there were no other) I fliould advife Cau- tion for the future upon that Head. He hath himfelf fram'd an Anfwer for me ^ an Anfwer of fuch a Nature, as he tho't would fuit his own End : That is extricate himfelf as well as me : He fays, that I fhould prefently yield to his Argument, and Anfwer, the Oath obliges «^pag. 89- to obfervc the Queens LarvSy fo be it they be Lawful and Hon eft. Whereupon he takes up my Words, and fays, an Obligation to comply with the things Antecedently requir'd^ by the Laws as Lawfnl and Honeft^ is fnppos^d and taken for granted. And thereupon he concludes, that the fame Canons that are objected againll, will grind me -^ that I muft^ by myjOath^ Confent to all the Excommuni^ eating Canonsy &c. And if I demur, he defires P^S* 9^' 1 would explain the Obligation^ that the Oath to the Queen lays me under^ and the Anfwer he thinks will ferve his turn. T 4 For C^7S A Defence of Part II. For His Satisfadion, I'll fliew him how I ex- tricate my felf, from any concern in his formi- dable Argr.ment. TheClaufein the Oath of jib- y^/r^^/ow which he refers to, is this: And J do Swe^r-f that I will hear Faith and true Allegiance to Her Majefly Queen Anne. The Faith and true Allegiance I have Sworn to bear to my Soveraign, I take to be no other than an hearty contributing in my Svhare^ to the Defence and Support of her jPer/on^ Crown and Dignity^ under the JDireBion of the Laws of the Land. I am far from looking upon m'j Allegiance Sworn to refer toall the Laws of the Land \ And in taking the Oath of Ahju- ration^ I only bound my felf to thofe Laws, which provide for the Defence and Support of the Perfon, Grown, and Dignity of my Sove-i reign, (whom God long Preferve) and for the* proteftant Succeflion after Her Deceafe, if fhe dies without IfTue. And if I am herein miftak-en, I ihould be glad to be fet right : And that the rather, becaufe I am apt tb think this is the moft common and prevailing Senfe, of fuch as took the Oath^ with an intention to make Confcience of obferving it. Were it the in- tention of an Oath of Allegiance^ to bind all that take it to obey every Law of the Land, then rnufl eiyery Perfon, that is under fuch an Oatk, be oblig'd to be acquainted with all our Laws^ that he may not break his Oath thro' Ignorance : Nay farther, whoever breaks any Law (tho' in the moll incpnfiderable and trifling matter) woul4 be chargeabk with violating his Allegi- ance. But who ever Aflerted either of thefe? If this were the Cafe, every Man muft of Ne- ceflity be a Lawyer ^ and whoever broke a Law; (tho' it vvere but about a pecuniary Bufinefs) if he were not a down-right Tr*tircr, muflat leafc l:?e guilty of an High Mifdcmeanour, But f© ' ^: far Part H. Moderate No n- Conformity. 279 far is this from being true, that I can appeal to Mr. Ollyfe himfelf, whether he is not fatisfy'd, that we have many Laws which He and I are fo far from being Sworn to, by fwearin^ Allegi- ance to Qiieen Anne^ that we are not toncern'd fo much as to read them, or have any Ac- quaintance with them ? And whether there are not other Laws, the Breaches of which we are not oblig'd in Confcience fo much as to de- left? If fo, \{0\N C2iRt]\Q AllegUnce Sworn re- fer to all the Laws? If it be Query M, how far then I look upon my felf as Bound by other Statute Laws of the Land, which my Allegiance is not concern'd in ? I Anfwer, I fetch my Obligation to them, from our happy EngUflt Conftitntion^ which is fuch, as that the Laws 4)ind us by Vertue of our own Confent, given by our Refrefeyjtatives in Varliament^ A^ing ac- cording to the Trufl reposed in them^ for the good of the Community. Now the Q^nons of 1603, about which our Debate is, I cannot find were ever Confented to in a Parliamentary Way \ and therefore not only bind not by Vertue of the Allegiance Sworn, but don't fo much as bind by the Confent of Reprefentatives. As to the Statute Mr. Ollyfe refers to ^ viz. 25. //. 8. C. ip I have perus'd it ; andobferve, that it empowers 32 Commiflioners to Revife former Canons Provincial and Synodal ^ it re- ftrains the Clergy from pretending to make or execute Canons without the Royal Aflent and- Licence ^ and it Vacates all Canons that are contrariant or repugnant to the Royal Preroga- tive, or the Cuftoms, Laws, or Statutes of this Realm : But I cannot find, that it Efla- hlijhes Canons ( as Mr. Ollyffe Afl^erts) that have the Royal Ajfent^ fo be it they are not contrary to my Statute Laws of the Land. For, that would make aSo A Defence of Part II. make that Parliamentary Confent (toratifie fuch Canons) needlefs, which yet our Lawyers generally Reprefent as abfolutely Neceffary. Or if that A£t fhould have gone fo far, (as Bp. Stillin^fleet^ with feme others, I know affirm it does) it is plainly fuperfeded by another fince \ viz,. 13. Car. 2. Cap 12. Which as it Vacates the Canons made in the Year 1640. (tho' they had the Royal Aflent) fo does it alfo free the Subjeds from an Obligation to any other Lawi or Canons^ not formerly Confirrnd^ allotv'd^ or en- aBed by Parliament. By this time I hope Mr. Ollyjfe wiU own, I am extricated out of his La- byrinth. For tho' by taking the Oath of Abju- ration I have (as in Duty bound) Sworn Alle- giance to Her Majelly Queen Anney yet that Al- legiance refers not to the whole Body of our Laws, but to thofe that are deligg^d for the fe- CHrity of Her Terfon., Crorvn^ and. £hgnityy which by Vertue of that Oath, I think my felf oblig'd Confcientioufly to obferve, and I hope always ihall. As for the reft of the Laws, I'm free from an Oath ; and if the Legillativc Power be there- in warrantably exerted, Hook upon my felf bound to Obedience by Vertue of the Confent of our Reprcfentatives in Parliament : But as for the Canons or Ecclefafiical Laws, I have no Con- cern in them, they have Qo Relation to the Allegiance I have Sworn '^ '^€ Parliament never ratify'd them^ and I am no more oblig'd to regard them, than if 1 liv'd in another Coun- try. And can Mr. Ollyffe extricate himfelf as eafi- ly ? I doubt not. Does he own no more Spi- ritual Poyver in his Ordinary^ and in the Chnrch. Reprefent ative met in Convocation, by his Oath of Canonical Obedience, than I do, by the Oath of Ahj^tration ? Is he jio more oblig'd to obey his Church Part II Moderate "NonXoiiformity. 281 church exerting her Power in decreeing Rites and Ceremonies^ when he has Sworn Obedience in fuch things •, than I am, who difown fuch a Power, and have only Sworn ydlegiance to my Civil Sovereign ? Can he plead the want of a Parliamentary Sancftion to Confirm the Canons in his own Excufe \ when he has Sworn to Obey his Ordinary Canonicdly ? And can he be at a lofs, what that Canonic ally properly means, when he finds the Canons of 1603 refer'd to, in mofl of the Vifitation Difcourfes of the Bilhops to their Clergy that are Extant ? Or to keep to his own inftance,: Does he think I'm as much bound to ieep Lent, as he is to Excomunlicate pa. 90» one of his Parilhioners for want of paying his Fees in the Ecclefiaftical Court, when he is requir'd by his Ordinary ? Or can he ima- gine, that I'm as much oblig'd to hear Morning and Evening Vrayer in my Parijlj-Chnrch, as he is by Can. 28. to refufe Communicants, that might be inclin'd to come to him from Neighbouring Parilhes ? I profefs, I fhould reckon fuch Queries as thefe Ridiculous, if he had not forc'd me upon them. But he palfes from the Oath of Objuration, in which Allegiance is fworn to the Queen, to the Oaths which are taken to fubordinate Gover- nors. And inftances in the Oath of a Freeman of the City of London , who Swears he'll ^^^^^qi^ Obedient to the Mayor and Minifiers of the City, " And here he would have me tell the Citiz^ens of London, that Qfince Obedience hath an elTential Relation to Laws, &cr\ nnlefs they can Swear to all the A^s of Common Council (which are the fiated Laws of the City ) that have been made thefe hun' dred Tears fafiy they mufi not take the Oath of a Freeman. And then hc gives me to Underftand, I fhould be Laught at tor my Pains. 282 A Defence of Part IL If it may be any Satisfadion to Mr. Ollyffe^ I can tell him, that I have been lately, with fome freedom, Addrefling my felf to the Citi- zens of London ( in as large a Body as one in our Sphere can be fuppos'd capable of applying to them from the Pulpit ) upon this Head of Oaths^ and I gave th'em my thot's upon the Treemnns Oath, and can't find it was at all cfteem'd Ridiculous. I told them, that when Freemen Swear to be Obedient to the A may the better dif- cern, that to fuppofe the Clergy of E-agland ob- lig'd to the Ancient a? well as Modern Canons, is no fuch monftrous Abfurdity, as he is wil- ling it fhoiild pafs for. Tho' really for my Part, it would to me be much at one to hear a Man argue, that it cannot be fo monftroufly abfurd, becaufe they are thus oblig'd, or. that they can't be thus oblig'd becaufe it is abfurd. For I can hardly tell how to fuppofe any thing more abfurd, than to hear Proteftants applaud and extol a Conftitution, that is founded upon a bottom wholly Popjh. His next Abfurdity is this ^ that to fuppofe the Oath of Canonical Obedience to refer to the Canons, would be to render the Limitation in the Oath lifelefs and ridiculous^ when it is fworn they will obey in all Things lawful and honefi. But where the Confequence lies I cannot dif- cern. For fuppofing there are feveral Things in the Ancient Canons^ that are ftill in force, provi- ded not repu. nant to the Laws of the Realm-, which yet are neither Lawful nor Honcfi^and that many that take this Oath may be of that Mind, pgg, ga, I can't fee how that Limitation can be r^felefs and ridictdoHs. I'll liippofe it a pecnliar tendernefs in the Framers of this Oath^ or rather in the Alterers of it at the Time of the Reformation, to exprefs the Limitation^ to prevent Cavils in fame ^ and ScrU' ■pies in others : I think it was yet no more than was necefFary, when there was fuch a Heap of Canons in force, that were liable to fo many juft Objedions, that were made in the Time of the Papal Darknefs and Superftition. Sup- pofe the Limitation of the Oath lOiThings Law- ful and Hon tit were uf clefs and ridiculous^ if ap- ply'd to the Caaons that have pafs'd in the fe- ll vera! 2 88 At>efenceof JPart 11. veral Convocations fince the Reformation, ( which yet will not eafily be granted ) it do's not therefore follow, that it is fo as to thofe that went before ^ and therefore neither is this fuch an Abfurdity, as need to frighten a Rati- onal Man from this Senfe and Interpretation. I profefs I'm free according to Mr. Ollyfei hopes, to allow him and his Brethren, The fame Candonr and Jafiice in the IJnderfianding this Oath and Promife^ as I give and take in others of the li\e Nature. That which I am againft, is taking a Method to make Oaths ludicrous. If they grant, that by this Oath they own thetBh- fliop JurifdiStion and Government^ as truly as the Citiz^ens do that of the Mayor \ they mult grant, that this Oath has as real a Reference to the Canons of the Churchy as the Oath of a Freeman has to the By-Laws of the City ^ and if it has, then they are as much oblig'd by their Oath to be Subjeft to the former, as a Freeman is by his Oath to be fubjed to the Latter. And if Ho^ the Debate upon this Head will be re- duc'd to a very narrow Compafs. For as I can't fuppofe, that his Oath can oblige him to things that are not la-wfui and honefi-^ fo I think 'tis no great Credit to the Church to have one pleading for Conformity to it, who takes it for granted that fundry of the Canons, that have pafs'd in the feveral Convocations fince the Reformation, and that belong, to the Stan- dard of the Ecclefiaftical Government, are ex- cluded by that Limitation. fiae 6 Upon the whole he fays, the utmoft that can IS- P4, bg meant by the Oath of Canonical Obedience, lies in thefe Two Things, (i.) In faying a Regular and Legal Obedience to the Orders of the Bijhof of the Diocefs^ as far forth as they are jud£d agreeable to the Laws of Cod^ and the Realm : (2.) That part II. Moderate tioti-Conformity, a 8^ (2.) That if any Thing is Commanded^ that frejfes on the Confcience^ and a Relaxation cannot be gained by Petition^ there jliall be a patient Submijfion to the Penalty. I Anfwer, That Canonical and Le- gal Obedience is all one, I can by no Means grant : But I (hall leave others to judge of it, when they have confider'd what I have to fay, as to the Rife and Hiftory of this Canonical Oath. Farther, if thofe, who take this Oath, fwear to pay Obedience to the Commands of the Bifhop of the Diocefs, as far as they are agpseable to the Laws of the Realm ^ and if ( a* Bilhop Stillingfleet over and over afferts ) the ancient Provincial Conftitutions, as well as Modern Canons, that are not repugnant to the Law of England^ are to be efteem'd Laws of the Realm j then they in effeft by taking this Oath Swear, that they will obey the Bifhop accord- ing to the Canons, which is the very Thing oppos'd. And Laftly ^ as for a patient Submif- fion to the Penalty, I think Mr. 0/lyffe is too hard, to make it a Part of the Oath: And I believe he'd be of that Mind himfelf, if he fliould ever come to be in the unhappy Con- dition a Clergyman was in, not many Years fmce; of falling-under Eccleliaftical Genfure* for refufing to give the Sacrament to a noto- rioufly loofe and fcandalous Perfbn. For tho' ^ he might in fuch a Cafe be forc'd to a Submifli- on to Cenfure, if his Ordinary taking Cogni** zance of the Cafe Ihould Charge him upon his Oath of Canonical Obedience^ to give fuch a one the Sacrament, and he refufe it : Yet I eaa ■ hardly think, h» would be bound by his Oath to be fo patient under it ^ as prefently to ceaft from hisMiniftry, if in fuch a Cafe requir'd. To come to Mr. Hoadly, He charges me p^rt n with Two Miftakes in the very drawing up pag. lys. Vi ^ tihis apo A Defence of Part 11. this Article, (i.) In inferting thofe words, t according to the Canons of the Church ] which are not in the Oath. 'Tis Granted : But, that the word C^;7o»/c^/ does not im- ply as much, fhould have been Evidenc'd, fi j)rove the Miftake upon me. He then Pleads lor the Verbal Promife, which were unexcep- tionable if not limited to a certain Senfe by the Oath that came after : But 'tis againft that p. 1 37. the Objedions lie. (2.) He fays, I fpeak, as if no oiie could he Ordained in the Church of England^ without taking the Oath of Canonical Obedimc^y *ivhich is not true, &c. I reply : That Pem)ns were oblig'd to take the Oath of Canonical Obe- dience at the time of their Ordination, I never tho't,much lefs affirm'd: And on the other Hand, that no Bifhop <^n juftifie the Ordaining with- out a Title, which Title implies an Obligation to take the Oath to the Bifhop,'"in whofe Dio- cefs it lies , I fuppofe Mr. Hoadly will not con- teft. And therefore to talk or Minifiring ip. this Church M far as he could voithout taking this Oathy rather than divide the Communion of (Mrl' fliansy is only to entice Perfons into the Church ^ with a Profpeft of what they cannot reach j in Hopes when they are once in, they may be perfwaded to be fatisfy'd to do as their Neigh- bours. p. 138. But let us fee Mr. Headly\ Senfe of the Mat- ter. He thinks the Oath cannot "be interpreted any otherwife thhn thusV C I Swear, that I will yield fuch an Obedience as is Due, according to the Laws of Chrift's Church, from an infe- riour Presbyter to his BiJIwpy &c. ] which yields what Mr. Baxter mainly Pleaded for, unlefs Mr. Hoadly means fomething different from An- tient and Modern Ecclefiaftical Canons, by the Laws ofChriji'^s Churchy which he mentions. But ,' he Tii Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 2p i he goes on , and fays, its plain fiom the Reafon of reejHtrwg this Oath^ that it refers^ and can re- fer to nothing hut what this one Bi^jop Pia/l fee fif..to * require. Which is thus far true, that a Clergy- lan is not Bound to obferve Canons^ which he %. imfelf didikes, if his Bifliop does not call up- on him : And yet neither is it to be fo far extended, as if it were wholly at the Bilhops Pieafure, what fliall be requir'd of his Clergy j for he's as much oblig'd by his Oath to his Metropolitan^ as his Clergy is by their Oath to him as their Diocefan. ff then the Oath does tePr to what the BijJiop Jlmllfee fit to require \ 'tis within fuch a compafs only •, meerly within the compafs of the Canons ^ to which the Bilhop is. as much oblig'd in his higher Sphere, as the Clergy-man in his lower Cap^^ity. He adds v That thelaft Words [in all Lawful and Hon.ft things]] refer f* all the Injunchions of the Bijhop^ and do ftppofe^ that every injimEhion he lays Hport yon may po(fibly"he unlawful and dijhonefi. But aS long -as the Bilhop is in his Commands as mach cp|iifin'd to the Canons of the Church, as the Clergy-man in his Obedience ; and each by vertue of an Oath *, 'tis a little hard to fuppofe all his Injunctions may be unlawful and dilho- neft. And foj Mr. Hoadly to fay, that thefe words Lawful and Honeji;^ refer as well to the in- jim5lions in Cafes which the Canons reach to. as to Cafes which they reach not to \ feems to ars^ue a forgetftilnefs of what Ip faid a little above, vlz^. That in this Oath Men Swear an Obedience^ ac- cordinjr to the Laws of ChrifFs Church, For if the Bilhop may require Obedience of his Clergy according to the Laws of ChrifFs Churchy and. yet each of nis injunctions in (uch matters may bel unlawfid anddifwnefi^ then are the LawsofChriJFi Churchy according to which Obedience is Sworn, 11 3 ^ 2^2 A Defence of Part 11. a very unfafe Rule/ and very unfit to come un- der Confideratidn in a Solemn Oath. And fup- ^ pofing it granted, that tho' I took this Oath, p. jap. yet I my felf am Judge of the Lavofulnefi and ,Jl Honefiy of every Co-n^mand of my Diocelan \ y^t ^\vji%n I know that the Rules by which their* Ecclellaftical Authority is ordinarily exercisM, are enfnaring, exorbitant, and unjuftifiable \ and am at a lofs for their Warrant, either from "^ Reafon or Scripture, to bring me under fuch an Oath, I think I may very juftly defire to beex- p, 140, cus'd. As to what he adds \ that this Oath can refer to none hut future Commands \ I hope hj^'U give me lea'>''e to demur upon it, when he him- felf has in fo many words own'd, that the Oath refers to Obedience, according to the Laws of Chrifi^s Church : And therefore I think it muffc refer to them. Which are already fix'd ^ tho' the Bifhops Perfonal Commands concerning them be future to the taking of the Oath. When he afterwards tells me, he wmld gladly know in rchat words we would rather fromife Obedience to a ^ijhop ^ I freely Anfwer him, that if the State thinks fit to fettle Bilhops as Infpedors of Mi- nifters, it muft give them Rules to proceed by; which will be tfte more acceptable for being Scriptural : But as for promifing Obedience to them in -any Words, any farther than the Scripture goes before us, we defire to be ex- cns'd. p.* 142^ As to the Cafe he puts (by way of Illuftra- 543. tion) with reference to ttie City, I think I have fuffiqiently anfwer'd it before : And yet fliall add, that when he can make it appear, that the Bifhops have by Law a like determining Power as to the Laws Ecclefiaflical, as the Lord Mayor and Aldermen have granted them by feveral Charters, as to the determining of im» Fart II. Moderate Nofi'Co7tformity. ap3 immemorial Caftoms, which. Freemen and City Officers are by Oath bound to preferve, the two Cafes will then be more fully Parallel. I fay farther, that he who jjy Qath binds Jiim-^ felf to give Legal Obedience to the Lord Mayor, is as really Sworn to the By-l^ws of the City, as a Clergy-man to the Canons of the Church : That as fuch an Oath to the Mayor, would not bind a Citizen to any thing he apprehended to be unlawful, ( as indeed no Oath can bind to what is unlawful) fo neither can the X)ath of Canonical Obediencci^ bind a, Clergy-man in a like Caf^ : That a Citizen may honeflly take an Oath to the Mayor without knowing all the By-laws, which the- Government has never tho't fit to reduce into ap Body •, and yet that it little becomes a Clergy-man, who has abun- dant Opportunity of perufing both the Antient Provincial Conflitiitions , and Modern Canons^ (which are the Stated Rules of Ecclefiaftical Obedience) to take the Oath of Canonical Obc' dience, either^- wimout being acquainted with them j or upon Suppofition he thinks Compli- anee in many or even moit of the Cafes fpeci- fy'd to be unwarrantable : And yet once more^ that tho' neither a Citizen npr a Clergy-men, can properly be depriv'd of a Jadgment of Dif^ cretion ; (tho' in fbme Cafes there is ^more vi- fible allowance made for it than in others) yet that both the one and the other would do more Prudently and Chriftianly to forbear the Oath, upon Suppofition that many of the Laws, they would be thereupon requir'd to obey, were fuch as they knew before-hand they could not in Confcience comply with. By thefc Decla- rations, I think, I have manifefled my {elf a^ , TDiIling to pit, a true Interpretation on the one P* '45* Oath, as on the other : And therefore at the U 4 fame 2^4 ^ Defence of Part If.' fame time clenj -ct my felf from his Charge of p. 145, prevaricating i' %hich I won't retort, tho' I 147, ''(\T-je. fair Scope. I fhall leave his Harangue in 148. the Three' foilowing#Pages untouch'd ^ as rec- koning, that his own calmer Tho'ts, may con- vince him he was a little over-heated ; He p- 153- afterwirds fays, he'll compare the two Senfcs of this Oath together •, and leave the Reader to judge concerning them. For my part, T* muft declare, that to take the Oath in his Senfe, would to me be unwarrantable •, and 1 can't fee but that after all his Heat, iie yields the main thing Contended for. For when he thus Glof- p. 154. les on the O.ith, I do Swear^ that t will yield a true Obedience to this J^ipopy and fuch a fincer^^ ready^ and fnbmijfive Ohedience^ as by the Lavbi^ of the Churchy is rei^iiir^d of a Presbyter to his Bijliop y He feems to me very plainly to grant, that he that takes this Oath is bound to dbey^ according to the Laws or Canons of the Churchy when caird upon by the Bi^op. * Now to be bound by an Oatli, to obey according to the Laws and Canons of the Church, is a greater degree of Refpecl: than we think due »,to them ; and the main thing that we objedt againft. And if this be Neceflary •, if-this Oath would bind us to ilich and Obedience as is requir'd by the Laws of-the CSiurch : We think we may juftly refufe it, till they that require it, fhew their" Warrant to demand it from us. And tho' Mr. p. 155. HoAdly is Angry, that it Ihould be ftill'd Egre- giom Dijfimitlation to take this Oath with a referve^ to demur upon the Commands afterwards given '^ Yet I'm apt to think he would have trod more foftly, had hedulyobferV'd, how that ExpreP- fion was worded. For it was confin'd to the ftanding- Rule of : the EcclcfiafUcal Adminiflration. Now to keep to his own Words , for Perfons va ■ ■ • V • • Swear^ Part IT; Moderate "Non-Conformity, 29^ Swear that they'll yield ^uQ\ra' fm^erc ready itnd fithmtjfive Obedience^ Cto the BMhop of the Dio- cefs] Oi by the Laws of ijoe Church is recjuir'd of vas fworn, remain'd the fame, any further than they thwarted the Royal Prerogative, or any Laws of the Land. So that he that will trace this Matter from the beginning will eafi- ly fee, that it has been all along defign'd, that this Oath Ihould bind Men to a Subjeftion to Ecclelialtical Cannons ^ and it muft be conclu- ded it is fo to this Day, unlefs better Reafons be given, than have been as yet produc'd. I fhall take the Pains to illuftrate this Matter by a Deduftion of Particulars. In the Third CounciLof Carthage^ An. 397. 'twas decreed, din. 3. 't'hat when any Bifhops or Clerks were ordain'd, they fhould have the Decrees of the Conncils read by their Ordainers Tom. 3. in their Hearing, that they might not be able G?«n7. p. to plead Ignorance of them. 4^3- In the Fourth Council of CzrfWf, An. 419. The firll Can 4^- terwards turn'd by Metropolitans t6 an Oath of f Aihn. Obedience. And therefore Baronim "^ takes No- 5po tice, that towards the Yeardoo, there was a Petition prefented to Maurice the Emperour by the Bifhops of Aquileia, in which they hint their being bound to their Metropolitan b\^^aa' Oath. ^ ' i^ Tom. 15. The Synod of Chalons upon Soan, An. 650. Concily p. required in the iecond Canon, that the Canons 2po. of former Councils fliould be inviolably obferv*d by all And I'artll. Moderate Non-Conformity, 301 And the Fourth Council of Toledo^ Can. 27. and the Council of Merida^ Cslr. 4tn. carry'd the Matter yet farther. ^ But in the nth Council of Toledo^ An. 575. /hid^ pag; the loth Canon is very exprefs and full, ^l- 521^512! tho^ all that are engaged in Holy Orders are hound by Canonical Rules, yet it is expedient ( lay the Fathers ) that all -who have any Ecclejtafiical Pro- motion, Jlwuld give Security , that they will keep their Promife or Vow on that behalf. For xvhat is ex* frejly promised N. B. is ufnally more regarded^ than what is only imply' d and fHppos''d. And there- fore ( lay they ) it has [eernd good to this Holy Council, that whoever is admitted into Ecclejiajli- cal Orders^ jhould before his Admijfion bind him* felf by a Writing under his Hand, that in the Sin- cerity of his Heart he' II keep the Catholick Faith ^ live juftly and pioufly, and in no wife contradict the C Canonical Rules \ 3 ^^d in all Things give due Honour and Obedience to his Ecclefiafiical Superiors, This the Learned StilUngfleet * fays, is the firft * Defence mention we meet with of any Oath of Canonical <^^Archhi- Obedience, taken by Men in Orders. In which '"^P^"^^ tho' I can't agree with him, yet 1 think we ^^^^ ^^^^ have here a plain Intimation of the Original ' Defign of.this Oath, whenever it was jBrft in- troduc'd. But after the Year 700, the Popes of Rome having fucceeded in divers Encroachments, were for obliging the Bilhops to take an Oath ef Fidelity to them. Boniface, their German A- poftle, fet the Pattern. He took an Oath, by which he made himfelf an entire ValTal to the See of Rome, in the Time of Pope Gregory the Second. The Form of his Oath is given us by Baronius.-\- And 'tis faid, that this Pope G'r^-f ^iQ, The Rules of the H^ly Fathers^ and the Tkcrees^ Or^ ders^ or Appointments^ Refervations^ ProviJionSi vr Mandates ApofloUcal^ J jljall ohferve witU aU my Strength^ and make them to be ohferv'd by others^ &-C. And thus it continu'd down to ti^e Rer formation. ^- So that in the ^ow^/z Church, thus ftands the If Cafe. Every Pope Solemnly binds hiitifelf, at 'his'Entrance, to preferve inviolably the ;C4' ,mns and Confiitutions of his Predeceflbrs. So doing^he thinks he may with the more* Reafon oblige 'all l*rimates and Metropolitans to take an Oath of Obedieiice to himfelf, according to the Canons of the Church^ A Metropolitan thus Bound, is for binding his fuffiagan Bifhops to Subjedion to him in tha fame manner. And Bifhops having a defire alio to exe^cife Domina- tion, and contribute what they can to uphold the Reverence of the Amiem Canons^ bind their Clergy in the fame Oath^ which they demand of them, either at their Ordination ^ or wheij they giipe^ them a Licenfe to Officiate in their Dio- cefs. And thurthe fame Oath binds all in>t^ if jVr^rf ^^ from top to bottom. At the time of the Reformation here in Eng- iand^ an upper Link of this Chain was broke. -^ ^The Oath to the Pope was Scrupled by the Me- ^' tropolitan\ P\3^rtlL Moderate Nonconformity, 305 troplitan of Canterbury. Cranmer would not take it without a Proteftation, that he coa- ceiy'd himfelf not bound up by it in any thingi that -was contrary ,to his Duty to God, to his AUfonde King or his Country. And this he repeate4 Minift, Three times in Publick. And when Dr. Parke% Anglka- came afterwards to be Confecrated Arch-bilhop «^-p.i54. of Canterbury^ he dropp'd the Oath to the Pope altogether, and only took the Oath of the King's Supremacy, and againft the Power and Authority of all Foreign Potentates. Hooper would gladly have broke anothe;^ Link of this Chain, and have been excus'd from the Oath of Obedience to his A^etropolitan : But he was over- rul'd. And the Chain is now the fame as ever, puttiJig only the Prince in thc^oom of the Pope, excepting the few alterations the Law has jnade. As then the Pope was bound by Oath to keep the Laws of the Church, and Arch-Bifhops were bound by an Oath to him, and Bifliops to them, and to them the inferiour Clergy : So now. The Sovereign Swears to maintahj^and preferve to the Church all CA^ONICjiL Pii- viledges. The Arch-biiRops Swear, that our Sovereign, is Supreme Governoi-wf this Kealnty S^c. ji swell in all Spiritual or Ecclefiafiical Things or Caiifesy Oi Temporal^^^c. That they renounce and for fake aJU. Foreign Jurifdichionsj &C. and that to their Power ^ they will Ajfifi and Defend all Ju- rifdiStionSy Priviledges, Preheminences and Auto- ■* rity^ ZJftited a?7d Annext io the Imperial Crown cf this Realm, The Bifliops Swear, that they will yield all due Reference and Obedience to their Arch- hiJhopSy their MetropoUtical Church, and their Sue- cejfors, . And the inferiour'Clcrgy,,that r^'' ^ doubt not hath taken the "O^r/j 0/ Defence ^^f^^nical Ohcdie?ice to the Bilhop of London^ efhisDif- who "In his Epifcovalia^ fpeaking of the Canons, courfe on tells his Clergy,**f^«y have Sworn to obferve ak Schifm, fHcixJnj minions. ']- ""Which things I leave to thehr pag. 32. mature Conlideratlon ; and perhaps it may re*^ t Epifco- quire feme tho'ts to reconcile fundry ExweP p4.u. p.8. U0JJ5 of ^ijgirs concerning thfc Oathi ' witfrthe Senfe Part II. Moderate Non-Confonmty. 337 Senfe of their Dtccefans, who Admiuiftred it to them. " Whether they had any Reafon or not for Se.XVIl. " thus Scrupling Conformity to the Canons^ ac* of the " cording to the Demand of t^is Oath of Cano- Camm »f *' »ical Obedience y let any iilipartial Perfon 1605. *' Judge, when I have briefly fet before them *' the Canons^ to which they Scrupled to yield " G)nformity, with their Objedions againft " them. * "^f " By the fourth C^non, Whofoever charges the £^^^^ *^ Book of Common Prayer, with containing any ^^^^ *' thing in it^ that is Repugnant to the Scriptures', ^^„j^/^ *' he is to he ipfo fado. Excommunicated^ and theLearn- *' not Ycfior'd but by the Bijlwji of the Place-f or ed Span- *' Arch'bijljof^ after his Repentance^ and Publick hcun s *' Recantation of fuch his wicked Errour. Cenfure of *' They could not bind therafelvs to. Con- ^^^ ^- *' form to this Canon, becaufe, tho' it (hould '^^^- ^P- " be allow'd to be an Errour to bring fuch a p "^' |* *' Charge againft the Book of Common Prayer^ n ' ^ ^ °' *' yet could they not fee that it muft therefore " be an Errour of that Magnitude and Wick- *' ednefs as to deferve Excommunication, If " ;jll, that have worfe Errours than that can " be fuppo$'d to be, muft beprefently Excom- '' muijicgited, the Church would remain but •^* thin. Beljdes, they could not but Efteem it *' a great abufe of Excommunication^ to have it k" thundejr'd out againft any Perfons before they " ywere heard to (peak for themfelves, or told ^ of their Sin, and call'd to Repentance. Ex- " communications of this kind they durft not " Publifii when Commanded, for fear of of- *' fending Chrift, and injuring his Servants i " And therefore tlicy durft not Promifc pr ^} Swear, that they would do it. And as for X 3 " thofc, 3o8 A Defence df FkVt II. " thofe, who would throw the Blame irf " fuch a Cafe upon the Command of Superi- " ours, they appeared to them to open a Door * Baxter's" to the Execution of any Injuftice of Villany Aoncon- (cc j^ the World, fappofing Autority (hould in- ^3V"^^^°^^^^i^ht Command.* p. to6.' ^^^ ^° mention othe^-,. more Antient Provin- ce, cial Canons that migli^t be infifted on-, Thil is one of the Canons that Mr. Ollyfe {ays, in- pag. p6. ferior Miniflers have no manner of concern in, as 91' no'-ways relating either to them or their A4inijfry, WMch is a little Strange : ,For what, tho' k contains no Exfrefi Order or Command, it yet lays the Foundation of a Command topub- lilh^n Excommunication of the breakers of the Canon, which a Miniller may be requir'd by his Ordinary to Publifli by the Oath he has taken. And with Mr. Ollyffe*s good Leave, Hois was not only the meaning of the Author of {[Nonconformity Stated] but my meaning too ; who laid the ftrefs of the Objeftion here^ that Excommnnications of this hnd they durfi not pHh"^ lijh when Commanded, and therefore dnrfi not Tromife or Swear they would do it. So that I fi"ee- ly leave it to the Reader to Judge, whether 1 pag. p8. have mifiahn the State of the Cafe, and the Senfe of my Author, as he would make People believe, or he has miftak^n me : Let any Man judge * whether he was not in haft to fay, I do not fo much as mention thaty ia which my words are f^- cxprefs. 'i' ' ' *'" "•' \' Parti. But to come iCo the Criteria, which Mr. p. .156. Hoadly has affixt. - I take this Canon, to be one of thofe that Concern an Inferiour Clergy-mans own Behaviour and ConduH; in his Office. For he may be call'd upon to publilh Excommuni- cations againft tlie breakers of it. Whe- ** ther s Part If. Moderate Non-Co f if or mity, 3 op ther a Clergy-man is, not fitppos^d by the Go- vernors of the Church to be obliged and ready to o^ " By the Seventh Canon, All thofe are ipfo *' facto f# be Excommnnicated^ that jhoitld af^rnty " that the Government of the Church of England *^ by Arch'Bijhop^ Bifhops^ Dedns^ Arch-Deacons^ *' and the reft that bear Office in the^ame^ is re- ' "I* fugnant to the Word of God. ^ " Tho' fome of the Silenc'd Miniflers could ** have gone farther than others, in fubmitting " to Diocefan Epifcopacy, yet take that Form *' of Government in the Corap^fs of it ac- '* cording to this Canon, and they found it " fiill of Corruption. The Paftoral Power, , *' which was lodged by Chrift in theMinifters *' of their refpeftive Congregations, was over- *' 'thrown ^ and the Power of the Keys put into ^ *J improper Hands: And that Bifhops Ihould f ** govern the Church by others, in. a fecular " Manner^ even by Laymen, who do that in " their Name which they know nothing of ^ *' could not in their Judgement be reconcil'd * ** with the Word of God. And therefore they " durft not bind themfelves to Excommunicate " all fuch, as Ihould pafs but fuch Cenfures ^ „ . " Upton the frame of the Ecclefiaftical Goyern- /^fw, tt n,ent, as it really deferv'd. * J J 2 ,P^2 The fame Remark has Place here, as under the Head foregoing. Mr. Ollyffe indeed iays, pag, ^4. That all thefe Excommunicating Canons are repealed byjhe Act of Toleration, How repeal'd r Has %he Church no longer Power to excommuni* cate upon fuch Occafions ? I have read the Ad, and can't find any thing to that Purpofe. It is indeed there faid, that no Perfpns Ihould from that Time forward be profecuted in any Ec- clefiaftical Court, for, or by Reafon of their Nonconforming to the Church of England, ^ut -^ 'tis Part 11 Moderate Nort-Confermity, 315 'tis hard to fuppofe^ this deprives the Church of any Power that is agreeable to Scripture. But as 'tis reckon'd an unanfwerable Argu- ment, when we Diffenters are afTaulted, that if we were Schifmaticks before the Aft of Tole- ration, we are {o ftill : So I think 'tis as good an Argument, that if the Church could war- rantably, and agreeably to the Divine Rule and Order, Excommunicate upon fuch Occali- ons bdfoVe this Aft, it may do ^o ftill. For an Aft of Parliament can never make an Eccleli- afticalAft, that is agreeable to the Gofpel Rule invalid.' And befides, it is hard to fuppofe a Parliament fhould repeal Canons, which no Parliament (as I know off) ever made bind- -^^ ing as Laws upon the Subjeft. " By the Eighth Canon, j4ll thofe are if fb *' fkfto to he Excommunicated-^ who jhould Affirm^ i* *' that the form and manner of MaHng^and Con- •' fecrating Bijhops., Priefis^ or Deacons^ contain- *-'• eth any thing in it repHgnant to the Word of " God. " Tho it fhould be fuppos'd, therft were " nothing amifs in this Book of Ordination, *' yet the belief of its Innocency could not in " the efteem of the filenc'd Minifters be juftly *' deem'd a Matter of that moment, as to be " necelTary to Salvation ^ or that Perfons Ihould " be cafl; out of the Church for the want of " it. They could not therefore take an Oath, " whereby they fhould enter into a Combina- " tion of that Nature, as fhould make them " liable to be charged with the unhappy Con- " fequences. * * jjem, " By the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Ca-y^/^.page " nons, fitch at feparate themfelves from the Com- 114, &c. *' ntHnion of the Church of England, and fuch as [^ -^wnihofe fepdrate' Societies to be true Churches, '' are 4 314 A Defenceof Part If. *' are all to be Excammunjcated^ and only refior'*d ** by the Arch-Bijhof. *' Canons of this kind they durft not fwear '•'■ Subjedion to, becaufe they thought them " very uncharitable. If a weak miftaken Chri- '' ftian may be a true Chriftian, tho' faulty v " fuppofin,!]; it granted, that they who fepara- " ted from the Church of England^ and fuch *' as adher'd to them, really were in an Error, " yet could they not fee how^. their Errors ^' could be look'd upon as comparable to thofe *' of the Fafifisy who yet are fo far fa^ur'd ^' by many of the Prelatical Party, that thq ^' Roman Church they belong to, is own'd to " be a true Church. Neither can it with any " Ground be aflirm'd, that the Ignorance, Err *' ror or Corruption of fuch Seferatifls is half c *' fb great, as is difcernable in the Mufcovitesy " Greeks^ Abajfmes^ Copies^ Jacobites^ Nefiori- ^ '^ ans^ and Armenians \ who yet are commonly ^ *^, confefs'd to be true Churches. The greatnefs " of the Errors of thofe that feparate from the " Chufrch of England^ cannot make them ceafe ** to be true Churches, when Churches much " more Errone^s aire own'd to be true. Nei- " their can their being gathered and main- "tain'd without the Confent of the Ruler, *' prefently incapacitate them from being true '' Churches : For he that would Condemn '^ them upon that Account meerly, muft with ^ tlie fame Breath difown all the Churches of " Chrift, which were in th^ World for fome " Hundreds of Years : Who were all in com- '' mon in that Condition. The Silenc'd Mini- ^ fters tho't \t veryifit to leave thofe to them- ^' felves, wh^^ were fo confin'd in their Ghari- #^' ty ^ as jinking it their Duty to embrace all " thofe* j;s Brethren, who fear'd God^ ^nd k. ■ Pafrt H. Moderate Noii' Conformity, gl^ " -wrought "Right e on fnefJ^ and to cflcem all thofe " as true parts of the Church of Chrifl, among , " whom there wa^"" the trjiie Chriftian Faith *'■ and Worlhipi How' different foever tHeir ^ '*' Particular Sentiments' or Modes might be, " or what Faikircs foever might h^ amongfl: ^ them, '"that wefe'conilflcnt with an honelt, ^ upright Heart and Life. * "l^ ^^'^J' ' ' .'•-..;» it bid. pag. Tho' I here mention the ReafbA's why the*" Ejefted MiniHers diflik'd the Subftance of thefe Canons, and do" the like under fome other Heads, yet it is thus to be imderflood, that for thefe Reafons t|^ey durll not bind themfclves to Publifh when requir'd, the feveral Excom- t munications, which fuch Canons threatcn'd. .•? "By the Twenty Seventh Canon, No Mi- it , J -^ J — — , - ■ Iff i** ?iifier is wittingly to Adminificr the C/tp to any * " tout to fuch as Kneel, &:c: u J — / ^ '* To this they diirft not Swear Subjeftion for U.IbiL^. the Reafons mention'd before, under the ii6. '* Head of Jijfent and Conjent. "* " Mr. Ollyffe herb fay^, thaf this Canon niuft be p^r;. ptj. Obey*d, where any one refitfes to Kneel 'out of /^ Confemjit and T>efgn. I Anfiv^r : That they, who are fond of the Ecclefiaftical Adtority, and Zealpu's for' the Rights of it, are very apt to Interpret, every little' Hegle<^, as*(^o;itcmpt. He aSKS, jwho ever 'knew a^ny Bijh'ojt, ifithrVays^ require the'^Cafiing of^a hiitkblc Scrnplilwr 'Tn/on from the Cofhnmnion.^' foi- (hsfdr of\a Uejtnre ? I Reply-,' I fliQuld think |t Natural for everjiL, Birfiop to dofo, Wlio maf"have given himfelf? Liberty to inveigh againft all, rh^t out of Scru- lolity forbear Compliance with au^ft-W the In-"^' jundipns of tke Church, ^s Schifmatical, Con- _ tenti" 3l6 A Defence of Part 11. ^^ tentious, and unruly *, *^hich he well knows, has been the Cafe of feveral. But fuppo- ling things are fo bad , as that a Sufpenlion p. 100. comes, yir >Oliyffe fays, He mufi patiently bear it. ■^ I don't know where the mufi lies *, unlefs it; can be made appear to be a Man's Duty to bind himfelf to fucli enfnaring Canons. But when he knows before-hand, that this Canon he may be call'd upon by his Bilhop to keep, and he is bound to it by his Oathy I ihould think it were wifer to' forbear the Oath, than expofe himfelf to a Neceflity of fuch Patience. Td'fay, that f70 Government can be fo comfleat amongfi * Jlden^ but Clrcumftances may be imagin^dy in -which a Confcientioui tender Man may $e under hardjl^ip biLthe Lawsy does not abate the Difficulty: It if% Plea, that may be urg'd for any fort of Ir- regularities. Butvvhy,becaufe all Governments * are iraperfed, I mult therefore come under an Obligation to aft by Rules, which I can't jufti- fie , for my part I cannot imagine. Aad for Mr. Hoadly\ Satisfadion , Til add, that this. Part I. ^7th Canon ,v concerns a Clergy Man^s own Be-r. p. i-N^ haviour and CondnH in his Office : And I fuppole 157. he won't deny, that it is fuch as he is fnppos^d by the Prefent Governors of the Churchy to be obliged, and ready to obey^ when he recollects, that it i*. one of thofe particular Canons which his Di©-! cefan told his Clergy, they were Sivorn to obferveL * Epifco- ^ I know nothing of any Repeal j And as to pMlia, p.8. Difufe^ I fuppofe it can't be pretended, whei, his Diocefan hath fo publickly given his Senfe, ^ not many Years fince. But whether he hath * (as he intimates) proved it very Lawful both for the Afinifiers to pay Obedience to this Canon, and for their Governors to require It, i% left to the Hikeaders Judgment. !! By Part II. Moderate Non-Cotiformity, 517 *' By the Twenty Eighth Canon, Minifiers '^ are Required to refufe Communicants coming from *' other Purines. . " To this they could not fubmi*| becaufe in ^ " fome Cafes the Receiving of Communicants " " from other Parifhes might be a Duty. ^ As *^ particularly if the Incumbent were Vicious, " or Scandalous, or Divine Ordinances were " io managed, as is inconfiftent with the Edi- *' fication of the Parifliioners. For them in f' jfueh Cafes to have refiifed to receive Per- IV foils to Communion with them, would, in **.jtheir Apprehenfion, have been grofly un- ♦.^"^haritable. ^ .1 '^Id.Jhid. '^fMn 0/lyfe fays ^ This Canon is . exfrefl wubjt pag. lOO. (rrcater Latitude j and fcems to lay the InJHnamt upon Chnrch-wardens. 'Tis true, the Canon fays, they mufi Mark an well as the Miniver \ but ftilt the Itrefs of the Canon lies on the Minifters Care, ^ when they have given him Infoi^mauon. If"*^^ Mr. Ollyjfc can fee no great difficulty -a Prudent Mi- nifier can be in from f /;x ^ C«»£7», 'tis ito himlelf : But it does not therefore follow that none elfc can. And tho', if in fame rare Cafes thtrefito^ild happen fuch a hardjhip^ it Satisfies :him> that the Minifer mufi JJjew his Submijfim to the Bijiwp, by Fet-itioning or fujfering'^ Yet he muft give Others ,1 leave to think it both wifer and fafer to avoid coming under any Obligation, than to run a .hazard of being fo^hamper'd. ^ . :Mr. Hoadly may alfo take Notice, that this is another of the Canons exprefly mentioned by H his Diocefan, * which he looks upon his Cler- * j^pij-^^, gy Sworn toobfcrve: And he urges it upou^^/M. p. bis Clergy with fome warmth,^ by feveral Rea- 8. fciis. But whether Mr. Hoadly hsiSpro^'d it Law- */^.p.i5. Ji^l both for Mirlfrers to pay Obedience to it^ and pag. i57« ^-H t for f ji8 A Defence of Part H. t for their Governors to recjkire it, may deferve fe- cond ThoJ:s;oas alfo how the little .regard t6 it, that is commonly to be obferv'dtaii be^'ju- , ftify'd. ; ^Kf " By the Thirty Eighth Canon, a Minifier " repemmg of his bnbfcription, or afterwards emit' *' ti/?^ any of the prefcribed Forms or Ceremoniesy " isfi,rfitohefuffended^ and then Excommunicate j and then deposed from the Miniftr^^^ " This they Apprehended might, in many " cafes, be to confent to caft a Man out of the *' Q^urch, for being Cqnfcientious : To which • ^^ they were a^id to Submit, leaft they fhould *' contribute to the Silencing fome of thole, JLkwho as much deferv'd encouragement as ally t U. J- Perfons whatfoever. 'I- hid. pag. 1 1 8. Mr. Ollyffe has nothing in particular as to this . Canon ^ as luppOfing it Vacated, by the Ad oif Toleration, which is Hot fo Evident, as not to admit of a Debate. But neither Mr. Hoadly *** nor he can be infenfible, that it Was as likely to be infilled on, as any in the Body of the Canons^ in the Year 1662, and afterwards \ which was the time Particularly refer'd to. " By the Fifty Seventh Canon, All thkt ^^0 '*• for Baptifm for- their Children^ or the Cammkhi- *' on for thcmfelves from their own PariJ}}, hecaufe ** the Minifter is no Treacher^ t$ another Parijh that ** hath a Preaching Minifier^ are fitfpended^ and \ '^ after a Month to be ExcommHnicated. '' - *^ To this they qpuld not fiibmit, becaufe as " they apprehended there was much more need *' of driving the People to Preaching-Minifters *' than from them. And tho' they did not " efteem the Sacrament? Null, when. Admini- t *' Hred art n* Moderate Nofi-Conformity, 319 •^ ftredby ill qualify'd Minifters, yet they could ^^ not but look upon it as Unful , either to " harden an ignorant and Scandalous Perfon, *' that had intruded into the OfHce of the « Miniftry in his Prophanenefs, or to encou- -^^. ^i^ " rage People that need better, in being con-P- ^^9- " tented with fuch a Minifter. " By the Fifty Eighth Canon, every Minifler •' faying the Piihlick Prayers^ or Minifiring-the Sa- *' cramemsj or other Rites of the Church, wof re- *' cjuir^d to wear a Decent and Comely Surplice with *' Sleeves, to be provided at the Charge of the Pa' " rijh, and, that under fain of Sufpenfion. % " The Surplice as a Symbolical F'efiment was '' what they found many Learned and Excellent " Minifters had in former times been againfb : *' And it was fo fmall a matter, of fo little real " Neceflity or life, and the great Things to be " ey'd in the Exercife of a Gofpel Miniftry, " depended fo little upon it, that even thofe, *' who would rather have fubmitted to it, than " have been deprived of the Publick Exercife of '' their Miniftry, yet durlt not Concur in the " Sufpenlion of others, who were more Scru- ^^ pious of it than themfelves, upon that Ac* ^^- ^i.^^ff/j's Reign, a mighty ilir -was made ^out Part tl. Moderate tJon-Conformity, 3 2 1 it ; and many were deprivM for not wearing it. Mr. Axto?i was one. The Bifhop of LitchfiiU (who at laft deprived him) had feveral Confe- i-ences with him about it ^ of which Confe- rences I havi^ fe6n and perus'd a Copy in Ma- nufcript. In one of them, the Bifllop ask'd him 'f What ! will you leave your Flock for the Suv'^ ftice? Says he, in Anfwer, Nay^ hut will yon' ferfecute me from my Flo-ck for a Snrpllce ? A A Query, to which it were difficult to give a fatisfadory Reply. Not to mention others; Mr. Gawton ^Ifo was Sufpended on the fame Account. When he Was before the Bililop, he told him, by what he could perceive, if a Man had the Eloquence of Chryfofiom, and the Learn- ing of Aujtin^ and the Divinity of St. Paid^ if he would not wear the Surplice they would put him out : The Bilhop Anfwer'd, that if St. Paul were there, he would wear a Fools Coatj rather than be put to Silence. * Where P^r*- "^ See the Jons are of this Mind, 'tis not to be wondred Repfier^ if they make Light of fuch a Canon as this : But P- 199" as for thofe, who know no Autority any have to threaten Sufpenfion upon a failure in fo fmall a matter, tho' they may not reckon a Compli- ance abfolutely unlawful, they may yet refufe^to bind themfelves by an Oath to Obedience, con-* nitently with their own Principles j* and with a due regard to Peace and Order too. " By the Sixty Eighth Canon^ Mimjiers Are " required to Baptize all Children rifithont Excep-* ^^ tion , who are ojfcr*d to them for that Pttr'^ " Tho' fome of the Sileric'd Minifters wete " much ftraiter in their Notions about the *' Qualified SnbjeUs of Baptifm theii Others, yet ** they werf? generclUy againlt Sabmifllon to Y r " thi* 322 A Defence of /'art 11. " this Canon, becaufe not convine'd, that the " Children of all Comers, (as of Atheifis fup- " pofe, Infidels^ JerfiSj Hereticks ov Blafpkemers'^ " who might, upon occafion, be ofFer'd as well '' as others ) were fb far in the Covenant of ", Grace, as to have a Right to a Solemn Inve- " ftiture in the Bleflings of it. And till they " were convine'd of this by clear Proof, they '' efteem'd it too great a Domination over *' Mens Faith, to command Obedience in this " Point upon pain of Sufpenlion. And they ap- " prehended fwearing Obedience herein, to be " a confenting in EfFeft, to the profaning of '' one of the moft Sacred Inftitutions of our II Bid. « Religion. That f/?^ Canon (fays Mr. Otyfe *) doth not ^P* 102; extend ta the Children of Jews and Infidels^ is as cer- tain^ as that Mr, Calamy (he fhoald have faid Mr. Baxter) is nnjufi in fuffojing it. But when the Canon refers to -all, excepting fnch only as were denounc*d Excommnninate, CExcommunica- tione • Majori] for fame grievous and notorious Crime ^ (which exception confirms the Rule in other Cafes) he would have done wejl to have prov'd the Children oijews and Infidels exclud- ed by that Exxeption, before he had reprefent- ed the fuppofition mention'd as fo ftnjHj?^ let it come from who it will. He fays, a A^ ranee. Unbelief and Ungodliiiers, they'd .*' have thought it a very charitable Work : .*f But vyhile the due and neceflary ^ualificati- <' ous I Part 11. Moderate Non-Conformity] 527 * ons were wanting, they did not know but ' in forcing them to the Sacrament, they might " force them upon Sacriledge and Prophane- *i nefs, to their Damnation and Ruin. With- *' al, they knew this to be a Courfe whereby ^' they Ihould diftraft thofe Perfons with Ter- ^ rour, who are confcious of their unfitnefs ; " or thofe Melancholy Chriftians who under '' Temptations, tremble forA>fear of taking " their own Damnation. In a Word, they ** were convinc'd this would fill the Church '* with fuch as ou^rht rather to be kept away ; " occafion the calling of Holy Things to Dogs ^ ^* prevent all poflibility of Difcipline, and # ' ** be a Bar to that Purity, which is a great " Defigii of Chriftianity. ^ Baxter/ Mr. 0//y/.f hereaueries. Whether the Pro- r'^f'^' fecution and Ex-communication of all that don't ^^^f yu Communicate at Eafler^ i?, the ncceffary Confc- ^j. >^ ^uence^ of giving in their Names to the Bi- p^^. i^j^ (hop? I Anfwer, that it is plain it was de- Corbet 'i* lign'd by the Canon, that it Ihouid be the Con- Remains, fequcnce j and our Fathers have found that it pa.?. 150. adually was the ufptal Confequenccy and I think fP- i^l. that is eno', tho' it was not a nccejfary Confe- cjuehce. As for the forcing thefe People fo pre- . Tented to the Sacrament^ to Prophanenefs ttttd Sacriledge^ that this has been too often done, I fuppofe he himfelf can't deny : But tho' (as he faySi) / know^ that Minifiers are bonrtd to re- ■ -, pel the Scandalous from the Lord^s Supper^ if they ™ Jhoiild offer themfelves ^ yet that they axe allowed to do fo, by our Conftitution, I profefs I do not know. For I believe, Mr. Oliyfe would find it hard to defend himfelf, if he Ihould re- ^el one from the Lord's Supper tho' ever fo I bcandalous, who was bound by Law to conic ' . there, to qualifie himfelf for an Office. But to ' make 5l8 ^ Defence of Part II. make an End, he fays, That if it proves fmfnl^ he ts not bound by any Promife^ which is granted him : And yet it do's not follow but he might do ill, in making fuch a Promife, as if kept would draw him into Sin. " Omitting the Reft, the Three Laft Ca- *' nons, related to the Autority of Synods: ^* And by them all were to be Excommumcated^ " who jhonld affirm, that a Convocation fummon'd *■'• by the Kin£s Authority, "Was not the true Church ^' ef England by Reprefentation : Or that the Ab-' " fent as well at Prefent, were not to be fuhjeEi td *' the Decrees of fuch an Ajfembly, in Caitfes ' £c- " clefafiical when Ratify d by the Kings Aathori* '' ty : Or that their Canons and Conflitiuions were « defpieable, &C. f " Thcfe Canons, they could n6t oblige " themfelves to fubmit to, becaufe of the un- ^ '' certainty, and dubious, and difputable Na- *' ture of the Mat|:ers contained in them, which *' they ( upon that Account ) could not appre-^^ " hend to be fit Grounds of fo high a Cenfure '' as Excommunication. That a Convocation *' was the true Church Convocation, Page lo. Jujlifies their Demur as to thefe Cannons in this Refpea^ rrhcn fpeaiing of a Qnvocationj he hath this rewariahle Conccjfion : It cannot be call'd a true Reprefentative of the Church, tho' it be now a Legal one. In the Lower Houfe, there are iof the Province cf Can^ terhury^ 20 De^ns or more, who pretend to fit there : There " fent i Part II. Moderate Non-Confermity. 319 " fent Perfons as well as Prefent, they appre- are as *' handed that it depended upon the Parlia- many *' ment, whofe Ratification they look'd upon^''''^''^^ ** as Neceflary, in Order to their having any JTP"* *• Force or Significance at all. But the' they J^^^^* ** ihould be miftaken in Points of this Nature, ^^fchde/t- *' which they tho't had not been fo ftridly en- cons zrvi ** quir'd into, but that they would very well about 38 " bear Canvafling f it feem d to them ftrange- Clerks choftnby the Clergy. So that the Deans and Chapters who had their Au- thority at firft by Papal Bulls, and have now their Exemptions and ]urifdi6lions continu'd to them only by a Provifo, in the Statute of 25 Hen. 8. have more Intereft in the Convocation then the whole Body of the Clergy. Thefe are all made cither by the King or by^he Bifliops The 60 Arch-Deacons, are all of the Bi* diops Nomination, and their Authority is of a late Date, and but a Humane Conftitution. All this is befides the Intereft that the Bifliops have in making* the Returns of two only out of all thofc who are chofep in the feveral Arch-Deaconries of their Diocefi; (b chat the Inferiour Clergy can in no fort be faid to be equally xcprefented there. What Pleafttre Jo ever*fome angry Zealots might take in any things that might hear hard upon fo great an Ornament ould remain in force, -whereby thofe are to be E.vcommunicated, rcho are not clear about the Authority of A Convocation, vphen 'tis even at this Day acl-nonied^ed by Contenders on both /ides, that the Rights and Powers of* an EngUfh Convocati' on have been but little enquired into f Doth not that Enquiry, jvhicb hath heenfu ivarmly purfued, naturally lead to a fwthtr Enquiry in- to the true Nature, and Extent of that Ecclefiafiical Authority, which our Blejfed Lord the great Laiv- fiver o^ his Church hath Lodgd in any Hands nhatjoever beftdes his own f For might it not as eafily he fuppoid, much fhould have been, taken upon tf§t^^ ani many Mijlakes committed, about the Nature and Extent^ of fuch Potter, as about the Hands in vthich it is Lodged ? Could, jve but fee as njKch Pains taken upon this Head, as there has been upon the other, ne could not but hpe ^or a good Jffue. Till then, v:e think both our Fathers, and rre are very • fairly ' inffifSle in rcfufing Sub-\ < miffion to Canons, in framing rvjoich it is queftionable, irhethcr ths» Actors did not overfhoot their Authority. ■ However to ufe the Bi- {JjcpofSdium's Phrafe, jve cannot but think, that a Man-olight to be mildly. Correfted, ( not Excoinnuir.icatcd!!'^ for being r.vni-- Cffj^and Tfary in Things '^0b.dubien- ■ ■ ^' --^ ■ ' ,:■ ; 'yaiid 33^ A Defence of Part If* ; <* and come with the highelt Cenfures, where ' ft«r^ «/|- u perhaps there might be only a miftake, but ^/^TJi- " "^ malignity, this the Silenced Minilters vaffini of " efteem'd not only ading without a Warrant* his Semi- " ^^^ unfuitable to a true Ghriftiah Spirit, and mems^that " therefore could not fwear Submiflion* he was un- der 4 Mijlale. Baxter / Nonconformity Stated and Argue i^ Page 1 23. ^It hath been pleaded by many, that the "^ath of Canonical Obedience^ doth not oblige *' to approve of all that is in the Canons. To " which they ahfwer'd, that in their Judg- *' ment, the Cafe of a Minifter, was much the V " fame as that of a Juftice oi Peace. Tho' a " Juftice of Peace be not bound by his Oath . " to approve of every Law of the Land, yet ^ " he is bound to execute all of them by his id. Ibid. " Place, when he is called to it. * So alfo a ^age33. " Minifter taking the Oath of Canonical Obe* " dience, Is bound to execute the Canons^ and *' particularly thofe Canons where Ex much as be pretended to be difus'd ^ " and many of them were much lefs difus'd at ** that Time, when the Minifters were Ejed- " ed, than they have been at fome times lince i " But ftill fo long as there? is neither aiiy Pub-' " lick Declaration given, that might hel^ ^ to ** diftinguifh among thofe Canons (which \ «« ^ej-e all Enaded by the fame Authority) *•' which Part II. Moderate "Non-Conformity. 335 " which were yet binding, and which fuper- «' annuated \ nor a Liberty of judging in the " Cafe left to Private Minifters, fo long this *' Plea appears without any Force. For let '' any of them appear ever fo much difus'd, *' if the Ordinary thinks 'fit to interpofe with " his Authority for the reviving them, the *' Oath^ obliges to SubmifTion. Mr. dllyffe here fays. That the Cafe of a Mi- pag. 107.' nifter is not the fame with that of a jitfiice of Peace^ nor any thing like it. That it was en- tirely the fame, was not alTerted ; but that it is fomething like it, I think cannot fairly be deny'd. A Jnfiice of Peace ( fays he ) bejides his Oath of Obedience to thie Queen^ takes an Oath to pHt her Laws in Execution \ and this makes the ^ effential Diflerence- Whereas for my Part I caa herein difcern no effential Difference. For ia like manner a Clergyman folemnly Promifes at the Time of his Ordination, that he will reve* rently obey his Ordinary^ and other chief MinifterSy itnto whom the Government and Charge is commit' ted over Him. And then afterwards (as I think I may fay has before been clear'd ) He takes aii Oath of obeying the Bifhop in whofe Dio- cefs he fixes, according to the Canons \ which is as real an obliging himfelf to put thofe Laws in Execution ( as far as they are to be execu- ted by-Jiim ) as is either the Oath of a Bilhop to his Metropolitan *, or the Oath of a Juftice, upon his accepting a Commiflion. But ( fays he ) this ^iOath is not like the Jufiices Oath^ but like^ that which every SitbjeSt takes to his f roper Governonr. 1 Ihould rather fay, it is like both in different Refpeds. As far as it binds to an Execution of the Canons upon Equals and In- feriors, 'tis like the Oath of a Juftice of Peace ; But as it binds to this under the Diredioa of 554 ^ Defence df . Fart. 11. of the Ecclefiaftical Laws, 'tis like the Oath of a Subjeft to his proper Governor; And tho' he will not allow, that ^^^ Inftance of B enouncing Bxcommnnications is to my pyefent Purpofe, yet he muft give me leave to be of another Mind, till he difprove it. * rart I. jyjj._ fioadly alfo herein Concurs ^ and Ikys, P^S- ^5^' That the Cafe of a Minifter in this Matter is., not the fame -with that of a.Jnfiice of Peace \ untcfs the Oath a jnfiice takes he an Oath of Obedience to the Future Commands of one particular Perfon^ un" der vphofe JnfpeEtion He is to execute his Office: jind unlefs the Obedience be limited to lawful and homfi Thin^Sy and a Liberty left him of demur- ring upon the Commands of his Superior's. As^ fof ^ the firft of thefe Inftanees, I grant there's a Diffirailitude : But tho' the Oath of a Juftice hath not that Reference to the Infpedion of any particular Perfon, as the Oath of a Cler- gy-man has to that of his Bilhop ^ yet as far ^s fixed Laws are tb 1)e executed, their Cale agrees. But the other inftancCj I look upon as needlefs ^ for in that th^re is no real Diffe- rence ^ Ilnce the Obedience of a Juflice of Peace is as really limited to lawful and honefl Things y as that of a Clergy-man to his Bifhop. If it is ex- prefs'd in one Oath, it is neceuarily imply'd in the other, and indeed it muit be fo iu eve- ry Oath; as that Excellent Cafuift: Bifhop San- der fon has, clearly prov'd. He then asks me. Whether I really think, that a Juflice binds him" felf to execute every particular Law of the Land^ not public kly Abrogated^ when called to it. I An- ■ fwer, to. an unlawful or diflionelt Thing, he jcannot be properly bound u But I fhould think iie had much better refufe liis CommifTion, than leem to bind himfelf to what he could not ju* ili fie his. a^ing in. • B>it as .to the Psrallcl he riftcr wards Part 11. Moderate Non-Conformity. 535 afterwards runs in the Cafe of a Juf^ice, there's one thing he has overlook'd, which make? a mighty difference. The CommifTion of a Jl!- ftice is Arljitrary '■, may at any^ time be with- drawn at the Pleafure of the Prince, or thrown up by himfelf ^ if it prove BuMenfonie : And then the Obligation of the Oath ceafes. Where- as thei^Minifterial Funftion is undertaken for Life ^ and that Ordination Promife of Submifli- on to the Ordinary binds, as long as the Fun- ction continues: And the Oath of 'Canonical 'Obedience mufl bind as long, as i*erfonscbnt&«e in the Exercife of that Funiflion : For tho' a Man may be difobli^d as to one Bifhop, by re- moving out of his iBiocefs into another ^ yet he there is forc'd by ^he Bifliop of the Diocef^ he re- f moves into, to come urtder the Obligation of the fame Oath, which he can't get free from, as long as he continues in the fiaied Exercife of his Mi- niftry under the National Eftablifhment. But, he fays,- (ftill fpe'aking of Juftices of the pag- i^^- Peace ) none of their Suferiours would let them openly ^exflain their tneanin^y and fay^, Thefe Laws Iwill Execute^ and thefe I will not. Ndr is it fo Neceflary in their Cafe, as in the C^fe of Ihe Ecclefiaftical Laws. For the Ground bf our Statute Laws is unfpeakably Clearer, than that of our Ecclefiaftical LaWs. Befides,' if a Juftice cloes not Execute the Statutes as i^ was expefted, (befides the particular Penalty affix'd in Cafes wherein the Government is peculiarly Hearty , "as was formerly Teen in the Cafe of Diflehters) the utmoft Hazard he rari§ is of loofing his CommiiTion •, which when it would prove enfnaring,^ cannot by a Wife Man be e- fteemed a Damage : But in a Clergy-Man's Cafe the Penalty of Difobedience to particular Orders, (even tho' he quellions the Lawfulileft 2 tif 53^ A Defence of Part II. of Obeying them) is the lofs of Living and Livelihood/, nay the fending a Man to the De- fFil by Excommunication. In this Cafe, I think, it may .with much more Reafonbe infifted on, that a Man have liberty to Explain himfelf, that he may not be Enfnar'd and Ruin'd. He goes on, and fays, They (meaning Juftices) j4^ Sincerely and Honefily^ in taking fach an Oath^ if they fatisfie their Confciences at to thofe Laws^ which they themfelves may probably^ in the frefent State ofi things^ be call d and recjuir'*d to Execute. Far be it from me to deny it : But then Mr. Hoadly knows very well, that whoever defgns to Ojjiciate^ as a Afinifiery in any Churchy Acts^ot fairly and honefily^ if he do not frfi fatisfie his Con- fcience about the Lawfulnefs of Obedience to fuch 1 . Jii^iles and Prefcriptions^ as have been laid down and ^ agreed upon by the Governors of this Churchy for ^ the regulating the Behaviour of all whfi Minifter in ity and refolve to Obey them. And this, I think, is a fair Parallel, which was the thing contefted. But then (fays he) fuppofwg this Oath of Mini- fiers to be Parallel to that of JufiiceSy you are obllgd either to fww^ that a Jufiice binds himfelf ^ $9 the Execution of every particular Law^ not abro- gated (which you cannot do) or to make tha fame .Allowances for Minifiers as you can do^'Upon Occa- fion for other s^ and not to think harder of them than you ufually do of others. To give my free Tho'ts j 'ti^ with me of fmall Account, whether the Minifters Oath be like that of Juftices of the Peace or not. Mr. Baxter did indeed Aflert it j and if it won't hold, I don't fee how I am re- Iponlible. And yet I don'r- fee, if it be at all Parallel, it muft be fo in all Refpeds, when there are many obvious Cafes, in which there is a very difcernible difference. Some have been already hinted, and more might ealily he Af- fign'd^ Fart 11. Moderate Uon-Conformity, 537 lign'cl. A Law may be Dubious, and then I can't fay, a Juftice is oblig'd to A£l, even tho' he has the Senfe even of my Lord Chancellour: But as to the Senfe and extent of the Obliga- tion of Ecclefiaftical Laws, a Clergy-Man is bound, by his Oath, to take his Meafures from his Diocefan.- This makes a great Difference. And yet, after all, I am free to make confi- derable allowance for Minifters that take this Oath of Canonical Obedience : I can allow, that they are not oblig'd to Obey any particular Canons, that are not agreeable to them, till they are call'd upon by their Ordinary : I can allow, that they are not at all oblig'd, in the light of God, to things which their Ordinary may efteem Lawful ani Honeft, if they have contrary Apprehenfions of them •, even tho' they may, upon this Account, be reprefented as Contumacious ^ tho' in this Cafe, I can't fee, that the Conftitution hath made fufRcient Provifion for their Judgment of Difcretion , which is the very thing tlj^t was intended by our Fathers, when they complain'd, that they had not in thefe Cafes a Judgment of Difcreti- on left them. I can farther allow, that if when they are call'd upon to any thing that they are perfwaded is unlawful and di{honeft,they rather quit their Livings than comply, they are Jiot juftly chargeable with violating their Oath^tney are rather to be Pity'd than Upbraided : But I can by no means allow, that an Oath is as juftifiable with Reference to the Laws of the Churchy as with Reference to the Civil Laws of the Land \ or when fuch an Oath is impos'd, that they confult their own Peace, or the good of the Church, who take it, intending to neg- lect fundry Canons, which they know (or might know 5 if they would) their Diocefans delign to Z 2 oblige A Defence of Part IL oblige them ftridly to obferve. And fliould any Confequences arife from hence, that might grate upon any other Order, 'tis not in my P.ower to help it. " 2. Another Capital Reafon, why they '' fcriipled taking the Oath of Canonical Obedi* *f efice^ was, becaufe they found, the Epifcopal *' Government manag'd by Chancellours Courts, " (which were kept in the Bifliops name indeed, " while they in the mean time were not fuf- " fered to Ad in them) where Laymen Exer* *' cife the Chnrch Keys^ by decretive Excommu*' *' nicatiom and Ahfoliitlons. They found the *' word Ordinary mentioii'd in the Oath, would *' admit of divers Sences. That it not only " meant the Bilhop of the Diocefs, but the " Judges in their Courts. This is the Sence *' given by Coufms in his Tables, and by all " Civilians. And as for the other Chief Mmi^ " fiers added in the Oath, or to, whom Subje- " dion was tobe S\vf)rn, they faw not how lefs '' could be thereby meant, than all the Arch- ^*' Deacons^ Officials^ Comijfaries^ and Surrogates^ *' with the reft of tlie Attendants upon thofe " Courts. " The Silenced iMiniftefs durft not bind 't tMemfelvcs by Oath to a Submifilon of this *^ Nature, for fear of concurring to overthrow U. Ihid. " the Pajhral Office. They could not think the pag. 34. " Adminiftration of the Sacraments properand " peculiar to Paftors, if the- Keys were not fb •' too. For the moll proper life of the Keys is " in a way of judging, wlio is to be admitted to *' Sacramental Communion, and who debar'd ** it. If only delivering the Elements, and not " judging to vyhom, be proper to the Pallor, ", then is he to fee with other Mens Eves. Now ■^--- • ' *Mt Part II. Moderate Noft'Conformity. 359 *' it was their fixed Apprehenlion, that in a '* matter of fo great Moment and Confe- '* quence, it was their Duty to fee with their *' own Eyes, and not Ad Blind-fold: And " that our Lord Jefus Chrifl had invefted all " that were Paflors with that meafure of " Power, which was Ncceflary, in order to the " fecuring the dired ends of their Office. Such '* Power, its true, might be abufed, and there- '' fore they were not ( as fome have charged *' them) againft being accountable in cafe of " fuch an Abufe : But then they at the fame *' time apprehended, that an Appeal in fuch a " Cafe, would be much more properly lodged " with a Synod, (whofe having a fixed Prefi- " dent or Bilhop, would not have difgufted the '' generality of them, efpecially if he were *' chofen by the Synod it felf ) or with a meet- *' ing confilting partly of Minifters, and partly " of Deputies from the Neighbouring Churches, " than with a fet of wrangling Lawyers, whofe ". concern in fuch matters, they look'd upon as '^ irrational as well as unfcriptural j and whofe '' Management of them was more likely to be " Calculated for their own Profit, than the *' Credit of Religion, and the Purity of the " Church. " As for the Provifion made hy the Rubrkk " before the Office for the Communion in the " Common Prayer Book, viz.. That when a Mini- " fier keeps any Per fans from the Sacrament ^he Jhould " within Forty Days give an Account to tl/e Ordi- " nary, that he might proceed again/t them accor" " ding to the Canons ^ they could not acquiefce ia " it, becaufe diflatisfy'd as to the Grounds upon *' which thefe Ordinaries ( whether they were " meer Laymen, fimple Presbyters, or Pioce- " fa* ) appropriated the Cognizance of mat- Z 3 " ters 340 A Defence of part II. " ters of this Nature to themfelves, wliicli in « the Judgment of Common Sence was more " proper for thofe that had the oppqrtuuity of *' Perfonal Infpe£tion, than for meer Strangers. *' They were alfo confirmed in their diflike of *' this Method of Proceedure, becaufe of the ** Difficulty, Tedioufnefs, Vexatioufnefs, and " Expenfivenefs of it i becaufe of the number *' that muft be accus'd if the Canons were fol- *' lowed *, becaufe of the great hindrance it *' would be to them in their Minifterial Work ^ " and in a word, becaufe of the impoflibility of *' keeping lip any Real DtfcifUne in fuch a way. * The " i^^ which they were much Confirm'd by Ob- Church " fervation and Experience. * themfelves have nfltheen infenjihle of C9rrfippons in this refpeU. A- tnongjit others, Bi/hnp 'Gurnet, ^it the clofe of his Excellent Hijlory of the Reformation Notes, That there was one thing (ive codd heartily mfh there vpere no more^ yetwantinp: to coin pleat the Reformation of this Church, which was the reftoring a Primitive Difcipline agaii'ft Scandalous -Perfon?, the eftablilliing the Government of the Church ift^cclefiaftical Hands, and taking it out of LaV- hands, who have fo long prophan'd it, and have expoled the Autority of ;the Church, and the Cenfures of it, chiefly Excom- municmony to the Contempt of the Nation j by which the. Re- verence due to HolyThings, is in fo great a meafure loft, and the dreadfulleft of all Cenfures, is now becoine the moil Scorned and Defpifed. Ahridgmem, pag. ^6j. " Aiid as to the lub'mitting to the Detcrmi* • ** nations and Injunctions of thefe Ordinaries^ in "*' which they had not by this Oath and Cove-"- '" nantfo much as,^ Judgment of Difcretion " left them, they durfl not engage, or bind " themfelves, for fear of approving Sacrilegi* *Voua Prophanefs. For if it be fo for meer " Laymen uncalFd and anqualified, to ^Ifurp ** the;bther parts of the Paftoral Office, par- *' ticularly Part 11. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, 34.1 " ticularly- the^ Adminiftration of the Sacra- " ment, (as it is generally elteem'd) then they " conceiv'd it muft be fo too, for them to *' Ufurp the Power of the Keys. And if the " Bifhops took it for Ufurpation in Presbyter Sy " to take upon them to exercife Power in this " Cafe, as fuppofing it proper and peculiar to " themfelves, they could not fee, why they " fhould not judge it much more fo in Lay* " men. " As for Excommunications and Abfoluti- ", ons, they look'd upon them as very weigh- "ty Matters, and durft not agree to trifle in " them. If the Bilhops could truft their Con- " fciences with their Chancellors, and leave '' them to pafs Sentence in their Names, with- *' out ever hearing or trying the Caufes de- " pending ^ and fufFer them to Excommunicate " Perfons for them, tho' they knew not on " whom they pafs'd that heavy Cenfure, nor **, why they did it, it was to themfelves ^ as " the Minifters could not llnderftand it, fo " neither could they help it v and they were " not Refponfible for it : But when they " brought thefe matters home to their own " Door, and requir'd of them, that they alfa " (hould truft their Confciences in the fame " Hands, they defir'd to be excus'd 'till they^ *' were better Satisfy'd in the Point. They •* could not yield to receive and publifh their " Excommunications blindly, leaft they fhould " be chargeable with their Irregularities and '' Abufes \ And be the Inftruments of Mo- " lefting. Worrying, and Ruining, as Religi- " ous Perfons perhaps as any in their Parifhes. " Nor durft they confent to publilh the Abfo- *' iutions of Notorious Debauchees, who have *' given (it may be) no other Proof of Repen- Z 4 tance J42 A Defence, of Part IF. " tance of their Crimes, befides paying the " Fees of the Court. Thefe things they well " knew expos'd the Cenfures of the Church to, *' Scandal and Contempt, and therefore they '^ Id. Ibid. " were unwilling to give an helping Hand. ^ Pf 105. , " And to take fuch an Oath as this of Cam- '' nical Obedience^ and make ftich a Covenant '^ with a Referve to themfelves, afterwards to '^ demur upon the Commands of the Ordinaryy " when agreeable to the ftanding Rules of the " Ecclefiaftical Adminiltration ^ or make light '*: of the Canons.^ which were defign'd to be the " Handing Rules of their Obedience, before *' they were Repealed or Supcrfeded -^ they '' could not look upon as any other then Egre- " gious DifTimulation : And therefore they '' thought it much fafer to wave this Oath al- '' together, and keep themfelves free from any '* fuch enfnaring Bond. Mr. Ollyjfie here feems to think he has a great Advantage, becaufe the promife and Oath are confider'd Promifcuoufly, as making up but one Engagement to a Subjedion to the prefent Ec- f' ic7- ClefiafticarConftitution. The Oath of Canonical Obedience ( fays he ) h.-u not the word Ordinary^ nor Chief Minifier tn it, ' 'Tis true : Any Man that reads may fee as much. But when the Or-^ dination Promife hath both \ and it is fo Evi- dent, that that Promife is both £xplain'd an^ Confirmed by the fubfequent Oith, the Miftake, I hope, cannot be of any mighty Moment. '^mX: ViX.O^yjfe feems to Queftion whether Oath or Pro- mife bind to a regard to the Ecclefiaftical Courts. p io3. ^^ o^v"s however, that by Ordinary^ not only ^' " the Bifhops, but the Judges of thefe Courts are meant by the Civilians ^ but he fays, ^tis Evident^ his not fo Hs\i in this Promife^ becaufe it.is'O^-^ pefi% Part II. Moderate Nm^Conformity, 545 pre/ly difiinguijhed firom the other Chief Minifiers, Poflibly this may feem Evident to him, when it may not be fo to another. For tho' the Or- dinary be diftinguifh'd from the other Chief Mi- nifiers^ yet the word may refer to the Lay- Chancellor, who Afts as the Bilhops Deputy, as well as to the Bifhop himfelf, upon Suppo- fition, that by the other Chief Mim'fiers the Arch- deacons be meant, as he apprehends : That thefe j4rch'deacons arc Lay-men^ I never ( as I know of ) imagin'd. As for his other Argu- ment, that Tire find not the word us'd in any other Senfe^ than for Minificrs of Chrifi in the whole Book of Ordination^ or of the Liturgy of which it ts a part ; fuppofe it true, I think ftilj, the Ca^ . nonical Senfe of a Canonical Promife and Oath is not liable to juft Objedion^ nay is moft pro- per. And why he fhoutd be difturb'd at the reprefenting Obedience^ oi oxoing not only to Lay- men^ hut to the very Attendant i on thofe Courts^ I cannot fee^ when it is thro' their Hand the Or^ ders of the Bifhop pafs, to which they are oblig'd by ,their Oath to be Subjed. But he fays, for their parts they are willing to follow the Godly Admonitions even ,, of Lay-men , whether Chancellors and Officials in one Conrtj or Judges and Juflices in another : They did ill to go in- to fuch a Conftitution as ours if they were not; But 'twill be well, if they are not hamper'd in Procefs of time, as many have been before them: For in the Ecclefiafticai Courts, (and with the Civil I meddle not, for they ftand upon ano- ther bottom) all thofe pafs for Godly Admoni' tionsy which are agreeable to the Canon Law, as far as it remains uncontradi^ed by the Law of the Land. In all fuch Cafes, to be bound to Obedience, upon Order, is an Engagement, I fliould think, not very delirable, nor to be Boafted of. He 544 A Defence of Part II. Bag. 10^. He in the next Place conilders, Hoxo far Mi- nifters ^yc obliged to fubmit to the Determinations of thefe Courts. And here he Aflerts, that no Tart of the Paft-oral Power is taken from Miniflers that Chrifh hath pv en them. This Mr. Corbet^ to whom he re^rs me, Aflerts i»t that I can find. He fays indeed, the Paftoral Power is conferred in the Church of England : But that it is not taken away by the Ecclefiaftical Con- ftitution, as to the Exercife of it, in fundry Inftances, he AlTerts not. He would have fpar'd the Refledion that follows, upon the Silenced Aiiniflers^ who took the Oath of Allegiance ^ notwithfl^anding^ that the Law refirairt^d the Ea-^^- cife of their Miniflry almofi in all Points^ had he well confiderM the Nature of that Oath, which has been before confider'd. He pleafantly adds*, yet did we never reproach them with own- ing that Government by Oathj which thus rejlrains ihem : Which might pals for a Kindnefs in thefe Gentlemen, if they could but prove, that the Silenc'd Minifters, as much own'd the Go- vernment in its Refl;raints upon t^em, as the Conforming Clergy are bound to do, by the Confbitution. ^^ Pag. 1 10. Butdo^sMr. OUyffc really think, that there is no Duty requir'd of a Minifter in the Dif- charge of his Funftion, ia which he is cramp'd and hinder'd hj the National Conftitution ? His arguing would- feem to intimate as much'. For my Part I ftiould rather term it a Minifters Duty, than his Power, to keep Perfons noto- rioufTy Scandalous from the Lords Table *. And perhaps it might be lefs qffenflve.. Are the Minifters of the Church of England at Liberty to Adi in this Gafe ?' He r^ers to Mr. Baxter for Proof, ^.ndhe do's indeed affert, what is ci- ted out of him : But then in the fame Page, he has Part II. Moderate Non-Conformity, 345 has thefe Words *, the Canons do fmfittly limit the Exercife of their Tower y ( the Caufe of our Cata^ mities. ) And indeed, all that it was to his Pur- pofe there to afTert was this ^ that there were no fuch defefts of Paftoral Power in the Mini- fters of the GH'urch of England^ as fhould need to hinder Men from joining in the Parifh Wor- fhip. But tho' this be granted, he elfewhere with freedom complains, of their being woful- ly hamper'd and fetter'd. 'Tis true, 'tis well known. That the Rnbrlclk Commands to ieep off all notorious ill Livers^ Sec. And 'tis as well known, both that a Miniller is liable to an Action for refullng to give the Sacrament to the mofl fcandalous Perfon, wheii it is necelTary to qualific him for a Place ^ and that there's no jullifying in the Ecclefiaftical Courts the Exclulion of the mdft notorious ill Liver, if he can but fecure the Favour of the Chancellour^ no not tho' the Pariih Minifter fhould be fo happy as to have his Bilhop con- curring with him. If Mr. Ollyffe thinks fuch Things as thefe are to be extenuated or Plead- ed for, I can oTily fay I'm forry for it. He might very well have fpar'd his Queftion, Wh.Q can think it defireable^ that one Minjfier lia^ hie to many Infirmities^ fhould be left fole Judge in a Matter of this Importance ? For he knows, 'twas not the delire of Mr. ^B^A-fer or his Bre- thren. They were free for Appeals ^ to pre- vent Parti-vlity and Injuftice : But not to Courts, where fuch Things were made Matters of gain j and fuch debates were to make up a Lively- hood. And tho' he is fo ftrangely Modelt, as not to think himfelf fit for fuch a Work \ yet re- Pag. II I.' ally I muft beg leave to have that Opinion of Mr. Ollyfcy as to ^hink him a fitter Mart to jujcjge, who of his Parilhioners ought to be kept ^^6 A Defence of part II. kept from the Sacrament on the Account of Im- moralities, than the Chancellor of theDiocefs^ and hovy mean foever his Apprehenfions may be as to himfelf, I fcarce Queftion, but he has as good tho'ts of his Neighbours as this amounts to. And tho' he pretends to differ from me, Pag. 112. in thinking the Cogniz.mce is not fo fit for Neigh- hours as for Strangers •, yet -upon Suppofition he had told a lewd Parifhioner of his, that till he gave fome Sign of Reformation, he durfl not. deliver the Lord's Supper to him, and he rec- kon'd himfelf injur'd and hardly dealt with, and was thereupon for Appealing, I am apt to apprehend, he would himfelf rather choofe to refer this Matter to the Cognizance of fome Clergy-men in his Neighbourhood, than to the Lay-Chancellour : And he would foon get ovef thofe weighty, Confiderations he hath added upon this Head. Or if he rather choofes to ride fome fcores of Miles, and give Attendance upon the Chancellor and his Servitors, and try it out with his Parifhioner, which of the Two can fpend moft Money to carry the Caufe ^ let him have his Liberty fay J : Only let him not be angry with his Brethren, if they think they can Ipend their Time better ^ and are not foiid of fuch a Method, which has no great Tendency to fpread or promote Religion. '. But fays Mr. Ollyffe^ the Af^ed is to be lod£d with the Bijljo^ : 'Tis true, the Appeal- mull be made to him for Form-fake ^ but His Chancel- lor lias the Power, and he cannot A^ without hiA'i And let the Minifter appeal to the Bi- jhop, and he approve his Proceeding, if the Pafiihioner appeals to the Ecclefiafticai Court, and get the Chancellor on his fide. He may de- fie both Minifter and Bifliop too ^ and the Cler- gy-man concern'd ihall foouer incur Sulpenli- on. Part 11. Moderate Non-Co fiformhy. 547 on, than he can gain the Approbation of the Court for his Proceedings. And therefore I rather think the Chancellor to be the Ordinary intended, than the Bifliop. For he can Aft in fuch Matters without confulting the Bifhop 5 and when the Bilhop hath been confulted, and given his Senfe, he can reconfider it ^ and give a different Senfe : And his Determination Ihall . ftand in Law, tho' different from the Bilhops : And a Minifter fhall be liable to Sufpenfion for refufing Compliance ^ nay to Excommunicati* on, if he is Contumacious. If fo, tho' I drop the Notion of Power, of which I have no great * fondnefs, I don't fee how a Minifter can dif- charge his Duty. Methinks it ihould not be forgotten, that when a certain Bifliop heard of a Caufe corruptly manag d, he came into the- Court to redifie it •, and his Chancellor very fairly and mannerly bid him be gone ^ for he had no Power there to Act any thing: And therewith pulls out the Patent that was Seal'd by his Predecedbr in that See, which frighted the poor Bifhop out of the Court. (^) And we S%- r have alfo a like Inftance in Bilhop Bedd 0). p^^^"^' For my Part, I am not afham'd to own,,! had ^A' 5^^^ rather have no other Government,, than fingle ;/,^^ ^i^ Congregations may have within themfelves '. jhopsLife, Than have the Government in the Hands of written by the Courts Ecclefiaftick, as it really is in the Bifhop Church of England. And tho' Mr. Ollyjfe will Burnet, have it. That they are not hound to follow blindly ^^S^ ^^• the Determination of thefe Courts^ yet as long as*^'^o'*^3' there is no relief againll their Determinations, tho' ever fo different from the Gofpel Rule, I think he manifefts not that concern for Refor- mation, that might be expected from him, at all to vindicate them. However, lince.he is fo Pag. 115. fond of their Methods, and is for having Mat- ters 34S J Defence of Part 11. ters of FaSh iu fiich Cafes try'^d by the Lawyers^ We Envy him not his Satisradion. But when Pag. 116. he himfelf owns, That a Mimfier is not ohlig'd^ to denounce by folemn Sentence^ a Perfoti £xcom^ municate^ whom he thinks in his Confcicnce not Gfiiltyy tho' the Court has decreed it *, I think he in EfFedowns, that he has but hamper'd him- felf, when he gave thofe who are entrufted with the Ecclefiaftical Adminiftration, the Advan- tage of urging him with his Promife and Oath Pag. 117. in the Cafe. And tho' he fays, aMinifier at this Day^ that carries it with Frudence and Hh- mility^ is in no great Danger ^ yet we know it * has been otherwife, and may be io again. 'Twas otherwife after 1661 \ and the Minifbers that were then Living might eafily forefee it would. But tho' the Banger Ihould not be great ^ yet *^f there be any Danger, 'tis hard for a wife Man to run himfelf into it •, and I fhould think he would have the lefs Comfort in that Dan- ger, when he remembers that he bro't it upon himfelf, by his own Promife and Engagement \ which upon this very Account, can difficultly be juftify'd. ; : ■ ,- ^t 'w- Tart t.. Mr. Hoadty alfb isprfetty wkfm /»» this F*S'i5^ i^ead... He fays. Let the Cafe be never- fo bad^ *52« and my Reprefcntation of it never fo true^ this Oath obliges yon to no Obedince, but what you your felf think Lawful, &c. But with his good leave, if the Oath be an Engagement to obey the Bi- ihop according to the Laws or Canons of Chrifts Church ^ and the Execution of thefe Laws and Canons according to which the Bifhop is to be o- bey'd, be in the Hands of thefe Courts, then are thefe Courts to be comply'd with ^ and he that did not intend to comply with them therein, had better not have taken the Oath. And tliis I ipeak from my Confciencej to which the Gen- tlemad Part 11. Moderate Non-Coftformity. ^-^^ tleman Appeals v and that after I (according to his defire) have looFd over again the fajfages he refers to. 'Tis true, the Oath can't bind irx things unlawful \ that no Oath can proper- ly do : But if it do but feem to bind to things that are Unlawful, I doubt it would be hard to prove it Lawful to take it. He lays however, that he does not deny hut it ispoffihle^ Men may p. 155^ fuffer fome Inconvenience for refujing Obedience in fome Cafes. Very foftly put ! 'tis poGible, once in an Age perhaps, there may he fome Inconve- nience ^ as of a Suipenfion, or Excommunicati^ on, or fb : Many yet living can remember, when a Minifter in the Church was fufpended, for not burying a Corps in his Surplice, when the Surrogate bid him do it at the Grave. " And fuch a thing, I fuppofe, may happen now and then ^ but that's not all : I fhall take leave to put a Qiiery in another Strain ; is it poflible there fhould be any other than great Corrupti- ons in fuch Courts as thele, and great Hardmips upon the moft Confcientious Minifters ? And I could give him Inftances even in King William's Days, (to look no farther back) but, that I am unwilling to offend fome yet living. But, that which feems to difturb him moft, is this : That mention fhould be made of their acting Blindfold. Let the Cafe then.be confider'd, and let an in- different Perfon Judge, how far things fall fhoj;t of it A Minifter at his Ordination, is engag'd by Promife, to be fubject to thofe concern'd in the Adminiftration of the Ecclefiaftical Govern- ment: And coring in procefs of time, to have the care of the Souls of fuch a Parilh com- mitted to him, that the Church may have far- ther fecu! ity he'll be an Obedient Son, he muft Swear to A^ in his Cure under the inipeftionof the 5^0 A Defence vf Part IL the Byhop of the Diocefs. As for the Bifhop, tho' he has the name of the Eccleliaftical Ad- miniftration , yet the thing is really in the Hands of the Lay-Chancellor : So that in the Senfeof our Conftltiition, acting under the Bi- fliops Infpe(fi:ion is following the Orders of the Court, in which the Lay-Chancellor Sits as Judge. To this Court properly belongs the Judgment of all matters of Government in this Minifter's Parilh : And when this Court makes Decrees, be they right or wrong •, agreeable to the Scripture or not, the Minifler muft • Obey, or he muft be Punifhed in the Degree, which the Canon Law requires, as far as it is not contradifted by the Law of the Land. He is liable to be fufpended, either barely ^& O/- ficiv^ Or both, ab Officio & Beneflcio'^ or Excom- municated as w^ell as fufpended according to the nature of his Difobedience. Now for Mini- llers, in things, which our Blefled Saviour has pfToperly fubjefted to their Cognizance, to be thus bound by the Decrees of others, according to the Conftitution, is as great an Obligation to ASt Bimdfold^ as reafonable Creatures are capable of in any Cafe. By which it is not meant, that it is really a becoming or juftifiable thing in them, either to put out or ihut their own Eyes ^ But, that the Conftitution has done as much to force them to it, as it can well ht fuppos'd could be done. And here I muft take my Leave of Mr. 0/- lyfeif who has not tho't fit to proceed any farther, in confidering the Reafons of the Ejed- ed Minifters. He renews his Charge at Part- p, 117. irig, 6f my tahng things by theworfi handle^ as to which, I think what has been fuggefted under the feveral Particulars inay be fufficient'for my Juftification, Tho' the truth of it is, he is fo frequent Part I r. Moderate 'Non-Conformity, 551 frequent in his Exclamations •, and fb particular in his Acculations at every turn, that he is too Officious for the generality of our Modern Readers, who love to have feme Defeds left to their own Obfervation, without being point- ed to every thing as with a Fefcue. At lafl: he comes to the Head of Kindnefs^ where, I think verily we are able to vye with him and his . Neighbours; Why (fays he) mufi we now be treat- P* ' '^' ed fo unkindly^ m to have our mofi Solemn ABings reprefented in fuch firange Colours^ &c. Truly Sir) here was no unkindnefs to you intended. for we Honour your Perfons ^ we value your Labours,and heartily pray God to Succeed them; and yet cannot but fay, that for us to take your Method, would be little to our Satisfadi- oh. But he having given me fo Grave an Ad- monition, upon the whole, I think I muft not pafs it by. We cannot but Befeech and Admonijh pa?, 84,' him (lays he) as a Brother in the Lord^ to conjider tphofe Work he hath been doings and whdm he Gra- tifies by thefe Mif-reprefentations of ta. He knows the Minifiry of England to be fet for the Defence of the C off el at this Day againfi Deilts, Socinians, and a nnmerous Company of Blaf^hemom jidve^rfa- ries of all Religion ; and he might eaftly gaefs^ that what words he puts into their Mouths againfi w^ by this way of Difcourfing^ they will be fure to uCe againfi all Religion as Priefi-Craft^ and againfi the Alinifiry in general^ or as they exprefs itj Priefis of all forts. In Anfwer, I can alTure Mr. Ollyfie and his Brethren, that I have confider'd the Matter with all the Serioufnefs I was able : And the more I confider, the more I am convinc'd, that the covering the grofs Defeats of the pre- fent Conftitution, is far from being for the Ho- nour of God, or the Credit of Religion: lam ilill farther fatisfy'd, that what I have done,. is A a but 352 A Defence of Part II. but a piece of Juftice to our Fathers, who hay^ gone before us, and our Pofterity, who are tp rife up after us : I am but the more adar'd, that thofe charges upon the prefent Conftitu- tion are well Grounded, which are attempted to be evaded as Mif-reprefentations •, by thole who are themfelves charg'd for their pains, as Mif-reprefenters, by the true Sons of the Church: I am but the more Confirmed in my Adherence to Non-conformity, as the Caufe of Truth and. Charity. Should any thing I have faid be abus'd by the open Enemies of all Religion, i muft: Confefs I Ihould think it very unhappy": But am not aware it can juftly be charg'd upoa me as my Fault. And I can freely leave it to all indifferent Perfons to Judge,, who give m'oit encouragement to run down Religion as Priefi- Crafty they who from Scripture, Reafon, and Experience, Argue againft great and vifible Corruptions, in order to their being Redrefs'd;, when Divine Providence Ihall offer a favourable Opportunity v or they, who vindicate unwar- Oll. p. 2. rantable Impofitions, while they have no Heart or Will to the Continuance of them, hut have doH6 all they can to remove them : And who are Id Zealous to make Profelytes of their Brethren,- Ep. Ded.] while yet they fo earneftly difclaim a fiif jid' pag. 4. herence to the things in Debate. In the mean time, I think, I may juftly pretend to as great a Ve- neration for the Miniftry in General, and thie Mi-nifiry of England in Particular, as any Man whatfoever : Tho' I muft needs own, I think nothing would fo much fecure their Credit and Succefs, as that unfcriptural Methods being laid afide, we ftiould keep clofe to our Rule in the purfuit of Holinefs, Truth, and Peace, which he that fearches Hearts knows is the Summ of my Defires upon this Head. Could this Fart II. Moderate Non-Coiformity, 353 this be compafs'd, I don't apprehend we fhould have any need to fear all the Enemies of Reli- gion, were they ever fo numerous : And theref fore they that hinder this, ( be they who they will) as far as they do fb, they are £he Perfons, that give them their great Advantage. I fhall take the freedom to return Mr. Ollyjfe and his Brethren, a Senom Admonition in the words of Mr. Hoadly^ which I hope they will ^admit with a Brotherly Refped. C But however this be (fays he) / am fure it is not Part \l Keafonable nor Jttfiifiable for Verfons to Conform asp. 157a Afinifters to a Churth^ in which there are Laws laid down for their Behaviour in their Offce^and thef^ Laws neither abrogated nor difn fed with Connivance: To Conform^ ^ f^)-) ^ Miniftcrs to fuch a Churchy withoHt a refolution of obeying thefe Laws. For this ii not open and fair ^ it is a patting a Deceit upon the Governors, who to be fure doubt not but that all who offer themfeli/es to the Miniftry^ are fatisffd in their Confciences of thi lawfulnefs of alting-ac" cording to thefe Prefcriptions. And it looks not Sincere, for Men firfi to offer themfelves to the ^iniftry in this Churchy which ii in effeSt^ to pro- fefs^ that they are ready to Conform to fuch of the Canons at relate to their Behaviour, and are now in forccy and afterwards to A^ as they think ft, with- out regard to thefe Cdnons. Firfi to make a Jl]ew of Obedience to thefe Laws, and after this to att Clan- defiinely till they are found out and Cenfur^d, and then to think it enough to fnbtnit to the Penalty^ which they mufi do whether they will or no. The Law was certainly made to be obey'^d, and the Pc" nalty was not added to intimate, that any might take their Choice^ whether they Would Conform to the Law^ or fuhmit to that j or as if it were an indifferent thing to our Gouetnoms , whether toe chofe to Obey or to Suffer* A a 2 i 554 -^ Defence of Pa r t J 1 . I fliall make it my Requeft to them, not on- ly that they'll confider this Paflage, which I take to be of weight j But, that they will be fo Candid as to fuppofe, that others, whofe Sentiments differ from theirs in the matters debated, may Aft upon fuch Principles, as will juftifie them to their own Confciences at pre- fent, and to the Great God hereafter ^ Which if they'll but admit, it will be hard to give a Reafon, why a Brotherly AfFe- '^ fcribe a Declaration in thefe Words. I, A. B. *' do Declare^ that I do hold there lies no Ohliga" *' tion upon me, or any other Perfan^ from the Oath * " commonly called the Solemn League and Cove- " nant, to endeavour any change or alteration of " Government, either in Church or State : And^ *' that the fame was in it [elf an unlawful Oathf *' and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm^ *' againfi the known Laws and Liberties of this " Kingdom. " Tho' many of the Miniiters, who were " Ejeded, had not taken this Covenant, • and , *' more of them were all along againft the im- *' pofing it, yet would not their Confciences " allow them to yield to fuch a Renunciation " as this, for which a Parallel can hardly be ^' found in any Age. They were convinc'd, " that altho' a Vow fhould be linfully impos'd *' and linfully taken, it yet binds in a matter " that is Lawful and Neceflary ^ and they ' *' found this Was the Determination of the moffc . " Cele- cc cc u Fart II Moderate Non-Co?iformity. 355 " Celebrated Cafuifts.' Part of this Covenant " they were convinced was both Lawful and " Necellary, and therefore they could not de- " clare Perfons free from all Obligation by it, " without violating the Rights of Confcience. " Every Man's endeavouring in his proper " Place and Sphere to alter Church-Govern^ " ment, as far as he was convinc'd of its be- ing Faulty, appeared to them a matter of Duty J and a thing to which that Covenant fo far oblig'd all that took it, as that all the Princes and Prelates in Chrifiendom^ could not give a Difpenfation in the Cafe. But *' for every one in Holy Orders to determine *' for all in three Kingdoms that took the Cove- *' nant, that they were no way Oblig'd by it; • " they efteem'd an unprefidented inftance of *' Aflliming. They remembred , that King *^ Charles himfelf had taken it in Scotland^ with " all poflible Appearance of Serioufnefs and *' Solemnity, and therefore durft not hawrd '■^ that King's Soul by concurring in fo Lax a ^' Publick Cafuiftical Determination, as fhould " confirm him in the Belief, that he was u- *' blig'd to nothing by t\[Q Covenant^ as far as *' what it contain'd was Lawful : Nor could ^" they fee, how they fhould have been able to :*' anfwer it to God if they had. It was plead- " ed, the Covenant was againlt the Laws of " England : Be it fo ; yet they could not find " it fo much as Pretended, it was againft the *' Laws of Scotland : And therefore, tho' it *' had been pwn'd , thrt it had not oblig'd '' Men here in Englandy yet they could not fee " what warrant they had to determine it fhould '' bind none in the Kingdom of Scotland : But " in fhort they durft not run the hazard of " tempting the King himfelf, and Thoufands A a 3 *' of CI 4C 35^ J Defence of Fart 11. " of his Subjects in the Three Kingdoms, to *' incur the Guilt of Perjury ^ or of havdning " them under that Guilt •, by Declaring they '' were no way oblig'd by Covenanting, what " could not be made appear to be unlawful. " The Minifters would have been free to have Subfcrib'd, that the Covenant bound no Man to be falfe to the Government they were un- der, or Rebellious againft the King, or ta " endeavour to -alter our Monarchy, or de- " prive the King of any of his juft Rights and " Prerogatives ^ They would have given their *' Hands, that they would never endeavour to *' change any part of Church Government, " which Chrift had inftituted for Continuance, " or, which had a tendency to contribute to *' Purity, Peace, or Order ^ nay, they would *' have abjur'd all Attempts to introduce any *' fort of change in the Ecclefiaftical Settlement *' in a tumultuous and illegal Way : But far- fBaxter's " ther they durft not go, for fear of contri- Mncon- " buting to a National Guilt. "^ ' Tffity St a- ■■.■'■■ ted and Argued, pag, 125. His Plea for Peace, pag. 208. Cor- bet's Remains, pag. 1 67. Troughton's Apology for the, Noncpnfor- mifls, pag, 58. Thefhort Snrveigh of the Grand Cafe of the prefent Miniflry, pag. 23. P. 117. Mr. 0//)/j^ fays, he lays afide the confideration of thisy becanfe it is taken away by Law. But it was not fb, in the Cafe of thefe Minifters, whofe Part I. Pl^a I was abbreviating. Mr. Hoadly alfo con- pag. 3. fines himfelf to the prefent Times ; and lb Has wholly wav'd the Covenant^ which prov'd a great hindrance to many in the times I was fpeaking of. I Ihall not therefore add any thing farther upon this Head, unlefs it be a remark- able PafTage, which comes to me well attefted, which may help to ihew, how eafily many times Perfons Part M.' Moderate Non-CoTiform it y. . 357 Perfons are drawn in, to do as their Neigh- bours, taking things by the Great, without due Conlideration. The PafTage was this. A certain Kentifh Gentleman finding himfelf de- clining thro' Age, look'd over a confiderable Collec1:ion of Papers he had by him, which he had for many Years been making \ and divided them into two Heaps % intending one for the Plamcs, and tiie other for the ufe of Pofterity. Being thus employ'd, he was vifited by the Minifter of the Parifh, who enquired .the Rea- fon of his thus dividing his Papers, which the Gentleman freely told him. It fo fell out, that a Copy of the Solemn League and Covenant before it paft the two Houfcs, prefented it feif among the reft to the Glergy-man's View. The Gen- tleman told him, that that was a very valuable thing, when it came to his Hands. The Clerr gy-man defir'd the perufal of it, faying, that he had never yet read the Covenant. The Gen- tleman told him, that was very Strange ^ when he had in exprefs Terms renounc'd it, and de- clar'd to all the World, that it oblig'd none that took it. Which was a thing he was fo lit- tle aware of, that the Gentleman was forc'd to fetch his Common Prayer Book^ and turn him to the Declaration in the Ad of Uniformityy for his Gonvidion. I am fatisfy'd in the truth of the Fad ^ and leave others to make their Refledions. " V. Befides the Osith of Megiance and 5/<- Se^.XIX " fremacy, all in Holy Orders were by the Ad " of Uniformity, obliged to Subfcribe another *' Political Declaration or Acknowledgment '^ of this Tenour •, 1 u4. B, do declare^ that it ** is not lawful upon any Pretence rvhatfoever^ to *' take Arms againfi the King j and thfit I do ah- A a 4 )oot 558 A Defence of Pan II. ** hor that traiteroHs Pofition of taking Arms by *' hifi jiiithority: againfi his Perfon^ or againji thofe ^^ that are Commiffionated by him. jr" Tho' the Silenc'd Minifters were as free *' as, any for the Oath of Allegiance, and rea- " dy to give the Government any AITurance, *!■ that could be deliredof a peaceable 5//ytff?/(j» ^ *' yet they were not for Making, and Subfcri- *' bing this Declaration, for fear of contribu- * *^ ting to the betraying of the Liberties of *' their Country. Fqr being fenfible, that it *' was very poflible for the Law, and the Kings ** Commiflions to be contrary to each other, ** they efteem'd it the Duty of EngUflj-men as ** free People, to adhere rather to the former ** then the latter \ but could not difcern how ** the fo doing could be reconcil'd with this ** Declaration. They were told, that a Writ ** being upon a Publick Occafion fued out, *' and coming to the Sheriffs Hands ^ if any Per- " fons fhould oppofe the Execution by the *' Kings Pe'rfonal Command or CommiiQion, •' and the 5/7fn;^lhould raife the Pojfe Comita- tus upon them, he herein afted by the King's Authority, For, by the King's Authority is all one as by the Law^ or in the Name of the Kingy according to Law. Seeing therefore,* the Sheriff of a County might Ad againfl: ^ Oppofers in fuch *a Cafe, notw ith Handing * *' their Commiflion, the Law bearing him out,'* " they could not fee upon what Grounds the' " Pofition deiign'd to be r-enounc'd by this" " Declaration, could be repr^fented as Tr/z//-f- ■' *' rous and to be abhorrU. They could not fee " why a Nation fhould be fo folicitous about Y Laws for its Security, if a Chancellour, who '^ keeps the King's Great Seal be above them all, and may by Sealing Commiffions cait them f! 9|;|t,Pkafure. Withal, to exclude all Ex- *' ceptionsj «« ci Part II. Moderate 'Non-Conformity. 359 " ceptions, in fuch a Declaration as this, by a " Claufe of that Nature, not on my Pretence " whatfoever ^ feem'd to them to be a Deftru- **' dion of Property, a facrificing all that was *' dear and valuable to the Will of the Prince, " and the Lufts of his Courtiers, by difabling *' Men to defend their Lives, Liberties, and " Eftates, when attack'd by fuch as pretended " to be CommifTionated. It feem'd to theni *^ very harlh, that upon SuppoIItion the Pa- " pfis Ihould either by Power or Surpize have **; gotten the King at any Time into their " Hands (as the Duke of Giiife once dealt ** with the French King ) and have prevail'd *' with him for fear of his Life, to grant Com- •Vmiffions under his Hand and Seal deftru(9ive " to the Church and State, that the Nation *' hereupon muft be inevitably Ruin'd, and ** King and Kingdom loft by fuch Commifli- *' ons, which none fhould dare to oppofe : **! This appear'd to them ib grofs, that they *\. could not fwallow it. They were fb weak " as to efteem Self-Defence a Part of the Law ".of Nature •, and to think that the Body of a "Nation have by that Law a Self- defending *S Power againft their notorious aflaulting Foes : *',Sat it was their Comfort under this their " Weaknefs, to have ^o good Companions, as *' the Noble Old Greeh and Romans^ Philofo- " phers, Oratours and Hiftorians -, the Anci- *' ent Biihops of the Church, and Chriftian- ** Clergy in the Primitive Times ; the Pofiflt *^ Cafuiftical Writers, and the moft celebra- *' ted Writers of Politicks, whether Pafifis or *'''Protefi-ants\ the moft celebrated Modern Hi- " ftorians. Civilians and Canonifts \ particular- " ly fuch Men as ThHanm^ Gothofred, Barclay^ " and CrvtuiS'^ together with fuch eminent " Perfons 5^o, A Defence of Part II. " Perfons even in the Church of England^ as " Bifhop Bilfon, Bifhop Jeremy Taylor^ and Mr. '^ Hooker^ herein concurring in the fame Opi- ** nion with them ^ and they had more Mo- " delly than at one dafli to run down all thefe " as deceived, and in the wrong. ^ ^^zTiitis Nonconfor- '' And in Reality, after all the Cla- mitj Stated and Arzu.- « mours of their Infulting Bre- ed. Page 134- Short « thren, they were very well fatis- SHrveighofthe Grand u f^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ CaMthpreJmMu-^ "forward for this Declaration, %7c'ahU%errgn, or " and moft fierce and eager in Run- ^lodefi Account of the " n^g down and Expofmg thofe Nonconforraifts;i^fc- " who ferupled it, would not keep tings, page ^9, &c. " to it, if at any Time they found '' Things were come to Extremity V"* *^ as the Event verify'd. For after all the ■ *' Noife that was made in all Parts of the Na- " tion, of the Traiteix)ufnefs of the Poiition,^^ *' of taking Arms by the Kings Authority,** *' againft his Perfon, or thofe Commiffionated^^ *' by him j and of the unlawfulnefs of doing fo " in any Cafe whatfoever, a Time at length *' came upon the Landing of a certain Perfon** *' call'd the Prince of Orange^ when in order' *' to the fecuring Religion, Liberty, and Pro- " perty, all Ranks and Qualities both of Cler-'* *' gy and Laity, finding Room for a particulars^ *' Exception ( wherfe they would before alloi/^* '' of no Cafe whatfoever ) ventur'd to join with** *' a Foreign Prince whom they had call'd in^ " to their Afliftance, againft the Perfon of' *' their Sovereign King James^ and thofe whO' *' were Commiflionated by him. And as for* " the poor Ejefted Minifters, who endur'd fuel?* " hardlhips for refufing this Declaration, they " came off with this honourable Teftimony " from impartial Speftators, which will be gi- C( ven Part 11. Moderate "NonXonf^rmity. 561 ' ven them by Pofterity, tho' it fhould be " griidg'd them by the prefenfAge, that by *' that Refulal of theirs, they in their feveral *' Places and Stations help'd as much as in them *' lay, to Pave the way for that late glorious *' Revolution, to which we owe all our pre- *' fent Happinefs, and all our future Hopes; *' while the Promoters of this Declaration and " all that adher'd to it, could Contribute no- " thing in the Cafe, without bidding Defiance *' to their moft darling Principle •, the Prin- " ciple which for Twenty Years together *' had made the Pulpits Ring, and the Pref^ " Groan. "It mull be own'd, that thefe Two Laft " Points, of Renouncing the Covenant, and *' Subfcribing the Political Declaration againft " taking Arms in any Cafe whatfoever^ have not " for fome Time been infifted on, with fuch " as enter the Miniftry in the Eftablilh'd *' (Church. The Former was fixed by the Ad *' but till 1682, and then it dropt of Courfe. *' The Latter continu'd till our Late Revolu- " tion, and then ( as* it was high Time ) was " Superfeded. " For fuch Reafons as thefe, the Minifters " who were Ejected durft not comply with " the A6t of Uniformity, and fall in with the '^ National Eflablifhment. Hereupon they have " been generally afpers'd, and blacken'd with *' all imaginable Freedom. But this muft be *^ acknowledg'd after all ^ that if they err'd *' in this Matter, it was for fear of Erring ; *' and therefore they deferv'd Refpeft rather " than reproach, becaufe they aded like Men " of Integrity, according to the Light they " had. Some of them were more influenc'd tt by fome of thefe Confiderations than others " were 4( u cc cc 3^2 A Defefice of "Part II. *^ were *, but all put together gave them abun- dant Satisfaction in quitting their Livings, when they found they could not keep therti *' with the Peace and Safety of their Confci- ' " enees. Tho' in Reality it is own'd by the *' beft Cafuifts, that if but one thing, which after Search and Enquiry they apprehended to be finful, had been made neceflary to their continuing in their Places, they had been bound to have left them. Here were a great many Things, which they law not how they could yield to, without Sin: And therefore they forbore. There were none of them, but would have yielded to what *' would have been fufficient to have made *' them Minifters, in the Apoftles Days or af- *' ter : But the Yoke now impos'd Was lb hea- *' vy, that neither they nor their Fathers *^ were able to bear it j and tho' their Fathers *' had been for many Years complaining, yet • *' was it made heavier now, than ever it was " before. Pag. 117. The Declaration againlt tahng up Arms, is pafs'd by, by Mr. Ollyffe^ becauS he lays, 'tis taken away by Law. But the Queftion was. Whe- ther this Declaration might be lafely Made or Subfcrib'd by our Fathers, while the Law re- quir'd it. Upon which he refers me to Mr. Corhet^s> Enqniry into the Oxford Oath. That Mr. Corbet and fundry others of the Ejefted Minifters took the Oxford Oath^ is well known : But that the far greater Part of them refus'd, is alio notorious. That Mr. Corbet aded like an Honeft Gentleihan in Publifhing the Rea- fons and Grounds he went upon, I readily grant. They were not however Satisfa^ory to others. And why my giving the Realbns of them who refus'd, fliouid be call'd a Mfre- frefentation fart 11. Moderate Non-Conformity, 365 prefentation too, I can't imagine. But it feems, the Gentleman had another Reafon to refer to Mr. Corbet^s Encjuiry^ •viz.. becaufe of his four Equitable and Charitable Rules, •which he there laies down, which he tho't might be of ufe to him.; For my Part, 1 agree to his Rules: vi-a. That we muft give that Senfe to Words that they'll bear in their Ordinary Signification^ according to the intent of the Law, agreeably to Reafon and Equity, and in Gonjundtion with other Laws of the Realm ^ neither am I aware, that I have in any of the Matters before treat- ed on, adher'd to the Senfe of the Minifters who were'Ejeded, in Oppofition to Mr. Ollyffe\ Senfe, any otherwife than coniiftently with this General Rule. Mr. Hoadly alfo pafles this by without any Notice. He do's it, upon a Pretence of bringing the Controverfie to its prefent State, of which he is hugely fond. That he that way thinks he has an Advantage, is with me paft Que- ftion. But when I was confidering the Matter at the Time when the Minifters were Ejeded, it could not be expedied I (hould pafs this o- ver^ which 1 am well affur'd kept many from Conforming* It is true, we have now no far- ther Concern with this Matter ^ and I cannot but efteem it a Happinefs we are freed from it : But I fhould have tho't, he that undertook to prove the Reafons of the Ejefted Minifters not fiifficient to juftifie their Non-Conformity \ Ihould not have over-look'd any of them : Nor can I efteem it a fufficicnt Evidence, that they might not be juftify'd in their refufing to Con- form, when fuch an enfnaring Political Decla- ration was impos'd upon them ^ that it is now no longer impos'd, and we may Confoim with- out it. , * How- 3^4 ^ Defence of jPart If. However, whether the Body of the Ejefted Miniftefs had not Reafon to refufe this Decla- * ration, the Subfcribing which' was a Term of Miailterial Conformity ^ and whether the Se- quel has not fully Jullify d them in that their Refufal, I leave to the Judgment of any indif- ferent Perfons, who will be at the Pains to compare the Reafons of both fides together. FINIS, 3^5 iu ffl? p ? THE POSTSCRIPT T O Mr. HOADLY. SIR, IRerceive by your Admonition^ ( which came fafe to my Hands)that you were fearful leaft Aimr^, by fome things that were fu^gefted in the Firji; pag. 48. Tan of my Defence^ People Ihould be prejudiced againfl what you had to Advance in our Con« troverfie : And that this was it, that chiefly in- diic'd yon to Reprefent Matters to me in that Publick manner, leaft the Ca^fe of Truth fliould fuffer, Had I fought any Advantage that way, which I profefs I am not in the leall aware of, I hope you muft own you are now got far be- yond me ^ lince there has been fo much longer time between the coming forth of your Admo- nitim^ and my taking any Publick Notice of it, than there was between the . appearing of the iirft Part of my Defence^ and its being follow'd with your Admonition. By this time, I hope the Prejudice-^ at which you appear fo concern'd, may be fuificiently worn out ^ and the contrary Prejudice^ hath had as fair Scope as a Reafona- ble Man could Defire, to become Riveted and Confirm'd. ^66 Toflfcript. Conflrm'd. Now then let us fee on what Terms we fl-and. I cannot but efteem it a moft unhappy thing to have Controverfies fo manag'd, as to ilTue in Perlbnal Brangles. 'Twas my fear of this has kept me thus long Silent. Had I been as hafty in my return, as you in your Admomtion^ I doubt we had fooner expos'd our felves, than done the Publick any Service, or bro't any Cre- dit to either fide of the Caufe in Debate. But I am in hope this delay may have abated the Danger. I take this Opportunity however, to thank you for the Pains you have taken with me, and the occafion you have this way given me to elucidate fome Matters, which may need farther clearing. For your Satisfadion, that I have endeavour'd to profit under your Admo' nition^ I here fend you fome Remarks upon it : In which you have rather a Specimen of what might be faid, than a diftind return to all Par- ticulars j on fome of which 1 touch but lightly, Aimon, for fear of brealing in nfon your Temper^ as tO> pag. 52. which you have given me fuch fair Warning. Your firft Charge ^gainft me is this : That Admn. jffy Defence is taken up in what is of no Relation to P*S' °' the Caitfe between ui ^ and that many things are bro't into it^ which may help to ohfcure the Contro" verjte^ and prejudice Men againfi the Bfiablijht Oturch^ To which I plead ?iot Guilty^ under the fevour of this Remark : That as for the Caufe be^ tween us^ I apprehend it no other than this, Whe^ ther Moderate Non-conformity be jufiifiahle .<* Nei- ther can 1 conceive how any thing that tends to- wards the Proof of this, can ohfcure the Contro^ verfie : Or how if a true ftating matter of Fad, fhould prejudice Men againfi the EfiablijJjt Churchy 1 am liable to have that charg'd upon me as my Fault. But I follow you to Particulars^ which ufually affed more than Generals, Your Pojlfcript, 3(?7 Your firft Inftance under this Head^ is in the Two Sentences prefixed to my Defence, which had I been in your Cafe, 1 fhould hardly have taken any Notice of*. You wonder what cohU in- Pag.^j. dnce me to place theih in the Front of my Book : You reprfefent them as utterly unaccountable, 6cc. While I think I have much more Reafon to paa. lo, wonder at your Refentment. The true Reafon (fince you mull have it) of my taking that Me- thod was this. I found Mr. ^^ATZ-fr Cited in the Title Pages of both your Books, in a way, that I apprehended you. would riot approve of in another: His Sayings with reference to the SeUaries, being apply'd to all the NonrConfor- mifls ; or fo put, as to Tempt others to. make that Application. And by my citing thofe two Noble PalTages of my Lord of Sarum and the Learned Pi^endorfy I defign'd to let you fee, how eafily Infinuatioiis of that Kind might be retorted. So that of all Men, 1 think this needed, not to have been a Stunihling Block toPag. i^i you, who fet me the Pattern, and by your fix- ample firft put it into my Tho'ts to take a Method to which I otherwife had no Inclina- tion : Tho* I have us'd it I hope fairly, with- out wrefting, or mifapplying the Pallages cited. Your lecond Inftance is in my Being fo foil- titous to draw in all the unntcejfary Aggravations Aid, I could think of. As to which I (hall only fay, that ds far as I can Judge, neither Mr. Ollyffk nor Mr. Ftoadly there fall Ihort of me. How- ever, let yOu or I fay what we cari^ on our own behalf, Standfers by will Judge as they fee Caufe ; And to them I think verily 'tis our belt way to leave it* 3^8 Pojlfcript. Tig. 15. Your third Inftance, is my talking Co often -.of Catholkk Chrifiiamty^ and Vnion upon Serif- ttire Terms ; and my frequent Caveat agaiiilt making more necejfary to the making a Man a Member of the Churchy than 'what U necejfary to the making him a Chrifiian. But of all things, I ihould think you might there leave me my Liberty '-, and not think much that I have fre- quent recourfe, to what I own is a Fundamen- tal Principl of my Non-Conformity. Whatever Pag. 16. you may apprehend, / frofefs to follow none, in any unneceflary Impofitions. Whoever have been Guilty^ or may yet be lb, Iblefs God that for my Part I am hitherto free, and by his Af- iiftance hope to keep my felf fo, for Time to come. I can leave others the Liberty of their Sentiments^ but cannot fay that I defire a National Eftablijhment with unfcriptural Ad- ditions. You need not Caution me againlt Prophecying •, for I have no Inclination that way : And yet I hope I may be allow'd as Occafion offers to Advance a probable Conje- fture as well as my Neighbours. I know of no peculiar Principles I have. As far as I can Judge, I have the generality of my Brethren concurring with me, in the Principles I ad- vance. You may plainly fee the Bottom we commonly go upon, in the IntroduStion to this Second Part of my Defence^ which I offer to your Perufal. But when we talk of Vnion up' on Scripture-Terms^ our Notion differs from Yours. We do not give that Name to a Com- pliance^ in what is acknowledged to be materially Lamfull^ nor can we think luch a Compliance will have that Name afcrib'd to it, by fuch as take due Notice of that Maxim of St. Paul: viz. All things are lawfnl for me^ but all things are not expeaiefit. An Uaion upon Scripture TermSy Pojlfcript ^6^ Terms, we think muft leive thofe things free, the determining which one way or other is n6t there at ail Direded : And make nothing ne- ceflary to Communion, which is there left ab« ibluteiy Indifferent. To infift on this is fo far from amufmg the World., that it is a propofing the only Bottom,^ that will be firm and lafting. How you Ihould in this Cafe be offended I can- not conceive ♦, unlefs it fhould anger you that I differ from you ; which is what I would not give my felf leave to fuppofe : Becaufe yoii cannot be infenfible, that that is what I have as good a Right to, as you have to differ from ine. Your fourth Inftance is in the many Pages of my Book, which are of no Concern to you. But P^g. 15^-i fuppofe you have that Apprehenlion, I can't fee that it therefore follows that others will agree with you, in thinking they have no Relation to the Caufe between us., if tlley fuggeft any thing which may contribute to the Jufiifying of Non- Conformity. But as long as you are free to pafs by^ whatever is of no Concern to you, and at Liberty to leave it as you find it, I can't fee you have any hurt done yoU) or the lealt Caufe of Complaint. Had the Anfwering your Ob- jeftions been my only Aim, I Ihould have ta- ken one Method ^ when as while the juftifying Non-Conformity to the Publick Eftabliibnient was the Thing intended, I tho't another mofe Eligible* And can't fee why I have not a Right to choofe for my felf. Give me leave- to fay it again : The Queftion 1 am piirfuing, is this : Whether Moderate Non-Conformity to thtf^ Prefent Efiablijhinent be Jufiifiahle ? If you rather choofe to ftart another Queition,you may puriti^ it as you pleafe* But thea^ if I make good the Affirmative of tlie Queftion as I State it, ia B b i <^PPo* 570 Foflfcript. OppftfJtion to what is advanc'd by you, or Mr.' OUyffe^ or others, 1 can't help it, if you will reckon your Self unconcern'd. Tiizx. AEhing as an HifiorUn^ and fo giving Light in the De- bate, by a right Reprefentation of Matters of Faft, is the proper way to jujiifie Non-Confoy mity, is what 1 have long been fiilly convinc'd of. Nor can I as Matters ftand, (ee any way of compojwf our Differences^ unlefs the Rife and Ground or them be underftood, and a due Di- ftinftion juade between the Aggrejfors^ and the injured Parties. When my Civil Rights arc no- torioufly invaded, I may in fome Cafes Com- pound, for the fake of my own Peace and Eafe, or when fuch a Compolition may be for the real Benefit of my Family : But when it ap- pears, after various Efiaies towards fuch a Compolition, that they who have deprived me of my Civil Rights^ not only infift upon their own Juftification, but will yield me no equita- ble Terms j but I mult comply with their Hu- mour, or elfe they'll bear me down with a high Hand, and Triumph over me, becauie they make a greater Figure in the World than I do : In this Cafe, I think it high Time to lay afide tho'ts of Compounding : TU carry my Caufe to Chancery ^ and there Til ftate my Cafe, and clear Matter of Fad as diftinftly as I can ; trying whether I can that way recover my Rights. If this revives mntual JeaioufeeSf and incenfes one againfi another .^ all muft agree the Fault lies in thofe who detain my Right from xne, and not in me, who by an equitable Me- PaS'iS. thod feek to recover it. Your not apprehending how my Hifiorical Pajfages toilt help hs in our pre- fent Debate^ only ihews, that you and I differ in our Judgment. But I fhould think we may do io^ and yet be good Friends, I can't fee, why Pojifcript. 571 why you might not allow me to Aft according to the bed Light I have j and that efpecially in a Cafe, where I have the Satisfaction of £b general a Concurrence with me. But why fliould my Dilating on the Fathers Vag.!^. in the firft Part of my Defence feem fo ftrange to you ? The true Reafon of it was, becaufe as you very well know all that follow your Scheme at length refort thither : Scripture fail- ing them, they fly to Antiquity. In ihewing, how little Ground there is for fuch a Depen- dence upon Antiquity in this Cafe, as is ufual and common (among our Brethren of the Church of England^ as well as among the Roma^ nifis ) I apprehended I might fave both my felf and others fome trouble in the Debate. You your felf have here given me fair warning, when you tell me yon think you can demonfirate that in the Primitve TimeSy the Adminifiration of Ec-' clefiaftical Affairs was in the Hands of Bijhops, who had ?r Gshy ters fubjeEl- to them, &c. And when in other Places you bottom Epifcopal Ordina- tion upon Ecclefiaftical Ufage. Your Proof here muft have been from the Fathers : And therefore I think it tends to fhorten the De- bate that I have (hewn before hand, how lit- tle that fort of Proof would contribute to a real Convidion of any Neceflity in order to Acceptance with God, or the ferving thofe fpiritual Purpofes which are molt to be ey'd. And if herein, and in fome other Cafes too, I have taken a wider Compafs^ than a bare Reply to my Animadvert ers made necejfary : I can't lee p^* 20<. why I fhould be liable to Cenfure ^ nor can I as yet find in my Heart to repent of it. For I^- muft Confefs when I read any Controverlial Writings, I love to fee not only fuch Objedi- ons Anfwer'das have beenltarted, but others B b 3 alfq 572 Toflfcrift, alfo that may be advanced in the profecuting of the fame Debate. If you herein differ from me, I believe you are pretty peculiar in your Sentiments. And thus I think I have fufficiently clear'd my felf from your firft capital Charge : And therefore I proceed to the Second, under which you Accufe me of mhmdfome Tre^tmem^ unkind Pag. 21. CenfureSy and Mifreprefentations of your Dejign and Manner ef Writing, As to which \ can in the General only fay this \ that I little exped- ed fuch a Charge, as not being Confcious to my Self, that I had done any thing to deferve Pag. 22. it. I did indeed ftile you my Catechifl^ but defign'd not the leaft Contemp in it : And had I apprehended it liable to that Interpretation, I would have forborn it. I own alfo I did Pag. 25. jjQ^ ^jj^ jj^gjj ^j^ yQ^ ^^^g Charity^ and if you would not be offended, I would tell you I do fo ftill : But 'tis without any Difefteem oif your other valuable Abilities. For my Part I I cannot forbear thinking it a Kind and a Bro- therly Wifh, nor can I fee why you fhould fa much refent it. I know not how to think him paft improving in Charity^ who for want of a Nicety, difowns a Number of Minifters whom God hath qualify'd for conliderable Service in his Church, and who want nothing which the facrcd Scriptures reprefent, as neceflary to Ac- ceptance with him in that Office *, and who would not have been rejedted either by Chrift or his Apoftles. But at the fame Time^ I f^in eafily diftinguifti between a Man's Tern- per and his Principles. Tho* | have not the Happinefs of any Perfonal Acquaintance with you, I yet can fo far depend upon the Re- ][)ort of thofe that have, as to believe yoa a Fcrfon of fo Friendly a Difpofition, that you ^ " are Poftfcripii 373 are as General in your Refpeft and Brother- ly AfFeftion, as your Principles will allow you : While I have known others of larger Principles much ftinted in their Brotherly Kindnefs, by the fowrnefs of their Natural Tempers. And when I told Mr. Dorrington^ that what he ad- vanc'd was port even of Mr. Hoadly'i Charity^ I P^g-H' referred to your Principle^ and not to your Tem- per. His Principle led him to reprefent thofe who fate under the Miniftry of the Dijfentersy , as Defeated of the Ends and Benefits of a Mini- /try : While your Principle ftill left room for , fuppofing, that God might make allowance for the Honefiy of well-meaning People. By intimating then, that his Principle left lefs room for the Exercife of Charity than yours, I rather inten* ded to exprefs my Preference, than to attempt to turn your Charity into a Proverb. And yet your Principle at the fame Time, leading you to Cenfure thofe for undertaking the Miniftry and continuing in it, who want nothing re- quir'd in Scripture in order to their Accep- tance with God, or ufefulnefs among Men, I ' cannot but think it hinders that Extenlivenefs in yonr Charity^ to which your Temper would . incline you. In a word. He feems to fend all to the Pit of Hell, that are under a Diffen- tlng Miniftry ; and therein is (hort even of that Charity, which your Principle will al- low you to Exercife j which yetlefteem Scan- ty eno' in all Reafoa for a Man of fo fi*ank a Temper, fo open in Converfation, and fo well acquainted with Men and Things, as I take; . Mr. Hoadly to be. J profefs thi? was all |^ aim'd at : And if my manner of Expreflioii had . not a due Aptnefs to convey this Senfe, upon , Second Tho'ts, when I have aflur'd you this B b 4 yya$"»' 374 Pojifcript. V7SL% all I aim'd at, I am perfwaded you yr\\\ rather reckon it my unhappinefs, than my Fault. For ray Part, I don't at all doubt, but^ the Accoiint you have given of your felf is tjiue, wh^n you lay you have as diffHfive and e'xtenjive a Charity as can be \ u e. as can be re- concilM vvith you?" Principles. And on the Pag, 25. other Hand, I no more eft e em it a Part ofchri- • ftian Charity^ for any one to frame his Principles fo as f approve of all the ji^ions of honeft and underftanding Men^ than you do. And yet \ niuft needs fay, I think it unhappy for a Man to imbibe betimes, and be deeply imprefs'd by fuch Principles in Religion, as tend to Cramp and Limit that Charity and AfFedion, to which a generous Temper would otherwife incline him. I cannot agree with you, that Charity hifth nothing to do in impartial fearches after Truth, For as God has declar'd, that he will have Mercy and not Sacrifice^ fo I think that Man \% molt likely to be fuccefsful in the fearch for Trut|i, who looking upon Charity as the End of the Commandment^ is thereby inclined to make allowance fo^r any fuch Divcrfity in Sentiment or Pra(9:ife, as is confiftent with a cordial Love to Go4 and Man. Charity may and Ihould fo influence our Minds even in reference to Prin-r ciples, as to give us a ftrong Sufpicion of thofe Notioiis which bear hard upon Men of Confci- cnce and Judgment •, and mult therefore put us upon the molt fevere Examination thereof, with Minds duly prcpar'd to admit of fufficient Evi- dence to the contrary^ tlio' it fhould not a- mouiit to an enforcing Dempnflration, fo as td leave 110 robin' for Cavils." ' And if Charity (ijught; eveh td'turn fhe Sca^e onthefayourj^blc fide whtre the Matter is doubtful, much more. Ihoiddit'dilpofe'^ahd Incline us \o accept of a Jivni.. ,. ;,.,..,, .;,. : I.,: :;■> . . , . . moderate Foftfcr^' 375 moderate over-weight on that fide: And it ought thus to influence us not in reference to this or that Party only, but towards all Nei- ther can I in particular Agree, that Charity^ hath nothing to do in an Enejuiry after Regular Or- dinations: For fo long as your Enquiry after Regnlar Ordinations runs farther than the Scrip- ture-Platform, and proceeds to the regulating of modern Praftife, by the Cuftoms of the Times that fucceeded the Apoftolical Age, I think Charity highly requifite to prevent your laying fuch a ftrefs upon Ecclefiaftical Cuftom, as would nuUifie our Miniftry and Churches, which at leaft appear not to be difallow'd by the Scriptures. A Man may indeed be Honefi^ Pag. 26, and judge as he him felf fees Reafony in preferring Epifcopal before any other Ordination : And yet if he is fo fevere in his Principle as to hold what he prefers as molt eligible, to be fo far necelfary as that no other fort of Ordination is Valid \ or if he lays fuch a ftrefs on the Epifco- pal Charader, as to rejed the Miniftrations of thofe whofe Orders were not confirm'd with it \ He may be juftly fufpeded of a want of Charity. For he is by a Nicety cramp*d in his AfFedions towards thofe whom he ought to embrace as Brethren *, and he puts a flight on thofe whom the chief Governor of the Church will be as ready to own and approve as him-* felf, or thofe of his own way. And that this Part I. is your Cafe appears very plainly from your Pag. 8. declaring, that you cannot Acknowledge Perfbns Ordain'd by Presbyters, tho' wanting in nothing requir'd in Scripture, to be approved of God, in fetting apart themfelves for the Minifiry \ and from many other Hints to the fame Purpofe. However, that you have difclaim^d the Invalidi- Adrnwl ty and VnproppabUnefs of all the Minifhrations of Pag. 28, thefe 97^ l^fcrtpt. theffe Men f* rhtPeople^ I am very fenfible, and you know have taken particular Notice of it. Herein I look upon your Temper, as having iix'd a charitable Limitation to a rigid Prin- ciple : And I am not without Hope, that the fame Temper may in Time carry you yet far- ther in the limiting your Principle '^ unlefs you* have better Scriptural Evidence of the Necef- lity of the Concern of a Superiour Bilhop in Ordination, than has been as yet produc'd. Pag. 26. Whether you or I have the more Cathollch Spirit^ is what I have no Inclination to Dif- pute : But whether my Principles don't leave- room for a more extenfive Charity than youri- will allow you, I leave to the Judgment of in- different Perfons, upon comparing both toge- ther. I' do indeed fay as well as you, that ^ Regular Ordination is to be fought for \ but then I mean a Scriptural Ordination : Whereas you in this Cafe join Ecclefiaftical Cuftom with the Scripture as your Rule. I do alfo own, that Cod doth not aff rove Irregular Ordinations \ i. e. fuch as the Scriptures don't warrant : But you by the lame Expreffion mean^ that he docs not approve of fuch Ordinations, as are not exad- ly agreeable to the moft prevailing Ecclefiafti- calUiage. Now iince it may admit of a iair Debate,, what is necellary to. a Regular Ordinal t'icn in the Senfe of Scripture, tho' for my own Pact, I am clear as to a Minifierial InvefHture^ and could not have been fatisfyM without it, yet I am free to make Allowance for fhofc, who cannot fee that fo clearly in Scripture, as I think I do: And if I find God making^yfe of the Mini&rations of riiofe who came into the Miniftry ina way different from my felf, for the fpreading of ferious Religion, and beating dowa the Kingdom and Intereft of the Prince pf Pojifcript. 577 of Darknefs, I for my Part dare not Cenfure them as not call'd to be Minifters, even the' I might not be fatisfy'd my felf to take their Method. But how you can reprefent me as efpoufing Pag. 2^, Mr. Dodwcllh Principle, That the Benefit ofSfi" ritual Admimfirations defends upon the Autority of him that Adminiflers^ I cannot imagine. This I think I have as much Reafon to refent, as you have any one Thing you have mentioned, be it what it will. That there is little Rea- fon indeed to expedt, that God (hould owa thofe whom he had not fent ; and that 'tis un- likely he fliould give as much Succefs in their Work to thofe whom he had not defign'd for the Miniftry, as thofe whom he had given a Commiflion to, is I muft confefs my firm Per- fwalion : But that the want of an outward For- mality in the conferring Autority ftiall exclude from Benefit *, or that God fends none into the Miniftry, but in fuch a particular Way *, fo as that fuch as are not under a Miniftry of this or that particular Form, muft be left to the uncovenanted Mercy of God ( which I take to be the diftinguifliing Principle of Mr. DodweU upon this Head, ) is what I am as remote from thinking as any Man Living. And it is becaufe your Principle appears to me to tend towards this, that I am the more againft it. I am not indeed for charging all the hard Confequences of a DoEtrine upon the Perfon who teaches it, I am perfwaded you have more Charity, than to hold the Conclufion which Mr. DodweU draws from your Principle. And yet I cannot dif- cern that I ad at all unbecomingly, in wilbing that the fame charitable Temper may by its Prevalence put you upon clofe Re-examining a Principle, from wheftce that uacharitable - ' Con- 378 Pojifcript. Conclufion {6 naturally follows. And this I am the more Confirm'd in, becaufe I am perfwa- ded, that if your Principle was not fo llifF, your Temper would be to far from inclining ygn to Ipok upon the admitting of well quali- fy'd Perfons ( who only are pleaded for ) into the Miniftry among the Dijfenters^ in a Icrip- Pag-S^- tural Way, as a Bar to Vnion^ that you would much rather rejoice in it, as tending to the keeping up pure and ufidefil^d Religion^ among thofe who are diflatisfyM with the National Eftablifhment j among whom Religion would certainly fufFer much, and an Accommodation ( Ihould the defirable Seafon for it ever offer ) be prevented, were they for want of fuch Pro- vilion, to fall into the Hands of illiterate Me- chanicks, altogether unfiirnifli'd for that fa-, cred Work and Office. ^ ^ Pag. 3 8, As to the Manner of Writings it generally' differs according to the different Genius of the Writers. I can freely there leave you to pur- fue your own Inclinations : And cannot find; that any befides your felf think me at all feverc^ in my ^efleftions. Any Thing that I tho't might feem to favour of Contempt, is what I can truly fay I endeavoured to avoid. Tho' I muft confefs, the reprefenting a number of as^ valuable Minifters as ever this, or perhaps any other Nation has been blefs'd with fince the Days of the Apoftles, as no Minifters ^ and that tho it was own'd they were ipany of them well qualify'd for their Office, ^nd fucceeded in it to the unfpeakable Benefit of many Souls, is what would have juftify'd ibme warmth. But - I really check'd my felf, inftead of taking any Liberty, that I tho't could by indifferent Per- Ibns be judg'd at all unbecoming. Perhaps you may look upon what you have faid upon mt Pojifcript. 57P that' SSd as very tolerable : But you mult give me leave to have other Tho'ts. ^ As for the Bufinefs of Occafional Communion^ "^S- 33" I mufl: acknowledge I tho't you harp'd upou it very often ^ and return'd to it as frequently, as if you were fingularly pleas'd with the Sub- jedl ; and tho't you had there a mighty Advan- tage over us. But you will have it, that you gave no hard Words. Let any Man Judge by that one PafTage, where you fay, Nothing can Part L raife more endlejs Scruples in your People than Oc' P^S* 26, cajiofial Communion y with a Church fiom which you have made a formal Separation. They have Seen filled with Amazement and Vneajinefsy and have 7iot known which way to turn themfelves, and per^ haps have been induced by it to firetch their own Confciences a little^ ana furnijh themfelves with DijtinElions^ againfi they Jhould have Occajion for them. I believe moft People will take thefe for more hard and hitter Words^ than many of thofe you fo muc^i exclaim againft, when you find me making ufe of them. But fince you are pleas'd to make me fo frank Mmof^ an Offer, that if J will Jhew you in all that you Pag. 37. have Written^ any hard and bitter Language^ any Thing that tends to incenfe and inflame \ any thing bro^t in for Fafhion's Sake^ or for Wit's fake^ or for Railery \ any thing but what you had jufi and fair Occafion for faying^ you will repent of it^ and revoke it ^ and alter it -^ becaule you would wiUing" • ly have your Book as perfeSi as poffible ; tho' this is more than I fhould have mov d for,or inlifted on, yet fince you are fo frank and open, I offer a few. Things to your Second Tho'ts. Whether it was for the fake oiWit^ or Rai- lery^ or for Fajhion-fake, or any Realbn diftind from all of them that you bro't the Two PaA fages in your Title Pages, out of Mr. Baxter agaioft 380 Pojifcript. againft the SeStarles^ you beft Jknow : But 1 thiak the Pattern you have fet me will allow me to Query, whether you really think the Cafe of all the Diffenters fuited by thofe PafTa,- ges? If you do, I think I need feek no :^rthef for fomething that tends to incenfe ^ndi inflame t If you do not, whaty/w^ can hardly ferfwade your fehes that they believe as they * Part T, fpeak ? "*" Could you fa,y any thing much worfe of P^S* S^- any Men ? Is this like one that has avoided what* Aimon, ever might offend^ as far 4s it was pojfible. Pag. 36. Again, Vf hsit jufi a/id fair Occafion had you for reprefenting any Perfons, as Pleading that the Time of celebrating the Communion was never Part I. determin'd to the Mornings till the DoEirine o/Pag.yj. Tranfubfiantiation was efiahlijlj'd ? This has been Pleaded with good Reafon, as I intimated as to the Pofture of Kneeling : But can you fup- pofe it capable of being Pleaded, as to the Sealbn of Adminiftration ? And if not, how AdrnGnl can you lay, that you have exposed and ridiculed Pag. 36. no Argument ? And is it not a little hard and hitter for you to fay, That the Bifpute between Part I. the Diflenters and You, is not whether there fhall Pag. io2i he any Jmpoftions or no^ but whether they Jhall be fuch as. Ours or Tours ? Can you reconcile that with Truth, if you confider the Propofals ei- ther of the Commiflioners at the Savoy^ or of thofe who treated afterwards in the Reign of King Charles the 2d, about a Comprehenlion ? If not, I think this muft be mollify'd, before you can expeft your Book would be as PerfeEt as is fojfible. Thus were it eafie ( had I fb much Leifure, and did 1 think it would counter- vail my Pains ) to draw out as long an Admoni" Hon as Yours, and make it evident, that after all Your Caution, you have given Occ^_/?ff» eno' /or Aimnl Cenfure^ had 1 been difposM to take it ', or could Pag. 37* it yield me any SatisfaAion to Dilate upon it. And that you mayn't think Your Second Part wholly free, I'll Point you to Three Pafla- ges there alfo, out of many that I might pro- duce of the fame Kind. 1 refer it to you a$ the fitteft Judge, whether it was for x\i^fake of 384 Pojifcript, Wit or Raillery y that you have made fuch a Br- mal Speech, when you take upon you to, Per* ^ Part II. fbnate an EjeUed Minifter. ^ Can ; you recon- Pag. 17' cile fuch Language with their known and a- vow'd Principles, and the Circumftanccs of thofe Times? If not, I think I may with much more Reafon than you had, fay as you in ano- ther Cafe, that this is rather Banter than Jir^n- Part I. ^^^t- And is it not a little hard and bitter^ has Pag. i4p. it not a tendency to incenfe and inflame^ whether it was for Fajhion fah, or for Wit^s fake, or Railery, that you fhould charge the Diflenting Minifters in General, as not carinjr that the People who adhere to them," JhoUld be fenfible tvhat it is they leave, when they leave the Church Part II. of England ? Is not this Paflage a rhariifell Evi- Pag. 44. dence, that you have upon occafion fiefd afide to Admon. Cenfure, or inveigh againfi your Neighbours f And Pag. 36. what fay you to that Paflage, where you tell the Difienting Minifters, that they have written for many Tears xoith fmh a Concern againfi the Ghtirch of England, that they could hardly write with more againfi the Church of Rome it felf? Is this like Part II. one that has avoided xphatever might offend, as far Pag. 120. as it was pojfible ? But I am really tir'd with this fort of Work, and Ihall proceed no farther, un- lefs you give me frefli Occafion ', and fhall leave you to difcharge your Promife at your Leifure; To go on then to the next Ground of your Difturbancej I find 'tis this: That I have gi- Aimon. ven fuch an Account of your little regard to Peace Pag. 38. and Vnion, If it will be any Satisfaction to you, I can affure you, I Ihould be glad to find your regard to it fo great, as might give me Reafon to unfay what I have faid, but it do's not yet appear. I grant you own, that there may be Alterations made, for the PerfcElion and Advan- " tage of the Church j that the Burial Office may be al-f ter^df PofljcripH 3'§3 *pr'df, endtke Damnatory Sentence in the Athaila- fiRYi Creed omitted y and that no National Vonfii* button cahbffo P'erfe^y bUthliat fomething may he added to it, &:c. And yet I .fee not what a greaftnany fuch good Words amount to, as long as the Power to iiilpofe Rites and Ceremo- -diesis fo ftrenuofly aflertM; and the making /^ Terms, of Communion fo ftiffly adher'd to. There the Heart of the Co'ntroverlie lies : And if this malt bie acknowledged by all that fell ill ■with the Conftitution, particular Conc^lHOns Xvfll prove comparatively infignificant. r if the »irhings now impps'dj ^re not left ihdifferent as they were by King Charle f hh DeciiratiOil • in 1 651, Twenty fiich Amendments'' would ] jeave us but where we were. Had llben you inclin'd that way, I IhOuld have forlorn what you appear difturb'd at upon this Head : But while this is wanting, nay the contrary Dif- pofition fo oft difcover'd, I fee not that I have done you any Injury at all. Wonder not that I Ihould fay the contrary Difpofitibn is oft dif- cover'd ^ for really you have interfpers'd forae fuch Paifages, as in my Opinion quite over- throw your feeming readinefs in other Places^ to yield to Abatements. Thus you tell us, that the Govertiours of thS Chnrch have by Puhlick Part I, Declarations prevented, and ahfwered all this Obje- P'^S* 77° {lions that the fcrHpnloiiS a'fie apt to entertain againfi their Impofuions, If fo, what need can there be of Amendments ? Or why fhould you yield . to them ? Nay you tell us, that the Governours Jhid.'Pd,^. of the Church have ordered nothing but what if all 7^- would fcrioHJly comply with, is certaifily for the good of the Chnrck And if lb, hov^ can you yield to Alterations^ without being againft the good bf the Church ? If every Pin in the Taberiia- Ce cU 384 fpfifcript. cie t>e_iii your, efteem" for ^^^^^tf^tf/;^^ Churchy then can I. not fee how you could part with any, one- 6f them, tho' Union might'^be the CQQifequence. 'Mrnon. Neither can I fee any , Reafon you have to be Pag.46. fp much diftupb'd, thaj;:I,fhould intimate, you hady^^<^ .«(?r/?i^^;^<» f^j/^f ^r^<«f Diff.qi4ty^ I proposed ^ concerning the Multiplication :of Ceremonies, jkHthgrJjEv^r our Superiout$/fhould tbfc fo difpos'd. I^ivf ;thi9iyo4 teU me, you hsC^JS Uyrefiy confi- dixci it^ \ .mult yet profefs to you, \ can find •no Solution of. my Difficulty. ;My.Objedion * Part 1. ^^^ ^^i? ^ .That Hpdn the [ame R^f^s-^s fhe Bi' Pag. 82, Jhops fmppfe the Crofs and Surplice^ they might bring 83. in abundance of the Cexemo7iies of the Church of Rome. : And after all you have faid to this \ the Difficulty remains untouch'd* You fay in- deed, this Ohjeftipn will He againfi the Impojition of ^ every: Thing not abfolmely necejfary. Let US fuppofe it, and what is the Confequence but this j that we ought therefore to be the more Cautious how we at all give way to an Impofi- tion, that is not abfolately^ or at leaft . circum- ftantially necejfary : Which was the very Dif- ficulty that was urg'd. Any Compliance in this Cafe is therefore the more hazardous, becaufe if we yield at all, there's no knowing where we may ftop. To fay we may ftop at what is un- lawful but not till then, leaves a wide Field o- pen, and won't anfwer the Difficulty at laft. i^or there are feveral of the Pvpijh Ceremonies that hive been Difcarded, that are no more unlawful as to the Matter of them, than the Sign of the Crofs^ or wearing a Surplice. You have therefore devis'd other bounds ^ but upon fearch they'll be found fijch, a^ ftill leave the Go- Po/ifcript. 385 Governours of the Church, an uriffriiited'^ower of impofing, any farther than their own Dif- cretion bounds it. You lay indeed, they are notvto introduce vaift^ fenfelefs^ indecent Ceremo'' vies ^ or abundance of any fort : But as long as it depends upon their Pleafure, and it is left tc> them to Judge what Ceremonies ^rtvain^ fenfe^ lefs^ or indecent^ and what ntimber would be too great an Abundance, Inferiors having no- ^ thing to do but fubmit, (without enquiring in- L to their Reafbns) what Satisfaction can be gi- ven us, that fundry Vopfh Ceremonies that were at firft laid afide, may not in procefs of Time be tho*t as Rational and as Deienlible as thofe which we have retain'd ? To talk of our Complaining when the Church of England do^£ this j is only to polt-pone the Difficulty, and not to Solve it. For as long as it may come to this, we may rationally look out for our owa Security. And fuppofe it were own'd, a Sepa^ ration could not he jufiify^d by this alone j yet it neither follows, but that a Separation might be jiiftify'd by this in Conjundtion with other- Things •, nor do's it follow, but that this taken h^ it felf, may juflly be a difcouraging Conli- deration as to falling in with that Conftituti- on, under which you cannot make it appear we can be fafe from farther Vopjli Impolitions, whenever thofe who were at Helm might be fo difpos'd. To ask, how it follows^ that if Bi- jJjops can impofe two Ceremonies^ they may impofe ^ Twenty^ is only an attempt to evade the Dilfi- ^ Gulty, without removing it. ^ And a vain at- tempt it is i for if they may impiofe whatever Part I, feems to them mofi for the Beauty and Advantage Pag. 6^0 of the Society J and they are Judges of what conMt- ces to this Ehd^ as yoii declare 3 thea if they C-c i have 585 Poflfcript. have that Notion of Twenty Ceremonies, that they would be for the Beauty and Advantage of the Society, they may as warrantably im- pofe them as Two. And therefore I can't fee any need you had to be fo extremely Angry, at my Hiftorical Account of Hl^h Chnrch and , Lpw Church *, my Thred-bare Repetition of Dr. Admon. jiic\rnan\ Diftinftion of Spirits, and Dr. Gm- '^^S-SO* mng% defire of more Ceremonies, and other fnch like Paflages which were produc'd as a probable Evidence, that there have been fome in the World ( and I don't know, but there m^y be fome of the fame Temper yet in being) that have wanted a convenient Opportunity of adding farther Impofitions, rather than a fufficient Inclination. And after all had I been to have'advifed you, unlefs you could have ad- vanc'd fomething to the Purpofe towards the removal of this Difficulty, I fhould have tho't it better to have taken no farther Notice of it. Nor will it in my Apprehenfion be at all Pru- dent for you to return to it any more, unlefs you can folve the Difficulty: Which if you can but do, your Church will be more oblig'd to you than to any one I can meet with, that ' has gone before you in this Controverfie. Aimon. ^^" pleafantly tell me, that the kefrefentati^ ^i,^A(,,'ons arid Accnfations you have inftanc'd in, and ° ' my Denying, that you have faid any thing to the Difficulty laft mention'd. Of which you have fpoken To plainly and profefledly^ is as great a Demonftration that I had not careful- ly read your Two Books, as any I could give that I had done io : And you add, you are fme • - yoH may [ay ^ that Uffer Arguments than thefe have yajfed^ amongfi good Criticks, for a fufficient Proof Foftfcript. 387 Proofs that fuch a f articular Book had never- baen perus'd by fuch a particnUr Man. But it is un- happy to be over Critical. Did I hereia afFeft to imitate you, I might by the fame Rule, pre- tend to denionftrate, that you had not your felf ever read over what you had written, af- ter you had written it ^ fince you give fuch a Charafter of your Performance, as is diredly contradided, by fo many Particulars menti- on'd above. Upon which Confideration I think I may reafonably exped, either that your De- monftration fhould be dropt, or mine be owii'd equally ftrong. As for Vublick Reparation^ it is fufficient, if I Pag. 47, am ready to give it, where it is due, I fhould think in our Cafe, a ready forgivenefs as to any Thing, which notwithftanding all our Care may be dropt in th^ Profecution of the Der bate, that might not be ftridily juftifiable \ and the cherilhing on each fide a Friendly Tern? per, the b^ft way that can be pitcht upon, For my Part, I'll go as far as I think you or • any Man could reafonably deilre. You tell me, that / have deceived fame into an ill Opinion of 9 yqa. If I have, I can lafely affure you, 'tis not pnly more than I defign'd, but alfo more than 1 know of. But if any Perfons from what I have Taid, have been led into an ill Opinion of you, I take this Opportunity to delire them' to lay it aiide. For 1 declare to you, (and you have free Liberty to alKire all whom it may concern ) that I have a very good Opinion of you i and don't at all Qaeftion, but you Ad according to your Judgment in purfuit of the Principles yoi^ have embrac'd, and that with as much Charity and Temper, as they and Cc 3 youi; r ^|§. Foftfcript. your Prudence together will allow you. But Pag. 48. as for the altering my way of Writings I know not 'how to gratifie you in that : Because the way I have fallen into, is that which in my deliberate Judgment appears mofl likely to reach my End, viz.. the "Jnftifying Non-Confor-. niity^ and therefore I hope you'll excufe me. Pag. 52. If you will hereupon count me a formidable Ad- verfary^ I cannot help it. But in the mean Time give me leave to aflure you, I neither am your Adverfary^ nor intend to be fb. I am Heartily engag'd in the fame common Caufc with you, againft the avow'd Enemies of our Religion and Nation, and the fecret Enemies to the Frotefiant Succeflion as by Law eftablifh'd. At fuch a Seafon as this efpecially, I can't bear the thp'ts of being an Adverfary to any, that I am fatisfy'd are Hearty in the fame Interefl:* Tho' therefore vve (hould after our utmoft Pains on each fide, continue to differ in our Senti- ments, about the Power of Church Governors, and the mcafure of the Obligation of Inferiors, and fuch like Matters \ yet for God's fake, let • us have fo much regard to the Publick, as not to he Adverfaries to ^ach other ^ eQ)ecially * when our Circumltances are ib Critical, and our Ag^rcement is fo firm, in things that are both, tnahy more in Number, and of much greater Importance, than thofe wherein we differ. ?Sd-53- To your Pofifcript^ I have only this to fay, that as you may State the Queftion as you pleafe for your felf, fo I hope may I. My Senfe upr on that Matter you will fee fufHciently laid o- pen, in my Introdu(^ion to this Second Part, which I offer to your Confiderati6n. PolTibly you may count that a J?igreJ[iMjioo ; 6u^ for t FojifcHpt. 38^ my Part, I count nothing, a Digreflion-that tends to give Light in a Gontroverfie that, is depending 5 nor do I write for the fake ©f an Anfwer to this or that particular Perfon, but that Truth may be beat out by a free Ventik'* tion. Tho' you are plcas'd often to limit me, and give me Diredions about the Method -I muft take, and to what Bounds I muft confine my fclf, &c ^ yet I leave you full Liberty to take your own Method, which you think moft pro- per to Anfwer the End, which I am ib Canr did as to believe you as truly Defign as my felf, viz,, to ferve the Gaufe of Truth. I muft; indeed Confefs, I cannot but think a little re- gard to the natural Courfe of this Controver- iie, might have induc'd you to have fpar'd great Part of Your Admonition^ if not the whole. For you well know I did not begin with you. I had no Eye to you, nor to any particular Perfons whatfoever in the Account I drew up of the Rcafons alledgM by the Eje(9:ed Mini- fters for their Non-Conformity. You under*? took to fhew the Invalidity of thefe Reafons for the Juftifying them and their Adherents. * And the Aim of my Reply is to fliew, that they were Valid and upon what Grounds I e- fteem them fo, not only notwitftanding what you have alledg'd to the contrary, but alfo notwithftanding whatever I have yet met with alledg'd by others, that appears to make the moft againlt them. In this C^fe, I think I have an indifputable Right to take my own Method, and hope I may be allowed, it ror the future, without any Offence to. you to whom I would not willingly give any needlefs Diftur- bance. t- C c 4 Upo^, 5po Pdfifcript. Upon the whole 1 afliire you, I have thai Cordial Refpec^ for yoa ( whicli lias been not *The a little heighten^ by a late Performance^* ge- Letter w nerally afcrib'd to you, which I' cannot but J^WK-4tt. jjju^jj applaud) that I here give it you under ^.^ my Hand, that if there were any thing in this Ktjhops. 5gj,Qjj^ Part, that I tho't would have been lieedlefly grating, I would have expung'd iti And I can fafely fay, that Succefs in your Mi- nifterial Labours, an extenlive Ufefulnefs in any Station for which God may Defign you, and all defirable Profperity, is as Heartily wifti'd to youj as to himfelf, ' " By, Sir, Tow Friend mi. Brot%tr^ ( If you allow it )J £. C > ■ ' I ' > ■ ' j4nimad- Fofifcrift. 3pi Animadverfions on the Anony^ mptis Pamphlet , Entititled^ A Let- ter from a Congregational Mini- Aer in the Country, to Mr. Ca- lamy , Occafion'd by his Late Book 5 Entitul'd, A Defence of Moderate Non- Conformity . FRom the firft Perufal of this Letter, I tho't it MyfierioHs. It feem'd odd to be aflault- ed by a Congregational Brother y when it was fa evident, that in my Defence of Non-Confarmity^ I had kept fuqh a Latitude as could not give thofc of that Perfwafion any juft OiFence : And yet odder to ^nd.fo muqh Concern at the lame Time in the Letter, that I fhould treat them in fo Brotherly a manner. It look'd ftrange, t|j[ere fliould be fo. much Ignorance of the Prin-* Cip^es and Pradife of thofe of t\[Q Congregational Way^ in one that pretends fo much Zeal for it : And yet ftranger, that fo peculiar a Concern fhould l).e difcover'd for the Credit of Mr* Hoadlyy and that I muft be fo angrily threat- ened oy one of fuch a ft^mp, with whom I had no Controverlie, if I did not carry it more ob- ligingly to that Gentleman, whom I was not fen(ible, I had done any Thing to difoblige. I tho't it a little peculiar, thaj my Congregati" . 9nal Brother fhould be afraid of his Name, when Writing 3^3 Fofifcript. ^ Writing againft one who did not fliun the Light : And yet more fo, that inftead of the Naae of hk- Bookfeller-l--ftiotrld- only find %. Nutty upon the Title Page, which all that are acquainted with the Method of the Prefs, know to be a common Blind, when a Man affecls, or thinks it for his Intereft to remain undifco- ver'd. Why fo much Secrefie tho't I ?. If a Congregational Brother apprehended I had in- jured him or his Caufe, I fhould have tho't I might have had fome warning before a Blow : At leaft I might well have imagined I fhould have heard of the Dif^uft of fome of that Per- fwalion : But inftead of any Thing of that Na- ture, I found feveral of them fo kind and ge- nerous as to give me their Thanks for my Per- formance. However, if it had been one of that Way, whofe Temper and Sentiments were a little peculiar, I fhould have tho't the Author might in a little Time have been dif- cover'd, by fome Means or other : But inftead of that, fome that have been reported the Aut thors, have ei^ther by Letter or Word of Moutii given me AfTiirance of their knowing. liofhing of the- Matter, and of Xh^iv utter dillil<^6 of the Proceedings of their Pretended Brother. , Kay, I have hot to this very Day, fo miich .^s met with or heard of one of that Way, bui wh2^ have difcover'd their Concern at the l^etter, and th^r diilike of it. This heighteiis the Myftery. \My. Brothers being in the Comtry^ don't much me'nd the Matter. For if he! were fo, he mult either bring his Shi^ets to the Prefs himfelf, or make ufe of 4 Fi^end to look after the Prefs, and to apply theNapie of Mr, Nm t Either way,, 'tis pretty much no Intelligence could be gained *, elJ)ecia1ly,Vwhen ijio- Reafpa ofTerS) why fpnwch Secr^fi^Ihould be affected. Neither ^ Fojlfcript. 3^3 Neither could I forbear vvondring, how a Con*- gregationd Brother fliould come to jump io much in his Sentiments with Mr. Hoadh^ and hap* pen juft to faften on thole very Things which he was the moit difturbd at 5 and be fo graci- ous with that Gentleman, as to Intereft him- felf with fo much warmth, in the particular Concern of his Admonition. I Ihould have tho't a Congregational Brother might at leafl have given me as good Words as Mr. Hoadly, But in lieu of it, he falls mightily in with him againft me. Do's Mr. Hoadly charge me with favouring, not only thofe who have Popular Ordination without any Eccleliaftical Officer, but thofe alfo who have only an inward Call ? (i) So do's this Gentleman \ who perfonating CO -^int. one that had only Popular Ordination, tellsPag-2^. me, that fuch and fuch Paflages, not only Fa- vour fuch as he was, but even thofe who think an inward Call fufficient. (2) Do's Mr. Hoad- (2) Let, fy accufe me of efpoufing Mr. Dodwellh Princi- -^^S- 5- ciple? (3) So do's this Letter, in which I dimiz^Mm. charg'd with not coming Ihort of Mr. Dod- Pag 29. TPtf//*s uncharitablenefs* (4) Which is fo pecu- (4) ^^t- liar a Fancy, that I could not but take the^^S-^'* more Notice of it. Is Mr. Hoadly difturb'd at . my calling him my Catechlfl ? (5) How natu- (jV ^«w. rally do's the Author of the Letter Harmonize, ^ ^^' ^^' when he exads a Promife of me, not to call . ; him in a way of Jeer my Catechift ? (6) Is ^^^ ^'^' Mr. Hoadly difturb'd at the manner of my Wri- §• 22. ting my Defence? (7) So is this Gentleman. C7)^'/w." (8) In thefe, and a great many other Things ^^K- 5^? there is fuch a Correfpondence, between Mr. ^"^.^^' , Hoadly and this Gentleman, that I think veri- p^^-^ ^^^' ly I may fay to my namelefs Friend, as Mr. ^* ^^' Hoadly to me in another Cafe,* that He c^lH.- "^ Admonl not give a greater Qemonftration, that he was Pag. 46. a 3P4 Tofifcript, a Congregational Minifier^ than fuch an Agree- ment is to the contrary. I think I may faj" (as he) that lefler Arguments than thefe have pafTed amongfl: good Criticks for a fufficient Proof, that fuch a particular Book had never been written by one of fuch a particular Deno- mination. " * And after all, if he be a Congregational Mi- ftifier^ He not only has quite laid afide that Phrafeology which is common with all their Writers upon Church Order ^ and the various Queftions that fall under it^ but he differs from their moft celebrated Writers in the molt material Points he infills on. He ilrangely forgat himfelf moft certainly, when he talks Let. Pag. of performing any Office of a Prieft. A fort of 8. Language, which I'm perfwaded would not be us'd by any of that way in England^ with an Eye to a Gofpel Minifier. Again, He calls Mr. if^.Pag. Hoadly C Phililline 3 and fo applies that to him, >^^' which I meant of the Pevil, that Infernal Fiend, And this is hard to be reconcil'd with that Complaifance towards him, that is us'd upon other Occafions, unlefs it was put in as a Blind to make fome other Things the lefs taken No- tice of. And feveral Things, are dropp'd in the Letter, that look like one that defign'd to ftrike a Heat if he could,' between thofe whofe Intereft as well as Duty it is to Ad like Bre- thren : In which I can't allow my felf to fup- pofe any Congregational Brother that at all un- derftands himfelf, would have any Hand. But be he who he will, he preten,ds to be fo well acquainted with me, as to, be able to tell Stb- *Pag.ip. ries of me. ^ M'ethinks ^tis Pity he dM not tell them, becaufe the Stories might by- their Circuipftances have -help'd me to trace the Au- ^or. But it feems 1 fiMll wait for' them. tojifcrip. 3P5 Truly they'll -be worth waiting for*, becaufe they are to prove, that my Principles are fa Roman Cathohcky as to allow me to believe Contra'- Pag. 20. diclions to he true. That will be a Difcovery indeed ! But any one that reads this Gentle- mans Letter, will find him charging fo many things as Contradidions, that are eafdy recon- cil'd by one, that is not determin'd he will not be fatisfy'd ^ and difcovering fuch an Inclina- tion to fatten on any thing, that might j)ut feem to expofe me to the Cenfure of contra- diding my felf, that 1 am not afraid of any great Credit his Stories will obtain, onlefs he fets his Name to them ^ and then their Credit will depend upon Circumftances. But as a Comprehensive Anfwer to this Gen- tleman, I muft tell him, that as far as this Let- ter difcovers him, he do's not underftand his own Principles, and therefore is a very unfit Judge of the Principles of other Men. He calls himfelf a Congregational Minifier^ and yet con- tradifts the Body of the Writers of the Con-' gregational Way^ in the things which he molt infills on, and entirely fills in with the Brownifis. The main Principle the Letter goes upon is this : That Minifterial Ordination is needlefs : Which I ihall briefly Jhew is entirely oppofite to the Current Notions of thofe of the Congre^ gational Way. Mr. John Cotton will be hare allow'd by all jf^r t a Place in the Fore-front, becaufe none more j^ •' ^r^ •zealous for that way than he ^ nor did any th/xinz^ take more Pains to fettle it. He in a Book of ^^^ ^^ his,"^ which he Publilh'd in KJ44, and which Heaven^ is the more remarkable, becaufe it was Pre- and the fac'd by Dr. Goodwin and Mr. Nye, has this Porrer PafTage. We are far from allowing that Sacrilegi^ thereof. 5P^ Poflfcnpt. ^ks Vfurfation of the Minifiers Office^ whkh roe hear of to ditr Grief to he fraBls'd ifi fomt Places^ that private Chrifiians ordinarily take ufon them to Treach the Gofpel puhlickh^ and to adminifter the Sacraments. ' ' / Mr. Hoohr^ who Was 6n6 of Mr^ Cotto?i\ S^^ •*5J!^t/f)f condsj thus gives his Senfe. ^ 'When the Churches of Difci- are rightly confi-jtuted and compleated with att. the np'^^^'^ Or^^rj and Offices ofChrifly the right ofOrdindti- ^^^'"^^ on heldngs to the Teaching ilders. And he calls it a Frenty^ to fay t\i2it 2iXiVnordaU^l!t Perjhn may BAptiz,e. '.' '^'"^ * The Platform of Difciplin'e drawn «f) by;a Synod at Cambridge in ' Ne-w-Ehgland^ and fet- tled in i(?49. in Ch. 9. Declares, That Chttrch Officer Sy are not only to be c ho fen by the Cfjurchf hut alfo to be Ordained by Inrpofition of Hands and Prayer 'j with which at the Ordinatibn of ElderSy Fdfiing alfo is td be foirP'd. ' And they quote in the Margin thefe Texts,' AEbs 13. 3. and 14. 23. \Tim.'%,i^. and afterwards they add, /;^ fuch' Churches^ where there are Elder s^ Impoftion of Hands in Ordination is to be performed by thofe Elders. And they quote, i Tim. 4. 10. and then add j In fuch Chare he s^ where there art no Elders^ and the Church fo defire 7* nation, why may it not be the like with o- thers ? If hfe was fufficiently call'd by an out* ward Voice, why may not an inward Call to the Minifl-ry be now fufficient ? And why may not Perfons in our Days be as much oblig'd to be obedient to an heavenly Impulfe, as he to the Vifion ? yinfw. I refer to the Provincial Ajfemhly of London for a Reply. "^ I fay with them, They'^J'^-^til^ that are immediately c,aWd to the Minifiry are en- '^^^''*'"J„ dii^d by God J either with the Gift of Miracles^ ok -^^"v^* with Jome other Tefiimo'ay of the Spirit^ by which p <^* , they are enabled to give Proof of their immediate ^' Call. This was St. Paulh Cafe : And there- fore we find, he caUs the Power of working Adi" racles a Sign of his ylpofilejhip^ 2 Cor. 12. 12. Let thofe then, that boalt of an heavenly Im* pulfe in this Cafe, And fay they are called by Cod to Preach as the Apoflles wcre^ Jhew the Sig7is and Tokens of their Apofilepip^ as the Apoftles did \ let them jhew the Gift of Miracles^ or of Tongues^ or of foretelling Things to comcy or fame fiipernatural PrediBion^ that fuch as they Jhould be fent into the World \ or at leaf fome rare and ex-^ traordinary Work of God^ that fo the World may believe that they are in Truth fent by God. And afterwards, Tho' the Apoftles themfelves were Vsl^. 11 ^^ caird immediately by God^ yet they did not wait till others that' flwuld fucceed them in the Work of the Miniftry.^ were chofen alfo immediately by Cod'^ but they themfelves ordained Afinifiers^ and gave Order to Timothy and Titus about the Way and Method of electing and ordaining Elders^ D d which 400 Pojijcript. which we are affkr^d they would never have done-, if the immediate Call had not ceased together with their Perfons^ &c. But let us fuppofe Perfons to have an inward Call to the Miniftry *, as an Evidence that it is real and genuine, and . not a Delufion, 'tis requifite they have fuitablc Abilities. If they have, there is no need to Plead an extraordinary heavenly Jmfulfe : And if they have not, the pretending to fuch an Jmfulfe will be no Juftification to them. Com- mon Senfe, (as well as the facred Scriptures, and the Univerfal Pra£tife of the Church) in- timates, that thofe who have been faithful in the "Minifterial Office are the fittefl to judge of fuch Abilities : But if Men will judge for themfelves, without iTgarding that Apolloli- cal Maxim, That the Sprits of the Prophets are SubjeSh to the Prophets \ if they will fancy an heavenly Imfulfe^ and under the Influence of it, apply themfelves to facred Work which God hath not qualify 'd them for, they muft An- fwer for it another Day : And as far as it is evident, they are really unqualify'd, Minifters and Chriftians are furnifli'd with a Satisfaftory Argument that their pretended Imfitife is but a Delufion. /vc?, Pa2. Q^^fi' ^- Why mayn't fonie Preach all their 8 g, ' Days without Ordination, as well as Candi- dates for fome Years ? And if fuch unordain'd Candidates are empowered to Preach, why not alio to adminifter Sacraments ? j47jfw. \ here alfo refer to the Provincial Af- Jhs Div.A^^^y ^^ London as before. There is a great Min. E- Difference ( lay they ) between a Private Marii vang. Preaching that never intends the Minifiry-f and a Pag. 113.*' '* Proha- Poftfcript. 40.1. Probationer'' s Preaching that intends the Minlft-ry^ and preacheth by way pf Trial. In the Old 'fefU-^ ment there were Prophets^ and Sons of the ProphetSy that were trained up in the Schools of the Prophets,^ Xhefe Sons of the Prophets did Prophefie by way of Trial and Exercife^ I Sam. Jp. 20. 2 Kings 2. 3. I Kings 20. 35, 35. Our Candidates that are- like them, are not allowed to Preach, without yip" probation and Licenfe. Herein they are like Volunteers in an Army, who, are Candidates for places of Command as they become capa- ble. And that Probationers for the Miniftry fhould not be allow'd to adminifter Sacraments or Ordain, is no more ftrange than that fucft Volunteers, (tho' often occafionally eraploy?cF, or it may be fometimes in daily Service) fhould not be allow'd the entire Management of diftind Regiments, or the creating Inferior Officers, till they have a Commiflion for that Purpofe. I fuppofe my Congregational Brother had not read Mr. Hooke/s Survey ^ where an Unordain'd Perfons Baptizing is reprefented aS a Frenzjy, I may alfo add, that the Sacraments are Matters of meer poiitive Inftitution, not to be us'd, but only becaufe they are divinely Appointed, and therefore to be adminiftred onr ly by an Authorized Officer. Quef. 3. If thofe who are not fent of Gody l^t^ p^g^ will not profit the People at all, according to Jer, p, 10, 23. 32. Then have not thofe that do confide- rably profit the People, a good Argument, that they are/ewf of God, tho' they have only a Call from the People to the Office of the Mini- Itry ? :. . D d i Anfw. 402 Pojifcript. Jnfvp. They may have been Call'd.by God to the Miniftry, and yet may have been guil- ty- of a great Irregularity in not fubmitting ■ their Abilities to Trial -^ and in not being fo- lemnly invelled in the Minifterial Office in the Qofpfl way. Let. Paff. >U!^^\^' Are not the People as good Judges who- ihall be Minifters, as who Ihall be their ir, 12, 16,17. Minifters? ..jjinfw^ No, by no Means. The Body of the People ( ordinarily fpeaking ) are no fitter Judges who (hall be Minifters in the Church of Chrift, than who fhall be Phyficians or Coun- fellours at Law. As it is highly reafonable, the one Ihould be judg'd off by the College of Phyficians, and the other by the Benchers of the feveral Inns of Court, fo is it to the full as jreafonable that they who themfelves are Minifters, Ihould be allow'd to be the proper- eft Judges, who are duly qualify'^ for the Mi- jliftry. And yet it is as hard to tell People, ypulftlall have this Minifter to take Care of ^our Sonls or none, as to fay you fiiall have this Phyfician to take Care of your Bodies, or this Lawyer to take Care of your Eftates, or none at all. Lxt. Pag. Que ft. 5. Muft there not be an exprefs Com- 23. mand in Scripture, for what is neceflary in Ordination? Now where is there any fuch Command for the Impofition oi Presbyters Hands in Ordination ? jinfw. Pojifcnpf. ^o^ j4nfw. An exprefs Command is not neceflary. That Word Exprefs is foifted in by this Au- thor, and not to be found in that Page of mine that is referi'd to.^ Nay, I in fo many ^•S'crDjf. Words diftinguifh there, between an Exprefs ^f^^^- and 2 f^irtitai Commsiiid. A clear Command ^ V^jjl'"*' do indeed fay is neceflary, as to any thing that^^^'^*^ fhould be reprefented as ElTential to Ordinati-p^ j-V on : But not an Exprefs one. For Proof, that there is fuch a clear Command in the Cafe, I might refer to the Provincial Ajfemhly of Lon" don.'\- But it being a Congregational Brother^ i Jfts that makes the Demand, I fhdll rath.r refer ^i^.^^'w* him to Mr. Virmin's Weighty Qnefiions Difcufs'd'^ Evang, mention'd before. However, tho' I am of ^hisp^P'^^^* Mind, that the Scripture is fufficiently plain ^^* ^ as to Minilterial Ordination, yet without he- ing much vers''d in the Art of Complement ing.^ I Pag. 14* can allow fome fuch unordain'd Perfons to have had Gifts, and to have been own'd by God in. the Ufe of them, tho' they had not taken up their Commiffion. And I can venture to men- tion my late honeft Neighbour Mr. Beerman for one; whom I muft confefs I particularly had in my tho'ts in that Cafe. Queft. 6. How can you infifl upon Ordina- ^^' Pag^ tion by Impoiition of Hands, when you fo ^4* frankly declare, that nothing is to be requir'd as a Term of Church Communion, which is not neceflary to an Acceptance with God now, or an entrance into Heaven hereafter ? Anfw, I know of none, that make the own- ing a Neceflity of the Impofition of Hands by Presbyters in Ordination, a Term of Communi- D d 3 on. 4^4 Poflfcript. on. We are ready to admit any foberly pro- felling Chriftians to Communion, without en- quiring their Senfe in this Matter. We'll al- low them to continue in Communion with us', tho' they differ from us in their Sentiments, iii many fuch things as thefe. It can never therfe'-' fore be pretended, it is made a Term of Corn- rnunion. Such as are perfwaded, God has re- quir'd Ordination by Impofition of Hands, may well infill upon it for themfelyes, or for their Minifters^ wit' but holding, that fuch as fee not a Divine Appointment of it, however o- therwife Qpalify'd and Call'd, muft be no bet- ter than Intruders. Let. Pag. Q^tefi. 7. Have not you your felf intimated, i5> 16, that Chrift approves of fuch as he has furnifh'd '7- with Minifterial Abilities ? That none that are defirous to contribute their Help to throw down the Kingdom of Satan, fhould be difcouf rag'd for want of a Formality ? And dropped divers other Hints of the like Nature, which will as well juftifie thofe who are only for the Call of the People without any Ordination j is thofe who are for Ordination by Preshytersy 3gainfl thofe who are for being Ordain d by JSiJhop ? ^nfw. My charity and Cat ho lick Spirit ( tO ivhich about thefe Matters an Appeal is fo of- ten made ) will not, I confefs allow me to pour Contempt on fuch as are duly qualify'd for th6 Miniflry , and yet it will not induce me know- ingly to Juflifie or Countenance a Method, . that would leave a Gap open to the Intrufion / pf Perfons grofly infufficient, . I muft confefs, I'ln of that Teippcr, that let but the llncir- cuincis'd Poftfcnpt, 405 cumcisM ThUlfline (the Enemy of all good) Pag. 16. be vanquifhM •, let Souls be refcii'd from him by any Man whatfoever, I fhall heartily re- joice. And yet ftill can't help being of Opi- nion, that he who pretends to Lift himfelf in a particular Order of Militants againft him and his Intereft, would do well to follow the Authentick Rules of that Order. When I find 'tis one of them, that Diocefan Bifliops give the Inveftiture, 1 fhall look upon that as necefTiry. But as long as I can find no Con- finement in Scripture to any Rank of Mini- flers., and yet no Inftance of any fet apart to the Office of the Miniftry, without the Agen- cy of Miiiifters^ I fhall conclude, tho' Emi- nence of Rank be not requifite, yet the Mini- fterial Agency is ^ and I cannot approve of the Negled of it. I can rejoice in the Suc- cefs of. Learned and Judicious Perfbns, whom God hath furnifh'd for and call'd to that Of- ' fice, tho' there may have been a negled in the Method of their taking it upon them, which I can by no Means approve of. Nei- ther am I afham'd to own, that I look upon the want of folemn- Ordination to the Office, ( where there are the Qualifications, that are really necefTary in order to fitnefs-,) to be a lefs dangerous Irregularity to the Souls of Men, than grofs Ignorance or Prophanenefs, • in thofe who are moft formally Ordain'd : And that 1 apprehend it fafer to attend ordinarily on the Preaching of fuch a one as Mr. Beer' many (tho' he continu'd Unordain'd to the Laft ) than of feveral, who may be gotten in- to Parifh Cures, whofe Sermons have but lit- tle tendency to Good, and their Lives yet lefs. Thefe things I reckon very Confiftent. Nei- D d 4 ther 4o<^ Pojifcript. P.^S-iS. ther am I afham'd to ftand to it, That r^e G-e- nerality of M.mk'ind have always tho^t that Truth has a fujficiem Antorlty to oblige Men both to Rc' ceive and Pnbllfh it *, how doubtful foever the Mijfion of him that brings it be. And did it ap- pear likely to contribute to the Convidion of a Congregational Brother^ I could quote one that Mr. Hoadly would own to be one of the moft Eminent of the Prefent Biihops of the Church in proof of it \ and that in fo many Words. Upon thefe Grounds I muft declare, that what- ever Liberty others may take, I think Gama- lieFs Counfel Good, and am for following it. Where I find God owning Perfons in their en- deavours to promote ferious Religion, tho' there may be fome Irregularities among them which I cannot approve of, I yet dare not flight them, and reprefent them as altogether unfent of God : I am clearly for letting them alone^ leaft haply I might be found fighting againfi God, Psg.2o. Qitefi. S. If the Ejeded Minifters could not be Re-ordain' d^ therefore becaufe it would have invalidated their pall Miniftrations ^ and if their Baptifms were not Valid, fuppoiing that their Miniftry was not Valid ^ ( as you have AfTerted ^ ) then do not you with Mr. Dodwell leave all thofe to Gods uncovenanted Mercies, that had not Minifterial Ordination ? Anfir, Tho' the Ejeded Minifters us'd that Plea with thofe who Silenc'd them, that the being Re-ordain'(J tended to invalidate their pall Miniflrations, yet their meaning was not, that it woi|ld make them a whit the lefs Valid in the iight of God tjian fhey were befprp, bqt that Pojifcript. 407 that it would tend to create endlefs Scruples among thofe that had been under their Mini- ftrations, as to the Validity of them. And ^ when I tell Mr. Hoadly^ * that if it be own'd J^ff- of in the Cafe of thofe who were Ejected, that ^"^'^^^'^ their Mini fir y was not Vdid^ then their Baptifms r . "'~ xoere not Vdid^ I particularly mention my re- {:>^^Pi gard to the Apprehenfions of thofe whom they p^^^22<. had Baptiz'd \ and bring it in with thefe Words in the Front : The Re-ordination of our Minifiers^ would create imiverfal Scruples as to their foreaoi-ng Mlnifiratioiis. And prefently af- ter I add thefe Words : A Man that obferves him that Baptized him^ owning that he was no Mi- nifier^ naturally concludes that then he was not rightly Baptixi'd^ and therefore mufi be Baptized, anew ; and this Way a Gap is opened for incredl' hie Difiurbance, So that it plainly appears, I herein exprefs not my own Senfe of the Matter, fo much as intimate the Difficulties and Scru- ples, which would be this way occafion'd. But as for thofe who were Baptiz'd by fuch as had not Minifterial Ordination, for my Part I de- termine nothing concerning them. If their Parents really bound them to be the Lords, by a Cordial Dedication of them to his Service, I am fure I am not he that would leave them to the Uncovenanted Mercies of God : And if they did not, I don't fee how the Charafter of the Perfon that Baptiz'd them, could fecure them of Divine Acceptance. Queft. 9. Did your Preaching do any Good Pag. t2l while you Preach'd as a Probationer ? If it did, it was Valid for the Ends for which it was ap- pointed : And why then might not your Bap- tifm have been Valid too ? Anfw, 4o8 FoJIfcripL jinfw^ iTho' I don't ufe to boafl: about the Good I do, yet being urg'd fhan't ftick to own^ that I am not without Hope my endeavours might be of ufe to fome, before I was Or- dain'd : And my Hopes of this, after I had Ipent feveral Years in the neceffary Prepara- tory Studies, gave me the more Encourage- ment to offer my felf to Ordination. I did not pretend while I was a Probationer to Ad with the attefted Autority of an Ordain'd Minifter ^ and yet took the Succefs afforded as a con- firming Evidence, (in my Cafe, who had been all along delign'd for the Miniliry, and educa- ted in Order to it) that God was fending me into his. Vineyard, and had delign'd me to be of Ufe in his Church in the Minifterial Office. In this I was Confirm'd, by finding the Me- thod the fame among the Prophets ot Old *, as has been hinted before. ■ I did not, however in this Time Baptize, becaufe I knew I had hot a Commiflion \ and to do it without, had been what I could not have juftify'd : Tho' I don't fuppofe, that the blelfed God laies any fach llrefs on Matters of exterior Order, as that Xny Irregularity in this Refpeft ( had I been guilty or any ) would have had any influence to Caufe others to be rejeded of God, whom if I had been Regular, he had accepted. Pag. 23, Q^i;iefi. lo. Is it not a pleafant Circle, fome- 24. ' times to make the Validity of Orders prove Miniftrations Valid ^ and at other Times the Validity of Miniftrations to prove the Vali- dity of Orders? And yet is not this your Gourfe ? Pojlfcriph 40p ^nfw. A different Turn given to a Man's Expreflions, often produces a different Senfe from what was intended. That except Per- Ibns are defign'd by God for the Office of the Miniftry, it is not to be expe6:ed their Mini- ftrations fhould ordinarily be fuccefsful, I do indeed affirm : And yet that God may make; it the Duty of Perfons to fix on the Miniflry for the Employment of their Lives, and they in the mean Time not be invefled in the Office God has defign'd them for in a Scriptural Man- ner, or fo as duly to Evidence their MilTion to others, is with me paft Queltion. If then I find God remarkably owning any Perfons in their Endeavours in a Minifterial Way to promote the good of Souls, I cannot forbear apprehen- ding he defigns them for the Minillry : And yet tho' he do's fo, it do's not therefore fol- . low, that they are to be approv'd or juftify'd in the Omiffion of what may be neceflary to prevent Irregular Intrufions. That Valid Or- ders, do prove the Validity of Miniftrations, no Man can deny. That Valid Miniflrations do prove Orders Valid, I no where (as I can remember ) Alfert, and yet think it not fo ea- fie to difprove it, as fome may imagine, in the Cafe of thofe, who take that facred Office up- on them, and deliberately fix on it, as the Employment of their Lives. If this be a Cir- cle, 'tis not therefore prefently to be rejefted. A new Dodrine is to be Confirm'd by Mira- cles: And yet in Judging of Miracles, we mull have an Eye to the Dodrine that is to be thereby Confirm'd. This alfb is a Circle, and y?t not I fuppofe to be derided. That 4 1 o Tofifcript, Pag. 24. That Perfons fhould be fatisfy'd of the Law- fulnefs of their Call to the Miniftry, if they pretend to make it the Employment of their Lives, I think I had good Reafon to AfTert : And yet to fay, that Succefs while Perfons are but Probationers, if they are duly quali- fy'd, may be a Confirming Evidence of the Reality of a Call to the Miniftry, is not as far as 1 can judge at all incondftent. «o . Pag. 25, Quefl. II. If (as you reprefent) the Agea- 2^. cy oF Presbyters who are Scripture Bifhops, is necelTary to Ordination ^ then are not all that come into the Miniftry without fuch an Ordi- nation Intruders ? Anfvc. It was tYitFalldity of Ordination by Presbyters^ which I was Aflerting in the Place referr'd to, againft thofe who reprefented it as invalid^ for want of the Concurrence of an Ecclefiaftical Biftiop : And not the abfolute Neceffity of fuch an Ordination. However, if my Congregational Brother will be at the Pains tO' read, the Trad of Mr. Giles Flrmin before re- ferr'd to, ( which he may perhaps do with the more Satisfaftion, becaufe that worthy Perfon was well known to have been of the Congregational Perfwajion^ He will meet with what may perhaps convince him, that thofe who come into the Miniftry without fuch an Ordination, are guilty of an Irregularity, that is not by any Means to be approv'd off". Pa^. 2S. Qnefi. 12. How can our Call, (who had no fuch Ordination by Presbyters ) be unlawful as not being duly iignify'dj, and yet lawful as ' having Pojlfcript. 411- having God's Seal to it ? How can the People Profif under us, and yet not Profit at all? How can God profper and fruftrite our La- bours at once ? Is this the force of Catholick Principles ? ^nfw. A Perfbn that is qualify'd ^nd inclin'd for the Miniftry, by being fo, may be call'd to it of God, and yet his Call may not be du- ly fignify'd to others, nor fufficienty evidenc'd according to the Rule of Scriptures, for want of Minifterial Inveftiture. God may atteib that he has calVd him to the Miniftry, and yet he be blame-worthy, that he has not ta- ken that Courfe which is requifite to prevent a general Diforder and Confufion. The Peo- ples profiting under fuch a Man may be an Evidence that God has call'd him ^ and yet no Evidence that he did his Duty, as to the Manner of his Entrance upon that Work which God had call'd him to. And tho' it is not pof- iible for God to profper and fruftrate his La- bours at once, yet his profpering the Labours of a well qualify'd Perfon, which may really be defign'd for his Glory, is an Evidence that he defign'd him for them, or otherwife the fru- ftrating them might rather be expected : But it is no Evidence, that he did his Duty in his Entrance upon thofe Labours. So that my Catholick Principles are not in this Cafe much put to it. Queft. 13. If our Ordinations (without any Pag. 2^. help of Minifters ) difagree with the Rule of the Scriptures, how can you own them ? And if you difown our Ordinations, mult you not invalidate our Mjniftrations ? Anfw» 4 1 2 Toflfcripu Anfvo* I refer my Congregational Brother to Mr. Firmin as before, for a diftinft Aiifwer. For my own Part, if they are duly qualify'd as well as inclin'd, I am ready to own them call'd to the Miniftry by God. And if he fuq- ceeds their Miniftrations, I dare not pour con- tempt upon them \ tho' for my own Part I could not be fatisfy'd with their Method. And yet thp' they do go againfl a Rule of Scripture ( which to me is plain, tho' not to them ) I am afraid to condemn them as unac- cepted of God, becaufe his giving them Sue** cefs, after he has qualify'd and inclin'd them, may be an Evidence of the contrary : It feems an Intimation, that He is ready to make them • an Allowance for their not feeing that Rule in Scripture, which yet is plain to others. And if God makes Allowance in the Cafe, I think I ought to do fo too \ fo far as not to con- temn their Labours ^ tho' it do's not there- Yore . follow I muft approve their Irregula- rity. Pag. 35, Quefi. 14. What are you ? A rigid Prcshyte* 37* rian^ or a Latundinarian <" How can your ftifF- nefs and your Freedom be reconcil'd ? It were not to be wondred to hear ConcefHons from one who made fomewhat of a broader Foun- dation: But for you who have fettled upon Scripture, plain pofitive Scripture, How can you have room for granting any thing? j4f7fw.. You rnay , givp rae, fWJmt: Name you pleafe, provided you'll; givje . me but leave jointly to purfue the Inierieits of Truth and Charity. My chief Stiff^eft'js i^gaia^ unfcrlp- tural PoJJfrript. 413 tural Impofitlons'^ in which I fhould think I might depend upon my Congregational Brnher^s hearty Concurrence. My Freedom is no other than what as far as I can judge the Word of God will warrant, -and therefore not juftly lia- ble to blame. All that I aim at upon this Head, is that a true Scriptural Ordination . may not be run down for -want of an Eccleli- aftical Nicety ^ nor an irregular Intrufion into the Miniflry encourag'd, for want of a folemn Inveftiture into that facred Office. I'm ftifF for the Rule of Scripture, both againfl: thofe who reprefent an Eccleliaftical Bifliop as abfb- lutely neceflary ^ and thofe who look upon the Agency of any Minifters at all in Ordination to be unrequir'd and infignificant. And yet at the fame Time I'm free from the Heat of thofe on one Hand, who reprefent Epifcopal Ordination as utterly unwarrantable ^ and thofe alfo on the other Hand who contemn the Miniltrations of fuch as are not of their own way, tho' ever fo much own'd of God ^ Of leave fuch as unwarily have run into an Ir- regularity, to the Uncovenanted Mercies of God. Tho' I have fettled upon Scripture, and am willing to keep to it in all Particulars, as far as I can find God hath given it me for a Rule, yet I can Hill grant, that thofe who are unhappily and not wilfully lead into a Mifun- derftanding of Part of that Rule, may be en- titled to a favourable Allowance : And I am the more willing to give it my Brethren in fome Things, as not knowing but I my felf may need it in other Things. And this fort of Allowance to each other, is what I appre- hend to be much more for the Credit of Chri- ftianity, than to be rigorous in Cenfuring, where 414 Toftfcript. where there may be only want of Light, with- out any Mailignity, or Obftinacy of Will. If thus much will help to fet this Gentleman Right, (who pretends at lealt to be much di- fturb'd ) be he who he will, I fhall not repent my Pains : But if his Difturbance ftill conti- nues, and he is ambitious to propagate it, and that under a Difguife too. He may depend upon my Pity % but upon no farther Publick Notice to be taken of him by me, unlefs there Ihould be more weighty Reafons for it, than I can as yet difcover. FINIS. k Ife i ■ -■ ■' '.1 \ N 1 , .*